True Wild Distillery – Girls’ Night

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On Friday night, the good neighbours reunited! Kournikova and Betty stopped by my place first, where we popped open a bottle of champagne Kournikova had brought along. With Québécoise absent due to prior plans, we toasted and indulged a little extra, with only three flutes filled. Let’s cue up The Fate of Ophelia for this post.

We picked True Wild Distillery for dinner. The white building seems somewhat out of place in the midst of an industrial area. When Chew Steel first brought me here for a surprise date, I joked that I hoped he wasn’t planning to murder me. Inside and out, it’s an impressive space, with high ceilings and a whimsical staircase spiralling upstairs. We were seated right next to the kitchen, arguably the best table in the house, with a sweeping view of the entire restaurant.

Betty ordered the Paper Lantern cocktail ($18), while I followed Kournikova’s lead with a dry, dirty gin martini, stirred. Its flavour was floral and perfectly balanced, and the single olive was so delicious that I found myself wishing I’d asked for more, but our server had a stern vibe, so I held back.

I’d been to True Wild before, so I recommended the beef tartare, fries, and any of the cocktails. We shared the Beef Tartare ($28), Fennel Salad ($24), Pickled Vegetables ($11), Roasted and Glazed Pork Belly ($48), and the Grilled Steelhead Trout ($46). When we asked our server if our order would be sufficient, she recommended another side, so we added the Kennebec Fries ($10). To complement the meal, we also ordered a bottle of Lionel Osmin & Cie Villa Plage Blanche ($70).

The beef tartare had changed since my last visit. Previously, it arrived beneath a nest of matchstick potatoes. This time it came with a potato chips. The meat itself was milder tasting than I remembered, served at a slightly warmer temperature with sweet and tart notes. We like to think of Betty as a bit of a beef tartare devotee, and her current favourite is at Pat and Betty’s, while Kournikova’s favourite spot is FinePrint.

The fennel salad was a standout. Crisp slices of fennel that tasted freshly picked and were dressed in a lovely walnut vinaigrette. It was so simple and refreshing. We would order the salad again.

The pickled vegetables were also a winner. Nice tang, crunch, and the vinegar balance was subtle and perfect. Kournikova pickles her own veggies, and even she agreed they were good. Betty noted the varied selection, cabbage, carrots, and beans, all served with an aioli.

The roasted and glazed pork belly was everyone’s favourite. Betty noted it was buttery with so much flavour, while Kournikova praised the crispy skin, noting that people often get it wrong. Here, the chefs had it perfectly rendered, fat and all. The sugar pumpkin was served roasted, dry and soft, which provided an appreciated contrast to the richness of the meats.

The grilled steelhead was also expertly cooked. The flesh was tender, rich, and soft. However, I was so full I couldn’t finish my portion, and it hurt my soul to leave food on my plate that tasted so good.

We munched away on the fries, which were just as good as last time. We definitely over-ordered. For three women, sharing two mains and a salad is more than enough, as the main courses are generously sized, particularly the pork dish.

I’m looking forward to our next dinner. Bar Gigi, Carino, or maybe The Exchange in Eau Claire. To be continued.

Chairman’s Steakhouse – Wednesday Deal

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On Calgary Food—FoodYYC! A Group for foodies’ Facebook page, there are many reviews about the Wednesday special at Chairman’s Steakhouse, I had to check it out. For only $110, you get one 18-ounce ribeye, cheese bread, two salads, two side dishes, and a cheesecake to share. Let’s listen to “She’s Got You” by Patsy Cline for this post.

Our reservation was for 6:30 p.m., and most of the tables were occupied, except for the best seats in the house, which are right up the window, facing the pond. I noticed those tables were empty for most of the night. Our table was near the kitchen entrance.

We started with cocktails, Chew Steel with a Fig Old-Fashion (2.5oz, $18), and myself with a Pink Elegance (2 oz, $23). I appreciated how the restaurant categorizes the cocktails with tags, such as “fruity” or “herby”.

My cocktail was tart than sweet and mainly tasted of strawberries and lemon juice. The ice cube in the old-fashioned sparkled with glitter, glistening with the steakhouse’s initials. The branding is pretty slick, and Chew Steel said it was one smooth cocktail.

The Chairman’s cheese toast is as good as Hy’s Steakhouse but not as oily. The layer of aged white cheddar, Quebec cheese curd and Sylvan Star Gouda was thin and broiled. The bread itself was soft, fluffy, and decadent.

Chew Steel opted for a Waldorf Salad (upgrade $3) while I chose a Caesar salad. His salad was chockful of apples, candied walnuts, grapes, celery and a sprinkling of arugula. He enjoyed the tang from the Stilton cheese.

My Caesar salad was yummy. Smoky bacon punctuated every bite of the chilled, garlicky lettuce. The leaves were generously coated with a blanket of cheese.

Our server, Alec, a former Red Seal chef, gave us very good recommendations. He suggested adding the Ruby Port Jus ($7) for our steak and a glass of 2021 Giusti, Massimo, Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon ($18) for our meal. I liked the wine’s finish, which disappeared on my tongue. Alec mentioned that the wine’s blueberry notes and acidity would pair well with fatty meats like ribeye.

Alec suggested ordering our ribeye medium, and a beautiful medium it was! The middle slices were ruby red. The outside pieces reminded me a little of yakitori because of the smoky flavour and charred fat.

The beef was so flavourful, but I was impressed with the ruby port. Alec said it took 48 hours to reduce. I never ordered steak with sauces, but it was better with it. I would get the ruby port again.

I upgraded our sides: Black Truffle Double Stuffed Potato ($9) and the Black Truffle Gnocchi ($10). The gnocchi had a nice chew, but I forgot to mix up the sauce, peas and parmesan, so the first few bites were dry.

L said it was the best stuffed potato cheese he’d ever eaten. I liked how the truffle flavouring wasn’t overpowering.

Before dessert, I saw a woman with glazed eyes try to enter the kitchen. The manager, wearing a blue suit, immediately escorted her to the washroom and waited for her outside and then walked her to her table. She looked like she was having a good time.

The New York-style cheesecake was nice and light. The graham crust was thin and had a nice crumble. The berry gel and orange curd provided a nice burst of freshness. The almond florentine was a nice decorative touch.

When we finished our meal, most of the tables had turned. A guest walked in and was brought to the best table in the restaurant, right by the water. L recognized him and mentioned that he was the developer of Westman Village.

I recommend checking out Chairman’s Steakhouse. The Wednesday special is an affordable way to test the waters before splurging on a regular night. Hitting the Sauce gives Chairman’s and Alec two phat thumbs up.

French · Restaurants · Special Occasion

Chic Soirée – Francine’s

May 18, 2024May 20, 2024 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

Kournikova, Lululemon, 47, and I met at Francine’s for a long-overdue dinner. Francine’s is a French pop-up bar housed in Meat & Bread. I’ve meant to check out this bar for ages, but circumstances prevented me until our girls’ night. Let’s listen to “Cherry Pie” by Sade for this post.

The bartender makes a mean cocktail! These weren’t the watered-down concoctions from a dive bar. I ordered a Francine’s 75 ($16), Lululemon picked the Bois Sacre Margarita ($17), and I forgot what Kournikova and 47 selected. Our drinks were excellent. The flavour in each drink was smooth and fruity, and it tasted like it was from fresh ingredients rather than concentrated juice. For example, I could taste the passionfruit in the margarita and the basil in my cocktail. The cocktails at Francine’s are on par with Klein/Harris and Paper Lantern.

Forty-seven wanted to try the cheese puffs ($4 each). The little puffs were so delicate that the warm, soft innards melted in my mouth. The butter, with the addition of honey, was surprisingly light and sweet.

The Smoked Sturgeon ($19) was a nice bite, a rich, mousse-like dip that was invigorating to the tongue. A fresh cucumber topping tied well with the sturgeon’s smokiness and the Ritz crackers’ sweetness.

Kournikova suggested we get a salad, and we landed on the Baby Romaine ($16) because the other option had bacon, which Lululemon doesn’t eat. I was shocked at how much I loved this dish. This isn’t your chain restaurant Caesar salad, but an impressive array of flavours. I enjoyed the ripeness of the olive and the addition of fennel, juicy orange slices and garlic crumbles. The layers of crunchy lettuce were cold and crunchy, gloriously refreshing. I would get the salad again.

The girls ordered a glass of prosecco, but I asked our server for a recommendation for a wine that would pair well with the steak. She suggested the Altugnanc Pinot Noir ($18) to complement the beef and gnocchi. Generally, I’m not too fond of pinot noir, but this wine was delicious. It was very grapey.

I didn’t want to eat the Parisienne Gnocchi ($32) because I wanted to leave it for the vegetarian and 47. However, both were light eaters and insisted I try some. The texture of the little nuggets was pillowy despite the seared edges. I liked the addition of slivered pea pods, as it brought out the buttery, herby sauce.

The Steak Au Poivre ($46) was so good that I wanted to bring my brother here to try it. Each piece of beef was tender and succulent. The meat was soft, and the flavour was intense, like rich caramelized fat. The pepper in it was phenomenal. In my minimal steak-eating experience, Francine makes the best steak in the city, beating Caesar’s Steakhouse and Hy’s and nudging past Cassis by millimetres.

Lululemon ordered French Toast ($17) and insisted everyone try a bite. She pressured Kournikova to try some, but Kournikova was firm. Both are persistent individuals, and Lululemon was motivated to share the deliciousness. However, I know Kournikova’s resolve is as firm as her posture, and I advised Lululemon that her attempts were fruitless.

Lululemon ate the first bite and sighed how the toast went well with the aged cream cheese and honey ice cream. I tried her dessert because my resolve dissolved when I heard Lululemon’s exclamations of delight. Yes, it is worth it, even if you are lactose intolerant.

We split the bill, and only after did I realize Lululemon overpaid, as she didn’t eat any of the steak and put the dessert on her tab. I’ll have to get her an extra delicious treat from my upcoming trip to compensate for the discrepancy. Hitting the Sauce gives Francine’s two phat thumbs up.

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

Major Tom – Girls’ Night

September 27, 2021September 28, 2021 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

For our girls’ night out, Québécois, Kournikova and I went to Major Tom. It took me months to get this reservation. Currently, the restaurant is booked solid up to 2022, though I read on Wanda Baker‘s Instagram account that Major Tom keep 25% of tables open for walk-in. For this post, let’s listen to “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper.

Arriving at the restaurant is in itself an experience. First, you enter the Scotia Centre building and walk over to the elevators in the back corner of the building. You show your vaccine passport and ID at the security station, then you are directed to a specific elevator. Once you arrive on the 40th floor, you check in with a team of hosts at the reception area and finally, someone escorts you to your table in a room with a panoramic view of downtown Calgary.

The vibe of the restaurant is lively and the energy is unlike anything you can find in Calgary. Throughout dinner, I felt like I was on vacation in a bigger city. If you walk around the restaurant, you can admire the spectacular views from different vantage points of the downtown core.

We each started with a cocktail. Major Tom knows how to deliver their alcoholic beverages. I was over the moon with my Vodka Martini ($17). The martini glass arrived on a gold coaster, accompanied by a bottle of Kettle One/Dolin Dry Vermouth and a plated garnish of olives. Each sip of my martini was so cold and pure tasting, I could barely detect the alcohol. The blue cheese in the olive was light and melted in my mouth. I noticed that when Québécois ordered a bottle of Muga Reserva ($65), our server decanted the wine. Most restaurants I go to won’t decant the wine unless the bottle is over $85.

We shared two orders of the Crispy Hen Egg ($6). This little sucker was delicious. The fried shell added a nice crunch, which contrasted to the creamy, warm yolk. Texture, style and with exploding flavour, this appetizer has it all. I would order this again.

I always get what Miss Foodie raves about on her Instagram account, so I chose the Tomato and Brioche Salad ($14) and Steak Frites ($34). Warning – my photos are worse than usual. I was so giddy to be out with my friends, I didn’t put in the effort to take a decent photo.

The tomatoes in the salad were ripe and juicy. The dressing of shallot, basil and lime was refreshing and subtle. The brioche was crunchy and for some reason, reminded me of the boxed croutons my mother used to buy when we were kids.

The steak arrived a beautiful ruby red. The meat was warm and soft. The fries were extra crunchy. Of the three entrees I tried, I preferred Kournikova’s Slow-Roasted Duck ($41). The duck breast was tender and flavourful.

Québécois ordered the Shells ($25) because she enjoys anything with burrata in it. The seasoning in the lemon roasted broccoli pesto was delicate and light. She couldn’t finish her pasta so I ended up eating about a third of her dish.

When we arrived on a Saturday evening, the restaurant was buzzing. Despite being obviously slammed with customers, the service was enthusiastic and attentive. I plan to return and often, more so for the cocktails and appetizers. I highly recommend you check out this gem. Hitting the Sauce gives Major Tom two phat thumbs up.

Bars/Lounges · Beer · Fusion · Restaurants · Seafood · Special Occasion

Nights & Weekends – Pop-Up Restaurant and Bar

January 29, 2020November 17, 2021 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

It’s my birthday week! L picked me up from the airport and told me I had one hour to get ready for our dinner reservation. His colleague M emailed him an article about a pop-up restaurant – Nights & Weekends. What interested L was that co-chefs Bern Glatz and Nick Berenyi collectively worked at Ten Foot Henry, Anju, Mercato, Bar Von Der Fels, and Una Pizza + Wine. He figured since we like all those restaurants, we would enjoy Nights & Weekends. As always, L is correct. For this post, let’s listen to “I Want To Hold Your Hand” by The Beattles.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, Nights & Weekends takes over the space at Shiki Menya. The restaurant is dimly lit, with the exception of the glow of the pink neon sign. The tunes are rocking and the vibe is intimate.

kitchen

Initially, I was skeptical when the bartender informed us they only sell four wines – bubbles, rosé, white and red ($12 glass, $48 bottle). After sampling three of the four wines, I realized you don’t need a large selection if each bottle is well chosen. Kudos to Katie, an employee from Vine Arts who selects all the wine for Nights & Weekends.

bubbles

L ordered a pint of Asahi ($7) while I requested a glass of French bubbles ($12). I found the bubbles tight and clean tasting.

eggs

We ordered two servings of the Tamago ($4). The egg was cool and soft. As I slurped the egg back, it felt like I was eating an oyster. I enjoyed the restrained use of black sesame and chili oil. However, L’s portion received all the scallions. Luck of the draw.

The Waygu Beef Tartare ($14) is a winner. L appreciated how the focus of dish was the meat rather than competing flavour of secondary ingredients. The beef tasted supremely fresh. I didn’t even want to use the potato chip because it would take away from the flavour of the waygu. As I chewed, I savoured the texture of the beef. Oh so good.

tartare

The bartender recommended I try the Russine (2017) rosé with the wagyu tartare. He described this wine as a winter rosé. I was reluctant to try it because too often, I find rosé tart, sweet or fake tasting. He didn’t steer me wrong. The wine was heavy for a rosé and a little dry. I would order this again.

rose

The Poached Tiger Prawn ($10) was the star of the night. This sandwich was off the hook. The kewpie sauce was light and just enough to bind and coat all the ingredients together. The pea shoots helped to cut into the mayo. The tobiko added a pop of the sea.

prawn

The prawns were plentiful and sweet. With each bite, proportionally, there was more shrimp than bun. We liked how the bun was squishy and mushable against the crunchy prawns.

brawn bite

The Handmade Pasta ($18) was unique. What I liked was the firmness and bite of the noodles. The combination of the cheese, guancialle (cured meat), dashi, gachujang (Korean red chili paste), mushrooms and nori reminded me a little of Kraft cheese, but in a good way.

psata

I drank one more glass of wine because I was having so much fun and I didn’t want to leave. The Maggiorina Vino Rosso (2018) was interesting. The wine hit my tongue hard but then mellowed out.

red

In my opinion, this little pop-up restaurant competes with the best restaurants I’ve tried in this city and elsewhere. I love it so much, Nights & Weekends is making it on my list of favourite restaurants in Calgary. Hitting the Sauce gives Nights & Weekends two fat thumbs up.