Raja Mita is a little nervous about revealing his favourite brunch spot. On one hand, he wants to promote the singular, family run restaurant, but on the other, weekend brunch gets busy.
“On the weekend between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday or Sundays, it’s super busy, but in a good way,” he says.
The alum of Edify‘s Top 40 Under 40 and vice president of One Health with Alberta Innovates, which provides funding, services and expertise to post-secondary researchers, entrepreneurs and industry, loves nothing more than snagging an outdoor seat at Castle Bake Pita. But be warned: the patio is small.
His top pick at the northside Lebanese restaurant is called AGB or akawi garlic butter — with a fresh pot of tea.
“I don’t even know how to describe it. It’s so delicious,” he says. “Akawi is a type of Lebanese cheese and they melt it on bread and put some garlic butter on it. They fold it over and it gets crispy on the outside. It’s so savoury and melty on the inside. It’s one of my favourite things to have.”
Fear not: if brunch is what you’re after, there’s ample seating inside. But, of course, it’s hard to beat enjoying your favourite dish in the sunshine.
“It’s local,” Mita says. “It’s nice to support something like that.”
Castle Bake Pita
Baturyn | 16845 109 St NW, Edmonton | castlebakepita.shop
Summer Faves
If there’s anything to be gleaned from this series: we Edmontonians love food and we love being outdoors. When we’re not slurping noodles or lingering over brunch, we’re taking scenic strolls, stopping at dog parks and snapping pictures at river valley vistas. Delve into this year’s list of Edmontonians’ favourite things — with best-loved picks from a variety of noteworthy locals who span the arts, business, sports and non-profit realms — to help build your own summer bucket list. And if you can’t make it beyond your backyard, you can at least follow this foolproof formula and enjoy something tasty in the sunshine.
