I haven't seen this particular dish anywhere else in Calgary.

Shikiji. I love their Chilli Goma Ramen.

I would avoid Saigon Y2K, I've eaten there before and wouldn't go back.

Big T's is good. Close by is Juree's Thai Place on 16 Ave. I really like their food. Nicks used to be good, but I've heard they have been sliding over the years, If you don't mind a 20 minute walk, in the Stadium Shopping Centre, there's Saigon Star for Viet and Billingsgate Lighthouse Cafe for seafood. If you want cheap, you can try the food court at the UofC (Mac Hall). I like Bake Chef there for their Vietnamese subs. I also like Fuel for Gold for their healthy options. Also 20 min away. If you really don't mind walking and are starving... Jimmy's A& A for their shawarma and donairs. (25 min)

And well, if you are just too tired to care, then there is Boston Pizza, Red Lobster, and McDonalds in Motel Village. There is also the food court in North Hill Mall, but nothing remarkable.

I second Buffalo Mountain Lodge. I've gone there a few times over the years and always enjoyed their food. Another vote for Barpa Bills. I also like Chaya for their noodles. The Fairmont is expensive, but their weekend brunch is a delight.

Thanks I will have another look.

I'm looking for some caramels for my holiday baking. Safeway carries the Kraft Caramels at Halloween and I haven't seen them at any other time. Kraft Caramel Bits will also do.

Disappointed with Alley Burger today. The toppings on the Whole Truck Burger were not what I had ordered. The patty was dried and cold when I got it. There were a lot of people in the lineup. I will only give them a second chance if they are not busy.

I love their cakes. If I'm downtown I'll pick some up to go from their 7th Ave. location.

Juree's Thai Place is on the TC in Calgary.

I buy Burnbrae Farms' free range and Omega-3 eggs at Safeway. Love the deeply orange coloured yolks. No more pasty eggs for me.

I just ordered a Bosch Universal Kitchen Machine. And called Whirlpool to ensure they are sending me a replacement KA Pro 610 (yes the one from Williams Sonoma). It overheated, turned off and went up in smoke. Only after 5.5 cups of bread flour. The dough was a bit stiff. Never again for bread. It works well for everything else.

Yes it does seem to have thermal overload protection.

I don't own a Cuisinart but I will consider it based what just happened. My KA610 is almost a year old (Bought March 26 last year). Today I made a batch of bread dough and it overheated and started to smoke. It turned itself off. It started again an hour later but I am calling KitchenAid and hopefully they will honor the warranty. If you like to make bread, don't buy KA.

Cookbook Co. Cooks has a few varieties. I am partial to Grizzly Paw though.

Dutch oven. Get a piece of quality cookware that will last you a while. Very versatile and holds heat very well. I made some dal last night and it sat there for an hour and it was still piping hot when I served it. Even though the heat was off. I used the Staub that you linked but I usually prefer the Le Creuset as it seems to stick less.

Master Meats.

If money is no object, try Eden at The Rimrock. AAA Five Diamond Rated. The food and service will definitely impress.

The Waldhaus at the Banff Springs is definitely good for that.

I quite like the book. I showed it to my friend (born and raised Thai now living in Calgary) and she said that its the only English version of recipes that she's seen exclusively in made Thailand. Most of the recipes are gluten free. For baked goods, using mostly rice flour. There are also some exotic ingredients that might be difficult to find in Calgary.

If it is tong yuan, then you can make it at home. Buy the sticky rice balls and rock sugar from T&T. I'll look to see if I can find it in my "Thai Street Food" book by David Thompson.

From my experience, its usually salt or umami if a savory dish is lacking fullness in flavor.

Sometimes with a soup, it is truly the stock that adds the missing flavor.

For sauce with fresh tomatoes, the tomatoes can be too acidic, so sugar is the trick.

Cooking a Thai curry from scratch is a good way to experiment with how the flavors should balance as it should have salty, sweet, sour and umami tastes in it.

Spring Creek Ranch's prime rib roast available at Master Meats. (They're from around Edmonton)
Spolumbo's sausage
Sunrise Berry Farms pies (Lethbridge)

If price is no object, I would recommend Eden at the Rimrock. Outstanding food and service.

I just came back from Banff. I thoroughly enjoyed Maple Leaf, dinner at the Banff Springs and Ticino was good too. Not to mention lunches at Chaya and Beavertails for dessert.

I would avoid the Keg.... didn't enjoy my trip there last month.

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Chaya
118 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L, CA

Laggan's Mountain Bakery in Lake Louise.

Is Ramsey/Inglewood considered downtown? Try Pop's Dairy Bar. They sell Mackay's. In Parkdale I also enjoy Lic's.

New restaurant open on 16 Ave. NW. Used to be a Burger King. It's called Juree's Thai Place. I tried it last week, quite like it.

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/15/160845...

I just tried a few of their pies and had a nice chat with the sales lady. I suspect that their pies are made in BC and shipped frozen to Calgary to be baked. The taste is pretty good if they are made that way. Love their peach and cherry, I think I got the apple on an off day. The cinnamon was only on the top and not throughout the pie. And the bottom was soggy.

Will try their sausage on my hike this weekend. Could pass on the kitsch though.

I wonder if you are thinking about The Ranche? It is still in the city proper but looks like it is in the wilderness. As you can't see or hear the city from the property.

I had my wedding reception there recently. Highly recommended.

http://www.crmr.com/theranche/

Eric Giesbrecht. He supplies some of the restaurants in Calgary, including Big Fish and Catch.

I tried a few the other night in Inglewood. They were very good.

http://www.citypalate.ca/postView.php...

I'm no expert either but I am just returning from Ottawa. I sampled poutine at The Works. They serve their fries with St. Albert cheese curds and this rich dark gravy. With onion ring pieces or Montreal smoked meat it was all good.