Calgary Food, coffee, etc. - Page 247

Jimby · #**4921** Posted: **Jul 31, 2012, 2:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty van Reddick

Looks delicious!!

Of course all that deliciousness comes at a price! I think it is good value though because it is a fine dining experience and the quality service, ambience, and cuisine support the menu prices.

I think I have mentioned the Longview Steak House before. I was back there again and I think it is a great destination for a drive in the beautiful foothills countryside.
I give it zero for ambience and top marks for the food! The Moroccan-Austrian couple who own LSH used to own the Chateaubriand on 14 St NW.
You need reservations for a weekend dinner, but almost next door is the Little New York Bistro which is owned by a guy from Morocco who used to work for LSH and their food is really good and not quite as busy as LSH.

Rusty van Reddick · #**4922** Posted: **Aug 2, 2012, 3:39 AM**

I've been on a Thai kick lately, what with Khao San opening a block away and my really enjoying Jackie's Thai at Eau Claire Market during Folk Fest. If you go to Jackie's and they have the Chiang Mai noodle soup- get it. It's like a Thai version of fettuccine alfredo, incredibly rich and not at all like a thin noodle soup like a pho.

Two days ago Thai Bistro (of Chinatown) opened a second location where O Shima used to be at 1448 17th Ave SW. I have never loved that place but decided to throw them a bone when I saw how reasonable their prices are- I got an order of fish cake and an order of basil chicken for about $17 pickup without rice (I make my own, and you NEED rice with basil chicken; it would have added $2).This was, I was happy to see, enough food for two easily so it's better value than Khao San or the not very good Ruan Thai. Anyway it was actually really good- the fish cakes in particular were excellent with this sweet and spicy chili sauce with diced cuke, two good-sized cakes for $4 is a great deal. The basil chicken was decent but neither salty nor spicy enough though I'm sure they'd kick it up if I asked them to, at least I'd hope so. So I was really very pleasantly surprised- Thai is usually so expensive in this town that it's pretty amazing to find some that's not only good (not outstanding but good) and fairly cheap. I just hope they can attract customers. www.thaibistro.ca

DizzyEdge · #**4923** Posted: **Aug 2, 2012, 4:45 AM**

about a year or two ago I realized I had only had a single meal of Thai food in my whole life, and so I decided to make up for that in a big way. Over 3 months I ordered at least 20 items on the menu at Thai Bistro, and once I started doing takeout, I found that sure enough a single $14 takeout entree would do me for 4 meals. I saw before you didn't really like it, I liked it but I had nothing to compare it to, so I'm anxious to try out different places. Also Thai Bistro is why I have a big pot of semi-homemade Thai green curry in my fridge every 4-6 weeks.

Rusty van Reddick · #**4924** Posted: **Aug 2, 2012, 7:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

I saw before you didn't really like it, I liked it but I had nothing to compare it to, so I'm anxious to try out different places. Also Thai Bistro is why I have a big pot of semi-homemade Thai green curry in my fridge every 4-6 weeks.

I think it's just about trying to suss out what these places do well. I bad-mouthed the Vietnamese place at Mac Hall for years because their rice is horrible- always mushy and overcooked, horrible. But one day a couple of years ago I tried their rice vermicelli and it was done great and now it's my favourite place on campus

I suspect I'm going to find some things I prefer at Thai Bistro to Khao San- right now I can say the prices are MUCH better.

Innersoul1 · #**4925** Posted: **Aug 3, 2012, 7:57 PM**

On my trip last month to Seattle my buddy took me to an awesome little bar in Belltown called Rob Roy (http://robroyseattle.com/). I learned that Esquire Magazine had rated it one of the top bars in America for 2012. It certainly lived up to its billing. We went on a Tuesday night around 9PM so it was pretty dead which was nice because we had lots of 1-1 time with our bartender. I ordered Sazerac and watched how a true mixologist works his magic. He literally had a toolbox with little bottles, shakers, sprays, knives, cleavers etc. Out of the freezer he pulled out a giant block of ice from which he carved cubes of ice for my drink (during the course of the evening I also saw him carve a sphere for another patrons drink). His measuring was precise like a scientist, slow and methodical. At one point he used his spray bottle to spray something on the inside of the glass (it was absinthe) and then finally using a taster, sampled the drink then made some additional changes before serving it to me.

I know this isn't a bar in Calgary, but the point is that it was an awesome drinking experience. Subsequent drinks were also made with the same care and precision. The bartenter was also an expert on the spirits that were in his bar and others that he wasn't able to source in Washington state. I am wondering if Calgary might have a similar bar?

DoubleK · #**4926** Posted: **Aug 3, 2012, 7:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Does anyone know when the Buffalo Wild Wings on McLeod is opening? Can't find anything via google search or on their website/facebook page.

I can confirm that Buffalo Wild Wings will be open to the public on August 6th.

Not exactly fine dining, but it will a great place for sports+beer+wings.

DizzyEdge · #**4927** Posted: **Aug 3, 2012, 11:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Innersoul1

On my trip last month to Seattle my buddy took me to an awesome little bar in Belltown called Rob Roy (http://robroyseattle.com/). I learned that Esquire Magazine had rated it one of the top bars in America for 2012. It certainly lived up to its billing. We went on a Tuesday night around 9PM so it was pretty dead which was nice because we had lots of 1-1 time with our bartender. I ordered Sazerac and watched how a true mixologist works his magic. He literally had a toolbox with little bottles, shakers, sprays, knives, cleavers etc. Out of the freezer he pulled out a giant block of ice from which he carved cubes of ice for my drink (during the course of the evening I also saw him carve a sphere for another patrons drink). His measuring was precise like a scientist, slow and methodical. At one point he used his spray bottle to spray something on the inside of the glass (it was absinthe) and then finally using a taster, sampled the drink then made some additional changes before serving it to me.

I know this isn't a bar in Calgary, but the point is that it was an awesome drinking experience. Subsequent drinks were also made with the same care and precision. The bartenter was also an expert on the spirits that were in his bar and others that he wasn't able to source in Washington state. I am wondering if Calgary might have a similar bar?

I'd be curious about that too. I had some cook seemingly invented on the spot drinks at another Seattle bar called the hideout which were also great.

WIGS · #**4928** Posted: **Aug 4, 2012, 1:55 AM**

"Mixologists" are all the rage in the US. why haven't we heard about bars like this in Calgary? (heck even Buffalo has one). now I want to go on a road trip to Seattle!

Rusty van Reddick · #**4929** Posted: **Aug 4, 2012, 2:28 AM**

The Globe has featured Calgary "mixologists" lately so they obviously exist here. Google it or search at the GM site.

DizzyEdge · #**4930** Posted: **Aug 4, 2012, 4:39 AM**

There was a swerve article from 2011 about a mixologist competition, and some of the competitors were:

Brandon Bailey, Sociale Bar and Grille
Andy Britton, Ki Modern Japanese
Rebecca Davis, CHARcut Roast House
Darren Fabian, Alloy
Andrew Gordon, The Rhino
Kai Green, Raw Bar
Nathan Head, Milk Tiger Lounge
George Kaplun, Banff Park Lodge
Stephen Phipps, Model Milk
Christina Mah, Barmetrix
Franz Swinton, District
Colin Tait, Raw Bar

http://swervecalgary.com/2011/09/09/mix-masters/

WIGS · #**4931** Posted: **Aug 5, 2012, 12:23 AM**

^thanks for the link. on my part, ignorance is not bliss

mersar · #**4932** Posted: **Aug 6, 2012, 8:21 AM**

Finally had a chance to try the Naaco truck when it was out in Cochrane on Saturday for Ranche Days (supposedly on Sunday Perogy Boys and another were out there too), and its a mixed review. The pork option was good, the butter chicken way too spicy and both way to greasy (to the point you couldn't roll it up, as the naan was so saturated with grease it fell apart).

WIGS · #**4933** Posted: **Aug 7, 2012, 12:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mersar

Finally had a chance to try the Naaco truck when it was out in Cochrane on Saturday for Ranche Days (supposedly on Sunday Perogy Boys and another were out there too), and its a mixed review. The pork option was good, the butter chicken way too spicy and both way to greasy (to the point you couldn't roll it up, as the naan was so saturated with grease it fell apart).

I highly recommend the chickpea fritter naaco. It's delicious

Rusty van Reddick · #**4934** Posted: **Aug 8, 2012, 5:38 AM**

There's a shop called Old School Emporium that's opened in what used to be the Indigo space in Mt Royal Village. Given the name I was expecting retro hip-hop camp but it's actually a green grocer and it is fantastic. Aside from the fact that they stock beautiful, gorgeous produce (among other foods), their prices are incredibly good- cheaper than Safeway. Superb BC Red Haven peaches, big as your fist and unblemished, are $1.19 a pound. I got a big cello bag of green beans, organic green beans in perfect shape, for something like $3.50. There is nothing even a bit pretentious about this place, it's not remotely like say the overpriced market part of Mercato.

Honestly, this is a dream come true. People should be lined up here.

Produce (this was on day 2, not as bare as it appears to be here):

And behind the counter is salt water taffy... why not, I guess.

There's grass-fed organic meat, ice creams from Victoria, Fratello coffee beans, nice salads- I am amazed. Amazed. http://www.oldschoolemporium.com/

kw5150 · #**4935** Posted: **Aug 8, 2012, 3:22 PM**

No words, just awesome. They should let it spill out onto the sidewalk during the day like they do in Vancouver.

Thanks for taking the time to share these photos.

sync · #**4936** Posted: **Aug 8, 2012, 3:30 PM**

thanks rusty will definitely check it out.

DizzyEdge · #**4937** Posted: **Aug 8, 2012, 5:43 PM**

Sounds awesome!

mrcccondor · #**4938** Posted: **Aug 8, 2012, 8:10 PM**

Stopped by Old School Emporium today. I'm shocked at how reasonable the prices are. The clerk (owner?) also indicated they will be posting weekly recipes on their website which features their best ingredients.

Calgarian · #**4939** Posted: **Aug 8, 2012, 10:02 PM**

I don't believe I've had Fratello coffee before, how do their beans compare to somewhere like good earth?

Wooster · #**4940** Posted: **Aug 8, 2012, 10:05 PM**

Old School is right by my place - can't wait to check it out.