Sunday, June 19, 2016

Breakfast for Lunch: House Breakfast at Friends and Neighbours

House breakfast #yegfood

A photo posted by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on

I had a late brunch this afternoon at Friends and Neighbours (10834 82 Avenue) and did not feel like something super heavy. I opted for one of the many vegetarian choices, the House Breakfast. Usually something with that name will have a meaty component, but this plate of two eggs any style, toast, and hash browns was accented with a spinach and craisin salad, as well as lots of avocado. I think there was probably an entire avocado cut up on my plate, and it was perfectly ripe. I enjoyed putting avocado and craisins on my toast, and using it to sop up my over-easy eggs. This was definitely more substantial than it looked.

Breakfast for Lunch: Chicken and Waffles at MEAT

Brunch time - chicken and waffles #yegfood

A photo posted by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on

I was so impressed with my brunch at MEAT last weekend, that I went back this past Saturday to try the chicken and waffles. This was previously chicken with corn pancakes. The mean still came with two pieces of MEAT's fried chicken (a leg and a thigh), as well as butter and rosemary-infused maple syrup. The two Belgian waffles were hot off the grill and very sweet. The chicken could have been a bit hotter, and the coating this time was a little more on the soggy than crunchy side, but the flavour was all there. An almost-perfect pairing.

Breakfast for Lunch: MEAT Breakfast

MEAT breakfast - eggs, hash browns, and brisket instead of pork. Toast is coming. #yegfood

A photo posted by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on

I ventured into MEAT for brunch a week or so ago, finding that it is still one of the few places along Whyte serving brunch where I can still get a seat. I noticed that the brunch menu has changed a wee bit, and opted for a new item: the MEAT breakfast, consisting of two eggs any style, hash browns, toast, and a choice of bacon or sausage. My eggs over-medium were perfect, and the hash browns have changed from a patty similar to a potato pancake, to a generous portion of fried and seasoned potato chunks (and I think the seasoning may have included parmesan). Instead of the pork products, I substituted with some of the pulled brisket used for MEAT's brisket benny and sandwich. The combination worked really well, and they sure gave me a lot of it. This was a hearty brunch that was well done.

Appetizers: Smoked Salmon Spring Rolls and Zucchini Corn Fritters at Blue Plate Diner

Smoked salmon spring rolls #yegfood

A photo posted by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on

Prior to an evening function I was filming a few weeks ago, I headed to Blue Plate Diner. Instead of having main course, I opted for two appetizers. My smoked salmon spring rolls were excellent in concept - crispy and packed with smoked salmon made in-house - but the salmon was so overpoweringly salty that I simply could not finish.

Zucchini and corn fritters #yegfood

A photo posted by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on

The zucchini and corm fritters were much more mild in flavour, with the corn dominating and the zucchini adding a moist texture. Unfortunately, I also found the fritters to be rather greasy, an oily aftertaste lingering. They were so heavy that I also could not finish. I was overall quite disappointed in my choices.

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Hakka Noodles with Beef at Naanolicious

Hakka noodles with beef #yegfood

A photo posted by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on

I first had Hakka noodles at Naanolicious a couple of years ago. This Indo-Chinese noodle dish is like a spicy chow mein. This time, I tried beef added to it. The beef was so soft and tender, it practically melted in my mouth. The portion was also incredibly huge - two people could easily share. If you like noodles and want to try a chow mein fusion, these Hakka noodles would be an excellent choice.

Breakfast for Lunch: Huevos Rancheros at the Blue Chair Cafe

Huevos rancheros #yegfood

A photo posted by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on

It's been a while since I had brunch at the Blue Chair Cafe. I had the huevos rancheros (minus the cheese): two eggs fried sunny side up on top of a mountain of black beans, ranchero sauce, and corn tortillas, topped with another mountain of salsa and pico de gallo. I could have done without the mountain of lettuce which only hid the beautiful eggs beneath it, and added little in the way of flavour. Otherwise, this was a perfect plate of brunch goodness.