restaurants

Jacqueline Suzanne's Bistro - Inglewood

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:53:02 +0100

The first Groupon I ever bought was to a little place I'd never been. I've worked around Inglewood and know that there are more than a few diamonds in the rough around this neighbourhood so I was eager to try Jacqueline Suzanne's Bistro.

When we arrived it was VERY busy, apparently we weren't the only ones who had taken advantage of this deal but we waited behind the curtain to the entrance for our table to be ready. We finally were seated up stairs, this was quite funny because the upstairs has probably about 6" standing height, my boyfriend is 6"5, nuf said! If you aren’t aware this bistro also works as an antique store, the various antiques showcased around the restaurant are for sale online.

Our waitress eventually comes over looking frantic but is very honest with us and lets us know they are swamped and there is only 1 chef. We let her know we aren't in a rush and we're here to enjoy whatever comes our way, she brings us our wine quickly.

To start we order the Grand Marnier Scallops, these are the BEST scallops I've ever had, massive, meaty perfectly cooked scallops, I would highly recommend these.

For main I ordered the AAA Alberta Filet Neptune, at first bite the fillet is cooked exactly the way I like it it is hot and the hollandaise is creamy with large chucks of crab meat. I can't stop Mmmmmming and saying "oh my god this is good"

My boyfriend ordered the AAA Alberta Beef Tenderloin Filet with a Rich Peppercorn Cream Sauce, now my boyfriend has eaten a lot of steaks in a lot of places and he still swears by it that this is the" best piece of meat" he's ever eaten.

For one chef to keep up perfection and still get all the dishes out on time I can say we were both thoroughly impressed. We plan to go again and again...and again....

Pegasus - New Location Altadore

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:37:01 +0100

For my boyfriend and I's one year we decided to try the Pegasus as it was now in the neighbourhood. I've heard about this restaurant for a long time it is a historic Calgary restaurant for sure so I assume it has to be good.

When we arrived we got seated at a table that was quite small tucked into a corner so I had to move it to be able to get into my seat. My boyfriend being 6"5" had a little more trouble than I. Our server came over and introduced herself, very friendly and quick, the service is great.

We started with one of my favorite Greek starters taramosalata with homemade pita. The pita is the same mixture you would make yorkshire pudding from or as my background would call it pop overs, its eggy and buttery and light. The taramousalata is quite salty but I remember that from having it before so the bread is a good match.

For our main course my boyfriend ordered the leg of lamb with greek potatoes, I ordered the mousakka (another one of my favorites) The leg of lamb was very disappointing to the point that my boyfriend didn’t want to eat it, and for a guy not to eat it, that means something. It was dry, overcooked and the potatoes were undercooked and under seasoned.

My moussaka was pretty good, I wish the béchamel was a bit moister, and amount of sauce was lacking. I love the béchamel because it creates a creamy texture but with the zucchini and potatoes being undercooked this favorite part of my dish didn’t live up to my expectations.

At the end of our meal we were in somewhat of a rush to leave so we didn’t dine on dessert but instead got to chat with the owner who is very friendly comes and sits with his guests and makes you feel part of the family. I can see what this restaurant has succeeded and I don’t think it's because of the food its because of the people.

Overall this is a typical family restaurant, it is casual dining with a good atmosphere but it is a bit tight and not as private or refined as we would of liked for a romatic dinner. I would however go back and give it a second chance.

Ox and Angela

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:35:21 +0100

Atmosphere:

Upscale cocktail bar and small romantic restaurant located in the heart of Calgary’s nightlife spot. The restaurant has a classy feel with candle-lit tables that are strategically placed with enough space to give diners the privacy they are looking for. The restaurant and bar have the same entrance but are separated by a wall, allowing for a different atmosphere on both sides. The cocktail bar has a trendy feel with a clean downtown business crowd looking to let loose.

What to Drink:

Definitely the most creative and deliciously fruity cocktails in town! The cocktail menu is extensive and wordy, which can be confusing and intimidating; you might as well point, close your eyes, and order whatever the tip of your finger hits. But honestly, sitting up at the bar and asking the friendly and ultra professional bar staff to just “make you something yummy” is the best way to go. I had a passion fruit Mojito, which went down way too fast because of how perfectly sweet, citrousy and refreshing it was. Then I tried the Rio Fogo, which tasted like a spicy Mexican version of the limey Brazilian caipirinha; an interesting twist but the fresh chili addition was a little too harsh for an already strong drink. I also tried the Angela martini/cocktail; very smooth and floury gin based drink that should be sipped on slowly. I also tasted my friend’s Michelada cocktail which was a very satisfying and definitely recommended for those who have never tried a spicy tequila caesar. I have to say though, the passion fruit mojito left a lasting impression, and trust me, I have tried several from many different places! A suggestion for the bar staff on some of the cocktails: a little less crushed ice and a little more beverage would make us all very happy!

What to Eat:

All appetizers are great for sharing. The grilled watermelon on the calamari dish was mind blowing, definitely worth trying! The chorizo fundido; melted cheese dip with Mexican sausage was a little greasy and hard to eat. If you do decide to order it, I would make sure to eat it right away since the cheese gets hard very quickly making it messy and hard to share as the taco chips break in the dip dish. The taquitos dish was served with the beautiful presentation of a red and white dipping sauce. They were big and yummy, especially if you don’t mind deep fried snacks.

What to Wear:

For the cocktail bar, anything that is trendy and classy would fit the overall atmosphere. You could jazz up a simple outfit with flashy accessories, or if you want to go with the classy comfortable look, you could go with a nice pair of dark blue jeans, a sexy low top and blazer. A long shirt dress with a high belt, leggings and high heels would also be a nice fit. The place is small and well-lit so there is no need to draw too much attention with a lot of skin or a fancy dress, classy and sexy would be the best way to go.

Borgo Trattoria

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:32:53 +0100

Atmosphere:

It’s the first blistery day of real snow in Calgary; I’m cold, shivering and making my way to Borgo Trattoria to meet the ladies for 7:30pm. As I walk through the front door, I am greeted by a warmth that resembles the comfort of an Italian family kitchen. The staff is welcoming and relaxed, while the patrons are cheerful and chatty. Although it is quite busy, I am assured that the Manager will look after my request. While waiting briefly for a table I observe as the bartender prepares a delicate cocktail with precision and care… an enticing experience in itself. I am eager at this point and am now gladly being shown to my table. I cheekily sneak peeks at the many delectable dishes on the surrounding tables which honestly, make me salivate. A few minutes of absorbing the atmosphere and I am joined by the ladies, time to feed my built anticipation! Lais chats with our knowledgeable server about red wine while the rest of us excitedly scan the menu. While pouring the wine, our server tells us about Chef Guiseppe’s daily creations and encourages us to order different meals so that we may enhance our experience through sharing. Orders are made, drinking and conversation ensue. Fiona whispers in my ear for me to notice a father who has brought his daughter in for a closer look at the open kitchen. Servers pass the father and daughter, welcoming their curiosity… a comforting sight before beginning our true Italian meal.

Wine:

We ordered two bottles of red wine from the extensive wine list. All wines are Italian, which can be frustrating for French wine lovers yet exciting at the same time since it forces you to order wines you normally wouldn’t find in other restaurants. To start we would recommend the Maculan (Veneto) Pinot Nero, $9 gls. & $45 bttl, an excellent price for this light and fruit forward wine that is perfect for sipping before the mains arrive. For our second bottle we were looking to try something different, but we were unsure of which one to order. I asked our server to indicate his preference between a bottle of Sangiovese/Cab or a Sangiovese/Sagrantino and he was quick to suggest a bottle which I unfortunately felt was an attempt to upsell on a slightly more expensive bottle that ended up being tasty but too light in body for a proper pairing with our meat dishes that had just arrived.

To Start:

Choose three meats and three cheeses………….. $15 – Perfect serving for 2-3 people. We ordered two platters (as there was 5 of us), each consisting of Proscuitto, Mortadella and Soppressatu; Asiago, Provolone (topped with fig jam) and Gorgonzola; crackers and a jar of caramelized eggplant (which is of a perfect sweetness to cut the saltiness of the meats and the sharpness of the cheeses.)

Ciabatta with olive oil & balsamic………………. $4 – Perfect serving for 2 people. The balsamic is aged beautifully and perfectly sweet. An excellent date appetizer, playful but not messy. Be sure to order extra olive oil & balsamic so you have enough to go with the full loaf of ciabatta.

Arancino of risotto, cheese fonduta……………… $ 2/ea. – AMAZING!! Perfectly fried and the cheese fonduta was incredibly flavourful. Order a couple each as you will undoubtedly want more than one.

Note: You are able to order most of the appetizers per person, so everyone gets their share. No having to awkwardly split, just order the amount you will eat.

Main:

Sasha: Braised pork shoulder, sweet & sour “agrodolce” sauce, soft herb polenta…. $12 – This was recommended to me by my friend who has tried it before and I was not disappointed! The pork falls delicately apart as soon as your fork hits. It’s tender but hearty on a pillow of creamy polenta. It is comfort food at its finest. The title “sweet & sour” had me concerned, but the sauce ended up being light, not too pungent and paired nicely with the polenta.

Fiona: Borlotti bean soup (with or without pasta)………….. $14 – I ordered the Borlotti bean soup with the pasta and it was heavenly (especially on a chilly winter’s evening). The vegetables and pasta were at a perfect ratio with the broth. The flavour of the dish was robust and had a slight smokiness from what I believed to be pancetta. It was an excellent accompaniment to the Pinot Nero I was drinking and I thoroughly enjoyed every spoonful. I was able to finish the entire portion (quite honestly I had no intention of leaving without finishing every bit of gorgeousness), but I am happy to report I was able to do so comfortably and also have room to partake in a few bites of Sasha’s braised pork shoulder.

Lais: Wendy and I went along with the highly recommended dining concept of the restaurant and shared a meat dish and a pasta dish: the braised pork shoulder with pure polenta and the orecchiette pasta with broccoli and smoked bacon. As mentioned above the braised pork shoulder dish was amazing, definitely a steal of a deal considering that this deliciously well prepared and well portioned meat dish only cost $12. The pasta dish on the other hand was average; the orecchiette (being a fancy Italian name for large macaroni) was dry and lacking in flavour. The broccoli did taste fresh and the bacon was lean and meaty, but even after asking for extra parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper, the lack of sauce in the dish left a “missing something” feeling in my mouth.

Dessert:

We had no room for dessert, but upon observing the tables around us we noticed that the desserts were delicately sized and beautifully presented. The dessert menu is renewed every so often, so you can count on being able to try a new bit of perfection each time you visit Borgo Trattoria.

What to wear:

Sasha: Due to the weather, I was wearing layers, which was a good idea. The restaurant is warm and cozy but as you eat, it does get quite warm. I would say the overall style of the customers was a casual chic. This is not a “fancy restaurant” but has a classy down to earth feel. Visiting after a casual day of shopping on 17^th, to drinks after a Christmas party and everything in between is fully acceptable.

Fiona: This particular evening I wore cropped pants and heels with a tiny wool sweater and felt perfectly, yet stylishly at home. I agree with Sasha, wear layers as you will want to shed your sweater as your evening progresses.

I love the style of this restaurant and that includes the professional uniforms of the bar and kitchen staff to the casualness of the servers tees. I would feel comfortable wearing anything from jeans & chucks to my most elaborate outfit. It’s the caring and easy going attitude of the staff that makes you feel comfortable at Borgo!

Lais: The atmosphere of the restaurant inspires you to go comfortable and clean-cut, nothing too fancy nor attention seeking, as the well-lit room with high ceilings allows diners to watch the staff, the kitchen and each other. I wore a dark, Desigual sweater dress with subtle but funky patterns that is loose fitting and felt comfortable and stylish throughout the night.