Spicy Steak and Potato Pizza at Boston Pizza

I don't go out with my father and brother often. We needed a place in the west end and the only restaurant we could agree on was Boston Pizza. I had a new menu item: the spicy steak and potato pizza. Thin slices of BP's Cactus potatoes as well as thin slices of grilled steak with lots of spices topped the pizza, along with onions. I held the cheddar and opted for all mozzarella. The pizza was definitely spicy - almost to the edge of my tolerance - and the steak actually held its own with grilled flavour. The potatoes were soggy under the cheese and almost superfluous. The horseradish mayor drizzle and crispy onion straws were missing, I later realized. If you like a meaty, spicy pizza, this is a great idea - just make sure you get exactly what you order.

Bavarian Turkey Dip at Brewsters

I went out for supper this week with my brother to the Meadowlark location of Brewsters. I tried a menu item I have been eyeing for a while: the Bavarian Turkey Dip. Served on a pretzel bun, thin slices of turkey breast is piled high with tart cranberry sauce and mayo. I held the provolone. The dip part was the turkey gravy to the side. It was one of the best turkey gravies I have ever had: thick and flavourful without being too lumpy or spicy. It also went well with the fries I had to the side.

Vegging Out: Diner's Veggie at Friends and Neighbours

A late lunch on Saturday led me at Friends and Neighbours (10834 82 Avenue). I was really hungry and opted for the Diner's Veggie, which at $13.95 is one of the most expensive items on the menu. The crispy, grilled pita was packed with onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, avocado, and crispy soy bacon - definitely the star of the dish. I thought that the vegetables would have been sauteed, other than the avocado, of course. Otherwise, it was basically salad in a pita. The sour cream and salsa to the side made for some good dipping of the accompanying potatoes, as well as the pita itself, which also had vegetable spread on it. The flavours worked well together and the dish was filling.

Sandwich and Salad at Cafe Blackbird

I have been wanting to give Cafe Blackbird another try, and had the opportunity a couple of days ago. I tried the smoked salmon, spinach, and cream cheese sandwich for $9. The sweet, pickled onions added a flavour dimension different than the capers and onions which typically come with smoked salmon. The salmon was fresh and plentiful, and while the baguette from Cobs was delightful, I really missed the dense, chewy sensation of a bagel. The portion just seemed a little light for the price.

On another plate was a salad of spinach, kale, and tomatoes, with a dressing of olive oil and lemon. At $7 for a half size, the portion was quite generous, the kale and spinach filling and crunchy. I would have loved more sliced almonds on top. The dressing gave the salad a fruity after taste which was pleasant. However, the dressing was also loaded with garlic, which became stronger the more I ate. It is a good thing I did not have a hot date afterwards! The flavours of the individual salad components were enough that it did not need such a strong dressing. Lighten up on that a bit and Cafe Blackbird will have one of the best salads in the city.

Mango Butter Chicken at Naanolicious

It's Saturday evening. You guessed it - I went to Naanolicious for supper. Believe it or not, there are still a few menu items I have not yet tried. The mango butter chicken dinner is one of them. A generous portion of creamy, delicious butter chicken is served with basmati rice, a wedge of mango, and a shot glass with mango puree, to sweeten things up to taste. If you like butter chicken, you can't go wrong with this.

Breakfast for Lunch: Smoked Angus Brisket Bennies at Artisan

I was looking forward to brunch at Artisan today, and intended to order something specific off the menu. For the second time in a row, I ended up being sidetracked by the special. It was eggs benedict made with smoked Angus beef brisket. The brisket was sliced thin, nicely smoked, and topped with my eggs poached to order on an English muffin (I held the hollandaise). It was served with Artisan's standard sides of grilled potatoes and fruit. Another special for the win!

Chai, Samosa, Dahl Combo at Remedy

I stopped in to the Jasper Avenue location of Remedy on Friday to grab a chai and some samosas before heading to film a rally. I decided to get the combo of one large chai, a dhal soup, and two samosas. I have never had the dhal soup before. It has a yellow lentil base, is very spicy, and if it was colder outside, would certainly have defrosted me. Many of the luscious lentils settled at the bottom of the bowl, which made the soup get thicker the further down I got. My samosas were packed with potatoes and spices, but were almost cold by the time my plate got to me. I have a feeling they were sitting while the soup was being prepared. I forgot that the chai would be waiting on the counter, but it was still warm when I finally got up to get it. I was also full for the rest of the day. At $12, this is a combo with value and flavour.

Chicken Vermicelli with Spring Rolls at Pho King

An event I was filming this week was right around the corner from Pho King. I ordered the chicken vermicelli with spring rolls (I asked for vegetarian). The bowl was huge - very wide and deep. Two large skewers of perfectly grilled chicken adorned the top, as did a couple of chopped up spring rolls. The noodles were plentiful as was the salad. This was definitely one of the more generous vermicelli bowls, portion-wise, and it tasted excellent.

Fish Bites at Naanolicious

I missed a couple of Saturdays on Whyte due to work/community obligations, but managed to drop by Blues On Whyte for a shirt time this past Saturday. In doing so, I had supper at Naanolicious, my go-to Saturday night place. I tried the fish bites for the first time. Delicate pieces of seasoned white fish were fried in a lentil batter. This was a portion made for sharing, and went well with the accompanied dipping sauce. It was sort of like fusion fish and chips, without the chips. I can see the restaurant preparing a smaller amount of fish, with some curry fries on the side, for a really delicious experience.

Mushroom Calzone at the Italian Centre

I was in need of a quick lunch at the north end Italian Centre last week. On special was a mushroom calzone. The light crust was packed with mushrooms and some mozzarella. It tasted great but was a little dry - it was lacking any sauce on the inside (or something to dip on the outside). Still, a hearty piece of calzone for $5 is a hard bargain to beat.

The Pho Files: Veggie Pho at Pho Delight

A weekend lunch at the Pho Delight side of the duel Friends and Neighbours (10838 82 Avenue) allowed me to indulge my curiosity about the place's vegetarian pho. This is not to be confused with the Buddha Pho, which is the same thing except spicy. This was definitely one of the heartiest vegetarian versions of pho I have ever had. It included lots of tofu for protein, as well as almost a garden's worth of carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, mushrooms (just a few), kale (the first time I have ever seen it in pho), and brussels spouts. I was a bit leery when I noticed the latter, as I absolutely hate brussels sprouts. However, I bravely put one in my mouth and was surprised by a rich, almost roasted flavour with very little bitterness. That says something to me, that when I can enjoy an ingredient I normally hate then a dish is indeed very well done. There was also quite a bit of celery, which was superfluous as most of it sank to the bottom. The broth was also vegetarian yet rich and flavourful. The noodles were a bit difficult to retrieve at first because of all of the vegetables weighing them down, so as a result many of them broke before reaching my mouth. This is just a minor criticism. Vegan and vegetarian lovers of pho need to try this.

The Gobbler at Press'd

I grabbed a quick bite last week at the university location of Press'd. I normally order the Bird, which has turkey, sprouts, and avocado (I skip the cream cheese). The Gobbler, I am assuming which is a seasonal special, has turkey, spinach, and cranberry sauce (I also skipped the cream cheese). My verdict? There was too much cranberry sauce, and it dominated the taste. I felt like I was eating a sweet spinach salad at some points where the turkey was thinner. If you love cranberry sauce and spinach you'll like this. Otherwise, I am sticking with the Bird.

Just Desserts: Chocolate Pecan Chocolate Cake Muffin at Cafe Leva

A coffee meeting at Cafe Leva turned into a coffee and treat meeting. I enjoyed what I thought at first was just a chocolate muffin with pecans, but was actually a dense piece of chocolate cake that was almost solid chocolate within. It was also sold to me as vegan, but I found it hard to believe, it was so rich. It was like eating a chocolate bar shaped into a muffin. I was on a sugar high for the rest of the afternoon. And that, my friends, is a good thing.

Breakfast for Lunch: Latkes and Gravlax at Mill Creek Cafe

I had a meeting last week at Mill Creek Cafe and as I had not yet had lunch, got there early to order something. I went for an item that I learned is on the lunch menu as well as the brunch menu: latkes and gravlax. To use the term "latkes" as opposed to "potato pancakes" implies a certain degree of, dare I say it, chutzpah. However, flavour-wise, these latkes taste right. They were the right size and texture, as far as the grated variety goes (most places serve them thick and gummy, with semi-raw pieces of potato). Putting gravlax - home made smoked salmon - with latkes is something different for me, but the flavours worked together. Instead of the Boursin soft cheese I opted for sour cream. A side salad with balsamic dressing rounded out the plate. This is definitely what I would call a Jewish fusion dish.

Breakfast for Lunch: Brunch Special at Artisan Cafe

Saturday morning brunch at Artisan Resto-Cafe saw me order the special: two turkey sausages, two eggs any style, potatoes, and a piece of blueberry French toast. It was a good portion, and one doesn't find turkey sausages being served that often. The French toast was not overly sweet, and my eggs were done perfectly. A great way to start the weekend.

Beef Shogayaki at Ichiban

I stopped in to Ichiban (8750 149 Street) yesterday for a quick lunch and chose beef shogayaki from the lunch specials menu. Thin slices of beef were pan fried in a light ginger sauce and served over sprouts (that were cooked in the same sauce). The beef was served alongside a scoop of rice and a salad. It seemed rather light, but was actually quite filling.

Vegging Out: Vegetarian Triple Decker at Friends and Neighbours

I am starting to make Friends and Neighbours (10834 82 Avenue) a regular habit. Last week I tried the vegetarian club sandwich, which is a huge trip decker stacked with soy bacon, grilled tofu, lettuce, tomatoes, with roasted red pepper spread on toast. There appeared to be margarine on the bread as well - I am not sure if this can be held, as I know the buns and bagels are pre-margarined. The sandwich is too big to fit into most people's mouths. The soy bacon really steals the show, while the tofu was rather bland. I chose the house made has browns as my side. This is a very heart sandwich, but I prefer the veggie sandwich I had there on my previous visit, with just soy bacon, avocado, and spinach on a bagel.

Indian Arrabiatta Pasta at Naanolicious

There is not much I haven't ordered off the menu at Naanolicious, but the Indian Arrabiatta Pasta was one of them - until this past weekend. Tri-colour fusili cooked in an Indian butter sauce, with vegetables. I added chicken for an extra $3 and basically interpreted the meal as butter chicken on pasta with vegetables. You can't really go wrong with that - the sauce worked well with the pasta, which was cooked properly, and it went well with a piece of plain naan. Plus, the portion was huge - it was served in a bowl that was practically as a big as a bucket. If you like butter chicken and want to try a different take on the dish, definitely try this.

The Pho Files - Chicken Soup at Good Buddy

This past Saturday, I had noodles for a cause! Prior to attending a public apology made to an Aboriginal Elder who was wrongly ousted from City Centre Mall by mall security, I had the meal he was likely having at the time of the unfortunate incident: chicken noodle soup from Good Buddy, a Vietnamese fast food outlet in the food court. I used to live on the stuff when I ate there more often. At only $5.69 it is cheap and a reasonably large portion. I would not call this pho, as the broth lacks the depth of flavour for that, but the noodles lean in the pho direction. I find them rather thin and firm in texture, making the soup easier to eat than actual pho.

The Pho Files: Pho Ga at Pho Hoa

A business lunch at the Chinatown location of Pho Hoa (9723 106 Avenue) last week satisfied my craving for pho. I ordered the chicken pho. The broth was lighter than the beef one, the chicken was plentiful, and the portion large (I ordered a large). Good value and good comfort food.

Grilled Chicken Vermicelli at Doans

I recently had supper at the south side location of Doans and ordered the grilled chicken vermicelli. The chicken tasted very grilled indeed, albeit somewhat on the preserved side - I think it was pre-marinated. It was served on top of a bed of salad and noodles. The salad was right under the meat, which is different arrangements from other vermicelli bowls, which usually as the sprouts and lettuce on the bottom. It was a light supper, slightly more expensive than a Chinatown noodle house.

Vegging Out: Veggie Sandwich at Friends and Neighbours

I returned to Friends and Neighbours Cafe (10834 82 Avenue) yesterday for another late lunch. This time I tried the veggie sandwich, which included a load of soy bacon, spinach, avocado, and tomatoes with red pepper spread on a toasted whole wheat bagel. The sandwich was not exactly as described: the menu said there was also grilled tofu, and made no mention of the red pepper spread, but the soy bacon was plentiful and the spread worked overall to bring the flavours together. For my side I picked the hash browns, which are really more like home fries. A note to vegans: the bagels and buns used for sandwiches at Friends and Neighbours are pre-buttered (margarine, actually). However, I could not taste it and would not have known about it at all had I not asked. Still, this may be an issue for some of you, so I thought I should mention it.

Breakfast for Lunch: Tofu Scramble with Soya Bacon at Friends and Neighbours

I went to Friends and Neighbours (10834 82 Avenue) a long, long time ago, and recently started dining there regularly for pho (the restaurant is divided into two sections: pho/Vietnamese and Western, although one can order from either menu on either side). However, I decided to venture into the regular menu, which features a huge variety of vegetarian items. For a late lunch last week I had the tofu scramble with soya bacon. The tofu was chopped up to give a texture like scrambled eggs, with lots of white onion. The "bacon" was plentiful, crispy, and seasoned. It did not taste as much like bacon as other bacon substitutes I have tried, but it had a great flavour and is somewhat addictive. My only criticism would be that the onions in the scramble should have been cooked longer, as they were still very strong. I would possibly ask them to hold the onions next time. The meal was also served with a generous portion of pan-friend hash browns and two slices of toast.

Mushroom Pie at Cafe Blackbird

Cafe Blackbird is located in the Crestwood neighbourhood where Jeffrey's Cafe was located for many years. Cafe Blackbird has kept the wine bar, redone the interior slightly, and totally revamped the menu. The small menu of sandwiches and salads are featured on a blackboard, along with the soup of the day, the savoury pie of the day, and a few other items. A variety of baked goods are in a display case. The menu was developed with help from Culina and the coffee from Iconoclast Coffee, as well as other local businesses. There is still live music, and the place has a neighbourhood charm to it. A sandwich will run you about $9 while a soup and sandwich combo is $14.

I had the featured pie, which was creamy mushroom. It was small and rich, with lots of mushrooms in a flaky pastry. I did not realize from the description on the blackboard that there would be cheese in it - this was a problem for me. It was also served with sweet chutney, which I did not understand flavour-wise in context with the pie. I also found the price to be a little high given the small size of the pie. The best part of the meal, for me, was actually the coffee. It was fresh and aromatic. I would definitely head back here for a coffee in a heartbeat. As for the food, I hope in the future there is more of a selection and that the descriptions are better presented.

Hakka Noodle at Naanolicious

Naanolicious is well known as my go-to place for post-libation nourishment on Saturday evenings. I had the opportunity to try a few bites of the Hakka Noodles, an Indo-Chinese fusion vegetarian dish that is essentially a vegetable stir fry in a spicy, savoury sauce with elements of teriyaki and ginger. A very bold flavour, if I ordered this for myself I would add chicken and ask that the heat be turned down just a touch.

Veggie Dumplings at Pho Delight

Whether you call it Pho Delight or Friends and Neighbours (only a wall separates the two sides of what is basically the same restaurant at 10838 82 Avenue), you can order a variety of pho soups, western meals, and vegetarian dishes no matter where you sit. I tried the veggie dumplings as a snack. Five dumplings were filled with a tofu and vegetable mixture that tasted predominantly from spinach and peas. The texture was very pleasant and the outer shell tasted a bit like pan-fried pancake, although some were a bit overdone. Overall though this was a solid vegetarian take on an Asian favourite appetizer.

Thai Samosas at Viphalay

A business dinner at Viphalay saw me order some tried and true favourites, like Pad Thai and the coconut chicken soup. However, I was also in the mood for some Thai samosas. Five small crispy shells were stuffed with chicken, peas, carrots, onions, and yellow curry. Although I typically associate samosas with East Indian cuisine, these tasted noticeably different.

The Pho Files: Phovarite at Phobulous

I was heading to film a protest near Phobulous last week and decided to curb my hunger with a bowl of Phovariete, which is the cute menu name for rare steak and well done brisket. While slightly higher in price than other nearby pho places (let alone Chinatown), the portion was full of noodles and lots of meat. It took a little while for the rare steak to cook in the broth, even though it was reasonably hot. Otherwise, this was a satisfying bowl of pho.

Paneer Naan-Wrapture at Naanolicious

Last Saturday, I had lunch at Naanolicious. I ordered a paneer naan-wrapture. Naan-wraptures are Naanolicious' take on donairs: different kinds of meat or vegetarian fillings in a curry, wrapped in a naan with some vegetables. My paneer was in a butter sauce, and it was loaded with pressed cheese. Naan bread can break easily at the crunchy parts, so it was a little messy to eat, but for $8 it is one of the cheapest and most filling items on the menu.

Vegging Out: Padmanadi

A business lunch brought me to Padmanadi this week. I ordered off of the lunch menu and was surprised with a starter bowl of carrot ginger soup. The flavours were delicate, with the carrot providing sweetness and the ginger not overpowering.

I was in need of a veggie meat fix, so ordered an appetizer of bean curd drumsticks. The "skin" was crispy and tasted rather authentic. The moist insides did not taste totally like chicken, but the texture and flavour were heading in the right direction.

The lunch menu consists of a number of Padmanadi's most famous main courses teamed up with rice, vegetables, and spring rolls. My generous portion of sweet and sour veggie pork filled whatever room I had left. Plenty of rice absorbed the delicious sweet and sour sauce. The spring rolls added some extra crunch.

Just Desserts: Gracious Goods

I found myself in Belgravia and in need of lunch a few days ago, so stopped in to Gracious Goods. My Thai chicken wrap had a lot of chicken in it, as well as crunchy noodles, green onions, and lots of spicy peanut sauce (which was a bit overpowering at times). Beef barley soup probably was not the most obvious side and the flavours clashed somewhat, but the soup was incredible: piping hot, and full of beefy goodness.

However, the real star of my afternoon was the affogato. A huge scoop of chocolate ice cream was surrounded by two shots of espresso. The mix of temperatures and a flavour combination that resulted in a pleasant mocha would bring me back here just for that.

Breakfast for Lunch: Chicken and Waffles at CRAFT

I was hungry and thirsty between events on Sunday, and as I was in the Churchill Square area, headed to CRAFT Beer Market for the first time. I had a couple of the hundred or so beers on tap (nothing here is bottled) including a Steigl Radler Zitrone which is a fruit beer exclusive to CRAFT, and a Liefmans on the rocks - my favourite fruit beer.

CRAFT serves brunch on weekends until 2 p.m. My chicken and waffles had two chunks of breaded, fried chicken, four wedges of waffles that had some pepper in them to make them more savoury than sweet, and a garnish of fruit on a kebab skewer. I adored the little individual glass jar of maple syrup and the side of CRAFT hot sauce had a citrus kick - and major after burn. Use sparingly if you are sensitive to spice. My chicken was slightly over done on the outside, but was redeemed by the moist, juicy meat inside.

The Pho Files: Maki Maki

On Saturday, I was attending an event at a venue almost directly across the street from Maki Maki. It was well over two years since my first and only visit to the restaurant, and without even knowing it, I ordered the exact same meal! The only difference was the addition of an order of green onion cakes, which were crispy and delicious. Otherwise, I enjoyed the avocado roll, with the crunch of tempura adding texture to the fresh avocado.

The pho tai did not disappoint - it was even better than I remembered. The broth was rich and flavourful, and there was so much meat that I actually ran out of noodles first! Sliced so thin, the steak was amongst the most tender I have ever had in pho.

Breakfast for Lunch: Masala Morning at Artisan Cafe

Saturday morning say another visit for brunch at Artisan Rest-Cafe I tried the Masala Morning, of which I was curious for quite some time. It was basically a scoop of chicken curry, with a spicy sauce, potatoes, and slices of chicken breast. Two eggs (any style) and toast were served on the side. The eggs actually seemed a bit disjointed from the rest of the meal, and I found peanut butter went really well on the toast. I think the concept of an East Indian brunch dish was creative, but did not really say "brunch" to me. No eggs and a little more of the curry would have made a great lunch, though.

Breakfast for Lunch: Hash at De Dutch

I stopped in to De Dutch for a late lunch after doing some filming downtown a few days ago. I had the hash, which features a generous portion of the finely diced hash browns mixed with corn, green peppers, tomatoes, and edam cheese (which I held, with two eggs, a protein of choice, and toast. My soft poached eggs were perfect with this, the runny yolk providing a rich sauce in place of the edam. My smoked salmon blended in with the other flavours, which were dominated by the pepper.

Tandoori Salmon at Naanolicious

I have been to Naanolicious so many times that I have pretty much settled into a routine of ordering my favourite dishes in rotation. Tonight, I decided to try something new. I love tandoori chicken, so was curious as to how the tandoori salmon would measure up. The results were impressive. The salmon was moist, tender, and full of flavour without diminishing the natural taste of the fish. Served with saffron rice, a few roasted potatoes, and a salad, the plate was as attractive to look at as to eat. One of the most incredible salmon dinners I have had in a long time. It's also one of the pricer items on the menu at $22, but worth treating yourself to.

Lamb Kebabs at Naanolicious

Supper at Naanolicious after the Saturday afternoon jam at Blues On Whyte is something of a ritual. I have tried the chicken and paneer kebabs, but but the opportunity to try some of the lamb kebabs. Huge chunks of meat and vegetables were served on a sizzling platter, with saffron rice. The lamb was just tender enough, and did not taste gamey. I personally prefer the taste of beef and will try those kebabs on a future visit.

Breakfast for Lunch: Country Harvest at Artisan Resto-Cafe

I have had brunch before at Artisan Resto-Cafe on Whyte Avenue, usually an omelette, but tried the Country Harvest for something different. Two eggs any style, potatoes, two thick beef sausages, and a choice of a piece of French toast or one pancake - this is indeed a unique combination. The sausages in particular were filling, and the piece of French toast I chose made a pleasant alternative to the plain toast usually served with such a meal. My eggs were perfectly done, and the potatoes were Artisan's own. My only criticism was that the onion that garnished them was raw - and strong. Lightly fried or sauteed onions would have made a huge difference. Otherwise, a very good meal, and a restaurant with a cool atmosphere.

Teppan Beef and Mushrooms at Pagolac

Everyone at Pagolac (10566 97 Street) knew this dish was coming to our table - the sizzling and smoke trail were impossible to ignore. A mountain of beef and mushrooms served on a sizzling platter - the one it was cooked on. The beef was a bit on the chewy side, but tasted great. Perfect for sharing, and be sure to order some rice or noodles to the side.

Chicken and Rice at Mamenche's

I have had chicken with onions at Mamenche's numerous times, so when I went there for a business lunch last week I ordered the basic quarter chicken and rice. Three perfectly braised pieces of chicken with a heaping of rice filled me to the brim. The chicken was not as moist as the version with onions (where the pieces are stewed), but here there was crunchy skin, where much of the flavour resided. The two corn tortillas went well with the salad and made it possible to break down the chicken with some rice for a nice stuffing.

Coffee Break: Flat White at Second Cup

I first tried a Flat White at Transcend, and it quickly became my favourite drink there. It is a strong, short drink of espresso with steamed milk - sort of like a cappuccino without the foam. When I stopped in to my local Second Cup over the weekend, I was surprised to see their new Flat White being promoted. I gave in to my curiosity and tried it. The size was right and the two shots of espresso were fresh and strong - however, it was too hot. Flat Whites are not supposed to be as hot as a latte. Actually, the top part of the drink were about right, but it got hotter as I got further down the cup. The Second Cup Flat White is definitely a work in progress.

Just Desserts: Bread Pudding at Cafe Leva

While it is no secret that I adore the coffee and pizza at Cafe Leva, I have actually never tried one of their desserts. I stopped in there this past week and had the bread pudding. It was presented in a flat square, slightly heated so that the chocolate on top had melted. The results were rich, buttery, and sometimes crispy. The portion of cream on the side added moisture and even more richness. An absolutely decadent treat.

Breakfast for Lunch: Two Eggs at Sugarbowl

An unexpected lunch at The Sugarbowl led me to try something from the breakfast menu. I had two eggs cooked to my order of over easy, served alongside potatoes and toast. Smoked salmon was substituted for the bacon which came with it by default. My eggs were perfectly cooked, and the home made potatoes were wonderful. My portion of smoked salmon was great. No complaints here!

Fringe Food - Version 2014

For the fourth year I was on the Multimedia Team volunteering at the Edmonton Internatinoal Fringe Theatre Festival. As a result, I had several meals and snacks on the Fringe grounds. I won't even bother to illustrate the mini doughnuts and popcorn which were delicious staples of my afternoon snacks. I will, however, present a photo of my annual green onion cake.

After trying their beef garlic steak at Taste of Edmonton, I was eager to have a real portion from Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse's food truck. For $9, the serving of steak was exactly the same as Taste of Edmonton's, with the addition of a dollop of potato salad. Still delicious, but quite pricey.

A good value was the Chilli Chicken from New Asian Village. Large chunks of chicken were atop a bed of saffron rice and a few seasoned potatoes. If only the wasps left me alone long enough to enjoy it!

While the portion seemed deceptively small at first, the Chicken Tikka from Zaika Indian Bistro was packed with rice and chicken, which was flavourful without being too spicy. The salad on top added some fresh crispness to the meal. I was so impressed, I actually had this on two separate shifts.