Aftertastes - Vancouver Edition

Now that I'm a Vancouverite, it hardly makes sense for me to review Edmonton restaurants anymore.  So, I'm switching over.  I'm beginning anew, with a focus on Vancouver's best (and worst).

I can't promise pictures, but I'll try to keep the word count low whilst doing the summary of our dining adventures.  I am also going to change up the rating system a little bit, and give two ratings (both out of 5) in the categories of "Food" and "Service."  You should be able to glean value for dollar based on the write-ups, but if you don't, then feel free to drop me a comment and I'll give it to you straight ;)

Welcome back to the new Aftertastes - Vancouver Edition.  May your tummy be full and your company be fantastic!

Urban Baker

Rarely do I blog about a non-local eatery, unless it is so delicious and blog-worthy that to not do so would be a travesty.

Allow me to introduce you to Urban Baker.


Truthfully, until today we always thought the place was called "the place beside Diner Deluxe" since that's where it is located, and we had never bothered to learn its name even though we've been there several times, always to get the same delicious item: chocolate cranberry sourdough bread.

Today Hubbs & I stopped in on our way out of Calgary. We not only picked up a loaf of bread (it is already half-consumed now that we're mid-way through the day), but we also tried their wood-fire-grilled sandwiches. At $9 a sandwich, we were expecting a lot. We weren't disappointed, either. My spinach and chicken sandwich was crispy and cheesy and delicious, and Hubbs was so eager to eat his tasty tomato and cappicola ham sandwich (while driving) that he almost missed a green light. ;)

The place is small, it's not meant to be dined-in at, but it is one of my favourite bread places ever. In fact, I know of no other that sells this amazing chocolate cranberry sourdough bread. We stop in every time we're in Calgary, and for good reason. I highly recommend that if you're needing some sweet chocolaty goodness or just a good sandwich or light pizza fix, that you pay the Urban Baker a visit. :)

Rating: 10 / 10

Flavours Modern Bistro

So Hubbs and I haven't been terribly adventurous in our dining lately, the result of both laziness and a general unwillingness to venture into the unknown.

However, on Friday night we decided to go out on a date, and do the "Whyte Ave." walk. I was starving, as was he, so we thought we would find a quiet, tasty place to enjoy a quick meal. When our walk took us past Flavours Modern Bistro, I decided to stop and gawk at the menu. The restaurant seemed quiet (particularly in comparison to Julio's Barrio, or Yianni's), and I figured a bistro would serve healthier fare.

After a quick perusal of the menu, our decision was made. We were hungry, the place looked nice, and we thought we could afford a bit of "adventure" on this date. We were seated immediately upon arrival, in a quiet two-person table near the bar. The seats were made of a velour-style fuzzy material, and had a deep seat and high back that seemed to wrap itself around your body. Me likey right away. :) There was a mural of old Whyte Ave. painted along the top of the bar, as well as dark wood furnishings and tea lights on each table. The general ambiance was cozy, modern, and very intimate. The only decor choice I did not agree with were the two green ceiling fans that hung above their high ceiling; those things were hideous and the green did not coordinate with the remainder of the furnishings.

The server came by in an appropriate amount of time to get our drink order, but it took him a bit to return with our actual drink (I was the only one who had a drink). It seemed the man was pulling double duty as bartender *and* server, and there appeared to be only 2 servers on the floor (though there were only about 5 tables of people, so the load for these servers was hardly unbearable). There was also a fellow who presumably worked there; he was lurking around the bar area and chatting with the servers but he neither served nor mixed drinks, and I never saw him run any food. I didn't appreciate his presence; it seemed he was distracting my server, and that (in part, anyway) led to the very slow service that followed.

The menu was small, and made our decision-making process efficient - a few choice starters, and about 10 entrees to choose from. Hubbs and I decided to share the gnocchi with roasted tomato pesto as our starter; it is normally an entree but we convinced our server that we could share that instead of each having an app. We also ordered a lamb shank entree (for Hubbs) and a Hungarian goulash with potato pancakes for me. This was when the wait began. We strained our necks every time the servers came out with food, hoping it was ours. I am convinced there must have only been one or two people in the kitchen, preparing each dish individually. It must have taken nearly 20 minutes for our "appetizer" to arrive! We gobbled that thing up quickly; it was delicious and the pine nuts sprinkled on top of the gnocchi gave the dish a fantastic texture.

Fast forward another 15-20 minutes before our entrees were served. By now I was salivating like Pavlov's dog, so hungry I could run into the kitchen and make myself a sandwich! The gnocchi, which we had devoured nearly half an hour prior, was not so filling when shared as to truly satiate our hunger. Our dishes came out together, and Hubbs thoroughly enjoyed his lamb shanks. My choice had been a riskier one, and I wasn't entirely sure what Hungarian goulash was going to look or taste like. Thankfully, as described, it was a tomatoey beef stew served on top of a folded, crisp potato pancake. The crispy edges of the pancake were delicious, and the stew, hearty. I could not finish the entire dish.

After we had inhaled our entrees, we were stuffed. My hunger dissipated, and my sanity returned. The jazzy music in the background, the hug-me chairs, and the relative quiet of the place (compared with the rest of Whyte Ave.) was a welcome retreat for us, and we were very glad to have dined at Flavours, in spite of the slow service. The delicious food and the look-and-feel of the place were reminiscent of some of our better dining experiences in Vancouver, and so we appreciated having a bit of a "Van experience" in E-town. If you're looking for a romantic, but casual dinner date location, and you are in no hurry, do try to give Flavours Modern Bistro a try!

Rating: 8 / 10

Wildflower Grill

To celebrate Easter and my awesome mother-in-law's birthday, we headed to the newly-opened Wildflower Grill, located at the former Inn on 7th, now renovated and renamed the Matrix Hotel for brunch. I really had to use the bathroom when I got there, so I quickly chatted with the host, found out where our party would be seated (did I mention we were the first to arrive?!? It's an Easter miracle.), and dashed to use the bathroom.

I was impressed; you learn a lot about a place based on its bathroom. Dark stained woods, 2 stalls, a touchless tap and paper towel dispenser (too bad the dispenser wasn't working properly), and a funky trough-style sink gave me the impression that this place cared about impressions.

I wasn't wrong. Our host, a Tim Gunn-lookalike fellow with a very friendly and professional table-side manner, cracked a few tasteful jokes with our party as people trickled in. Our server was diligent and prompt, and neither intrusive nor invisible.

The decor of the restaurant was upscale understated chic; lots of dark stained wood, whites and neutrals accented by bright splashy paintings of wildflowers. Our tables were set with mesh-link mats (that weren't obviously mesh, but a far softer material) and a hand-blown, fiery-coloured bowl containing an orchid bloom. When I ordered a coffee to start, I was served a French-press urn - my personal pot of java! Our meal began with freshly-baked cornmeal gouda muffins and whipped butter - a tasty, moist opener to our meal.

Hubbs had the seafood frittata, which came with a bowl of fresh fruit and homemade yogurt. Every part of his meal was served on a smaller square plate placed within the larger plate; the presentation was fabulous. The taste, so Hubbs tells me, was also fantastic; he had no complaints whatsoever with his meal. Other members of our party had eggs benedict, steak and eggs, or fresh fruit crepes, all of which (so I hear) were phenomenally tasty. My meal of Alberta "prime" roast beef (served in a Yorkshire pudding bowl) was accompanied by some "dirty fries" served with a delicious aioli dip; the fries were delicious (but as a low-carbbing fiend I couldn't really indulge myself much), and the roast beef was tender and tasty. I'm not a Yorkshire pudding girl but I thought the presentation (again, on separate little square plates fitted onto a larger square plate) looked great.

At the end of the meal, we were so impressed with both the food and the service that we asked to look at the dinner menu - not to eat again but to plan our return to the restaurant sometime in the near future.

It is rare to find a nice, upscale, quiet restaurant that offers brunch entrees costing less than $20/plate. It is even more rare to find one that isn't snooty, and knows what it means to offer first-class service. The Wildflower Grill is all of these things, and made such a positive and lasting impression on our entire table that we are determined to return again very very soon.

Rating: 10 / 10

Boualong Laos & Thai Cuisine

Having had the privilege of living in Hong Kong, I have been able to travel to parts of southeast Asia that I would have never otherwise considered going. One such place is Thailand. While I was spending the Christmas break on the beaches of Koh Samui and the shopping districts of Bangkok, I was able to sample some seriously kick-butt authentic Thai fare. This has ruined me for most Thai places in the capital city. That is, until now. :)

I introduce you to Boualong Laos & Thai Cuisine, a true hole-in-the-wall, Mom-and-Pop run restaurant that serves the best Thai food in the city. Its appearance offers little insight into the delicious, affordable cuisine offered behind its doors. Don't be thrown off by the raggedy looking white building with the peeling paint, or the dimly-lit, narrow hallway in which you will find yourself (and several others) standing for up to 45 minutes in wait for one of their 6 tables. Once you finally get seated, you will be in for a treat.

Hubbs and I checked out this gem of a place one Friday evening. Having been warned that the little eatery keeps erratic hours and often boasts a line-up of folks waiting for a table, we arrived early in the evening and braced ourselves to stand in line. Good thing we were in our comfy shoes; we waited a good 30 minutes before we got a table. The three other couples ahead of us in line had obviously waited for a while, and the 4 other parties waiting behind us bore testimony to the unsung popularity of this restaurant.

While we were waiting for our table, I peeked from the hall into the room-sized restaurant. There were indeed 6 simple tables, each set for 4 people. The tables had three different types of hot sauce on them (which brought the ranking of the place up several notches in Hubbs' mind), and little more. The walls were decorated with a few framed photographs, but were minimal in their accessories. The entrance leading to the kitchen was divided from the restaurant portion of the place by a dense beaded curtain. The floors looked worn, the furniture looked older, and the general feel of the place was cozy and humble and a little bit run-down.

When we finally got a table (the one nearest the kitchen entrance on the right hand side), the lone server at the restaurant promptly dropped off some water for us, and took our drink orders (green tea). Considering that he was the only fellow working the floor, his speed of service was definitely acceptable. He returned to take our food order: a plate of yum-dip salad rolls (which I thought were a Vietnamese specialty but is apparently one of the most popular dishes at Boualong), the panang curry, the green curry, and two orders of coconut rice.

Our salad rolls came out quickly, and were generous in size and delicious in flavour. Packed with shrimp and some sort of mysterious meat, these rolls were nearly twice the size of ones that we are accustomed to getting at most restaurants. Even with its notable size, we gobbled up the rolls greedily. We then had to wait a bit to receive our curries, which came out piping hot and served in funky leaf-shaped dishes. The panang curry was bursting with flavour, just the right amount of sweetness, and enough spicy kick to give the dish some attitude. The green curry was mild, sweet, delicate, and aromatic. The coconut rice was steamed to sticky perfection, and was prepared in such a way that Hubbs remarked on its fluffy texture and distinctiveness from other coconut rice that we've tried. This, he declared, was his favourite, and the best he has had.

We took our time enjoying the meal, which was so ample in portion that even after gorging ourselves, we had 3/4 of a bowl of rice and a lot of curry left over. The grand total of our appetizer, tea, and curries? A very affordable $33.00. The cash-only policy initially had us worried, but given the affordability of our meal we definitely had more than enough to cover and to tip our server generously.

I told some of my friends about this place, including a certain colleague of mine whose hubby lived in Thailand for nearly 2 years. The two of them then proceeded to check the place out, and he apparently also gave Boualong the seal of approval for authenticity and delicious cuisine. Their party of 3, incidentally, only paid $44 for a hearty meal for all of them.

The long wait aside, I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who is craving real Thai food. You may be a little creeped out by the location of the place, or the worn-out look of the facility, but you will definitely not be disappointed by the food.

Rating: 10 / 10

Hubbs' Rating: 10 / 10

Bacon!

To celebrate a belated birthday for Mrs. Vinny, we checked out this cute hole-in-the-wall called Bacon. We had heard good things from Mrs. Vinny, and we figured that with a name like Bacon, you really couldn't go wrong. ;)

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this Ukrainian-fusion fare eatery is actually a relatively healthy place to dine. Their ingredients are almost all organic, the breads are whole-grained, and the vibe of the place definitely caters to the eccentric, all-fresh tastes of a particular subset of diners. The decor was funky in a thrift-shop sort of way; you get the feeling that they want to create the homey, retro feel of Baba and Gido's dining room.

We started the brunch meal off with some juice, both carbonated and non. Mrs. Vinny & I had the non-carbonated pear juice, and it was a brilliantly subtle, fresh-tasting, mild juice to start off my meal. Hubbs had a fizzy pineapple juice, which he also enjoyed. The boys also had ginger beer, and apparently the kind offered at Bacon is the best kind of fizzy ginger beer, according to Vinny. :)

Hubbs and I enjoyed the appetizer of perogies with bacon gremolata, while the Vinnys savoured their appetizer. I would say Hubbs and my favourite dish there was the perogies; I would go back just to eat those. They were the right texture (soft, but not mushy) and the gremolata totally made the dish lick-worthy. :)

Our meals were tasty, but not terribly memorable. Hubbs had a sandwich, I had a salad with nuts in it, and though both were tasty enough, we can no longer remember what was actually in our respective meals. Both couples also shared some desserts (ours was a spiced cake with ice cream), but again, the dishes were pretty standard, so there isn't much to say about that. However, we're both still raving about the perogies :)

The price was mid-range, and definitely affordable. Service was prompt and professional, though not superbly personal. Overall, I would go back for the perogies and the juice, and would recommend Bacon to those who wish to have a relatively healthy, light lunch or dinner.

For a place called Bacon, however, don't expect a ton of bacon-ridden dishes; they're not really about the bacon as the main ingredient, but more as an accompaniment. Fry up your own pack of Schnieders if you really want bacon, because the fare at Bacon will leave you wanting for more of the fatty greasy crunchy delights we often think of when we think Bacon!

Rating: 7 / 10

New York Bagel Cafe

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

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

Foodie Finds - Cereal Edition

I wish I had more opportunity to cook, but since Hubbs and I are both on a "clean eating" pattern for a while, it seems that cooking (with all its oils and sauces and sometimes-rich ingredients) is not the best way to go. Instead, we've been making great use of our Hamilton Beach grill and pre-marinated chicken breasts and salmon fillets from Costco.

However, in the time that we have been eating at home, we have been upping our cereal intake and discovering new goodies that are higher in fibre and protein, and lower in sugar and fat. Here are some of the winners (and some that taste awesome but maybe aren't so healthy):

Kellogg's Two Scoops Crunch: Cranberry Cereal, which is only available in Canada right now, is a delicious spin on the ol' Raisin Bran that we're told is good for us. This new cran version is delicious, it doesn't get very soggy in the milk, and it packs 5g of fibre per serving. Description: "Sweet, crunchy flakes with two scoops of cranberries and oat & honey granola clusters." I just ate my first bowl (bought this box yesterday) and am already tempted to eat a second. Try it!



Tony's Turboz Cereal, which contains a mighty 7.1g of protein in each serving, is also only available in Canada right now (to my knowledge). I always describe the cereal as a healthy, smaller version of Honeycomb, although Hubbs disagrees. We both agree, however, that the sweet, crunchy cereal is very satisfying and addictive. Tony's Turboz is currently being marketed as a kid's meal-replacement cereal, but the truth is that adults are just as guilty of not consuming enough protein as part of their first meal of the day. Tony's Turboz is an excellent way to get in some protein, especially if you don't quite feel like steak and eggs first thing in the morning ;)



Honey Bunches of Oats - Strawberry is my naughty cereal delight. I can't extol the virtues of its nutritional value, since it contains little fibre and 8 grams of sugar per serving (although the calories on this cereal are lower than on the other two). However, I've always been a fan of Frosted Flakes, and this cereal reminds me of that one, except with a bit of strawberry tartness to balance out the sugary sweetness. It tends to get soggy quickly, but since I eat my cereal at break-neck speed, this is usually of no concern to me.

And those, my friends, are my foodie finds in the cereal department. Try them out, and enjoy! :)

Simply Sublime Guacamole

As you know, I'm not much of a cook. In fact, as much as possible I avoid cooking, not because I hate it (I actually really enjoy it) but because I refuse to waste perfectly good ingredients that, when I'm done with them, turn into something only half-edible; I'm practical that way ;)

That said, I have found the best, simple guacamole recipe EVER. I wish I could take credit for it, but the truth is that it comes from this foodie, and true to form, it is a fantastic recipe. I've tweaked it some for my tastes, and here is my modified version:

3 avocadoes, ripe
3/4 lemon
2-6 cloves of garlic (I usually use 4 good-sized ones)
1/3 large white onion, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
Tabasco sauce
salt

1. De-pit and mash up ripe avocados.
2. Crush garlic cloves into the avocado mush.
3. Squeeze the juice of 3/4 a lemon into the avocado/garlic mush. Mix well until the mush is smooth.
4. Add chopped onion and tomato to the mix and blend it together.
5. Add a couple of drops of Tabasco sauce. Add salt to taste; some of the salt gets absorbed by the avocado and onion and tomato so if you oversalt it a little you're still OK.
6. Mix into the guacamole.
7. Cover and chill it for 2+ hours, so that the garlic flavour absorbs into the mix.
8. Enjoy! This recipe yields about 2 cups of guacamole.

My Hubbs loves this recipe and he usually finishes the whole bowl in a day (and then reeks of garlic for about 24 hours following his guacamole feast). It's easy enough for me to even prepare, and it tastes fantastic!

Hope you enjoy it as much as Hubbs does ;)

Pizza Boys - Ragazzi Bistro Italiano

I'm glad I didn't know about this place sooner, or I might have been 300 lbs by now. Pizza Boys Ragazzi Bistro Italiano is the best-kept secret in town, until now that is. After Hubbs read about their infamous pizza on his bud's site, we made a little detour to try it out for ourselves. We ended up visiting there twice in 3 days. What does that tell you? ;)

From the outside, I have to be frank: Pizza Boys looks divey. It is located on the corner of a strip mall-esque building with a motley group of stores. You've probably driven by a thousand times and not stopped because of the exterior, or its location just a block from Bonnie Doon Mall. We were skeptical until we walked in. Then we were immediately converted. The aromatic scents of baking pizza and pasta in the air wafted up our nostrils and triggered immediate salivation. The decor, though not upscale or fancy, was homey, comfortable, and welcoming. We were seated right away when we visited on Wednesday, but for Friday's dinner we were smart enough to make reservations because the place ended up being packed!

The service was very personable and down to earth; you won't find any fake-friendly servers here! They were prompt with the drink orders (Hubbs had this soda called a Chinotto that tastes good going down but leaves a funky bitter aftertaste while I had the bottomless pop), and upfront with the fact that dinner orders take a while because everything is made fresh on order! I liked the sounds of that, and appreciated the honesty.

The food at Ragazzi is second to none. The pizza (we've tried both the Davide's Inferno and the Raging Bull) is fall-off-the-chair delicious, and their crust is this unique fluffy thin crust whose texture can only be attributed to the fact that the dough had been hand-tossed immediately prior to baking. We also had their Bocconcini Coperti (baked bocconcini wrapped in prosciutto) during visit #1 and their Soprano Bread during visit #2. The Coperti was a cheesy, delicious mess and we enjoyed that it was a light beginning to our meal. The Soprano bread, however, was not light. This is by far my favourite thing at Ragazzi, and it's not a teensy little appetizer that is meant for one. No, the Soprano bread is this bulls-eye shaped, 10" round loaf of garlicky, olive oil drizzled, anchovy-topped homestyle bread that you pull apart in rings and dip into an oil and vinegar mix. It has a dense texture, a crispy top and bottom, and the best mix of spices I've had in a non-sweet bread in forever. It is addictive, but it fills you up quick so it honestly is meant to be shared by 4 people.

For dessert, they have a limited menu of items, but since tiramisu was one of those choices, we sampled that on visit #1. It was phenomenal, and served in a tall sundae glass with a mountain of whipped cream. I know there are other places in town that claim they have the "best tiramisu in the city," but I think the one at Ragazzi rivals any of theirs. Light, fluffy, satisfying are words that come to mind to describe our divine dessert experience.

We'll definitely be back to try their pastas, but if you're looking for the best Neopolitan pizza in the city, or the most addictive bread in town, go to Pizza Boys' Ragazzi Bistro Italiano. Don't go for the atmosphere, the great service, or the affordable prices...go for the incredible food. I promise you won't be sorry.


Rating: 10 / 10

**Sorry there are no pictures to accompany this post. We sent sans camera, and the honest truth is that there are no pictures online that can capture the awesomeness that is this place.

Diner Deluxe - Calgary

During my misadventures in Cowtown, my dear friend MicheLin took me and JHo to a great little breakfast place and bakery called Diner Deluxe.

The place was packed, we had to line up, and while we were waiting my attention was directed to a giant urn of coffee and some mugs (vintage style, none of them matched) that were made available to all patrons awaiting a seat. Very nice touch, indeed.

The place itself was very retro, and I think their tables and chairs (all of which were unique and different) are actually vintage furniture from decades past. The place was abuzz with chit chat, and the menu that we got right after we were seated was jam-packed full of breakfast items, some of which were available until 3:00 pm. I selected coffee as my bevvie of choice and their Canadian bacon eggs benedict, served with potato wedges (which you could substitute for yam wedges for a small additional price).

In spite of the crowded place, our meal came in good time and I melted when I took my first bite of the eggs benedict. Their homemade hollandaise sauce was absolutely incredible, and in spite of my loathing for yolks I gobbled up the whole thing (2 eggs = 2 eggs benedicts). I didn't even have room to polish off my potato wedges, which were of the pan-fried variety (and therefore not crispy enough for my deep-fried standards). The coffee was also perfect (smooth, not too strong, not too weak, and flavourful) and I must have had 3 mugs in one sitting.

The highlight of my visit came after paying for my meal (cost = $16, incl. tax and tip) and making a stop at the bakery next door, which is affiliated with and connected to the diner. On Fridays and Saturdays only (so I am told), the place sells this delectable chocolate-cranberry-sourdough bread, which is probably the best sweet bread I've ever tried. The bread itself is moist and soft, and not too heavy with flavour; however, embedded throughout this loaf are large chunks of smooth milk chocolate and juicy dried cranberries, which make every bite a rush-inducing experience in bread consumption. Needless to say, I bought a loaf and decimated nearly 1/4 of it myself during the course of the day :)

All in all, Diner Deluxe is a great place to visit for breakfast and baked treats on a lazy weekend morning. I highly recommend it for its funky atmosphere, affordable prices, addictive coffee, and chocolate cranberry sourdough bread. Trust me - one bite and you won't be able to stop yourself.

Rating: 9 / 10

Tzin Wine & Tapas Bar

So last night, Hubbs, the Igloo Coder (aka Geek Tukka), and I met up at this new little place called the Tzin Wine & Tapas Bar to have drinks and good conversation and great food. Tzin is pronounced "sin," BTW.

Well, it was *packed* when we got there at 5:30, and no, they do not take reservations. We probably should've gone at 2:00 pm to snag a table, but since we were there at 5:30, the only spot available to us was at the bar, on tall stools facing their extensive wine collection.

Anyway, the decor in Tzin is very modern and chic, although with their kitchen right at the front of the house (facing the window), the rest of the place is remarkably dim and devoid of natural light (which is not a plus in my books). The 20-or-so people that can manage to cram themselves in there to visit with friends will find that, in such a limited space, even whispered conversations would echo and build into a thunderous roar. How much more so, then, when the music is blasting and people have to shout in order to be heard by their friends! The noise was a little unbearable for my tastes, and frustrated me somewhat that I couldn't always hear what my companions were saying.

The menu was a fair size and consisted mostly of tapas, although I noticed that at lunch time they do offer sandwiches as well. The wine list was huge and a little intimidating to the non-vino ignoramus that I am, but luckily Igloo C knew exactly what to order, and it was a perfect choice (fruity, refreshing, not too dry Pinot Bianco). Not knowing the size of my tapas (I saw big plates and small ones come out, so I couldn't be sure how large my order would be), I ordered some pan-seared scallops served with fried kale, raisins, and roasted pine nuts.

As it turned out, my order was a decent size, but only came with 2 scallops. It was delicious, though, and I was admittedly a little glad that both Hubbs and Igloo C turned down my offer to share with them ;) Hubbs had a trio of meats wrapped in some sort of pastry and served with an abundance of arugula marinated in a light vinagrette. He appeared to really enjoy his dish, although I could tell it was not nearly large enough to satisfy his appetite. You can read about Igloo's thoughts on his choice here.

I couldn't help but notice that, as we were eating and trying to maintain a conversation amidst the noise, that a line-up was building at the entranceway. New patrons who wished to stay and eat, but were waiting for tables, found themselves standing outside the bathroom doors with wine glasses in their hands, patiently hoping for a set of diners to leave. I found this to be a little awkward for the new patrons who were waiting as well as for the rest of us who were trying to eat (but who were being stared at every few minutes by someone coveting our seats).

In the end, I was relieved to discover that both Hubbs and Igloo C were willing to switch venues so that we could actually sit down somewhere, face each other when we spoke, and not have to yell above a stereo in order to be heard.

Overall, then, as a non-wine-person I thought that Tzin was good, but not amazing. The wine collection and the colour-coded menu were nice touches, but the space limitations and noise levels were not terribly impressive to me. I would only advise visiting Tzin if you are an avid wine aficionado or you love being in cramped areas with a bunch of other loud strangers. Otherwise, skip the Tzin and head directly to Ric's Grill, an always-tasty and generally quiet establishment.

Rating: 7 / 10

Mangiamo's Trattoria

Yesterday, for my belated b-day celebration, the Vinnys, Hubbs & I ventured out of our comfort zone to try out Mangiamo's Trattoria, pronounced as mon-JYA-mo's tra-tor-EE-ah. According to my fabulous Italian mentor teacher, the name of the place basically means "Let's Eat Casual Diner." It sounds a bazillion times better in Italian, non?

Anyway, the place is very upscale yuppy chic on the inside; neutral walls and dark wood furnishings and generally very classy. Nothing like what we would have expected for a place that touts itself as serving "Italian comfort food." It's also not a terribly large restaurant, so we were a little intimidated to see a table for 15 set up in the middle of the place. It worried us that perhaps our service would be a little on the slow side. Our fears were, unfortunately, founded.

That aside, the place was fantastic. The server was very friendly, personable, and helpful. The menu was small (3 appetizers, 3 salads, 5 entrees and 8 pastas) but the offered dishes were tantalising. I opted for a lemon herb salmon served with baby crab cream linguine, while Vinny had the striploin and Mrs. Vinny had the pork tenderloin. Hubbs went for the Italian sausage buccatini (spelling?), and the guys also shared the antipasti appetizer. All of their entrees came with your choice of side salad or soup, so I chose their house salad (mixed greens with candied walnuts and dried cranberries, and tossed with a honey vinagrette).

The app came quickly, as did the bread and our drinks. I didn't try the apps but am told that it was delicious, and came with a variety of 4 cheeses and 2 different types of salami-esque meat, along with some pickled asparagus. The bread (buns) were cold, which we were a tad disappointed by; warm buns make the butter melt much better, in my opinion, and I don't think it is too much to ask from any restaurant to make sure their buns or bread are warm. But that's just me.

Our soup and salad took a bit longer to arrive, but thankfully we had much to chat about so the time flew by. If you're super hungry, however, I can imagine that the wait would be torturous. My salad was the perfect size and also very tasty; I thought the walnuts were a bit too sweet and overwhelming for the rest of the salad, but generally speaking I enjoyed my greens. Mrs. Vinny, the lone soup drinker at the table, tells me that her wild mushroom soup was fantastic - not too creamy and not too thin, with a nice balanced mushroom flavour.

When our salad and soup plates were cleared, our entrees followed immediately, which I appreciated. I didn't sample others' dishes due to my cold, but my salmon was perfectly poached (still moist in the middle!) and had a nice lemony-herb taste to it. My creamy linguine was, much to my relief, not too creamy, although it was a tad heavy. Hubbs thought his sausage buccatini dish was scrumptious, and his serving was so large that he could only finish about half of it! Mrs. Vinny also really liked her pork tenderloin, and said that it had a nice (albeit slightly sweet) sauce that gave flavour to her meat; unfortunately, it probably overwhelmed her pasta because she couldn't taste the blue cheese that was supposed to be in her side dish. Vinny enjoyed his steak and said it was good, although he looked for a salt shaker (there was none) at the table and commented that the steak was a little undersalted.

Overall, though, it was a lovely restaurant and a very pleasant experience, and generally speaking the food was worth its price (main entrees ranging from $17-$26). Three out of the four of us had doggy bags to take home, and we left the place happy, well-fed, and well-watered.

If you're looking for a more upscale Italian dining experience, I would recommend Mangiamo's, but don't expect to find the typical lasagna and penne that you would get at a more chain-style restaurant. They have great food here, but it's not the type of Italian I would have guessed it to be. That said, the place has a great, relaxing feel to it and the food is really good, for the most part. Go with a date, and go on a weeknight!


Rating: 8.5 / 10

Hubbs' Rating: 8.5 / 10

Da-de-o

I went to Dadeo with my sisters a few weeks ago, for lunch. The place is located in the grunge-chic Whyte Ave. of the city, and in an unassuming building with just a simple purple-coloured neon sign to announce its presence.

Inside, think 1950's diner-style decor. Booths, vinyl-covered chairs, and funky juke-box music, with an adult-only sort of atmosphere.


Service was efficient and quick. Place was packed full for their lunch special of various types of po'boy sandwiches. I had the cajun blackened catfish po'boy with a side of glorious sweet potato fries, which came with some creamy, sinfully-delicious dipping sauce. The po'boy was very large and I actually ended up eating only half of the bread and all of the fish from the sandwich. I had most of my fries, though, because they were spicy and crispy and had this great coating on them which gave them the cajun flavours. One sis had the fried oyster po'boy, and the other tried the calamari one. From what I can tell, they enjoyed their sandwiches and fries as well.

I was stuffed by the end of lunch, and my meal only cost me $8.95 (plus tax and tip). Not bad considering how much I felt like I had eaten. I didn't bother ordering a drink because I needed the cleansing power of the water to help degreasify my meal and also dilute the spiciness of the food.

Overall, fantastic experience, and I'm totally coming here again with Hubbs next time. Dadeo's - if you want funky cajun diner-style grub in an adult-only restaurant.


Rating: 9. 5 / 10

Ric's Grill Downtown

For a very belated Christmas present, Hubbs and I took his Granny and Grampa to Ric's Grill Downtown the other night.

The restaurant is located on the corner of a chic part of downtown, in a historic brick building with lots of character. The inside of the place is appropriately romantically-lit (read: dimmed lighting, soft music), and decorated with a nice upscale modern yuppie look.

We were seated right away, in our choice of table or booth. Granny chose table, and we ended up at a lovely table near the window (although we couldn't see out the window while seated due to the higher ledge).

Ice water was brought out to us quite promptly, although our drink orders took a few minutes. The drinks were yummy though (mine was a chi-chi, Hubb's was some banana liqueur drink, and Granny had a blush wine), and perfect choices for everyone. Our server was appropriately friendly but not overly-so, and he gave excellent advice to help guide our orders. Hubbs and I ordered a starter of crab cakes, but our guests didn't want to share these with us. The crab cakes were not greasy and very tasty, although a tad rich for my tastes (the centers having some sort of creamy texture to them). Our bread was amazing, however; the crust was crispy, the center of the bread was warm and soft, and it was a great way to start off the meal.

For main entrees, Grampa had the teriyaki chicken, Granny and I the prime rib, and Hubbs the black and blue tuna. All of these entrees came with a choice of side as well as a starter soup or salad, which I appreciated as it made me feel better about the cost of each entree (ranging from $29 - $44).

There was another delay before our meals were served, but the wait was worth it. Judging from Grampa having finished off his entire meal (leaving nary a morsel on his plate), he liked his chicken and stuffed potato. Granny also liked her prime rib, although this was her first time having it medium (as opposed to well done), so we were worried she would find it too raw. She said it was tender and tasty, much to our relief. I thought the prime rib was delicious, although it wasn't the best I had ever tasted. I also adored the mashed potatoes, which I believe to have been peppered and cheesed. Hubbs ate his whole dinner and said it was fantastic.

After dinner, the four of us shared an order of Ric's apple pie, which I knew from previous experience to be a delicious slice of heaven. True to form, it was so good that Granny and Gramps, who both claimed they would only take a bite of the pie, ended up eating half the slice.

We were satisfied with the food and service from beginning to end, and more importantly, we were delighted that our grandparents were able to venture out of their dining comfort zones and enjoy this delicious meal with us. The company was impeccable, and the food was good, and the ambience was quiet and intimate, which was what we had wanted.

So, overall, I give Ric's Grill a very positive rating, and recommend the place to anyone wishing to have a quiet, delicious, slightly-fancier dinner in a more upscale steakhouse.


Rating: 9.5 / 10

Zen Shabu-Shabu Sushi & Grill Restaurant

On Friday Hubbs and I met up with StevieC for Japanese food at one of the most obscure, underrated surprise Japanese restaurants in the city, Zen Sushi & Grill (formerly known as Shabu-Shabu, and Sakura).

It was our first time there, and admittedly we were a little worried at first. The location: sketchy downtown, on the edge of Chinatown and near dark alleys. However, we were delighted upon entering, to see a very clean, very spacious, very Japanese-y restaurant with tables, booths, and those Tatami semi-private rooms. LOTS of Tatami rooms, in fact. The restaurant was well-lit and comfortable, and remarkably quiet for a Friday night.

We sat down to wait for StevieC, and were immediately greeted by our server, who brought us our drinks right away (a very small pot of green tea). If I have one complaint with Zen, it is that their teapots are far too small to accomodate my thirst. The servers here, like at Doan's, seemed to "share" our table and thus we were served by whichever server happened to be free, rather than one designated person.

Anyway, our choices were to order a la carte from the menu, or go with their all-you-can-eat special (which I think they do nightly). Of course, at $24/person, we opted for AYCE. The list they brought us allowed for unlimited portions (and a fair variety) of sushi, cones, maki, hot food (gyoza, tempura, edamame, baked oysters, green onion cakes, miso soup, teriyaki beef and chicken, etc.), and a limited amount of sashimi as well. Although each portion was not huge, it wasn't miniscule either, so we were happy with what we got for our money.

The food didn't take too long to come out, and in total I think we ordered three separate rounds of grub. The servers were patient with us while we were waiting for StevieC, and they were also very good about bringing us plate after plate of food. They were polite and we were impressed with the service.

At the end of our feasting/gorging, we sat around chatting for quite a lengthy period of time, and it seemed not to bother the staff for us to loiter for so long following our meal. We eventually paid and left, and luckily, our car was still there! ;)

Before Zen, I had no idea that our humble town even had AYCE sushi, but now that I know about this gem of a restaurant, you can bet that I'll be back! Hubbs is already craving sushi again, so it likely won't be long before we head there once more. If you're looking for relatively affordable, decently fresh AYCE Japanese food, for sure give Zen a visit. You will probably end up rolling out of there, satisfied.


Rating: 9.5 / 10

Huong Que Pho Restaurant

On the insistence of Mrs. Vinny and Vanilla Con, Hubbs and I went to Huong Que Pho Restaurant to see if their pho lived up to the hype. Keeping in mind that we only had the beef rice noodle soup a few days ago, we figured that only the reputedly "best pho in the city" would make us want it again so soon.

The place is located in Chinatown, which means that prices are often more than reasonable, but the location usually sucks. True to form, the "shops" near the restaurant were all run-down and vacant, and the neighborhood of the place was sketchy at best. When we walked in, there was nobody at the till and we had to wait for a bit before the server lady came out to give us menus and a place to sit.

The pastel green walls and salmon pink tabletops were an interesting combination to be sure; as a whole the place was clean (for an Asian Chinatown eatery) and relatively quiet and pleasant, although tacky in terms of the furnishings. A TV and DVD player set on a platform in one corner of the room loudly played a Cantonese serial with Vietnamese dubbing while we sat waiting for our food.

We ordered their house special pho, and the server lady brought out tea for us automatically. We were a little hesitant about the teacups, though; they were of the Chinese variety but all the design had faded off the sides and they looked a little dirty (though I think they were clean and just speckled). Then the server lady brought out some sprouts and mint leaves for us (and yes, Mrs. Vinny, these tasted like mint leaves), but we didn't actually have any.

When the pho arrived, the first thing that I noticed was the scarcity of meat in my bowl. I had one beef ball, a couple of slices of raw beef (it looked like about 4 thin ones), and about 3 thin slices of beef brisket. There was also some shredded tripe in between the layers of meat, but that I assumed to be no more than about 2 tablespoons' worth. This was noticeably less meat than what I had in my pho at Doan's (2 beef balls, too many slices of beef brisket to count, and equally many slices of raw beef), and since I was particularly hungry during this meal, it was a tad disappointing. The broth, as promised, was delicious and tasted homemade, but generally speaking I found their pho to be less filling and less satisfying than the pho I had earlier in the week.

The bill was an affordable $14.45 for two orders, but once again, I believe that this was quite comparable to the prices charged at Doan's for the same thing.

Overall, if you are downtown in Chinatown and have a craving for pho, Huong Que is a decent place to go for some homemade goodness. However, if you're closer to the southside or have a few extra minutes to spare, I would advise driving down to Doan's for their pho instead. For nearly the same price, you get a lot more meat and certainly a safer environment (Doan's is located beside a police station), and it's quieter there, too - that is, unless you *want* to watch that Canto-dubbed-Vietnamese serial.

Rating: 7 / 10

Doan's Vietnamese - South Side

Yes, I realize I have been a blogging delinquent here. Truth is, we have been eating out (or ordering in), but mostly we have been unadventurous and have stuck with our favourite places.

However, I did manage to go to Doan's Vietnamese Restaurant twice in the past few weeks. Why twice? It was that good, and I had me a hankerin' for pho (beef rice noodle soup).

So about Doan's - they are a pretty casual eatery, clean and spacious and comfortable. The decor is a nice mix of booths and tables, and they even have the 8-person cubbie-style booths for larger groups.

Service, as we experienced, has been efficient, prompt, and curious. Rather than your typical server-per-table style, they serve tables on an as-needed basis; the servers don't ignore you if you are not their table, but instead they help whichever table happens to need to place an order or get the bill or get more ice water (which is automatically brought out to you upon arrival).

Both times that we visited Doan's together, Hubbs and I ordered the half-order of salad rolls, and the second time Hubbs also got some steamed scallops to start. The salad rolls were decent, although smaller than at other Vietnamese places in town, and also conspicuously lacking in lemongrass within the roll. I assume that this is to cater to the less-Asian population that frequents Doan's, but was nonetheless a little annoyed at having to peel my own lemongrass leaves (from the plate of bean sprouts, lemongrass, and sauces that was brought out when we arrived) to add to my rolls. The scallops were light and not terribly tasty, but acceptable.


I then ordered my pho, but not just any pho; I ordered the house special, which came with many slices of raw beef, beef brisket, and beef balls in a broth of onions and spices. The rice noodles were perfectly al dente, and the raw beef was appropriately raw. The beef brisket, though marbled with bits of fat, tasted absolutely amazing and I was truly stuffed before I could even finish half of my noodles (although I wanted to eat on, because it tasted so darn good!).

The best part was that our meal was enjoyed in a quiet atmosphere, for although Doan's is a rather large place, it has not been packed at the times when we've gone, and somehow the sound has been muted (either by quiet patrons or by really good sound-absorbing walls and booths). Regardless, we enjoyed our meal in peace and were pleasantly surprised by the affordability of our delicious, filling fare. The total of our two half-order appetizers and our two pho came to a mere $30!

Some argue that Doan's is the best Vietnamese food in town, but I cannot yet vouch for that given that my exposure to Vietnamese restaurants has been limited, and I'm told there is an even better pho place downtown (in the heart of Chinatown, across from Lucky 97). However, I highly recommend Doan's to anyone who wants an affordable, quiet, tasty meal on a cold wintery day; it's come-as-you-are, and you definitely won't regret your visit!

Rating: 8.5 / 10

Montana's

For Ridley's b-day, Hubbs, Ridley, Big Brown Guy, and I went to Montana's for dinner.

BBG made the reservations, and we showed up fashionably late (only 10 minutes). Anyway, apparently by the time we had arrived the server had already messed up Ridley's drink order. We ordered water with wedges of lemon, and were promptly informed that they were out of lemons. We ended up with limes.

So began the rest of a disastrous meal. Don't get me wrong - the company was fantastic, but the food and the service was hit-and-miss (and mostly miss). The restaurant itself was pretty Western-themed, with a log-house sort of feel to it. The tables were lined with butcher paper, and atop the tables were crayons and a mug tree (with apparently zero functionality, as far as I could tell).

Hubbs ordered the rustic citrus-grilled salmon salad, and I had the steak sandwich with a side of house greens. Ridley had their pot roast and BBG had the meatloaf. With the exception of Hubbs, I think we all ended up being disappointed with our meals. Ridley's meal, which was supposed to come with yorkshire pudding, didn't - and the server failed to inform him in advance that they were out of that, as well. BBG's meatloaf was too sweet, and my medium-rare steak was actually overly-well done, to the point of dry and yucky.

The only highlight of the evening was the server's enthusiasm that it was Ridley's birthday; she and her fellow servers came by with a large "water buffalo-esque" hat that they forced Ridley to wear, and then they sang a birthday song that uses the melody from the Flinstones theme song. They had the whole restaurant clap for our birthday boy, which was nice. Then they gave him his free dessert, which was uber-cheap: vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and chocolate syrup.

When we paid our bill using two separate credit cards, our server messed up on the totals, charging one card for the full amount and the other for the additional amount. She didn't even bother to correct it, but tried instead to tell us that since it was a pre-auth, we could write down any amount we wished that was less than the full amount, and that would be the value that would be put through. I'll have to double-check our account once the payment goes through, since her incompetence throughout the night suggested that she probably cannot be trusted.

Anyway, I am glad we had such great company and fantastic conversation, because overall, Montana's food sucked and the service was poor and the atmosphere wasn't exactly classy. I would not recommend anyone going there, period. There are way too many good places to eat, including Smokey Joe's if you want BBQed meat (cheap, greasy spoon with killer huge portions and yummy fattening grub).

Rating: 5 / 10