I missed the 'value' part of your post, and I agree, the Indian/Vietnamese places in the Northeast are generally better value.
But here's the thing, there's more kinds of foods than just Indian/Pakistani and Afghan food. Much much more in fact. That's only a small slice of what's out there when it comes to food. If that's the only kind of food you eat, and you live near McKnight and 52nd, then great. Good for you. If you like all types of food, then the core is king.
Let me ask you something. Are you of the Islamic faith? The religious side of it doesn't concern me, but it does factor into how food is looked at. If you are a Muslim your food world will be limited to Halal and vegetarian dishes, and thus the restaurants and types of cuisine are limited. You won't have tried all the different types of food out there, and food diversity is something that will be different to you.
Anyways, back to the original argument, yes, collectively the burbs do have some good restaurants, and can offer good value if you're willing to travel long distances to reach them.
P.S. You don't have to go to Bowness to get Korean Chicken, you can go downtown where it's closer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by suburbia
So to be clear, was never talking about Rouge or Catch. I spoke of value diversity. We also were not talking about walkability (strawman arguement busted) though there are at least 25 establishments within 500m of 52nd & McKnight. 17th SE has its stretches too. Yes you can get indian in the downtown, but only moderately good and at okay value, but not at high value for the dollar and not pakistani or sri lankan. Persian and afghan are additional examples available in both the downtown and in the burbs, but in the downtown at a premium. And when you talk indian, the punjabi places in the downtown are okay and relatively expensive. I hate those heavy soft pastry potato dumplings they pass off as somosas. If you want a truly hand crafted crispy chicken or beef somosa go to nooren's in the north edge of the SE (a converted pizza joint - good on the Afghan refugee that makes it happen there). They make them there and sell hot from the fryer for $1.10. You can buy old pre-made ones from the same supplier for almost four times the cost in the inner city at Calgary Shawarma, but you see the point? Old, inferior, not made by the seller, not made on site, and for four times the price. The inner city has no kabab places even close to quality and authenticity of a pakistani kabab from faisal kabaab hut. Like really. People are talking about purchasing a print of mona lisa from a book store chain in the downtown, to actaully buying the real mona lisa for half the price in the NE. Obviously that is somewhat of a stretch as touchstones go, but hopefully it makes the point (particularly for the stereotypical white, or might as well be white folks, who don't know any better*).
I do agree that there is an indian curry place in the Core shopping centre's food court where the chinese owners and staff actually do not a bad job. They still have no real somosas, however (and if you've tasted naan made in front of you in a real tandoor, you'll know why there is no comparison).
Oh - and Cibo in the NE is almost complete. I was just asking about that place in the food thread. It is right beside the superstore and recreation complex walking distance from my place.
Anyway - let's move this over to the food thread (per BigTime's suggestion). Am talking about Cibo there, as well as my recent post about Portuguese chicken at Nandos and Korean chicken at Yum Yum. Yum Yum, yes a chain, is a great stop when I go to the T&T there, though I often go for Trinidad and Tobago options at the Roti Hut across the way when I go there also. You may not have heard of most of these places as I find many in the inner city haven't traveled much.
*I'm kidding - don't crucify me!
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