sharonanne's Profile
Shirataki Noodles in Calgary/Edmonton
This is a really old thread, they are so common that Safeway carries them now.
Best Italian food shop Calgary
"who cares about hot food"
I do. Nice to have lunch when I shop. I've never seen rissotto balls in an Italian restaurant in Calgary and if they had them I bet they would be stupid expensive. That said, Lina's espresso could be better.
Scarpones looked dirty and crowded (not with people but the shelves were mashed in together) when I was there though the selection and prices were good.
Best Italian food shop Calgary
I'd rate Lina's highest even though Scarpones has better prices because Lina's is cleaner, brighter and has better hot food. The kitchen gadgets and dishes selection at Lina's is better too.
Also good is the Italian Center in Edmonton just because of the bakery.
Smashburger Coming to YYC
I have to admit it looks good. We'll give it a try once they open.
Smashburger Coming to YYC
Thanks but the Cooks Illustrated burger recipe is too incredible to miss. Long story short: you grind the meat in a food processor.
Chinese in Calgary
Good call. Wish we lived closer. The lemon chicken is incredible.
Smashburger Coming to YYC
The problem I am having is that very respectable chefs from Mario Batali to Heston Blumenthal and Cooks Illustrated say that ground beef should be handled gently when making burgers to avoid compressing the meat into tough, dry patties. I do love a crust on a hamburger but I'm concerned about someone who would smash the meat.
Sometimes conventional wisdom isn't all that wise though and I'm willing to give them a try.
Chinese in Calgary
Let me just tackle dim sum to start.
We like Grand Central on 16th ave and Center north for their egg tarts and they have carts. Carts can be easier for newbies as you can see your food and can just point. The egg tarts have to be ordered,. Once in a while a waiter will carry a tray of them around because they are best right out of the oven.
T-Pot is better for some other things but you order by ticking items off on a paper menu. The food is fresher that way and they have some less traditional items. The down side is that it can be pretty hard to guess what you are getting from the odd descriptions. They call oyster sauce abalone sauce, for example.
If you live in the NW you could also try Peking Garden in Varsity or Snow Palace in Crowfoot both of whom have a shorter pencil and paper system.
Ginger Beef Bistro Cafe House or whatever the long name is for their newest place on Country Hills Blvd by the theaters isn't bad, they have a window into the kitchen and a paper check-off menu about as long as T Pot.
Wherever you go for dim sium try BBQ pork buns (sha shoo bow) That's MY version of the phonetic pronunciation. Shrimp dumplings are also not too difficult for the western palate (har gow). These days everyone is hot for XLB or Xio Long Bao (sh ow (as in ouch) long bow) or soup dumplings. I haven't had any really great ones in Calgary but most places have some version. We also love what some places call rice pancakes. I can barely manage to say the name so that Cantonese speakers can understand it so I won't try to write it out.
I haven't been to Forbidden City but Harbor City overcooks the rice pancakes and since there are so many better choices with easier parking we have no interest in returning.
For non dim sum lunch I would suggest the place on 2nd ave E facing north whose name escapes me right now and just have the daily special.
For dinner we like Snow Palace because their menu has a section of traditional food in the back in English and we don't always have someone with us who can read Chinese. Also, we had dinner at Shanghai Gardens by Superstore on Country Hills the other night and when they found out we want traditional food but can't read their 'special menu' they helped us. We ordered shrimp, beef and noodles and it was excellent.
South St Burgers Beacon HIll
My husband thought they looked different but we're not exactly NY Fries experts.
South St Burgers Beacon HIll
I hate people who reply to their own posts, don't you?
My husband picked up burgers from South St last night (it's close to the gym). Not much improvement. We had regular sized burgers, a better size but still over $16 for 2 burgers, 1 medium fries and no drinks.
With only basics on my burger I could taste the meat but still none of the 'backyard BBQ' that they advertise. I found the meat was a bit tough, no crust. One positive is that you can get whole wheat buns and they are more sturdy.
South St Burgers Beacon HIll
If you're using Deerfoot then Crossiron is closer. Does your experience at that one differ any?
South St Burgers Beacon HIll
Just saw that this place had opened. They are apart from the other food spots. Not sure if that will harm them in the long run.
They have a big selection of toppings. I had blue cheese and mango chutney (I know, I know, don't judge). The staff all seem new and are a bit slow when preparing the burgers. It was almost painful watching the one fellow as he got blue cheese in the chutney conyainer and gave me the most minimal smear of chutney I have ever seen. The 2nd fellow noticed when he was putting the patty on the bun and asked me if I wanted more chutney. Good catch on his part. The burger was ok not that I could taste the meat much with those toppings. My husband said his was ok.
We both ordered small not knowing how large they would be. They're pretty small. They advertise that the fries are NY Fries and they do seem similar. We shared one small order of fries, had 2 quite small burgers and drinks for $14.
I'm going to join Scary Bill in the penalty box and say that McD's is better and cheaper even if they don't have blue cheese.
Contemporary dim sum in YYC
In an odd twist on this topic I was doing some research on the Toronto board for an upcoming trip and a number of people say that Lai Wah Heen is expensive and bland.
Also, Ginger Beef has opened a new place called Ginger Beef Bistro Cafe. They lose points for the name but I haven't been there. Iit might be more along the lines of what you are seeking.
Chinese Sandpots in Calgary
You're welcome.
Wish I could remember the name of the supermarket, used to be called Jay's and the restaurant supply place. I don't think I've ever known the name but it is around 10 ave and that's also Centre north.
I haven't been shopping in Chinatown for ages.They just don't have the variety of other places.
Chinese Sandpots in Calgary
You could try T & T, the Chinese restaurant supply place on the west side of Centre St at around 10 ave or the supermarket in the mall at the corner of 16 ave and Centre st North.
I feel slightly disinclined to answer after the tone of your other comments but tone IS so hard to discern online.
Chinese Sandpots in Calgary
Same with steamers. Bamboo is being replaced by stainless steel.
Contemporary dim sum in YYC
Hard to compare as I've never had dim sum in Toronto but T-Pot has some dishes that are far from traditional. My daughter was particularly fond of a mango shrimp spring roll. They have specials as well as the regular menu.
Vietnamese near Crowfoot, Calgary
Especially good news since we heard they were not treated very well by the landlord in Silver Springs.
Good call on Beacon Hills. It's not bad, was by there last night and realized I should have added it. The menu is large and that can be a bad sign. What we've tried was ok.
Vietnamese near Crowfoot, Calgary
The closest one I have been to is beside Winston Churchill. It's decent.
Mozzarella cheese curd in Calgary
They do and the curds taste a LOT better than any other I've had but I believe that is because they make them fresh every day. I wonder how much you would lose by freezing them.
meyer lemons found at Edmonton Costco
A bag of 6 or 7 for less than $3 at Safeway. Cheaper than regular lemons which were going for 79 cents each the day I bought them.
Mozzarella cheese curd in Calgary
That's how they make mozarella but what do you want? To make your own? Then are you looking for rennet? I bought some at the Cheese Factory in Edmonton. I'd ask at the Italian markets or maybe an Armstrong cheese store. Ask for rennet, the ingredient that coagulates the acidified milk, not curd, as that is a step in the production..
Anyone know where to find decorative oil dispensers in Calgary?
I'd also check Lina's.
Authentic Greek Yogurt
The honey is just weird. I don't know what is on the bottom but it has absolutely no taste. The texture is good but can't get past the taste.
75 Tastes of Calgary: List
Good list, gonna print that out and seek out the items I have missed.
Off the top of my head I would add egg tarts from Central Grand and the lamb samdwich from Artigiano.
Help! Late night Cafes in Calgary?
Someone mentioned Weeds so I looked up the hours though I'm not a big fan.
1903 20 Ave NW
Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 10 pm
Sat 8 am - 9 pm
Sun 8 am - 6 pm
Finding bread
I haven't had Prairie Mill's rye but their bread is so good you might want to take a look.
