Hubbs and I were lamenting the lack of fantastic breakfast places in the city; sure, there was the always-crowded Barb & Ernie's, and there was the university-scened High Level Diner, but where could we go to get a great choose-your-own-filling omelet and properly made hash browns?
Thanks to Lex Culinaria, I decided to check out the New York Bagel Cafe, located at Gateway and 83rd. It really was a hole-in-the-wall in terms of its location and size, but it was a pretty hopping place on Saturday morning when Hubbs and I arrived. We were lined up for about 25 minutes before we were seated at one of their few tables; I think they had something like a dozen tables? Not many, at any rate, and less than the requisite number needed to accommodate the ever-growing line-up at their door. I hadn't lined up like that for breakfast since my wait for a table at Paul's Omelettry in Vancouver a few months ago, and even that line-up wasn't so lengthy in terms of wait time.
The cafe decor was quite earthy, with lots of orange and brown and rustic gold and copper accents. It was cozy, and quaint, and definitely had that "hang out and have some coffee and get caught up" sort of feeling.
Hubbs ordered a cappuccino and I a hot chocolate when our very busy server came around to our table. She definitely tried her best to be prompt, but it appeared she was only one of two servers in the place, and she was the barista for her tables as well. This made her infinitely more busy than most servers, so we extended an extra measure of patience when we had to wait for our bill, our food, our coffee.
Hubbs ordered his specialty omelet filled with bacon, smoked salmon, and camembert, while I had the "boring" brekkie of bacon, eggs, bagel, and hash browns. When our meals came, I was pleasantly surprised to see a side of fresh assorted fruits on my plate: small wedge each of dragonfruit, honeydew, watermelon, pineapple, orange, and a cluster of grapes and half a strawberry, Definitely the healthiest and prettiest "garnish" I had seen on my breakfast plate in a LONG time.
The eggs were enormous, and as a result Hubbs' omelet was gigantic. I was filled to the brim on my meal and had to give away some of my bacon and fruit to Hubbs. I refused to part with my hash browns, however, for they were perfectly crispy, lightly salted, and seasoned very very well. I ate every last piece.
Our final bill total was a bit pricier than some other breakfast places, but even so, we felt the experience to be totally worth it. With the light drizzle of rain outside and the bustling Strathcona market nearby, we felt as though we were no longer in our cold desolate city but rather, in a more Vancouver-esque sort of place. It was a beautiful breakfast and an even more beautiful escape. :)
Rating: 9.5 / 10
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Hardware Grill
Sorry for the lack of posting as of late. I won't post unless I've been somewhere new or interesting, and in the last two months I've been a creature of habit and returning to the same haunts for dining each time.
That is, until now.
On Friday night, sans reservation, Hubbs and I decided to go out for a celebratory dinner (he kicked arse at a project at his job, which earned him much accolade and support from his peers). We tried our usual favourites but they were full, so we decided to kick things up a notch and go classy, Hardware Grill style.
We didn't actually expect to get a table; it was 7:30 p.m. and a Friday night. However, we were pleasantly surprised that the restaurant had a spot for us immediately. Our next question: could we dine there even though we were wearing jeans (and a nice top)? Yes, absolutely was the response.
We were led to a very cozy half-moon-shaped booth, and the host pulled out the table so that Hubbs and I could sit down. Then he moved our table back into position so that we could eat properly. I had a chance to sit and appreciate the ambience: classy, but not pretentious, upscale, but not awkwardly so. The music was jazzy (always a plus!), and conversations could take place in whispers and everyone would still be able to hear each other, for the noise level here was not raucous at all, but rather politely quiet and comfortable on the ears.
Service from our maitre'd came quickly, and Hubbs ordered himself a Caesar, which turned out to be perfectly seasoned (rivaling the one at LUX that he loves so much). I ordered a glass of gewurztraminer (I don't even remember where it was from, but it was the only G on the menu that was sold by the glass) and it was truly the best wine I've ever had, hands down - smooth, sweet, mild, fruity, and completely light.
We both had fantastic appetizers to start, with Hubbs getting the lobster risotto which was creamy and flavourful, and I ordering the pan-seared foie gras, which was absolutely decadent, perfectly prepared (crispy on the outside, melts in your mouth on the inside), and satisfied my foie gras craving.
Our apps came in a timely fashion, as did our entrees: lamb rib eye wrapped with ground beef short-rib and foie gras, and a crusted halibut with potato crepes for Hubbs. I loved the lamb ravioli that accompanied my dish, and the lamb rib eye was terrifically tender and spectacular. I didn't as much enjoy the short-rib/foie gras combination, but that was only because I am a purist when it comes to foie gras. Hubbs ate everything on his plate, and so it seems he too, thought his meal to be absolutely incredible.
By the time we had polished off our apps and entrees, we were stuffed to the point of not even being able to admire their dessert menu. Oh, how we would have loved to try their version of creme brulee, or sink our teeth into the sweet gooey goodness of a molten chocolate cake! Alas, we were too full to even think of it.
I was so impressed with the service, the food, and the atmosphere of the Hardware Grill that I daresay it has earned its way into top spot as my favourite western-dining restaurant. If you love to have great wine, fantastic conversations, and delectable food in a classy, but comfortable, environment, this is totally the place to go. I'll be back for sure, maybe for my engagement anniversary! ;)
Rating: 10 / 10
Hubbs' Rating: 10 / 10
That is, until now.
On Friday night, sans reservation, Hubbs and I decided to go out for a celebratory dinner (he kicked arse at a project at his job, which earned him much accolade and support from his peers). We tried our usual favourites but they were full, so we decided to kick things up a notch and go classy, Hardware Grill style.
We didn't actually expect to get a table; it was 7:30 p.m. and a Friday night. However, we were pleasantly surprised that the restaurant had a spot for us immediately. Our next question: could we dine there even though we were wearing jeans (and a nice top)? Yes, absolutely was the response.
We were led to a very cozy half-moon-shaped booth, and the host pulled out the table so that Hubbs and I could sit down. Then he moved our table back into position so that we could eat properly. I had a chance to sit and appreciate the ambience: classy, but not pretentious, upscale, but not awkwardly so. The music was jazzy (always a plus!), and conversations could take place in whispers and everyone would still be able to hear each other, for the noise level here was not raucous at all, but rather politely quiet and comfortable on the ears.
Service from our maitre'd came quickly, and Hubbs ordered himself a Caesar, which turned out to be perfectly seasoned (rivaling the one at LUX that he loves so much). I ordered a glass of gewurztraminer (I don't even remember where it was from, but it was the only G on the menu that was sold by the glass) and it was truly the best wine I've ever had, hands down - smooth, sweet, mild, fruity, and completely light.
We both had fantastic appetizers to start, with Hubbs getting the lobster risotto which was creamy and flavourful, and I ordering the pan-seared foie gras, which was absolutely decadent, perfectly prepared (crispy on the outside, melts in your mouth on the inside), and satisfied my foie gras craving.
Our apps came in a timely fashion, as did our entrees: lamb rib eye wrapped with ground beef short-rib and foie gras, and a crusted halibut with potato crepes for Hubbs. I loved the lamb ravioli that accompanied my dish, and the lamb rib eye was terrifically tender and spectacular. I didn't as much enjoy the short-rib/foie gras combination, but that was only because I am a purist when it comes to foie gras. Hubbs ate everything on his plate, and so it seems he too, thought his meal to be absolutely incredible.By the time we had polished off our apps and entrees, we were stuffed to the point of not even being able to admire their dessert menu. Oh, how we would have loved to try their version of creme brulee, or sink our teeth into the sweet gooey goodness of a molten chocolate cake! Alas, we were too full to even think of it.
I was so impressed with the service, the food, and the atmosphere of the Hardware Grill that I daresay it has earned its way into top spot as my favourite western-dining restaurant. If you love to have great wine, fantastic conversations, and delectable food in a classy, but comfortable, environment, this is totally the place to go. I'll be back for sure, maybe for my engagement anniversary! ;)
Rating: 10 / 10
Hubbs' Rating: 10 / 10
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