17th Ave · Restaurants · Wine tasting

Missy This and That (No. 8 on Canada’s best 100 bars) & Lula Bar

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On Saturday morning, Instagram notified me that Juice Imports was turning eight and celebrating at Missy This That. I DMed Bottlenick and Chew Steel to see if they were up for some natural wine. For this post, let’s listen to “Birthday” by Selena Gomez.

The crowd is young! Or rather, I’m getting old. The clientele had a friendly vibe, just chilling out with a hipster glass of wine. Pretty ladies lounged around the bar, swigging back big glasses of natural wine with ease and digging into plates of green curry, the feature dish.

Getting an elusive wine from Juice Import’s rare portfolio felt so good. It’s been too long! We asked Erik questions, and while he spouted his poetic descriptions, the merriment in the room deafened his words. I picked a rosé that tasted light and juicy, like fresh strawberries. Bottlenick requested a particular type of white wine, probably something unnecessarily complex. Chew Steel stuck true to his habit – an Old Fashion cocktail.

This evening was a particularly hot day, and the table we sat in wasn’t close to the air con. I was sweating like a pig, trying vainly to prevent my upper lip from perspiring. I did have an appetite for one more glass of wine, this time, a red. Erik steered me to a light and fun glass.

After I wished Juice Imports a happy birthday, we left to cool off in an air-conditioned joint, Lulu Bar. Bottlenick wanted the Coal Roasted Cod ($39), and I selected the Sichuan Noodle Salad ($17) and the Steamed Lobster Dumplings ($20). Poor Chew Steel hasn’t ordered on his own in my presence for 14 years, so he didn’t request anything special.

The food at Lulu is very good. The cod was tender and lightly sauced with coconut cream and curry. I enjoyed the fried brioche bread, which retained its crispy exterior despite sitting in a pool of sauce. There was just enough fish and bread for each of us to get a good portion.

The noodle salad didn’t quite live up to my memory from 2020, but it was still quite tasty. It featured a generous amount of saucy noodles and Asian sesame dressing, but it was missing the fresh crunch, numbing sauce, and herby notes that I remembered.

My favourite bite of the night was the steamed lobster dumplings. The seafood flavour was prominent, and the dumpling itself offered a delightfully chewy, gelatinous texture.

Juice Imports, we’re counting on you to host more events! This city needs your energy! Together, united, we can create fun and unforgettable experiences for all Calgarians.

For more posts like this, check out my running list of best date night spots in Calgary.

Banh Mi · Vegetarian

Banh Mi Nhu Y Calgary Review: Veggie Banh Mi Worth Ordering

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L and I had just finished sharing a spicy Italian sub from the Italian Centre Shop when Lululemon texted me that she was picking up subs from Banh Mi Nhu Y and asked if I wanted one. Even though I was full, I enthusiastically replied with a resounding yes! Let’s listen to “My Sharona” by The Knack.

She and her husband Books love the Bean Curd ($8.50) sub. Books, who typically order the beef sandwich banh mi, said that the bean curd version was even better than the beef. I’m all about replacing meat if the substitution is superior, so I was game.

The bean curd, though surprisingly thin, made the sub appear smaller compared to the piled-high beef satay sub. However, its unique flavor more than made up for volume. Chewy and juicy, the crepe like bean curd tasted like a woodsy shiitake mushroom generously soaked in umami. The vegetables didn’t overpower the bean curd as I had feared. The shredded pickled carrots were sweet and tangy, while the hot peppers added a fierce kick that prompted me to remove a couple. The mild, crunchy quartered cucumber and plain white onions provided a refreshing balance. This vegetarian banh mi is worth every bite so that no ‘beef’ exists. If Nhu Y Sub added an extra layer of bean curd, this sub could convert any carnivore.

I can’t compare this sub to others since it’s vegetarian and I usually eat cold cuts or beef, but I would happily eat another bean curd sub. I have two more banh mi dates to reach my goal of 19. When I see Lululemon next, I’ll pick some up from Bee the Banhmi or somewhere equally delicious. Lululemon, I salute you!

Best bánh mì in Calgary → full list here: Best Banh Mi in Calgary.

Seafood

Calgary Oyster Deals: Big Fish & Open Range Marda Loop Monday Special

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I met up with Lovegastrogirl for dinner. It’s been long overdue. The last time we hung out was likely Barbella Bar in January 2023. For this post, let’s listen to “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish.

We decided on Big Fish & Open Range in Marda Loop. There is a lot of construction in the neighbourhood, affecting local businesses. However, on a Monday night, Big Fish was rocking with customers, mostly an older, silver-haired clientele, and I don’t mean the Targaryens. One table had a couple in their thirties and a well-behaved son. Lovegastrogirl was one of the younger customers, and I was comfortably in the median.

Photo Credit: Lovegastrogirl

We ordered a coupe of prosecco ($7), a feature, on Monday night. East or West Coast oysters were also on special. Usually, oysters are four bucks a shuck, but this evening, they were either $2 a shell or buy one dozen, get one dozen free. I informed Lovegastrogirl that Tik Tocker who ate 48 oysters on her first date should visit Big Fish on a Monday.

Fanny Bay was the option for the West Coast variety. The oysters were fat and slurpable, and the morsels were milky and tasted like the ocean. I tried the house-made ponzu, caper anchovy mignonette and four-chili cocktail sauce. I preferred the Tabasco sauce in the bottle. Lovegastrogirl is a dainty eater and only ate a few oysters, so I gobbled up the remainder as she regaled me with her recent trip to Italy.

Photo credit: Lovegastrogirl

I always order the BC Mussels at Big Fish ($24). It doesn’t matter the season, if it’s the heat of August or any month without a letter “r”, the mussels are fat. Better yet, the kitchen cooks mussels perfectly, so each has the consistency of a softly poached egg. Lovegastrogirl loved the creamy green curry broth so much that she would dip her bread into it.

Photo Credit: Lovegastrogirl

Lovegastrogirl loves her carbs, so we shared the Warm Lobster, Crab, and Artichoke Dip ($22). The dip tasted like a light blend of tomatoes and cream cheese. I could feel the different texture of the lobster and crab chunks in the sauce.

Photo Credit: Lovegastrogirl

Lovegastrogirl insisted on picking up the bill, which means I get to coerce her into hanging out with me again in September! I’m leaning toward Letty Pizza or somewhere newish and snacky, as my friend loves to nibble. Thanks, Lovegastrogirl, for putting some fun into my Monday! My treat next time.

For more posts like this, check out my running list of best date night spots in Calgary.

Bars/Lounges · Beer · Patio · Restaurants

High Line Brewing Inglewood Calgary: Veggie Dogs & Craft Brews

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Lululemon and I met up for brunch on Saturday. As I was already in Inglewood getting my hair lopped off, she met me at the salon, and from there, we looked for a suitable eatery for our mood. Let’s listen to “Goodbye Earl” by the Dixie Chicks for this post.

Lately, Lululemon has been a big influence on what I eat. She’s introduced me to Vegan Street, DJ’s Market, Italian Centre Shop, and a soon-to-be-sampled bean curd banh mi at Nhu Y Sub. Lululemon suggested we get hot dogs and beer at High Line Brewing. I was game because there’s nothing better than the simplicity of a dog on a bun.

High Line Brewing is larger than it appears from the outside. Once you pass the front bar section, there are several rooms to sit and sip the afternoon away. You pay at the bar, grab your beer and then find a table. We first sat inside in a nook under a large tree before moving to the patio.

We ordered a vegetarian Chicago Doggo ($11) with chips and some beer.
I sampled four beers: CLUB MATE+, Dadge, Wabi Sabi, and Heartless Romantic. What I liked about these beers was that they felt like an eclectic sampling of sodas and cocktails. The Dadge, a cucumber ale, had a fresh, mild melon taste that reminded me of the refreshing cucumber water you get after an Eucalyptus steam.

The Club Mate+ reminded me of a cherry cola but sweeter. The hard tea and yerba mate were so mild that I could hardly detect them, though I’ll be the first to admit I don’t have a sensitive palate.

The Wabi Sabi was my favourite of the flight. It reminded me of all the sparkling lemon sours I consumed in Tokyo. The sour tasted like bright, tart lemon and tea. The Wabi Sabi was also noticeably bubbly, which I prefer over the more softly carbonated beers.

The Heartless Romantic was another cherry sour but more tart and less sweet than Club Mate+. I would order this one again, but I preferred the Wabi Sabi.

The outside of the bun was grilled and crunchy, while the interior was soft and fluffy. The temperature of all the ingredients was perfect. Warm bun, steaming hot dog and cold, crisp condiments. The vegetarian weiner tasted like a regular hot dog but lacked that elastic snap. Proportionally, the ratios were perfect. Each bite has some sausage, bun, and a delicious hit of mustard, pickles, onion, and banana pepper. The tomato was fresh and juicy, the sweet flavour highlighted by the hit of celery salt and the heat and crunch from the banana peppers. Oh, this dog just hit right.

Though I was full, I insisted on getting the next round of drinks and some chips and salsa ($9) because I know Lululemon likes to snack while she drinks. The corn tortilla chips were gluten-free, cut thick, and crunchy. Salty and well-seasoned, the corn chips paired wonderfully with the tangy pineapple salsa. There were way more chips to dip, so next time, I’ll request more salsa and sour cream so we don’t run out. I also made a mental note of the selection of gluten-friendly beers for my celiac friends.

Lululemon sipped on Zing, a ginger beer infused with lemongrass, lemon, and lime. The lemongrass flavour was particularly noticeable. I tried Honeybush ($7) from Ol’ Beautiful, and it was one of the best hard teas I’ve ever tasted. I loved the dry, rich notes from the black tea.

Thank you, Lululemon, for lunch and your excellent company. I look forward to our next vegetarian and gluten-friendly adventure.

For more reviews like this, see my picks for cheap eats in Calgary under $15.

Banh Mi · Restaurants · Vietnamese

Banh Mi Date #16: Banh Mi Cay

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Chew Steel and I were out grocery shopping when he suggested we get a banh mi for lunch. Shwing! Since we were 12 minutes away from Forest Lawn, he asked me to find a place I like. For this post, let’s listen to “Feed My Frankenstein” by Alice Cooper.

I remembered a Facebook post by Maro Ezz who owns a Mediterranean bakery near Banh Mi Cay. Maro came in to order a banh mi and chatted with the owner, who mentioned business was slow. Concerned and wanting to support her, he wrote about the friendly service and excellent food and recommended that other people check it out.

I ordered a House Special Cold Cut ($8.50) and a Beef Sate ($8.50) for Chew Steel. The subs took a few minutes to make because the owner is meticulous. I watched, memorized as she gently layered the meats and deftly arranged the toppings. I noticed that my cold cuts were popped in the toaster, so the meat is warmed up. Before we left the plaza, I picked up plain rice rolls from Lang Cao ($10) for breakfast the next day. Lang Cao is a cash-only spot that sells freshly made banh cuon.

I took a bite of Chew Steel’s beef sate. The beef was saucy with a pleasant heat, and I loved the prominent lemongrass flavour in the soft meat. Chew Steel mentioned the bread was light and didn’t cut into the roof of his mouth. I was impressed with the amount of beef. I would get this again.

I counted four layers of cold cuts in my assorted sub. The meat had a rougher texture than Thai Tai and Thi Thien, and its natural taste stood out against the smoothness of more processed cold cuts. The pate was more subtle than Saigon Deli and Banh Mi Nhu Y. I liked how, occasionally, a drip of mayonnaise mingled with Maggi sauce and pate would drip down on my parchment paper.

My banh mi came with two slender stalks of cucumbers, sweet, pickled carrots and raw onions. The subs are bigger than Kim Anh and Thi Thi, but less girthy than My Tho BBQ or My My Subs. I enjoyed my assorted cold cuts but I preferred the sate beef because it was so freaking good.

The banh mis are excellent value and delicious. If Banh Mi Cay would pickle their onions and slice them a bit thinner, it would be near perfection. If you’re looking for where to eat in Calgary without spending much, this is one I’ll keep coming back to.

Best bánh mì in Calgary → full list here: Best Banh Mi in Calgary.