The Art of Saying Goodbye

So, I've been to some restaurants in the city. More than most, less than some, and I am generally considered amongst my prestigious and lovely group of friends and family to be well versed in restaurant culture. I understand coursing, table turns and wine service. I understand the business and I can spot an unhappy customer from twenty feet. Of the places that I have visited in the city over the past few months, I have noticed a few to have a very strange policy; the "you have used your time allotted, kindly leave, so that we can get more bums in seats" policy. Have you been privy to this odd and rather rude approach?


I am of the humble opinion that people like me and you must choose how and where to spend our precious, hard-earned entertainment dollars. I often choose a restaurant, food truck, farmer's market or gourmet store over movies, clothing or electronics. If I choose your restaurant, then my small expectation is that I be able to experience it at its best, and for as long as I like, within reason (I am not talking about 8 hour dinner marathons here). This is especially true if I have chosen your restaurant as a celebratory venue to mark a special occasion, whether with two or twenty people. 

Would you like your dessert to go?

I have noticed the "hurry up and don't let the door hit you on your way out" practice covertly printed on bills, whispered on reservation systems, and most commonly, embarrassingly voiced by uncomfortable servers. Servers who can see you are neither finished your glass of wine, nor, ready for dessert, but that are forced to muster up the courage to ask you to pay your bill. For, even though I took the time to make a reservation ahead of time, have chosen to spend my money here and am obviously not complete in my experience, there are people waiting desperately for my table. My party and I are not afforded the luxury of the thirty extra minutes, a thank you or a see you soon. 


Why do restauranteurs wish to leave the bad taste of "rushing" in the mouths of their guests? Especially when, in most cases, the experience up until that point has been excellent? In my mind, it undermines the quality of the restaurant and seriously affects whether I plan on returning or not. 


If you must run your business this way, be unabashed about it. Have your host state it when I call, let me know that we have a time limit. That way I can choose whether my money is fit for your place, and not feel, dare I say it, used. 


Ok, rant over. Love to hear your thoughts on this topic Blogland! 

An Adventure in Maui's Food Culture; Part Two

I had a full list of places that I wanted to eat when I arrived to Maui. I had researched the websites, read the magazines, and investigated the top 10 lists. Guess what?! We made it to none of them! Just part of the adventure. In most cases we were pleasantly surprised by what we found as there is a plethora of interesting, write-home-about restaurants. Our food tour of Maui included many exceptional choices and here is our short list...

Banana Pancakes

The Gazebo Restaurant is a little off of the beaten path. Located on the northwestern side of the island near Napili bay, this little gem of a place has a line up waiting to get in the moment they open. Only serving breakfast/brunch from 7:30am til 2:00, you certainly don't want to miss the banana pancakes with pineapple, macadamia nuts and coconut syrup. This dish tastes like a vacation! We visited this restaurant on our first morning, and it was just right. Plentiful, hardy food, right on the water, overlooking the beach. What a welcome!

Crab & Macadamia WonTons

Baked Hawaii

The Hula Grill's Barefoot Bar was another place that we had to try. Watch out, this place is a tourist trap. We embraced our inner tourist though, and joined the throngs of people waiting for a table on the beach. The lounge section of the restaurant is outdoor, with a sand floor, and palapa-style umbrellas. Expensive rum drinks, tiki torches, and live hawaiian guitar are on hand to contribute to your experience. I will admit that being there to watch the perfect sunset almost got me to order a round for the bar... almost. We enjoyed fresh fish sandwiches and great dessert, plus excellent service at this restaurant. 

Hula Grill Sunset

Our anniversary dinner was ceremoniously held at I'o restaurant in Lahaina. Very sadly, I forgot the camera on this outing, so we do not have digital proof of how beautiful the food at this restaurant was. Executive Chef James McDonald has put together a menu that offers both luxurious and local flavours, with a keen eye for freshness. The restaurant group actually owns a farm in Upcountry Maui, where they grow much of the produce used in their dishes. Needless to say, this place was worth this trip, but you'll have to check it out for yourself!

Kimchi

Craft Beer & Cocktails

Lastly, and almost not at all, we stopped for lunch on our way to the airport. In Wailea, we came across a really cool place called The Monkey Pod Kitchen. Another restaurant focused on presenting local ingredients at their best in a fresh and delicious way, this restaurant truly surprised us. They offered a great list of micro-brewed, craft beers along side some of the seriously BEST kimchi that I have ever had. Refreshing and spicy, all at the same time. Our meals were simple and flavourful, with careful attention to combining delicate flavours with bold ones. We enjoyed the atmosphere, the service and food so much and were really glad that we stopped! 

I have said this so many times since returning to our cold Canadian landscape, "Maui is one of the best places on earth! You should go!". Not only for the interesting food tourism, the choice offered in terms of restaurants or the paradise like setting, but also for the charm and warmth of the people. Thinking about it now causes me pain, because I want to go back. Aloha Maui, and Mahalo. 

Mahalo

Burgerthon Restaurant Numero Seis: The Bottlehouse

Burgerthon-ers unite! A new post! I have regrettably and apologetically strayed from finding burgery goodness in the city of Calgary. I have since been set right, and am now questing to complete the Burgerthon Mission set out several months ago. 

Our latest visit was to The Bottlehouse in Kensington. Located on the corner of 10th Street and Memorial Drive, this now pub has been several other incarnations of food fare. Hopefully, this one sticks! This brewhouse and all round public gathering spot was one of the first to point me in their burger direction; naming the Street Fighter Burger as one of their best. I have happily obliged. 

The Street Fighter

The menu description really doesn't give the Street Fighter Burger credit; "This 6 oz Peruvian street burger is packed with back bacon, a fried egg, Havarti cheese, tortilla strips and a Kalamata mayo." It all sounds tasty enough, but when it comes together, the burger is a flavourful combination of smooth, salty, crisp and meaty. Citing 100% beef, this burger most certainly has the drip factor, and leaves you needing not even one of your well-seasoned french fries. The addition of the fried egg is an unexpected component, and adds texture and fantastic mouth feel. 

Smoke B-House Burger

We also tried the Smoke B-House Burger that is a smoky arrangement of cheeses, onion rings, bacon and barbecue sauce. A very classic burger, but tasty and enjoyable nonetheless. 

Something that was interesting about the burgers was the use of an onion roll as the bun of choice. The bun for a burger is key, since it has to simultaneously hold all the ingredients together and not be the star of the show. It shouldn't smoosh into nothingness, nor crunch and crackle its way to your mouth. Kudos to the Bottlehouse on a very good bun. 

Get out of the way!

The atmosphere of the place was a bit understated. It seemed like the kind of place you could watch a great game, and drink a beer without compromising on food. They had a decent selection of local beer on hand, and the music was fun, if a little loud. We sat out on the patio on a Friday night, and it was a great spot to people watch. 

For great burgers in a good room, the Bottlehouse gets a solid 4 burgers out of 5. 

Charcut Roast House- Mmmm...

I have to admit that I am a little starstruck. Upon seeing Chef Connie DeSousa at her restaurant Charcut Roast House on Saturday night, I got a little giddy! I feel like I know her after watching her on Top Chef Canada, and reading articles about her in several magazines. I am amazed by her talent and her ease in the kitchen, amazed that she uses recipes from her family, and amazed that she worked with Alice Waters. And there she was, standing in her kitchen, hair in a ponytail, sending out the plates. Then she came out of the kitchen, and started toward our table...

Our Dinner, Presented Family Style

Ok, so she was really just doing her chef-ly duty and greeting her guests, but I was excited to meet her nonetheless. I wanted to tell her how much I admire her, that I think what she is doing with her business is meaningful, that I loved our dinner and to read my blog! Alas, I really only got out a mumbled, "Pleased to meet you, thanks for the amazing time." Boo. 

Pig's Head Mortadella

I wanted to tell her that the Mortadella that our server said "could never be taken off the menu because it is so well liked" was flawless. The delicate fennel salad that is served with the cool Buffalo mozzarella and herbs was THE perfect summer appetizer. That the polenta and fiddleheads under the crisp yet tender pork belly were a tremendous trio, and nevermind the moist quarter chicken and asparagus. I wanted to ask how she cures the bacon that was so smoky, salty and wonderful. I wished to say that the kitchen towels as napkins and the mason jars as lighting were whimsical touches alongside the wildflowers adorning the banquette. 




Connie, you and your team have done an amazing job and I cannot wait to return.Thank you for what you have done for food in this city. And, for those amazing chocolate chip cookies! 

Burgerthon Restaurant Numero Cinco: Five Guys Burgers & Fries

Two Patties!

Our next stop on our Burgerthon adventure took us all the way out to Airdrie. Five Guys Burger & Fries just recently opened there and has been getting a lot of buzz. We tried to visit their Deerfoot Meadows location another week, but found the line up to be a little too long! Must be a good sign!

Leftover Cajun Fries

On the Friday night that we visited, the Five Guys in Airdrie was super busy too. A long line and full dining room showed promise. We ordered a Little Cheeseburger, a Cheeseburger and large Cajun fries. A couple of notes; All burgers are two patties but a "little" burger equals one patty. It is not a kids burger, or smaller than the regular burgers. No where on the menu board is this noted, so consider yourself informed! Also, their large fries are gigantic. Seriously. One order would easily serve 4 people. Five guys serves fresh beef in their hand formed patties, and you can top the burger any way you like with no additional charge. This is a nice touch! The burgers themselves were well seasoned, and have an authentic flame broiled flavour. The white sesame bun held up well to the toppings. There was even, dare I say, pretty substantially satisfying Drip Factor with these burgers! 


All of that being said, Five Guys gives you your order not on a tray, but in a greasy brown paper bag. I think they want you to leave! The atmosphere of the rooms is fairly downscale, with plain white walls, self-important signage, uncomfortable furniture and loud music. I have been in fast food restaurants that have nicer space. All of that being said, it was busy. I wonder if it will stay that way after its initial novelty wears off? 


One other note that may deter you or your family from heading to Five Guys is their use of peanut oil for fries, and service of in-shell peanuts in the restaurant (in a box for the taking, on top of the garbage can???). I found it fairly odd that there is a potentially serious allergen present in a place where you might not expect it to be. 


Husband and I do not suffer from peanut allergies, and we understand that this concept of "fast casual" is popular. For the burger, we would return, but we would take it out to a picnic spot and enjoy far from the restaurant. Burgerthon rating, 3 out of 5. 

Burgerthon Restaurant Numero Tres: Notable

The smell of braising meat, baking bread, bubbling cheese... these are what greeted us as we entered Notable on a snowy Saturday afternoon. The kinds of smells that made our hungry bellies growl and our mouthes water! Notable invited me (via twitter) to come and try their new Burger of the Month, so naturally, we showed up!

Notable is the kind of restaurant that is so talkable, its ridiculous. It is in Bowness, kind of dodgey, but trying. It is all well thought out food, by renowned chef Michael Noble. And it is busy. Really busy. Make a reservation if you go!

Alberta Pork Burger with Calabrese Salami & Fontina

Now for the burger; This month's was Alberta raised pork, with Calabrese spices, Calabrese salami and melted fontina cheese, all on a house-made potato bun. This burger was truly a thing of beauty. In fact, we came up with a new Burgerthon measuring yardstick in it's honour- the Drip Factor. If a burger is so juicy, and filled with fresh ingredients, that your hands get a little sloppy eating it, it has sufficient drip factor. This burger had it.  The pork was cooked to perfection showing a little bit of pink. The salami and spices were well conceived, with some heat and some smoke, and all of this was brought together by the melted fontina. Their potato bun was almost like brioche; it stood up to the burger, and contributed nicely to the overall flavour. I must also mention the tomato. Here in Calgary, during the Winter (October to July) its hard to find a ripe, flavourful, not-dismally-coloured tomato. If anyone from Notable wants to let me know how they found such a great burger tomato, I would love to know! All of this goodness is served with Notable's house-cut french fries. If you can get there for the month of April, go. Actually, go now. 

For the room, it is a mixture of east and west coast, taking influences right from nature. Nothing is too matchy-matchy, but it all works in cohesion. Great play list (we heard Van Morrison again!) and a friendly team. 

For their use of Alberta pork in a burger worthy of drip factor status AND serving it all in a beautiful room, Notable gets the highest Burgerthon rating to date, 4.5 out of 5.

Stilton Cheesecake

I also wanted to mention, even though it has nothing to do with the burger, the wonder of their Stilton Cheesecake. We ordered this for dessert, even though Husband was a little leery due to a disliking blue cheese disorder. The cake is creamy and smooth, with just a hint of blue cheese flavour on the very back of the palate. It has a bruléed top, and it served with a tart rhubarb compote. It was wonderfully refreshing, not too sweet, and quite a surprise at the end of our meal. I would like one right now. Thanks Notable!

The Burgerthon

Is this the perfect burger?

My husband is a burger guy. Seriously. We can be at a world class restaurant, with mouth-watering selections tempting us, and he, undoubtedly, unceremoniously, and much to my chagrin, orders the burger. I used to be annoyed by it; Why could he not open his palate to new flavors, new experiences? I have since changed my tune, and decided to join him on his sandwich choosing adventure. Because a burger can be so many things, and offer countless amazing flavor nuances, I have challenged myself to a burger-o-rama. Or at least maybe just an adventure into Calgary's culinary offering on the subject. Here is my list of potential challengers, as gathered by friends, colleagues, tweets, and Google...

1. South Street Burger Co. (voted best burger by the Fan 960, and my first foray into the challenge. More on that later this week...).
2. Five Guys Burgers and Fries
3. Charcut (they have this really cool secret called "alley burger," check it out. AND Charcut's Chef Connie DeSousa will compete for top honors in Top Chef Canada on the Food Network. Deliciously awesome!).
4. NoTable
5. LoungeBurger
6. FatBurger
7. Open Range (I have been to this fantastic restaurant many times, so this won't be a new experience, only the burger).


I do not have any specific rules. Just a tasty offering that takes into account the big three indicators; Quality Canadian meat, excellent bun, variety of toppings. Plus a little on the room and accompaniments, of course. In the interest of not gaining 30lbs in this process, I will report back to you within the next few months. If you would like to join me on my quest for a perfect burger in Calgary, send me a note! Likewise if you have a burger secret that you want me to try!


Happy Burgerthon to all! 

P.S. Just after I posted this challenge, I found out about a contest to attend the eatwriteretreat food blogger conference in Washington, D.C. How perfectly things sometimes come together?!!

It really IS good to be close!

Kendall-Jackson Pinot Noir

I'd like to take a moment to write about the importance of good, neighborhood restaurants. The kind that you can go to on a Tuesday or a date-night Friday, and you are always satisfied with the outcome. Near my house, that restaurant is now Stonehill Restaurant & Tavern. We have several choices around; standard Italian, good Vietnamese, dim sum, chains and fast food. But, when Stonehill finally opened, for me, there was a warm glow and choir music surrounding the place. It meant that I no longer had to compromise on experience for food, or wine for price or any of the other concessions that I make when I want to stay close to home. Here is my review of our most recent experience...

Spicy Pork Tacos

We were there to celebrate and without a reservation, and still were welcomed with excellent service, and beautiful cozy booth, and the well-thought-out wine list. A note about wine lists from someone like me, that thinks a $6 house wine cannot possibly be good; I like it when places list their glasses separately from their bottles, I like glass choices besides merlot and cabernet sauvignon, and I REALLY like the Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Pinot Noir. A good wines-by-the-glass list to me says, "Hey, try a few different things!" and "It's ok that your husband doesn't like wine enough to drink a whole bottle with you!" (Yes, I am personifying the wine list, it only really speaks to me after a bottle or two. I digress...). We shared the Spicy Pork Tacos for an appetizer. These are a treat of spicy pulled pork, cilantro and pineapple salsa in tiny little taco shells. For dinner, my Fettuccine with Lamb Ragout and Wild Mushrooms was, simply put, amazing. It was earthy, rich, and even decadent, if you can say that about meat. My husband's Forno Roasted Chicken was a spectacular feast, plated high and served with a well-made, flavourful reduction, and beautiful unique vegetables. Service was great, music was fun, and there was a happy hum to the whole room that said the other guests were having a similar experience to ours. Have I mentioned the wine tower in the middle of the place? Pretty cool, since there is an elevator running up the middle of it. All of this within walking distance to my house. 

Forno Roasted Chicken

I know that some of you live in places where a good meal, I mean a really good meal, is always close at hand. But, for those of you living in the 'burbs like me, where greasy, theme based restaurants abound, it is certainly a pleasant surprise to indulge in something so good, so close to home.