[jeffwhit]

Thanks!

Was it Belle-Vue Kriek by chance? I love that beer!

Kriek would be cherry. I assume they're being supplied by the Kensington Wine Market.

[ST1]

1000 posts. :cheers:

Just wanted to say that I've gotten alot of good info off of this thread. Keep up the good work everyone.

[Innersoul1]

I wonder how it compares to the lobster Poutine at Brava Bistro (by far the best I've ever had).

Add Lobster to the equation and it is a whole other ballgame

[ST1]

I keep hearing about this lobster poutine. Something I've gotta try for sure.

[Rusty van Reddick]

I keep hearing about this lobster poutine. Something I've gotta try for sure.

It's a pretty liberal deconstruction of "poutine." It's fries, a creamy sauce americaine (sometimes called a "rose" sauce), mascarpone and lobster. It is one of the most delicious things you'll ever taste.

[Just Build It]

It's a pretty liberal deconstruction of "poutine." It's fries, a creamy sauce americaine (sometimes called a "rose" sauce), mascarpone and lobster. It is one of the most delicious things you'll ever taste.

I've never tried it before, but I've heard about it from various people. It must be amazing.

[RWin]

I went to the Good Earth Cafe just up the stairs from Artigiano in the +15 again.

Had another cappuccino - made by a different person than last time. I'd say it was on par with Second Cup or Starbucks. There seems to be a lack of consistency - at that location at least.

[NumberFive]

Thanks to this board (and me having to try Artigianno due to the hype), I'm officially there religiously every morning for my Spanish Latte fix.

[Innersoul1]

Kriek would be cherry. I assume they're being supplied by the Kensington Wine Market.

Fruli then?:tup:

[Rusty van Reddick]

FRULI. That was it! Thanks, innersoul!

[Surrealplaces]

This is a great thread. I've found a few good new places that I had never heard about until coming here.

[Innersoul1]

FRULI. That was it! Thanks, innersoul!

No worries mate! I don't know why it didn't come to me earlier as it is one of my wife's favourites. We just bought some at the Coop liquor store.

[crooked rain]

Thanks to this board (and me having to try Artigianno due to the hype), I'm officially there religiously every morning for my Spanish Latte fix.

What is a Spanish latte?

[SpongeG]

it uses sweetened condensed milk and regular milk

[NumberFive]

What is a Spanish latte?

Basically it's a regular latte except they put a little bit of sweetened condensed milk in it for a little more sweetener.

[Rusty van Reddick]

De Ville opened yesterday at 5pm- soft non-morning opening to get their sea legs, I guess. They're looking at 7-7, 7 days a week for now. A local coffeegeek (one who works as a barista at Wicked in Van when he's away at UBC and who is currently doing some shifts at P&S) declared it "excellent," which is endorsement enough for me. They use Intelligentsia coffees, which are roasted in Chicago and would probably be considered one of the top 3 artisanal roasters in North America. This is the first shop in Calgary to source Intelli (Communitea in Canmore does as well, and further afield so does Three Bananas in Edmonton).

2nd floor of Art Central- I might check it out today.

[Big Sky]

Sounds like it's worth a try. ^ Thanks for the info Furry.

[NumberFive]

Anybody heard where the next Artigianno in Calgary is going to be? I heard there could be something going into the new buildings (not yet finished)across from the Palliser (on the south side of 9th between the Palliser and Gulf Canada Square). Can anybody confirm anything?

[Rusty van Reddick]

There is going to be a high-end resto (affiliated with the Ned Bell group I think- Vintage/Redwater etc) in HH1 and it will be open this summer from what I understand. I know that Artigiano intends to open 3 Calgary locations but have no idea where the others might be. Actually a great location would be in Le Germain but that's obviously a ways off...

[IntotheWest]

^HH1??

3 more Artigianos? Wow.

[mersar]

The restaurant is on the east side of PWP/HH1 (that fancy looking section right by the underpass) right? I do believe there is a retail bay on the west side of the east tower as well, not sure if its leased out though. That would work nicely, though just about any of the buildings going up along there would be roughly equivalent (between PWP, BC and LG) in terms of location.

[Rusty van Reddick]

Mersar- I don't think there's any retail space in the CP rail passenger station thing. The resto would be in PWP proper.

[DizzyEdge]

Anyone know a place in Calgary to have some nice Devonshire tea?

[DizzyEdge]

On a related note, any idea what the "High tea" at the cafe in the Lougheed House entails? Curious as with tip it's $30+ per person.

[Just Build It]

Anyone know a place in Calgary to have some nice Devonshire tea?

Real men don't drink tea! j/k.

in Calgary, you might be hard pressed to find that.

[Rusty van Reddick]

Dizzy- last time we discussed this on chowhound we identified Reader's Rock Garden and the Lougheed House as having high tea- whether they do Devonshire style cream tea with fresh scones I don't know. You might want to ask at tea merchants (steeps, oolong, tolalitea).

[Surrealplaces]

Tried Gaucho this evening, and came away very impressed. On the weekend they offer the full Rodizio with the gauchos and have all the standard meats. They offer the standard buffet with a few items, all of which were good. They had a bean stew with spicy sausage which was very good.

The meats were excellent, and the service was very good. The gauchos were dropping by frequently while green side up, and strangely enough, even when red side up. The price was pretty good. $28.00 per person. I thought it was as good as Fogos, which is $45.00 per person. IMO it was better than Bolero, but I in all fairness, I tried Bolero shortly after it first opened, and it was not busy at all, so the meats seemed quite dry, and the gauchos were obviously new to it.

Anyhow, as far as Gaucho goes :tup: :tup: from me.

[NumberFive]

Artigiano was closed today for floor repairs, so I ventured in the other direction to Deville.

A couple points...

1) A little higher prices than Artigiano, yet their standard is only 1-shot, while Artigiano is 2-shots.

2) Was absolutely dead in there... which seemed odd for a Monday morning at 8:15 am. I can't help but wonder if their location will hurt business... on top of that, considering there was nobody in there, the whole operation seemed a little inefficient and unorganized.

3) The coffee tasted great... no doubt about the quality of the product... however, based on my first trip, it hasn't surpassed Artigiano as a regular stop for me.

[Rusty van Reddick]

NumberFive- did you notice that the sign for deVille at street level still says "coming soon"? I wonder how that might be impacting biz. Also, it is impossible to read the window lettering from the street- it's much too subtle.

I've been there a few times now, after lunch, and it's been steady but not remotely as busy as Artigiano or even Kawa which has had a slow start too. Let's hope for more word of mouth- proximity to the Hyatt can't but help them but like I say it's hard to tell anything's there (from outside).

[NumberFive]

NumberFive- did you notice that the sign for deVille at street level still says "coming soon"? I wonder how that might be impacting biz. Also, it is impossible to read the window lettering from the street- it's much too subtle.

I've been there a few times now, after lunch, and it's been steady but not remotely as busy as Artigiano or even Kawa which has had a slow start too. Let's hope for more word of mouth- proximity to the Hyatt can't but help them but like I say it's hard to tell anything's there (from outside).

I didn't notice the sign on the way in, and I took the +15 on the way back... but ya, I would think such a sign would cause people to keep walking. The location isn't bad... it's close enough proximity to BVS (where I am) and Petro, but if I didn't read this board, I would have never known it existed.

And like I said, for as busy as it was, I wasn't really impressed with the operation... it was dead and they still seemed disorganized. They have a similar setup to Artigiano with the "chits" coming out of a machine with the orders on them, however quite unnecessary since it's only a couple feet from the person taking the order. They would likely be better suited for a Starbucks-style system where the cashier has the cups writes the order on a sleeve or something... just my thoughts though.

Like I said, the coffee itself was great... but for more money, and half the shots, I'm not quite sold...

[Just Build It]

I'm going to have to try DeVille some time and see how it compares. I was happy with my trip to Artigiano, and right now it's my default location for the CBD.

[NumberFive]

Artigiano was back and opened today. New floor looks nice... not weird to walk on anymore.

[RWin]

A little off topic but...

I'm going to be in Red Deer tonight and will need to find a decent place to eat. Any suggestions? Or will I be limited to your standard White Spot sort of places?

[Sir.Humphrey.Appleby]

Las Palmeras Mexican Restaurant

3608 50 AVE, RED DEER, AB T4N 3Y6
in between 51 & 49
(Cross Street: 51 AVE and 36 ST)
Phone: 403-346-8877

Very very good mexican food! I've been going there since it opened when I was about 5 years old. While it may be lacking for some people used to plentiful mexican food in the US, it is pretty much as authentic as you can get in Alberta.

[Habanero]

Las Palmeras Mexican Restaurant

3608 50 AVE, RED DEER, AB T4N 3Y6
in between 51 & 49
(Cross Street: 51 AVE and 36 ST)
Phone: 403-346-8877

Very very good mexican food! I've been going there since it opened when I was about 5 years old. While it may be lacking for some people used to plentiful mexican food in the US, it is pretty much as authentic as you can get in Alberta.

I drove past that place two days ago and was wondering about it. Now I know to stop there next time. :tup:

[You Need A Thneed]

I'm going to Bolero for the second time on Friday, very good steak, and a unique dining experience. The roasted pineapple is to die for.

[IntotheWest]

Las Palmeras Mexican Restaurant

3608 50 AVE, RED DEER, AB T4N 3Y6
in between 51 & 49
(Cross Street: 51 AVE and 36 ST)
Phone: 403-346-8877

Very very good mexican food! I've been going there since it opened when I was about 5 years old. While it may be lacking for some people used to plentiful mexican food in the US, it is pretty much as authentic as you can get in Alberta.

Interesting...always looking for good Mexican food.

[RWin]

Next question - where would you go in Calgary if you wanted to go to a good Irish pub?

[Rusty van Reddick]

Next question - where would you go in Calgary if you wanted to go to a good Irish pub?

James Joyce? I don't know the difference b/t English, Irish and any other pubs but I know that Calgary is overflowing with pubs... lately I've re-discovered the joys of 1410 Bier Haus which is a couple of minutes by foot from my front door- they have Fruli on tap (yay!) and an incredible assortment of other beers, but also excellent food incl one of the best pizzas in town, just $13 for a big pie and incredibly just $7.99 on Tuesdays, ridiculous deal.

[Deepstar]

Next question - where would you go in Calgary if you wanted to go to a good Irish pub?

The James Joyce on Stephen ave is the best i know of. There is also the James Joyce on 4th, but it's more of standard bar/grill/pub.

[RWin]

Thanks guys!

[RWin]

So we ended up in Canmore instead. Went to Tapas for dinner. Well, a selection of appetizers actually. I would highly recommend it.

The quality of the restaurants around these parts probably shouldn't amaze me any more.

[bigcanuck]

So we ended up in Canmore instead. Went to Tapas for dinner. Well, a selection of appetizers actually. I would highly recommend it.


Tapas is one of our favourites in Canmore - one of the better wine lists as well.

[IntotheWest]

I'll throw out some praise for another restaurant here in Okotoks that we finally got to try...Bistro Provence. I had the Duck Magret, and my wife tried a "fish-of-the-day" plate (can't recall the fish!)...finished with a traditional Creme Brulee (what else?!).

Anyway, the unpretentious atmosphere is almost refreshing (very similar to its neighbour old-house-turned-restaurant Caffe Divine). Very relaxing. No appetizers this time, but still surprised the bill was only $90...including two coffees, and a half-bottle of wine.

Now that we've got the two "nice" restaurants out of the way in Okotoks, we have to get back in Calgary to try some...our list keeps getting longer all the time!

[sync]

can i get a recommendation for a moderately priced italian restaurant?

[IntotheWest]

^You know, the closest I've ever had to "authentic" Italian, is in south Austria...so, I'm probably not the best judge. I know it's not Chiantis:)

I like Teatro a few years ago, not sure how much has changed though.

And, I thought there was a well-respected Italian restaurant up in Bridgeland, or north off Edm Tr? Center St?? Geez...might have to search and see if I find what I'm thinking of...

[sync]

i've got these ones in mind, but i've never been to any of them:

sugo

antolini's

da paolo

abruzzo

capriccio?

if anyone has eaten at any of these places i'd appreciate a review!

[IntotheWest]

^Geez...I'd love to help you - I'm so out of touch with Calgary's restaurants now, this seems like my only link!

[NumberFive]

And, I thought there was a well-respected Italian restaurant up in Bridgeland, or north off Edm Tr? Center St?? Geez...might have to search and see if I find what I'm thinking of...

La Dolce Vita? I think that's what it's called... I've never been, but a couple people at work here really like it.

[Rusty van Reddick]

i've got these ones in mind, but i've never been to any of them:

sugo

antolini's

da paolo

abruzzo

capriccio?

if anyone has eaten at any of these places i'd appreciate a review!

Sugo is pretty pricey- never eaten there but have heard good things.

Antolini's- really want to like this place but can't see the value or really the quality- got 2 pastas and some sort of appie and all I remember is that everything came with the same boring rose sauce - using homemade pasta isn't nearly as distinctive as they seem to think it is- and the place is ALWAYS empty. If I want Ital on 17th I go to Buon Giorno.

Da Paolo- also not cheap- have heard very good things, not eaten there

Abruzzo- good smells, nice menu, good prices, never tried it

Capriccio- looks great, Lina's connection (I think), must try, heard prices are very decent

Other places to check out that are reasonable:

Il Centro and Pulcinella for superb authentic pizzas, the lunch "tavola calda" at Lina's which is still my favourite Italian resto in the whole freaking country- nobody makes risotto balls like Lina's!

I also have to put in good word for high end but superb, never-miss Italian at Centini.

[sync]

thanks very much furry!

[Canterra]

Yes, Centini is great.
I enjoyed their butternut squash ravioli wednesday before seeing Pink Martini across the street.

[SteveP]

I've had good luck with Buon Giorno, but have to admit, that I haven't been there recently. I went to Il sogno about three years ago, and it was great. Not cheap, but very good.

[Surrealplaces]

Went to the Livingroom Saturday evening for some drinks and and some dinner. I came away with mixed feelings.

+
The patio is outstanding, one of the best in the city IMO.
The atmosphere is great too.
Some of the drinks we had were good, albeit, a bit pricey.

-
The food was another story. I found it to be overpriced, and not that great of quality. I ordered a tenderloin with seared foie gras on top. It would have been pretty good, except they drizzled raspberry coulee over it. WTFT?
My wife's pasta dish had very little flavor to it...I've made much better pasta dishes myself.

All in all, very expensive, but the food was disappointing. I've had much better dinners for the same price range, at Vintage, Tribune and Saltlik. I think it would be a great place to have a few drinks and a couple of apps. Just my opinion, has anyone else eaten there recently?

[Sir.Humphrey.Appleby]

Went to the Livingroom Saturday evening for some drinks and and some dinner. I came away with mixed feelings.

+
The patio is outstanding, one of the best in the city IMO.
The atmosphere is great too.
Some of the drinks we had were good, albeit, a bit pricey.

-
The food was another story. I found it to be overpriced, and not that great of quality. I ordered a tenderloin with seared foie gras on top. It would have been pretty good, except they drizzled raspberry coulee over it. WTFT?
My wife's pasta dish had very little flavor to it...I've made much better pasta dishes myself.

All in all, very expensive, but the food was disappointing. I've had much better dinners for the same price range, at Vintage, Tribune and Saltlik. I think it would be a great place to have a few drinks and a couple of apps. Just my opinion, has anyone else eaten there recently?

I have, it seems to be the end of its cycle. I wouldn't be surprised if in a year it is closed to be replaced by something else.

The menu surprise, 5 course is usually pretty good, as most places that attempt such a thing usually try to back it up. I've never been disappointed there. For meals, its like a lot of high end places, order the most adventurous thing on the menu you think you would like, because it seems more effort is put into the unusual. The raspberry coulee while seeming out of place, I could see how it would work. The pasta I can't comment on, but at some places pasta is put on the menu to feed people that otherwise would not have something on the menu that fit their taste. Sorta like including a plain old steak on a mostly 'experimental' menu. The fondue for dessert is exceptionally good.

As for cost, if you avoid wine and stick to beer or high balls you can keep your cost down. With the price inflation at Earls and Joey Tomatoes type places it isn't that much more anymore.

[Me&You]

... With the price inflation at Earls and Joey Tomatoes type places it isn't that much more anymore.

Amen to that!

I've been to the Living Room a couple times in the last month, but only for drinks. I echo Surrealplaces comment about the fantastic patio.

[Rusty van Reddick]

As for cost, if you avoid wine and stick to beer or high balls you can keep your cost down. With the price inflation at Earls and Joey Tomatoes type places it isn't that much more anymore.

I stick to water and have stopped apologising for it! You would not believe how much you save- and if you, like me, just don't care for wine (or really most alcohol) it's not a sacrifice at all.

Tasting menu at Chef's Table without wine pairings: $95. With: $155.

[Surrealplaces]

To me the Raspberry coulee seemed like it was a dish trying to hard to be different. Sometimes fruity/berry flavored things can go well with savory flavors, but this really didn't go with the steak and foie gras. I'm still ticked about it :hell:

You're probably right about the pasta, but IMO, there's no excuse for serving pasta with little flavor. Either serve it well or don't serve it at all.

The deserts were good, I forgot to mention that.

I have, it seems to be the end of its cycle. I wouldn't be surprised if in a year it is closed to be replaced by something else.

The menu surprise, 5 course is usually pretty good, as most places that attempt such a thing usually try to back it up. I've never been disappointed there. For meals, its like a lot of high end places, order the most adventurous thing on the menu you think you would like, because it seems more effort is put into the unusual. The raspberry coulee while seeming out of place, I could see how it would work. The pasta I can't comment on, but at some places pasta is put on the menu to feed people that otherwise would not have something on the menu that fit their taste. Sorta like including a plain old steak on a mostly 'experimental' menu. The fondue for dessert is exceptionally good.

As for cost, if you avoid wine and stick to beer or high balls you can keep your cost down. With the price inflation at Earls and Joey Tomatoes type places it isn't that much more anymore.

[Innersoul1]

I went to Globefish in Kensington over the weekend. FANTASTIC as usual. Great news, they are moving just next door into a larger location! Excited I am! LOL

[Danma]

Good to hear globefish is moving into a larger location, I've never been fond of their current place.

[Rusty van Reddick]

I went to Globefish in Kensington over the weekend. FANTASTIC as usual. Great news, they are moving just next door into a larger location! Excited I am! LOL

...and I've heard the original location is becoming a ramen place, also operated by the Globefish group.

On the sushi tip- I have to again put the word out about Uptown Sushi, which is in a sort of invisible location right at 11 and 11 SW across the street from Midtown Market- SE corner, in the office building there. The original owner/operator, a very nice Taiwanese guy named Michael, sold it a year or so ago and the new owner and sushi chef is a Korean woman named Jenny, and she trained in Japan. I was concerned that the quality might go downhill since I was very fond of Michael's sushi but actually everything is better now. The great thing about Uptown has always been the prices ($2.25 for a tuna or a spicy tuna roll- no it's not a huge LA-style roll a la Globefish or Towa but it's very good and less than a third the price of those places); if I want to really uncomfortably stuff myself I can drop $20 there but a typical lunch for me is about $15 for one each of negitoro and spicy tuna rolls and two of their fantastic yam tempura rolls. At my favourite place in town, Blowfish which is on 11th Ave a few doors west of Broken City, I can expect to pay more than $30 for that sort of feed.

The reason why I say Jenny has improved things is that most vital sushi ingredient- what makes sushi "sushi": The rice. Michael's rice was hit or miss and it was sometimes mushy and horrible (sometimes). Jenny's has been perfect, in texture as well as amount (no thick rice doughnuts with a little scrap of fish or other filling like you get with rolls at, say, Hana). Jenny has also followed Michael's lead by always, always "toasting" the unagi before serving it w/ unagi nigiri or in rice bowls and I'd have to say hers is the best in town, so if you love unagi please visit uptown.

I mention all this because this place simply does not do the biz it should. They do a fair bit of takeout but the last few times I've gone for lunch I've been one of a tiny handful of customers and, last time, the only customer. That ain't right.

http://www.uptownsushi.ca

[freeweed]

Mildly squeamish? Never want to eat out again? Click here! (http://www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/health-inspections/index.jsp)

I swear to dog, every place I've eaten in the past week has been written up for several violations of the CHR.

Thankfully I'm not bothered by a bit o' bacteria, but maybe I'll help some folks out with their diets. :D

[mersar]

Ah. Best advice is to take with a daily recommended intake of salt. Some of the inspectors (who aren't identified in the reports) are extremely biased. Best comparison I've found so far, take a look at the asian restaurants in Cochrane, then in Airdrie. The reports would lead you to believe that every restaurant in Cochrane is a dirty, vermin filled hovel, but yet few of the asian restaurants in Airdrie that even have been inspected recently have more then the minor complaints that you'd expect, or in some cases not a single violation. The complaints about lack of food safety certification are also a joke, its only required when more then 6 workers are there at the same time, and I can't recall ever seeing a elementary school concession with more then 6 people in it at once, especially in a 400 student school.

A few of the food establishments have voiced concerns over this, but in a way this may actually be good ammunition for them to bring to the public eye the issues the the CHR has always had, and turned a blind eye to, about their inspectors being biased and not all inspecting to the same guidelines.

[crooked rain]

My wife and I ate breakfast at Dairy Lane on 19th St in Hillhurst today.

Awesome food! As good as any of the best breakfast diners anywhere in town!

[sync]

me and my future wife went to globefish on friday - amazing.

the crab paradise was awesome.

[Surrealplaces]

This isn't really related to Calgary, but there are a couple of U.S. food chains that would be nice to have up here, and both are in the medium price range. Chipotle, and Crackerbarrell. Not exactly god's gift to cuisine, but both are good value for the money. Any word on either of these coming up here?

[Rusty van Reddick]

Cracker Barrel is run by racist homophobic rednecks who would sooner commit mass suicide than open in socialist Canada. I agree their food is good in a "let's see how much lard we can pack into these biscuits" way but I guarantee they would sooner burn their stores to the ground than open anywhere but in the most hick parts of the US.

Sorry but a chain that set out a few years back to fire every one of their openly gay employees, no matter what they've done in recompense since then, is not one I want to see in Canada.

[jeffwhit]

^^ well, then you tell me where the hell I'm supposed to get my Chicken Fried Chicken from?

[Surrealplaces]

That's too bad about the owners.....I hadn't heard about that, it's a shame as I actually like the food there, not that it's great quality, but it's good value IMO.... simple and cheap. You're right though, it has a very 'country folk' feel to it.

Cracker Barrel is run by racist homophobic rednecks who would sooner commit mass suicide than open in socialist Canada. I agree their food is good in a "let's see how much lard we can pack into these biscuits" way but I guarantee they would sooner burn their stores to the ground than open anywhere but in the most hick parts of the US.

Sorry but a chain that set out a few years back to fire every one of their openly gay employees, no matter what they've done in recompense since then, is not one I want to see in Canada.

[Rusty van Reddick]

^^ well, then you tell me where the hell I'm supposed to get my Chicken Fried Chicken from?

Po' Folks or Waffle House- but I don't see either of those in Canada either...

[jeffwhit]

That's too bad about the owners.....I hadn't heard about that, it's a shame as I actually like the food there, not that it's great quality, but it's good value IMO.... simple and cheap. You're right though, it has a very 'country folk' feel to it.

You're a stronger man than I. In college I used to occasionally stop at a CB outside of Cincinnati, and always felt disgusting afterwards.

(Furry, I actually don't find the lack of chicken fried anything to be a problem in my life ;) In Bloomington we had "fake" Waffle House, not at all the same as those is Kentucky or Tennessee.

Me: What's chicken fried chicken?
Waitress: It's like chicken fried steak.
Me: ?????

[Rusty van Reddick]

jeff, you must miss Stuckey's :)

I had lunch at Blowfish today, that's 11th Ave SW a few doors west of Broken City, and I think I've worked out what to order there to avoid a $40 lunch. Today I had an order of agedashi tofu, an order of "butterfish" nigiri (two big pieces) and a spicy tuna roll. I'd never had their take on agedashi and it was delicious- it's $7.95 but a big order, about 8 pieces of succulent deep-fried soft tofu with a sweet-savoury sauce that had a Chinese taste to it. The tofu was crisp and a little chewy on the outside so its texture was a bit like deep-fried mochi, which is an utter delicacy if you haven't tasted it. The sushi was delicious as always, and my bill w/ water came to about $28 before tip. Not terrible but I can still stuff myself beyond reason at Uptown for $20. Still, Blowfish is so creative and tasty. I'm happy to note that it's now survived a year and a half in a somewhat difficult location, the old Bar Fly space.

[Surrealplaces]

Jeff, to be honest, I've only eaten there twice. The last time I was there I had grilled catfish and three vegetable sides, so nothing too greasy or hard to screw up, and for twleve bucks seemed like good value. The first time I think I had a steak, and vegetable sides, hard to screw that up too.

Waffle house is pretty good. I've eaten there a few times, and it's good for a cheap decent breakfast. The first Waffle House I ate in was just off the highway in Atlanta. I was the only white guy in there, kind of an interesting experience, although it like like everyone was watching me, they were certainly friendly.

Strangely enough, I remember there was some controversy at Waffle Houses in the past, something to do with racial issues..can't remember what it was all about.

You're a stronger man than I. In college I used to occasionally stop at a CB outside of Cincinnati, and always felt disgusting afterwards.

(Furry, I actually don't find the lack of chicken fried anything to be a problem in my life ;) In Bloomington we had "fake" Waffle House, not at all the same as those is Kentucky or Tennessee.

Me: What's chicken fried chicken?
Waitress: It's like chicken fried steak.
Me: ?????

[Rusty van Reddick]

BUMP!

Crave, eh?

Oh, I have to do my monthly pimping of Uptown Sushi- I had lunch there yesterday and chef Jenny makes superb cones, which are things I stopped eating a while back because the nori was too often like trying to chew through plastic- I got her dragon cone (unagi, avocado, and omelet) and it was just perfect. $9 for two generous cones are a superb deal- and Uptown has what I consider the best unagi in town, always served warm and never fishy.

[freeweed]

From the Crave website:

Willow Park Village

We're excited to announce the opening of our third Crave Cookies and Cupcakes location! All your favourites in another great location

It's the little strip mall just north of South Centre, for those not familiar with the burbs. I actually think it's a poor location (zero foot traffic) but they will certainly get the drive-by SUV/minivan housewife crowd. And me.

[Ayreonaut]

I'll hit it up.

[IntotheWest]

From the Crave website:

Willow Park Village

We're excited to announce the opening of our third Crave Cookies and Cupcakes location! All your favourites in another great location

It's the little strip mall just north of South Centre, for those not familiar with the burbs. I actually think it's a poor location (zero foot traffic) but they will certainly get the drive-by SUV/minivan housewife crowd. And me.

That's turning into one of the best "strip malls" in the south of Calgary IMO. Willow Park wine is also in there, as is North Sea Fish Market, Springbank Cheese, etc. Crave just adds to it, really.

I thought when you were saying South Center, I was picturing Crave in South Center (didn't look right)...Willow Park Village does.

EDIT: I read "Willow Park Village" and stopped - didn't see you commented you think it's a poor location! That couldn't be further from the truth. Very, very, very good location. Actually, the best one that far south. I should add there's also a Starbuck's in Willow Park Village as well.

[freeweed]

EDIT: I read "Willow Park Village" and stopped - didn't see you commented you think it's a poor location! That couldn't be further from the truth. Very, very, very good location. Actually, the best one that far south. I should add there's also a Starbuck's in Willow Park Village as well.

Well, you can't get much further away from the retail presence of Kensington or 17th Ave. A strip mall in the middle of the burbs isn't exactly an ideal location for a business that seems to rely heavily on foot traffic and impulse shopping (Vancouver's cupcake place fits this mold as well). That being said, from the other things you describe in there, I'll have to check it out further. Sounds rather unique.

Oh, and there's a Starbucks in every damn Chapters, Indigo, Sobey's, Safeway, and seemingly every other street corner (only mildly exaggerating). Not sure why that would be listed as a highlight of anything. I have 4 or 5 within a block of my office alone :haha:

[IntotheWest]

^Because you can stop there, grab a coffee and a cupcake - that's why I mentioned it ;) EDIT: There are no Starbucks in Sobey's.

Willow Park Village may at first glance appear to be just another "strip mall", but the first three stores I mentioned are most definitely "destination stores" to anyone in the south part of Calgary. Willow Park Wine is likely the best known wine store in Alberta, and North Sea Fish Market and Springbank Cheese serve up some of the best fish selection, or cheese selection (close to Janice Beaton IMO)...and are quite busy. We'll drive specifically to Willow Park at least once a month to hit all three of those.

Crave is - IMO - a destination store as well, and so it fits well in this location.

In fact, there are more unique stores in Willow Park that you'd expect to see in a Kensington or 17th than probably most any other strip mall in Calgary. There are also about 7 non-franchise restaurants in there - I wouldn't say the best restaurants - but popular regardless.

[IntotheWest]

Looks like Krispy Kreme has pulled out of Calgary, after 4 years. A blurb about it in the Herald today said it closed Aug 1.

I only went twice, and probably within the first 1-2 months of opening. I thought for donuts, they were good - but only if they were less than 10 minutes old. My wife picked some up once at a Wal-mart (I believe) - packed that day, but not minutes-fresh...and they just weren't great.

Personally, I won't miss this.

[freeweed]

Krispy Kreme was definitely a destination store for me. Sadly it was in a really out of the way location.

My love handles won't miss it.

[IntotheWest]

Krispy Kreme was definitely a destination store for me. Sadly it was in a really out of the way location.

My love handles won't miss it.

^Maybe that's what I meant - "my love handles won't miss it" :) The 25g of fat per donut is quite high.

But, I guess I won't miss it, because I never got there anyway. I wonder a) why they picked the NE in the first place, and b) would it have done better more centrally?

[bigcanuck]

I wonder a) why they picked the NE in the first place, and b) would it have done better more centrally?

Exactly why I have never visited the Calgary location - it's not convenient for me. I'm not about to drive 20 minutes out of my way for a donut - sorry. And I'm sure I'm not the only one in Calgary saying this.

[jeffwhit]

Well, you can't get much further away from the retail presence of Kensington or 17th Ave. A strip mall in the middle of the burbs isn't exactly an ideal location for a business that seems to rely heavily on foot traffic and impulse shopping (Vancouver's cupcake place fits this mold as well). That being said, from the other things you describe in there, I'll have to check it out further. Sounds rather unique.


I think it will do well there. Willow Park has already established itself as sort of a high end food destination, and the kind of people who already shop there are going to sell that place out by noon most days I bet, the fact that it has parking and there is far less chance of running into poor people there will attract more than enough business. ;)

[Surrealplaces]

DeVille DeVille was pretty quiet, but it was the middle of the afternoon. You get a great view of the Bow site from there. It'll be a greeat spot to site and have a coffee while watching the construction :)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3241/2759367572_a0ed6ba440_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3020/2759367470_81dc652539_b.jpg


Caffe Artigiano was busy yesterday, totally bustling. The streetfront still needs some work, as construction isn't completely finished, but it's coming along. The streetfront across the way at Starbuck's looks like it has improved. I'm not sure what it is, but it looks better than it did last year.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/2759361638_ff1a303192_b.jpg

[Surrealplaces]

Looks like Krispy Kreme has pulled out of Calgary, after 4 years. A blurb about it in the Herald today said it closed Aug 1.

I only went twice, and probably within the first 1-2 months of opening. I thought for donuts, they were good - but only if they were less than 10 minutes old. My wife picked some up once at a Wal-mart (I believe) - packed that day, but not minutes-fresh...and they just weren't great.

Personally, I won't miss this.

Actually I won't miss it either, but I did like the way they had the operations open to the public. I would like to see a bakery down along 17th or 4th, that has a big open glass area to watch.

[NumberFive]

Willow Park will be a great location for Crave for the reasons mentioned above. There are enough restaurants there bringing traffic through, along with the specialty stores that it will floorish.

[Innersoul1]

SWEET!!! Crave is Willow Park!!! My wife is gonna love me even more now!

[Rusty van Reddick]

Thanks for the coffeehouse pics surreal!! Add Bumpy's, Kawa and Beano to the collection if you're down that way.

I was at all three of Artigiano, DeVille and Kawa today- got a lamb panino at Artigiano, then walked over to DeVille for a macchiato and desert (chocolate tart w/ caramel and a tiny bit of fleur de sel on top- it was as good as the version at Nectar and about half the price, $5 for one gorgeous pastry... and the coffee is superb as well) then home via a beans purchase at Kawa, and it's nice to see that Kawa was very busy- not packed but busy. DeVille does OK, it has many regulars, so I wouldn't worry about it, especially considering that it's actually a pretty tiny shop.

A really high volume shop like Beano can and will sell 1000 or more drinks a day. Phil and Sebastian might do the same clip on a Saturday but given that they're only open from 9-5 whereas Beano is from 6a-midnight, naturally the totals are different but Sebastian tells me they can pull 600 shots on a good day. Those are both INSANELY busy examples- at Kawa they estimate they do about 200 drinks a day, going through about 8 lbs of beans a day, and I'd guess that Deville is a little less than that- but these are all really robust sales.

One standard double espresso takes about 20g of coffee, so you can calculate volume by asking how much coffee a shop goes through a day- at Beano they get shipments every other day. That's far more volume than a typical Starbucks btw!

[IntotheWest]

^Thanks for the info, Furry! Neat to know the details, and see these shops doing well. I heard you mentioning Kawa before on this thread, but don't recall DeVille...so, in your opinion, do you think Calgary's coffee "culture" is getting close to Vancouver's with all these new cafes?

I need to get down there more...poor me in Okotoks drinking my "French Roast Americas" Salt Spring (very dark roast) through a French Press.

I'm craving Crave and a leg of lamb panino at Artigiano!

[Rusty van Reddick]

ItW- I think Calgary's evolution in coffee is matched by no other city in Canada (per capita)- things have improved very quickly in Toronto of late but we've just seen Artigiano, Kawa and Deville open just in 2008, have seen huge improvement in the coffee programs at Beano and Good Earth, hosted the first Prairie Regional Barista Championship, and should see a second Artigiano location opening in the next year as well as some big developments with Phil and Sebastian (can't say what but rumours are exciting).... We are not close to Vancouver, no, but I'd say we can lay claim to the second or third (after Victoria) coffee scene in Canada here.

Salt Spring does some nice coffee but I don't get why so many smaller BC roasters roast so damn dark- Salt Spring, Kicking Horse (which is not really small) and Oso Negro are all for charcoal addicts. I'd actually suggest you get one of the house blends at Good Earth.

[IntotheWest]

^I'd have to say, after being so excited that a Good Earth was opening in Okotoks, I've been a few times and haven't been overly impressed. Tried a cappuccino (which, was first served to me at room temperature...what a shock!), and tried the Redtail and Blue Heron blends. Maybe its because they drip brew?? Maybe Artigiano and P+S have really raised my expectations?

I'll pick up the Redtail and try it at home in the press. I do like typically dark roasts, but admittedly, I'm not in love with this Salt Spring one.

[freeweed]

Christ, I feel like a hick sometimes.

I drink a lot of instant (camping), and the office blah blend. :haha:

[IntotheWest]

^I hate to admit (with Furry reading these threads) that when I lived in Winnipeg, I used to stop at 7/11 every morning on the way to work...not saying Winnipeg doesn't have better, I just didn't really notice back then...more concerned with just getting caffeine in the system.

Admittedly, Starbucks (when I first moved to Edmonton) is what triggered me start seeking better coffees. Freeweed, if you haven't spent the money to get a good cup (preferably from the Clover machine) at P+S in Calgary Farmers Market - or any of the others Furry mentions, try it. You'll truly want to drop instant coffees for good.

And if not, get yourself a Tassimo. The Starbucks blends for Tassimo are not too bad actually (just pricey).

[Blader]

I need to get down there more...poor me in Okotoks drinking my "French Roast Americas" Salt Spring (very dark roast) through a French Press.

Actually, pressed coffee is excellent, provided one chooses suitable varietals properly roasted for press. There are many ways to brew coffee and espresso is only one. Bright varietals, lightly roasted, will yield a tasting experience, in a french press, that would be a total waste if it were prepared in an espresso machine. I like my espresso, but, nonetheless, many quality varietals would suffer terribly if I processed them through, god forbid, my espresso machine.

Regards

[freeweed]

Freeweed, if you haven't spent the money to get a good cup (preferably from the Clover machine) at P+S in Calgary Farmers Market - or any of the others Furry mentions, try it. You'll truly want to drop instant coffees for good.

Nah, I've tried the whole nice/fancy/quality/expensive coffee thing. And at most of the places you guys talk about (we get a lot of free coffee cards @ work). I actually find most of it fairly disgusting - espresso/cappucino/lattes are most definitely acquired tastes as far as I can tell. The higher end blends of just normal coffee just taste like coffee to me, or they're far too strong for my palate.

I'm kinda like that guy who spends months sampling 300 beers from around the world - and ends up sitting back enjoying his Canadian (:yuck:). But with coffee. Like I said, a hick. :D

Then again, hot liquids to me serve only 2 purposes - warming you up on a cold winter day, and waking you up on most every morning. Swill does the job admirably for either. I couldn't imagine actually drinking coffee in the afternoons/evenings here, not when it's 25 outside. I think that kinda helps with my lack of taste.

[Rusty van Reddick]

freeweed, with coffee and everything else, you don't have to apologize for what you like or don't like. I'm a coffee geek and I'm married to a wine snob, and you know what? All the wine on the planet could disappear tomorrow and I would not care a bit. I can stomach some wines but never drink wine unless it's offered to me and have never in my life bought a bottle on my own. Not my thing. It's hard to deal with my partner's obsession but I just have to accept this about myself.

I don't actually care for drip coffee most of the time and only drink it, usually, for the caffeine; it's only when it comes to espresso (and cappos etc) that I'm a stickler.

[IntotheWest]

Nah, I've tried the whole nice/fancy/quality/expensive coffee thing. And at most of the places you guys talk about (we get a lot of free coffee cards @ work). I actually find most of it fairly disgusting - espresso/cappucino/lattes are most definitely acquired tastes as far as I can tell. The higher end blends of just normal coffee just taste like coffee to me, or they're far too strong for my palate.

I'm kinda like that guy who spends months sampling 300 beers from around the world - and ends up sitting back enjoying his Canadian (:yuck:). But with coffee. Like I said, a hick. :D

Then again, hot liquids to me serve only 2 purposes - warming you up on a cold winter day, and waking you up on most every morning. Swill does the job admirably for either. I couldn't imagine actually drinking coffee in the afternoons/evenings here, not when it's 25 outside. I think that kinda helps with my lack of taste.

okay, fair enough. I know my in-laws used to look at me kinda funny when I pull out the press to make coffee (they're all ranchers)...though, a few times I've had them commenting on how good it is.

[IntotheWest]

freeweed, with coffee and everything else, you don't have to apologize for what you like or don't like. I'm a coffee geek and I'm married to a wine snob, and you know what? All the wine on the planet could disappear tomorrow and I would not care a bit. I can stomach some wines but never drink wine unless it's offered to me and have never in my life bought a bottle on my own. Not my thing. It's hard to deal with my partner's obsession but I just have to accept this about myself.

I don't actually care for drip coffee most of the time and only drink it, usually, for the caffeine; it's only when it comes to espresso (and cappos etc) that I'm a stickler.

Wine, coffee, chocolate, steak. Personally, I can't live without those! I even changed my wife's Pilsner country tastes to oenophile over the last seven or so years (just got back with 3 cases from BC wineries a couple weeks ago).

In fact, in Osoyoos, at the Nk'Mip Spirit Ridge resort restaurant Passa Tempo I had a bison flatiron steak covered in a red wine chocolate sauce...with a bottle of Blasted Church Revered Cab. It was amazing.

[jeffwhit]

Speaking of coffee, does anyone know a place in town that carries these?

http://www.bodumusa.com/shop/images_products/big/Web_PictLarge_1208-01.jpg (http://www.bodumusa.com/shop/line.asp?MD=1&GID=3&LID=542&CHK=&SLT=&mscssid=NQ77PJNHNHNT9KCATT85DX16K8R34R49)

To me it's the closest you're going to get to Clover at home. I had an old girlfriend with one, now I have a new girlfriend without one, so I need one.
Bodum doesn't have an online Canada store so I'm really hoping to find it in town.