October 26, 2012
Oh my favorite day. This Friday being a bit better as the Boys did not have school. Tonight I am in the mood for a special wine. So after consulting with my notes I have decided on a Washington wine.
2009 Mark Ryan The Dissident
41% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Syrah, 8%Malbec and 8% Petit Verdot.
This was a great choice. Rich, round and lusciously-filled. S and I enjoyed this wine while watching a movie with our boys.
We visited Mark Ryan's tasting room in June 2011 after I ran my marathon in Seattle. After the run we headed out to Woodinville for my reward. Wine tasting. Mark Ryan was the first tasting we did. They have a great fun tasting room in Woodinville. This was a great little town. The hotel(Willow Lodge) we stayed in was on of my favorite places we have stayed. Sense of calm and relaxation. It was such a great place to stay as it was within walking distance of many tasting rooms. The room were beautiful and we really loved it there.
Drinking this wine bought back good memories of some of the good things we enjoyed on the this trip. We also bought a couple more bottles of their wine. I think I will keep them laid down for a bit before drinking.
Wednesday 31 October 2012
Monday 29 October 2012
Wine Wisdom
Wine has been a part of civilized life for some seven thousand years. It is the only beverage that feeds the body soul and spirit of men at the same time stimulates the mind.
Robert Mondavi
Robert Mondavi
Running quote
There is an expression even amongst the most advanced runner that getting you shoes on is the hardest part of a workout.
Kathrine Switzer
Kathrine Switzer
Saturday 27 October 2012
Neapolitian-style pizza with Grandma
Without Papers
1216 9th Ave
Calgary, AB
October 27, 2012
We picked up Grandma and went out for Pizza at Without papers in historic Inglewood. In Italy restaurants that make Neapolitian thin crust pizza have papers being registered to the Associazone Verace Pizza Napoletana that ensures members adhere to strict specification when making pizza. The name comes from not being part of this society.
Without Papers is a causal relaxed atmosphere with an open kitchen. We liked that we could watch them make the pizza as this is one thing we don't seem to get when we try and make our own. The dough seemed easy to sketch using their fist. The secret must be in the dough.
We decided on the Hawaiian 5-0. Canadian back bacon , pineapple jalapeños aged cheddar, mozzarella, and tomato sauce. The Hutch spicy cacciatore salami, spicy calabrese salami, sautéed perreronata, fiore di latte and tomato sauce. A spicy kick to it. The Parma, prosciutto di Parma, fresh arugula, parmigiano and tomato sauce. The crust was about the thinnest crust we have every had. Perfect crispy texture. Just the right amount of topping and very favourable pizza. The hutch was the favorite one.
Conclusion Without Papers has just the right kind of pizza we like. Thin crust and favourable sauce and great topping. Really enjoyed our pizza out with Grandma and we really need to do it more often.
Rating Love it
Service Where's the passion But hey I saved a couple bucks on the tip
1216 9th Ave
Calgary, AB
October 27, 2012
We picked up Grandma and went out for Pizza at Without papers in historic Inglewood. In Italy restaurants that make Neapolitian thin crust pizza have papers being registered to the Associazone Verace Pizza Napoletana that ensures members adhere to strict specification when making pizza. The name comes from not being part of this society.
Without Papers is a causal relaxed atmosphere with an open kitchen. We liked that we could watch them make the pizza as this is one thing we don't seem to get when we try and make our own. The dough seemed easy to sketch using their fist. The secret must be in the dough.
We decided on the Hawaiian 5-0. Canadian back bacon , pineapple jalapeños aged cheddar, mozzarella, and tomato sauce. The Hutch spicy cacciatore salami, spicy calabrese salami, sautéed perreronata, fiore di latte and tomato sauce. A spicy kick to it. The Parma, prosciutto di Parma, fresh arugula, parmigiano and tomato sauce. The crust was about the thinnest crust we have every had. Perfect crispy texture. Just the right amount of topping and very favourable pizza. The hutch was the favorite one.
Conclusion Without Papers has just the right kind of pizza we like. Thin crust and favourable sauce and great topping. Really enjoyed our pizza out with Grandma and we really need to do it more often.
Rating Love it
Service Where's the passion But hey I saved a couple bucks on the tip
Good Quote
One can not think well, love well, sleep well. If one has not dined well.
Virginia Woolfe
Virginia Woolfe
Friday 26 October 2012
Thursday 25 October 2012
Half Corked Almost Half Marathon
May 27, 2012
Oliver, BC
Oliver, BC
This was a 17k fun run/walk along back roads, over rolling hills through paths of wineries, stopping and tasting some wines. I did this event with friends. We did this event as a team for The Okagangan Crush pad. We had matching T-shirts and carried wine bottles with the Haywire label that was filled with pink gatorade. It was so funny people thought we were carrying wine and asked us where we got it. LOL
The most challening part of this race is registing for the race. I was right on the website as soon as it opened and mange to rister K and I in 5 minutes. It sold out within 3 minutes.
We couldn't of asked for a more gorgeous day, warm sun and no wind. We started the fun at 9am at the start line at Hester Creek and Gehringer Brothers wineries.
The wineries on the run were
The wineries on the run were
Innilskin
road 13
Rustico Farm & Cellars
Silver Sage
Stoneboat
Church and State
Tinhorn
Desert Hill
Nk'nip
Oliver Twist
It took as a long time to finish this 17k as we walked and stopped for tasting. It was really fun and I really enjoyed the weather.
It took as a long time to finish this 17k as we walked and stopped for tasting. It was really fun and I really enjoyed the weather.
Running Quote
As the older a get I see that running has changed for me. What used to be about burning up calories, now becomes about burning up things that are false. Lies I used to tell myself about who I was and what I could do, friendships that cannot withstand hills and miles, the approval I longer need to seek, and the solidarity that cannot bear silence.I run to burn up what I don't need and ignite what I do.
Kristen Armstrong
Kristen Armstrong
Tuesday 23 October 2012
If you hear a rumble in the dark. Just ignore it. It's probably not the Moon Cursers
Moon Curser
3628 Highway 3 East
Osoyoos, BC
May 26, 2012
We have been to this winery when it was Twisted Tree and have purchased a few wine from them. I have a couple bottles laid downstairs waiting for the right moment to drink. Moon Cursor made the bold move to change their identity from Twisted Tree to Moon Cursor, as they say in the dark of winter in 2011. Twisted Tree thought to be to bland and too easily confused with other wineries they changed the name to Moon Curser. Nobody gets Moon Curser mixed up. The concept behind the label is to develop a story line around colourful local history. During the gold rush, it was the dark at night that brought commotion to the area. Smuggles, smuggled gold over the border under the cover at night. Often, the light of the moon would foil their plans. The smugglers came to be called moon cursers.
3628 Highway 3 East
Osoyoos, BC
May 26, 2012
We have been to this winery when it was Twisted Tree and have purchased a few wine from them. I have a couple bottles laid downstairs waiting for the right moment to drink. Moon Cursor made the bold move to change their identity from Twisted Tree to Moon Cursor, as they say in the dark of winter in 2011. Twisted Tree thought to be to bland and too easily confused with other wineries they changed the name to Moon Curser. Nobody gets Moon Curser mixed up. The concept behind the label is to develop a story line around colourful local history. During the gold rush, it was the dark at night that brought commotion to the area. Smuggles, smuggled gold over the border under the cover at night. Often, the light of the moon would foil their plans. The smugglers came to be called moon cursers.
We bought
2011 Afraid of the Dark(2)
2011 Viongor
2010 Malbec
We have drank
2011 Afraid of the Dark
This is a somewhat unusual take on blending a Rhone white. The wine is 42% Marsanne, 33% Roussanne and 25% Chardonnay Musqué. This one is one of favorite blends from the Okanagan. Enjoyed these bottle on the deck with S.
2011 Viongor Enjoyed this one on the dark after a run with a friend. Love this wine too and I wish for more.
2011 Afraid of the Dark(2)
2011 Viongor
2010 Malbec
We have drank
2011 Afraid of the Dark
This is a somewhat unusual take on blending a Rhone white. The wine is 42% Marsanne, 33% Roussanne and 25% Chardonnay Musqué. This one is one of favorite blends from the Okanagan. Enjoyed these bottle on the deck with S.
2011 Viongor Enjoyed this one on the dark after a run with a friend. Love this wine too and I wish for more.
They have some great wine coming from here and they have won many awards for their wines. The have a very good fun website that really makes me chuckle. I wish we would of bought more wines from here, but we were trying to pace ourselves and there were more wineries we want'd to go to. Ghee who idea was that.
Tasting experience Lots of Love
Tasting experience Lots of Love
Great Start to our Weekend
19 Okanagan Grill + Bar
3509 Carrington Road
West Kelowna, BC
May 24, 2012
Our first night in Kelowna. Dinner with friends (D and B) This grill was right next door to the hotel we were staying at. It is at the golf course. Has amazing views of Okanagan lake with a great patio. We chose to eat inside as it was a bit later and starting to get a bit chilly. Large restaurant that was very busy. We were seated next to the window and had a great view of the lake. Oh so nice.
I was so looking forward to a nice glass of Okanagan wine. D and I decided to share 1/2 liter of Lake Breeze Point Blanc. What a great chose. This wine has crisp acidity and refreshing apple and citrus notes. I quite enjoyed this wine. S decided on a beer.
For dinner we had.
D and B shared Pear and Prosciutto salad. Arugula, prosciutto, chilled asparagus, stawberries, goat cheese molasses vinaigrettee and riesling poached pears. This look fabulous.
Beef Dip Certified Angus Beef firecracker onions, aged cheddar, fresh garlic baguette + natural au jus
S also had the beef dip
I had Apple wood club Grilled chicken, bacon, Applewood smoked cheddar, lettuce, tomato, sourdough French bread. This was very good
This was a great evening and a great way to start off our weekend. The view was amazing. We enjoyed our meal so much that D and B went back for lunch the next day and S and I went back Sunday night. When in West Kelowna we will return.
Rating: Has Love, Passinate
Wine Wisdom
No holiday is complete without food and wine. They just go together. Sort of like family and friends.
Emeril Lagasse
Hillside Winery and Bistro
1350 Naramata Road
Penticton, BC
May 25, 2012
We have visited the Bistro twice now. The first on our May weekend with D and B and than again in August with our boys. Both times was amazing. We never made it in for tasting the wine or purchased any. Not sure well. I guess we just need to go back to taste the wine.
This is a country village bistro that has a warm and cosy feel. It was one of the first two wineries open on Naramata Bench in 1990. The Bistro features delicious seasonal locally inspired dishes and you can taste the Chef's creatively and passion in the food. They have a great outdoor patio.
We went for dinner with D and B. The evening had the good things in life to make it wonderful evening. The company being the best part. This Bistro is definitely one of the good things in life.
We started with the spice carrot and local apple soup. This was wonderful with great favours thoughout.
S and D and I had the Confetti Duck leg grilled cheese sandwich. It was filled with tasty tender duck meat, melted cambrant, cheery relish and caramelized onions.. I am in love. The whole combination was delicious. This was one of the best things I ever ate.
B had the farm chicken leg confetti with apricot and tarragon. It had a bean cassoulet. This was also very tasty.
We returned on August 11, 2012 with the boys for lunch. It was a smoking hot day and we said under an umbrella on the deck. This truly is one of the good things in life. A great S, C and I had the burger. E have the chicken sandwich.
Neither time we sat on the upper level patio where the views are suppose to be amazing. We will need to return to try that. Next time we will do a tasting and maybe even purchase some wine.
Rating I am in Love
1350 Naramata Road
Penticton, BC
May 25, 2012
We have visited the Bistro twice now. The first on our May weekend with D and B and than again in August with our boys. Both times was amazing. We never made it in for tasting the wine or purchased any. Not sure well. I guess we just need to go back to taste the wine.
This is a country village bistro that has a warm and cosy feel. It was one of the first two wineries open on Naramata Bench in 1990. The Bistro features delicious seasonal locally inspired dishes and you can taste the Chef's creatively and passion in the food. They have a great outdoor patio.
We went for dinner with D and B. The evening had the good things in life to make it wonderful evening. The company being the best part. This Bistro is definitely one of the good things in life.
We started with the spice carrot and local apple soup. This was wonderful with great favours thoughout.
S and D and I had the Confetti Duck leg grilled cheese sandwich. It was filled with tasty tender duck meat, melted cambrant, cheery relish and caramelized onions.. I am in love. The whole combination was delicious. This was one of the best things I ever ate.
B had the farm chicken leg confetti with apricot and tarragon. It had a bean cassoulet. This was also very tasty.
We returned on August 11, 2012 with the boys for lunch. It was a smoking hot day and we said under an umbrella on the deck. This truly is one of the good things in life. A great S, C and I had the burger. E have the chicken sandwich.
Neither time we sat on the upper level patio where the views are suppose to be amazing. We will need to return to try that. Next time we will do a tasting and maybe even purchase some wine.
Rating I am in Love
The Golden Egg of Wineries
Red Rooster Winery
891 Naramata Road
Penticton BC
May 25, 2012
We had a 1/2 till dinner so we thought we would stop in to this winery. Excellent choice. We were there a couple years ago and really enjoyed our tasting. This time exceed that time. We arrived a little after 5:30. They stayed open to 6 hoping to catch the tasters heading out after the other wineries are closed. Smart thinking. We were made to feel very welcomed even though they were closing soon, and were encouraged to take our time. We were there until about 6:20. We had the tasting room to ourselves. There is art thought out the winery and not the kind you expect. Frank the baggage handler a naked statue that graces their lawn is a good example. The fully clothed staff are very knowledgeable and passionate about their wine.
This winery is perched high above the Okagangan Lake in Naramata Bench. With great views of the Lake. They do charge a taking fee of $5 a person but it is reimbursed with purchase.
We bought
2011 Riesling
2011 Reserve Viognier
2009 Reserve Merlot
2009 Golden Egg
The wine that stood out the most was The Golden Egg. This wine was not one of the tasting. I asked if we could taste and they had a bottle open so we tasted it. This is an unique wine to Okagnagon. A vision of the wine maker who fascination for Rhone style red. They planted the grapes in 2007 and harvested in 2009. This wine is a Rhone valley red blend made of mourvedre, sysrah and grenache.
This was a fun time. Red Rooster knows how to create a great wine tasting experience. They really enjoy what they do. We will return. I also notice from their website that they offer lunch on their patio. I would love to go back and try that out.
Tasting Experience I am in love
The Winds That Blow Along the Lake
Lake Breeze
930 Sammet Road,
Naramata, BC
May 25, 2012
Our next sips and our first stop on the bench was Lake Breeze. We met up with D and S and they joined up for the tasting. B was not tasting and we called her (The Sniffer).
The owners, from South Africa call themselves a Narmata Bench Wine Farm as the word "vineyard" is typically not used in South Africa. The name Lake Breeze comes from the winds that blow along the Lake. Lake Breeze was one the first Okanagan wineries to plant and make wine from Pinotage. Production is very low and it is one their wine they are extremely proud of. Seven Poplars on the label was inspired by the estates poplars that used to border the driveway to the winery. The trees have been removed a few years ago after some had become diseased. Seven poplars used to signal the winery's reserve level wines, but now believe most of their wines now achieve the Seven Poplars level. Wine maker Garron Elmes. Their philology Let the grapes speak for themselves. Our wines are fresh, clean expressions of the grape with minimal intervention.
D and B joined us for this tasting.
We bought
2011 Lake Breeze Pinot Blanc
2009 Seven Popolar Pinotage
2009 Seven Popular Merlot
We drank
2011 Lake Breeze Pinot Blanc This is their signature wine. I love this one. The citrus finish hold a little summer in your glass. Clean and refreshing.
2009 Seven Popular Merlot
The stunning views and their Pinot Blanc and Pinotage will keep us coming back. They also have a great patio which we have not tried yet. It's all my list.
930 Sammet Road,
Naramata, BC
May 25, 2012
Our next sips and our first stop on the bench was Lake Breeze. We met up with D and S and they joined up for the tasting. B was not tasting and we called her (The Sniffer).
The owners, from South Africa call themselves a Narmata Bench Wine Farm as the word "vineyard" is typically not used in South Africa. The name Lake Breeze comes from the winds that blow along the Lake. Lake Breeze was one the first Okanagan wineries to plant and make wine from Pinotage. Production is very low and it is one their wine they are extremely proud of. Seven Poplars on the label was inspired by the estates poplars that used to border the driveway to the winery. The trees have been removed a few years ago after some had become diseased. Seven poplars used to signal the winery's reserve level wines, but now believe most of their wines now achieve the Seven Poplars level. Wine maker Garron Elmes. Their philology Let the grapes speak for themselves. Our wines are fresh, clean expressions of the grape with minimal intervention.
D and B joined us for this tasting.
We bought
2011 Lake Breeze Pinot Blanc
2009 Seven Popolar Pinotage
2009 Seven Popular Merlot
We drank
2011 Lake Breeze Pinot Blanc This is their signature wine. I love this one. The citrus finish hold a little summer in your glass. Clean and refreshing.
2009 Seven Popular Merlot
The stunning views and their Pinot Blanc and Pinotage will keep us coming back. They also have a great patio which we have not tried yet. It's all my list.
First sips of the weekend
Sandhill Winery
At Calona tasing room in downtown Kelowna
May 25, 2012
Sandhill's concept, wines from single vineyard in order for wine to reflect the specific terroir of where the grapes were grown was fairly unique to the Okangagan. Sandhill grows roughly 200 acres on Black Sage Road. Sandhill benefited initially from it's association with Burrowing Owl. They know stand on their own as premium brand. Sandhill and Calona are now owed by Andrew Peller Ltd. Calona winery(just now reached 80) in downtown Kelowna makes the wine under the direction of winemaking Howard Soon.
This was our second time to the tasting room. One of S's favorite wines we bought here last time, so we were eager( OK I was) to do a tasting. We arrived at the tasting room just after 9. The tasting room was already filled with a tour bus. We were taken to a quiet tasting area in the back and tasted the wines there. we enjoyed our tasting and our pourer was very knowable and fun.
We bought
2011 Family Estate Pinot Gris
2012 Small Lot Viognier
2009 Small Lot One
2009 Estate Cabernet Franc
2008 Small Lot Syrah
We have drank
2012 Small lots Viognier. Viognier is my favorite white grape and this wine delivered as one of my favorites. Lush, full bodied, tropical fuit that satified a hot day on the deck.
2011 Estate Pinot Gris Crisp refreshing white. Drank this one on the deck with S.
2009 Small Lot One. 35% Cab Sau, 38% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec and 3% Syrah. This was one of S's favorite wine. This was a Wine Friday wine that I enjoyed with S.
2009 Small Lots Phantom Creek Syrah Big ripe wine. Pepper in both the aroma and on the finish. This was also a Wine Friday with S.
These are some of our favorite wines from the Okanogan. We enjoyed our first few sips of the weekend and the people were great. We will be back to stock up on their Small Lot One and Viognier.
Rating I am in love with these wines.
Wine, food and great friends to share it with and a little marathon
Okanagan Trip
May 24-27, 2012
I booked this trip for the Half Corked Marathon in Oliver. Our first plan was to take the boys with us but later decided to ditch them. (They have school and really not much for them to do) We decided to invite D and B to go with us.
We left Thursday morning. D and B left earlier and we met up with them in Kelowna. The drive was really good with little delays for construction. Not always the case. LOL We returned on Monday. D and B came back on Sunday.
The Okanagan is one of our happy places. The lake, the views, the SUN. We love it.
This was truly a great trip filled with the good things in life. Wine and food and great friends to share it with. A great 17k walk though the vineyards with a little wine tasking. How perfect.
The Okanagan Valley has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world and is home to our Happy Place. There is a widely diverse selection of fantastic wines. With their white being our favorite. Spending an afternoon wine tasting in the Okanagan is one of the greatest pleasures especially when done with friends. Finding those special bottles of wine to drink or lay down in my collection, truly is a great pleasure for me. I find myself attached to each bottle and each adds to my memories. I really love the whites of the Okanagan and find myself hunting down the best. Which is pretty easy to find. I love so many of them.
There are a few wine regions in the Okanagan to tour. One of our favorites is Naramata Bench which we hope to make our home one day. What makes Naramata Bench unique in the Okanagan is it's geography. It is a strip of vineyard land, with fairly complex soil. Most of the bench is a gentle slope facing the west. The vineyards benefit form long days of sunlight, with the lake moderating summer heat spikes as well as unseasonable winter cold.
The Okanagan Valley supports many different micro-climates, due to its complex geography. Each varietal performs differently in each of the six region
- Osoyoos
- Oliver (Black Sage Bench / Golden Mile)
- Okanagan Falls (Corkscrew Drive / Skaha Lake / Kaleden)
- Naramata Bench
- Summerland (Bottleneck Drive)
- Peachland
- West Kelowna
- Kelowna (The Mission / East Kelowna)
Kelowna (East) and North Okanagan have a variety of soil types and a long frost-free growing season due to the sloped sites and good air drainage. Predominantly white varietal are planted here, along with some Pinot Noir.
Kelowna (West) and Peachland soils are primarily clay-rich with excellent water and nutrient storage. Aromatic whites such as Gewürztraminer and Riesling grow well here, as well as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Okanagan Falls is made up of vineyards between Skaha Lake and Oliver. The soils are mainly sandy or very coarse gravel and the landscape is full of deep circular depressions caused melted glacial ice blocks buried beneath sediment. Vineyards are located primarily at higher elevations and are planted with Pinot Noir, Merlot, Riesling and Gewürztraminer.
Osoyoos Lake/ Black Sage Bench. These soils are pure sand with very few stones or gravel, providing excellent drainage for the vines. The warm climate and the sandy soils produce Syrah and the Bordeaux red varietals.
Sunday 21 October 2012
Wine Saturday
2008 Neyers Syrah Old Lakeville Road
Opened it on our first chilly snowy Saturday night of the season. Had a nice dinner and watch a movie.
We visited this winery In Napa Valley in November 2011. We loved this winery and had a fantastic tasting. One of our favorite tasting. We had an appointment for a private sit down tasting. Our hostess was wonderful and really loved the wines we were tasting. She was very friendly and fun. We purchase 6 bottle from this tasting.
Wines we bought were
2010 Vista Luna Zinfandel
2010 Pinot Noir Roberta Road
2010 Sage Canyon (2)
2005 AME Cabernet Sauvignon
We have also drank
2010 Sage Canyon
S and I drank this wine at home. At $22 this is a great value wine. A blend of Carignane, Mourvedre, Grenache, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet. Some grapes I have never even heard of. Hmm maybe I should research these.
2005 AME Cabernet Sauvignon
We really enjoyed this bottle. This was a surge for us at $75 a bottle. S and I drank this one at home.
This is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. In love with this fulled bodied, elegant and impressive wine.
Conclusion: One of my favorite winery we visited on our November 2011 Napa Valley trip. I love all the wines we have drank from here and can't wait for the perfect time to drink the remaining two. I would love to return to the winery and will definitely if we go back to Napa Valley. I really hope we do.
Rating: I am in love with these wines.
Opened it on our first chilly snowy Saturday night of the season. Had a nice dinner and watch a movie.
We visited this winery In Napa Valley in November 2011. We loved this winery and had a fantastic tasting. One of our favorite tasting. We had an appointment for a private sit down tasting. Our hostess was wonderful and really loved the wines we were tasting. She was very friendly and fun. We purchase 6 bottle from this tasting.
Wines we bought were
2010 Vista Luna Zinfandel
2010 Pinot Noir Roberta Road
2010 Sage Canyon (2)
2005 AME Cabernet Sauvignon
We have also drank
2010 Sage Canyon
S and I drank this wine at home. At $22 this is a great value wine. A blend of Carignane, Mourvedre, Grenache, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet. Some grapes I have never even heard of. Hmm maybe I should research these.
2005 AME Cabernet Sauvignon
We really enjoyed this bottle. This was a surge for us at $75 a bottle. S and I drank this one at home.
This is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. In love with this fulled bodied, elegant and impressive wine.
Conclusion: One of my favorite winery we visited on our November 2011 Napa Valley trip. I love all the wines we have drank from here and can't wait for the perfect time to drink the remaining two. I would love to return to the winery and will definitely if we go back to Napa Valley. I really hope we do.
Rating: I am in love with these wines.
Wednesday 17 October 2012
Hometown Hero
Charcut Roast House
Stephen Avenue
899 Centre Street S
Calgary Ab
September 2, 2012
S and I have wanted to go here since seeing Chef Connie DeSousa on one of our favorite shows Top Chef. She was our favourite and each week we cheered her on and hoping she would become Top Chef. Since the show she has become a hometown hero. This restaurant has been listed as one the best restaurants in Canada by a few magazines like Maclean's and enRounte Magazine.So for my 45th birthday S and the boys took me here for dinner.
Charcut has a modern, urban vibe in a hot location in downtown. In a city of Steakhouses, Charcut is a Meathouse. The place was lively and buzzing with people. This is a place that is proud of what they do. Our server was very knowledgeable and started off by telling us about the food and the chefs. Explaining how all ingredients are fresh locally inspired. Everything is made in house in the kitchen by specifically trained chefs. Charcut are known for their charcuterie platter and in house made meats. The menu is made for sharing and dishes are served family style. We thought about trying out the charcuterie platter but wanted to try a few other things and thought that would be too much food so we decided against.
First up we had the watermelon and cucumber salad. Layered with cucumbers, slices of watermelon and feta. The citrus of marinade, the feta cheese , the bursts of fresh mint, sweetness of the watermelon and the cool slices of cucumbers made this a refreshing salad that rocked with its fusion flavors. Next out come the rest all on a platter great for sharing. We had the shared burger Charcut style"roasted garlic sausage patty, with a fried egg. This is ordered by ounces we ordered 16. We also had the Spring Creek Butcher steak. Chimichurri, arugula, fried matchstick potatoes. Butcher steaks are a flavourful secret cut of that butchers would often keep for themselves. I liked combination with each bite of the steak. For a side we had the poutine, and it was amazing. Milky white curds melted all over the crisp fries. The truffle gravy was rich, and salty and sumptuous. For dessert I was treated by Charcut with raspberry cheesecake in a jar. Vanilla bean cheesecake mousse, layered with graham crumbs. So yummy.
Conclusion: Charcut is a great place to go for sharing, our favourite way to eat. I love that the Chefs and servers take such pride in their food. I love that things are in house made and fresh locally inspired. It was a great evening celebrating my birthday with the good things in life with my favorite people.
Rating I am in love
Service I am passinate
Stephen Avenue
899 Centre Street S
Calgary Ab
September 2, 2012
S and I have wanted to go here since seeing Chef Connie DeSousa on one of our favorite shows Top Chef. She was our favourite and each week we cheered her on and hoping she would become Top Chef. Since the show she has become a hometown hero. This restaurant has been listed as one the best restaurants in Canada by a few magazines like Maclean's and enRounte Magazine.So for my 45th birthday S and the boys took me here for dinner.
Charcut has a modern, urban vibe in a hot location in downtown. In a city of Steakhouses, Charcut is a Meathouse. The place was lively and buzzing with people. This is a place that is proud of what they do. Our server was very knowledgeable and started off by telling us about the food and the chefs. Explaining how all ingredients are fresh locally inspired. Everything is made in house in the kitchen by specifically trained chefs. Charcut are known for their charcuterie platter and in house made meats. The menu is made for sharing and dishes are served family style. We thought about trying out the charcuterie platter but wanted to try a few other things and thought that would be too much food so we decided against.
First up we had the watermelon and cucumber salad. Layered with cucumbers, slices of watermelon and feta. The citrus of marinade, the feta cheese , the bursts of fresh mint, sweetness of the watermelon and the cool slices of cucumbers made this a refreshing salad that rocked with its fusion flavors. Next out come the rest all on a platter great for sharing. We had the shared burger Charcut style"roasted garlic sausage patty, with a fried egg. This is ordered by ounces we ordered 16. We also had the Spring Creek Butcher steak. Chimichurri, arugula, fried matchstick potatoes. Butcher steaks are a flavourful secret cut of that butchers would often keep for themselves. I liked combination with each bite of the steak. For a side we had the poutine, and it was amazing. Milky white curds melted all over the crisp fries. The truffle gravy was rich, and salty and sumptuous. For dessert I was treated by Charcut with raspberry cheesecake in a jar. Vanilla bean cheesecake mousse, layered with graham crumbs. So yummy.
Conclusion: Charcut is a great place to go for sharing, our favourite way to eat. I love that the Chefs and servers take such pride in their food. I love that things are in house made and fresh locally inspired. It was a great evening celebrating my birthday with the good things in life with my favorite people.
Rating I am in love
Service I am passinate
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)