Tarragon and Lime Turkey Wrap

Tarragon and lime turkey wrap #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

The need for a mid-afternoon snack led me to Jeffrey's Cafe and Wine Bar (9640 142 Street) today. I ordered the featured wrap, which was turkey, cucumber, tomato, and lettuce with a lime and tarragon aioli (I held the cheese).

The wrap was grilled slightly, giving the outside a pleasant crunch. Lots of smoked turkey and the associated veggies filled it out. However, the shining star of this wrap was the aioli. It did not have a strong taste, but added balance and a unique twist to what otherwise would have been a plain turkey wrap. I hope this aioli will be available for other sandwiches and wraps.

I added a small bowl of cream of turkey soup - thick, hot, and fresh. It almost had the consistency of a chowder.

Steak Sandwich at Rosie's

Steak sandwich at Rosie's #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Rosie's (10475 80 Avenue) is a Whyte Avenue dive. This is not necessarily a bad thing. It's as close as you are going to come to find greasy spoon diner food near the main drag of Whyte. Prices are also very reasonable.

I had the steak sandwich, which at $12 was one of the most expensive items on the menu. It was cooked almost perfectly to order and was served alongside very crispy fries, a couple of onion rings, and a vegetable medley (frozen veggies, but at least not overcooked). Just plain, basic food, adequate service, and no frills ambiance.

Matterhorn Sandwich at Swiss 2 Go

Matador sandwich at Swiss2Go, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Swiss 2 Go is a popular sandwich shop that recently relocated from the east part of the city to the west end. It sells mostly sandwiches, soups, and salads.

The selection of sandwiches is as unique as the ingredients, which include dried roast beef, apple crisp, brie cheese, and many other savoury delights - and one sweet Nutella option! I went for a regular-sized Matterhorn, which has the dried beef, avocado, cilantro, and I held the jalapenos and butter.

First of all, the regular size is enormous. A large sandwich, served on a larger bun, would be nearly impossible. Oh, and the bun - it is a fresh pretzel baguette topped with lots of kosher salt. The roast beef almost had the texture of jerky without being quite as dry. The avocado was fresh and in chunky slices, while the cilatro was also coarse.

The beef was definitely an acquired taste, but the food here is very fresh, and service quite friendly. I would perhaps give another sandwich a go. Speaking of going, this is mostly a take-out place with a few tables and no apparent washrooms.

Celebrating Old Strathcona

On July 7, I stopped by the Old Strathcona block party organized by Blues On Whyte. 103 and 104 Streets were blocked off, two stages were filled with music, vendors sold unique items, and, of course, there were food trucks.

I had lunch while I enjoyed some live music and started with a brisket sandwich from Smokehouse BBQ. The slightly sweet, fresh bun was filled with chunks of brisket. The meat was lean, with just a tiny bit of sweet fat to make things rich. The sauce was not overpowering, and the spoonful of coleslaw on top made me glad I grabbed a fork - things could have gotten messy!

I had a snack later on, and went for a vegetarian samosa from Naanolicious. It was interesting seeing the street food truck right there, when their physical location was right nearby! The samosa could have been a little warmer on teh inside, but the outside was satisfyingly crunchy. I also wanted something sweet, so tried an order of Can-naandians, which are pieces of naan bread in the shape of maple leaves in a maple sauce. They were almost like soft cookies in a sauce.

Although the weather did not fully cooperate when I was there, I had a great time hanging out on Whyte Avenue and celebrating the culture the area has to offer.