Bar Chouette, Lonely Mouth and Hayden Block BBQ

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My brother Five Stars was in town for two nights. I asked him to pick the restaurants because he never lets me forget if the food isn’t up to his standard. Twenty years ago, I chose an Italian restaurant for lunch in downtown Vancouver, and he still bitches about that meal. For this post, let’s listen to “Juice” by Lizzo.

Five Stars picked three places to try: Bar Chouette, Lonely Mouth and Hayden Block. Out of the three, he was most interested in Bar Chouette, as his favourite Calgary restaurant was Foreign Concept. He still remembers the pork belly baos and wanted to check out Duncan Ly’s latest venture.

Bar Chouette was packed on Friday night, so I’d definitely recommend making a reservation. Duncan Ly wasn’t there, but his brigade of all-male chefs was on point, firing off gorgeously plated food that tasted as good as it looked. Duncan has a knack for hiring the right chefs. I’ve never experienced a lacklustre meal at any of his restaurants. I stole a picture of the chefs from Instagram. Apparently, their names are Willow, Lawrence and Jeremy.

I requested a nice white wine and was given a glass of Villa Maria Sauvignon ($17). Five Stars enjoyed a non-alcoholic Corona ($9), and Chew Steel ordered a beer. My wine smelled tropical, and it wasn’t as brassy as most New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, but it was clean and refreshing.

For food, we shared the Beef Tartare ($20), Squid Ink Spaghetti ($32) and Steak Frites ($52). We didn’t order much because Five Stars is on a diet, and Chew Steel is cutting back. Two mains and one appetizer were perfect for us because the mains were generously portioned.

The beef tartare was just fabulous. Light and airy, the tapioca cracker delivered a salty, slightly shellfish-like flavour. The tartare itself tasted like an insanely good chilled cheeseburger with a pop of mustard. I would get this again. Chew Steel thought it was one of the best tartares in the city.

I asked our server for something that would go well with the steak for my second glass of wine. Our server recommended Le Spinetta Nebbiola ($20), and oh boy, was this glass of red a winner! I would order this wine again; it was smooth, full-bodied, with a nice finish. Chew Steel thought the wines we tried at Bar Chouette were phenomenal.

The steak frites make for an ideal sharing platter. The steak looked like a 12-ounce striploin, nestled between a heaping salad and a mountain of triple-cooked potatoes. Five Stars complimented the nice sear and smoky char on the steak. The fries were hot and crispy, with a soft, mealy interior. Some of the wedges on the bottom of the plate were soaked in that decadent peppercorn sauce, making for some blissful bites. I liked the bitterness from the greens and the citrusy salad dressing, which helped cut through the richness of the gravy.

The squid ink spaghetti was a standout. There was such a generous amount of clams, octopus, and prawns. The noodles had a silky texture, packing heat from the creamy panang curry that clung perfectly to them. The crunch from the sweet peas and the aroma of the fresh dill rounded out the spice in this dish. The squid ink pasta is one of my favourite dishes in the city.

The table next to us was lively. A group of six women, maybe ten to 15 years older than me, were there before us. As we finished our meal, they were still surrounded by bottles of wine and an endless stream of plates. At one point, I heard them laughing hysterically about an incident in the washroom. I turned to Chew Steel and said I hope that will be me in the future.

The next morning, Five Stars and I walked to Lonely Mouth for lunch. My office gave me a Concorde birthday gift certificate, and it’s been burning a fat hole in my wallet ever since. We decided on Lonely Mouth because Five Stars used Chatgpt to pick a restaurant based on his desire for snacky and salty food.

He’s even gone as far as consulting Chatgpt to figure out why I won’t just trash a restaurant. Five Stars has been bugging me non-stop to be blunter in my blog. He wants it all, the good, the bad, and the overcooked. Apparently, my writing style really gets under his skin. He asked Chatgpt why I won’t just say it like it is. Chatgpt didn’t nail it.

Five Stars ordered a house-made lemon soda ($5), and since I wanted to make the most of the long weekend, I indulged in a noontime Suntory Toki Whisky ($17). I enjoyed this drink the last time I ordered it, but this round fell flat. The soda lacked its usual super fizz and was missing that lemony spritz I remembered.

We shared the bluefin tuna tartare ($20) and the chicken wings ($18). Five Star’s eyes popped open when he took his first bite. He said this dish hits the mark perfectly, with the salty crunch from the udon crackers and the creamy texture from the bluefin tuna, avocado, and miso sauce. The crackers tasted like they were cooked in old oil, and I noticed the tuna filling seemed sparse. Proportionally, there was way more cracker than tartare.

The chicken wings were impressive. The wings were so hot that they scalded my greedy piano-like fingers. As we ate, the juice would squirt across the table. The batter is light and melts on your tongue, while the yuzu sauce is bright and lemony. The flats were slightly above the size of pub wings, but the drums were full of massive, juicy meat. The batter-to-meat ratio was insane.

We shopped along 17th, and I decided to walk home. Despite being younger and at an optimal weight, Five Stars could barely make it. He puffed, pouted, and threatened to call an Uber every few blocks. I carried all the gifts he bought for his wife and kid, and even offered to carry his extra clothes because he was too hot. I persuaded him to continue walking to make space for dinner at Hayden Block.

I’d initially planned to take Five Stars to Pure Saigonese, but he was craving BBQ. He brought up our last visit to Hayden Block and wanted to return, saying he can’t get decent barbecue back in BC.

We ordered the beef brisket ($20), beef rib ($38), broccoli salad ($7), corn and bacon on the cob ($7), cornbread ($2), and a round of beers. Oh my gosh—somehow, the food keeps improving every time we come. Every dish was absolutely delicious.

The brisket arrived in two well-marbled slabs. The meat was melt-in-your-mouth tender, with a natural smoky sweetness that didn’t need much besides a little sauce. We leaned into the house BBQ sauce, which brought a tangy, vinegary kick. Chew Steel thought he could taste a hint of cumin in the sauce.

I always get the cornbread. Soft and crumbly, I love that grainy texture against the smoothness of the butter. The corn on the cob was just right: hot, firm, and sweet, wrapped in a crispy layer of bacon that added a salty crunch to every bite. This side is also a winner.

The broccoli salad is always a hit. The dressing was sweet but balanced, and not soggy or oversaturated, unlike salads that sit too long. It brought a fresh, wholesome contrast to all the meat, and the pickles added a sharp acidity that helped cut into the meats.

Then there was the beef rib, the showstopper. The bone alone was nearly the size of a foot-long sub. The rib this time around was less fatty than our last visit, but still moist. We gave it our best shot, but still left with half the rib to take home.

The next morning, I planned on taking Five Stars to Pfanntastic Pannenkoek Haus, but we were feasted out. He’s coming back in May, so we can add Pfanntastic Pannenkoek Haus and Pure Sagionese Kitchen to the list.

When he returned home to BC, Five Stars texted that he had suffered from shin splints, likely due to all the walking. He also weighed himself and still lost weight from our weekend of gluttony. I think he burns so many calories running that mouth of his. In any case, this long weekend was a food-filled hit!

Fusion · Korean · Pizza

Letty Pizza and Roy Oh’s Collab

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For my birthday dinner, I picked Letty Pizza. I saw on Instagram that Roy Oh was doing a collab. For those too young to know, Roy is one of OG Asian fusion chefs in Calgary, the other being Duncan Ly.

In 2011, I hosted a celebration dinner at Roy’s first restaurant, Anju, to mark my graduation. My family flew in for the occasion, and to make it even more special, I invited both my future in-laws and friends. Fourteen years later, they still rave about the generous portions and incredible food, despite most having never tried Korean cuisine before that night.

I still remember the first time I tried those gochujang wings, the whole pork shoulder with rice and lettuce, and the creamy, crispy tofu with pork belly. The taste was new yet familiar. I was so blown away by how amazing the food was that it inspired me to start blogging so I could relive the experience. For this post, let’s listen to “Can I Kick It” by A Tribe Called Quest.

Back to 2025. We arrived at Letty’s and sat with a bird’s eye view of Roy. I could have been not creepy and asked for a photo, but I took the coward’s way out and snapped one from afar without his permission. There he is – the grandmaster of Asian fusion.

I’m still doing dry January. Our server, Leila, did me a service and recommended a winner – Wild Folk Mezcal Margarita ($9). I would order this again. Poured over ice, the flavour was complex and mimicked mezcal so well that I didn’t miss the booze at all. Chew Steel drank an Eighty Eight lager ($8).

We ordered Roy’s famous chicken sliders ($8), which were even better than I remembered. The batter is flaky and ultra crunchy, coated in just the right amount of rich, dark red gochujang sauce. The chicken was piping hot, and the meat was toothsome. I’ll never be able to enjoy Popeye’s low-quality chicken burger again.

For a pizza, we picked Roy’s feature pie ($27), braised oxtail bechamel, truffle soy shaves parmesan and scallions, reminiscent of his signature oxtail tortellini. The beef was buttery, flavourful, and didn’t overpower that luscious grainy crust. I loved the fluffy, puffy, dry crust—so wholesome. The scallions added a nice pop of oniony flavour.

The star of the show was the Stuffed Chicken Wings ($14). Fack me – if wings were like a record, this one would go platinum. The wings had that signature crunch, while the lamb filling was seasoned with unique, unfamiliar spices. The sauce was tangy with a sharp bite and a spicy kick. The combination was unusual but worked so well. The sauce was so good I couldn’t help but keep licking it off my fork. Chew Steel mentioned he was surprised the portions were so big.

When the bill came, Chew Steel was shocked it was so inexpensive. I explained it was because I didn’t order my usual cocktail and glasses of wine. That night, I sent a DM to my new friend, Julijulihu, and told her to go the following day. I hope she enjoyed the food as much as I did. It’s been a long time since I was so excited about something I ate. Roy, I salute you! Hitting the Sauce gives Letty’s collaboration two phat thumbs up.

Mexican

Masa Mama

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Since my last post in 2024, I’ve had some pretty fantastic meals— Juice Import’s event at Our Daily Brett, girl’s night at Bridgette Bar, and most recently, Paper Lantern x Francine’s collab. But despite eating all that delicious food, I lost my mojo. However, I can feel it start to trickle back. Let’s listen to “Beautiful Stranger” by Madonna for this post.

Last Wednesday, Chew Steel suggested we go out for dinner. We landed on Masa Mama Taqueria in Marda Loop. I made a last-minute reservation, and we arrived for an early seating.

Do make a reservation. Mid-week and at 5:30 p.m., the restaurant was already completely booked and not accepting walk-ins. The room is small and packed tightly with tables and bar seating. We noticed more than half of the guests were of the silver fox variety. Chew Steel quipped it must be seniors’ night at Masa Mama. I’m not complaining. For once, it was refreshing to be part of the younger demographic.

As I’m doing dry January, I picked a non-alcoholic beer. I ordered the Collective Arts IPA ($8). On its own, I found it citrusy with tropical notes. The carbonation wasn’t as bubbly as I prefer, but it paired well with the tacos.

We shared the Masa Guac ($16). Do order this. The avocado was buttery smooth, peppered with halved ripe cherry tomatoes and a nutty toasted oil. The tortilla chips were thin, fresh and crunchy, though overly salted. The guacamole to chips ratio was generous, meaning every bite was a perfect balance of dip to chip. I would order the guac again.

We each ordered three tacos, two four-inch and one six-inch. We both picked al pastor ($6) and chicken tinga ($6), and for the larger taco, I chose the Mac Mama ($8), and Chew Steel opted for the Baja Fish Taco ($9).

Al pastor is always a satisfying combination of sweet and savoury. This version cradled a mixture of tender grilled pork and small pineapple pieces. I appreciated the tortilla held up to the filling and didn’t get soggy and break mid-bite.

The chicken tinga stood out. I loved the crispy skin’s crunch and the spicy roasted chicken pieces. The cool, smooth drizzle of crema added a drippy succulence to each bite. I would get the tinga again.

The larger tacos are made with a flour tortilla. The Mac Mama was lukewarm by the time I got to eat it. It tasted like a decadent McDonald’s Big Mac but in a quesadilla form. I enjoyed it, but Chew Steel’s Baja Fish Taco ($9) was my favourite. I wasn’t expecting the fish to be so large. The fillet was meaty and flaky, while the batter was crunchy and hot. Masa Mama makes one of the best fish tacos in the city.

For a regular appetite, a shared appetizer, two small tacos and one large taco would suffice for a meal. We were both stuffed after our feast.

I’m a big fan of Masa Mama. When we return, I’m open to trying new dishes, but the guacamole, chicken tinga, and fish taco will always be my go-to order. Hitting the Sauce gives Masa Mama two phat thumbs up!

Restaurants · Vegetarian

Ten Foot Henry and Shelter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Restaurants

Hayden Block – Life Altering BBQ

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Restaurants · Seafood · Special Occasion

FinePrint

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Restaurants

Date Night #18 – An An Kitchen & Bar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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