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

Friday, March 16, 2012

The Palomino

The Palomino

A couple former co-workers invited me out for lunch, and we had settled on somewhere relatively close to us, namely the Palomino.   As I'd heard a few things about their BBQ, I was interested in finding out whether or not this was the usual fare of Calgary's smokehouses, or if it'd be a pleasant surprise.


First impression, was that while the area surrounding the restaurant/bar isn't the most savoury, it had a good character of its own, with a lot of decor that reminded me of things you'd see in a Memphis smokehouse.   The second thing I noted, was the smell.   True smoky bbq smell.   Mmmm....

As I was here for lunch, I didn't really want to have too big of a meal, and settled on the Alberta Cheesesteak, combining marinaded beef brisket, sauteed onions & peppers, with melted provolone on a small baguette.   My friends ordered the pulled pork quesadillas and a sliced beef brisket sandwich, sans bun.

We received the plates in short order, and dug in - I'd have to say that for myself, the sandwich was a mite bit dry, likely due to the brisket being overcooked after having it marinaded a second time.   Based on what I could tell of my friend's beef brisket, without the extra marinade, that might have been a better choice.   It looked quite juicy, and he'd gotten a good helping of it on his plate.   The quesadilla didn't look like anything special, nor did my friend have much to say about it.


My sandwich came with two sides, and being a fan of cooked apples, I'd gotten the Jack Daniels apples, and included seasonal grilled vegetables.   The vegetables were a good choice - containing a medley of grilled carrots, zucchini, red peppers, and onions, while the apples were surprisingly firm and tasty.   Most times when you get anything to do with apples they are mostly mushy, but these had a nice firmness to them, nor did the sauce overpower the apples.   I just re-read the menu online as well, and I can't believe I missed the bacon wrapped corn cobs.


Overall, I'd say I have to come back here to try the ribs (and the bacon wrapped corn), and see if they can hold up to the standards set by the lunch.

Taste:   8.0 - nice and smoky, didn't need to add any sauce

Presentation:  7.5 - not bad, I'll have to come back to be sure on this score

Ambiance:   7.5 - docked marks only for location, just not sure I'd want to get here on a quiet weeknight.

Prices:   $12- $15 for sandwiches, $25 for general entrees
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)