foodiesnorth's Profile
Happily Stuffed in St John's
We had great food at Aqua and the best pizza we have eaten anywhere (ate it three nights in a row for late snacks (two of three times while sober :-)) Venice Pizza on Military Road. Venice pizza was a total hole in the wall with an amazing product.
Baccalao was a complete disappointment this trip...it got raves from me last time.
Never made it to Get Stuffed, but will next time for sure.
Sawmill Sherwood Park - OMG!
Yes...and I love their menu, but it never tastes good. I really, really want to like them, I have been back at least five times. Great coffee (Transcend), great chocolate (Jacek). I have been there with my wife, my kids, clients...no one ever likes it...the food SOUNDS great, but the bread is always dry, the soup tasteless and runny. I will keep trying and hoping, but a total letdown still...no oasis in this desert...just mirages.double sigh.
Sawmill Sherwood Park - OMG!
Tried it hoping that at least the prime rib would work. I have never had a truly bad meal at the other one Sawmill I have been to on occasion in the past. It is not fine dining by any measure, but others have dragged me to the one on the south side. Whata debacle!
There were repeated attempts by the manager to hide the fact that much was received frozen (we knew it was from the shape, texture and taste), he argued with us about the doneness of the meat (so we sent pics to two of our kids (both teens) by email, both of whom without prompting emailed back noting the well done status of the meat), claimed to watch the cooks make the bernaise sauce from scratch (the general manager acknowledged later it has a powder base), claimed the appies we ordered were made in house (and later clairfied that: no they are not frozen product, because they thaw them first(!) - the general manager later confirmed they are not only frozen but third party sourced).
The salad bar is hilarious...marshmallow salad or jello anyone? I must have mistakenly recalled the salad bar on the south side as okay - in an '90's sort of way.
We hoped for an average meal at an average price. The price met expectations, but the food was just awful, the service (except our friendly, unknowledgable server) was offensive, they will not see us there again. Sigh, Sherwood Park -the culinary desert - remains barren.
Best restaurant in Edmonton?
Like all the restos listed very much (except Murietta's). I agree Blue Pear is the best for innovation and use of local products. CUlina is a close second with Red Ox filling out my top three (for innovation and local fare).
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Blue Pear Restaurant
10643 123 Street, Edmonton, AB T5N 1P3, CA
Bistro Praha - Edmonton
Alan Kellogg's review of Co CO Di in the Journal today has a mysterious (to me at least) and passing reference to one of my favourite restos (my mouth waters at the mere thought of their tartar)....he says "For all the buzz over the reopening of Bistro Praha..." . He leaves the reader (me!) wondering if he is referring to recent reopening, a pending reopening or a myth of reopening. Help fellow foodies! Is the Bistro open/about to open/cotinuing the painful myth of an ever imminent reopening???
Cupcakes in Edmonton?
Trends are good, they are great even and they are necessary. Something new to get excited about. Everthing starts as a trend (such as using a fork or cooking pasta). Some stay and some go. Macarons were a trend (having been to Laduree in Paris, the trend seems rather a long one) which finally made to Edmonton 120 years later through Duchess Bakery. Watch "Supersizers Go" on TV (not sure of the channel) to see food trends, good and bad and long and short over the centuries. Some of these trends you will recognize as good "old fashioned food"...some you will not have ever heard of...they all started as trends. It is a stage of food and habit evolution.
Cupcakes may or may not stay, but they sure good. while they last. We just tried a cake from Crave in Calgary recently and as much as I hate to admit it, It was even better than Flirt and Fuss in Edmonton and they are fantastic themselves.
I thought Booster Juice was just a trend with their lonely shop in Sherwood Park years ago...then I saw there location in Dubai...no longer a trend in my view.
Zinc at the Art Gallery of Alberta - a huge disappointment
Finally made it here and expected the worst. We had a wonderful meal with excellent, knowledgable service. Restos can have good and bad days and I don't doubt for a moment that the other posters had bad days. We had Alex as our server (apparently he usually works the bar not the floor). He had both enthusiasm for food and excellent knowledge of the food, the wines and the pairings.
After our tasty amuse bouche (brioche, pate and a jellied consomme of chicken - yum)We started with appetisers, duck ravioli and taste of Alberta. The ravioli was superb and used duck from Greens Eggs and Ham. The taste of Alberta had good and bad. The alberta beef burger was perfect, lots of taste, perfectly cooked. The alpaca chop was dry, overly peppered and tough. We suggested adding yak from southern Alberta to the menu and they seemed quite open to that idea.
The entrees, tagliatelle with game hen and Cheek to Cheek (halibut and beef cheeks) were both excellent. The portions were large and filling - so much so that we no room for dessert!
The place does a good job of relying on local supply to the point that they told us they personally attend at Greens Eggs and Ham to get some supplies. They get their wild boar from Texas (!) so we gave them Earl Hagman's contact info to ensure a local supply of that product too. We found the presentation good to very good; service excellent, food very good, price excellent (with food and wine it was $70 pp) overall value excellent. I encourage those with less than perfect experiences at Zinc to give them another shot. They need to be supported as a high end resto in a city with very few and one that focuses local - again a relative rareity. Unfortunately they did not hav any river scallops although Alex did ask the chef about them ;-)
YEG - Jewish staples?
Just spoke to a Jewish employee in my office and he says the Hawkestone IGA has the best selection in town (better than Andy's IGA) for kosher products. I have been to a great little store owned by Russian Jews that used to be called Loritas, but a move and a name change later and it is now in Collingwood called Europeon Foods...I need to check that name, but it is on 176th St and aroung 69 Ave. Matzo and other kosher for Passover products are readily available around Passover time, but certainly less so the rest of the year. Other middle eastern food stuffs can be found at El Safadi on the North end...hallal, not kosher, but close!
What new food have you discovered recently?
Yak...yes yak, as in from Tibet, but raised here in Alberta and crossed with an angus cow. It is meaty, juicy and a wee bit exotic. We eat many kinds of meat in this house, but this one is a favourite
Best BBQ in Charlotte
Again, to all, thanks. I think we will do the tour and try one NC BBQ and one SC BBQ and report back on what we Canadian foodies think is best. With no loyalties to any style or state, our opinion will be pure...lol. We are really looking forward to it - bring on the pig.
Edmonton - Lingonberries
Anyone have any idea where I can get some fresh, frozen or even partially processed?
Thanks
Best BBQ in Charlotte
okay, let me put a bit of a different spin on this...to get real mom and pop, whole hog, rural road BBQ, how far would we have to travel from Charlotte (by car). A short road trip is possible....if the destination is really worth it. When you are as carnivorous as our crew, you go where you have to. Thanks for all the advise thus far. The DW will be happy to hear Mac's is an option for the kids as she really had a good time and a good meal there last year. It would be nice to contrast it with something more rural.
Best BBQ in Charlotte
My wife did an overnight last year and thought Mac's Speed Shop was fantastic. Our concern is that with kids in tow we may not be able to go in. I am surprised it was not mentioned...any comments on this place?
Thanks!
p.s. any other must not miss places..we love everything so different, new, regional, it's all good.
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Mac's Speed Shop
2511 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Best BBQ in Charlotte
We will be staying a couple of days and really want the best, most authentic BBQ in the area.
Thanks!
New flavor combinations you really enjoy
fennel salt and watermelon...mix ground fennel seed with salt and put it on a round of watermelon for an amuse bouche
Edm RROTM - April - Mashawee Lebanese Grill
Somewhere I have a nice detailed review that I prepared just after we ate there....a month ago! I can, in its absence, only comment generally. We had great high hopes for this place. It seemed fresh, authentic and the owners talked it up: "best in town" etc.
We found each of our varied kabobs, dry (in one case overcooked to the point of being inedible) and mostly flavourless. The meal was a complete diappointment. The only good thing I can say is that portions were huge and well priced.
We don't regret the trek, but won't be back.
Diners, Drive-ins and Dives in Edmonton
great burgers and shakes. The diner theme is well done too
Diners, Drive-ins and Dives in Edmonton
Motoraunt tests your patience and your faith in the cleanliniess, but damn good burgers.
I would suggest the hotel in Bruce Alberta for the steaks.
Truffles in Calgary?
Never understood the appeal of truffles in oil...even when we tried them in france (it was not truffle season) they were competely tasteless! Urban Fresh did carry them, but I am not sure if that is still the case....oops I misread the post..this is in Edmonton!
blood pudding in Edmonton?
Sean at Butcher Block in Sherwood Park confirmed to me today that he usually carries it but it is so popular he does not alwasy have it. It is locally made too.
Onoir: Dining in Total Darkness
We ate at this resto a couple of years ago. Experiences need not be amazing to be interesting...they need to be new to make them worthwhile. Our experience was that the whole meal was disturbing...the darkness was oppressive, the meal was long and the band (yes a band) that came on later took away your one sense...hearing! I would never do it again and am pleased nonetheless that I had the experience.
The paranoia on this board about bugs and hair is really besides the point. Would you not eat in a resto in Mexico because you might get sick? That is surely no way to go through life!
They have actually thought this out and planned for most of what worreis some posters. I highly recommedn the experience.
As for cleanliness, the resto is subject to precisely the same regulation as any other. It is not like the lights are never on.
As for the bathroom question, the blind waiter takes you there (much as he or she did on the way to the table).
We did use our hands a bit, but managed not to get messy...everyone checked their clothes as they exited and some were less successful, but surely that is no reason not to try this unique experience.
As for comments about the chef, how the heck do you relate the dining room experience with what is happening in the kitchen??? We ordered the mystery meal and it was mediocre at best. Nonetheless this was the fault of the dark room. Granted the resto has a draw beyond the food...we were not there because of the resto's stellar reputation for good food. I am not sure we even checked in advance.
So, go for the experience, THEN comment, not before.
Tillsonburg - Niko's
What a nice surprise...was not expecting much in this little town (where I spent a few summers visiting my grandparents many decades ago). Nikos is a mediterranean themed resto with a fairly varied menu. We started with bacon wrapped scallops which came with cracked pepper and a jus of maple syrup and olive oil...they were great (I have never thought to add maple to scallops, it works!) . Dining companion had the the liver...huge portions all round. The liver was perfectly prepared. I tried the jambalaya for the entree. The shrimp were well cooked, but the chicken, while perfectly cooked, lacked any flavour. Making the dish with mild Italian sausage as opposed to choritzo was a mistake, but the sauce was very good. I would definately go back...Tillsonburg, who woulda figured??
Edm RROTM - March - Mexico Lindo
Amazing, a real winner. I have not been this excited about a resto in Edmonton in a long while. All fresh in house made ingredients. We had a large portion of the menu (thre were six of us). My soft tacos with house made mexican sausage and with lamb (Alberta lamb: thee owner stands by the idea that Alberta lamb is the best and I agree. We had burritos and the chips and salsa which were increidbly rich and had such depth of taste it transported all of us back our Mexican vacation last year.
The owner is friendly, knowledgable and, most importantly, passionate (and direct from Mexico where he has to order in some ingredients). We walked out with full bellies, big smiles and about $30 of product from the cooler).
I have no complaints at all and only compliments!
Long shot but where to eat in Yellowknife???
It is on both boards, but no one in their right mind will go to the BC board for the NWT. I made this point unsuccessfully to the Board administrator. I have not seen many (any actually) foodies familiar with the NWT or Nunavut on anyboard but this one and that is mostly me! The powers that be seem to believe they know better than me though. I recommend posting NWT or Nunavut questions here not BC...I rarely go to the BC board. Someone in control may eventually correct this error, but given their current intransigence, I doubt it.
Long shot but where to eat in Yellowknife???
Oh I can't disageee more. I have found the service in YK no better and no worse than anywhere. I eat out ALOT and in YK probably 5 of 6 times a month and they are completely average on the whole. Bullocks is supposed to be rude...part of the character. ;-)
Yes, it is expensive.
Jamie Oliver's "Food revolution" on ABC. Watch it if you are concerned about the obesity epidemic.
LOL, yes I think you did. No apology necessary. Nothing wrong with disagreeing!
Great places outside of the major centers - Ireland and Scotland
Sorry for the lack of specifacs and I should have been more clear. We are in the planning stages of this family trip and to help with the itinerary we want some ideas. Coming from Canada and having been to the UK before I know it is easy to get around (relative to where we live). I am hoping that with the collective exeripience of you chowhounders we can plan a trip with consideration given to great food venues.
As for "great sights/sites", surely the location of foodie destinations relative to a tourist draw is perfectly acceptable on this board.
We are very resourceful at getting to where we need to and once we find a destination we will get there, by plane, train, auto or foot (and every combination thereof!)
