Tapas at Holy Roller (8222 Gateway Blvd.)

View this post on Instagram

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: Vegan Chicken and Waffles at Padmanadi

When having supper at Padmanadi last week, I noticed a sign mentioning a special of chicken and waffles, for brunch only. Since chicken and waffles is one of my favourite brunch items, that clinched it: I had to return to the restaurant on the weekend for brunch. I was not disappointed. Five huge "chicken tenders" were atop a dense, flavourful waffle cut into quarters, with a side of syrup. The salad with peanut butter dressing added another level of flavour. Also, I wanted a side of "bacon" but they were out, so I opted for "sausages." They were huge and only $3.

Chicken Kabob Wrap at Co Co Di

It was late in the evening and I was on Jasper Avenue, in need of food. I stopped in to Co Co Di because I love Mediterranean food and it was there. I ordered the chicken kabob wrap with a side of tabouli salad. The wrap had a full kabob's worth of chicken in it, with a mild garlic sauce, pickles (the purple kind), and tomatoes. The chicken was perfectly seasoned and the wrap was small, but very tasty. I was accidentally brought fattoush salad instead of the tabouli, but it looked so beautiful I did not complain. It was the best fattoush I have ever had, with crispy pita chips, pomegranate seeds, onions, cucumbers, and a delicious house dressing. I was brought a tabouli to go when the mistake was discovered, which was much appreciated. At $12 this was a perfect portion for the time of day.

Pasta at Olive Garden

I took a friend and co-worker to the west end Olive Garden last week for supper. I ordered one of the mix and match, pick your pasta pick your sauce combinations, which in my case was three-colour vegetable penne, with the primavera sauce, and I added a grilled chicken breast. I was happy with the price and portion size (and took some home, which does not happen often), and found the sauce to be a bit on the sweet side. The best part were the large pieces of vegetables. I also found that the sauce has some parmesan in it, so it is vegetarian, not vegan. The chicken breast was cooked to perfection and actually paired well with the sauce. Of course, the unlimited salad and breadsticks brought me back in my mind to coming to the restaurant with my family as a kid.

Chicken Shawarma Plate at Argana

I've read rave reviews and heard glowing testimonials about Argana Donair (4547 118 Avenue NW), located in the Beverley neighbourhood in northwest Edmonton. So, I was thrilled to finally try it out last weekend. I had the chicken shawarma plate, which featured a mountain of chicken roasted in-house on top of aromatic rice, with fries and garden salad. The fries were almost superfluous, as the chicken and rice were the stars of the plate. The chicken was tender with some acidic notes and the salad helped balance the plate with a bit of lightness. A hearty and affordable meal that is worth a trip to the north side.

Teriyaki Chicken Dinner at Ichiban

I have had the teriyaki chicken lunch special at Ichiban (8750 149 Street NW) several times, but never the supper portion. I enjoyed a couple of breast's worth of lightly battered chicken in a mildly sweet teriyaki sauce, with a generous scoop of white rice and salad, with miso soup to start. A definite step up from fast food chicken rice bowls

Mushroom Soup at Culina Muttart

I have already sung the praises of the house salad at Culina Muttart with its craisins, candied pecans, heritage greens, and delicious viniagrette. While lunching there earlier this month on a visit to Putrella, the corpse flower, I had a small salad paired with the soup of the day, which was mushroom. It was a cream of mushroom although the broth was thin, but very flavourful. The garlic in particular was sweet and not overpowering, with small, soft bits throughout the liquid. The mushrooms were plentiful and in large pieces, which I like. This was my first soup at Culina Muttart and I doubt it will be my last.

Roast Beef Sandwich at Culina Muttart

The Muttart Conservatory is one of my favourite Edmonton attractions. My visit there this week started with lunch at Culina. I had a roast beef sandwich with the house salad. The sandwich was divine on a fresh baguette with real roast beef that was served slightly warm with mustard. I asked to have the cheddar held. The salad was a star on the plate unto itself with slightly pickled vegetables, almonds, dried cranberries, and greens. I held the feta. It looked as beautiful as it tasted and would consider ordering the salad as a meal.

Personal Margherita Pizza at Leva

I was doing a solo lunch at Leva last week. I adore the thin-crust pizzas there, but find them a little too large just for my lonesome self. So, when I noticed the option for a personal margharita pizza, I went for it. The adorable pizza was served with a small salad in a light, balsamic vinaigrette. It was a perfect, light lunch.

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.

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.

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.

Lunch at Tony's Pizza Palace

A business lunch brought me to Tony's Pizza Palace last week. I had not had their bruschetta in ages, so I decided to start off with a half order. I soon realized I could have made this my lunch. The portion is quite generous, and delicious: crispy baked dough with a topping of tomatoes and seasonings.

I did not know that ton'y had a special lunch menu. I ordered a chicken and salad dish, which featured one large, juicy breast infused with flavour, breaded and baked in the oven. On the side was a garden salad tossed in Italian dressing (what else?) and a warm bun. At around $10 it was a very good value. I don't normally like salad on the side, but the addition of black olives kept the flavour interesting, as well as the fact that it was tossed entirely in the dressing.

Chicken with Onion at Mamenche's

I ordered one of the chicken dishes yesterday during at business lunch at Mamenche's (10831 101 Street). Three pieces of chicken were marinated with onions until the meat was sot ender, it was falling off the bone. It was served with seasoned rice and a salad of greens and avocado. Filling and flavourful - and at only ten dollars, affordable!

Smoked Meat Sandwich at Culina Muttart

Smoked Meat Sandwich, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I went to the Muttart Conservatory last week to take in the new Lunar New Year feature display. I also wanted to meet someone for lunch, so it just made sense to dine at Culina Muttart.

I had been here once before for brunch, but that was a couple of years ago. The small lunch menu had a number of sandwiches, soups, salads, and a few mains. I opted for a sandwich with a side of salad, in this case the smoked meat, and the salad was the sweet and spicy slaw.

The sandwich was piled high with fresh, lean smoked meat. The bread was a panini that was so fresh, literally every bite was crunchy. I skipped the cheddar, and could have done with less of the spicy mustard (I will definitely tell them to go easy next time).

The slaw was a meal in itself, and reminded me of a teriyaki stir fry, except cold. The vegetables were crunchy and fresh, and it was an excellent pairing with the sandwich.

$11 for a sandwich and side is a reasonable price to pay for an excellent, fresh, delicious lunch. I can't wait to come back and try another sandwich or one of the mains.

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.

Vegan Tofu Loaf

Vegan tofu loaf #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Well, this vegetarian and vegan food seems to be a recurring theme for me these days. On Saturday I had supper at Cafe Mosaics, one of my favourite Whyte Avenue restaurants.

I had the vegan tofu loaf, which was full of vegetables, seasoning, and tofu (duh!) which was crumbly in places and chewy in others. The texture almost reminded me in this way of ground meat. I loved the mushroom gravy, with its large pieces of mushrooms, along with the roasted potatoes and salad. Healthy, filling, and delicious.

Turkey Burger at High Level Diner

Turkey burger and tabbouleh salad #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I had supper at High Level Diner yesterday evening prior to an event at Metro Cinema.

I ordered the turkey burger, since I have been meaning to try it for a while. The meat was ground with sage, vegetables, and cranberries. It tasted like turkey dinner with all of the elements at once! I wish I could have detected more of the taste of the turkey itself - the cranberries and sage dominated.

Adorning the whole wheat bum was a creamy dressing, greens, red onions, and some of the most ripe tomatoes I have ever seen. I decided on a tabbouleh salad instead of fries. It's lightness and acidity paired well with the burger.

Spicy Chicken Noodle Salad at Wild Earth

Chicken salad #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I needed a quick and light lunch earlier this week and the Laurier Heights location of Wild Earth was the location.

The gluten free, spicy chicken noodle salad intrigued me. The portion was deceptively large, full of tender noodles, lemongrass chicken, and lots of fresh carrots and snap peas that added sweetness. I don't normally care for salads with cold meat in them, but it really worked. It was almost like a chicken Thai salad. I would definitely have it again.

Steak and Fries at the Sugar Bowl

Steak and fries at the Sugarbowl #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I needed some nourishment before the big May Day march and rally on May 1. The Sugar Bowl had just the atmosphere and food I was craving.

It also had the beer - I enjoyed a Blanche de Chambly from Unibroue as I ordered my entree of steak and frites (French fries).

The Spring Creek Ranch steak was marinated, tender, and quite thick. It was a little heavy on the marinade, but fortunately it was a good one. The fries were crispy obviously home made, but the best part was dipping them in the ketchup and chipotle mayo - both also home made and incredible.

The vegetables mentioned on the menu came in the form of a spring mix salad with vinaigrette. It added some colour to the plate and balance to the flavours.

My only "beef" (sorry - I can't seem to avoid that pun) is that my steak was not cooked to order - not even close. I did get a discount on the meal and still enjoyed the food - I would definitely order this again.