New site!


Right, so back by popular demand, the restaurant review site, but in a new format. Many of these reviews are old, just haven't gotten around to posting them until now. I'll try to date them where I can. You can still check out the old site here

Unlike other foodie bloggers, I however don't own any fancy camera gear - just an old Sony digital camera that works. Maybe if it breaks I'll look at getting something else, but likely just another simple point and shoot type thing that I won't break easily!

So here we go!

"Vegetarians, and their Hezbollah-like splinter-faction, the vegans, are a persistent irritant to any chef worth a damn.

To me, life without veal stock, pork fat, sausage, organ meat, demi-glace, or even stinky cheese is a life not worth living.

Vegetarians are the enemy of everything good and decent in the human spirit, an affront to all I stand for, the pure enjoyment of food. The body, these waterheads imagine, is a temple that should not be polluted by animal protein. It's healthier, they insist, though every vegetarian waiter I've worked with is brought down by any rumor of a cold.

Oh, I'll accomodate them, I'll rummage around for something to feed them, for a 'vegetarian plate', if called on to do so. Fourteen dollars for a few slices of grilled eggplant and zucchini suits my food cost fine."
― Anthony Bourdain

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Chuckwagon Cafe

Chuckwagon Cafe

 A friend and I were discussing cravings one night, and she'd been craving some beef, and some eggs benedicts, while I was watching an episode of John Catucci's You Gotta Eat Here, which just happened to feature a restaurant that served a Steak and Eggs Benny.  With that in mind, we quickly decided to head out on a short road trip the following morning to check out this mythical beast.
The weather was surprisingly snowy in the morning, but we made good time to Turner Valley, and found it very easy to get to, along with finding the restaurant itself.   As we walked in, we noted a very rustic/western theme, with wood paneling all over, brands from ranchers lining the ceilings, and a dining area lit by what can only be described as 'wagon wheel' lights.   

 We were seated very quickly, and got our orders in.   While the burger is known to be one of the best around, both of us were interested in breakfast, so my friend ordered the Smoked Salmon benny, while I of course, chose the aforementioned Flat Iron Steak benedict.  One thing to note, their juice is just a 'McCain's' from concentrate type, not freshly squeezed or anything, not that there's much wrong with it.   It's also in relatively small cups.   

 The plates of food came quickly, and we dug in - but found that overall, the food was fairly salty.   So much so that after eating, we needed to get some water.  The smoked salmon, while tasty, was extremely salty, but was a nice chunky affair, not like the packaged slices we normally see. 

 The steak was tender, and seasoned generously, with a few hits of extreme saltiness.   What I found great though, was the toasted croissant, that allowed the runny eggs and hollandaise sauce to be soaked right in.  The side was a pan fried home style hash brown, that also was inconsistent in its crunch - some pieces being soggy, others being crunchy.

 Anyways, while it was good overall, and the service was great, I can't say I can recommend it over any other restaurant in Calgary that serves a decent breakfast, other than for a good little road trip to somewhere a bit different, and to avoid a bit of the crowds in town.
Taste: 7.0 - While the eggs were done properly, the smoked salmon was too salty!  

Presentation: 8.0

Ambiance:   6.0 - a bit too kitschy for me

Service:   9.5 - excellent service, very fast, never really needed to ask for anything

Prices:   $10-15 for an average breakfast
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Location: 105 Sunset Boulevard Southeast, Turner Valley, AB T0L 1K0, Canada

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