Italian

Side Hustle and Annabelle’s Kitchen

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L and I met with Matech and Fit for drinks at Side Hustle in Marda Loop. On its website, Side Hustle is self-described as a watering hole tucked behind an alley, so I was surprised to find this bar anything but a hole in the wall. Let’s listen to “Radio” by Lana Del Rey for this post.

We sat on a comfortably large sofa across from the bar by the front. L admired the lamp fixtures against the wall while I noticed the open window wall. A group of young, clamorous females sat in one corner while every 15 minutes or so, a customer would come in, sit at a nook by the bar, and order a fondue and a glass of wine. 

For most of our visit, only one bartender took the orders, crafted drinks and brought out food, all without a single drop of sweat. L and Matech drank beers while Fit ordered a glass of Lambrusco (Solco, $11). Our server recommended a chai cocktail. Sweet, light and pretty, with aromatic spices, this is a winning cocktail. I relished the flavour combination so much that I told my friend Kournikova we had a new place to try for girls’ night.

Fit was hungry, so we ordered some snacks: Tom’s sausage rolls ($13), Parm fries ($10) and warm olives ($8). The pastry on the sausage roll was flaky. The filling itself was well seasoned. I found the homemade hot sauce a little too fiery. The frites were crispy and tasty. I commented there was aioli for the frites, and Fit disclosed that she doesn’t care for dipping sauce. L noted he liked the olives, which is a big compliment, as he doesn’t like olives outside of Greece.

A novel twist in the conversation unfolded when Matech chatted about his latest project. As he delved into the details, I was puzzled, as it seemed unusual for their workplace to start up on this particular venture. However, Matech quickly clarified the mystery, revealing that he worked with L part-time. His full-time gig was in the tech industry. It was funny that he had a side hustle, much like the bar we were in.

When we finished our second round of drinks, Matech said it was time to go. L picked up the tab, and I went on my phone to click onto an Uber. Matech, a master of spontaneity, clarified that we were all heading to a second locale. I looked at my watch, surprised, as it was already 8:00 p.m. Fit said they Ubered out, so they wanted to get their night’s worth despite having to fly out first thing in the morning. 

We snagged a table at Annabelle’s Kitchen. Matech ordered a bottle of Montepulciano wine as well as the crispy cauliflower ($16), arancini ($15), Nonna’s meatballs ($17), and a pizza (Mind Your Manners, $25). Matech picked this wine because he recently visited the Montepulciano region. I also learned that Fit doesn’t like dry wine because she finds the mouthfeel off-putting.

Speaking of wine, Fit told us about these fun wine parties she attends, hosted by the Wine Wizard. Small world! It turns out she’s friends with the Wine Wizard’s sister. I disclosed how we used to be next-door neighbours with the Wine Wizard, and the first time we met, he came to drop off a bottle of champagne. Fresh out of grad school and working as a research assistant, I drank the cheapest wine I could find at the time: Apothic. So when the Wine Wizard entered our house, I asked him if he wanted a glass of wine. He politely thanked me, and as he swirled and sniffed, I instantly got a bad feeling in my tummy. I never ask people what they do for a living, but a little voice in my head was panicking, so I inquired. He responded, “Oh, I import wine and am a wine connoisseur.” My face burned with embarrassment, and I fought the urge to shout in slow motion, “Noooooo!” and slam that glass out of his hand before he took a sip. Even now, when I reflect back, I wonder how he effortlessly drained that towering glass without even the slightest flinch. He transformed into a champion, a sorcerer of spirits, and for that one cursed evening, he was nothing short of a benevolent deity.

Our food came quickly. We first bit into the arancini, which was crunchy on the outside and hot and cheesy in the middle. Next up was the beef meatballs, which I found soft and mealy. I enjoyed swirling my meatball into the creamy pool of polenta, though Fit mentioned she dislikes cornmeal. The cauliflower had a light batter that melted in your mouth, and the vegetable tasted nutty and caramelized. I would order the fried cauliflower again.

The crust on the pizza was thin and crisp, with a proportional amount of pepperoni, mushrooms and mozzarella. The hot honey and red sauce gave it a needed kick. The food was tasty, but I really appreciated the stellar service at Annabelle’s and Side Hustle. Though it cleared out when we finished eating, our server never rushed us out and kept topping us up with water.

Thanks for the dinner Matech and Fit, and for the fun company. We will have to get together again, either at our place or at one of the Wine Wizard’s dinner events. I’ll even bring a very special bottle of wine we can drink before the event, to toast to the Wine Wizard, and it won’t be Apothic.

Restaurants · Vegetarian

The Himalayan – Double date

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On Saturday, I had reservations to check out Clos de la Oyster Barre as I heard a wine writer was pouring some excellent glasses of wine. However, Quebecois texted me that they got a babysitter and invited us to join them at Cassis Bistro. Neither could accommodate extra guests when we checked with each restaurant, so I suggested The Himalayan. Let’s listen to “Put Your Head On My Shoulder” by Paul Anka for this post.

Quebecois and Sirski came over to our house to share a bottle of Burrowing Owl I’ve been saving, a present given to me a few months ago. Then we hopped into L’s SUV and zipped over. The restaurant seemed short-staffed, as one tired but kind looking woman was doing everything in our section.

To start, L and Sirski ordered beers ($11). Quebecois and I couldn’t find anything we liked on the wine list, so we ordered a pineapple cocktail ($11.50). We enjoyed our drinks. The pineapple was sweet, and the pleasantly strong, tropical notes reminded me of being at a Mexican resort.

For food, we shared the pork momos ($16, plus two extra dumplings), butter chicken ($24), mango shrimp ($26), chau chau chicken noodles ($21.50), Himalayan eggplant ($21.50). The curries and stirfry came with saffron rice and naan.

The wrapper of the steamed dumpling was thick and sticky, encasing a well-spiced and juicy pork filling. The creamy dip was mild and complemented with the spices in the seasoning.

We dove into the mains, and there were two clear favourites: the chicken chau chau noodles and eggplant stir-fry. The soy flavour in the chau chau noodles was mouthwatering and the fragrance of the wok hei was intoxicating. The only thing better was the caramelized smokiness in the tender chunks of chicken. I would get the noodles again.

L doesn’t even like eggplant, and he loved the stir-fry. While the eggplant was soft with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, the green peppers and onions were nice and crunchy, sticky from the rich tomatoey sauce. Cooked eggplant is unfortunately, an unphotogenic subject, but for what it lacks in looks, it makes up for in taste. Whoever was operating the grill is a wok hei master.

The mango shrimp wasn’t too sweet and mild in flavour. I enjoyed dunking the light, crisp naan to soak up all the sauce. The butter chicken had a good kick as we requested a medium spice level.

L and I agreed we must come by the Himalayan more often to eat. The next time we come, I want to try one of the tomato-based curries over the cream curries, and we will order the noodles and eggplant again. Thanks for the fun company, Sirski and Quebecois. It was good to hang out again.

Happy Hour · Japanese

Goro and Gun – Happy hour

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Divine Offering and I met after work to grab a drink. She picked Goro and Gun, as their happy hour is too good to resist. From 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., you can enjoy snacks for a mere five dollars and savour bowls of ramen or hefty sushi rolls priced at just ten bucks. Cocktails and the house sake are priced at $7, while beers are available for just six dollars. For this post, let’s listen to “Juice” by Lizzo.

I tried a plum spritz ($7), a big wine goblet full of clinking ice, plum liquor, sparkling sake, and soda. It didn’t taste boozy, but I heard my voice getting louder as I drank. Divine Offering mentioned that the Matcha Heaven cocktail ($7) was refreshing, similar to lemonade; though she couldn’t taste the alcohol, she could feel it. While sipping her drink, she nibbled on a steamed pork bun ($5).

I wasn’t planning on eating, but the food from the kitchen looked so appetizing. I ordered a dynamite roll ($10), Divine Offering selected a spicy salmon roll ($10). For our second round of drinks, I picked house sake ($6), and she chose the sake flight ($16).

Our server selected the most popular sakes for the flight: Massumi Shiro, Fukucho Hattanso 50, and Kozaeman Junmai. Divine Offering thought the Massumi was the mildest, the Fukucho was the sweetest, and her favourite, the Kozaeman, was a happy medium between the first two sakes. My sake, the Aizuhoare, was five ounces of easy quaffing. At this price, I would get this sake again.
The sushi rolls were large and adorned with delicate tempura lace. The filling was fresh and generously portioned, and the rice retained its comforting warmth. The spicy salmon roll was a delightful combination of crisp, chilled cucumber and luscious raw salmon. I didn’t find the sauce spicy at all. I admired the log serving plate and the bright garnish of edible flowers.

The tempura in my dynamite roll was twice the size of other sushi restaurants and sweet from the teriyaki sauce. Each piece of sushi was a little more than a mouthful, filling enough to soak up all that sake we drank.

According to Divine Offering, the Houjicha mousse was matcha-like, and the crumble reminded her of white chocolate. The red bean was sweeter than the mousse, and she thought the combination was beautiful.

If you haven’t been, check out Goro and Gun. Throughout our visit, service was excellent, so I wasn’t surprised when, at 6:50 p.m., as we were paying our bill, a customer came in and ordered food and a beer. As the restaurant closes at 7:00 p.m., I was surprised the staff didn’t even look annoyed to be seating him. Divine Offering said on her last visit that the server was extra kind, allowing her friend to order a little more food at the happy hour price for takeout, as she really enjoyed her takoyaki and wanted some more for later. Thanks, Diving Offering, for taking all the pictures, the restaurant recommendation, and for the fun company.

Wine tasting

Juice Imports 7th birthday

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Juice Imports celebrated their 7th birthday with a special tasting that sold out within 24 hours of posting. I scored the last two tickets ($45) and invited Lululemon as my plus one. Let’s listen to “Birthday” by The Beatles for this post.

Co-owners Mark and Erik selected some ultra-rare wines, including top-tier champagne, for this line-up. First up was Tarlant BAM! ($234.60). I took a sniff and thought the scent was pleasant, not yeasty like some champagnes. The bubbles were soft, and the flavour was bright and fresh. Erik informed us the grapes are the alternative varieties, the unsung grapes of champagne, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc, and Arbane.

Next was Dormilona Chardonnay ($55.49), an Australian winery I’m familiar with from Juice Import’s past tastings. I smelled butter. The texture was smooth, and it tasted oaky. Lululemon liked this one so much that she bought a bottle.

Our third wine was from Quebec, Pinard et Filles Nuance de Gris ($56.06).
The scent reminded me of cider. Cloudy in colour, I enjoyed how the flavour woke my tastebuds. Erik commented on the ridiculous amount of texture and the pretty aromatics.

The four wine was from the Czech Republic. I’m familiar with Nestarec, and I’ve drunk lots of their sparkling and rose wine, Danger 380 Volts and Ruz being my favourites. This wine was a red Forks and Knives Red ($41.10). The more I sipped it, the more I enjoyed it, more so for the pretty fragrance.

The fifth wine is from South Africa, Testalonga. The Dark Side Syrah ($54.78) is the first red wine I enjoyed from South Africa, as I found the wines from this country too minerally in the past. I’ve also enjoyed Testalonga’s sparkling wine, which I found at Missy’s This That. Lululemon lived in South Africa and told me she loves their wines. Erik described this wine as elegant but raw, with an aroma that reminded him of some of the country’s native plants.

The fifth wine was Peter Wetzer Kekfrankos ($46.65). The wine smelled sweet but wasn’t, more like a savoury black plum. I’m a fan of Peter Wetzer’s wines, and this one was right up my alley. I asked Erik why wines don’t taste like they smell. He pointed to temperature and environment and sense of smell versus taste. The temperature in your mouth differs from the room temperature in which you smell the wine. This climate difference can affect the volatilization of aromatic compounds in the wine and change the acidity and molecules. Also, when you smell wine, you are using your sense of smell and can detect various aromatic compounds, but when you taste, you are using your sense of taste, which is more basic, like sweet, salty, and bitter.

The last wine was my favourite. Marnes Blance Macvin du Jura ($46.61), from Domaine Des Marnes Blanches. Whenever Erik and Mark pick up a wine from this winery, I buy a bottle. Erik described this wine as “fiery” like brandy, with a grapey flavour and balsamic notes. This wine was sweet, so I planned to pair it with dessert at my next dinner party. Erik recommended pairing this wine with a fruit pavlova or comte cheese. I have a collection of Marnes Blanches wines that need to be drunk soonish, as I’m pretty sure my kitchen cabinet isn’t the ideal storing temperature.

Lululemon is hosting a party and asked Erik to help her select some bottles to pair with her food and theme. I’m excited to attend and I can’t wait to experience another chapter in our wine adventure.

Cheers to Juice Import’s 7th birthday, to their friends and customers who share their passion, and to the countless bottles waiting to be drunk. Here’s to the never-ending journey of savouring life, one sip at a time.

17th Ave · Mexican

Milpa

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On Friday, my friends Kournikova, Betty and Quebecois and I went out for dinner. As per our tradition, we gathered at one of our houses for a drink before heading to the restaurant. Let’s listen to “About Damn Time” by Lizzo for this post.


When we arrived, Milpa was less than half full. We were seated in the back, right by the washrooms, which irritates me because it reminds me of when I get stuck with a bad seat on a plane. Unlike my fancy friends, I always fly economy. Our server was fine when I asked if we could move up to the middle of the room.

I noticed the majority of the crowd was a younger demographic. I can see the draw. Milpa is a lively restaurant on 17th Ave with reasonably priced food. For drinks, Betty selected an apple cucumber spritz ($8), I ordered a Palomina ($15), Kournikova tried the margarita ($15), and Quebecois ordered a gooder – a bottle of Vive la Loire Touraine Rose ($60). My icy cold glass sparkled with salt. I found my cocktail boozy from the Cazadores Blanco, which muted the grapefruit flavour.

I asked Betty to take pictures of the food, as the month earlier, I had gotten Kournikova to take the photos. Betty looked confused as to why I wouldn’t do it and Kournikova explained it was because I take horrible shots. It didn’t hurt when she said it because she’s right.

I was curious about the menu, as Kournikova told me her celiac hubby approved of the food. Our server guided us through the menu and ensured we didn’t over-order. We picked the coconut ceviche ($15), queso fundido ($17), el pastor ($45), pulpo al chentextle ($30) and for dessert, we requested all three cakes.

I thought there was seafood in the coconut ceviche, but after poking around, I realized it was vegetarian. The ceviche was cold and milky, and a touch sweet. I liked the tang from the pomegranate and the smooth bits of taro. Betty mentioned the coconut tasted clean and soft. She said she likes ordering dishes that she doesn’t make at home. The corn and plantain chips were delicious, fresh and crunchy.

I loved the queso fundido. The snow-white cheese was rich and melty, while the mushrooms were meaty morsels. The corn tortillas were warm and fragrant, with a nutty aftertaste. I liked how it was warm and heavy, so smooth to the touch it felt luxurious. I would order the queso fundido again.

The octopus was tasty, but it isn’t a must order. I did like the variation on the plate, from the pureed beans, grilled corn and spicy jalapenos.

Milpa nailed the fun factor in the el pastor. The pork was shaped like a mini roasted spit, which we carved ourselves. The pineapple was still warm and sweet. The flour tortillas were soft and pliable. We all agreed the el pastor was the winning dish of the night.

Kournikova complimented Quebecoise’s selection of wine, which she thought held up to the pork. Quebecoise retorted she always picks French rose, as it’s not usually sweet and goes well with spicy food. She also noted it was a reasonable price for a bottle at a restaurant.

We tried all the desserts and enjoyed them except for the vegan cake, which was good but couldn’t compete with chocolate, caramel and whipped cream.

After we paid our bill, our server brought us a little shooter of slushy deliciousness and Betty, our designated driver, a candy bar. We cackled and howled at this unexpected treat and, after toasting, merrily went back home. I plan to return with L in tow for more el pastor and non-vegan desserts.

Bars/Lounges · French

Avitus Wine Bar

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I’ve been meaning to check out Avitus Wine Bar for months. As most of my close girlfriends live blocks away from me, it just makes sense for them to come over or for me to visit them. However, since Jaime was in town, it would be fun to try something new. For this post, let’s listen to “Mr. Wendal” by Arrested Development.

I knew Jaime would love this place as it’s everything she adores. The wine bar is quaint, armed with charming employees with quirky personalities. She’s all over that stuff. There’s a library of wine and lots of little details that chicks love, like mirrors and ornaments that remind me of signs that say “Live, Laugh, Love!” Speaking of ladies, plenty are there, letting loose and getting louder with each sip. I don’t hang out in Marda Loop, so I wasn’t used to the crowd, a mostly blonde demographic, ranging from 30-50 years old. They looked motherly in appearance but with catty eyes and claws out.

Our server offered to pour us as many samples as needed until we found a glass we loved. I instantly got flashbacks of Bar Vonderfels, where I first got my wine hard-on. We sampled some wines and decided on a Rose ($15). Jaime described this wine as very French, light and summery with the perfect dryness.

The owner created a cheese plate for us: Camembert ($8), Comte ($12), Ossau Iraty ($14), and Cherry and Calvados Chutney ($3). Our basket of carbs contained sourdough bread, baguette and zatar crackers. The cracker was my favourite, as I liked the snappy texture and salty seasoning.

I enjoyed the cherry chutney with the Comte cheese and camembert, and the ossau iraty just by itself. Of all the cheeses, I enjoyed the ossau iraty the most. Thinly sliced thinly, the flavour was unique and smoky. I would order this cheese again.

Avitar is a lovely addition to the SW quadrant of the city. I enjoyed our experience so much that I texted my girlfriends to set up a girl’s night. To be continued.

Bars/Lounges · French · Restaurants · Seafood · Special Occasion

Bar Chouette Round Two

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Jaime was in town! I took her to Bar Chouette because she’s a fan of Duncan Ly’s restaurants, and I wanted a place with a nice vibe. This is my second time at this restaurant. My experience this time was even better, likely because I took the advice of our server, Abby. Let’s listen to “And the Living Is Easy” by Guts for this post.

I knew Abby was a superstar because the last time I was there, Duncan noted that Abby was our server and said with confidence that we would be in good hands. She has phenomenal taste. I hemmed and hawed over which cocktail to order and let Abby pick for me. She selected her favourite, the Rosemary Brown Butter Old Fashioned ($17). Jaime ordered a glass of lambrusco (Fattoria Morette, $14).

Jaime fawned over the heavy glassware and blue and grey hues colours of the plates. I was impressed with the beautiful transparent brick of ice and the buttery texture of the bourbon. I don’t usually enjoy hard alcohol, but this cocktail was smooth. The crunchy praline tuile was sweet and peanutty, perfect for a stiff drink. When Abby came around again, we ordered her food recommendations.

This was my second time eating the Grilled Maitake ($18), even better than my first time. I was facing the kitchen this time and saw a chef grilling the mushrooms over a charcoal contraption. The smell of the smoke was heavenly. The hot butter juiced the entire mushroom, and the onion’s sweet and sour crunch just elevated each bite. Visually stunning. I loved how this dish was so rich yet delicate.

The Roasted Potato Gnocchi ($21) was another winner, so freaking fantastic that I smiled as I slowly chewed each bite. The gnocchi was imprinted with dark grill marks, hot little pockets of pleasure. I have never tasted better asparagus, so ripe with flavour. Each gnocchi was heavily blanketed in creamy parmesan cheese shavings. The chanterelles just added a delectable earthy dimension. I would order this again.

Next up was the Barbeque Carrots ($9). I read an online Google review where a fool questioned the value of a nine-dollar carrot. First, it’s carrots, not a singular carrot. Second, this is a labour-intensive dish, which takes five hours to prepare. The fresh dill and sweet crunch of the carrot were sublime. The toasty bread soaked up the sauce’s flavour and reminded me of White Spot triple O sauce, which doesn’t sound like a compliment, but coming from me, it is. I would order everything we tried again.

Abby recommended an Italian white wine for me (’20 Perticaia Trebbiano Spoletino Umbria, $13), and it was when I took a sip, I knew she was the best server in Calgary. I hope she stays at Bar Chouette long because I got Bar Vonderfels’ feelings. What a lovely wine! I could quaff this all night long, and at thirteen bucks a glass, I could!

At the end of the night, Duncan popped into the restaurant and came over to say hello. I told him his chefs nailed the food, and everything tasted like he cooked it. I joked to him that he only needs a hologram of him moving around the kitchen because his chefs have his back, and no one would be the wiser.

Another chef told me Duncan is a fantastic mentor and taught him much. I can tell this is still true. Before, when he wasn’t in the kitchen at Foreign Concept, I could always count on a stellar meal. This still holds at Bar Chouette. For me, the most important thing in a restaurant is consistency, and the only places in Calgary I’ve found are Sukiyaki House, Klein and Harris, Cassis, and before Bar Chouette, Foreign Concept. There are more restaurants, I’m sure, but I tend to stick to what I know. Hitting the Sauce gives Bar Chouette two phat thumbs up, making it on my list of favourite restaurants in Calgary.

17th Ave · Japanese · Restaurants

Lonely Mouth #Round Two

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I didn’t want to cook on Sunday, so I informed L that his old broad was taking him out for dinner. I felt like Japanese, but Sukiyaki House is closed on Sunday. Where else could we go? I remembered seeing Miss Foodie post about a memorable meal at Lonely Mouth, so I booked a last-minute reservation. For this post, let’s listen to “Signs” by Snoop Dog.

We arrived and were ushered into a cozy corner nook on the patio. We received hot towels to freshen up our hands and heard a rundown on the two-course meal featuring Alberta ingredients. For food, I selected the Bluefin Tuna Tartare ($19), Chicken Wings with Yuzu Ranch ($18), Sashimi Platter ($28), Brant Lake Wagyu Beef Tataki and Table Corn Udon ($35).

L saw Toki ($16) highball on the menu and noted it had Suntory Toki whiskey. I read the drink also contained super-carbonated soda and lemon twist and immediately followed suit. Delish! The bubbles were tiny, and the combination of the lemon and whiskey was refreshing. I would get this again.

First up was the beef tataki. I scooped up a thin, tender slice of wagyu beef, acidic and dripping in azuki and marrow vinaigrette, and ate it in one bite with the shredded crunchy potatoes and fuji apple.

I loved the snappy udon crackers, salty with an umami that reminded me of freshly fried shrimp chips. The bluefin tuna was clean tasting and salty, making it the ultimate bar food when paired with a strongly made cocktail.

In the past I was impressed with the sashimi platter, but this time around I thought the fish was just alright. The tuna was fishy and I found the other pieces of seafood a little too warm for my preference. I wouldn’t get this again. However, the pacing of each dish was perfect. We had enough time in between courses to relish in the memory of what we just ate. Their HR manager is doing a great job. The service was excellent, from the hostess to the various servers interacting with us throughout the night.

I was pleasantly surprised with the fried chicken. I only ordered this dish because I previously saw Miss Foodie rave about the wings. While it’s not an easy subject to photograph, the dish’s beauty is how it tastes. The ultra-light batter was crispy and foamy, melting in your mouth. The yuzu dipping sauce was deadly, thick, fragrant and creamy, adding another dimension of bright flavour. The meat itself was plump and white, completely unblemished.

This was my first time trying Lonely Mouth’s homemade udon and honestly, I don’t remember the noodles. All I can remember is the hot and crispy Taber corn tempura. The corn was creamy and barely cooked, so all you could taste was the sweet milkiness of the kernels. Just stunning.

L and I left impressed with the quality of the dishes and the level of service. Lonely Mouth knocked it out of the park. Hitting the Sauce gives this 17th Ave gem two phat thumbs up.

Bars/Lounges · Fusion · Patio · Restaurants

Bar Chouette

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On Thursday, I had plans to meet 47, Lululemon and Kournikova at Bar Chouette. I’ve been dying to check out this new restaurant because Duncan Ly owns it, and if you live in Calgary, you know he’s one of the city’s GOATs. For this post, let’s listen to “How Will I Know” by Whitney Houston.

The restaurant space is sleek and modern, with a spacious patio. Lululemon couldn’t get away from work, so it was just the three of us. Forty-seven ordered the Violette Haze ($15), and I ordered a bottle of Milan Nesterac Forks and Knives ($90) to share with the table. I think Kournikova ordered the Spice & Citrus ($18), but I’m unsure as I lost the receipt.

I tried a sip of the Violette Haze, and it was so tasty I will order it the next time I visit. Forty-seven had to go after one drink, so Kournikova and I stayed for dinner. We mulled over the menu and decided on the Smoked Trout Paté ($16), Cured Scallops ($21), Grilled Char Siu Squid ($20) and the Grilled Maitake ($18). Kournikova also ordered us another glass of white wine.

The smoked trout came with vinegary nori chips. I liked the addition of the fresh dill and the crunch from sour pickles. The presentation was just gorgeous. Kournikova took the pictures below, because I was struggling more than usual.

The cured scallops came with ramp vinegar gel, cucumber and buttermilk. This was a delightful bite to begin our meal. The scallops were cool and silky with no fishy aftertaste.

The grilled squid was meticulously stacked, so stunningly plated it deserves two photos. The squid was perfectly cooked, reminding me of James Waters from Klein and Harris, another chef who nails seafood in Calgary.

Kournikova detected five spices in the marinade, which reminded her of Chinese-style duck. The squid was cooked perfectly, buttery smooth and sweet from the mango chutney. While the squid was the best-looking dish, the mushrooms were the best-tasting.

Our favourite dish was the grilled maitake with marmite butter. Kournikova enjoyed the smoky flavour and the umami. I loved the sweet and sour element of the crunchy onions and the texture of the mushrooms.

The world’s a better place with Duncan Ly’s restaurant, and I’m happy to frequent this charming spot in the Beltline. Thanks, Kournikova, for treating me out to try Duncan’s new restaurant.

Restaurants

DJ Market and Italian Centre

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Lululemon and her fiancé Books took me along on a Saturday shopping trip, as she’s been wanting me to check out DJ’s Market. When they picked me up, Lululemon had an iced Starbucks coffee for me to enjoy, which psyched me even more for this trip. Let’s listen to “August” by Taylor Swift for this post.

Lululemon is a vegetarian, so getting the freshest vegetables and fruits is important. She swears that not only does DJ Market have the largest selection of local and BC produce, but it is also cheap.

I was in awe when I walked in. There are two fridges full of fancy mushrooms, Hutterite chicken and eggs, sausages, and stands of fresh BC fruit. On the day we visited, I grabbed the sweetest bags of carrots ($3.99), English peas ($7.99), Hutterite chicken thighs ($8) and a flat of eggs ($9). Lululemon picked up mini cucumbers and beans for pickling, dill, a box of blueberries and bags of fruit.

Lululemon and I continued our journey to the Italian Centre. I followed her around the store and copied whatever she did. We waited in line for the cheese and olives. I stood by the aisle to wait for my turn, out of the way of other customers, while Lululemon went to the pasta aisle. I saw a man look directly at me and strode over to me. I immediately freaked out, thinking he was coming my way to yell at me. I ran over to the counter, closer to other customers. He pivoted, approached me, and disarmed me with one sentence: “Do you like olives?” I responded in the affirmative and tried his olive sample. Oh my gosh – this place truly is a paradise. Where else do you have people offering such delicious treats?

When it was our turn at the deli, we sampled various kinds of cheese, and I bought Appenzeller Swiss Medium ($13.31), Ubriaco Rosso Piave ($12.45) and Full Monty Olives ($8.95). I’m a faithful and diehard Peasant Cheese fan, but the employees at the Italian Centre know their stuff, have the hugest selection, and the prices are unbeatable.

I also bought a frozen meat lasagna ($50), packages of my new favourite dried pasta, Risa ($2.19) and an Arracini ($8.50) to go. The arancini was crunchy and soft and mealy on the inside. The tomato sauce was bright and thick, with a vibrant zing.

The next day, my in-laws and L raved about the cheeses and olives I bought back. The eggs and fresh chicken are the best I’ve bought in Calgary. I loved the produce so much that I dragged L to DJ’s Market two weeks later. The employees came around and greeted me, while the female owner recognized me and welcomed me back. When I told her she had the best produce and prices in town, she took a deep breath and thanked me, saying it meant a lot because she had just had some rude customers yell at her that the prices were too high and as a result, they were never coming back. She said they work so hard to keep the prices down, but she can’t prevent the rising cost of produce. I responded that no place sells produce fresher or cheaper than DJ Market, so good riddance to them.

Thanks, Lululemon, for opening my eyes to see the light. I’m now the Italian Centre and DJ Market’s number 1 fan! Looking forward to the next food adventure with you.