Go flames! We just tied Anaheim 2-2 in less than 5 minutes of the 3rd period!!
AWESOME...
and so was dinner. CILANTRO is amazing.... a unique contemporary menu, buzzing ambience. The cranberry bbq marinated ELK ribs were heavenly! So tender, meat falls right off the bone... The jalapeno chicken wood-fired oven pizza rivaled Wooden Heads in Kingston, with a really distinctive strong cheese. The charred halibut served on a bed of crisp baby spinach and fresh strawberries was really refreshing. A fruity 2003 vineland estates sauvignon blanc (niagra) set this off really nicely. Do not miss this place!! It is so unassuming from the outside, you are bound to miss it if you are not looking!
Deer Run Subway
April 2006
First steak and cheese sub. Tasty! Good job Craig. Ha ha... definitely not the sub of choice for leftovers...lunch was a bit soggy today.
Danube’s Restaurant
April 2006
Cute cafe atmosphere in trendy Kensington. Don’t go for anything but the delectable fresh fruit crepes served with vanilla ice cream! I highly recommend the mixed berry crepe...those are better than the plain banana + chocolate sauce crepes. For you sugar and caffeine addicts, get the hazelate.
Crave Cupcakes
April 2006
At $2.50 for a single cupcake, it’s flat out overpriced. Plus, the signature “crave-a-licious” chocolate cupcake with blue vanilla icing tasted almost exactly like fresh betty crocker pancakes. (which ring in at $1.50 for a box that makes 2 DOZEN! Ha ha)
Bubblemania
April 2006
FOB central. Not the best bubble tea (bubbles were a bit hard, and the drink super-sugary), but it is open late! Til 4am at least...and they have dirt cheap food (didn’t try).
Aida’s Mediterranean Bistro
April 2006
Tasty, fresh, cheap Lebanese food. Try the kibby, they’re sort of like fried meat dumplings with a wheat wrapper, served with fresh mint yogurt. Awesome lamb kebab pita!!! GO!!
Thai Sa-On
April 2006
I had the Pad Thai, authentic, but nothing to rave about. I think I would try curry next time.
Open Sesame
April 2006
Highly UNrecommended! Make your own stir fry with stale rice and veggies! Sigh. Theatmosphere was pretty neat, but the food was disappointing. There was nothing indian about the butter chicken!
Buzzards Cowboy Cuisine
April 2006
Tucked in just out of the main downtown core south of the train tracks is Buzzards. While it gets 10/10 for its rustic, relaxing ranch decor, the food was only medicore. The lamb burger was on the overdone, dry side and the blackened catfish was not blackened at all! The mexican corn bean salad that accompanied the catfish had a nice cajun flavor though. When I order charcoal, I want it black!!
Melrose Cafe and Bar
April 2006
The people-watching on 17th just can’t be beat. Nice patio, but get there early! The seafood pesto thin-crust pizza would have been fine if they hadn’t sold it as a seafood pizza! The shrimp were about as big as a penny!!! Ringing in at $22, the fishbowl cocktail was a little disappointing. Mostly ice, you couldn’t even taste the purported 6 oz of liquer from the overpowering taste of tang, or whatever powder concoction they claim is fruit juice. The mushroom swiss burger was juicy + satisfying. Stick with the bar food!
Simple Bistro
April 2006
Wow! An authentic European style, family-run cafe in the middle of suburbia. Yes, we are talking the deepest depths of South Calgary, in Bridlewood! The black forest ham, dijon mustard panini was grilled to perfection, but the tarragon chicken quiche was a little overdone. The cafe au lait is a perfect breakfast starter!
Milestones Restaurant
April 2006
This one just opened up Monday in Southcentre. Seems to be a globally-orientated knockoff of the Joey’s Tomatos chain of restaurants. The grilled chicken + portabello was a nice creamy choice, served on a bed of spaghetti with some grilled veggies on the side. Nothing new to rave about, but a really solid pasta dish. The white chocolate cheesecake was delicious, not too sweet (ok, it was still coma-inducing) but I really liked the mocha sauce on the side. Coffee is perfect anytime of day.
Tribune
April 2006
Bold flavour is the name of the game at this trendy spot on Stephen Ave. The calamari was blackened to the point where it really did taste like charcoal! Is this karma biting me in the butt? The complimentary rosemary brioche was very fresh. I had the lamb sandwich with a beef vegetable soup. The lamb was done up sort of like a roast beef sandwich on a fresh baguette, super tender and very moist, and that distinctive “lamb” flavor was not too strong. I really liked the apricot jelly that brought out the sweet flavor in the food. Like my friend noted, it was an upscale vietnamese sub. The soup was okay, it was very heavy on the carrot (well, I like carrots. Ha ha). Cindy’s croque madame was beautiful. The egg was done in the shape of a flower! The crisp layers of toast, gruyere and fresh ham was drizzled in a sinful creamy, bechamel sauce. Lovely.
Viet Hai Restaurant
April 2006
Do-it-yourself sizzling BBQ of deliciously marinated beef and shrimp! A tasty vietnamese staple of rice paper wraps, fresh veggies and a peanut dipping sauce. YUM YUM!
Canyon Meadows Bull and Finch
April 2006
Nothing special about this neighbourhood pub. Only one large TV for the game, the wings were typical bar fare. The main course of a roasted chicken+ribs was disappointing. Very dry.
Tibet on 10th
April 2006
The beef dumplings in a savoury, but clear vegetable broth was really tasty. A nice blend of chinese and western vegetables. The tofu and chicken stir fry in a tomato sauce was reminiscent of a sweet and sour sauce...but much less “artificial”. Went really well with the deep fried whole wheat flat bread. The steamed buns were basically the same as chinese “man tou”. This nice little place in Kensington with a friendly family-run feel is worth a try!
The Roasterie
April 2006
Located on bustling 10th street in trendy Kensington, this is no ordinary coffee stop. They roast their own beans!! I tried the guatemalan blend, and it was delicious. Very light flavor with a long lasting, almost sour aftertaste. But not sour in a bad way! The Colombian was good, but familiar. No aftertaste.
Pasquale’s on Macleod
April 2006
Fresh pasta is served in an intimate dining room. Nothing special about the veal scallopini stuffed bocconcini cheese...but the homemade pasta noodles were nice. Al dente! The food was pretty good, but I just felt like I could have done the same (or better!) at home.
The Siding Cafe
April 2006
This bustling hot spot right on the c-train line serves up delicious sandwiches and entrees at very reasonable prices. The flat-iron steak served on buttery garlic bread paired with fresh field greens in a creamy dressing with shoestring fries was delicious! Give this classy, yet casual joint a try!