Our TASTEairdrie partners are all ready for fall with sips and savours that will keep you happy even though summer is fading behind us. Follow us on social media @tasteairdrie for weekly reader contests!
If you haven’t tasted the baked goods offered by locally owned and operated Avenue Cakery & Bakeshoppe, you are missing out on one of Airdrie’s sweetest spots. The bakery serves scrumptious cookies, bars, cakes, cupcakes and more to satisfy any sweet tooth. If you want an extra-special treat to bring to your Thanksgiving feast, consider the ultra-moist pumpkin or sweet potato cupcakes. The bakery also serves up delicious pies and cakes that would be perfect for a holiday celebration.
At First & Vine, look for a vegetable-forward section of sharing plates on the menu, driven by late summer and fall harvests, along with some updated favourites, new desserts, and a new wine list! Enjoy the grilled Alberta lamb sirloin, roasted broccoli, brown butter yams and pumpkinseed vinaigrette, as well as the the full one pound of East Coast mussels served with Calabrese salami, red peppers, fennel and grilled sourdough bread. Stay tuned for some fun feature cocktails and make sure to stop in for half-priced bottles of wine on Wednesdays, and Tapped Tuesdays with craft beer and prosecco, $5 each.
For local-brewed craft beer, look no further than Fitzsimmons Brewing Co. Enjoy the provincial-gold-winning East Lake Amber; also Big Hill Blonde, Fitzy Lager (an Indian Pale Lager just being released), or a unique roasted pineapple sour. If you haven’t been, be sure to head over to the taproom for a pint and some light snacks.
Good Earth Coffeehouse has fall all served up in super good, superfood lattes with benefits. Check out their new lattes! The Turmeric Latte combines turmeric and ginger, both known for their incredible anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help boost immunity and aid digestion, with cinnamon and a touch of coconut blossom sugar for sweetness. The Beetroot Latte is a superfood latte offering all the health benefits of real beetroot plus ginger to add to the anti-inflammatory benefits, with a touch of coconut blossom sugar for sweetness.
A warm atmosphere and an ever-changing menu that sources the vast majority of its ingredients from within a 50-kilometre radius await guests of Airdrie’s Hayloft Restaurant. The restaurant uses these local ingredients to handcraft everything, from their bread and pasta to desserts and sauces, in house, resulting in high-quality dishes. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to check out Hayloft’s inspiring menu and comfortable atmosphere.
A friendly atmosphere awaits visitors to Sorso Espresso & Wine Bar. The restaurant is perfect for every occasion, from a family friendly meal to an intimate date. Sorso’s menu entices the palate with fresh local and ethically sourced ingredients, and the restaurant offers a variety of sensational sips ranging from specialty coffee to local beer, wine and a variety of tasty cocktails – both classic and with a unique twist. Weekly live music adds to the appeal of the popular eatery.
Pure, raw honey is the secret ingredient behind the meads at Tamarack Jack’s. Brewed in central Alberta, the meadery’s signature brews, Sawyer and Buzz Saw, are available year round, but if you are looking for a holiday treat, consider Sougan, a traditional, dry mead that comes with a jar of honey and mulling spices. When heated, the brew tastes like Christmas morning in a cup. Tamarack Jack’s is now also conveniently serving their products in cans.
The Woods is famous for their Sunday brunch buffet and the waffle station is making everyone smile with a crazy amount of topping options from savoury to sweet. And speaking of savory – why not let the crew at The Woods do all the heavy lifting for Thanksgiving dinner? Turkey and all the trimmings and your favourite side dishes plus a table laden with dessert? Yep, you don’t have to do a thing except make a reservation.
Photos courtesy Hayloft Restaurant
