Veggie Shepherd's Pie

Veggie Shepherd's Pie, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I did not expect to end up at Blue Plate Diner for lunch today, but that is exactly where I was.

My vegetarian shepherd's pie was a warm, comforting dish. The interior was a vegan chili with tomatoes, corn, and beans at its core, topped with Dijon butternut and potato mash. The mash tasted mostly from plain potato, and the inside was not too liquidy so that the pie retained its form throughout the meal.

Even though the portion is quite adequate, the meal came with a choice of side so I had to have Blue Plate Diner's fresh-cut fries.

By the way, the other meal on the table is the grilled veggie sandwich and a side of salad.

Breakfast for Lunch: Urban Diner

I haven't been to Urban Diner in ages, so when I ended up spending some time on 124 Street on Saturday, I headed there for brunch.

I started out with an order of poffertjes, which are small pancakes served with chocolate sauce and hot maple syrup for dipping. This was one of the dishes featured on the Food Network's You Gotta Eat Here. I can see - I mean, taste - why. These little morsels absolutely melted in my mouth.

Next up was my main course of two eggs, hash browns, toast, and chicken apple sausage. The eggs were done to perfection and large, and the has browns are very unique by incorporating sweet potato. Two huge pieces of toast would otherwise round out the meal, but I opted for the two egg breakfast with a side of meat. In this case, I chose the chicken apple sausage, which costs slightly more but is well worth it. The huge, dense, sausage is full of flavour, slightly sweet, and is probably the best sausage I have ever had.

Daal and Naan

Daal and Naan, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I had two events to get to on Whyte Avenue this afternoon, and Naanolicious was almost smack dab in the middle of them.

Daal is one of my favourite East Indian dishes, so I was happy that a version of it is on the restaurant's menu (Dip Into the Lentil). A generous portion of the thick, lentil stew is served with a butter naan - it's a perfect pairing!

Chicken Enchilada Soup & Boneless Wings

Chicken Enchilada Soup & Boneless Wings, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I had a rather long day on Saturday and ended up kicking back for a while at the west end location of Chili's for a bowl of Chicken Enchilada Soup and an order of honey barbecue boneless wings.

I have had the soup many times before, and it was as thick, rich, zesty, and full of chicken as ever. The wings were great - plump and juicy, retaining the crisp outer coating despite the sauce. The only downside was that for the cost of the two starters I could have had a main, but this was what I wanted and it was satisfying.

Tom Yum Soup at Viphalay

Tom Yum Soup, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Yesterday a co-worker and I had supper at Viphalay prior to a meeting. In addition to Pad Thai, which I have reviewed here before, we also shared a Tom Yum soup.

I have never had Tom Yum soup before, and found it five-alarm spicy. That being said, it was also tangy and delicious. We chose chicken as the protein, which blended well with the broth and vegetables. It was very warming on a cold evening, on a number of different levels!

Chicken Two Ways at Naanolicious

Hanging out at Blues On Whyte for most of the day Saturday led me to have a couple of meals at the adjoining Naanolicious. The pickled chicken is probably my favourite dish there so far. The sizzling platter of chicken, sweet onions, and mushrooms are cooked to perfection in seasonings commonly used in the pickling process. However, the dish does not taste like a bunch of pickles! The chicken is sort of like tandoori but more flavourful, the onion is so sweet that it decadent, and the mushrooms absorb a lot of the flavour too. This is perfect with a piece of naan to scoop up all of the sauce.

Later in the day I did a take out of a special of the day, which was grilled chicken in a teriyaki sauce with coleslaw and a piece of naan bunched up in the middle. It was a really good combination of flavours and the naan was a perfect starch. However, being bunched up in the middle made the dish a little difficult to eat - maybe it should have been cut up into wedges. The red cabbage in the coleslaw was also on the bitter side, which detracted from an otherwise fresh and delicious dish. The shining star of the meal was the chicken, which was grilled to perfection.

The Pho Files: Vietnamese Beef Stew

Vietnamese Beef Stew, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

As the sun began to hide and the wind and snow started to kick up, taking a co-worker for pho seemed like a great idea. We went to the Pho Hoa located on 97 Street and 106 Avenue.

I went for the beef stew with noodles, my first time trying it here. Even though it was a small portion, there was a lot of beef, and the carrots were cooked to perfection. The broth, while different in colour than I have had elsewhere (usually it is more orange), was very aromatic with spices and seasonings. A great mid-afternoon pick-me-up.

The Pho Files: Special Beef Soup at Doan's

After a rally on a cold afternoon I was craving a bowl of warm pho. The downtown location of Doan's was the nearest Vietnamese restaurant, so I headed there.

I got started with a green onion cake. The shape was rather unusual: it was not round, but straight and cut into pieces. It tasted as good as an onion cake should, which is the important thing.

The choices for pho is not as extensive as in other restaurants, and the only option for a plain beef pho was the Special Beef soup with beef balls, medium sliced beef, well done sliced beef, and brisket. I am not a huge fan of Vietnamese beef balls as I find the texture to be too chewy, but these were all right. The other kinds of beef also varied in texture, and there was plenty of beef to be had. The broth was wonderful, very fragrant and rich. I would definitely have this again, maybe without the beef balls.

Chicken Noodle Soup at Wild Earth

Chicken Noodle Soup, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Chicken noodle soup is an excellent comfort food after being outside on a chilly day. The version I had today at the Laurier location of Wild Earth was hearty and full of chunks of chicken, colourful rotini, vegetables, and seasonings. It was definitely not a traditional chicken noodle soup.

Breakfast for Lunch: De Dutch

Eggs with Smoked Salmon, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I finally made it to De Dutch for lunch today. The huge menu includes an entire pages of options for pannekoek, a large pancake with various toppings. However, I opted for one of the simpler two-egg breakfasts, in this case eggs over easy with smoked salmon, toast, hash browns, and fruit. The portion size was excellent, and the quality of the smoked salmon was especially good. My eggs were done to perfection, and the bread was also excellent. I found the hash browns a little small to collect easily with my fork, but this is a minor point. Paired with a mimosa, this was a lovely brunch.

A Naanolicious Marathon

Due to various circumstances, I found myself dining at Naanolicious numerous times in the last week or so. Here is a look at some of the dishes I tried.

I have had the butter chicken fries numerous times, so I wanted a different version of the restaurant's take on poutine. Dal, with its creamy lentil base, is one of my favourite Indian dishes, and it was wonderful on the fries. Frankly, I could just go for a bowl of dal with some naan bread, and I believe there is a dish along those lines on the menu.

The next day, I went for a serving of vegetable korma fries. The creamy curry sauce was the base for the vegetables and paneer cheese, which I adore. Very flavourful! And, it went well with the buttered naan I ordered on the side.

I tried one of these stuffed mushroom caps ("Mystical Mushrooms), which was a flavour burst. The crunchy coating was made from lentils, with a garlic and cream cheese filling surrounding the mushroom. More than one would have been a little too rich for me.

The Tandoori chicken was permeated with flavour - I just wish the pieces were a little bigger! I paired with it with the Aloo Tikki, fried potato cakes literally drowned in chutneys and yogurt. The flavour of the cakes themselves, while delicate, still came through, and they also remained crispy.

Craisin Paapri is a cold dish that makes an excellent snack. It is almost like a chickpea salad. The chickpeas are served amongst a flavourful combination of chutneys, yogurt, spices, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, crunchy samosa chips, and finished with a generous portion of craisins (dried cranberries) on top. This would have gone well with a naan, to scoop up all of the goodness.

Breakfast for Lunch: Blue Plate Breakfast at Blue Plate Diner

Big Breakfast, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

It has been a while since I had brunch at Blue Plate Diner, something which was rectified this weekend. I had the Blue Plate Breakfast which has always been my choice, with two eggs, potatoes, toast, and veggie sausage. The potatoes were different from the house made hash browns of the past, and while the eggs used to be advertised on the menu as Hutterite eggs, they were just simple states as eggs, so I am assuming that has changed as well. The veggie sausage has turned into a huge link of slightly sweet soy goodness, and was the star of the meal.

Breakfast for Lunch: Two Egg Breakfast at B's Diner

Two Egg Breakfast, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

While running errands on Whyte Avenue on a chilly Friday afternoon, we stopped in to B's Diner (10015 82 Ave.) for a late lunch.. I had the meatless two egg breakfast, which came with toast, potatoes, and tomato slices. The toast was thick, the potatoes were obviously home made, and the eggs were cooked to order. My only problem was that the food was a bit on the greasy side. In fact, although the person I was with had something completely different, we both suffered from stomach problems for the rest of the afternoon. I love the dive-yness of the place, and the menu has some good offerings, but I will have to make sure I can handle having my innards well-lubricated on future visits.

Vegan Goodness: Veggie Combo at Abyssinia

Veggie Combo, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I was at Abyssinia Restaurant this past week for a work-related meeting and had the Veggie Combo. Opting for rice instead of the traditional Ethiopian injera bread, I actually thought the rice worked very well with the dish, which included collard greens, two kinds of lentils, a salad, and a potato and carrot mix. It wasn't too spicy and was actually quite refreshing. And at only $13, it is also quite affordable.

Food Issues: World Food Day

World Food Day was held on October 12, 2013. It was a global day of action to raise awareness of the need for safe, healthy food and to educate about problems with GMOs (genetically modified food) and the companies that produce them (like Monsanto).

Around 500 people gathered in End of Steel Park to listen to speeches on topics ranging from the corporate takeover of our food to the importance of bees to the ethics of fluoride in our drinking water. We also marched around Whyte Avenue.

One of the most interesting parts of the event for me was hearing organic farmers speak about the impact of corporations in their work, and the danger they feel exist from using seeds that are GMO. Most of these farmers drove several hours to make it to the rally, and admitted they felt rather out of their element!

Of course, in case anyone got hungry, the vegan food truck Sailin' On was available on their last service of the season. All of their food was non-GMO. I had a vegan "BLT" with the "B" replaced with coconut.

To view videos of the event, including speeches and footage from the march, just get started with the video posted below or just click here.

Breakfast for Lunch: Vegetarian Omelette at Tasty Tom's

Vegetarian Omelette at Tasty Tom's, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Tasty Tom's (9965 82 Avenue) is a popular diner on the east side of Whyte Avenue. I go here from time to time for breakfast dishes, and decided to try the vegetarian omelette the other day. The peppers were peeled and soft, the onion was sweet, and the mushrooms were plentiful. My meal had to be replaced at first since I asked for no cheese, but if I liked cheese I probably would have been disappointed as it appeared to be melted processed cheese. The potatoes were also not as good as I remembered them - rather bland and under-cooked in places.

Chilli Chicken Bites at Naanolicious

Chili Chicken Bites at Nannolicious, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I love how Naanolicious is so conveniently located right next door to Blues On Whyte. A pre-Saturday afternoon jam meal consisted of Chilli Chicken Bites for me. Tender chunks of chicken breast were prepared in a sweet and spicy chilli sauce, with peppers and onions, served in a poppadom basket. I normally would have winced at the amount of onion, but it was sweet and went well with the chilli sauce. The chicken itself was divine - tender, juicy, yet no overpowered by the sauce. The poppadom basket got soggy quickly, and other than appearance did not add much to the meal. However, the portion was bigger than it seemed and I was full for the rest of the day (I also had some potato stuffed naan bread).

Vegan BLT Wrap From Sailin' On

Vegan BLT wrap from Sailin' On, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

How appropriate for a vegan food truck to be providing nourishment at a rally concerning food security. Sailin' On had its last day of service for the season at the World Food Day march and rally, serving up a variety of sandwiches, wraps, and fries to the hungry crowd. This was my first time ordering food from the truck. My BLT wrap was fresh and delicious, filled with lettuce, tomato, carrots, and a generous portion of "bacon" made from coconut! It was salty and tasted very much like the real thing, albeit with a coconut undercurrent. The garlic vegan mayo held everything together flavour-wise without being overly dominating. I hope I have more chances to experience Sailin' On when it sails back into service next year.

Pub Night: Guinness Beef Stew

Guinness beef stew pie at Canadian Brewhouse, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I did not actually intend to have supper in a pub this evening, but The Canadian Brewhouse was directly across the street from where I had to attend an event. I decided on a pint of Strongbow and the Guinness beef stew, which was served in a deep bowl with a pie crust on top, cleverly branded with the word Guinness and decorated with a Canadian flag on a toothpick. The stew was full of large chunks of sirloin and potato (including the skins), in a rich Guinness broth. This is one of the best pub pies I have had, including ones from "English" and "Irish" themed places.

Sablefish at Murrieta's

Sablefish at Murrieta's, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I love certain kinds of fresh fish, and was excited to hear about the sablefish special at Murrieta's last weekend. It was cooked in a light crumb coating atop a sweet piece of cornbread, surrounded by roasted vegetables with just a bit of a spicy kick to them. The fish was cooked to perfection: hot all the way through, but so moist and fork tender. The coating and corn bread worked really well together, while the vegetables added colour, moisture, and texture to the dish.

The Pho Files: Vietnamese Beef Stew at Thanh Thanh

Vietnamese beef stew at Thanh Thanh #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I had supper with a colleague at Thanh Thanh the other evening and decided to try their take on Vietnamese beef stew. Although the bowl does no look big, it was packed with noodles, chunks of beef, carrots, and a delicious broth that tasted heavily from star anise. The carrots were cooked to perfection and I think there must have been a quarter of a cow in that bowl - I never ran out of meat! The noodles had a pleasant flavour all their own, not just absorbed from the broth. I was really, really stuffed after barely finishing my bowl, something I rarely say after having pho.

Sweet and Sour Vegan Pork at Padmanadi

Sweet and sour vegan pork at Padmanadi #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

My adventure with Padmanadi began with this dish, and I had it again for lunch this week. Sweet and sour vegan pork - a crunchy meat substitute served as a lunch special with rice and two spring rolls. This huge portion also featured some vegetables.

Breakfast for Lunch: Back to Tutti Frutti

Waffle with fruit and English cream from Tutti Frutti., a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Sometimes, I just really want fruit. So, breakfast for lunch is inevitable. I headed to Tutti Frutti for my second visit and had the mammoth waffle with fruit and English cream. The waffle was crispy and had a good flavour, enhanced by the mountain of fresh fruit and generous English cream. Very satisfying.

Twisted Yogurt

Twisted Yogurt #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I would have tried Twisted Yogurt (located on Calgary Trail) sooner, but it is very far out of my way. finally, the opportunity arose this week. The selection of yogurt flavours was decent, and I combined plain with chocolate and raspberry. The chocolate was not all that rich, but the other two flavours were good. I think the selection of toppings is the biggest of all of the different fro-yo places I have tried. They even line the wall. Most of the cereals are in hanging containers that you have to release with a lever, and the stuff comes out FAST! I would prefer everything just be in bins to scoop out, because I ended up with far more Lucky Charms than I intended. It is a good thing I liked them! I would definitely come here again if I am out this way and have a craving for frozen yogurt.

The Pho Files: Beef Stew at Pho Delight

Beef Stew at Pho Delight #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Beef stew done Vietnamese style is one of my favourite colder weather comfort foods. After a couple of hours outside while I was covering two protests, I took a walk over to Pho Delight where I indulged in a bowl. Plentiful beef and carrots abounded (usually I find the carrot portion skimpy), and the carrots were cooked until they were soft. Some of the fat could have been trimmed off the beef - it was the chewy variety - but otherwise this was an excellent bowl of comfort food.

Dessert at Block 1912

Dessert at Block 1912 #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Black Forest is my favourite kind of cake. Most bakeries I have encountered do not make it properly. They make a plain, dry chocolate layer cake with whipped cream and a cherry on top. That is not Black Forest - that is a chocolate layer cake. Black Forest has cherries and cherry liquor or syrup incorporated in the cake itself, as well as the middle layer of cream. Thank you, Block 1912, for knowing how to make a Black Forest cake properly and for giving me such pleasure with your moist, dreamy layers, rich whipped cream, and decadent chocolate shavings.

Winging It at Wild Wing

Boneless wings at Wild Wings #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I was in Sherwood Park last weekend and after I finished at the event I was at, I needed a snack. I noticed the Wild Wing, and remembered how much I enjoy the little morsels.

Opting for a plate of boneless wings, and one of the 100 or so flavours (a mixture of honey-garlic and maple), "little morsels" is an understatement. These were huge, crispy nuggets. I was happily full when done and looking forward to trying the Edmonton location.

Breakfast for Lunch: Omelette at Three Bananas

Omelette at Three Bananas #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I have often had coffee or a snack at Three Bananas, but never breakfast. This changed last Saturday when I was in the Churchill Square area for an event, and decided to seek nourishment first.

My Greek omelette was modified without feta. The combination of avocado, red onions, and tomatoes worked well. The onions were sweet and the tomatoes added moisture and were very fresh. The avocado was a little over-rip, unfortunately. The thick slices of toast made me not miss any potato component of the meal.

Breakfast For Lunch: Tutti Frutti

Although the name could be confused with the frozen yogurt chain, Tutti Frutti Breakfast and Lunch (169 Street & 107 Avenue) is also a chain. Like Cora's, it originates in Quebec and the menu is very similar in many respects. There is a huge variety of French toast, crepes, egg dishes (which can be served with anything from wieners to fried bologna to baked beans to ham and bacon), and lunch specials, including a basic hamburger. The atmosphere of the restaurant is a lot more mature than Cora's, which is something I appreciated. I went for the VIP Breakfast, which includes a crepe, two pieces of French toast, and a mountain of fresh fruit on top. On the side I ordered the home fries, because they looked so wonderful in the menu pictures, and a fruit cocktail as my drink.

The fruit cocktail was like a smoothie without the dairy. I could just feel the freshness of the fruit, with a texture that was not too thick. Very refreshing. My breakfast plate was huge. The French toast was sweet with just a hint of cardamom or all spice or something to give it a slight kick, in a pastry sort of way. The crepe was thin, plain, and benefited from the syrup on the table. The fruit went perfectly with everything, and I loved how seasonal fruit like plums and nectarines were included, not just grapes and melon.

As for the potatoes: for less than $3 we got a rather substantial plate of pan-fried, seasoned, sliced home fries. Because they were pan fried instead of deep fried, the texture ranged from soft to crunchy, which I quite like. I look forward to having these with an omelette or burger on my next visit.

Grilled Turkey Sandwich and Iced Coffee at Gracious Goods.

Turkey grilled sandwich and iced coffee at Gracious Goods. #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I had to finish reading a book in preparation for a talk I am giving. Problem is, it seems like no matter which cafe I pick, someone knows me and strikes up a conversation, thus causing me to set aside the purpose for which I am there. So, I headed to Belgravia yesterday to Gracious Goods Cafe where I could read in peace.

Thing is, I was also hungry and thirsty from the bike ride there. I had a grilled turkey sandwich in flatbread (other choices were as a wrap or on focaccia), replacing the provolone cheese with avocado (which normally costs 50 cents extra to add). The flatbread was grainy, with a hint of sweetness, and served almost like a wrap.

The combination of the spinach, cranberry sauce, and turkey made the sandwich almost taste like Thanksgiving dinner, while the avocado added an earthiness. The way the sandwich was heated caused all of the ingredients to be hot, including the avocado, which was a bit strange. However, the most remarkable think about the sandwich was the fact they use actual, pulled roast turkey - not turkey deli. It was also a bit on the small side.

To drink I had an iced coffee. Freshly brewed, it was deep and fantastic.

I really like the location and atmosphere of Gracious Goods and will be back, hopefully on a regular basis.

Veggie Burger at Blue Plate Diner

Veggie burger at Blue Plate Diner #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

A quick lunch was in order on the way to an event on Sunday, so Blue Plate Diner it was. I had a veggie burger with fries - I usually love house made veggie burgers, which differ greatly from the commercially available ones.

The fresh, crunch grain bun was a delight. The condiments and veggies were ice cold, which affected the temperature of the burger. I could also have stood to be cooked longer - it was quite soft and the outside should have been crispier. Flavour wise, the dijon mustard dominated, although I could sense a lot of seasonings going on within the burger too.

The house made fries were wonderful - hot, fresh, and plentiful.

I think with some tweaking and better preparation, Blue Plate's veggie burger could be a lot better than it is, or at least it was when I had it.

Dinner at Murrieta's

I was excited to have supper on the weekend at Murrieta's. I was in a vegan state of mind, so opted for the quinoa saute, which was a deep dish of the delectable grain with roasted vegetables, lentils, and chickpeas, finished with olive oil and herbs. The flavours blended very well and all of the protein in the chickpeas and lentils really filled me up. I especially liked how the tomatoes added moisture to the dish.

A healthy main course made me feel less guilty about having dessert. The flourless brownie was so rich, it was almost like eating a chocolate bar, except gooier. The ice cream added moisture and the berry compote was a little too sweet - it was already a sweet dish.

Brunch at Next Act

Brunch at Next Act #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

On Saturday, I was craving breakfast food while on Whyte Avenue. As the rain started falling, I remembered that The Next Act serves brunch on weekends.

I had an eggs Benedict with tomato, avocado, and sauteed mushrooms. The flavours went well together, although the tomato made it hard to cut.

I love hash browns, and the accompanying ones were house made, but were a little too heavily coated in seasonings. It was almost like a crust.

My mimosa was refreshing, but a little bitter - I was not sure if it was the juice or the choice of champagne. Overall though, the value and service was good, and Next Act should not be overlooked for weekend brunch - although I think next time I'll have a beer with it.

Bar Snacks at Brewsters

Gyoza and Bavarian pretzel at Brewsters. #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

After a performance over the weekend, I needed some beer and food, but was not in the mood for a full meal. At Brewsters, I had a pint of craft beer with a Bavarian pretzel and gyoza - Japanese dumplings filled with chicken and vegetables. I am glad the Bavarian pretzel was brushed with herbs and served with beer mustard for dipping, because the pretzel itself would not have had much flavour otherwise. The Gyoza was similarly bland - the sweet chilli sauce helped. I think next time I will go for chicken wings.

Snacking at Mercer Tavern

Fritters at Mercer Tavern #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I really like the atmosphere of Mercer Tavern. I was here for lunch this week, but I just wanted a snack, so went for the fritters - they were delicious, like little savoury doughnuts with corn in them, served with jam. All they needed was some confectioner's sugar! Hot, crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside - and they went great with my beer.

Plow and Harvest

Turkey big plate at Plow and Harvest #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

As a lover of home cooked, home style meals, I was eager to try the new Plow and Harvest which opened up on 170 street and 100 Avenue, in a large space formerly occupied by a number of restaurants.

I love the decor - the country theme is perhaps played up to the point of kitsch, but that is sort of the place's charm. Our greeter was very friendly and explained how to order. Of course, by the time we sat down, we had completely forgotten. Fortunately, there are staff wandering around, and one of them picked up on our confusion and helped us out.

The line between restaurant and cafeteria is blurred when it comes to payment. I don't mind paying for my food first. The main advantage for me is not having to wait for the bill after (my least favourite part of dining out). Tipping is another matter. Perhaps there is some way to tip afterwards that the management can incorporate.

I ordered a turkey entree and my friend had the "not so sloppy" Joe. Sandwiches come with fries, which cannot be substituted for another side (although sides can be ordered for an addition $4 each). Entrees come with a side, and you can pick one additional one, so I went for fries. I found them crispy and seasoned. My stuffing was one of the best I ever had. I loved the gravy, which was not overpowering and went especially well with the stuffing, and the turkey - five or six thick slices of white breast meat. The accompanying artisan bread (a pumpernickel bun) was also great - and I don't even like pumpernickel!

I did not taste the sloppy Joe but my friend was satisfied with it and said he would order it again. He also had a side of stuffing in addition to his fries and shared my enthusiasm for it. We loved the presentation - sides are in these mini cast iron skillets and condiments are in tiny silver buckets.

My main disappointment was our beverages. I was initially excited about Boylan's pop being on tap. The problem was that it tasted very watered down. Also, the chairs are not comfortable - my lower back felt sort of caged in. The restaurant is definitely not perfect, but I the food and service were good. I am hoping the standard will be maintained on future visits.

Lunch at the Hotel Selkirk

I head to Fort Edmonton Park at least once or twice a year. It is my favourite outdoor attraction in the city. I love riding the train and streetcar, seeing the interpreters in period dress, exploring all of the old buildings, and learning more about Edmonton's history.

I visited the park today and had lunch at the Hotel Selkirk. I've consistently been underwhelmed by the food here, but it's nicer dining there than in the Masonic Hall cafeteria.

The chicken and corn chowder is an original hotel creation that is excellent. It is thick, full of tender chicken and corn, and the corn chips add colour and crunch. If they offered a meal-sized bowl I would certainly order it.

The fish and chips featured two crispy pieces of cod and beefsteak fries. The fries were of the frozen variety. The accompanying tartar sauce tasted like Kraft's, and the coleslaw was fresh and tangy. I am always amazed when restaurants don't make their own fries and tartar sauce (especially a more upscale establishment) because neither is difficult. Overall, the meal was adequate though nothing special.

I also found the service to be lacking. We sat for quite a while after our meal was completed before I finally had to go over to a server to get the bill. Service was good until that point.