Michelle Hayduk is a graphic designer and an arts administrator. Her husband, Chris, is a police officer with the Edmonton Police Service. An unlikely duo to be opening a cafe? Maybe not.
“It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, a cafe or pub,” says Chris. There was something in it for both of them, as it turns out.
“Chris has always had a passion for coffee, and mine has always been in the arts. For me, I saw the opportunity for the night-time music, the gallery — it kind of came together with Chris and myself,” says Michelle.
And that’s why the Hayduks created Cafe Blackbird. The couple took over the former Jeffrey’s Wine Bar space in Crestwood at the end of September, renovated for a week and got it up and running. It all happened sooner than they thought it would — they were originally planning on having a place for retirement. But opportunity knocked when Chris went to Iconoclast coffee on a friend’s recommendation.
“I met the owner and talked to him about some concepts and ideas. And that same friend ended up talking to Brad from Culina and said, ‘you should talk.’ And I talked to Brad, and then the next thing we heard was that Jeffrey’s was for sale. We saw the potential for us and put in an offer, and here we are.”
Seasonal Fruit Salad
Banana-Honey or Berry-Vanilla Smoothie
Oatmeal w. Macerated Fruits and House Granola
House Granola w. Yogurt and Macerated Berries
Blackbird Breakfast Sandwich
w. ham, egg, edam cheese, tomato and house mayo on Cobs bun
Cinnamon and Sugar on Toast
Cobs Country Grain Toast
w. nutella or peanut butter and jam
Daily Soup
Weekly Stew
Mediterranean Vegan Sandwich
w. confit eggplant, roasted bell pepper, grilled zucchini and onion, tempeh and tomato-basil coulis (v)
Croque Monsieur
classic grilled ham and cheese w. house mayo
Smoked Salmon
w. tomato, spinach, cream cheese and pickled red onions
Three Meat Italian Sandwich
w. bocconcini, tomato bruschetta, basil oil and balsamic reduction
Kids Grilled Cheese
on cobs country grain bread
House Kale and Spinach Salad
w. dried apricots, hazelnuts, pickled red onions, feta and citrus vinaigrette (gf)
Quinoa Nicoise Salad
w. spinach, kale, green beans, bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, tomato bruschetta, sundried olives and citrus vinaigrette (v) (gf)
Panzanella Salad
w. croutons, spinach, tomato bruschetta, sundried tomatoes, capers, yellow tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette (v)
Blackbird Pie
creamy mushroom potpie served w. tomato chutney
Quiche
w. leek, double smoked bacon and aged cheddar
Roasted Red Pepper Turkish Flatbread
w. feta, tomato and pesto
Ham, Brie and Mushroom Turkish Flatbread
Confit Eggplant Dip
w. tomato bruschetta, lemon yogurt sauce and turkish flatbread
Salmon Mousse
w. lemon, capers and turkish flatbread
Chickpea Hummus
w. turkish flatbread (v)
Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar
w. turkish flatbread (v)
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Double Smoked Bacon and Aged Cheddar Quiche
served w. side house salad
Blackbird Benny
w. spanish valbella sausage and rosti potato
Vegan Frittata w. Potatoes, Onion and Tomatoes
served w. side house salad (v)
Pancakes
w. dulce de leche, macerated fruits, white chocolate and hazelnuts
Sweet Potato Cinnamon Bun
w. maple glaze (v)
Drinks
Coffee by Iconoclast,Red Wine,White Wine,Rosé Wine,Bubbles,PortBlackbird Beer,Highballs,Cocktails,Martini
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Café Blackbird is a family run coffee shop, wine bar and live music venue. But, that’s not all! They also regularly display and sell works of art by artists from the greater Edmonton area. The displays rotate monthly to provide exposure for artists and ensure customers always have fresh visual pieces to behold.
View this Smart ListLocated in Crestwood, this coffee and wine bar often hosts live music, Paint Nite and art gallery reception events. They serve coffee made with beans from local coffee gurus Iconoclast, as well as Cally’s loose leaf teas, hot chocolate, citrus mint iced tea, lattes, San Pellegrino and more. Their menu boasts plenty of locally sourced products, including bread from their neighbour, Cobs Bread Crestwood, and items from the Italian Centre, Fruits of Sherbrooke and Sparrow’s Nest Organics. They serve tapas after 4 p.m., and they are open until 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday and until midnight Fridays and Saturdays.
View this Smart ListCafé by day, live music venue by night, and visual art gallery around the clock, Café Blackbird is nestled in Crestwood. This family-run coffee and wine bar puts the emphasis on quality without sacrificing quantity, offering locally roasted coffee beans and a wide selection of hand picked wines.
View this Smart List