Here's a few highlights:
Charcuterie
Cauliflower au gratin
The roast
Chef takes a bow
Dessert #2
Feeling full after looking at these? Imagine how we felt after tasting it all! Can't wait for the 3rd!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Bacon Dinner, Edmonton
Lux Steakhouse, Edmonton, hosted the 2nd Annual Bacon Dinner. Yes that does mean every course with bacon. Started with a bacon caesar and bacon popcorn, then ended with two bacon desserts.
Here's a few highlights:
The salad course
Cauliflower au gratin
Mashed and Cassoulet
The roast
Chef takes a bow
Dessert #1
Dessert #2
Feeling full after looking at these? Imagine how we felt after tasting it all! Can't wait for the 3rd!
Here's a few highlights:
Cauliflower au gratin
The roast
Chef takes a bow
Dessert #2
Feeling full after looking at these? Imagine how we felt after tasting it all! Can't wait for the 3rd!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Charcoal Sushi & BBQ Restaurant, Vancouver
Slightly hidden upstairs in a bit of a concrete maze, Charcoal was a hopping location.
Charcoal Sushi & BBQ
250-7997 Westminister Hwy, Richmond, BC
Date: July 27, 2011
Occasion: BC road trip, stopped at Wells Gray Park
Ambiance: Clean and simple, with a sushi bar as well as bbqs at tables.
Service: was good, even though it was fairly busy. Wouldn't go if in a hurry though.
Left the Korean-style BBQ for another time. Tried a few rolls and dishes from the menu.
Highlights: Snow White roll (has shaved coconut on top giving it a sweet bite at the end) - so well rounded.
Mentaiko udon: Like a Japanese carbonara, creamy with popping tobiko (flying fish roe). So love this.
Price: $$.
Overall: A good find. Different selection of rolls is great.
Charcoal Sushi & BBQ
250-7997 Westminister Hwy, Richmond, BC
Date: July 27, 2011
Occasion: BC road trip, stopped at Wells Gray Park
Ambiance: Clean and simple, with a sushi bar as well as bbqs at tables.
Service: was good, even though it was fairly busy. Wouldn't go if in a hurry though.
Left the Korean-style BBQ for another time. Tried a few rolls and dishes from the menu.
Highlights: Snow White roll (has shaved coconut on top giving it a sweet bite at the end) - so well rounded.
Mentaiko udon: Like a Japanese carbonara, creamy with popping tobiko (flying fish roe). So love this.
Price: $$.
Overall: A good find. Different selection of rolls is great.
Japadog, Vancouver
After No Reservations and Samantha Brown stopped there, we put it on our list of things to do while in Vancouver. Of course we also were envious of Vancouver's food truck culture, which was just building in Edmonton.
JapaDog food cart
Ambiance: The lovely waterfront views of Vancouver's harbour
JapaDog food cart
Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC
Date: August 2, 2011
Occasion: BC road trip
Date: August 2, 2011
Occasion: BC road trip
Ambiance: The lovely waterfront views of Vancouver's harbour
Service: quick and organized
 |
| With those choices, why wouldn't you try Japadog?! |
Price: $.
Overall: Hyped, unique. Don't think we'd go everyday, but fun for something different.
Overall: Hyped, unique. Don't think we'd go everyday, but fun for something different.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Alta Bistro, Whistler
Near the heart of Whistler, this skinny restaurant is a popular location. Reservations recommended.
Alta Bistro
Ambiance: long and skinny restaurant with limited dining space. The definition of moderne.
Service: attentive and hilarious!
Drinks: Great house-imagined cocktails served with flair. Mr CDW enjoyed Endless Summer while Mrs CDW enjoyed a bit of liquid Bergamot- yummy.
Ordered (and shared) two of the three-course set menus plus dessert.
1st course:
Soup - butternut squash with coconut and ginger. Velvety, with potent ginger - very good.
Charcuterie - cured duck breast, lonza, block garlic saucisson, bresaola. Chutney was awesome. And an amazing pate with cranberry crustini.
2nd course:
Prawn cocktail with advocate-lime sorbet - interesting texture, like gelato. Shrimps were fantastically prepped. Cocktail sauce matched perfectly. Luscious.
Beef carpaccio with frizze salad and cheeses. Cheddar almost overwhelmed the beef but it really stands up.
3rd course:
Chicken - cooked perfectly. Right balance of herbs - didn't overwhelm the chicken. Paired well with mini ratatouille and mash.
Lamb ribs - lovely with a nicely salted pomme. Salad was extra.
Dessert:
Chocolate cake - cherries were good. Very flavourful, nicely poached. Homemade ice cream and toasted almonds.
Creme brulee duo - 2nd is chef's crazy idea(!) was a mini mint. Tasty. Shallow brulee - more sugar would've been good.
Price: $$$$.
Overall: Another recommendation if you're in the region. Or drop in for a cocktail made by their fabulous staff!
Alta Bistro
#104-4319 Main Street, Whistler, BC
Date: July 31, 2011
Occasion: BC road trip
Date: July 31, 2011
Occasion: BC road trip
Ambiance: long and skinny restaurant with limited dining space. The definition of moderne.
Service: attentive and hilarious!
Drinks: Great house-imagined cocktails served with flair. Mr CDW enjoyed Endless Summer while Mrs CDW enjoyed a bit of liquid Bergamot- yummy.
Ordered (and shared) two of the three-course set menus plus dessert.
1st course:
Soup - butternut squash with coconut and ginger. Velvety, with potent ginger - very good.
Charcuterie - cured duck breast, lonza, block garlic saucisson, bresaola. Chutney was awesome. And an amazing pate with cranberry crustini.
2nd course:
Prawn cocktail with advocate-lime sorbet - interesting texture, like gelato. Shrimps were fantastically prepped. Cocktail sauce matched perfectly. Luscious.
Beef carpaccio with frizze salad and cheeses. Cheddar almost overwhelmed the beef but it really stands up.
3rd course:
Chicken - cooked perfectly. Right balance of herbs - didn't overwhelm the chicken. Paired well with mini ratatouille and mash.
Lamb ribs - lovely with a nicely salted pomme. Salad was extra.
Dessert:
Chocolate cake - cherries were good. Very flavourful, nicely poached. Homemade ice cream and toasted almonds.
Creme brulee duo - 2nd is chef's crazy idea(!) was a mini mint. Tasty. Shallow brulee - more sugar would've been good.
Price: $$$$.
Overall: Another recommendation if you're in the region. Or drop in for a cocktail made by their fabulous staff!
 |
| alta bistro's menu when we visited |
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Pig Roast, Whistler
As part of the Canadian BBQ Championships in Whistler, they decided to do a whole pig roast. Here are a few pictoral highlights. Trust me it was mouthwatering!
The preparation - Friday evening
After a whole day to bbq, with some mopping and checking
The preparation - Friday evening
The move
A happy pig?
Friday, July 29, 2011
Aura, Whistler
A lovely boutique hotel on the shore of Nita Lake.
Aura
Nita Lake Lodge
2131 Lake Placid Road, Whistler, BC
Date: July 29, 2011
Occasion: BC road trip
Ambiance: Beautiful view. Does the cross between elegant and rustic well.
Service: Amazing. Fantastic waiter, keen on ensuring we enjoyed ourselves and entertaining with some personal stories.
Drinks: Mrs CDW had Only in Dreams, had a foam with shaved white chocolate on top - amazing! Mr CDW enjoyed a cocktail with rosewater and muddle grapes with vodka and grapefruit juice.
Wine: A french 5-grape blend, rose.
We opted for the five-course tasting menu.
Amuse bouche: demi-tasse of pea soup with avocado and olive oil drizzle. Mr CDW gave a thumbs up.
1st course: Beet infused white salmon with sorrel and lime injected melon, with some deep fried dehydrated beet chips. A nice little dish. Fresh.
2nd course: Scallops with white carrot, shaved jalapeno, black garlic and cabbage slaw, kinzio mayo. Favourite so far. The mayo really stood out.
3rd course: Charcuterie: 3 in house cuts. Salami, Loin, shoulder. Wow - so much flavour. Went well with wine.
4th course: Sesame beef. Warm potato salad with rooftop (yes they have a garden up there) frizze and bacon.
5th course: Chocolate ice cream with banana chips, orange foam, coconut molasses. Seriously mmmm.
Price: $$$.
Overall: What a great meal, service and lovely location. Totally recommend.
Aura
Nita Lake Lodge
2131 Lake Placid Road, Whistler, BC
Date: July 29, 2011
Occasion: BC road trip
Ambiance: Beautiful view. Does the cross between elegant and rustic well.
Service: Amazing. Fantastic waiter, keen on ensuring we enjoyed ourselves and entertaining with some personal stories.
Drinks: Mrs CDW had Only in Dreams, had a foam with shaved white chocolate on top - amazing! Mr CDW enjoyed a cocktail with rosewater and muddle grapes with vodka and grapefruit juice.
Wine: A french 5-grape blend, rose.
We opted for the five-course tasting menu.
Amuse bouche: demi-tasse of pea soup with avocado and olive oil drizzle. Mr CDW gave a thumbs up.
1st course: Beet infused white salmon with sorrel and lime injected melon, with some deep fried dehydrated beet chips. A nice little dish. Fresh.
2nd course: Scallops with white carrot, shaved jalapeno, black garlic and cabbage slaw, kinzio mayo. Favourite so far. The mayo really stood out.
3rd course: Charcuterie: 3 in house cuts. Salami, Loin, shoulder. Wow - so much flavour. Went well with wine.
4th course: Sesame beef. Warm potato salad with rooftop (yes they have a garden up there) frizze and bacon.
5th course: Chocolate ice cream with banana chips, orange foam, coconut molasses. Seriously mmmm.
Price: $$$.
Overall: What a great meal, service and lovely location. Totally recommend.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Painted Turtle, Clearwater
On the Dutch Lake, with a peaceful setting, a little dining oasis in a campground setting. Arrived and then read a new chef had recently taken on the restaurant.
Painted Turtle
Dutch Lake Resort
361 Ridge Drive, Clearwater, BC
Date: July 27, 2011
Occasion: BC road trip, stopped at Wells Gray Park
Ambiance: Sitting on the covered patio is the way to go, unless the bugs are really bad. You are separated from the lake by a narrow trail. Looking over lily pads to mountains is a lovely way to wait for your food!
Service: was good, handling large groups well. *Although they do make arrangements for tour buses to stop - couldn't say then!
Drinks: St. Hubertus Fizzante rose. Slightly bubbly, sweeter dark rose.
Appies: Mr CDW really enjoyed hte Seafood Chowder. Sweet with corn and crab, a really different and good variation. Bread - foccatia was fresh and not too herby. Especially nice toasted along side soup. Mrs CDW had the Spring Greens salada with fresh crsip accents. Cucumber lime dressing wasn't noticable.
Mains: Mr CDW tried the Pork Tenderloin with a mushroom wine sauce and basmati rice. Pork was a bit overcooked, a watery sauce didn't add much. Nice bacon. Good ingredients. Mrs CDW ordered the Penne Pasta with ragu sauce and 5 homemade meatballs from local beef. Good sized portion, good seasoning. Really watery ragu, meatballs mushy.
Dessert: New chef schooled in pastry, so looked forward to trying his talents. Mr CDW had the Strawberry Cheesecake - dense with a nice Graham cracker crust. Additional raw strawberries would've been a nice touch. Mrs CDW tried the Cherry Pie a la mode. Nicely warmed, tasty filling, but the crust was disappointing.
Price: $$$.
Overall: Seemed like the chef had access to good ingredients and good ideas, but not the able to put them together yet. We wonder if the menu was inherited. Will give another go if in the area. Definitely for a latte and dessert with a peaceful view if nothing else.
Painted Turtle
Dutch Lake Resort
361 Ridge Drive, Clearwater, BC
Date: July 27, 2011
Occasion: BC road trip, stopped at Wells Gray Park
Ambiance: Sitting on the covered patio is the way to go, unless the bugs are really bad. You are separated from the lake by a narrow trail. Looking over lily pads to mountains is a lovely way to wait for your food!
Service: was good, handling large groups well. *Although they do make arrangements for tour buses to stop - couldn't say then!
Drinks: St. Hubertus Fizzante rose. Slightly bubbly, sweeter dark rose.
Appies: Mr CDW really enjoyed hte Seafood Chowder. Sweet with corn and crab, a really different and good variation. Bread - foccatia was fresh and not too herby. Especially nice toasted along side soup. Mrs CDW had the Spring Greens salada with fresh crsip accents. Cucumber lime dressing wasn't noticable.
Mains: Mr CDW tried the Pork Tenderloin with a mushroom wine sauce and basmati rice. Pork was a bit overcooked, a watery sauce didn't add much. Nice bacon. Good ingredients. Mrs CDW ordered the Penne Pasta with ragu sauce and 5 homemade meatballs from local beef. Good sized portion, good seasoning. Really watery ragu, meatballs mushy.
Dessert: New chef schooled in pastry, so looked forward to trying his talents. Mr CDW had the Strawberry Cheesecake - dense with a nice Graham cracker crust. Additional raw strawberries would've been a nice touch. Mrs CDW tried the Cherry Pie a la mode. Nicely warmed, tasty filling, but the crust was disappointing.
Price: $$$.
Overall: Seemed like the chef had access to good ingredients and good ideas, but not the able to put them together yet. We wonder if the menu was inherited. Will give another go if in the area. Definitely for a latte and dessert with a peaceful view if nothing else.
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