Bobatt's Profile
ISO Burr Grinder in GTA ($150 range price max)
The Saeco machine you mention doesn't need a true espresso grind because of it's pressurized portafilter, it actually works best with a grind about the consistency of table salt. This is good news for your budget. Either the Baratza Maestro or Maestro Plus is capable of delivering a consistent grind of that size. I have experience using a Maestro with a Saeco machine and it's a good match. The Maestro doesn't have the range or adjustability of the higher end grinders but that's not necessary for the Starbucks Saeco machine, unless they are using a unpressurized portafilter.
NW Calgary - Report
I just tried this place for the first time a few weeks ago, as I just moved into Point McKay, and it's pretty good, for what it is. Don't go expecting something mind-blowing, but for old-fashioned Calgary-style Chinese, I really enjoyed it. It's been there for a while too, my roommate's father ordered take-out from there when he was in the U of C med school in the 1970s.
Late night coffee in Kensington - Calgary
I certainly agree that the coffee scene in Kensington is lacking, particularly when one considers the number of coffee houses in the area. This was more of a reflection on a nice end to a nice night than it was meant to be about good coffee, for sure. Still, it was a nice night and I'm glad the Roasterie was there and open.
Late night coffee in Kensington - Calgary
A shout out to the Roasterie for being the only Kensington cafe open past 11 last night.
I was out for a bit of a going away party for a coworker who's moving to Whistler for the summer, we spent most of our time on the patio at Original Joe's. The first really nice night of the summer was beautiful and the beer was cold, but a couple of us felt like a nice coffee before turning in and figured we'd have no problems finding one in an urban area like Kensington. Our first try was Pulcinella, hoping for some Illy (not my first choice, but a friend likes it) and maybe a dessert, but alas they were closed. Likewise with Higher Ground, Starbucks, and that trendy tea house whose name I cannot remember. There was talk of calling it a night, but we soldiered on in search of a decent cup. Finally, the warm lights and open door of the Roasterie called us in and our search was answered. A big thank you to Lech and the crew of the Roasterie for being there and allowing us to end our night right.
Limes Leaves at Sobey's
I've been surprised more than once by the variety of produce in that particular Sobey's, especially for such a suburban, white neighbourhood.
Chinese Delivery in Marda Loop/Killinary Area
I tried Golden Leaf a few weeks back on the recommendation of a friend. It was okay, but nothing special.
Foodie deals at Winners/Homesense
I saw some Bodum Kona pour-through coffee pots and Bialetti Mokapots at the Northland Village (Calgary) Winners pretty recently. I was considering the Bodum, as it was $25 and normally lists online for $40ish, and came with a gold filter.
Original Joe's North Calgary
I've had mixed results with OJ's. I'm at the 4th St location every monday night for drinks and have been going for the last 3 years or so. Food is predictable, but has some high points and low points. I'd recommend the burger, the grilled chicken sandwich is pretty good, steak sandwich is okay, and I'm tempted to try the 16oz porterhouse, but that can't be very fresh. I'd suggest to stick with anything that's in the pub style, as it's usually pretty good.
Food is much better than some of the other bars/pubs in Calgary.
Si Senior! Pizza - Calgary
Is this the pizza and Mexican place just off Kensington Road, near the Kensington Wine Market? If so, I'm told the pizza's okay, but the tacos are nothing to write home about.
Noble in Calgary?
I'm an acquaintance of his daughter and through a bit of sleuthing, I found http://www.notablerestaurantworks.ca/ so it looks like something is in the works.
best pizza in calgary?
I ordered from Vogglio's a few weeks ago, was quoted 20 minutes on the phone and because of the lags posted here, I gave him about an hour. When I got there my pizza had definitely been sitting around for a while, and it may very well taken only 20 minutes. It was a Monday night, so it wasn't very busy, but it looked like the timing problems were mostly gone. It was still good though.
Calgary bakeries?
I went to Jr. High at the school across Richmond Road from the Glamorgan Bakery, and ate their cheese buns at least weekly during that period. I think they have backed off on the cheese a little in recent years, which is probably a good thing, I remember the brown bag being wet with grease when I got back to school from a lunch time run. It may not be the fanciest European-style bakery out there, but they do some things very, very well, florentines included.
In high school I worked for one of the garages next door to the Lakeview Bakery, which is also very good, and the ladies who work there are almost over the top in their English pleasant-ness. I haven't been back there for probably close to 5 years, but I remember it being very good.
Best Cheap/Value Breakfast in Calgary
The Dell Cafe in Bowness has a pretty decent bacon, ham or sausage and eggs with hashbrowns and toast for under $5, I think. Other than that, there aren't too many that haven't already been mentioned. I've had reasonably good results from the Lido Cafe in Kensington, but it does seem kinda sketchy.
Pulcinella review, Calgary
I was just there tonight, found the pizza quite good as always, but they often seem to be out of something I want when I go. My favourite pizza is the speck e rucola (smoked prosciutto with arugula and cherry tomatoes), and the past two times I haven't been able to get it because they were out of a topping, the first time speck and the second arugula. I was able to satisfy my craving for that pizza tonight thankfully but they were out of Moretti beer and then couldn't find the other Italian beer.
My dinner companion had the Margharita and our pizzas were quite tasty. We started with my compulsory Arancini, which is a ball of saffron risotto wrapped around buffalo mozzarella and deep fried. It's delicious. Ended the meal with a canolli and tiramisu, the canolli was very good, but the tiramisu missed the mark somehow.
My double espresso was okay, but I would really prefer if they used a locally roasted bean rather than Illy. I understand that Illy is the Italian standard, but they cannot be roasted fresh, and with the good roasters in town I believe a better cup could be had using something fresher.
The one odd thing was that our waiter took forever to bring us the bill. We were seated around 7, finished our meal by 9:15 at the latest (I didn't check my watch), and received the bill around 10:30. I like not being rushed, but the waiter didn't even approach us after he took our plates until my companion excused herself to use the washroom. It was nice, but kind of bizarre.
Total bill for 2 of us was $80, but that included pizzas, apps, beer,desserts and coffee.
Birthday dinner suggestions - Calgary
I'll add some support to the wine cellar at Thai Sa On. I'm not a huge wine geek, but found their selections to be quite good, and surprisingly reasonably priced. Thai Sa On is always a good choice in my books, but like many Asian places, I find the menu to be a little large and intimidating sometimes.
Sushi in the YYC
I went to Momoyama a few weeks ago just before Christmas on the recommendation of the folks on here and thoroughly enjoyed it. Small restaurant, nice pleasant service and very well cut nigiri sushi (nice balance between fish and rice). We had no idea what we wanted, so specified a number of pieces and after a brief conversation with the server about our tastes, they did their best. A sort of semi-omakase, I suppose. My one gripe was that they ran out of rice after our first order, but this was their last day open before Christmas/New Years, so I can understand why they didn't have too much made. I am definitely planning on going back.
Wiener Schnitzel House - Bowness Rd NW
I work in the Bowness area and would second most of these suggestions. Also in the same vicinity is Lily Vietnamese subs, just across the road from the Schnitzel Haus. Not ultra high quality, but friendly, reasonably priced and pretty good. I tend to stay away from anything but the subs though.
Cadence can be kind of expensive, but is pretty good food and serves decent coffee. If you're looking for a standard bacon and egg breakfast, my recommendation is to skip Cadence and hit the Dell Cafe, then pick up something from the Sweet Home Bakery next door. The Dell is closed Sundays.
Lord Sandwich (Calgary) [moved from Canada board]
I'm a pretty big fan of the Vietnamese place you speak of, and it has pretty much monopolized my on-campus eating since it opened. I usually get a large combo B with grilled chicken and honey fried chicken and extra peanuts. The grilled chicken is fantastic, with plenty of charring. It can be a bit pricey, but is miles better than the rest of the food court offerings.
Chinese Delivery in Marda Loop/Killinary Area
I'm a bit west of you (Glenbrook, just east of Sarcee), and usually get Chinese from Toi Shan on Bow Trail and 37th. It's pretty good, not mind-blowing by any means, but usually fills the need for Chinese. You may also be able to get delivery from Peking Dragon on 4th, which is usually pretty good as well.
Earls' Bigger Better Bacon Cheddar 1/2 Pound Burger
I spent 3 years toiling in Uncle Earls' kitchen, and if it's the same burger as it was when I worked there (moved on in 2004), it's compressed ground sirloin, no fillers. I think they were made by the same meat packers who cut all the steaks, I want to say Highwood.
I got to take some of the patties home when we ordered too much a few times, and I would not recommend them for cooking on a bbq or gas grill. The lack of fillers or binding agents makes them very delicate in the cooking process and they fall apart very easily. Earls can get away with it because they cook them on a flat top griddle that supports the whole patty throughout the process.
And I think Earls uses Bridge Brand as a wholesaler, so you might be able to get them there.
Missing something in the "deepsouth"?
I'm not too far south, but a few of my friends are from down there, so I spend some time in restaurants in the deep south. I've had really good meals from Bill's Peking House on Canyon Meadows just east of McLeod. When I go, I usually go with my Chinese friend whose family knows the owners so that may be why the food we get is really good, but on occasions where he hasn't been with us, it was still pretty good. Better than your average suburban mall Chinese, for sure.
