We were at Jojo's on Saturday as well. We ordered ribs, corn fritters, fries (which she kindly made garlic jalapeno and that flavour combo ROCKS, people) plus the griddled mac and cheese.

The ribs were very good - mind you we just got back from near Amarillo, so we couldn't help but compare - and though not on the same level, they were pretty darn good. The ones in Logan, TX were 10/10 and Jojo's a solid 8. We were wondering if they were baby backs because the same juiciness factor wasn't there. What was disappointing was one of the racks was slightly cold. They were pre-sliced, so wondering if that made them slightly dry. However, the heat factor aside, we found them better than the ribs we had in Luling, TX at a world-class bbq joint, so hats off to Jojo.

Griddled mac and cheese was awesome, very cheesy. I did not personally care for the corn fritters - I've had hush puppies that were more "cakey" which is my preferance, but my husband liked them a lot. The BBQ sauce, which you can get on the side, was not sugary nor "bottled" at all. For our taste, it wasn't really needed, the rub had a great flavour punch mixed with the smoke.

Jojo was really friendly and was a pleasure to talk to. We will be back!

Several different Ace breadsat the Edgemont Superstore. Olive oval is YUM and much better than their old olive miche.

I saw some at Costco Beacon Hill. Needless to say, I was quite surprised.

They had a gorgeous selection of chiles at the Edgemont Superstore this past weekend, with what looked like Anaheims to me. Sometimes they are not labelled correctly. Picked up some beautiful fresh (for a change) Poblanos. I find I have the most luck with Superstore, but even then, it's hit and miss.

Because of the time we were there, The Hotelito was not having their usual sushi/curry night over the New Year's weekend. We could not get reservations to Michael's.

We found Cafe Santa Fe quite reasonable, but we come from a city where it's quite expensive to dine out.

I understand that perhaps no one goes to Guaycura, but we had to as there were very little options for New Year's. The food was truly good, the quality and taste worthy of high-end restaurants in NYC that we have gone to. We were either very lucky or they maybe brought in a new chef for the holiday period? LIke I said, the manager spoke to us at length about our experience so I think they are eager to try to turn things around.

The experience we had at Tres Virgenes can only be described as strange. Our waiter was basically on another planet. We constantly had to flag him down for our food, drinks, etc., and we are NOT high-maintenance people. We ended up dealing with another waiter at another table next to us who seemed so much more on the ball. Our original waiter was then very intense when we asked for the bill, repeatedly asking: "You like my service? You like my service?" We mumbled a few things and at that point just wanted to get the heck out of there. We maybe hit them on a bad night and are totally willing to give them another chance; I do like what was on the menu.

We fell in love with Todos Santos and area and hope to return quite soon!

Hi, here in La Paz and thought I would write this up before I get home and forget.

Todos Santos is impressive in it's restaurants and here is where we visited:

Cafe Santa Fe: Our fave restaurant hands down - ate there three times and ordered numerous pizzas for the kids. The food isn't especially creative, but they do a fantastic job. I can't recommend one thing as EVERYTHING is good, really and truly. Go and be happy.

Hotel Guaycura: I know locals aren't going to believe this but we had an amazing tasting menu on New Year's Day. The poblano risotto was done perfectly and you know a good restaurant when the risotto is done perfectly. The place has a bad rep in town and locals were shocked when we told them what a great meal we had. In fact, we returned for lunch (to see if we had been just lucky) and had a very tasty and tender "cured" beef sandwich and tomato and olive salad. Service was impeccable and the house-made breads were simply delicious. (no, I don't work for them). We found prices a bit high and servings maybe a bit small, but food quality was excellent. There was a young manager who was very concerned about how we found the food, so maybe they did get a new management team in. Very romantic central courtyard for dining.

El Zaguan: The fish tacos were superb and my husband loved the Dorado. Simple entrees emphasizing seafood. I only wish we could have gone back again.

Tre Galline: Service was rather poor and the kitchen very slow, but we had a fantastic baked eggplant with mozzarella and our pastas were superb. We were advised to just go there for the pastas and that's what we did. Husband and kids had the rigatoni with meat ragu (highly recommended) and I had the shrimp and zucchini pasta. Very fresh flavours and perfectly made pasta. Plus the complimentary almond cookies at the end were a nice treat.

Hotel California: We ended up here our first night - long story that involves arriving late in town with hungry kids. DO NOT eat here unless you are desperate for food. Burgers are passable. I had a "recommended" Beef and Pappardelle Pasta. Was probably the worst pasta I had ever had in my life. The "pappardelle" could have used a few more runs through the pasta machine and were very heavy and gummy - almost inedible. Service was very good, however. Only go for a drink, as the hotel is quite atmospheric.

Taco stands: Tacos Georges - not bad, felt the fried shrimp could have been fried a bit more crispy, but very friendly service. Carnitas Barajas - rather unfriendly service but the shrimp tacos were better than Georges'. The carnitas was a bit dry. I thought overall, El Zaguan had the best tacos.

La Paz:

Buffalo BBQ - overall, service was good and quite knowledgeable. Husband on the waiter's recommendation had the smoked Kobe beef short rib. The thing was enormous, worthy of Fred Flintstone. Excellent and a fantastic thing to order. Kids and I shared the Kurobuta pork baby back ribs and though they were tender, did not seemed "smoked" and were rather flavorless, even with the sauce on it. I would not order them again.

Las Tres Virgenes - Someone in Todos told us it wasn't up to par with Cafe Santa Fe (so we wouldn't be let down) and unfortunately they were right. The only way to describe service was a comedy of errors (too long to go into) When we finally ordered, the tuna tataki was beautiful, and probably the best dish that we ordered. I had the Bone-In Tenderloin which would have been fantastic if it was done to medium rare as I asked. Was well-done on the edges, medium, and medium rare right next to the bone - and slightly dry. Mesquite flavour was excellent. The potato tacos would have been better left off the plate or done very small, as they overwhelmed. Husband had the poblano risotto, which was a bit better than Hotel Guaycura with the tenderloin medallions. Though done medium rare as specificed, they were cut rather crooked and haphazardly. We found the flavours creative, but the service was a bit of a bring down. Overall, we would return.

Overall, great eating in Baja and I hope this trip report helps!

We haven't been there in a few years, but Amuleto has very nice high-end food. It is a small boutique hotel with very few extra tables so reserve ahead. Go around 5 and have a drink at the bar while catching the spectacular view at sunset.

http://amuleto.net/

There was a couple that we saw on a daily basis on La Ropa beach near La Casa Que Canta harvesting fresh oysters out in the bay. We got a dozen fresh shucked oysters for 10 bucks (mind you this was a few years ago)

The Post Hotel dining room doesn't have a strict dress policy but I remember reading somewhere they do not want athletic attire. Once we were desperate for something to eat (pub was closed) and arrived in clean hiking gear. The frowning maitre d looked us down slowly from head to toe, then sat us in a secluded corner. Entrees tend to hover from the $20 to $50 range and we probably spend a good $150 without drinks or tip.

If you want more casual and less price point, eat in their pub. Same kitchen and some entrees may be the same, much cheaper and very casual.

I also came across Brown's as well:

http://www.loscabosguide.com/brownspr...

Thanks everyone .... I bought in as no one had replied and there was only a few hours left to go. It was only $12.00 so no big loss if we try it out.

dknight, we did not care for Mi Tierra either; having lived in Mexico I found the spices overly harsh and some dishes not well-cooked nor authentic. We'll have to give Las Tortillas a try!

-----
Mi Tierra
10015 Oakfield Dr SW, Calgary, AB T2V, CA

Las Tortillas
4100 Marlborough Dr NE #2, Calgary, AB T2A 2Z5, CA

Really? when did this happen?

Has anyone been there recently? There is a Groupon currently for 50% off :o) I would like to know if it's worth it to buy in.

Thanks so much, the kids range in age from 4 to 13. I think I've read about Contramar in the past (we were going to Mexico City two years ago but had to change plans)

Thanks, Cristina! I think I saw this restaurant featured on Food Network, but can't remember which show.

There are gift certificates at Costco that you can use at Rush - $79.00 for $100. Not sure if you can order these online, but I'm putting it out there for any locals that need to get gifts.

Great that their burger is consistent. We usually go as the kids like the menu - not too expenisve and appeals to everyone in the family.

Cadence isn't for a quick breakfast, it's a sit-down place, sort of a local hangout. They have the usual egg, bacon and breakfast sandwich combos, home-baked goods (the pies are grerat) and they have a lunch menu, they are closed at 3:00 pm. They have nice, juicy, massive cinnamon buns every Sunday, not sure about Saturday. Nice owners, they used to play in a rock band.

http://www.yelp.ca/biz/cadence-coffee...

We'll be in Mexico City for a few days in January, and haven't found any recent threads. Any recommendations? We love street food and also looking for something for lunch near Xochimilco. We will be staying in Condessa and looking for a few high-end suggestions as well as some kid-friendly restaurants, thanks.

He wasn't expecting that. It was like someone had held it down with considerable force while wrapping it and squished it. He didn't feel like lining up again to complain.

Hubby went on lunch break yesterday and was a bit underwhelmed. It was packed, but service was very fast. The person serving him wrapped his burger so tight in the foil that it squished everything down, so maybe that had something to do with him being underwhelmed.

He said the fries were somewhat disappointing after reading the reviews here. He was anticipating them highly after seeing the piles of fresh potatoes, haha. I don't think they were cooked properly and maybe were rushed because of the crowds. He said they were limp and soggy. Indeed they are huge - shared between two guys and still leftovers.

He scored them the same as Fatburger, and thought In and Out were better.

On a further burger note, we went to Dalhousie Station Earl's last week with the family and I had their Bronx Burger. I know Earl's gets panned here quite a bit, but we were quite amazed by this burger. Fresh house-made brioche bun, and a juicy house-made chuck patty with just the right touch of char. I could have done without the chunky bracelet-sized onion rings on top, but the red pepper relish nicely complimented the burger. Husband is a onion-ring afficiando and thought they were quite good. Worth a try!

Amaranth in Calgary has some great gluten-free authentic mexican entrees in their freezer section. I haven't tried any but they do look awesome, even frozen :o)

I second Costco, it's probably the best deal in town and I've never seen such huge KK legs anywhere else. It's pre-cooked and all you do is heat it up and make the butter on the side. Easy peasy.

However, they only offer it during their seafood road shows, so i would look it up on the Costco Canada website or phone your local store for the next road show.

Update: You can actually order it online on their website. The URL is way too long for me to c and paste, but just type Alaskan King Crab into the search box (make sure it's Costco.ca) I think it 's probably more expensive than going to the store itself, but if there's not a road show soon it may be a good option. Again, their legs are huge.

I see it at Amaranth all the time.

No, I haven't, I will make note to look for them. Not exactly cream puffs, but the cream horns at Sweet Home Bakery in Bowness are amazing. The service is rather brusque but you're there for cream horns not to make friends ;o)

I believe they only make them every Saturday. Get there early as they sell out quickly. Heavenly with some raspberry coulis.

-----
Sweet Home Bakery
7930 Bowness Rd NW, Calgary, AB T3B 0H3, CA

The last time we were at Le Villa was this past summer. We usually go for the Prime Rib. Apparently the chef/owner used to be the head chef at Buchanan's. It's not trendy high end or anything like that, but a nice place with an old schoolish menu to take family with conservative tastes. The Priime Rib is always very good and I had a chicken breast with sundried tomatoes that was pretty good. Veggies are done nicely tender crisp and the presentation is good. I always thought the decor was pretty good as well, nothing over the top but not too casual. Their sunroom is great during those colder months.

It's a place for a decent meal, like someone said, no more no less.

There was a comment regarding in the Cruff's thread about the cream being runny? I'm all for supporting local businesses, but if there product isn't good, then I'm not buying.

Beard Papa is great - the Earl Grey puffs are my fave.

I saw these cool fold-out ones at Superstore, they will fold out to that size.

Looks similar to Beard Papa. Will have to try it one day!

You're welcome ... I was getting worried for them, lol.

I suggest the Hyatt as the walk is not too far into Chinatown. Silver Dragon is always a good standby and a 5 minute walk from the Hyatt, hopefully it won't be one of those
nights where it's -30C

Silver Dragon: 106 - 3 Ave SE, 403-264-5326

If they don't mind cabbing it (not sure how easy it is to get a cab either on Christmas Day) Central Grand is my fave in the downtown area.

http://www.yelp.ca/biz/central-grand-restaurant-calgary

Their dim sum is fabulous too, if they decide to do that on Boxing Day. There will be a long wait if you don't get there early, say around 10:00 am. Dim Sum is very good at Silver Dragon as well, again get there early.

For Indian, Namskar is not too far from downtown; it's a classy restaurant befitting of a Christmas meal; excellent food, though a bit pricey; they will need a cab:

http://www.namskar.ca/

If they arrive on time, it will maybe take an hour for customs, luggage and to get a taxi, and maybe half an hour to get downtown. I think they should probably make it. If they're 15 minutes late I don't think it's a big deal.