Kama

Featured Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

For my birthday, Bex Oxo took me to see Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons, a candlelight musical experience. As her birthday is two days before mine, I took her out for dinner before the concert at Kama. Let’s listen to “Believer” by Imagine Dragon for this post.

I was jonesing for a glass of wine, but since it was dry January, I ordered Benjamin Bridge Piquette Zero Spritzer ($6.50, 250ml). I picked the original flavour, which tasted like a simple, sweet pop. I would not order this again. This beverage ranked pretty low on my list, along with a non-alcoholic Erdinger.

Bex Oxo chose wisely, ordering a Jerry Blackberry Blackberry Ginger Shrub, Honey, Mint, Soda ($11). I took a sip and found her mocktail thick and delicious, with a tart, gingery bite to it. It was so good that I regretted not ordering it myself.

Kama has so many seafood offerings, but Bex Oxo has a shellfish allergy, so we tried the Spanakopita, Bulgarian Cheese, Nigella ($11), Brussels Sprouts, Burnt Honey Yogurt, Coriander, Cashew ($19), Chicken Souvlaki, Greek Garden Salad, Tzatziki, Honey Feta Beignets ($43).

First up was the spanakopita, generously stacked with buttery smooth spinach. The feta and dill made for a fragrant and rich filling. Unlike other spanakopitas I’ve tried, Kama’s version was filled with way more filling than pastry.

The brussels sprouts were phenomenal. Each warm sprout squished a juicy, sweet, burnt honey and yogurt sauce. I loved munching on the crunchy cashews and hits of coriander. Bex Oxo mentioned she enjoyed the charred cabbage leaves, which reminded her of slightly burnt food from a campfire. I’m not a camper, so though I couldn’t relate, I understood her sentiment. Bex Oxo has invited me camping many times, but I know my limits and play within it. This dish is a winner, and I would order it again.

The chicken souvlaki is large enough for three appetites. On the plate were five or six golden brown honey feta beignets. Bex Oxo took a bite and exclaimed that it was like a doughnut met a dinner roll. I liked the crusty, oily exterior and the doughy, dense interior.

The chicken chunks were also large; the meat was fluffy and soft. The best part of the chicken was the tangy lemon flavour and the combination of the sweet, salty, and crunchy flavour of the beignet. The simple side salad of peppers and onions rounded out this feast on a plate. I recommend this dish to anyone who loves a good, carby meal. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed souvlaki so much.

We were so full we didn’t order dessert, and we took a good chunk of the chicken souvlaki home. Bex Oxo and I thought Kama was even better than Ten Foot Henry in terms of ambience and service. Ten Foot Henry has a much bigger wine list with bottles I’m familiar with, but other than that, Kama wins my favour.

As for the concert, I enjoyed it so much that I checked out Candlelight: Featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons the following week, and I’m planning to book tickets for Pink Floyd and Bach and the Beatles. Thanks, Bex Oxo, for introducing me to my latest hobby.

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

Bar Chouette Round Two

September 7, 2023April 22, 2025 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

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.

Bars/Lounges · Fusion · Patio · Restaurants

Bar Chouette

August 27, 2023August 27, 2023 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

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.

French · Restaurants · Seafood · Special Occasion

Bridgette Bar

December 16, 2022December 16, 2022 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

Lovegastrogirl invited me to dine out at Bridgette Bar. Based on our history, she purposely picked a night that she didn’t have to work the next day. For this post, let’s listen to “Big Energy” by Latto, Mariah Carey and DJ Khaled.

Lovegastrogirl ordered Burrata Cheese ($22), Rigatoni ($19), Brussels Sprouts ($14), and Garlic Bread ($8). She ordered a cocktail while our server recommended a Pinot Blanc for me (Domaine Neumeyer Tulipe, $14).

The first two dishes to arrive were garlic bread and rigatoni. The bread was crunchy on the outside and airy on the inside, heavily blanketed with snowy white cheese. The salty flavour of the bread reminded me of a Chinese fried doughnut. The garlic bread had a strong cheese pull game – deliciously stringy.

Lovegastro loves a good rigatoni – her favourite is Carbone’s spicy version. She raved about how good this dish was, despite or because of its simplicity. The noodles had a nice bounce and chew. The mushroom sauce was speckled with truffles, rich and tangy.

My favourite dish was the burrata. Holy smokes! The white flesh of the cheese was so fresh tasting, cool and soft. However, what made this dish stand out was the zucchini mint relish. The clash of the fresh herbs and nuttiness from the sesame seeds was sensational against the sweet, milky flavour of the cheese.

The beige chestnut form was generously dolloped on top of the brussels sprouts. The sprouts were sweet from the honey. I couldn’t taste the truffle or thyme, but at this point of the evening, my taste buds were still stupor from the sensational burrata dish.

On a late Tuesday night, the restaurant was packed. I’m not surprised, as the food and service at Bridgette are consistently excellent. When I returned from the washroom, my napkin was refolded, and a fresh glass for my second glass of Pinot Blanc. I can’t remember the last time this happened to me. Actually, I do, it was at Ten Foot Henry.

Lovegastrogirl insisted on treating me out. I told her I would only accept if she agreed I would take her out the next time. Thank you, Lovegastrogirl, for dinner and your kindred company. I’ll be seeing you at Pat & Betty in January!

Italian · Special Occasion

D.O.P. – Celebration dinner

October 21, 2021December 4, 2021 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

Tuesday was a day of celebrations! First, I accepted a new position. Then, my friend Honesty quit her second job. Finally, Jyoti Gondek became Calgary’s new mayor. L took me, Honesty, and Glen Jr to D.O.P to celebrate this series of beautiful events. For this post, let’s listen to “Paperback Writer” by the Beatles.

I’ve been trying to get into D.O.P. for weeks. Even on a Tuesday night, the restaurant was packed, vibrating with energy from the open kitchen and the loud chatter from the customers dining at the bar. Pro tip – if you visit right when D.O.P opens, you’ll likely snag a spot at the bar.

We began with a round of drinks. Glen Jr chose a beer from Inner City ($8), L picked an Annex Italian Pilsner ($8). Honesty ordered a non-alcoholic Negroni ($6), and I sipped on a flute of Lambrusco ($14). I found the pinkish sparkling wine light, clean and minerally. L enjoyed his beer, which he said tasted like Peroni but better.

I heard D.O.P.’s antipasto are excellent, so we ordered two orders of Grilled Bread ($10); White Anchovy ($10); Whipped Ricotta ($9); Meatballs ($21.50); Eggplant ($7); and Green Pickled Tomatoes ($7). Holy moly – this bread is wondrous stuff. The innards of the bread were light and fluffy. I love how the bread puffs up and the big air pockets within. The outer layers of the bread were crispy, hot and salty. The olive oil was excellent – grassy and smooth. I know the French are known for their bread, but the heavyweight title should go to the Italians in Calgary. D.O.P, Rocket Pie, Savino, Azzurri, and Cotto – these chefs create magic with just flour, water, yeast, olive oil and salt.

Our server instructed us to eat the anchovies with ricotta and bread. What a knock-out pairing! The ricotta was cool and creamy, rich like whipped cream. The anchovies were bursting with umami – salty and pungent. I appreciated the crunch of the white onions against the oily mixture of fish and bread. This was my favourite bite of the night.

L doesn’t generally like eggplant, but he declared D.O.P’s version excellent. The eggplant was soft, tart and smokey. L thought he could taste balsamic in the eggplant.

L also doesn’t like tomatoes, but he was a fan of the pickled green tomatoes. He liked how the tomatoes were crunchy and tart. There was something in the tomato dressing that sparkled on my tongue.

Honesty loved the flavour of the meatballs. I was impressed with the soft, fluffy texture. The red sauce was delicious. Having made meatballs before, I could tell labour and a lot of love goes into this version. I would order this again and I’m not a fan of meatballs.

The Tajarin ($26) was a saucy, cheesy pasta dish. The thin egg noodles were soft and soaked up the flavour of the garlic and tomato sauce. I could see my father enjoying this dish. This pasta dish reminds me of an elevated version of the pasta at Nick’s Spaghetti House, an Italian restaurant my father would eat at weekly back in the 1960s.

I loved how the Veal Chop Parm ($49) arrived in this impressive, super-sized portion. The exterior was crunchy and sizzling hot. The veal itself was tender, blanketed in a heavy layer of melted provolone cheese. As I gnawed on the bone, I could feel the shards of the batter shatter and land in my hair. I’m not a dainty eater.

I ordered a bottle of Noelia Ricci Sangiovese ($65) to enjoy with our meal. I found this wine easy to drink, smooth and bright on my tongue. I also tried a glass of the house white wine ($9). I was so happy to find such an enjoyable glass of wine for only nine bucks; a tear escaped from the corner of my eye. Thank you D.O.P., you are my unicorn.

For dessert, we shared Gelato ($11), Plums ($11), and Limoncello ($16). The plums tasted like cherries to me. I thought I could detect a bit of licorice in the dessert. The gelato was cold and creamy, with a salty, crunchy garnish.

I’m a big fan of D.O.P. The antipasti, veal chop and wines are impressive. Hitting the Sauce gives D.O.P two phat thumbs up.

Bars/Lounges · Beer · Cheap Eats · Pubs · Restaurants

Greta Bar – No Man’s Dinner #1

February 13, 2019October 17, 2021 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” – William Congreve

Screen Shot 2019-02-09 at 5.48.17 PM.png

When I applied to No Mans Dinner – a supper club in Calgary – I was informed that no female members are permitted. I pointed out that rule 5 stipulates no female guests, but there was no rule about female members. Despite my outstanding qualifications, I was still rejected. Being the private person I am, I had to post this devastating blow on my Instagram feed.

app

I joked to Loaf2go about having our own supper club – No Man’s Dinner. Loaf2go was also initially joking when she encouraged this, but after some back and forth and a coffee date, our new club was born. Loaf2go designed the logo and created the rules. Please note – despite our name, we are inclusive of all foodies, with one exception. No children.

no mans.jpg

We picked Greta Bar for the first meetup. Even though it was -27 weather, the adult arcade bar was packed with customers. You’ll either love or hate the music – a fun, nostalgic mix-up of 80’s and 90’s music. I enjoyed listening to Bon Jovi, Spice Girls, New Kids on the Block and Biggie Smalls. For this post, let’s listen to Bon Jovi’s ” Living’ On a Prayer”.

Loaf2go texted me saying she would be a little late. I was in the same boat. Traffic was awful. She and her husband T arrived 3 minutes late. L and I were literally seconds behind. Happyeatsyyc and Lizarooprai were already sitting at our table when we arrived.

food truck

L was surprised there were so many men in our party, considering our club is called No Man’s Dinner. There was Iatehere, Pak_to_Eating_yyc’s boyfriend, Lizarooprai’s plus one, and the spouses of the Founder and President. I finally met HangryinYYC, my go to expert for dim sum in Calgary. I already knew ShellyKirks from my travels to Japan. The last to arrive was Jeanie.Mark. I found out she was late because she saw a car accident and she had to stay as a witness.

For happy hour, house beers, wine and select cocktails were $5. Shop Fries, Greek Doughnuts, and Jamaican Patties were $5. The Greta Brown was tasty – with notes of espresso and chocolate. I preferred the brown over the Greta Blonde, the latter being a bit too yeasty for my taste.

I enjoyed the Greek doughnuts ($6.50, HH $5) more than I thought I would. Each piece was warm and puffy, tasting a bit like a deluxe Tim Horton’s crueller Timbit. I didn’t find the addition of honey too sweet. I’d order this again.

Loaf2go shared her Ginger Beef Baos ($13) with us. The sirloin beef is from Community Foods. I liked the squishiness of the homemade white buns. The beef was cut thin and lightly battered.

The table’s favourite dish was another one of Loaf2go’s picks – the Currywurst Pretzel ($13). She said she knew it would be good because the sausage is from Empire Provision. The house-made curried ketchup had a hot kick to it.

Shelly ordered the Jamaican Patties ($10, HH $5). The wagyu meat was also from Community Foods. I enjoyed the heat in the curry ground beef. Shelly liked the turmeric pastry because of its thin, crispy shell. I liked the ratio of filling to crust.

I ordered the Street Nuggets ($12) – buttermilk brine chicken with pickles and onions. I picked hot sauce, which was very hot. Loaf2go enjoyed the this dish more than I did. I prefer my nuggets with more a crunchy exterior.

I also ordered the East Coast chip shop fries ($5.50, HH $4:00). The potatoes were made from fresh-cut Hutterite red skin potatoes. Everyone thought the fries were a tad overcooked.

I tried some of Loaf2go’s Thai Mango Salad ($6.50). I could taste the fish sauce in the dressing. I wasn’t expecting to see a Thai salad that looked so authentic.

L and I were impressed that Greta was not afraid to use some heat. I thought it was cool that a bar that sells this range food of international dishes didn’t dumb down the spicy dishes. I wonder if the clientele appreciates the heat.

Our next foodventure is going to be at Bar Modern, a new steakhouse on Stephen Ave for happy hour. If L is good, I might even splurge and buy him a steak dinner. Modern Steak serves beef from its prize-winning Black Angus Bull with Benchmark Angus. I’m pretty curious to see the difference between ranch specific Alberta beef and the sale stuff I buy from Safeway.