Veggie Girl turned 32! For her birthday, she wanted to have drinks at Leopold’s Tavern in Bowness. She picked this pub because it’s blocks away from her house and she had a hankering for a mushroom poutine. Veggie Girl said as a vegetarian, it’s difficult to find a good poutine and Leopold’s version is particularly pleasing to her palate.
I dig the music here. That night we listened to Arkells, Franz Ferdinand and The Strumbellas. For this post, let’s listen to “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars. L told me about this new dancing robotic dog. Pretty cool.
Pints of craft beer set you back $8 bucks. Uncle Ben thought that was pricey. I think eight dollars is the norm in Calgary and I’m grateful it wasn’t Bud. I had a pint of Tokyo Drift and then an hour later, I had a strong craving for wine. Leopold’s serves up Barefoot ($10). I was torn. In the end, my craving won. When I complained to Veggie Girl about Leopold’s wine selection, she said Beringer is available, but it’s not on the menu. More of the same.
Veggie Girl’s friend Scope showed us his new breathalyzer from Costco. After two drinks in two hours, I was impaired. Good thing I wasn’t driving.
In the third and final hour, I ordered an Erdinger, which was my preferred drink of the night. Unfortunately, after two sips, I was tipsy so I gave my beer to Uncle Ben. Waste not, want not. Besides, we’re family.
L ordered a Smoked Meat Sandwich ($16.50) and upgraded the regular fries to yam. The Montreal smoked meat was stacked high. Each thinly slice of meat was juicy and flavorful. The sandwich was an easy 5 out of 5. I can’t remember eating a tastier smoked meat sandwich. The yam fries were overcooked and over salted. The crisper fries tasted bitter.
Uncle Ben ordered a BLT ($15.50) with fries. The bacon is thick cut and stacked high. His fries were too salty as well. Uncle Ben said it was his third time ordering a BLT at Leopold’s since it opened. He would give the BLT two thumbs up, but his other hand was preoccupied holding the plate.
I ordered a mushroom burger with mushroom poutine ($16.50 +$4.00 upgrade). I thought I ordered a vegetarian burger so I was surprised to bite into a beef patty. The burger was loaded with warm mushrooms and melted Swiss cheese, lettuce, pickles and red onion. Yummy. Reminded me of A&W mozza burger, but in a comfort food way. The mushroom poutine is made with vegetarian and gluten-free gravy. My fries were not overly salted like L’s and Uncle Ben’s. The side poutine was heavy on the gravy. The cheese curds were chunky and still cool. One of the better poutines in Calgary.
Turned and Dave shared a Pulled Pork Poutine ($17.50). They enjoyed every bite. Leopold’s is pretty generous with portions. Just look at all that meat and cheese. Dave ordered Veggie Girl a shot – a Muff Diver. Veggie Girl has a small mouth so it was hard for her to find the shot glass in all that whipped cream.
L and I arrived at 6:05 p.m. and we left by 9:00 p.m. The rest of the gang stayed until closing, at 2:00 a.m. I have a feeling that my in-laws are quite fond of Leopold’s Tavern. Hitting the Sauce gives up a big fat thumb up for the tasty comfort food, friendly service and warm vibes.
Hitting the Sauce 