Albertagirl's Profile
Sausage casings YYC
Hi,
Anyone know where I can buy sausage casings in Calgary. Last time I made sausage Butchers & Packers was still open!
Thanks
Pies and Tarts YYC
Spraggs has fantastic pork. I haven't checked recently, but the price is probably not that much more, for what I believe is a superior product. We buy all our pork there. Especially lots of shoulder, which we grind to make meatballs, pate, etc. They have a "farmer-style" sausage that we got hooked on when they were at the CFM, and we buy it every time we are there so that we always have some, at least in the freezer for an emergency! The ribs are really good, and we got a smoked pork hock recently, which blew me away, as I had only bought grocery store hocks before. I'm all for deals, and we have to spend our money wisely, but I do believe you get what you pay for.
Anybody heard about Borgo Trattoria yet?
We've been a couple of times, once for the late-night menu, and once for lunch. Both times, the deep-fried eggplant was excellent. The charcuterie plate was good, but not inspired. For the late-night visit, we had the bruschetta, and it was quite possibly the worst version of this I have ever had. The bread had been grilled, but was cold and obviously had spent time in the fridge. It's not the best time of year for tomatoes, but they could have been jazzed up with some acid, etc., and weren't. We had ordered four, but left two uneaten. The arrancini were very good. The greens were definitely off in the spinach salad, and the lardon were disappointing. Loved the atmosphere, and service was great, but on both occasions we were underwhelmed by the food. Will try it one more time for dinner and some of the dishes other hounders have been raving about.
Papa Chocolat YYC
Has anyone been to Mr Callebaut's new location? It's way out there for me, being an inner city person, and I haven't heard anything about it, either here or in the media. Wondering if it is worth a trip.
Supermarket woes
Thanks Shazam...I am often better at remembering general concepts than actual details!
Supermarket woes
I don't have a Sobey's near, so I never shop there. I have read in the news recently though, that they have signed a deal with Walmart to be their local "fresh food/produce" provider in our market, not sure if that is Calgary or Alberta, or Western Canada. Not sure what that means. Maybe short-term bigger business for Sobey's, but more manufactured-type foods in their stores?
Lunch In Banff
We live in Calgary but don't get to Banff often. We are hosting friends visiting from Madrid, and staying at and having dinner at the Post. Any recs for lunch in Banff?
Thanks for any help. They so carefully consider where we should eat when they host us in Europe, so would like it to be really good. It doesn't have to be fancy or formal, just someplace with a reasonable wine list and delicious food.
DC Newbie
Thanks for your replies. I posted late, only a day before we went., and just got back last night. We went to Proof, which was okay, not great. Zaytinya was pretty good. The lamb chops with smoked yogurt was really good. We wound up going to Fiola twice, because our lunch was so good. The ricotta gnocchi pasta with eggplant and dill was fantastic, as was the simply grilled sea bass. The freshly made doughnuts (can't remember the Italian name) were really good, had them both times. Dino was with a large group (20) so for me it was so-so, but it was served family style, and maybe too large a group to give a fair rating. It was also picked by some locals who had a hard time finding a place for a large group.
Thanks again fellow chowhounders, ktmoomau especially for steering us to some great food!
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Zaytinya
701 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
DC Newbie
In DC for almost a week and have no idea where to start. We love Avec in Chicaco, A16 in San Francisco: that kind of rustic style.. Doesn't have to be either formal or cheap, just really good. We are staying two blocks from the White House, but haven't had time to research anything. If there is a post about central DC that someone could direct me too, that would be good too. Thanks for any help.
Blends Coffee YYC
Anyone know anything about Blends Coffee? They set up coffee stations in other businesses.
Where to find Grazin Acres Meat in YYC
They have a space they are working on that will not be open until May. You can source them at Second To None Meats, or if you email them at grazinacres@gmail.com they will bring in an order for you to pick up at Wild Rose Pub, near the old Calgary Farmer's Market site.
Love their stuff!
Looking for inexpensive duck fat in Calgary
I've seen it at the Cookbook Co, don't know the pricing. Maybe at T & T? I'm leery of Chinese ingredients though: always have thoughts of Melamine......
Maybe try calling L'Epicerie or Bite.
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L'Epicerie
1325 1 St SE, Calgary, AB T2G 5L1, CA
Puerto Vallarta - Mid-day meal recommendations needed
I have been going to PV for the last ten years. I have tried to go to the Red Cabbage, but never found it to be open at lunch, and tried but never got it together to get in at night. We went to Arrayan, but were underwhelmed. From what I have heard, have never even wanted to try La Palapa, for lunch or dinner. I have never had good luck with "high end" restos there, but lots of good, although not fancy places for lunch. Joes's Fish Shack, in old town is one of our favourites. Try to sit upstairs, if you can. Their ceviche trio has always been outstanding, and we have liked everything else that we have had. They are famous for their fish and chips, and I'm sure it is good, but it's not what I am looking for, so haven't tried it. I have had a good meal or two years back at Daquiri Dicks, where you can be outside overlooking the ocean. If you want to go "down market" go the the Calamari Aventuroso, and have their shrimp tacos with beer, outstanding, and the first meal I will have there when I get there this Feb.
Sociale...
This is another from Vitold Twardowski (sp?) formerly of Mescalero, Divino, Cilantro, Ranche, etc fame. He has always been great on concepts, and then brings in the follow-up team for food and execution. Let's see how this one works...
Buying a new range
I have had a Kitchenaid for 5 years or so and am quite happy with it. It has four gas burners, with an electric oven. It has convect broil and convect roast, which are great for meats when it's too cold to grill outside. There is a grid over the entire top, which I like, as you can slide pots around without an "up and down" motion, potentially tipping things. I have seen other Kitchenaids with more of a raised grid, which I don't like. My one quibble is that it doesn't have a "simmer" function, and the burners run quite hot, so I would look for that if I was re-purchasing. Of course, if money and space were no option, I would go for a 6 burner with two ovens, but my kitchen is too small. I've heard good things about "Wolf" brand, so you might check those out.
My guy had a stove with an infra-red feature, where you could broil/flash-roast meats up to 700-800, which he liked a lot. I don't remember the make. Good luck with your reno!
Food in Literature
The Auberge of The Flowering Hearth
I read this 20 odd years ago, must reread it!
chanterelles in calgary
While I would agree that you have to watch what you buy at Dj's, because they have a lot of non-local produce there, they do have some great produce, and at great prices. Buyer beware...I think they are a nice family trying to make a living. Check where it came from, if that is important to you (it is to me) but also check carefully if it is fresh. I don't think they are trying to rip people off; they are just selling a wide variety and I always go around the store and give things a hard look before I choose.
Tuscan Kale YYC
I've seen it at Community on 10th Ave. I think another name is Cavolo Nero.
The Living Room YYC
Anyone been lately? I remember it being good years ago,
Thinking of going on Sunday night. Any comments greatly appreciated.
Foodie looking for the real restaurants in Sicily
Was it you that had recommended the Gran Caffe originally? If so, thanks! We had a car, so didn't use taxis much, but I don't believe they would be they that reliable. They will cheerfully drive you around and around, then present you with a whopping bill. Even when we were just going from Ortiga to our hotel/B&B, which was at best a 5 minute ride, it was 7ish euros, and he didn't have any change, so he got 10 euros. Tell the cab it is on the Porto picolo side, and I think the nearest cross street is Santa Lucia somethingor other. Syracusa is a small city, and these cabbies have probably lived there all their lives, and do know where these places are.
What happened to the Mackay Place??
I talked to Witold, the owner/chef, and also of Mescalero, Cilantro, Divino, etc. fame and he had felt it was a bit of a tough slog out there. He is working on opening Sociale downtown, which is a bar/restaurant. So maybe it is closed.
Overwhelmed-- where to start in search for charming, classic Parisian restaurants?
Do a google search of paris arrondissements and you will see that it is laid out like a snail shell, with the 1st being in the centre, then going to the second and third to the East and wrapping around, so the first is near the second, but also the ninth. You have to look at it and then it makes sense. Patricia Wells has a book that is out of print, I think it is called Food Lover's Guide to Paris, or something like that. We have worked our way through many of the old classic bistros in it, although we did find some were closed, so you need to check before walking there after an already long day of walking! One place that I have been to many times, and can't imagine a trip to Paris without going to is Chez Denise. It is either in the 1st or 2nd Arr. They have all the classics, including cerveille (sp) which is lamb's brains. I had always wondered about it, after seeing it on menus, but didn't want to commit to it as a main. Our Belgian friend ordered it and let me try: think grey, mushy, and fishy tasting: not to my taste, but happy to try and cross it off the list. I always order a frisee salad with croutons (one is enough for two), then the steak. I've usually been there in the spring and ordered the white asparagus (again, enough for two) so I don't have a recommendation for a side. You need to order a carafe (1 litre) of Brouilly, their house red, which they have barrels of in the front of the house. One time a friend who got headaches from red tried to order a white, and this charming older gent told her (she speaks quite good French so she understood him) that ici, c'est Brouilly, vin rouge. You are packed in, cheek by jowl, with a combination of tourists and Parisians. It's not smokey like the old days anymore, but for me this is a quintessential Parisian experience!
Foodie looking for the real restaurants in Sicily
Just back from a week based in Syracusa. Someone on this board had recommended the Gran Cafe in the square in front of the Duomo. It is the kind of place we would never pick to eat, just maybe have a beer or coffee because of it's stunning location, assuming the food would be bad. We ate there twice, and the food and service were excellent. Thanks!
We also ate twice at a tiny place near our hotel. It is called Red Moon, and it is on the waterfront on the porto picolo (sp?) side, where Delfina's used to be. Very casual, full of locals; we were the only English-speaking people both nights. The owner takes you up front to pick your fish, which is incredibly fresh. We had swordfish, langostinos and calamari, all grilled. I have never had such fresh seafood! We love calamari, but can only get frozen where we live. This had a richness and sweetness that was almost lobster-like. The swordfish was delicious too; not the dry, cardboard textured stuff that makes me never order it. I don't think there is any carne/meat on the menu, but we shared a pasta first, then the seafood and a green salad, and found that enough for us.
Syracusa Palermo
Thanks for the Marzamerni pick. Not sure if we will be traveling that way, but I have written it down in case we do.
Syracusa Palermo
Thanks cmm2 We are staying at Lakios Res B& B Via Allo de Sber adero sorta iuciac 2/a . (Makes no sense to me, having never been there; hope I copied it out right!) Now that I have looked at our res, and talked the my s/o, we don't have kitchen facilities. They do have them in some rooms, but not what we booked. Maybe we can upgrade once we are there. We booked thru Travelocity or something like that, can't remember. sometimes those things are not flexible; will try tho. The markets sound so good; we need to be able to cook! You and other people have posted about how great the markets are. Thx again.
Syracusa Palermo
Duh! Yes you are right about the Palermo/Siracusa in my heading; too busy and in a hurry, and also unfamiliar with the area. We are in an apartment, and love to cook, so will definitely try the market you recommended.
We will have a car, as the plan is to follow in the footsteps of the "Operation Husky", where both of our Canadian fathers landed in WW2. I am not familiar with the route, as my partner is the one with the plan for this, but we will be taking day trips with Siracusa as our base.
Thank you so much for the tips. I have been hearing warnings about dining in Italy and having to be careful. We are much more used to using our noses and instincts in Spain, having been in many areas of the country on at least 10 trips. We often have a kitchen to cook, but I love to try the local cuisine, and we have been really lucky choosing the old-style tapas bars. Smell, never choose a place with pictures of their food outside, and don't be afraid to bolt after trying a small course if it's not good!
Syracusa Palermo
We will be in Sicily, based out of Syracusa for just over 10 days this October. Any recommendations for really good food? We are not into trendy, foam-ish stuff, just casual, but honest and delicious.
Thanks for any help!
Olives stuffed with Anchovies - Calgary
I used to buy them at Kalamata, but they (the kindly white-haired gent) said that they can't get them because of a shortage of anchovies in Spain. I did find them last spring at Italian Supermarket (Edmonton Trail and 20th NE) Love them!
Irini Greek Olives
I too used to buy those huge jars of Irini olives at Superstore. Sooo good, and a massive jar for $10. Haven't seen them there for awhile. I bought some at Kalamata, smaller and more expensive, but also called Irini. The charming older gent with the white hair explained that Irini is the biggest exporter, so it is a brand name, not the olive. They were still okay, but not the big, fruity and buttery ones I think we both enjoyed.
