The culinary scene on the edge of Edmonton is a unique blend of so many different things. Local ingredients meet international flavours. Big-city cooking techniques and innovations meet small-town hospitality, friendliness, and community. Around here, you’ll simultaneously find establishments that have been around for many decades as well as new and exciting places to try. The Tri-Region is home to so many talented farmers, producers, servers, makers, baristas, bakers, and chefs that make our culinary scene so great. With that in mind, it’s time you planned a weekend exploring some of the food-related experiences On The Edge has to offer. Your Tri-Region culinary weekend awaits!
Thursday
Thursday’s theme: local!
Let’s get started with some market-going! Make your way west through Parkland County to the quaint hamlet of Carvel. Each and every Thursday throughout the summer (May 9th to August 29th, 2019) Carvel hosts the Carvel Station Farmers’ Market. This is where you’ll find products that are homegrown, homemade, and locally produced. Blending a community feel with a “Make, Bake, Grow” ethos, the Carvel Station Farmers’ Market is a terrific way to spend a summery Thursday evening in Parkland County. Beyond browsing through the offerings of over 25 different local vendors, you can enjoy the onsite food trucks, and families will get a kick out of the bouncy castle.
Friday
Friday’s theme: new!
Rise and shine and smell the Banana French Toast. For this rendition of the glorious ‘most important meal of the day’, we’re headed to Stony Plain – and more specifically Twenty Eight Urban Kitchen. A new addition to the local culinary scene, Twenty Eight Urban Kitchen is located in Stony Plain’s Decker Centre on 44th Ave. Their breakfast menu ranges from classics like Steak & Eggs, Buttermilk Pancakes, and an assortment of Bennies – to new favourites such as Chorizo Shakshuka, Early Burger, and Tapsilog. Twenty Eight Urban Kitchen is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Added bonus: the restaurant is just a short jaunt from Stony Plain’s Rotary Park, so a brunch and stroll date is very attainable.
Take the late morning/early afternoon to enjoy Stony Plain and the rest of the Tri-Region your way – there are lots of cultural experiences and shopping destinations awaiting you.
Once dinner time rolls around we’re off to Spruce Grove to experience authentic Thai food. Thairific Thai Restaurant is one of the city’s newest culinary hotspots. The menu features an array of Thai curries, noodles, fried rice, stir fry and fish. Thairific also has a selection of Thai desserts as well as three bubble tea flavours.
Saturday
Saturday’s theme: easy-going!
No sleeping in this morning! Okay, well maybe just a few more z’s – we did promise an easy-going day after all. Whatever your sleeping preference, the first stop on Saturday morning is the Stony Plain Farmers’ Market. It runs every Saturday from April until December. As mentioned for those early risers, the market opens at 9a.m., but if you prefer to sleep in, no fretting as the market is open until 1p.m. With an extensive list of market vendors Stony Plain Farmers’ Market always has something fresh, local, and beautiful for just about every taste and mood. This market has been a community staple since 1974, so prepare to stay awhile as you browse and converse with the vendors.
Next up, we’re headed to Perks Coffee House. While there are multiple Perks locations in the Tri-Region (1 in Parkland County, 2 in Spruce Grove, and 1 in Stony Plain, as well as their travelling bus), on this particular trip we recommend heading to the closest one in Stony Plain. Over the past few years Perks has grown from an idea into a flourishing Tri-Region culinary success story. Now, the coffee house is known as a local gathering place – and with good reason. Their drink menu includes everything from classic drip coffee, to espressos and red eyes to macchiatos and frappes. Feeling hungry? Perks has several breakfast, lunch and bakery offerings.
With the afternoon at your whim, use that time to keep exploring the Tri-Region. Need some ideas? May we suggest golfing, greenhouses or a local park? Everyone has their own definition of relaxing – find yours and do that for the afternoon.
Back to the food tour – it’s time for dinner and we’re headed to 9 Iron Grill & Patio in gorgeous Seba Beach. The combination of the beautiful backdrop of the Pineridge Golf Resort plus Chef James’ splendid creations make 9 Iron the ideal place for a relaxing yet extravagant dinner. Featuring items such as sterling silver steak, pan seared atlantic wild salmon, and chicken baked brie & cranberry the menu here is exquisite. Plus, they have weekly specials so there’s always something new to try.
Sunday
Sunday’s theme: the choice is yours!
First up on this lovely Sunday is Happy Acres U-Pick, located south of Spruce Grove in Parkland County. Here, you’ll find a vast selection of u-pick items (seasonally available, of course) as well as farm animals to pet and visit, ice cream, gift baskets, and a number of other gift items. The best way to make sure you know what’s available for picking is to visit Happy Acres’ Facebook page. On top of having the great selection of fruits and veggies you’d expect to find at an Alberta u-pick, Happy Acres has an array of specialty and unique items, as well as fresh cut flowers. The garden and u-pick are open from July to September, while the yard and farm animals are visitable from June to September. Happy Acres is open weekends from 10am to 7pm, as well as extended weekday hours during their peak season in July and August.
It’s lunchtime and we’re headed to SandyView Farms in Spruce Grove. At SandyView you’ll find an amazing deli on the first floor. Peruse the local and international products, and find and pick up the ingredients used to make the flavourful lunch you just enjoyed. Grab a few things for a barbeque or picnic later.
Alternatively, you could enjoy one of the Tri-Region’s outdoor adventures.
Thanks for joining us on the edge for this culinary tour. Wherever your taste buds take you, we know you’ll enjoy yourselves. Let your love of great food spur your next adventure just west of Edmonton!