yen's Recent Activity
Chowhound Post
Bistro Praha Edmonton
How about Milan's just off Whyte Ave and 104 Street? It's Czech food run by Milan himself. Im not sure if it's still open (it may have changed names to something else..i looked during fringe but my aged memory is fading fast), but that would be a close alternative to Bistro Praha wouldnt it?
Chowhound Post
Prairies Regional Barista Championship 2009
Were there more people than last year? What kind of atmosphere did you feel it had? Im curious as to whether the public awareness of specialty coffee has grown at all over the past year or two.
Chowhound Post
Calgary Espresso
My preferences agree with yours on Higher Ground John (im not a fan either) but it looked to me like the OP was trying to do a wider range of coffee houses to get a more comprehensive view (thus the inclusion of Starbucks, and a few Italian markets), thus the recommendation. You have to admit, it's a popular place :) And it would give people a good reference point how each of the places stack up.
OP - you will get huge variation in quality based on the barista themselves. For your own reference, you may want to try writing down who made your drink in each place. It may help you explain some of the variation from visit to visit.Obviously the roast itself will have a big impact as well, but that's usually out of your control :)
Chowhound Post
Calgary Espresso
You can't leave out Bumpy's or Insomnia. And I would consider cutting down your Italian markets to one. Consider adding a beano or good earth (or both), and possibly higher grounds (popular cafe in kensington) to get a more comprehensive list.
Chowhound Post
Cooking Blow Torch
I guess it's been a while! :) I've gone back to lurker status the last year... though you're just as guilty for not being around as much! I think everyone, even John, is posting a bit less. Life is busy!
Chowhound Post
Cooking Blow Torch
Propane torch is definitely most common in pro kitchens. There are, however, quite a few drawbacks
First - the advantages. It's definitely hotter, quicker, more versatile (i also use to sear meat ala Heston Blumenthal method, or to quickly sear fish in a nigiri variant), and cheaper. It also is very convenient in that it lasts a very long time, unlike many butane torches which need a lot of refilling.
The disadvantages are it's hotter, so there is less leeway for error when caramelizing sugar on creme brulee. It took me a while to stop burning the sugar. It takes up way more storage space. It also is a touch more dangerous (being under high pressure), and is a bit tougher to work with. I also have had issues in the past with the cannister upside down. When the tank is 1/2 to 1/4 full, it can start to spit a bit.
Other issues are the heat intensity really heats up the ramakin, which can make it tough to handle. It also takes some time to shut off (unless you buy a model with the trigger).
I own the propane torch, but to be honest, if your only purpose is to caramelize sugar for creme brulee, i would personally go with the butane torch. You can find them for cheap enough online, or in discount stores these days. If you want an all purpose kitchen tool that doubles as a plumbers torch, then propane is the way to go.
Chowhound Post
Non-Fine Dining in Edmonton
To be honest, the Edmonton scene doesnt change that quickly. Places i've been to recently that are both good, and on the previous lists you've looked at include:
Culina, Sofra, Dadeo's. All are excellent. On that Whyte Ave strip there are a bunch of other options as well. I like the much maligned Oodle Noodle Wok Box for a quick, cheap, reasonably tasty meal. Many people like Flavours Bistro, though i find it a bit overpriced. Packrat Louie is decent for flatbread, and is in the general vicinity too.
If you're staying at the new Bay's Inn on the south (right next to the Tim Horton's), then there are a few choices just north from there. For breakfast, no place better than NY Bagel Cafe - Egg's Benedict all the way. For coffee, you'll be closest to Transcend, which has amazing coffee. If you love coffee, don't miss this. Baked goods, try the Italian Centre on the south side, which only opens at 9am, but is worth it. Interesting? Syphay, on Calgary Trail South, has good Thai and Laotian food - better than Bua Thai.
Also near you, on the slightly less affordable side, is Park Allen. Lebanese food, with a good wine list.
All of these are on the southside with the exception of Sofra, which is downtown.
Sorry, but im in a rush and that's all i can think of off the top of my head. If you have more specific questions, and you have a better idea of where in the city you want to go, let us know.
Chowhound Post
Fine Dining in Edmonton
If you're willing to pay the price, go to the Blue Pear.
Chowhound Post
best steak in calgary
I honestly don't love any of the steak places in Calgary. I'd suggest going to Second to None Meats, getting one of their dry-aged Galloway Rib Steaks they have right now (which will cost you near 50 bucks), and BBQ'ing it at home.
I used to like Vintage, but since the menu change, it's been quite poor. I havent been to Chicago Chophouse in ages, but they serve dry aged Canada prime beef - one of the few places that do. For wet aged beef (if you arent a big dry aged fan), i'd consider Mercato for their Bistecca Fiorentina.
As well, to give this an honest test, please be picky about your choice of cut. Don't order a tenderloin - stick with something that has marbling, like rib eye, or strip.
Chowhound Post
best steak in calgary
I believe howlin is asking us to recommend where the best steak in Calgary is. Then, based on our comments, he/she will go to this establishment, and spend their $50 on the steak, and decide whether or not there is truly a steak worth $50. Because they're skeptical that a steak can be worth 50 bucks.
Or, if i read it another way, howlin just called us all suckers and more money for brains :)
Chowhound Post
Can you buy Kobe beef?
Im not disputing your assertion that the North American Wagyu tastes different, and is in no way competitive with the Wagyu bred in Japan, but Wagyu is a breed, it has nothing to do with geography. A human being in Japan is the same as a human being in Canada. It's like saying Canadian-rasied Galloway Beef, because it is not from Galloway, is fake Galloway Beef.
At the end of the day, i understand it's a sensitive issue for many people in the cattle industry, as the question of genetics, pure bred, quality of genetic stock, and a variety of other factors come into question. I guess we'll just agree to disagree. To me, quality is a whole different equation - not part of what makes a breed real or fake. Even though a lot of crossbreeding has taken place with the Wagyu breed, they've managed to get most cattle stocks up to what is essentially pure-bred status, That's enough for me.
Chowhound Post
Can you buy Kobe beef?
MP - thanks for the great link to the Nikuya website. Im excited at the possibility of getting real A5 here - including Matsuzaka beef!
As for your term "fake wagyu" - i'd just like to point out wagyu is a breed of cow, so technically, American Wagyu, Alberta Wagyu isnt fake - it just isnt what, as you've pointed out, the consumer is looking for when they hear the words "Kobe Beef"
Chowhound Post
Can you buy Kobe beef?
Cleo,
If the ribeye was trimmed to 3 oz, it's usually a "heart" cut out of the eye of the ribeye . This is the same cut that they use in the Delmonico-cut ribeye. Just FYI - in case you ever see it on another menu and wanted to see if it was the beef, or the cut! :) I've seen Delmonico cut ribeye at Sage before.
Chowhound Post
Edmonton, Canada.......
Raidar - it isnt worth a try again. I said that twice before i finally gave up. Stick to the other places you've found, they are much better :)
Chowhound Post
Opening? Menya Japanese Noodles, Vancouver
I think you meant "may not seem impartial", but i think we can forgive you :)
Thanks for pointing it out. It is an excellent post.
Chowhound Post
Yokozuna's experience
Lately, my family has had the same experiences. Lousy food, lousy service, and overpriced. After 3 consecutive poor experiences, I think my dad has finally said "enough". We were staples for years. Riverbend, and Whitemud Crossing. I believe the words we uttered last time was "never again".
Chowhound Post
Calgary cheese, please
Crossroads Market has Say Cheese Fromagerie and a Bakery in there. Sweetgrass Market has a Springbank Cheese and Red Barn bakery. Janice Beaton in Kensington will have both, and have there are a few bakeries in the area as well.
Chowhound Post
Calgary Arsenal Supporters Pub
Lol. You mean outside of Charlton?
As long as you don't support the Spurs, Blues, Reds, or Red Devils, you're welcome to hang with us. :)
Out of curiosity, i've never been to the R&C here in town - do they show the premiership as well?
Chowhound Post
Calgary Arsenal Supporters Pub
Ship shows a premiership game... but you're more often at the mercy of the Chelsea, ManU, and Liverpool fans *shudder*
Most of "Calgary's Best Pubs" group pubs show Premiership games as well. Joyce on 4th, Kilkenny, Limericks. Depends on what part of town you're in, there should be one near by. You're looking for a place that has the Setanta feeds (Fox Sports, Roger's and the Score have very limited schedules). Try calling ahead of time.
Go Gooners! :)
Chowhound Post
WATERCRESS IN CALGARY!
I believe it is called Alf the Cucumber Man
Chowhound Post
Hard to find ingredients help (Calgary)
Foie Gras is available at L'Epicerie - in whole lobes, and terrines.
Chowhound Post
looking for nice clumpy rice
Try short grain rice. Or, you can over cook it, and it will stick together as well.
Chowhound Post
Nice Restaurant in Calgary - Gift Certificate
Thats a good point - i should share more often. Unfortunately, i usually get one of each for myself.
As for Bonterra, actually, it's surprisinly reasonable. Median price on appetizer is $11. Entree's, $22. Dessert assume $9 (i bet it's less). Wine is $7. That adds up to $49. And over half the dishes are available for less. And the atmosphere is nice.
Anyway, you do make a good point though. OP - If the goal is to share an appetizer and dessert, then it would open up a lot of other great options, including Divino. Muse, Blink, Artisan Bistro, would all be great choices. Heck Artisan would work without the sharing :) I guess you need to decide how they like to eat, and figure out your best option from there. Good luck!
Chowhound Post
Caterer-Calgary
Happy to help. Hope you have a great event!
I assume our invitation is in the mail? ;)
Chowhound Post
Nice Restaurant in Calgary - Gift Certificate
Divino is a great restaurant, but there is almost no way to get out of there on $100 for two people.
I calculated it out - at the cheapest available item on the menu (soup, pasta, dessert, cheapest by the glass wine), you're still looking at roughly $43 before tax and tip.
At the median price (mean is even higher), you're looking at $66 before tax and tip.
These days, $100 just doesnt buy you much for two.
Chowhound Post
Edmonton - Tropika Barely Mediocre
Moose has it covered. There is only a small % of dishes that i really like there as well.
For me, i stick to these dishes:
Satays
Roti Canai
Sambal Bunchies
Homestyle Chicken
Indonesian Spring Roll
The Egg Plant dish
and Laksa
I believe M-Thu is still half price satay. You may want to check on that though.
Chowhound Post
Caterer-Calgary
Devour Catering is an excellent caterer for an hor d'oeuvres/cocktail party. I like Infuse as well. Never tried Red Tree so can't help you there.
Chowhound Post
Nice Restaurant in Calgary - Gift Certificate
I had a very enjoyable meal at Bonterra today. Pretty authentic ragus, good fresh pasta, reasonable prices. I'd consider that for your budget.
Chowhound Post
Nice Restaurant in Calgary - Gift Certificate
How much did you want to spend? What kind of food do they like (or, examples of their favorite restaurants in Toronto)?
Chowhound Post
tangerine supper club... in calgary
My understanding is that it is still open, but McGreevy is no longer the head chef.
