Steak Tacos at Three Vikings

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Steak tacos with butternut squash soup. It was a weekly special that was quite memorable. #yeg #yegfood #yegfoodie #yegeats #latergram

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Mar 23, 2019 at 2:28pm PDT

Brunch, Brisket, and Steak at the Brick and Whiskey

Brisket sandwich, fries, and a highball. #yegfood #yegeats #yeg #foodporn

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Dec 8, 2017 at 9:22am PST

I have been to this location (8937 82 Avenue) in several previous incarnations, most recently reinvented as the Brick and Whiskey. I am happy to say both the food and ambiance have improved. My first meals was the brisket sandwich, which had the meat piled up thick, with a mountain of fries. The meat was a little fattier than I like, but otherwise it tasted great.

Corned beef hash #yegfood #yeg #yegeats #brunch #foodporn #yegbrunch

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Dec 9, 2017 at 2:09pm PST

From opening until 4 p.m. on weekends, Brick and Whiskey has a longer brunch time window than most other establishments in the area, which stop serving at 2 p.m. I went for the corned beef hash, which was almost like a deconstructed reuben - huge chunks of house-cured meat atop seasoned hash browns and sauerkraut, topped with a poached egg (I held the cheese).

Steak for supper. #yegfood #yeg #yegeats #foodporn

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Dec 14, 2017 at 6:41pm PST

On another Thursday evening jam, I tried the steak. At $17 and served with mushrooms, fries, and a grilled tomato, this is an excellent value. My well-done steak was cooked to perfection, still juicy on the inside without being burned on the outside.

Steak Frites at The Almanac

Last night’s steak frites. For blogging purposes. #yeg #yegfood #yegeats #foodporn

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Nov 26, 2017 at 9:13am PST

I was at The Almanac Saturday night for a music show, and figured I may as well have dinner while I was there. It's a small menu and I went with something familiar: steak frites. I ordered my flat iron steak medium well, and it was perfectly done atop a mountain of fries, with a garlic aioli on the side (as well as ketchup). There is a butter that the steak is finished in, but I asked for it not to be used in my case, due to my issues with dairy. There is really no going wrong with this dish, and at $18, it is actually one of the less expensive items on the menu.

Soups at Rice Bowl Deluxe

Trying out the new Rice Bowl Deluxe in the west end, and thought the pho was fab. #yeg #yegfood #yegpho

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Oct 30, 2017 at 3:27pm PDT

Rice Bowl Deluxe has a new location in the Lynnwood area. On my first time there I had the pho. I was surprised that the flavour profile of the broth was as rich as it was. It came with the basil leaves and beansprouts already inserted. Although the bowl looked small-ish for the price, it was deceptively large, with lots of sliced beef (I held the beef balls - never been a fan of their texture). There also also several kinds of green onion cakes available. I had the flat kind, and it was quite full of onions and a great side to the soup.

Laksa soup with tofu and a green onion doughnut. The soup was hot and spicy! (Even though the menu did not indicate it as such.) New Rice Bowl Deluxe in Lynwood. #yegfood

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Nov 2, 2017 at 12:11pm PDT

On my second trip, I had the Laksa soup with tofu as my protein. The soup already comes with tofu puffs, which absorb the flavourful mild curry broth. The sliced tofu that was added was a huge portion, along the the noodles. This was a very thick, rich soup and wonderful on a cold day. I had a green onion doughnut as well, which was crunchy but not greasy.

Steak Dinner and Dessert at The Sawmill

Steak. It's what's for supper. #yegfood

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Feb 22, 2017 at 5:23pm PST

It was an evening to relax, blow off steam, and consume steak. So, I and a friend headed to the west end location of The Sawmill. We took advantage of a 10 ounce New York Steak special, which came with our choice of potato and vegetables. The steak was juicy and delicious. The sides were the perfect complements, especially the vegetables which were cooked to perfection.

Double Dutch chocolate brownie sundae. #yegfood

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Feb 22, 2017 at 5:57pm PST

As if that wasn't enough, we decided to go for dessert. My mocha brownie sundae was huge - I must have been super hungry. I wish the brownie pieces atop the mocha ice cream were softer. They were a bit on the dry, hard side, making it difficult to penetrate them with my spoon. Otherwise, I really enjoyed myself.

Breakfast for Lunch: Steak and Eggs at Next Act

Steak and eggs #yegfood

A photo posted by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Feb 13, 2016 at 12:49pm PST

The peace group with which I am involved decided to get together for lunch after a picket on a recent Saturday afternoon, and The Next Act was nearby and convenient - and, lucky for us, the big table at the back was available. I had steak and eggs, as the brunch menu was still in effect. The steak was tender and juicy, with the eggs perfectly done and a heaping order of the seasoned hash browns. Satisfying, indeed.

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.

Breakfast for Lunch: Steak and Eggs at Friends and Neighbours

I had brunch on Saturday with a friend who was visiting, and we opted for Friends and Neighbours (10834 82 Avenue) because of its location and selection of breakfast items. I had the steak and eggs. My eggs were done perfectly. I ordered my steak well done, and there was some pink around the edges, something I have often encountered with rib eye, which is what I think the cut was. It was soft and had a good flavour though, although we had to wait an extraordinarily long time. I chalked this up to the fact it was busy and steak can take a while to cook. The toast and potatoes nicely rounded out the meal.

Breakfast for Lunch: Steak and Eggs at Route 99

I already know that the eggs and hash browns at Route 99 (8820 99 Street) are some of the best in the city, but I never tried the steak and eggs until I was there over the weekend and it was on special. My steak was grilled to perfection, soft, and flavourful. It went great with my eggs over-easy, hash browns, and toast. Plus, I was full for the rest of the day.

Breakfast for Lunch: Country Fried Steak and Eggs at Denny's

When one has not eaten in a while and really wants desperate, one may settle for anything. Which is why we headed to the 104th Avenue location of Denny's earlier this week. The country fried steak and eggs was filling, but flawed. There is too much pepper in the coating of the meat. The "rye" toast really did not taste like rye at all. And the hash browns just plain tasted weird (and were not done enough - what is it with serving hash browns that are almost raw?). Oh well. Not every meal can be a winner.

Breakfast for Lunch: Steak and Eggs at Ricky's

I don't often have supper with my father and brother, so I let them pick the place: the west end location of Ricky's. This meal was more like breakfast for supper. Steak and eggs is one of the items on the diner's all day breakfast menu. My steak was done perfectly to my order, served with two eggs (also to order), toast, and hash browns. The hash browns could have been a little more well done. Still, it was a filling, comforting meal.

Pretzels and Steak Bites at Sherlock's

Sherlock's Downtown is a good place to head for a late night snack. The pretzels and steak bites hit the spot for something not too heavy and to go well with drinks. The steak bites were soft and tender, with some spice on the outside to give them a kick. The pretzels were served warm with a ranch dip. Nice place, excellent company, and great food.

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.

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.

Taste of Edmonton 2014

Taste of Edmonton is a local food lover's paradise. There are a number of new restaurants and dishes in the festival this year. One of the tried and true is the Beijing Style Kung Pow Chicken from The Lingnan. I only had a spoonful of this as it was for someone else, but it was full of spicy flavour and chicken, on top of a bed of rice. Really intense.

For me, the only menu item I chose to get again from previous years was the dry spicy chicken from The Lingnan. I can only eat a few pieces but it is worth the lingering burning on my lips.

The Fried Green Tomatoes from Creole Envie was my absolute must-try for this year, probably for the same reason as many others: the movie of the same name. That being said, for only two tickets I got at least six slices of lightly breaded and fried green tomatoes, which tasted slightly acidic with a nice crunch, accented by the creole aioli.

I was really happy to see Aboriginal food being represented this year by the inclusion of Native Delights. The bannock fry bread, made with non-GMO ingredients, was absolutely delightful: not greasy but crispy on the outside, with a chewy inside and slight sweetness.

I have not had the courage to visit Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse as I do not think I have the fortitude to withstand such a meat overload, but the Beef Garlic Rump Steak satisfied my curiosity. Rump can be a very tough cut, but this was marinated to perfection and the garlic was not overpowering. Although I had one bite that was practically all fat, overall I enjoyed the skewer.

I love lentils so was overjoyed to discover the yellow lentil dish Ater Kik Alecha Wok from Langano Skies, another restaurant that I have heard many good things about but have never ventured within. Served with a small piece of sour injera bread, this was a great dish for vegetarians and a gentle introduction to Ethiopian food.

The Beef Short Rib and Mash from Normand's Bistro was one of my favourite dishes of the afternoon. The meat was practically melting in my mouth, the mashed potatoes were creamy, and the sauce was at once sweet and savoury.

I had to wait a while to get a Jamaican Beef Patty from Irie Foods (2807 Millwoods Road), because they were sold out. Once I finally got my hands on one, I could see why. The size is fairly substantial, with a light, flaky pastry filled with spicy beef. Served in a paper bag, it was slightly awkward to eat, but really good value and ideal for people who like it hot.

The Pineapple Chicken from Blue Willow was for someone else, but I managed to sneak a bite of the lightly breaded chicken in a sweet pineapple sauce.

By this point I was winding down and desiring dessert. The Black Forest Whoopie Pie from the Edmonton Petroleum Club was my choice. The whipped cream and cherry filling between two chocolate cake wafers was certainly good satisfaction for my sweet tooth, although I would have enjoyed more of the cherry.

I was out of tickets by now but retrieved dessert for someone else, and how I wish this Jack Daniels Apple Crumble with Ice Cream from On The Rocks was mine!

The Pho Files: Steak and Brisket Pho at Pagolac

Steak and Brisket Pho, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

It may be the first weekend of March, but we have fallen into a deep freeze. Prior to an event Friday evening I headed to Pagolac for a soothing bowl of pho. I opted for a regular sized medium steak and brisket. I am glad I did not order a large as I was not very hungry and this was the most packed "regular" sized serving of pho I have ever had. The bowl was full of noodles and meat, and the broth was hot and superb. A side order of vegetarian spring rolls (called egg rolls on the menu) added some flavourful crunch on the side.

Steak and Spaghetti at Boston Pizza

Steak and Spaghetti, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I was convinced to have supper at the Westmount location of Boston Pizza this evening, even though I was not really in the mood for pizza.

The page of mains apart from the selection of pizzas and pastas drew me in, as a result. I had a seven ounce steak, which comes with freshly steamed vegetables and a salad; however, I swapped out my salad for spaghetti. I also tried the new tomato marinara, which was great as I never cared for the pomodoro sauce and find the meat sauce a little too spicy for my liking.

The serving of spaghetti was also huge! My steak was done to order and had very little waste. And at $15.99, it was not a bad price either.

Taste of Edmonton 2013

Taste of Edmonton is one of the city's best events if you are a food blogger. Dozens of restaurants set up in Churchill Square to offer small samples of their menus items. This year, several restaurants are new to the festival, while yearly regulars are offering new menu items.

Today was the first day of version 2013, and I headed to Churchill Square for lunch. Myself and a friend pitched in and bought 60 tickets - enough for quite the sampling. And then, the fun began.

I had to start things off with the green onion cake from Hong King Bakery. It's crispy outside, soft inside, and generally wonderful texture makes it my favourite onion cake in the city and I look forward to it every year.

My friend adores the pineapple chicken from Blue Willow, and it is something he returns to every year as well. The large portion did not seem much bigger than the regular one though. That was one of the major changes this year - some menu items had regular and small options for different ticket values.

I did not get a chance to sample this hand crafted orange and tangerine ice cream sandwich from Blue Willow, but my friend said it was worth the awkward effort eating it. I think the crispy sandwich part and cold filling would make a delicious contrast in texture.

The chicken tikka and garlic naan from New Asian Village was full of flavour. I found the regular serving more than adequate, with its plentiful vegetables and chicken chunks.

Padmanadi is one of my favourite restaurants and their menu items this year are excellent choices for people wishing to sample vegan goodness. The chicken drumsticks have a great texture: crisp on the outside and stringy on the inside, with a flavour that does resemble the carnivore version.

The chili chicken also had a realistic texture and a sauce with sweetness and a kick. Definitely a winner when it comes to "fake meat." And, at only three tickets an item, Padmanadi has great value also.

The dry, spicy chicken from Lingnan is another annual favourite and we each had to have our own portion. Another great value at three tickets (but noticeably smaller than last year's portion) the pieces of chicken are breaded and fried to perfection. The hot pepper flakes abound - be sure to have something on hand to drink!

The chicken penne from Old Spaghetti Factory was hands down, my friend's favourite and he ended up having another portion! I took a quick taste. While the penne was a perfect al dente, the chicken felt rubbery to me.

This was on our "must try" list. The s'more fritters from Mercer Tavern are a deep fried, hot, sticky, fun dessert. Very very rich - it was perfect for sharing. I didn't really taste any marshmallow as the chocolate dominated (not a bad thing necessarily).

The avocado roll from Zinc packed a huge flavour punch into one little spring roll. The middle is a puree of avocado, tomatoes, and various seasonings. I was detecting that the avocado was a touch over-ripe. The cilantro honey pesto was the star - sweet with cilantro highlights. At three tickets for only one roll it is a bit on the pricey side, but it was one of the most memorable Taste of Edmonton items I have ever sampled.

I had a few forkfuls of the Pad Thai from Numchok Wilai - one of the dishes I enjoyed last year and my friend requested. Just as I recalled, the noodles were firm and flavourful - and the dish is vegetarian to boot!

I found the steak bites from Canadian Brewhouse a little too chewy for my taste, although my friend loved them and the sesame steak sauce.

The tandoori chicken samosa from Guru was another favourite from last year that I had to try again. Once again, it was packed full of minced tandoori chicken in a coating that was soft enough to manipulate with a fork (without things getting too awkward) but still had some crunch to it.

When you are eating lots of great food in the hot sun, you need something to wash it down with. I decided to sacrifice four tickets for 24 ounces of Lemon Heaven. It got very hot this afternoon and this tasted so good.

Then, I had to jump into the City Hall wading pool to cool off! I had a wonderful afternoon at Taste of Edmonton and still have a few tickets left over. A return visit is planned for next week.

Beef Duo at The Common

Beef duo at The Common #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I visited The Common for the first time ever this week, as I was a panelist for an interVivos event (also my first) being held there. I decided to get there early to enjoy some supper before the event and to really check the place out. I have heard so many good things about it.

After spending a while examining the menu and asking my wonderful server many questions, I finally decided on the Beef Duo which had two medallions of steak and a chunk of braised beef rib. The rib was fork tender and full of complex flavours, while the steak was done to perfection. The meat had a gravy giving some needed moisture, but also became gelatinous rather quickly.

The meal was served with roasted vegetables which were fresh and colourful, as well as a large portion of crispy shoestring fries. It was as attractively presented as it was delicious.

I get the impression the place fills up fast, so the next time I visit I will also make sue I get there early once 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.