Cabos San Lucas · Cheap Eats · Restaurants · Seafood

Taco Time in Cabo

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Cabos San Lucas is only a four-hour flight, which makes for a quick and easy vacation for us. This trip was our fourth time in Cabos. I like revisiting vacation spots because I get to know all the best places. For this post, let’s listen to “La Raspa”.

One of my new favourite restaurants is Pezcabo, a 25-minute walk from the Marina. If you aren’t familiar with Cabos, consider taking an Uber as my wi-fi was spotty and it took Chew Steel some sleuthing to find Pezcabo. The menu is only in Spanish, and even with Google Translate, it took guessing to decipher. I downloaded some photos from Google to show what I wanted, not that I needed to, as there was one server whose English was so fluent that I could tell she studied abroad. We ordered ceviche, raw clams, octopus, tuna and fish tacos, and spicy tuna tostada.

We tried two types of ceviche – a raw prawn and octopus ceviche and a mixed ceviche of fish, octopus, raw and cooked prawns. I’ve never tasted fresher seafood, so good that I didn’t bother adding any of the dozen or so sauces on our table. I would get the ceviche again.

The raw clams came chopped up and only needed a squirt of fresh lime. The clams were sweet and clean tasting with a pleasant chew. Lately, I’ve been more on a clam kick than oysters because I find the flavour and texture more appetizing.

The spicy tuna tostada was a winner, taking on Asian flavours from the heavy mayonnaise and sesame seeds. The portion was so much that I asked Chew Steel to help me finish it. The diced tuna was cool in temperature and firm, and you could still taste the quality of the fish.

My octopus taco was delicious. The octopus was tender to the tooth, stewed with onions and cooked in a soy-based sauce. I would get the octopus tacos again.

On our second visit, one of the servers brought us complimentary shots of mescal with slices of orange. I found this liquor so smooth that I wanted to order a second one but restrained myself as it was a long walk back to our hotel. Next time we visit, I would like to try fried pork, tuna ceviche, baked clams, and oysters.

For the best fish tacos, visit the One and Only Tacos. The owner uses seabass, and you can taste the difference in the silkiness of the fillet. You have to wait a while at this seafood shack because they cook to order, but that ensures everything arrives piping hot. The salsa, hot sauce and cilantro sauces are homemade and a cut above their competitors; the flavours are lighter and brighter and don’t mask the star ingredients.

For tripe and asada tacos, El Paisa gets top marks. The tripe was creamy and decadent, reminding me a little of beef tendon. The regular steak is my preference over the more expensive, less greasy version, as its fat makes each bite squirt with flavour. With each order, you get homemade guacamole, cucumber, and other toppings.

Tacos Gardenias is a goodie for the shrimp tacos. I get three giant shrimp per taco, three times the size of other places. The shrimp has this incredible toothsome crunch with a golden-brown batter. There are bottles of sauces and a tray of cabbage, salsa, hot peppers and pickled onions to top your tacos.

Our go-to evening spot is La Lupita for the service, ambience, live music and some of the best chorizo and al pastor tacos. The chorizo is a flavour bomb – crunchy from fried pork skin and juicy from the homemade sausage. I ordered two chorizos, and the second proved too rich even for me. Except for the al pastor, most of the tacos are two or three times the cost of other places, but the amount of filling and creativity in each dish makes it more than worth it.

If you have any recommendations, let me know. I’m always eager to taco ’bout the best eats.

French · Restaurants · Special Occasion

Lunar Year at Cassis Bistro

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Five Stars and Me Shell visited Calgary to celebrate my belated birthday, which also happened on Lunar New Year. I debated against three options for our dinner – Sukiyaki House, Klein/Harris, and Cassis Bistro. I opted for the latter because Me Shell loves French cuisine. Let’s listen to “Racing Horses” by Cheng² Duo for this post. 

Upon arriving at 7:30 p.m. on a bustling Saturday, the music and energy of patrons lit up every seat in the house. We started our evening at the bar. I selected a glass of champagne, Me Shell opted for a gin and tonic, and Five Stars enjoyed a beer and lemonade cocktail. As we soaked in the energetic buzz, I admired the large white roses adorning the bar’s countertop.

Once seated at our table, we shared a charcuterie plate and a black olive tapenade. Don’t skip on the appetizers; the quality of each ingredient shines through. We relished combining bites from the fresh baguette with duck rillette, ham, and salami, then punctuating every third nibble with some salty tapenade or a tangy cornichon.

Service from the entire staff kept the meal seamless, replenishing our crackers and bread as we devoured our appetizers. We were getting full and wanted to save room for the main course, but we didn’t want to stop eating the charcuterie because it was that good. I know the French don’t do leftovers, but I’m Chinese, and we prefer not to waste food in my culture. The owner, Gilles, understood our dilemma and offered to pack away our appetizers. Thankfully, Gilles is culturally aware and exceedingly gracious. As it was the new Lunar Year, I saw this as a lucky omen for our family’s future dinners at Cassis. 

I recommended the steak frites to Five Stars, and he was thoroughly impressed. Five Stars looked at the ruby center and exclaimed he could tell this was a perfectly cooked steak. He took his first bite, closed his eyes and let out a little moan. I snagged a bite and loved how it was both tender and chewy. The meat itself was flavourful, charbroiled on the crisp edges. The crowning glory of his plate was the peppercorn sauce. The gravy was hot and decadent, soaking up the frites beautifully.

Pro-tip: Always get the featured fish or meat dish. You’ll get something unique and nearly impossible to find in Calgary. Me Shell picked the meat feature, duck breast, accompanied by a cheese sauce-infused potato dish and a flavorful salad featuring pine nuts and pomegranates. I’ve tried duck confit before, which I love for its fatty and crispy goodness. This dish was different. The breast was sliced thin and cooked to a medium rare. The texture was firmer than duck confit, similar to a lean steak. I loved pairing the bubbling hot side of cheesy potatoes with the salad of pomegranate, bitter greens, and pine nuts because of the contrasting textures, richness, and temperatures.

The seafood feature was monkfish with lobster sauce. This was the first time I tried monkfish, and I found the fish dense and meaty, reminiscent of a cross between a scallop and lobster. I liked how the light sauce complemented the fish’s natural sweetness, so I could still appreciate the delicate flavour profile.

The dessert was the perfect finale, solidifying Cassis Bistro as our new family tradition. The creme brûlée was warm and creamy with a delicate sweetness. The top layer was so thin that it shattered from a gentle tapping from my spoon. In contrast, the mousse was so rich from the intensity of dark chocolate. Both these desserts are worth ordering again.

From the hostess to the server and every other employee we encountered, the staff outdid themselves in terms of hospitality and food. The impeccable service impressed my siblings throughout our visit from the moment we entered until we left. Thanks, Me Shell, for taking us out for dinner. I look forward to showing off some of the other Calgary gems when you return in the spring.

Bars/Lounges · Beer · Burgers · Restaurants

Class Clown and Juice Imports Collaboration

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Juice Imports and Class Clown hosted a unique lineup on Sunday night: hot honey butter cornflake-crusted chicken burgers, corn pop ice cream, and six new natural wines by the glass. I coaxed my friend Divine Offering to come out, as she’s a fan of both businesses. Let’s listen to “Who’s That Girl” by Eve.

Erik suggested we try Yokel Rose ($65), made by Josephine Perry, winemaker and proprietor of Dormilona Winery. He informed us that the winery’s mascot is the Western Swamp Tortoise, Australia’s most endangered reptile. Dormilona donates a portion of its sales to the Friends of the Western Swamp Tortoise, an organization that relocates tortoises, restores their habitat, and funds research and projects such as the breeding program at Perth Zoo. Divine Offering noted that she hadn’t tried many rosés and found this one sweet and sour. We both tasted strawberries and lip-smacking yumminess.

She tried the night’s feature, Hot Honey Cornflake Crusted Chicken Burger ($15). She liked it even more than the Schezwannabe burger on the regular menu and Hi5’s version at First Street Market. She mentioned the sweetness from the honey stood out. I tried a bite and enjoyed the crunch and flavour from the butter, hot heat and honey. Divine Offering loved this burger so much she wished it was on the regular menu.

I wanted something simple, so I opted for the Phil A. O’Fish ($12.50). The burger reminded me of McDonald’s filet of fish, but a million times better. The cod was large and flaky. The grilled bun was buttered and squishy and held up to the crispy fish, gently sauced up with tartar sauce, melted cheese, and pickles.

We shared the Coney Fries ($8), which we prefer over the Super Fries we tried on our last visit. I like the beefy sweetness of the coney sauce; it reminds me of the meat pasta my mother made when we were kids.

For dessert, she tried Corn Pop Ice Cream ($7), and I tried a glass of the Meinklang Epic ($14). Damn, this was a lovely sparkling wine, dry and floral with tiny bubbles. I would get this wine again.

When I posted a picture from the night, my Instagram connection, Dannitrann, told me she was there too and thought she saw me. I saw her too but didn’t recognize her because my eyesight isn’t the best. I recognized her from her old Yelp posts, which I loved reading. She’s a good writer, and more importantly, she finds the best eats in the city.

I ordered a California Classic ($12.75) for Chew Steel, and he enjoyed it, stating it was one of the best burgers in the city. I mentioned it was only a dollar more than our favourite fast-food burger, Dave’s Double Cheeseburger. It’s safe to say we aren’t going to Wendy’s anymore for our cheeseburger fix. Thanks, Divine Offering, for the lovely company and for trying new wines with me.

Wine tasting

Juice Imports – I only drink reds

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Erik, co-owner of Juice Imports, visited Calgary and hosted an all-red wine lineup event ($50) at Vine Arts on 17th Avenue SW. When Chew Steel (formerly known as L) and I arrived, we were handed a glass of Tomato Wheels Lambrusco. I see this sparkling red wine everywhere in Calgary, and I noticed it’s popular with sommeliers, as it is always highly recommended. As we were sipping this delightfully fizzy beverage, I bumped into Alia, a co-worker at my previous place of employment. For this post, let’s listen to some chill French cafe music.

Erik dreamed up this session because he said the phrase, “I only drink red,” is the most common comment he’s heard here in Alberta, partly due to the calibre of the province’s beef and long winters. He described the wines we were about to try as “nerdy” and fun.

The first tasting was Jochen Beurer Trollinger ($34.11), one of his favourites in his lineup, and a wine he helped make in 2020. Light and bright, our wine master commented this drank like a white wine. The grapes themselves are big and juicy, thin-skinned and ruby red.

The second wine was Pinard et Filles Vin de Jardin ($51.83, discount $46.65), one of the rarest in his wine portfolio. The winery exports only to Paris, New York, Ontario, and, due to Erik’s persistence, Alberta. The fragrance was fantastic, and I loved how different this wine was from anything I had tasted. I asked Erik why this wine tasted so unusual. He explained that the grapes are resilient and hearty, and the genetic profile of these hybrid grapes is unfamiliar to most wine drinkers. He tasted “roses, hippy, floral and something utterly haunting.” Erik recommended pairing this wine with something opposite of its flavour, such as meaty French dishes, beef, liver, steak, or blood sausage.

Erik mentioned he only had six remaining bottles of this garden wine and other limited quantities of the rest of the lineup. Alia said she would battle it out with me. She mentioned she was competitive, and I said I wasn’t, which is true because the word I would use to describe myself in these situations is ‘pour’severant. Whenever I enjoyed a wine, I trotted downstairs and asked an employee to tuck it away for me. I fancied this wine so much that I bought three bottles, two for me and one for my friend Lululemon.

The third wine was Craven Firs Syrah ($40.21). It smelled like a conventional red wine, but it tasted sweet and silky. Erik noted dark fruit, like figs or blueberry pie. He mentioned the wine maker’s philosophy revolves around texture and noted factors that affect the style and flavour of red wine, such as stems, maceration, and oak. Another interesting fact is Cabernet Sauvignon contains white juice.

I enjoyed the fourth wine, Pacina Rosso Toscana (2014, $46.98). Chew Steel took a shine to this red, which I found fresh, light and dry. The sips with sediment tasted better than the first sip without. Erik described the scent as roses in their riper stage, and another customer likened it to the smell of a leather jacket.

I asked Erik about wine markup at restaurants and what to expect for a wine I buy at a liquor store for around thirty bucks. A customer piped up and mentioned the Keg doesn’t markup any of their wines. I told Chew Steel that we have to start dining there again. I mentioned to the other guests that Class Clown sells the best priced wines in town, and you can get a good one for only $50.

The fifth wine was Domaine Breton Nuits d”Ivresses ($44.70), a dry wine that pleasantly puckered my mouth. Chew Steel enjoyed this wine. Erik communicated that the winemaker is a legend in France and told us this wine uses Cabernet Franc from 50-plus-year-old vines from several terroirs, grown in primarily clay and limestone.

The sixth wine was Domaine Richaud Terre De Gallets ($37.37, discount $33.63). Chew Steel and I agreed this was our second favourite wine. Erik mentioned that marketing dictates price; the more successful a winery is, the better price they can get. This winery is less marketed than its neighbours, reflected in its price to customers. I bought two bottles. Erik recommends pairing this wine with lamb and thinking of what grows well in the region’s landscape rolling hills, such as wild lavender, rosemary, oregano, and garlic.

Erik advised us that vintages can differ yearly due to countless factors and explained how some wineries can create the same flavour profile year after year. I quizzed him on his stance on consistency versus the style of dynamic wines he sells. For example, if I splurge on a bottle, I want to know what I’m getting, hence my fondness for his wine tastings. Torn, he expressed it comes down to two different experiences. He enjoys the emotional expression of his lineup and the fun that comes from tasting wildly different flavours and textures. He compared these wine styles to Marc Seguin’s work (i.e. dynamic) versus the familiarity you can get at IKEA (i.e. consistency). He said it was like comparing the familiarity and affordability of Campbell’s chicken soup and his love for his grandmother’s soup, which changes based on the ingredients in her kitchen.

The bonus tasting is from a place I’m familiar from past events, Laurent Cazottes. The farm produces incredible liqueurs from tomatoes, walnuts, pears, plums and grapes. 2015 Folle Noir (discount $34.51) is made with 50-plus-year-old grapes, its whole berries macerated in a distillate from Folle Noir from the previous vintage. I bought three bottles, some for gifts.

Thanks, Erik, for hosting an epic wine session. Your Calgary customers badly needed the ‘pour-fact’ guidance from their favourite wine expert, who always uncorks the secrets of superb wines.

Burgers

Class Clown

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On Sunday, I texted Divine Offering and asked if she wanted to go somewhere for dinner. We went back and forth and decided on Class Clown, a new burger joint that opened up in Mission. I heard the burgers were delicious; and they served natural wines from Juice Imports. For this post, let’s listen to “It’s Tricky” Run DMC.

While I walked over, I signed up for the online waitlist about twenty minutes before I scored a seat at the bar. The heady smell of the beef hit me when I was still a block away. I like the vibe of the place. The space is very 70s, with curtains fringed around the bar’s ceiling and amber lights set against the walls. Rap music, on the other hand, was right from the early 90s, played loud and proud. I spotted a small private room that looked cozy and secluded. I wonder how you score that table.

Photo credit: Divine Offering

Divine Offering and I shared a bottle of Orenji Dormilona ($55). We would get a glass, but our bartender persuaded us it was a better deal to get the bottle. I found the wine juicy, fresh, and easy to drink. Divine Offering mentioned she had never tried orange wine before and would order this again.

Photo credit: Divine Offering

I was craving a burger. I ordered the California Classic ($12.75) and paired it with the Super-Duper Fries ($8.50). I informed Divine Offering that Miss Foodie highly recommended the Szechuwannabe Hot Chicken ($12.5), which she picked.

I loved my burger. The beef was lacey and crisp, and the two patties were proportional to the generous amount of lettuce shards, tomatoes, and squishy bun. I liked the stickiness of the cheese and how flavourful every ingredient tasted. Each bite was airy, crunchy and overwhelmingly delicious. It was so good that we stopped talking and just enjoyed every bite.

Photo credit: Divine Offering

The bowl of fries arrived utterly covered in melted cheese, house sauce, and Coney sauce, garnished with a sprinkle of Cheetos. The best component of the fries is the coney sauce, which is sweet, meaty and tangy. I liked the fries, but I would have preferred splitting another burger with Divine Offering, because the burger was that good.

Photo credit: Divine Offering

Divine Offering said her chicken sandwich was one of her favourites in the city, and it was a tie between this one and the Nashville hot chicken sandwich from Hi-5 Burger at First Street Market. She mentioned the batter was crispy, and the chicken was juicy. She didn’t find it too spicy or heavy, even though it was dripping with sauce and oil.

Photo credit: Divine Offering

When I came home, I told L he missed out. Class Clown makes one of the best burgers in the city, and we have to go back to try some of the other offerings. Hitting the Sauce gives Class Clown two phat thumbs up.

Restaurants · Seafood

Pigeonhole – Girls’ night

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For this month’s girls’ night, we decided on Pigeonhole. Now that Betty is pregnant, I always check to see if the restaurant has food that she’ll like so she doesn’t end up hangry. We met at Quebecois’ house for a glass of wine before heading to the restaurant. For this post, let’s listen to “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple.

Pigeonhole was hopping on a Friday night. At 7:00 p.m., most of the tables were full or in the process of being turned over for a new party. When asked if we wanted still or sparkling, we opted for the latter. Quebecois thought the restaurant served in-house sparkling water, which is only a couple of bucks a person, but we learned too late that they have only small bottles of sparkling water ($6). The sparkling water tasted fresher than most bubbles, but when it comes to water, I prefer it el cheapo, straight from the tap.

Quebecois looked at the wines on the menu and mentioned to our server that many were “young”. She and her husband are really into aged wines. The server said the restaurant likes its wines young and fresh. We ordered a bottle of Hiedler “lӧss” ’20 ($65). Quebecois commented the wine had low acidity and no strong taste, which she preferred. I enjoyed how cold the wine was and thought it tasted better than when it warmed up in my glass.

The wagyu beef tartare ($21) was even better than the last time I tried it. The beef was chilled, creamy and salty from the cheddar and horseradish. Betty enjoyed the kick of flavour in it, which I thought tasted like pickles. I would get this again.

Quebecois wanted the scallop crudo ($17). Kournikova enjoyed the chili-citrus vinaigrette, which she thought was almost as good as my homemade chili oil. I found the scallop a tad fishy, but I loved the pop of basil and the crunch from the Marcona almonds.

I wanted to try the mushroom croquettes ($9). Small but mighty, hot and crunchy, this was a one bite wonder. I would order this again.

The group’s favourite dish was the charred cabbage ($17). This dish is pure decadence. Imagine the flavour from the crispiest skin on a porchetta or torched salmon belly with kewpie mayo, but it’s cabbage. Covered in cheese and most likely a lot of butter and mayonnaise, everyone ate with their eyes closed and a smile on their lips. Kournikova mentioned she liked the little jalapeno spice that hit her throat at the very end.

I took all the photos this time and I’m pleased with the one of the roasted mini peppers ($9). The peppers were blistering hot, with a delicious char on them. Simple, but perfectly cooked. I was glad Kournikova wanted this dish, as I wanted something more wholesome after the cabbage.

Kournikova picked the Berkshire pork chop ($48). Maybe I’m not used to fancy pork, but I found the texture tough. The baked split peas reminded me a little of baked beans, and the roasted onions were silky smooth and delicious.

Betty always likes to order a pasta dish, so this one was for her. The ricotta cavatelli ($30) came with lobster mushroom, bacon, rosemary, and poached egg. The noodles were firm. I know the term “lobster mushroom” describes a specific type of mushroom with a unique appearance. However, I wish it was called something else because once I see the word lobster, I can’t stop expecting to taste lobster.

Our next outing will be at Kama, a restaurant I was reluctant to book before because they require a credit card when reserving via Opentable. However, my friends don’t flake, so I am willing to break my number one restaurant rule of never reserving a table at a new restaurant using my card. Thanks for the company, ladies, I’m already looking forward to the next dinner!

Restaurants · Special Occasion · Steakhouse

Opal Restaurant – Azuridge Estate Hotel

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It was my mother-in-law’s birthday, so her husband, Bobbino, took us out to Opal Restaurant at Azuridge Estate Hotel. It’s a beautiful spot located in the foothills. We sat next to the crackling fireplace and enjoyed watching the sunset through the floor-to-ceiling windows. For this post, let’s listen to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” by Stevie Wonder.

Bobbino told me to pick out the wine. I wanted to avoid racketing up a hefty bill, as he was treating us to dinner, so I selected Pardon & Fils Beaujolais-Villages Gamay ($56), a fresh and fruity Beaujolais. Bobbino enjoyed this wine so much that he ordered a second bottle.

Our server Carly opened the bottle, poured me a little to taste, and handed me the cork. No one has even given me the cork after opening a bottle of wine, so when I went home, I looked it up found out it’s an old tradition. I thought it would be funny when the next time Lululemon comes over, I repeat the ritual, so she knows I’m not serving some faux wine. 

Carly came around with an amuse bouche, a hot, crunchy arancini. The shell’s inside was creamy and cheesy, which popped nicely against the bright tomato sauce. 

We shared the charcuterie plate ($42), and our eyes popped out when it was delivered to our table. The platter was piled high with cured meats, cheeses, pepper jam, dried fruits and nuts. 

Before our mains, Carly brought a palate cleanser and a scoop of passionfruit sorbet, served on a plaque of ice. L admired the clarity of the ice, noting there were no bubbles. G’Mah’s ice platter was more elaborate than ours, as it was imprinted with a happy birthday message. G’Mah mentioned it was worth photographing, but L didn’t take the hint and never took a picture. 

Everyone but L ordered the lamb duo ($55), even though Carly recommended it over the ribeye ($55). L’s steak was huge, so big I ate almost half of it. Though his steak was tasty, our rack of lamb was phenomenal.

I loved how tender it was, and Bobbino noted there was no gamey flavour. The lamb tasted clean and almost sweet. G’Mah raved about the garden’s fresh carrots and asparagus, while I was impressed with the crispy potatoes and the ultra-fluffy stuffing. The curry hummus was a great addition to the lamb and potatoes. G-Mah reminded Bobbino of the time when he was given some mint jelly with lamb and how he hated it. He winced and said he didn’t want to talk about it. I also do not like to relive bad food memories.

I understand why people bother driving out of the city to experience such a peaceful experience. We spent almost three hours leisurely sipping and dining while gazing at the picturesque view. Thanks, Bobbino, for a wonderful meal, and happy birthday to G-Mah!

Bakery

Sidewalk Citizen – Bread Class

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For years, I’ve wanted to take a bread class at Sidewalk Citizen. The opportunity finally came up when my friend Divine Offering mentioned she wanted to start taking some cooking classes. She was game for a bread session ($150), so we booked it. For this post, let’s listen to “If I Had a Million Dollars” by Barenaked Ladies.

Divine Offering and I are chronically early for everything, which is one of many reasons we get along so well. We were both half an hour early, so we sipped on a cold pint at Charbar. After, we moseyed over to Sidewalk’s section and sat with seven other guests at the bar.

We helped ourselves to pastries and sat at our seats. The head baker, Chloe Lomas, introduced herself, and we started the interactive two-hour class. We used a recipe from Jeffrey Hamelman’s “Bread” to make a basic sourdough. Due to the quality of their products, I wasn’t surprised to learn we could only buy the red fife flour and heritage grains at Community Foods and two places I’ve never heard of, Heritage Harvest and Scottish Mills.

For a scale, Chloe recommended buying an inexpensive model from Superstore. For a Dutch oven, she endorsed checking second-hand stores and the breadbasket, either at the dollar store or improvising with a colander at home. I respected her recommending affordable options, especially since we were all beginners.

Chloe talked about starters and the work that goes into feeding one daily. She encouraged us to name it and warned us that we would likely have to toss and create a one. For example, if your starter turns orange, pink or red, it is a sign there are harmful bacteria in it, and you need to chuck it.

We weighed the ingredients and learned how to knead and shape the sourdough. I was too rough with the dough and overworked it, while Divine Offering had right touch and molded her dough into a smooth ball. We both appreciated Chloe’s laidback teaching style and encouraging support during the class.

We made crackers from the excess initial mix and seasoned them with salts and spices from the Silk Road Spice Merchant. Divine Offering reflected it was the perfect way to use the discard, and she could easily change the spices every time. The spices reminded her of Cheez-Its. Once baked, we ate the still-warm crackers with red wine.

My favourite part of the class was making our pizza. When we stretched the dough, I resisted the urge to throw it up in the air like I saw the owner at Azzurri Pizzeria. I loaded up my pizza with tomato sauce, bacon, mushrooms, bocconcini and roasted red peppers. I named it the 300-pound pizza. My creation was delicious, the key notable feature being the crispy, fresh crust. Divine Offering mentioned that this was the best part of the class for her too, as there were so many great toppings, and the crust was so light.

It was fun to hang out in the kitchen of one of the best bakeries in Calgary. I told Chloe it’s one of my fantasies to work at a bakery (my other is making cheese platters for Peasant Cheese). She confirmed being a baker is hard on the body, and you have to get up early. The following day, when I saw my baked loaf, I thought I’d better stick to my day job. I didn’t follow the instructions, and with baking, you really ought to.

In the following days, Divine Offering and I exchanged tips and pictures and asked each other questions. You would think that something as simple as bread would be easy. I experienced that an exceptional loaf of bread requires skill, technique, time, quality ingredients and more patience than I have. Let’s just say Sidewalk will not lose me as a customer, and unfortunately, L won’t wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread in the mornings.

I recommend taking this class if you are serious about making the best bread possible or want a great night out. This was the most fun and informative cooking class I’ve taken. Divine Offering thought the format was ideal for beginners, and she got her money’s worth. We took home three balls of dough and our leftover pizza and crackers. She also liked how it was a hands-on format so we could practice the techniques before attempting it at home. Hitting the Sauce gives Chloe and Sidewalk Citizen two phat thumbs up.

Banh Mi · Cheap Eats · Vietnamese

Banh Mi Date #14 – Van Express

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Office Guardian walked over to Dimples and asked her where she wanted to go for lunch. Dimples pointed to Office Guardian’s belly and suggested wherever the baby wanted. They turned to me and asked for a recommendation. Let’s listen to “Possession” by Sarah McLachlan for this post. 

I suggested they head to Van Express for the pho or various soups as it was raining, and they wouldn’t have to walk outside. Office Guardian ran to get M to join and asked if I wanted to come along. I told them I would go for a walk, as it is tricky to navigate in the +15, but I would drop them off and continue on to Wise & Wright. Please note that all the pictures below were taken by Dimples.

When we arrived, the food smelled so good and the company so fun I decided to forgo my walk and join them. Eating here would also mean getting closer to my goal of 19 banh mi dates, even though it wasn’t L taking me. 

Office Guardian ordered Tom Yum ($11.90), Dimples ordered wonton noodle soup with vegetables and noodles ($11.50), and M and I both ordered a beef sate sub ($8.81). I was impressed that Tom Yum was packed with seafood, such as shrimp, fish balls, imitation crab, and fresh basil leaves. Office Guardian said the soup was nice and flavourful and not overly spicy. 

Dimples wonton soup looked good, too. The pork wontons were big and round, packed with meat. I told Dimples it was a pet peeve of mine when the wonton is more noodles than filling. The egg noodles looked properly cooked, thin and al dente. I could smell the cilantro in both their soups. She could only eat half, as she found the portion so filling. 

Our banh mi was the size of a foot-long sub. M mentioned that the bread, melted white cheese and meat tasted similar to Thi Thi. The carrots were cold and pickled, just the way I like them. The addition of onions and jalapeno gave it a nice bite. Price-wise, this is one of the cheapest and largest in the downtown core, aside from Thi Thien, who still only charges $4.99 for an assorted banh mi. I like this beef sate sub more than To Me, Secret Vietnamese Cafe and Thi Thien, but less than Pho 99, Pho Soc Trang or Banh Mi Nu Y. 

Banh mi date 14 out of 19. Only five more to go to accomplish my goal of going out on 19 banh mi dates. It’s important to have serious life goals.

Seafood · Special Occasion

Klein / Harris – Work lunch

Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

This week, our department had our team-building activities. I picked Klein / Harris for our lunch because Care Bear is celiac, Aphrodite is vegan, and Happy has a peanut allergy. If you have dietary restrictions, Klein / Harris is the place to go, as they offer so many options for everyone. For this post, let’s listen to The Scrantones.

We started with an assortment of mocktails. My drink was spicy from the ginger and fruity from the fresh bulb of orange at the bottom. Dimples, our recently onboarded social media specialist, took a video of our celebratory toast and suggested that we recreate it in reverse, commencing with the glasses touching and then moving them back. I complained it felt ingenuine to make a reverse toast, but she disclosed that it would actually create a more seamless and engaging visual when edited into a reel. I trust her as she is the expert. Please note that all the images showcased below were skillfully and quickly photographed by Dimples.

Aphrodite ordered the grilled Humboldt squid ($19) for the table to share. Happy didn’t know this and picked the squid as her main. Care Bear requested the butternut squash soup ($10) and the smoked duck ($19). Aphrodite picked a heritage green salad ($12) with a filet of salmon. Dimples and I both ordered the daily special, coho salmon with potatoes.

Everyone loved the squid. The texture was soft as butter. Dimples raved about the tenderness while Happy’s eyes rolled to the back of her as she ate her squid. I also liked the sweet sauce and soft potatoes nestled underneath the seafood. No one makes better calamari than Klein / Harris.

Care Bear enjoyed his soup, stating it was terrific. He said he makes good butternut squash soup, and this version is even better than what he makes at home.

The coho salmon was a winner. Holy smokes – that skin was crunchy and perfectly seasoned. The salmon was buttery and juicy, and the middle was glossier than the exterior. The center tasted richer and fattier and melted in my mouth. I would get this again.

Care Bear ordered frozen cheesecake mousse ($10) for dessert, as it was gluten-free. Aphrodite and I also ordered the mousse but with the graham crackers. Happy picked the mint chocolate sandwich ($10), and Dimples ordered the best dessert of the group, the K/H butter tart ($8). She insisted I try some of her pastry. Oh wow – the crust was warm and flaky, while the combination of the whipped cream and sweetness from the ice cream was just good old-fashioned comfort food.

My frozen cheesecake was yummy. The sweetness from the rhubarb preserves served as the perfect foil to the tangy, yogurt-like mousse. Dimples loved the dusting of the butter graham crumbs.

When it comes to enjoying a lunch along Stephen Avenue, I can’t envision a better spot. The atmosphere around me affirmed that I wasn’t the only one, as every table was filled with happy customers. Thanks, Klein / Harris, for delivering another exceptional dining experience.