Fuel Restaurant

Rarely do we get the opportunity to dine out super fancy, but last night was a special night with friends.  Hubbs, Froggers, the Igloo Coder, and I checked out Fuel Restaurant for the first time.  The night was all the more special because it marked the first time that the Igloo Coder dined at his cousin's restaurant.  We were hoping to catch more than a glimpse of the owner/executive chef but he apparently had a charity dinner to attend to.

Anyway, the restaurant was lively and filled to capacity when we arrived.  Intimate soft lighting and a very sleek, modern look characterized the interior of the place.  We had many many libations ranging from the very tart to the very sweet, and slowly got around to ordering our grub: the 5-course chef's menu.  

Before our dishes even came out, servers brought us an amusee bouche, compliments of the kitchen.  It was a bit of some sort of shredded vegetable with roasted sunflower seeds mixed in.  It's not on their menu and I don't remember the name of it but it was incredibly delicious and an excellent way to kick off the night!

The first courses served were 4 different appies for the 4 of us, which up to this point I'd never seen before in a set menu.  Generally when they require everyone at the table to order the same host menu, they do up the same dishes for the entire table.  This was an unexpected delight, made more so by the Igloo Coder's insistence to our server to surprise us with the dishes.  In the end we were able to enjoy things that we probably wouldn't

 have otherwise ordered.  The four appies served were the Cauliflower Soup with cured salmon (Hubb's), the Ultra Rare Albacore Tuna (Frogger's), the Traditional Brodo (Igloo Coder's), and my Heirloom Beetroot Salad with a lemon-citrus creme fraiche.  Igloo Coder nearly had an attack over the deliciousness of his broth, Froggers couldn't stop smiling about her tuna, and Hubbs thought that his soup was an excellent balance of flavours between the cream and the salmon.  I enjoyed my salad, but truth be told I think the other three appies were better.

Course two consisted of two different dishes: the Duck Confit and Foie Gras Mousse Terrine for the ladies and the Carnaroli Risotto for the guys.  I tasted Hubbs' risotto and it was perfectly done; not too heavy but still hearty, and smooth textures that blended well with the more-chewy crab.  I loved my terrine too (I did share half of it with Hubbs) though I think Froggers found it a bit heavy and salty.  I love just about all things foie gras, so this was no exception.  The terrine was pate-esque with a slightly more rich flavour, and it paired well with the toasted bread and the sliced apples.

Next up were the mains, which we each had two of (in reduced portions).  First we had the Roasted Wild BC Salmon, which was done well - cooked thoroughly but still moist, and yet with the crispiness of the skin intact.  I particularly loved the two little perogies that came with the dish, as did Hubbs.  The watercress cream was a hit and miss with our table; some of us found it a little bland for our liking while others of us appreciated the blandness relative to the chantrelle mushroom-watercress saute.

Our second entree was the Fraser Valley Free Run Lamb, seared rare and served with a glazed lamb shoulder (Igloo Coder was in heaven over this part of the meal).  I thought the lamb was tasty and not gamey, and the shoulder was really moist and smooth-textured (like the fatty dark meat from a turkey).  Yumm-o!

Finally, our desserts were served.  I had been looking forward to this all night long.  The guys received portions of their Gravenstein Apple Cake, and Hubbs thought his cake was really soft and pretty good.  I ate his ice cream (ceylon cinnamon) and thought it was sweet and creamy, but really subtle flavour-wise.  I think I would've loved to have a more strongly-flavoured gelato.  We were served their Carnaroli Rice Pudding; the rice pudding itself had a slight almond taste to it, which I really enjoyed.  The pistachio sorbet and chocolate crumble were good pairings for it.  I wasn't as keen on the preserved apricots, though; I found them tart and would rather not have had the sourness of the preserves taint my otherwise sweet warm dessert.

Overall the dinner was lovely and the company even better.  The drinks were also very tasty and in the end, we felt that we had experienced a fine dining sort of meal befitting the formal attire we sported for the evening.  The bill was a little on the steep side though, due mostly to the sheer number of cocktails added to the bill over the course of the 3 hours.  The blow was softened by the sweet morsels of delight that they served to us along with the bill, though.  In retrospect, I think that if we had been completely sober water-sippers, the meal would have been very appropriately priced considering the quality of the food.  It's the booze that cost us dearly!

In the end, we'll come here again.  We thought this was a first-class establishment and the food was fresh and delicious.

Service: 4 / 5

Food: 4.5 / 5

**PS Food images belong to Urban Mixer on flickr. They're not mine. :)

Lift Bar & Grill - New Year's Eve

I should qualify this review by saying that it was NYE and so the menu was set for us in advance.  We had wanted to try Lift Bar & Grill out since we started doing walks in the Coal Harbour area, but were never afforded an opportunity until this particular evening.

We showed up on time and were seated beside the window.  Right away our drink orders were taken (we had martinis) and then we got down to business: ordering. :)  The amusee bouche brought to us was so yummy: it was a quail egg on serrano ham with a green sauce (I think pea shoot).  

Next we were served appies: Hubbs and I both had the wild game consomme with ravioli.  It was the most delicate broth, and yet flavourful and satisfying.  It surprised me that I could feel so strongly about a soup!

Next came our second round of appies.  Hubbs ordered the Scallop St. Jacques, which he enjoyed (though he didn't elaborate on it much) and I had the quail and winter truffle terrine.  I'm not sure what the contents of the shooter glass were, but at the bottom of the glass there were two grapes, and the liquid in which they soaked was tasty and sweet and chilled.  I'm almost certain it was boozy too!

Of course we also asked for bread, which I had been consuming throughout this meal, between dishes.  Bad mistake.  I was also onto my second martini before my entree was served.  Second bad mistake.  In the end, I was too boozed up and too full to enjoy all of my organic bison dish.  The meat was flavourful and moist (an accomplishment considering that bison is oft more dry and easily overdone), though I found the sauce a bit salty.  Hubbs had Lobster Thermidore, and since he's a huge shellfish fan, he really couldn't go wrong with a full tail.  He cleaned his plate so I assume his meal was to his liking ;)

Finally dessert came round.  By now the booze effects had begun to fade and I was gaining my second wind for dessert.  Good thing, since their pot de creme trio was absolutely decadent.  I liked the slight tartness and light moussy texture of their raspberry creme as well as the rich full-bodied flavour of the coffee creme.  Hubbs' favourite was the pumpkin creme, the creamiest and sweetest of the three.

By the time the champagne came round I was full again, and reluctant to resubmit my body to the ravages of alcohol.  Hubbs was left drinking the majority of both flutes, but I think he didn't mind too much.  The lovely folks at Lift even brought us noisemakers and hats for the countdown, which I thought was a nice touch.

Overall, I think we rang in the New Year well.  The food was very tasty and generously portioned (well, individual dishes were appropriately portioned but when you add in the bread and the sheer number of courses, that's where the abundance comes in), and servers were present but unobtrusive.  The restaurant was quite lively while we were there, but perhaps it was not at capacity, since the noise levels remained moderate throughout the evening.  Sure, the restaurant set us back a few $$$ but hey, it was NYE and you can't complain if you leave with your belly full and a smile on your face!

Service: 4 / 5

Food: 4.5 / 5

New Look for the New Year

I've neglected this blog in recent months, and so I found it fitting that with this resurrection of Aftertastes, the Vancouver edition, I would give it a much needed face-lift, the result of which is before your very eyes. 

Happy eating adventures, and I'll be back with some posts in the near future!

Accents Restaurant

Okay, so we tried this place back in early December on the recommendation of my uncle.  My sis, my bro-in-law, Hubbs and I had heard good things about the place based on previous dining experiences of my uncle and aunt.  Well, I can definitely say that Accents is the worst restaurant we've tried in Van so far, and I'm pretty sure it will remain so for a long long time.

Here is Hubbs' review of the place (with some edits from me):

*****

Sincerely, the second worst restaurant I have ever been to
I went to Accents last Saturday and sincerely, this place was terrible enough to warrant my posting about it to warn others, especially given some of the other "positive" reviews out there (which we suspect to be written by restaurant staff and people with deadened taste buds).

First of all, we arrived and were initially seated at a table with ripped, dingy chair covers. Sincerely, two of them were stained all over the back of the chair or the seat while all 6 had rips and tears in the chair cover fabric. Now, this is a little iffy but I'm willing to forgive it if the food and service are good. However, both were absolutely *terrible*.

Someone in a review had mentioned the "diverse menu selection". Another person noticed that the lights flicker on and off every so often, like they are microwaving food. Allow me to tie this all together here because our party of 6 noticed the brownouts, and then we noticed that:

* all of our food was scorchingly hot in temperature, and it felt like these dishes had been recently microwaved
* all of our desserts had freezer burn on them and tasted rancid

For those who were saying, "I don't know what you were expecting, but you got a great meal", no, I actually didn't. And I didn't get any value for it either. Here are some highlights of the experience aside from what I have listed:

* horrifically long wait times - we waited 20 minutes just to get a drink order, an *hour* to get appetizers (and let's be real here, for the quality of food I received it shouldn't take an hour), and another hour to get our main course!  It took us over 3.5 hours to receive our 3-course meals and the bill.  

* terrible service - not only were the servers poorly dressed in ratty, untucked polo shirts sporting large spills and stains, but several of their staff were also very rude and unaccommodating.  When asked if we could be relocated from our ratty table near the door to one in the dining area, we were informed that they were too busy to bother clearing up the emptied tables in order to get us moved.
* dry meat (think jerky), bland flavouring, soggy entrees
* freezer-burned desserts
* a dirty, dingy environment
* mistakes made on orders; we were expecting cheese gnocchi with our duck orders and instead got potatoes. Wouldn't be so bad except when we asked our waitress about the cheese gnocchi, she insisted the cut potato pieces *were* gnocchi, *then* said that there never was gnocchi on that dish and ran off to get a menu to prove it. When she then discovered her mistake she walked off! Some other guy server ended up having to come to our table to apologize! I don't care how much "value" I am getting at a restaurant, it doesn't excuse rude or abrasive behavior. 

I'm sorry, but there are *hundreds* of wonderful restauarants of varying prices in Vancouver - it's a wonderful city for that. I never thought I would have the second worst dining experience of my life here. I sincerely post this so that you don't make the same tragic mistake we did when we thought this place would be decent.

*****

It's Hubbs' 2nd worst of all time.  It's probably my second worst as well, and definitely the worst in Vancouver.  Don't listen to the reviews that say that this place is any good, and do not be misled by their website; the place was probably good 6 years ago, but the downhill decline has been steep.  Avoid Accents and find a real European restaurant.  The price may be cheaper here, but you'll get what you pay for, and even less!  You've been warned.

Service: 1/5 (except the busboy - he gets 3/5 for working hard all night long)

Food: 0/5 

Ouisi Bistro - Dine Out Vancouver

Hubbs and I are total lovers of cajun/creole food.  We even loved the stuff at Louisiana Purchase in Edmonton and at the New Orleans restaurants at Disneyland, so our tastes aren't very refined in this food category.

Ouisi Bistro was selected based on their type of food alone.  We were excited to eat there, and we were not disappointed.

When we showed up for our reservation, the place was loud and packed.  The red

-hued walls were covered in paintings of jazz artists of yesteryear, and the atmosphere was bustling and full of life.  We loved it.  We got seated and promptly ordered a drink.  Our server misheard me and brought me a glass of wine when I wanted a fruity cocktail, but because it was so busy I actually didn't send it back.  Hubbs had a spicy Caesar, which I'm convinced is the best Caesar he has ever had; it's certainly the best I've tasted, and I hate clamato juice.

We ordered our food quickly (having studied the DOV menu online in advance), and also ordered an additional serving of corn bread.  The appies were brought out quickly.  Hubbs' crab cakes were flavourful and gently fried, falling apart when you poked it too much.  I loved my chorizo-crusted oyster.  It was perfectly fried and sufficiently rich, but not overly oyster-y or breaded.  

Our server came by shortly after this to ask if we were ready for dessert, which annoyed me slightly given that this was her second mistake of the night.  After informing her that we still needed our entrees and our cornbread, the bread was brought out to us.  I was expecting a warm, moist loaf, but our slices were cold and a bit on the dry side.  It was still hearty and filling, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed with the bread.  

After a bit of a wait (during which time the restaurant began to quiet down and clear out a

 bit), our entrees were served.  My pork chop was delicious, as was the sweet potato-bacon-pecan hash.  My chop had a nice little bit of fat on the edge (which I love) and wasn't overdone.  The hash was interesting texture-wise, and rich with flavour, but I found it very filling so I didn't finish it.  Hubbs' jambalaya wasn't what I was expecting, but he thoroughly enjoyed his dish and ate every last bit of it off his plate.

We had to wait a bit for our dessert, but we enjoyed the jazz music playing in the backround and didn't feel too badly about the delay.  My pecan pie was yummy, but non-descript, while Hubbs found his bread pudding to be quite delectable.  

Not bad for $28/person, and in the end our server who had messed up 3 times (she forgot to add one of our DOV meals to the bill) by the end of the night, waived the cost of our cornbread.  Not a huge consolation, but given that we loved the atomsphere of Ouisi and thought the food was really good as well, we didn't push it.

We'll definitely be back and we'll be bringing friends.  There are lots of other things on their menu we have yet to try, and we're pretty psyched about giving those dishes a go. :)

Service: 3/5

Food: 4.5/5

Zen Japanese Restaurant - Dine Out Vancouver

Dine Out Vancouver happens Jan. 14-Feb. 1st. I believe it has become an annual event, sponsored by Tourism Vancouver.   Not wanting to miss out on a good deal, Hubbs & I chose a few places to try based on the attractiveness of their online menus and some of the reviews we've read about them.

Our first selected restaurant, Zen Japanese Restaurant, appealed to us because of its comely pictures on the website and also the DOV menu we saw online.  This restaurant is quite highly regarded in the sushi world, and is known to be quite innovative with their menu.

We went on a Saturday night and arrived right on time.  We were seated immediately.  Unfortunately, our table happened to be situated right beside a large 10-top table, and the big boisterous lady seated next to Hubbs (separated be a mere foot of space between their table and ours) happened to bellow and laugh very very loudly.  We quickly asked to be moved, and were reseated at a table at the opposite end of the restaurant from the loud diner.  The restaurant was only about 40% full when we were there, so we probably had the pick of the tables had we insisted.

We ordered quickly and our meals came relatively quickly, though our appies did not arrive simultaneously.  Thankfully, since Hubbs & I were sharing, it wasn't so bad; if I would have had to watch him eat while my tummy grumbled, he would have had a miserable dining experience ;)  Hubbs' Prawn 3 Ways was very yummy, with my favourite being the lightly breaded and fried Popcorn Shrimp Roll.  I liked my Crunchy Duo but to be honest, I found some of the sauces too strong, and they overpowered the flavours of my rolls.

Hubbs' Chef Selection Sashimi and my Signature Sushi were both okay, but nothing extraordinary.  They were fresh, the cuts were reasonably-sized, but as entrees we found the dishes a little less spectacular than they could have been.  After a while, everything seemed to taste similar, and that's not the impression any good Japanese restaurant wants to leave.   DOV is an opportunity to showcase your best, and we both kind of felt let down that Zen didn't seem to do that with their entrees.  The portions were also a bit wee for our appetites.

For dessert we both enjoyed the chocolate brownie.  It was warm with a crispy top, and the gooieness of the cake melted in our mouths.  I'd say that the brownie was my favourite part of the meal, although my piece of brownie was again far too small for my liking.

The DOV menu was priced at $38/person, and after we tacked on green tea and a drink apiece, the total was a bit steep, particularly since we weren't even full.  The restaurant, by appearance, didn't look terribly elegant or upscale, so it wasn't like we were paying for the ambiance.  Overall, we found Zen Japanese Restaurant to be poor value for the dollar, and not nearly as innovative and spectacular as some reviews have hyped them up to be.

Service: 3.5/5

Food: 3/5

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