Where Edmonton Magazine January/February 2018 | Page 7

EDITOR'S NOTE NEW-YEAR REFLECTIONS Just before the calendar makes its flip over to 2018, we begin to reflect on all of the best experiences and things 2017 gave us. Edmonton’s burgeoning dining scene saw dozens of restaurants open, which made for an incredible challenge to pick our annual Best New Restaurant Award winner. Turn to page 13 to discover this year’s innovative champion, and add a dozen delicious runners-up to your “Need to Eat Here” li st. Last February, the Government of Alberta officially recognized Black History Month in the province for the first time. The capital city hosts several fantastic events to celebrate Black history, and Collins Maina spotlighted some of the coolest ones in his feature on page 16. Whether you’re an advocate or art lover (or both), you’ll find an impactful show to experience in February. Though winter reaches its frosty height at the beginning of the year, it’s no reason to hide away inside—we’ve collected some of the top winter activities in the city that draw locals out of their homes! With brilliant ice sculptures, intense winter sports, and an awe-inspiring ice castle, you’ll find a reason to bundle up and brave the cold in “Frozen Fun” (pg 17). Discover where to sip and savour over a hundred varieties of wines and whiskies (pg 45), support Edmonton-based makers in the mall (pg 29), read stories and poems in an unexpected setting (pg 47), and more within these pages! Welcome to Edmonton! Matthew Stepanic EDITOR [email protected] ENJOY A HUMID 24 °C ALL WINTER WHEN YOU EXPLORE CANADA’S MOST INNOVATIVE BOTANICAL GARDEN. EVENTS CONCERTS CUISINE ARTS EDUCATION MUTTARTCONSERVATORY.CA 311 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 // where.ca 7