Category: restaurant reviews

Where Fish Come to Fry: Brit’s Fish & Chips

I had heard that Brit’s Fish & Chips (11603 104 Avenue) served deep fried chocolate bars, but in addition to that (and probably why most people would visit), prepared authentic food that lived up to its name. On Friday, I gave it a try.

The set-up is very casual, with an order counter, a giant menu tacked up on the wall behind it, and cushioned folding chairs. The Brits logo is plastered throughout the restaurant, though for such a small establishment (with only one other location), it’s a little odd a branding force is in play at all. Still, the furnishings are comfortable, and the decorative kitsch of rustic signage actually works to create a welcoming atmosphere.

I ordered a one piece cod meal combo, which came with a drink and my choice of side (mushy peas in this case). The fish was likely freshly prepared, which explained the short waiting period. When the food arrived, I dug into the peas, only to discover they tasted like rehydrated lentils, and not fresh peas. It was my mistake in assuming the dish would be otherwise. The fish, on the other hand, was very good, with a light coating of fried batter that wasn’t too dense or oily. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the chips, which were a tad too heavy for me (I prefer my fries crisp).

Brit’s shuts down early, at 9pm (I had to wonder if it had to do with a lack of lighting sources in the dining room), so go early for their catch of the day.

Cod and chips with mushy peas
Two piece cod and chips

Many Happy Returns: Leva Cappuccino Bar

I was on the hunt for a good panini sandwich today, and remembered Leva (11053 86 Avenue). As I was heading to the nearby Jubilee Auditorium later that evening anyway, it was a convenient stopover.

I ordered the 4 cheese and roasted tomato panini, which came served with a lovely vegetable salad dressed with a sweet and sour balsamic vinaigrette. The sandwich was nicely toasted, and the cheese satisfyingly melted.

This was only my second visit to the cafe, but I love Leva’s vibe. The choice of classic soul tunes created an upbeat and easygoing atmosphere, and the service has been friendly and helpful. A bonus for me – their selection of cooking and entertaining magazines are a source of welcome distraction for me. Who needs a free daily when you’ve got Donna Hay?

My only complaint is their cash-only policy. Though they have an in-house ATM, it’s hard not to see it as an underhanded cash cow; not only do they not have to pay debit machine and credit card charges, but they also get to collect wayward ATM transaction fees on top of that.

Despite that, I still readily recommend Leva – for their food, coffee, and gelato – but make sure you’ve got some cash on hand.

4 cheese panini

Expectedly Uninspired: Chili’s Grill & Bar

I believe I was still wearing white jeans and listening to Hanson the last time I ate at Chili’s (or was that last weekend? Haha). In any case, it has been a while.

Bettina and I ended up at the Whyte Avenue location (8217 104 Street) tonight for a pre-Fringe show supper. The restaurant is surprisingly clean (not sure why I expected otherwise), and the decor features the stone and wood accents that are rampant in eateries associated with the word “grill.” I agree with Bettina’s assessment that Chili’s has done well in revamping its image in an attempt to compete for the lounge crowd, but for this branch in particular, it tries too hard to cater to all diners, from families to the after work and evening patrons. Quality seems to be the first casualty in chains that stretch themselves too thin.

Nothing on the menu was particularly intriguing, but all I felt like eating was a simple burger and fries, so it didn’t matter too much. I ordered the Bacon Burger (maple-smoked bacon, cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles) with a side of fries, while Bettina chose the Lettuce Wraps.

The service was quite attentive throughout, so I couldn’t complain about the wait staff, but the food was less than impressive. My burger and fries were warm, as if they had been left standing on the counter for some time, and unexplainably they had only decided to toast only the top half of the bun. Bettina’s said her dish was all right, but the portion wasn’t worth the $12.99 charged.

With the exception of Cafe Mosaics (and Dadeos to some extent), there seems to be a dearth of good dining available on Whyte. It may be worth going elsewhere (like the nearby Route 99 Diner), for a bite to eat after drinks.

Restaurant interior (second floor)
Bacon Burger
Lettuce Wraps

Pan-Asian Goodness: Matahari

High Street is home to many untapped culinary adventures, at least for me. So I took a step in the right direction when May and I dined in Matahari (10108B – 124 Street) this evening.

Being early on a Tuesday, we were surprised that there were three tables of patrons already seated when we entered the restaurant. The decor is simple and soothing, with light green walls and a functioning koi pond in the centre of the dining room. Oddly-designed square booths line the main seating area, that would hypothetically fit six persons, but for ease of exit and entry could likely only comfortably fit four.

Spouting a “pan-Asian” menu, I expected watered-down cuisine heavily influenced by the Western majority, but I was pleasantly surprised. There were a few dishes (Singapore Laksa and Malaysian Rendang, to name a few) that I’d want my Mum to sample to determine the level of authenticity. Despite the many tempting options, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have their tofu Pad Thai (stir fried flat rice noodles with chives, egg, pickled radish, and bean sprouts in a tangy tamarind sauce topped with ground peanuts). May selected the Kerala Noodles (Indian stir fried vermicelli with peas, onion, egg, curry leaves, carrots, red bell pepper, in a tomato and soy-based sauce topped with cashew nuts and coriander). I also ordered a plate of Thai Curry Puffs to start.

The food took a little longer than I would have liked (not having eaten anything since lunch), so I was more than hungry by the time our appetizer reached us. But they were worth it – the puff pastry was flaky, filled with spiced beef with just the right amount of heat. The oyster sauce for dipping was a sweet accompaniment to the dish. The serving, however, was on the small side for the $4.95 price tag.

Our entrees arrived soon after, and I found the portions to be quite generous (I had enough left over for a good sized lunch the next day)! I had asked for mild seasoning, and it was exactly that. The chives and radish provided a nice crunch, while the tofu rounded out the dish quite nicely. I would consider Bua Thai’s version slightly better, but Matahari’s is less greasy and lighter overall.

I’d recommend Matahari, and will be back myself, perhaps once I’ve visited their neighbours.

Extensive menu
Thai Curry Puffs
Pad Thai
Kerala Noodles

Weekend in Calgary

Bettina and I had talked in the spring about a weekend trip to Calgary, but due to various factors including work and vacation, we weren’t able to align our schedules until August.

On Friday afternoon, I hopped on an express Red Arrow coach to meet up with Bettina. I haven’t yet had the opportunity to talk about them before, so I will seize this platform now – I would strongly encourage anyone needing transportation south to consider taking the bus. Besides the free snacks and beverages, the coaches are clean, efficient, and often come with unforeseen bonuses (like wireless internet access!). Fares are reasonable ($63.60 one way), and the downtown Calgary drop off point is conveniently just a few blocks away from a C-Train stop.

After arriving, Bettina’s Aunt was nice enough to drive us to the hotel so I could drop off my bag. Our accommodation for night one was the Hampton Inn in NW Calgary.

Our room at the Hampton Inn

It doesn’t look like much, but I was quite impressed with our suite. Equipped with a fridge and a microwave, as well as a DVD player, the room would have definitely allowed for a comfortable multi-night stay should we have needed it. Moreover, the included continental breakfast the next morning was extremely generous, or what I would call “Contiki-plus”: in addition to the requisite cereal, fruit, and coffee, they offered a variety of healthy and sweet carb choices and hot sausage patties (so bad, but so good). I’m not sure why accommodations matter so much to me, particularly when the backbones of my getaways are sightseeing and not sleeping, but I suppose it has to do with being able to live at the border of one’s means when away from home.

For dinner, we explored our options on Stephen Avenue. We did pass by Blink Supper Club, but the $30+ entree price scared us away.

Stephen Avenue (and a reflection of the Calgary Tower)

We ended up in the familiar Milestone’s (107 8th Avenue SE). Bettina selected her favorite California spring salad (baby greens, mild goat cheese, fresh sliced strawberries, red onion and spicy-glazed pecans) while after some agony, I chose the butternut squash ravioli (Roma tomato sauce, goat cheese, fresh basil, spicy-glazed pecans). The food arrived surprisingly quick. The dressing on Bettina’s salad was unfortunately much too strong, and I didn’t appreciate the fact that my pasta appeared to be swimming in olive oil. Besides the grease factor, however, I thoroughly enjoyed the ravioli filling – the squash was creamy and complemented well by the tomato sauce. I’m still not a fan of goat cheese, particularly because it unfailingly dries out dishes, but I’m slowly learning not to be deterred by its presence.

Butternut squash ravioli
California spring salad

The next morning after breakfast, we left the Hampton and secured our luggage at our next hotel, as it was too early to check in. We then took the C-Train to the trendy neighbourhood of Kensington, home of decor, gift, and clothing boutiques a la Whyte Avenue, but decidedly more laid back and low-key. My only real point of interest on this sojourn was to visit Crave (1107 Kensington Road NW).

Bettina decides between the lesser of several evils

Having hit Buttercream Bake Shoppe the last time I was in the city, I wanted to cross the other cupcake bakery off of my list. We actually passed right by Crave when we wandered down Kensington Road, as the storefront itself isn’t very eye-catching. When we reached the store, it was bustling with customers, seemingly regulars who needed their fix of upscale baked goods. Bettina and I decided to split a half dozen (with each cupcake working out to just under $2.50 each). My picks included The Princess, Crave-O-Licious and Nutty Over Chocolate. I was most curious about the latter, wanting to compare it to Ina Garten’s similar recipe. Crave’s version of the icing was much sweeter (indicative of more confectioner’s sugar added), but the cake itself was rather bland. Bettina mainly couldn’t get over the intense amount of butter used for the icing, but I didn’t mind; it’s not often I indulge in cupcakes!

Our half dozen – almost too pretty to eat!
Getting Nutty Over Chocolate

We did our best to walk off the calories on our way back downtown, in search of #2 on my to-do list: Avenue Diner (105 8th Avenue SW). I was keen to compare it to Diner Deluxe, the absolutely fabulous 50s inspired diner I had brunch at in January, particularly after reading nothing but positive reviews about the restaurant.

As you’re probably well-aware, I’m very picky when it comes to my diners, and I will admit to requiring this genre of eatery to conform to my personal vision of what a “diner” should be. Being a (somewhat) reasonable person, I know that such standards are really unfair, but as it is a bias I take with me, I am mentioning it upfront.

Avenue is essentially a modern incarnation of a diner, and I mean this not necessarily in a bad sense. It is clean, well-lit, equipped with a characteristic barstool countertop as well as a sleek banquet at the rear of the restaurant, making the most of a lengthy room. The black and white photographs lining the near-grey walls and molded red stools emulate a sort of upscale chicness devoid of a warmth that I associate with the word “diner”. Even the eye-catching portrait of their in-house macaroni and cheese screamed more gallery than Mum’s kitchen.

That said, the service was excellent throughout, and the cranberry and lemon slice in each of our water glasses was a whimsical touch. The menu featured the expected variety of omelets, breakfast carbs and sandwiches. I opted for the quiche special, served with Yukon Gold hash browns and fruit salad, while Bettina ordered the spinach salad (with spiced pecans, sun dried cranberries and vanilla-apple dressing).

The quiche itself was a mixed bag – the pesto-marinated portabello mushrooms were absolutely divine, but the “Missing Link” chicken sausage slices were surprisingly, and disappointingly dry. It would be an understatement to say Bettina didn’t enjoy her salad, finding the dressing much too bland, and near flavourless. Would I return to Avenue? Perhaps only if the wait for Diner Deluxe was unmanageably long.

Tempting artwork
Restaurant interior
Quiche with Yukon Gold hash browns and fruit salad
Spinach salad

After lunch, we did some shopping in the downtown area to kill some time before being able to check into our hotel. Funny how I used to really enjoy shopping in Calgary, but after being exposed to so many new labels and stores in Europe, even the skylit Eaton Centre wasn’t that exciting.

A few odd purchases later, we were ready to check out our accommodation for the night. The Westin Calgary (320 4th Avenue SW) had been renovated recently in June, even installing a Starbucks in the lobby (I seem to be able to magically gravitate towards the coffee giant without even knowing it). While the lobby was still under construction, the rooms themselves still retained the sheen of a facelift (is there a “new room” smell?). It’s probably the nicest room I’ve ever stayed in – besides their signature Heavenly Bed, the room also featured a flat panel television and free in-room Starbucks coffee(!). Moreover, as we were in a business suite, we were allowed unlimited long distance phone calls within North America, as well as a $19 credit for the hotel’s restaurant. On a side note, it’s interesting how both the Westin and the Hampton Inn now have the option for patrons to create a hotel atmosphere at home by purchasing furnishings and items of comfort online (my favorite is the curved shower rod). I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before these sites offer wedding registries so newlyweds can extend that honeymoon feeling all the way back home.

Our suite at the Westin

While it seems like all we did was eat that weekend, food in other cities is always a major attraction for me, so I couldn’t pass up a trip to Taste of Calgary, taking place at Eau Claire Market (202, 200 Barclay Parade SW).

The crowds at Taste of Calgary (the Calgary Herald reported attendance of 60,000 to their event compared with Edmonton’s supposed 600,000. Really?)
Starbucks van (they were selling samples of Blueberries and Creme Frappuccino and Blueberry White Iced Tea for 1 ticket each)

When I say the event “took place” at Eau Claire, that’s a bit deceiving – the booths were actually arranged rather haphazardly in the building’s parking lot. Besides making sure not to trip over the concrete blocks on the pavement, the layout of the vendors did not allow for easy browsing of options available. While Churchill Square might be a cramped venue, Eau Claire was actually worse.

The food, however, was worth the visit. My opinion is based partly on the “newness” of the menu to my palate, but I think their choices were not only better than our festival, but cheaper too (tickets were priced at 75 cents to Edmonton’s dollar). The portions were larger, and some vendors even put some thought into the presentation of their dishes (paper cone-wrapped crepes for convenient stand-up snacking and mini-Chinese take-out boxes sure beat paper plates). Curiously, drinks took up over a third of the menu, with servings of beer, wine and liqueurs offered for 2 to 3 tickets each.

With my ten tickets, I had to be frugal with my selections, and ended up with a serving of butter chicken from Bombay Palace and a Bow Valley bison burger from Brewsters. Both were excellent. Bettina ended up with a burger as well, but not before she tried a BBQ beef rib from Graze Grill, home of “The Big One”: a five pound sirloin steak. For the gastronomically-inclined, finishing the $99 steak within the hour results in a free meal and a place on their wall of fame. Any takers?

Butter chicken
Bow Valley bison burger
BBQ beef rib

We spent the rest of the evening walking the nearby trails.

Urban soccer (it reminded me of a picture I took in Paris)
Bettina plays tourist

Our Sunday morning breakfast at Essence, the Westin’s restaurant, wasn’t spectacular. And though our credit helped, my $15 omelet put us over our allowance.

We then met up with Bettina’s Aunt, who drove us to an off-leash park for a walk with their Bernese Mountain Dog Hemingway and his many (large) furry friends. I’ve never seen so many massive dogs in one place before.

Hemingway (all 120 pounds of him)
Seriously massive dogs
The scenery of the Elbow River valley below and the skyline of downtown Calgary in the distance was nice to see, especially because it seems I rarely escape the trappings of city living when traveling.
Skyline
Valley
Pathway
Us
Surprise, surprise – we followed up our outdoor excursion with a dim sum lunch at Forbidden City in Pacific Place (220, 999 36 Street NE). I wouldn’t normally single out Chinese restaurants, but the portions were abnormally generous here. For example, the plate of rice crepes was double the size what any Edmonton restaurant would serve at a similar price range. Highly recommended.
We C-Trained to Chinook Mall for a quick look around, and then it was back downtown to pick up our bags. This was my first extended brush with the C-Train system, and I must admit that I am pretty impressed with its reach of many parts of the city.
For one last hurrah, we sat down for a quick treat at Fiasco Gelato (807 1 Street SW) – the chocolate hazlenut Tartufo was delicious.
Yum! (the Tartufo was underneath the raspberry sorbetto)
Back to the Red Arrow bus station (after some SE and SW misdirection), and we were home before we knew it. It was a very full weekend.

Vegan Charm: Cafe Mosaics

I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that it’s getting more and more difficult to think of restaurants in the city that I have a desire to try. Still, when pressed for an eating establishment near the Varscona Theatre where Mack and I were heading after dinner, I remembered the easily-missed Cafe Mosaics (10844 82 Avenue) on the west side of Whyte. Annie and Anna had both spoken highly of it, so I figured it was worth a visit.
The decor reminded me of the boutique Nokomis next door with its soft pastel walls, twinkly lights, funky art and stylishly mismatched furniture. Overall, its vibe was reminiscent of Blue Plate Diner without the urban pretentiousness.
The vegetarian menu at Cafe Mosaics contained quite a few tempting choices, even offering all day breakfast selections. I was in the mood for pasta, so opted for the cheese ravioli served with garlic toast, while Mack decided to test their version of grilled cheese.
Our food, healthy portions of home-cooked comfort, arrived after a short wait. The ricotta-parmesan filling in my ravioli pockets was delicious, as was the sweet tomato sauce that topped my dish. Mack similarly enjoyed his sandwich, claiming the inability to reproduce such a product at home.
With good food, service, and a great dining atmosphere, I’d say Cafe Mosaics did quite well on the critical restaurant checklist. I will definitely be back!
Restaurant interior
Menu (with a revolver on the cover. No idea.)
Cheese Ravioli and Garlic Toast
Grilled Cheese and Fries

Waiting out the Rain: Flavours Modern Bistro

My sister and I ducked into Flavours Modern Bistro (10354-82 Avenue) for a late lunch this afternoon in part to refuel but to also wait out the rain. And wait we did.

I haven’t been back to Flavours since a bad experience a few years ago with a very rude waiter. It was a shame too, as their applewood smoked chicken was divine, but couldn’t override the bad taste left in my mouth from horrible service.

On this rainy grey Sunday, however, I was willing to put aside past grievances and give the bistro another shot. Their lunch menu looked inviting, and with plates ranging from $8-12, the prices were reasonable. The interior hadn’t changed since my last visit – creaky hardwood floors, dark furniture and banquets, sleek mirror-lined walls and classy chandeliers. With sultry jazz music playing in the background, it really was a shame that the restaurant was nearly empty – perfect dining atmosphere cannot be devoid of tinkering wine glasses and hushed conversations.

My sister ordered the feature BLT sandwich and a caesar salad. I opted for the succulent-sounding breast of chicken sandwich (with pancetta bacon, lettuce, tomato and smoked provolone) and a bowl of Brazilian spiced black bean soup. Despite a table of four being our only other company, the food took over twenty minutes to arrive. Perhaps moderately acceptable if we had ordered well done steaks, it was inexcusable in this instance. My sister was also rather miffed that they didn’t offer freshly ground pepper or refill our water glasses once throughout our meal. The sandwiches themselves were on the small side, but I found the chicken tender as it should have been. The soup turned out to be the unexpected better deal – slightly spicy and chock full of beef, vegetables, and lentils, I would have gladly given up my sandwich for another bowl of soup.

Though not as negatively memorable as my last experience, our lunch at Flavours didn’t stand out as particularly good either.

Restaurant interior
Breast of Chicken Sandwich with Brazilian Spiced Black Bean Soup
BLT with Caesar Salad

Picnic in the Park with The Copper Pot

Doug had a great idea for his farewell lunch at work – instead of the standard sit-down meal at a nearby restaurant, he wanted us to take advantage of having the beautiful Ezio Farone Park just across the street from our building by having a picnic together. So ordering sandwiches from The Copper Pot (101, 9707-110 Street), we gathered on the grass under absolutely perfect weather.

Besides their regular lunch menu (which can be viewed on their revamped website), The Copper Pot also offers three sandwiches, one wrap, and a soup & salad combo available for take-out only. Priced at $8 each (sides extra), the selections are on the steep side, but considering its downtown office building location, the expense is understandable. I ordered the Ham & Cheese Panini (blackforest ham and brie on grilled French bread) and fries. As I enjoyed my sandwich with good company and for a special occasion, I didn’t mind incurring the cost for something easily duplicated at home for much less, but on a regular day, I doubt I’d order it again.
So – thanks Doug for a great Friday afternoon, and all the best with your future endeavours!
Ham & Cheese Panini and fries
Doug shows off his Pulled BBQ Beef Sandwich
Violet does the same
Evania and Michael pose with their respective Ham & Cheese Panini and Greek Salad Wrap (this is starting to feel like a Copper Pot advertisement)
Doug’s turn to give a speech as Anna looks on
Group shot

Mass-Produced Comfort Food: Chianti’s

My sisters and I used to play a game called Edmontonopoly, a spin-off of the popular board game substituting local companies for properties up for sale. Two such properties were restaurants Chianti’s and Fiore’s, and I remember always wanting to go there in typical childhood idealization fashion. Well, I’ve been there numerous times since, but it has almost always been underwhelming.

Mack and I chose Chianti’s (10501 82 Avenue) on Tuesday for its proximity to the Varscona Theatre (where we were heading to see a show afterwards) and its Pasta Frenzy deal, when over forty of their pasta dishes are priced at $7.99.
It was surprisingly busy, with about a ten minute wait for a table, despite the weather being drizzly and cloudy. With the number of large parties inside, it seems Chianti’s is hard to beat in terms of accommodating all types of tastes and budgets. Their menu never ceases to amaze me – though I would imagine the A + B + C ingredient substitution formula is likely heavily utilized, I’m sure the cooks in the kitchen don’t necessarily appreciate the variety. As an unfortunate result with such menus, quality is most often the first casualty, and Chianti’s is no exception.
Mack ordered the Alla Marchese (veal filled noodles with pepperoncini in a cream pesto sauce), while I opted for the Cannelloni (rolled pasta stuffed with veal, vegetables, topped with mozzarella then baked in tomato sauce), if not only to compare it to Moxie’s version. The wait for the food was long, despite taking the large crowd into consideration, but was tapered with our cesar salad and baked onion soup appetizers. The pastas themselves were all right – my cannelloni was on the dry side, and I preferred the sweetened tomato sauce found in Moxie’s equivalent to the more tart sauce used by Chianti’s.
Chianti’s isn’t a bad choice (especially dining al fresco during Fringe season), but in particular during Pasta Frenzy, you get what you pay for.
Insalata Di Cesare (Cesar Salad)
Zuppa Di Cipolla (Baked Onion Soup with Cheese)
Alla Marchese
Cannelloni

Like “Quizno’s for pizza”: Famoso Neapolitan Pizzaria

Having been introduced to Famoso Neapolitan Pizzaria (11750 Jasper Avenue) by Where Edmonton, Mack and I decided to give it a try on Friday. Claiming to produce authentic Neapolitan pizzas, training with the Associazione Verce Pizza Napolentana, an Italian organization dedicated to preserving the standards of “True Neapolitan Pizza,” and using only imported Italian flour and San Marzano tomatoes, Famoso seemed like a good bet for quality food.

Upon reading the restaurant’s description in the magazine, both Mack and I were expecting a dining room aligned with a European bistro – quaint decor, bustling but quiet – but instead, we got, in Mack’s words, “Quizno’s for pizza.” While the self-serve seating and ordering at the counter concept was fine, the white booths and LCD TV seemed out of place, as was the baritone order announcer, who could easily be slumming as a nightclub DJ in the evenings.
That said, their menu was filled with a great selection of pizzas, sandwiches, and sides, making it difficult to narrow down our choices. In the end, I couldn’t resist the classic Margherita (fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil), while Mack opted for the Siciliana (fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, Italian sausage, Italian ham and baked prosciutto).
Our orders were up fairly quickly (though celebrity spotting Edmonton Rush’s Jimmy Quinlan distracted us a bit). The pizza crust was like none I’d ever had before – soft, chewy, and very much like fresh pita bread, it probably was better suited to being eaten as they recommended, folded as a sandwich. The pizza itself had a bit of a sour, tangy after taste, likely attributed to the uncooked sauce used. Lastly, I would have preferred roma tomatoes in place of cherry tomatoes (and really, it wasn’t worth the extra $1.50 for the four tomatoes on my pizza). Mack was similarly underwhelmed with his dish.

Though most of their ingredients are imported, the franchise nature of Famoso ultimately cheapens the feeling of authenticity somehow. The pizza was decent, and I may return (in particular for their Nutella dessert pizza), but Famoso will not be replacing my delivery standbys anytime soon.

Margherita
Siciliana