Vero's Bistro Moderne Calgary - best $15 2 course gourmet lunch... yup, thats two courses for $15!

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Rating Service 7.5/10 Food 7.5/10
With fond memories of a decadently done duck breast (seasoned asian bbq duck style but cooked to a tender medium rare) we had at Vero's last year, we were sorely disappointed it was no longer circulating on their menu when we dropped by for lunch. It was an excellently executed dish, and it was either removed because to stay competitive, most restaurants in Calgary update their menus at a dizzying rate, or it fell off the menu due to the economic times.


With a nod to said economic times and to encourage patrons to drop by for lunch, Vero's is running a lunch promo. Alongside some of the regular dishes you can order, a set menu lunch where you choose 2 courses off a limited menu is available for $15. Yup. $15 for an appetizer and entree, and if you have room, you can round it out with a dessert for another $5. So essentially, a 3 course meal for $20! I don't think many restaurants of Vero's calibre can boast a deal like this - I'm not too sure where they're making money on this either... but I digress, lets talk about the foooood!

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Nathan's Famous Hotdogs, Airdrie Alberta- a little taste of Americana in Canada... just north of Calgary

Posted by Rating 6/10

Its been a little while since I've had an authentic Nathan's Famous hotdog hot and fresh from a grouchy old coot at a Nathan's stand in New York, so when they finally opened up a franchise spot in Canada, I was looking forward to characteristic springy snap these hotdogs are known for. Besides, Americans pride themselves on historical staples like Nathan's which has been opened since 1916, so have to have a bite of tradition! Airdrie is a tinny town just north of Calgary, Alberta, and its proximity to the bigger city (a food scene hot spot) makes for cheaper rent while still able to attract foodies with a car out to them.

With a large sign matching some of the eclectic signs at the original New York location (I personally like the hodge-poge of new and antiquated signs at the NY location), the interior is a bright, colourful take on your standard fast food counter, with a large mural depicting the original Nathan's on Coney Island. There's a large condiments counter with historical facts about Nathan's where you can dress your hotdog with standard ketchup, mustard, alongside a basin of shaved onions and sauerkraut. The soda dispensers are self serve, with plenty of kids running up to it to create their own sugary sweet creation. Staff are dressed in bright yellow uniforms and food is brought to you at your table with a smile and a Southern accent.

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Home Tasting Room Calgary - Try the whole menu with tasty tasting plates

Posted by Rating Service 10/10 Food 9.0/10

Qualicum Bay scallops

On the recommendation of a fellow foodie, with our appetites whetted for tasty fare made with locally sourced ingredients, we ventured into a dimly lit restaurant with a large open kitchen dominating on the left and a row of tables on the right.

Though we arrived early, the chefs, sous chefs and kitchen staff were already working in a frenzy of motion, dishes clattering with all sorts of tantalizing scents drifting over to the sitting area. In an odd way, you feel like you're sitting in someones living room and looking into their kitchen - there is a colorful wall of homemade pickled peppers and assorted vegetables (not just for show as we found out later), platters of crustinis and flatbread on the counter, and lots of shiny pots and pans.  Antique weathered doors adds a bit of rustic charm to the brick walls, and other minimalistic art pieces gives a warm welcoming feel to the seating area which has chic dark tables and seating.

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Vendome Cafe Calgary - You had me sold at duck panini!

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Rating 8.5/10

After taking over and renovating the space next to it, Vendome has doubled its seating area, its still as characteristically narrow and cozy enough you may be rubbing elbows with fellow customers. With its funky decor, this cafe inside a charismatic brick building is bustling and packed on Sunday morning. We wait in line with hopes they haven't sold out of their lump crab cake eggs Benedict and their duck paninis they're known for. From past experience, the duck panini's are divine, desserts are yummy (no brainer as they are provided by Teatro) while strangely, their coffee is awful. Service is efficient and polite - order, pay at the till, grab a numbered placard, weave your way between tables and hope there is a empty table with enough seats to accommodate your group.

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La Poutine Edmonton - Overpriced and superly oversalted

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Rating Food 5.5/10
Teasing us for the past couple months, the sign for La Poutine has been up in the Garneau Theater area. They opened in the last few weeks, and we stopped by to try their poutine with "authentic squeaky cheese curds and handcut potatoes". La poutine is in a closet sized space - when you first walk in, you face the ordering counter with less than 5 chairs in the tinny tiny seating area to the left. The air is heavy with the smell of deep fried potatoes, the cashier is friendly and there is a small window behind the ordering counter where you can catch glimpses of kitchen activity.

There is quite a few permutations with what you can do with fries, cheese curds, beef or vegetarian gravy, and various meats (and peas).   Two sizes of poutine are available, the regular is ~10x10x8cm  cup, while the large size is comparable to a small chinese takeout container.  The long lead-up to La Poutine's opening culminated in a rather soggy and mediocore performance.

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