aasg's Profile
Anyone seen fresh fiddleheads in Calgary?
Amaranth Whole Foods Store should carry them.
Are all the ducks in Edmonton frozen and whole???
The Sandy View Farms deli at the Enjoy Centre might have duck breasts. The last time I was there, they had a wide variety of meat.
Top Chef Canada, Season 2, Episode 8 (spoilers)
I thought Jimmy was going to manage to squeak by one more time as he always seems to do, but as soon as I saw his reaction to the criticism, I knew this time he would actually go.
I really wish I could have tasted Xavier’s mousse. I have a hard time believing it would have been so bad, even if it was done at the last minute.
Cibo Bistro
I had dinner at Cibo Bistro this evening. It was a great meal.
To start, we shared the polenta fritta and the pan fried ricotta cakes. The polenta fritta, for lack of a better way to describe it, was really classy junk food. It is essentially crispy polenta fries with a sprig of rosemary served with spicy salami slices and an aioli with rosemary olive oil. It was very enjoyable with polenta that was crispy on the outside and soft and moist on the inside. The salami gave a nice bite. The ricotta cakes were also enjoyable. A drizzle of olive oil on the plate with little browned pillows of soft, fresh ricotta, topped with some shreds of chicken (chicken conduto) and basil tomato jam (to me, it tasted and looks like sundried tomatoes).
For my main, I had the braised beef cheeks, which came with Montepulciano risotto. I also ordered a side of rapini to go with our mains. The beef cheek was nicely browned on the outside and was very tender and juicy, with a bit of a sweet taste to it (the waiter had recommended pairing a less sweet wine with it, which was a good choice) and the risotto was flavourful and moist.
I enjoyed the rapini. As a vegetable side, there isn't a lot I can say, but it tasted good and the toasted pine nuts were a nice additional. The only complaint would be that for the price ($7), it was a fairly small serving.
My dining partner had the beet ravioli, stuffed with goat cheese, and then topped with chives, butter, and pistachios. While at first it may not look like a huge portion due to the number of ravioli served (5?), it was filing due to the richness and size of them. I had a taste of it and would have been happy with it being my main, as well.
For dessert, we split the chocolate trio (dark chocolate tart, hazlenut brittle with white chocolate ice cream, and a Frangelico-milk chocolate mousse with whipping cream). I enjoyed all three, but my least favourite was the white chocolate ice cream. It was pleasant enough, but not particularly distinctive in taste. The brittle that came with it was also more of a candy glass than the brittle with which I am familiar. The mousse was my favourite (creamy, smooth, and a nice flavour).
I will definitely be returning, as there were dishes on the menu I still want to try.
Food Network Canada Programming
I just wanted to see what other people think about the programming on FNC. When I tune in, it is usually in the evening and the line up has been changing a lot. I mainly like cooking shows based on one chef (like Chuck's Day Off, Chef at Home, etc), which are rarely on in the evenings. There are a few competition shows I tend to enjoy (Chopped on occasion and Top Chef). I just really can't get into shows like Pitchin' In and Glutton for Punishment, but I figured lots of people must like those sorts of shows if FNC keeps airing them during the evening. I would be more inclined to watch FNC with different types of programming.
Tonight's line up for example: Glutton for Punishment, Ice Cold Cash (x2), Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives (x2), World's Weirdest Food (x2), Eat Street (x2), You Gotta Eat Here (x2).
What are the types of shows that other viewers would like to see on in the evening?
Top Chef Canada, Season 2, Episode 5 (spoilers)
My one hope for this season is that the judging isn't edited too much to create suspense. As I had posted at the end of the last season, since the viewer can't taste the food, we need to trust in what we hear the judges say.
Champagne Breakfast in Edmonton?
Culina has a mimosa on their weekend brunch menu. And a bacon caesar.
Cooking Classes in Edmonton
I have taken a regular class with Gail and although I got some good recipes and tips, because everyone is working on collectives dishes, you aren't involved in each step of the process. That makes it a good way to socialize and learn about food, but not necessarily gains cooking skills for each step of the process.
No-Knead Beer Focaccia Recipe?
Thanks. It looks pretty close to what I want, but I was hoping for all dry ingredients beyond beer and olive oil (ie. no egg).
No-Knead Beer Focaccia Recipe?
I recently tried focaccia that someone had made. They had gotten a mix at a craft fair that had flour, skim milk powder, baking powder, sugar, herbs and spices, and salt listed as ingredients. All you had to do was add 1/3 a cup of olive oil, a can of beer, mix it, and bake it. The result was delicious.
I can't imagine that it would be hard to replicate, but I don't want to experiment with proportions. Does anyone have a recipe that is similar to this?
Beer Can Chicken Stands for Purchase - Edmonton
Has anyone seen any for sale in stores very recently?
I have one myself and have seen them in stores many times, but I am just hoping to find out which stores currently have them so I don't have to chase around the city in search of one.
Restaurants near the Westin Calgary
Does anyone have any suggestions for good restaurants within (wintertime) walking distance from the Westin in downtown Calgary? Budget and cuisine are flexible. It would also be for a solo diner.
YEG Simple Poll. The war of the restos...
Corso32 - There portions are fair. I would normally be tossed up between the two, but if you have already been to Culina, I would suggest giving Corso a try.
Hardware Grill - I like Wildflower Grill for lunch, but I went there for dinner once and felt that while the food was good, it wasn't good enough for the price. I felt like the taste and portions at Hardware Grill were worth the price.
Bauernschmaus - I like both, but it has been awhile since I have been to either (I haven't been to BP since it re-opened) and I just remember being more satisfied with the food at Bauernschmaus.
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Wildflower Grill
10009 - 107 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 1J1, CA
Dinner near Edmonton Delta South
There is Koutouki near there, which is decent Greek food, although a bit over-priced.
Across the Whitemud, there is Creations, which has interesting choices and very good food.
Lemongrass Cafe is a little further away, but has good Vietnamese food.
French Fries in Vegas
The duck fat fries at Table 10 in the Palazzo are some of the best fries I have ever had. They are perfectly crispy on the outside and still soft on the inside.
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Table 10
3327 Las Vegas Blvd South Suite 2900, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Moriarty's
I ended up going and I can't say I was impressed.
I had the only flatbread left on the menu and while the toppings were good (tomatoes, artichoke, and goat cheese, so not a challenge for the chef reall), the flatbread itself was dry, thin, and overcooked. For dessert, I had the chocolate marquis, which I found similar to the torta as Corso 32, just more expensive (by $2).
When it came time to pay, I tried to use my Original Fare (now called Live Local) gift card, as they wre one of the participating restaurants listed on the Live Local website. I was told they were no longer part of that group. When I got home, I checked the website and they were still listed. I phoned the restaurant and asked if they were part of Live Local. They said that they were, so I explained what happened when I tried to use my gift card. I was then told they were no longer part of that particular promotion and didn't have the terminal to process the card, but that they were meeting with the Live Local people to get everything sorted out. Two weeks later now, I see they are still listed as a place you can use the gift cards.
I was a big fan of the place in all of the times I had been there previously, but I don't think I will return. The menu was more limited, which would have been fine if the dishes still on it were exceptional, but that is not the case. The confusion surrounding the affiliation with Live Local didn't help with my latest impression.
Moriarty's
Has anyone been there lately?
I have been there a few times before and really liked the food, but I looked at their current dinner menu and I feel... uninspired. I am just wondering if the food is still as good as it was before or if the change in menu has also meant a change in the quality of food.
Edmonton Assistance
There is a frozen yogurt shop that just opened on Whyte Ave, but it is called Tutti Frutti. Menchie's hasn't openedhere yet.
Two Thai restaurants that I quite like are Viphalay and Bua Thai. Viphalay is one of my favourites, but Bua Thai might be a bit easier to access on foot. A downtown Vietnamese suggestions would be Doan's. I like both Blue Willow and Lingnan for Chinese (westernized) food. Blue Willow would be the closer of the two.
As for bakeries that will be close to you, Queen of Tarts is really good. REALLY good.
new to very west edmonton/anthony henday
A few west end options:
-Homefire Grill (a bit of a "Canadian" menu, with some buffalo, etc on the menu)
-Huong Long (some good vermicelli bowls here)
-Delux (part of the Century Hospitality Group. I've had mixed experiences, but generally enjoy the food, though last time I did not get cotton candy at the end of my meal, like they usually serve. I was disappointed. Haha)
There are some other good places that are still in the "west end", but they would be over 40 blocks away from the Henday.
Special Occassion Restaurant
Thanks for the feedback. We ended up going to Bradley Ogden and it was a very enjoyable meal. We had the prix-fixe. I am still thinking about the Maytag blue cheese souffle.
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Bradley Ogden
3570 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Happy Hour on the Strip
I went to Todd English's P.U.B. for happy hour last week. We were on our way to Wicked Spoon, so we didn't try any of the food (including $1 happy hour wings), but the drinks are a good price at 1/2 off. The selection is also extensive.
I really enjoyed happy hour at Seablue. The food was great and $3 of Stella is a very good deal.
The happy hour food at Table 10 (Emeril's place in the Palazzo) was good. $5 bottles there.
I didn't think the Diego's happy hour was the best, especially since Seablue is just down the way. The chicken mole tacos were tasty, but at $9 for two tacos, better happy hour deals can be found on the strip. That being said, they did give complimentary tortilla chips and a trio of salsa. And the food was a lot better than Diablo's at the Monte Carlo (what a mistake... I should have known better).
Trevi on the Forum Shops also has half off their drink menu (minus bottles of wine) during happy hour, so you can even have a $5 glass of Prosecco. We again didn't eat the food here, as we were on our way to Bradley Ogden, but the food looked tempting.
We tried to go to American Fish, but they were closed as it was Monday.
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Seablue Restaurant
3799 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Trevi
3500 Las Vegas Blvd S Ste G09, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Bradley Ogden
3570 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Table 10
3327 Las Vegas Blvd South Suite 2900, Las Vegas, NV 89109
American Fish
3730 N Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89115
Gelatto in Edmonton?
I love Da Capo's gelato. I only wish they would bring back the mascarpone and ricotta flavours they used to have. There were so good when paired with one of the other gelatos, but they never seem to have them anymore.
Tres Carnales - Edmonton
I went the weekend it opened and had the carnitas. When I went, it was three small tacos for $10, so it looks like the value for dollar has changed, so that is good.
I thought they were good, but no better than a place like El Rancho. If I wanted a meal, I would still go to El Rancho, but if I wanted to go somewhere central with friends on a summer day, I would definitely go to Tres Carnales for some sangaria and to share some tacos.
One thing I would have liked, especially since it is new and people are just getting to know the menu, is that each taco in an order could be a different meat, although I understand why the keep it to one meat an order.
Top Chef Canada (Spoilers for all Episodes)
It looks to me like they knew the winner from the beginning and had it played out as such.
Since we can't taste the dishes, they really need to do a better job of editing. Out of the three finalists, it seems like Dale had the most "bottom dishes" when the judges were discussing them, yet came out on top. Since only they can taste them, even if it takes out some of the suspense, I'd like to at least understand why they chose the person they did.
Maybe this is my home province bias, but even when the slight faults mentioned, Connie's meal was the meal I most wanted to eat. Perhaps I am not "fancypants" enough, to use Rob's word, but I just feel as though Rob and Connie cook food that they want to see people sit down, eat, and enjoy, no matter what kind of challenge it is, and I didn't get that sense from Dale.
One last thing: I thought it was interesting that, on the previous episode, the judges faulted Dale for not make a choice about sauces of the doneness of meat. No matter how he tries to frame his decision to have two mains about progression of what have you, it again comes down to not making a decision and yet still blames the inclusion of cheese in his amuse bouche on having fish in a later course (maybe that would have been a good reason to only have one main...), and the judges simply said, "Oh okay."
corso32 (Edmonton)
I finally ate at Corso 32 last night. It was a great meal. To start off, we had the arancini (currently with tesa, spring pea, mint, & mozzarella). We all thought they were very good. They had a nice, crisp outside and the inside was pipping hot and had the perfect amount of cheese. They were so good that my table ended up getting a second order of them after our mains...
I had the gnocchi (ricotta gnocchi, gull valley pomodorini, basil, sheep cheese). The sauce had a great tomato taste, which should be a given, but it to often lacking. The gnocchi itself was nice and soft.
For dessert, my table could decide which one to split, so we ened up ordering, in a night of indulgence, one of each and splitting them so we each got a taste of all three (chocolate torta with salty hazelnuts, pistachio & olive oil cake with blood orange and mascarpone, and zeppole). We enjoyed all three, but my favourite was the pistachio and olive oil cake. It tasted good on its own, with a nice crust on the outside, and was simply spectacular when eaten with a bit of the blood orange and a dab of mascarpone.
The atmosphere was not quiet, but I found the noise lively, instead of annoyingly loud. Service was quick, professional, and a bit removed.
I will definitely be returning.
Special Occassion Restaurant
Both of us are pretty open to cuisines and so forth, so we didn't have particular leanings. Thanks for the quick suggestions! The menus look vey appealling, especially Bouchon and Bradley Ogden. Any words of advice about those two that might help us decide between those two?
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Bouchon
3355 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Bradley Ogden
3570 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Special Occassion Restaurant
Can anyone recommend a good special occassion restaurant in Vegas that is accessible on foot from the Strip? I was looking for something in the $35-$45 main course range.
I was looking at going to Mesa, but it has mixed reviews and, although the dishes sound good, I am not sure if it would be the unique or destination dining experience I am looking for.
