Ten Foot Henry and Shelter

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Lululemon and I met up on Saturday for dinner. She said there was one stipulation: I wouldn’t fight her for the bill. I said sure, only if I got the next one. We debated which restaurant to visit and ended up at my recommendation, Ten Foot Henry. I like this spot for the wine list and the vegetarian options for Lululemon. Let’s listen to Mr. Sandman for this post.

I wanted to try the cauliflower gochujang ($23) and the gigli pasta ($25). Lululemon added the charred cabbage ($21) and the tomatoes with feta ($18). I told her this was too much food for the two of us. She ignored me and over-ordered. I informed her that she must have been Asian in her past life. Lululemon mentioned she had a Chinese childhood friend, and she did pick up on some traditions from her.

For drinks, she ordered a flute of Tomato Wheel Lambrusco ($15), and I ordered a glass of Chablis ($17). Lululemon enjoyed her sparkling red, and I told her that all the wine peeps, such as Vine Arts, Business and Pleasure, and Juice Imports, recommended Tomato Wheel. I read that the person behind the label is a Calgarian, and she buys the wine from Italy.

The tomato appetizer came first; this dish is a crowd-pleaser like all previous visits. I could smell the smoky char from the thick slices of warm bread. Blistering hot and sweet tomatoes mixed in with the feta made for total comfort food. All I needed was a small bowl of tomato soup, and I’d be in heaven.

I heard a lot about the gigli kale pesto pistachio pasta. The noodle itself was soft and wet. I liked the pop of flavour from the nuts and what I thought was lemon and cheese. The woman sitting next to me asked if she should order it. I nodded enthusiastically but later questioned my judgment when Lululemon noted that pasta had only one note and needed something sharp, like garlic or onions, to punch it up. After her comment, my bites of the pasta became less enjoyable.

We had another drink. Lululemon picked an orange wine while I tried a sparkling rosé wine from Maloof, a winery Juice Import brings in. This wine was just right; it tasted like strawberries.

The cabbage dish arrived, piled high and lusciously sauced. The leaves were soft and charred, tangy from the walnut vinaigrette and rich from the cheese. Lululemon loved the cabbage and confided it was the Ukrainian in her. I get her—rice is life for me.

We both thought the cauliflower was the best dish of the night. The gochujang sauce was thick and savoury, with a dry heat and notes of ginger and sesame. This dish was so good that I felt it could compete against any Korean restaurant in Calgary. I would order this again.

We weren’t done for the night. After dinner, we moseyed across the street to Shelter. We scored a seat at the bar, and Lululemon and I ordered some stellar cocktails. The bartender slayed, creating cocktails tailored to our whimsical requests. We oohed and awed as he poured a liquid into the glass while igniting it aflame. Thank you, Lululemon, for a fun night.

Restaurants

Hayden Block – Life Altering BBQ

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Chew Steel wanted to go out for dinner on Friday, so I told him to pick the restaurant. He was hesitant, as I last gave him free rein when we first started dating in 2010. He picked Hayden Block. Let’s listen to “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

I’ve been to Hayden Block about three or four times, but this time, the food blew me away. I ordered the Beef Short Rib ($35), which my brother-in-law Dave recommended. I’ve come to realize Dave knows his food.

Chew Steel ordered a Smoked Old-Fashioned ($17) with a glossy, pristine sugar cube. He noted the ice cube was clear, unlike the ice we make at home, which is chock full of impurities. There is science behind restaurant ice cubes, which, while I appreciate, I don’t care enough to read the whole article.

I asked our server to give me more time to decide what I wanted to drink. She heard “lemonade,” and minutes later, I received the most deliciously tart carbonated lemonade I’ve ever had. When I clarified that I needed more time, not “lemonade,” she kindly removed the drink from our bill and told me to enjoy the free drink. I opted for the Lil’ Darling Hard Tea ($9), which had a homemade taste and a hint of dryness. In future visits, I’d order the iced tea and the lemonade, though with vodka.

Chew Steel ordered Brisket ($18) with a side order of Broccoli Salad ($6), and I ordered Bacon-Wrapped Corn on the Cob ($6) to go with my beef rib, as well as Corn Bread & Honey Butter ($2). Our server warned us we ordered a lot of food, but I waved away her concern, as I could eat competitively.

Holy smokes! When the food arrived, I sat stunned by the beautiful bounty. The beef rib was enormous! The amount of meat on that Flintstone-sized bone must have been at least 18 ounces. The beef was steaming hot and so beefy in flavour I didn’t bother with any of the BBQ sauces. No knife is needed with this beauty. I would tear parts apart with gentle pressure from my fork. With each bite, I could feel myself growing a pair of balls. The portion was so big, I could only eat a quarter of it.

Chew Steel’s broccoli salad was so generous that I must have eaten eight chunky florets. The broccoli was crunchy and not saturated with sauce. The dressing was slightly sweet, punctuated by the tartness of the cranberries and nuts. I could tell the salad was freshly prepared. I would get this again.

The cornbread was so good that I shed a tear. Crumbly and light, the whipped butter melted into its warmth, accenting the bread’s sweetness. I would order this again.

The bacon on the corn on the cob was crispy, though not hot. It didn’t matter to me, as the corn was sweet and cut into the richness of the beef and butter.

I can’t wait to return to Hayden Block again. That beef short rib is one of the best things I’ve eaten in 2024. When heated the next day, it tasted just as good. Hayden Block, I salute you!

Restaurants · Seafood · Special Occasion

FinePrint

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The good neighbours reunited! Quebecoise, Betty, Kournikova and I met up for our girls’ night. It’s been a while, as Betty was busy giving birth to a handsome little fellow. We settled on FinePrint because Kournikova wanted to check it out. Let’s listen to “I’ll Be Seeing You” by Jimmy Durante.

Quebecoise selected a bottle of Paul Mas Viognier ($56), which she noted was surprisingly affordable, given the Stephen Avenue location. Betty enjoyed this white wine so much that she asked me to send her the picture I had taken so she could search for it at her local liquor store.

I warned the girls that FinePrint wasn’t a sharing sort of place and that we should order our appetizers and mains. Quebecoise countered that we could share appetizers but get our own mains. It turns out we were both right.

I asked Kournikova to take the pictures, but she told me to ask Betty, who she said is a better photographer. I shook my head and said that’s not true, as the last time Betty and Quebecoise took blurry photos. Kournikova grinned and confessed she was hungry and reluctant to take the pictures. I shot back that no one enjoys it, but she never half-asses anything, no matter her mood. She nodded in agreement and took the damn pictures.

Quebecoise ordered the Tempura Green Beans ($10), a trademark dish at Fine Print’s predecessor, Divino. Quebecoise raved about the perfect crunch of the batter and how much she appreciated munching on vegetables. Kournikova pointed out that this was one appetizer she didn’t care for, noting that the beans clashed with the rest of the menu.

I picked the Cured Ora King Salmon & Hamachi Crudo ($26). Oh man, this dish gives my beloved Sukiyaki House a run for its money. The salmon was next level, cool in temperature and buttery in flavour. But it was the hamachi that stole the show. Its sweet, delicate white flesh left us raving. The miso, vinaigrette, and pomelo sauce struck the perfect balance, not too sweet, citrusy, or overpowering, just enough to enhance the fresh taste of the fish. Those little green beans couldn’t compete with the salmon and hamachi crudo. This dish is a winner and a keeper.

Betty is delightfully predictable and ordered the Alberta Bison & Truffle Tartare ($27). According to Kournikova, FinePrint makes one of the best tartares in this city. The pickled mustard seeds packed a spicy kick, while the bison was cut into beefy chunks. Each piece was flavorful with a satisfying chew. Betty remarked on its robust beefiness and couldn’t get enough of the texture. I would get this again.

My healthy and athletic friend Kournikova chose the Grilled Radicchio & Endive Salad ($18). She loved it—and who wouldn’t? The salad was packed with spiced walnuts, mint, pickled grapes, and comté. The tangy kick from the blue cheese vinaigrette was so good and went well with all the ingredients.

Quebecoise, Kournikova, and I ordered the Josper Roasted Sablefish ($48). The fish was phenomenal, flaky and hot, with the mouthwatering essence of charcoal. Quebecoise declared this her type of food and loved every element, especially the sour sauce and the combination of crunchy savoy cabbage, braised fennel, and charred orange.

Betty ordered the Pappardelle ($28) topped with Crispy Duck Confit ($8). The thick, ribbon-like noodles had a delightful chew, coated in a mix of ground nuts, basil, and cheese instead of a traditional sauce. Kournikova wasn’t a fan of the duck confit, finding it dry. I didn’t try the duck, but I thought the pasta was yummy.

We tried the Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake ($12) and Yuzu & Rhubarb Gateaux ($12) for dessert. I’m not much of a dessert person, so I don’t have much to say other than that they were pretty to look at.

I noticed most clientele consisted of ladies or couples on a date. If I were an American tourist, I would hit up FinePrint in a second. The quality is a cut above, and with the dollar in your favour, it makes it a no-brainer to treat yourself to some exceptionally made seafood dishes. Hitting the Sauce gives FinePrint two phat thumbs up.

Restaurants

Date Night #18 – An An Kitchen & Bar

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On Sunday, I felt the after-effects of attending a fabulous wedding the night prior. I wasn’t in the mood to cook, so I suggested we head to An An Kitchen & Bar for a late lunch. Ever since our brother-in-law Dave told us they make a wicked banh mi dip, we have wanted to go for banh mi date night #18. For this post, let’s listen to “Come to Me” by the Goo Goo Dolls.

Though I’m always craving a banh mi, my body cried out for the nurturing goodness of pho. I saw everyone around me digging into soup bowls, so I asked our server what everyone was eating. Our server confirmed most customers were here for the signature pho ($25).

Ooh-wee, this was one fancy bowl of pho and quite the ceremony. First, I got a bowl of spanking white sprouts, lemon, and basil. Then, a dipping sauce of hoisin and sriracha arrived, followed by a plate of wagyu rare beef and, finally, a bowl of noodles filled with beef bone and pork balls.

The broth is stellar and should be since it’s cooked for 12 hours. The beef broth tasted delicate and bright from my squeeze of fresh lemon juice. I appreciated how subtle the broth was. It didn’t overpower the meats or vegetables. It’s a clean soup I could sip on all night.

The noodles were slippery and didn’t expand in the broth like some other restaurants. The wagyu beef was something special. Sliced thin, once in the broth, it turned pink and remained buttery in texture. Chew Steel enjoyed the beef balls. The meat on the beef bone was tasty but not as tender as Pure Street’s version, where the meat is so soft it falls right off with a gentle poke from my chopstick.

Chew Steel ordered the beef rib banh mi, which came with pho broth and a soft-boiled egg. He whipped up the egg in the bowl, swirling it until it became an egg drop soup.

The bread was better than most banh mi shops. It was light and crispy but still soft inside. When dipped in the broth, the bread absorbed some sweetness and became a little soggy, like crackers scattered in chicken soup.

I loved the decadent sauce and fatty richness of the meat. Chew Steel would have preferred a leaner cut and mentioned that he would request brisket next time. I would get the banh mi again, but I would add noodles ($4) to the broth to make it more hearty.

An An is now one of our favourite Vietnamese restaurants, up there with Paper Lantern and Pure Street Food. For date night #19, we plan to go to Prosperity Bar. I can’t believe I need just one more banh mi date to sandwich the goal I set back in 2021!

Restaurants

Don Taco

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One summer evening, Chew Steel and I stopped by Buffalo 9 for a drink. That night, Don Taco, owned by the former chef/partner at Mikey’s Juke Joint, hosted a pop-up food event. For this post, let’s listen to ” Island in the Sun” by Weezer.

I didn’t take any pictures that evening, but I remembered how much Chew Steel loved the beef brisket while the birria wowed me. We both agreed that the freshly fried chips and homemade salsa were the best we had ever had. The food was so good we vowed to dine there again. Chew Steel looked up Don Tacos on his iPhone and noted it was currently a takeout-only shop in Highwood.

Yesterday, after my appointment, Chew Steel surprised me with food from Don Tacos. We sat eating in a parking lot because, with tacos like these, you got to eat them while they were fresh. You know it’s a good meal when you’re willing to eat it in the car.

We each got three tacos for $12: al pastor, shrimp and fish. That’s cheaper than fast food. The shrimp taco cost an extra fifty cents. Chew Steel mentioned the owner and his wife make the tacos fresh for you.

The fish filet was tender and generously portioned, and the exterior was a fine crumble breading rather than a heavy batter. Two corn tortillas cradled the fish and packed high with coleslaw and mayo; each bite was messy.

The Diablo shrimp was my favourite and worth the extra charge. The large, flattened shrimp were crunchy, crispy, and still hot. I loved the pico de gallo, as the tomatoes tasted incredibly fresh. I would order this one again.

The al pastor was a winner. The meat was super succulent and juicy. I noticed all their meat tacos are well marinaded and piled so high the meat overflowed. The pineapple was sweet and minced, so it wasn’t a jarring chunk. I would order the al pastor again.

Don Taco serves up my favourite tacos in town. I like them so much that I plan to pre-order them for a taco party. I can’t stop taco’bout how much I love them!

Pizza · Restaurants

Letty Pizza

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I met up with Lovegastrogirl at Letty Pizza, a new restaurant in the Beltline. After seeing all those blooming zucchini blossoms on Letty’s Instagram, I couldn’t resist the urge to squash my curiosity. Let’s listen to “Sugalumps” by the Flight of the Conchords.

If you come, I highly recommend sitting at the bar. There is ample space between each chair and enough space behind you to pull out your seat and cross your legs. The best part is watching the chefs in action and observing the attention to detail everyone puts into the final creation.

We started with an Espresso Martini ($14). My martini was on the sweet side. As we sipped, Lovegastrogirl noted the owner and chef, Daniel Ramon, was working. She mentioned Daniel came from Teatro, and he was the chef behind Clos de la Oyster Barre. I don’t keep up with who’s who in the culinary zoo, but I admired his teaminship. I saw Daniel check each station and help as needed, even picking up an empty box in the corner. He reminds me of a director I work with who’s always on the ground helping her team and simultaneously steering the operations.

Our first dish was the Salmon Crudo ($22). The salmon was cool in temperature and fatty in flavour. I liked the tart brightness of the passionfruit vinaigrette paired with the chilled slices of salmon. The taro root chip added a satisfying crunch, while the fresh basil leaf and basil oil added a subtle herbaceous notes.

Our second dish was the Grilled Cabbage ($17). Several restaurants in Calgary make killer cabbage dishes, such as Pigeonhole and Ten Foot Henry. I find Pigeonhole’s sauce overly decadent and Ten Foot Henry’s version of cabbage too chewy and thick. Letty’s was my Goldilocks moment—just right. I declare Letty the winner.

Each thin, crisp crunch was silky and crunchy, with a mouthwatering char. The hot honey vinaigrette gave it a spicy kick, while the pistachios added a crunchy and nutty texture. The Manchego cheese added an element of richness that went with the sweet, mellow cabbage slices. I would order this again.

Lovegastrogirl suggested the Japanese Curry Pizza ($28). I did not expect to love this pizza as much as I did. The pizza reminded me of eating naan and curry or a Japanese curry bun. The curry packed a punch, and combined with the soft, stretchy dough, it fired off on all cylinders. The richness of melt-in-your-mouth braised pork shoulder, the zing of the green onion and the crunch of panko breadcrumbs were fabulous. I would order this again.

Now, let’s talk about the dough. You cannot compare the pizza from Letty to Noble or Savino (not to be confused with Savona), my other favourite pizza places. Letty’s is in its category, just like Noble and Savino. Letty’s bread is soft and fluffy and, despite not being crispy, holds up very well to toppings, like the curry. The crust has a wholesome flavour that marries well into non-traditional ingredients in a way that more traditional doughs would not.

Our server suggested we try the 2022 Kerpen Riesling from Germany ($14) to complement the curry pizza. She was right, and I was pleasantly surprised by the pairing! The sweet wine was nicely chilled, had a heavy texture, and was refreshing.

For our second pizza, we tried the Margherita ($22). I remember the owner of Full Circle saying you can test the actual quality of a pizza by the margarita, as you can’t hide behind the ingredients. The crust was beautifully puffy, with nice air pockets around the crust. The tomato sauce’s flavour was vibrant and tangy. Unlike the basil in the crudo, the basil on the pizza had a more intense aroma.

The kitchen’s quality control is impressive. I noticed the pizza chef occasionally tossing pies into what I thought was a takeout container under the counter. Then I saw how he would frown and disdainfully throw those ones under the counter. I asked him why, and he said he was discarding pizzas because they were too small, had holes, or the crust didn’t bubble up. That’s impressive quality control.

Lovegastrogirl mentioned her favourite pizza spot is Posto, but now, she prefers Letty. She pointed out that she ate her crust tonight, which she never does at Posto. We had pizza left over, so we divided it up and took it home. Pomp, Lovegastrogirl’s husband, picked us up from the restaurant. She told Pomp she liked the crust at Letty’s more than Posto. He was pretty surprised, as it turns out it’s a big deal that Lovegastrogirl discovered something even better than Posto and actually ate her crust.

The next day, after Chew Steel reheated the pizzas in our air fryer, he commented the curry was nicely balanced, not overwhelmingly sweet or spicy. He noted the fior di latte in the margarita was noticeably good. As for the crust, he was a fan, which means we have to return to try other pizzas. Letty Pizza, I salute your unusual and remarkable pizza dough!

Restaurants

Bee the Banhmi – Date night #17

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Can you feel my excitement? I’m on banhi mi date 17 of 19, which means after two more dates, I’ll complete the goal I set back in June 2021. For this post, let’s listen to “Imma Be(e)” by The Blacked Eyed Pea.

I’ve been curious about Bee the Banhmi due to all the positive posts on Calgary Food- FoodYYC. Lately, I’ll only go to a new place after I have cross-checked through a friend’s recommendation, as Google is full of fake reviews. However, Lululemon and Lovegastrogirl, my two most reliable sources, haven’t eaten at Bee the Banhmi.

Bee the Banhmi is located inside Fresh & Local Market & Kitchens, formerly the Avenida Food Hall and Fresh Market. While the name of the market is not particularly catchy, it does house vendors with excellent reputations. I recognized Expat Asia, Zushi, J Spot Kitchen, and Krooked Provisions. Forget lining up for brunch at OEB; this is the place to go!

We ordered Hanoi spring rolls ($8.50), grilled pork salad rolls ($12) and a grilled beef banh mi ($16.50). I don’t usually order so much food, but I wanted to try everything Crump recommended. While we waited, the owner gave us complimentary iced tea.

We ordered our food to go, and despite the 15-minute ride home, the spring rolls were still crispy. The delicate wrapping was so thin and brittle that it cracked when I bit into it. The filling inside was tender and juicy, full of umami. I would order the spring rolls again.

My friend Kournikova would love Bee’s fresh lettuce wrap. There are no noodles inside, only crunchy pickled carrots, lettuce, and cucumbers. The pork was tasty, and the peanut sauce was phenomenal—creamy, smooth, and balanced. With the price of vegetables, I thought twelve bucks was a perfectly reasonable price.

The banh mi contained double the meat of its competitors, though I found the beef dry. I added some leftover peanut and fish sauce, which gave it some juice. Based on the reviews, I think the sub usually has more sauce, as customers have commented on the sate sauce. Next time, I plan to try the cold cut sub.

The vegetables are crunchier and pickled than Soc Trang or Banh Mi Cay and more rustic in pickling zest and texture than Thi Thi. I couldn’t taste the homemade mayo and pate, most likely because of the hot chilies I added. Next time, I would omit the chilies, as they were too spicy for me. The bread was better than Banh Mi Nhu Y, as it tasted fresher and fluffier.

Chew Steel and I enjoyed the food and would return. We were impressed with the quality, and the food was slightly different from your standard banh mi spot. No corners are cut here; you’ll get a delicious meal worth checking out. Bee Banh Mi, I salute you!

Restaurants

Missy This and That & 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.

Banh Mi · Vegetarian

Banh Mi Date #17 – Veggie sub so good, it’s un-be-leaf-able

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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!

Seafood

Big Fish & Open Range – Oyster Night

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.