Breakfast for Lunch: Smoked Salmon Scramble at Cacao 70 (10430 82 Ave.)

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Cacao 70 Eatery on Whyte Avenue - I came here for brunch. I had a mocha, which tasted like a melted chocolate bar without any hint of coffee. It read to me more like a rich hot chocolate. My smoked salmon scramble was meh - maybe 5 pieces of smoked salmon with a salad, a portion of scrambled eggs (the best part of the meal), toasted panini, and potato wedges that were limp and had an off taste to them. Also, I noticed that the the woman who was making the hot drinks kept coughing and coughing, and although she was covering it with her sleeve, it made me uncomfortable. Service was adequate, and prices are rather high. I wish the food matched the decor. #yeg #yegfoodie #yegfood #yegeats #cacao70 #brunch #whyteave #whyteavenue

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Oct 14, 2018 at 5:20pm PDT

Cacao 70 Eatery on Whyte Avenue - I came here for brunch. I had a mocha, which tasted like a melted chocolate bar without any hint of coffee. It read to me more like a rich hot chocolate. My smoked salmon scramble was meh - maybe 5 pieces of smoked salmon with a salad, a portion of scrambled eggs (the best part of the meal), toasted panini, and potato wedges that were limp and had an off taste to them. Also, I noticed that the the woman who was making the hot drinks kept coughing and coughing, and although she was covering it with her sleeve, it made me uncomfortable. Service was adequate, and prices are rather high. I wish the food matched the decor.

Tapas at Holy Roller (8222 Gateway Blvd.)

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Dinner for two at The Holy Roller. Interesting concept of international street food. From "The Asias" we tried the Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps. The grilled short ribs were delicious, but my dining partner was nonplussed by the idea of putting the wraps together himself. My Miami Fish Sandwich (from "The Americas") featured a large piece of fried cod, in a white bun with loads of mango ketchup and diced white onions - different toppings than I am used to on fish, but it worked. The bun though was heavily buttered and I found the flavour distracting. From "The Mediterranean" we shared Patatas Bravas, which was described as crispy potatoes with spicy tomato sauce and mayo. We were faced with a plate of whole, roasted small potatoes that were slightly undercooked. The sauce and mayo saved the dish. I was expecting a take on fries. From the same part of the menu was the Ensalada Espanola with lettuce, green olives, roasted red peppers, almonds, and smoked paprika vinaigrette. This was the star of the meal. The flavour was multilayered with the bitterness of the greens, the punch of the olives, the crunch of the almonds, and the unique dressing. I also enjoyed my mocktail, a take on a mint julep. #yeg #yegfoodie #yegfood #yegeats #whyteave #streetfood

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Oct 7, 2018 at 8:50am PDT

Dinner for two at The Holy Roller. Interesting concept of international street food. From "The Asias" we tried the Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps. The grilled short ribs were delicious, but my dining partner was nonplussed by the idea of putting the wraps together himself. My Miami Fish Sandwich (from "The Americas") featured a large piece of fried cod, in a white bun with loads of mango ketchup and diced white onions - different toppings than I am used to on fish, but it worked. The bun though was heavily buttered and I found the flavour distracting. From "The Mediterranean" we shared Patatas Bravas, which was described as crispy potatoes with spicy tomato sauce and mayo. We were faced with a plate of whole, roasted small potatoes that were slightly undercooked. The sauce and mayo saved the dish. I was expecting a take on fries. From the same part of the menu was the Ensalada Espanola with lettuce, green olives, roasted red peppers, almonds, and smoked paprika vinaigrette. This was the star of the meal. The flavour was multilayered with the bitterness of the greens, the punch of the olives, the crunch of the almonds, and the unique dressing. I also enjoyed my mocktail, a take on a mint julep.

Breakfast for Lunch: Big Beer Breakfast at Situation Brewing

Big Beer Breakfast (with beef) #yegfood #yegeats #foodporn

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Nov 25, 2017 at 1:06pm PST

Saturdays for me often means brunch, and this weekend I headed back to Situation Brewing. I opted for the Big Beer Breakfast: two eggs any way, hash browns, toast, and my choice of bacon or beef sausage. I chose the latter: two thick, juicy sausages that went well with the rest of the dish. It's not an overwhelmingly huge portion as the name of the dish implies, but it's got pretty much all of the elements of a hearty breakfast.

Rock Sole at New West Restaurant

Rock sole, hash browns, and veggies. #yeg #yegfood #yegeats #foodporn

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Nov 12, 2017 at 11:30am PST

It's obvious from walking through the doors of New West Restaurant (15025 111 Avenue) that this place has never been renovated - nothing major, anyway. It's like stepping into a time warp. A no-nonsense diner with a menu of classic dishes like hot sandwiches, all-day breakfast, and homemade soups, the menu is extensive and reasonably-priced. I had the rock sole dinner, which came with a choice of soup or salad, as well as dessert. The sole itself was plentiful, pan-fried in a light batter and served alongside freshly-cooked carrots and squash and my choice of potato - which, in this case, was the hash browns. They are great with breakfast and equally so with supper. My cream of cauliflower soup was comforting and thick, while the chocolate pudding for dessert rounded off a good meal on a sweet note. No complaints here.

Dinner at Yianni's Taverna

Appetizers: roasted olives and hummus. #yegfood

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Oct 28, 2017 at 4:26pm PDT

I was treated to a fabulous dinner at Yianni's Taverna a couple of weeks ago. We started with the hummus and pita, as well as the roasted olives. The hummus was rich and thick, and likely the best I have ever had. The olives were hot, marinated in seasonings and oil, and absolutely incredible. I could probably have made a meal out of the appetizers.

Rack of lamb for him and roasted chicken for me. #yegfood

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Oct 28, 2017 at 5:14pm PDT

I had the chicken (top), which was a full breast grilled and seasoned to perfection. The vegetables were just lightly blanched while the lemon potatoes were excellent - cooked fork tender and not overwhelming on the lemon. A dollop of tzatziki on the side complemented the chicken well. I also tried a bite of the rack of lamb. While I am not a lamb fan, this was absolutely succulent, cooked to a perfect medium, and a huge portion.

Chicken Souvlaki at Urban Greek

Chicken souvlaki #yegfood

A photo posted by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Apr 22, 2016 at 12:48pm PDT

I am often in the area of City Centre, and wanted to try Urban Greek on the recommendation of a friend. However, whenever I am around the line up is so long that I don't have time to wait. Until last week - I was able to quickly place an order and get one of the few tables available. I had the chicken souvlaki entree, which came with two sides. I chose rice pilaf and Greek potatoes. The rice was nicely done with vegetables, but the roasted potatoes ruled the plate: perfectly cooked with garlic tzatziki sauce on top. The one skewer of chicken was densely packed and seasoned to perfection, with yet more tzatziki on the side for dipping. Fast, reasonably priced, and delicious - I will be back, if I can beat the line up!

Chicken Schnitzel at Kafana

Chicken schnitzel #yegfood

A photo posted by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Apr 17, 2016 at 3:02pm PDT

I found out that on Sundays, Balkan restaurant Kafana has a special: chicken schnitzel. As I was in the area this past Sunday for an event, and Kafana was almost right across the street from where I needed to be, dining there just made sense. And yes, I went for the schnitzel as it would be a rare opportunity for me to try it. The large chicken breast was pounded thin and coated in a crunchy breading which was not greasy at all. The meat inside was moist and flavourful. I opted for baby potatoes as my side, since Kafana roasts them really well. If I am in the area on a Sunday again, I want a repeat!

Breakfast for Lunch: Steak and Eggs at The Pourhouse

While looking around at brunch options while on Whyte Avenue over the weekend, I noticed that The Pourhouse Bier Bistro has a breakfast menu. I went for the steak and eggs, a favourite of mine (especially when I am very hungry). I think that was the largest steak I have ever had with this meal before. The eggs were done to perfection, and the potatoes were roasted with garlic, which got a bit more intense for me the more I ate of them. I would have preferred a smaller steak that was leaner - I found I was getting sidetracked with fat and gristle. However, this is a formidable plate for $17 and a must-try for brunch fans of the non-vegetarian kind. Plus, it is a very spacious place that is much quieter than other brunch places in the area. Definitely a best-kept secret of Whyte - for now.

Yellow Curry at Viphalay

I was happy to learn that the 95 Street location of Viphalay is open for lunch from Tuesday to Friday. Better still, there is a special lunch menu with a variety of affordable options ($15 range). I had one of the curry combos. The yellow curry was just spicy enough, with a familiar, rich texture and flavour. It was full of potatoes and carrots, as well as tofu (my choice of protein). The abundant liquid went well with the side of coconut rice (jasmine was the other option).

Breakfast for Lunch: Breakfast Special at Highlevel Diner

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While riding my bike around the Garneau area, I stopped in for lunch at Highlevel Diner This proved to be a good choice on a number of levels. First, cyclists who come into the restaurant hold their helmets get ten percent off their meals Second, I discovered the weekday all-day breakfast special, which is two eggs, bacon, potatoes, and toast for $7.99. I had an extra egg instead of the bacon. The portion was large, especially for the price, and I loved the roasted potatoes - a nice break from typical hash browns. Breakfast on a budget.

Breakfast for Lunch: Pacific Omelette at Friends and Neighbours

Friends and Neighbours (10834 82 Avenue) is easily one of my favourite cafes on Whyte Avenue. The Pacific omelette is one reason why. It had at least three eggs and was loaded with smoked salmon and spinach. It also comes with Swiss cheese, which I held. Add toast and house made hash browns and you really can't go wrong.

Breakfast for Lunch: Tofu Scramble at Cafe Mosaics

Although I have reviewed this dish before, Cafe Mosaics has undergone a physical renovation and so has its menu. The tofu scramble is still loaded with vegetables and comes with the same delicious roasted potatoes as before, but now also comes with veggie candied bacon and toast with avocado spread on it. I was not as much of a fan of the candied bacon as I thought I would be - it was at once sweet and savoury but lacked the bacon flavour of other veggie bacons I have had. Still, this is a colourful, flavourful dish that has always been my go-to meal at Mosaics. I don't see that changing.

Fish and Chips - Indian Style

I have to start this off by admitting that this dish was my idea. I suggested to the owner of Naanolicious that she offer a fish and chips made up of her delicious, crispy white fish pakoras, Bombay roasted potatoes, and cauliflower salad. All things already on the menu in different places, but brought together for a perfect fusion of a dish that everyone is familiar with, especially the bar patrons next door. The portion was huge and it was fish and chips like I have never tasted anywhere else. However, it is not on the main menu - yet. Ask for it.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.