Calgary Food, coffee, etc. - Page 48

crooked rain · #**941** Posted **May 20, 2008, 11:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ST1

speaking of 8th street. Has anyone eaten at Ric's Grill? My and I drove past it one day, and he asked me if it was good or not, but I've never eaten there.

Ate there a few years ago. Unless it has improved, don't waste your time or money.

Surrealplaces · #**942** Posted **May 21, 2008, 3:09 AM**

Thanks for the updates on Kawa, Furry. Deville looks promising, is it going to be near Kawa?

Rusty van Reddick · #**943** Posted **May 21, 2008, 3:39 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surrealplaces

Thanks for the updates on Kawa, Furry. Deville looks promising, is it going to be near Kawa?

Not really- it's downtown, at art central. $500,000 in renos.

Incidentally, the Prairie Regional Barista Championship is this weekend. It's one of four qualifiers (Eastern in Montreal, Central in Toronto, this one, and Western in Vancouver) for the nationals which are in Montreal next fall; the winner of the nationals goes to the worlds, which is in Atlanta for 2009. It's open to the public, and qualifying competition is Saturday, then top 6 compete Sunday- top 3 go to Montreal. And yours truly is a judge on Saturday!

All events are at Fratello Coffee Co, and the schedule and location at their website, www.fratellocoffee.com

Surrealplaces · #**944** Posted **May 21, 2008, 4:10 AM**

I took Mrs. Surreal out to Vintage tonight, and was really impressed. The steak I ordered was a good quality steak, not the best ever, but very good. What impressed me were the side dishes. Spinach with cream sauce, Baked Macaroni with truffles, and the Seafood Stata. They were all very good.

It reminded my of Ruth's Chris, with the way you get the sides for sharing The prices and even the clientèle reminded me of Ruth's Chris, but the food was much better IMO. It's not the cheapest place you'll find, but a good place to celebrate an anniversary dinner

Jimby · #**945** Posted **May 21, 2008, 5:14 AM**

Happy Anniversary Mr and Mrs Surreal!!!

Surrealplaces · #**946** Posted **May 21, 2008, 6:35 PM**

Thanks!

IntotheWest · #**947** Posted **May 21, 2008, 7:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surrealplaces

I took Mrs. Surreal out to Vintage tonight, and was really impressed. The steak I ordered was a good quality steak, not the best ever, but very good. What impressed me were the side dishes. Spinach with cream sauce, Baked Macaroni with truffles, and the Seafood Stata. They were all very good.

It reminded my of Ruth's Chris, with the way you get the sides for sharing The prices and even the clientèle reminded me of Ruth's Chris, but the food was much better IMO. It's not the cheapest place you'll find, but a good place to celebrate an anniversary dinner

The Seafood Stratta is quite good. I agree with your assessment though, not the best steak - but definitely up there. I still have yet to go to Ruth's Chris here and give there AAAA Alberta steak a shot.

Fiveway · #**948** Posted **May 21, 2008, 8:00 PM**

I had my anniversary dinner on Monday at Vintage. I quite enjoyed it as well. Very tasty steak (but I agree, not the best) capped with blue cheese, and asparagus on the side. Wife had truffled mac and cheese. I missed the horseradish mashed potatoes that I had last time I was there, but it was still a nice meal regardless. And the waiter was very friendly and helpful.

NumberFive · #**949** Posted **May 21, 2008, 9:14 PM**

Let me know when anybody tries out the recently opened Redwater Grill in Bow Valley Square.

Rusty van Reddick · #**950** Posted **May 21, 2008, 9:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntotheWest

The Seafood Stratta is quite good. I agree with your assessment though, not the best steak - but definitely up there. I still have yet to go to Ruth's Chris here and give there AAAA Alberta steak a shot.

Ruth's Chris serves US Prime.

canlefty · #**951** Posted **May 21, 2008, 10:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by furrycanuck

Ruth's Chris serves US Prime.

Yeah, it's nothing special and you can do MUCH better elsewhere.

Boris2k7 · #**952** Posted **May 21, 2008, 11:54 PM**

I met up with Aralaus earlier at the Holy Grill on 8th Street and 10th Ave SW. Not bad. I had their Italian Panini with yam fries and can of iced tea for around $12. The high point was probably that the staff are quite friendly.

And, I was visiting my great grandmother again yesterday so I stopped by at Coffee Junkies in Eau Claire again. They didn't have the ingredients for some of the sandwiches I like best, so I settled for a Canadian Club. That with the Cream of Asparagus soup plus a can of 7up goes for around $9.

Surrealplaces · #**953** Posted **May 22, 2008, 4:42 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by furrycanuck

Ruth's Chris serves US Prime.

The one here in Calgary has Alberta beef (not sure of the grade) on the menu. When I was last there, one of people in my group ordered it. To be fair to Ruth's Chris, I haven't tried the Alberta beef, but the side dishes are hands down better at Vintage. I've been to Ruth's twice in the states and once in Calgary, and have been underwhelmed each time.

crooked rain · #**954** Posted **May 22, 2008, 4:46 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by canlefty

Yeah, it's nothing special and you can do MUCH better elsewhere.

I agree. I didn't think Ruths Chris was good value for money.

IntotheWest · #**955** Posted **May 23, 2008, 2:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by furrycanuck

Ruth's Chris serves US Prime.

Yes, I'm aware of that...but the two Alberta restaurants serve one Alberta Prime ("AAAA") as well. Can't recall what cut.

EDIT: Pulled this from FFWD...so, its a NY Strip:

"Let it be known that Ruth’s Chris primarily serves USDA beef, which potentially could be a sore point with some locals. Have no fear, Albertans — to appease, Ruth’s serves a 12-ounce Alberta prime New York strip ($44) that I am proud to say gives that ounce of butter a run for its money. The Alberta cut was slightly less tender than its American counterpart, but the rich flavour of our local beef is in a class of its own."

Not sure I understand it being "less tender", unless it was cooked differently, or just a different cut. Also, it's tough to sometimes tell the difference between US and Cdn beef anyway...since it's the backgrounding and finishing programs that "can" potentially change the flavour of the beef. It's common perception that all USDA Prime has a "corn" grain mix finished component (and Canada uses a different grain blend, mostly barley), but that's not necassarily the case...it's possible that the US beef isn't finished on corn, and a growing amount can be just grass fed (which, typically doesn't fatten them up as much). Further complicating it, the cattle can be backgrounded here (for first 6 months), and shipped to the US for finishing.

Anyhow - just putting some context around USDA vs Cdn beef, and taste differnces.

Surreal - I agree with being "underwhelmed" by the steak. Not sure what it is, maybe just high expectations since you hear so much about Ruth's. I've only been to the one in San Fran, but my wife has been to both in AB, and she still isn't sold.

One of my favourite restaurant steaks is still the one from The Grill at the TPC Scottsdale, Fairmont Princess.

Surrealplaces · #**956** Posted **May 23, 2008, 3:10 AM**

^Yeah, I ate at one in Anaheim, and one in Atlanta. Both times I was a bit disappointed. While waiting for my dinner at the Anaheim location, a waitress walked past with a couple of sizzling steaks and they smelled great..I thought I had hot the jackpot, but the steak didn't taste as good as I expected.

Not far from the Anaheim Ruth's Chris, there is a place called 'Ballpark', it's right by angels stadium, and the steak was much better there. The best I've had in the U.S.

Rusty van Reddick · #**957** Posted **May 23, 2008, 3:36 AM**

You can get AAAA at the Bear's Den- which I've heard nothing but great things about.

We have our own anniversaire soon (#13) and are trying to come up with a resto- I'd like to try Alloy but partner wants The Trough in Canmore... anybody been to either?

IntotheWest · #**958** Posted **May 23, 2008, 4:17 AM**

^No, but I've heard of the Trough - and either way, be interested in hearing your opinion which ever you decide to try :-)

My wife has tried Bear's Den, and enjoyed it. I think there's a few places that serve Canadian "Prime" (AAAA) now: Vintage, Bear's Den, Ruth's Chris (well, as mentioned, just the NY), and I think Chicago Chophouse serves at least a cut or two of Prime.

Furry, I know I mention it all the time (when I'm on here), but have you tried The Ranche in Fish Creek? I put it up there with River Cafe (which, is still my all time favourite). If the weather is nice, it is a nice setting.

Also, we're coming up on a date night (not as often as they used to be!), but have you (or anyone on here) tried Rouge? Curious if its worth it for us to take the trip.

So many choices now in Calgary and area, really...we went to Divine in Okotoks a few weeks ago, mostly because we didn't want to drive to the city - and I was extremely impressed with the quality (very casual setting though)!

Surrealplaces · #**959** Posted **May 23, 2008, 4:39 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntotheWest

^No, but I've heard of the Trough - and either way, be interested in hearing your opinion which ever you decide to try :-)

My wife has tried Bear's Den, and enjoyed it. I think there's a few places that serve Canadian "Prime" (AAAA) now: Vintage, Bear's Den, Ruth's Chris (well, as mentioned, just the NY), and I think Chicago Chophouse serves at least a cut or two of Prime.

Furry, I know I mention it all the time (when I'm on here), but have you tried The Ranche in Fish Creek? I put it up there with River Cafe (which, is still my all time favourite). If the weather is nice, it is a nice setting.

Also, we're coming up on a date night (not as often as they used to be!), but have you (or anyone on here) tried Rouge? Curious if its worth it for us to take the trip.

So many choices now in Calgary and area, really...we went to Divine in Okotoks a few weeks ago, mostly because we didn't want to drive to the city - and I was extremely impressed with the quality (very casual setting though)!

Divine is impressive. Is topped in there a couple of years ago, not knmowing anything about it, and was surprised that a town the size of Okotoks had a place like that.

jeffwhit · #**960** Posted **May 23, 2008, 4:45 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surrealplaces

Thanks for the updates on Kawa, Furry. Deville looks promising, is it going to be near Kawa?

Do you know anything about this Deville place Furry? (other than the ridiculous amount the are spending on renovating that space. I mean, will the coffee be any good? I don't find walking the extra blocks to Artigiano, but something different is nice once and a while. Speaking of which, it's been while a long time now since I've had a clover from there that I didn't fully enjoy; no more overly acidic cups!