Calgary Food, coffee, etc.

[Jimby]

Originally Posted by sauril

^ Congrats! I work a few blocks away from there and went by for lunch a few times. Are they making it more upscale?

Thanks! I don't know if they plan any changes, but the place could use a restaurant makeover.

Originally Posted by ST1

The Spillery is catchy.

Thanks! I don't know why spillery popped into my head. Maybe the restaurant will add meaning to the name over time.

[Geofferson]

Furry, (or anyone else who has an idea,) as the huge coffee geek that i know you are, I was wondering if you would be able to help me..

It is my father's 50th birthday (I'm only 17) in two weeks, and I was thinking of getting him a new coffee maker.. It wouldn't need to be something too serious, as he does not drink espresso, just coffee. I am only able to spend about $200 on the machine, and was just wondering if you had any recommendations as to what I should look at, and where it may be available.

Thanks!

[jeffwhit]

^^Do you just want a drip coffee maker?

[Surrealplaces]

If anyone here enjoys French baked goods , there's a new bakery on Northmount Drive called Eclair de Lune. Give it a try if near that area, it's awesome. The best Croissants I've ever had. They also have chicken filled croissant's that are killer.

[Geofferson]

^^Do you just want a drip coffee maker?

I'm not sure about what he prefers, right now all he has is an old blade grinder which he seems happy with, but before he had a drip machine, and seemed fine with with that too.

So just whatever machine you guys think is the best for around $200 should be great!

[Rusty van Reddick]

Originally Posted by Geofferson

Furry, (or anyone else who has an idea,) as the huge coffee geek that i know you are, I was wondering if you would be able to help me..

It is my father's 50th birthday (I'm only 17) in two weeks, and I was thinking of getting him a new coffee maker.. It wouldn't need to be something too serious, as he does not drink espresso, just coffee. I am only able to spend about $200 on the machine, and was just wondering if you had any recommendations as to what I should look at, and where it may be available.

Thanks!

Best rated brewed coffee maker is by Technivorm and you can get it from Transcend in Edmonton, but it's closer to $300-

http://www.transcendcoffee.com/products/3/

But really a great system for making coffee is a french press pot with a decent burr grinder- so if I were you I'd get dad a nice $200-ish grinder, like a Baratza Virtuoso, and then spend $20 or less for a decent bodum or other brand press pot.

[jeffwhit]

^^Yeah I was about to say a good grinder (and give him some good beans at the same time) might be the way to go instead of a maker. Those Technivorm systems are pretty nifty though.

[Me&You]

Originally Posted by furrycanuck

Best rated brewed coffee maker is by Technivorm and you can get it from Transcend in Edmonton, but it's closer to $300-

http://www.transcendcoffee.com/products/3/

But really a great system for making coffee is a french press pot with a decent burr grinder- so if I were you I'd get dad a nice $200-ish grinder, like a Baratza Virtuoso, and then spend $20 or less for a decent bodum or other brand press pot.

While we're taking advantage of your vast coffee knowledge, can you tell me the advantage of a $200 grinder over, say, the $30 one I currently have?

[Rusty van Reddick]

Originally Posted by Me&You

While we're taking advantage of your vast coffee knowledge, can you tell me the advantage of a $200 grinder over, say, the $30 one I currently have?

The $200 will have better quality burrs, more powerful motor and a better build in general. I also noticed right away when I upgraded from a $50 Braun burr grinder to a $300 Rancilio Rocky that the Rocky is MUCH quieter.

But if your needs are simple, a $30 grinder might be as much as you need. I drink espresso and I can't grind for espresso with a cheap grinder, but if I only drank drip, I might find one sufficient.

[freeweed]

Just discovered the neatest new place in Inglewood, that is to chocolate truffles what Crave is to cupcakes.

It's called (I might have the spelling slightly off) Chokolat, and everything there is handmade right in front of you. I've never enjoyed a $3 brownie more in my life. Dessert tonight is some of their handmade chocolate bars.

I'm really loving these high end sweets places in Calgary. I'm rapidly moving away from trying to maximize my sugar dollars, and more savouring absolutely sinfully good (and expensive) treats.

[Rusty van Reddick]

It's "Choklat"- desperate to check it out!

[Surrealplaces]

Such a gorgeous day out, I decided to do some walking around the beltline area.

The Metropolitan Grill for lunch on the rooftop patio. One of the best patio locations in town.



My usual coffee place



Time for a cool drink







Saw this also....don't know if it's been mentioned before. I thought they got shot down trying to put their pub there?

[bendecido]

Very cool. It would be great to see more photo posts of the restaurant, pub, patio, scene in Calgary.

[Just Build It]

Great news about Jameson Pub going into that spot

[orion747]

Originally Posted by freeweed

Mildly squeamish? Never want to eat out again? Click here!

I swear to dog, every place I've eaten in the past week has been written up for several violations of the CHR.

Thankfully I'm not bothered by a bit o' bacteria, but maybe I'll help some folks out with their diets.

I actually hate the new format of the CHR's inspection reports. While it's good they list all items that failed the check, I think they need to indicate those restaurants that truly have failed better on those particular reports. For example, if they receive a 'shut down' order it should show up there. Witness any of the restaurants on the below executive order lists - their shut down orders don't show up on their routine inspection reports. Joe public might read too much into a report otherwise. The public needs a little more to go on methinks.

I also believe those inspection reports need to be taken with a grain of salt. A restaurant getting written up because of procedures not being posted is a lot different (in my books anyways) that one that has vermin around.

To me, the best reports are still the executive reports here: If you're on this list - I don't eat there period - and I'm a pretty lenient guy. That includes you too F.A.T.S!

http://www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/pu...nspections.htm

[mersar]

Even some of the executive reports have to be taken with a grain of salt. For instance one restaurant in that list had a shutdown notice not for any food handling problems, but rather because the new owners didn't get the permit changed to their name by the time the inspectors came around (if I recall correctly, probably under a week after they took possession). The kitchen staff were all the same, but due to the name on the sheet of paper they were ordered closed.

[Tarsus]

Any idea on the timeline for the opening?

Originally Posted by Surrealplaces

Saw this also....don't know if it's been mentioned before. I thought they got shot down trying to put their pub there?

[mwalker_mw]

re: The Spillery

I must say, I am a big fan of their pizza - currently my go-to place despite the long drive for pick-up. And it is really, really cheap. Just don't get it delivered - it gets soggy.

[NumberFive]

Sampled a couple places on 8th recently, both rated pretty well in my books.

Firstly, went to Divino Wine and Cheese bar. With a group, so ordered a good sampling of food. Tried appetizers, meal, desert, and assorted cheese plate, as well as a couple glasses of wine. Food was good tasting and presented pretty well, and wine was excellent.

Secondly, attended a private function in the basement of Tribune restaurant. The wine being served was OK, but I didn't love it... liked the selections better at Divino. Food was really good though IMO, although, never tried a full meal... just hors d'oeuvres

[Big Sky]

Originally Posted by NumberFive

Sampled a couple places on 8th recently, both rated pretty well in my books.

Firstly, went to Divino Wine and Cheese bar. With a group, so ordered a good sampling of food. Tried appetizers, meal, desert, and assorted cheese plate, as well as a couple glasses of wine. Food was good tasting and presented pretty well, and wine was excellent.

Secondly, attended a private function in the basement of Tribune restaurant. The wine being served was OK, but I didn't love it... liked the selections better at Divino. Food was really good though IMO, although, never tried a full meal... just hors d'oeuvres

I ate at Tribune about a month ago, and it was very good.