Calgary Food, coffee, etc. - Page 395

Surrealplaces · #**7881** Posted **Nov 30, 2015, 8:55 PM**

I tried Modern Steak the other day and was impressed. My steak was done perfectly, and the side dishes and apps were all good. Apps were Philly cheese steak egg rolls, and the Prawn Bong.
The Prawn Bong was great....I just about fell out of my chair when I ate it.Just that alone would bring me back. Side dish of Brussels Sprouts and Mushrooms were good, especially the Brussels Sprouts w maple/bacon.

mwalker_mw · #**7882** Posted **Dec 1, 2015, 1:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTING

That's too bad if true as it was one of my go-to places. Oddly you can get really good Indian/PK food at Great Canadian Pizza downtown. They have a reasonable selection, also they have haleem (ask for it as its not on the menu and its only made a few times a week) which is usually really tough to find.

I am unsure if they do delivery but they probably do. Also, there are at least 2 locations downtown. One is on 4th ave and 5th street and the other is right next to crack macs on 7th ave (never been to this one though).

Interesting about GCP...

I think the signs at Surya did hint at the replacement being similar cuisine so maybe they are just refreshing themselves...

Spring2008 · #**7883** Posted **Dec 1, 2015, 9:08 PM**

Nice - Five Guys is pretty good.

17th Ave update:

Brown's Social House, Home & Away, and 5S17 (Japanese/French resto) recently opened.

New Japanese/Italian resto opening ~ 5st (can't remember the name)

Trolley Five Brewery and Mill Street Brewery both scheduled to open this spring.

Una's expansion (quick service/deli) set to open in December.

Quote:

Originally Posted by artvandelay

December Mission news:

- Blaze Pizza will be taking the large restaurant space on the SE corner of 20/20. It is the first Calgary restaurant for the quickly growing fast-casual American chain. The concept lets customers build their own pizza with a variety of toppings - think Subway meets pizza. I've been to a similar place in Montreal and enjoyed it, but I can't help but think a full service restaurant with bar would've made better use of the patio space on that end cap.
- Also in 20/20. Five Guys Burgers will be taking one of the last remaining CRUs - adjacent to Blaze Pizza I believe.
- Signage for "The Mission" is up in the former Candela space. From the group behind Anejo, it will have a contemporary international menu and is slated to be a more casual spot than Candela.

bt04ku · #**7884** Posted **Dec 2, 2015, 2:57 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by artvandelay

A victim of the downturn? Or just a poor concept?

This article would suggest the latter, but perhaps it may have worked better in a booming economy.

I liked the concept, but the couple of times I was there I'm not sure if the execution really matched up with it (or at least not my interpretation of it anyway). Weren't really sure if you were in a restaurant or a bakeshop/cafe so it never seemed to be good as either. To me the latter is a lot less formal, basically a coffee shop with more offerings and space and caters to those who want to be in-and-out quickly or who just want to just hang out for a while. Coffee shops have mastered this coexistence, sometimes to a fault.

Instead Corbeaux also tried to put a restaurant setting right in the middle. Meant neither the in-and-out aspect was all that welcoming and the 'just hang out a while' atmosphere wasn't either. Bit too much of a mish-mash that had to be pricey because of how expensive the land was and how little of the space was really usable. An expensive place like that isn't going to do super well in this economy.

artvandelay · #**7885** Posted **Dec 2, 2015, 5:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bt04ku

I liked the concept, but the couple of times I was there I'm not sure if the execution really matched up with it (or at least not my interpretation of it anyway). Weren't really sure if you were in a restaurant or a bakeshop/cafe so it never seemed to be good as either. To me the latter is a lot less formal, basically a coffee shop with more offerings and space and caters to those who want to be in-and-out quickly or who just want to just hang out for a while. Coffee shops have mastered this coexistence, sometimes to a fault.

Instead Corbeaux also tried to put a restaurant setting right in the middle. Meant neither the in-and-out aspect was all that welcoming and the 'just hang out a while' atmosphere wasn't either. Bit too much of a mish-mash that had to be pricey because of how expensive the land was and how little of the space was really usable. An expensive place like that isn't going to do super well in this economy.

I'd largely agree with that assessment. Interestingly enough, I heard yesterday that a coworker was kicked out while having drinks after dinner so they could turn over the table. This is after spending a significant amount on dinner and buying another bottle of wine. It's tough to succeed when you're doing that to customers.

Anyway, I hope something goes in there that makes better use of the great patio space.

flipstah · #**7886** Posted **Dec 3, 2015, 3:52 AM**

It was weird to see Corbeaux trying to cannibalize Analog Cafe sales so one definitely had to give.

Their food offering was meh. I was more into the pastries.

Brown's Social House on 17th looks bumping! Me likey.

I still haven't gone to Blanco yet but Native Tongues was a fancy, upscale taqueria (Tu Tierra is my go-to).

Riise · #**7887** Posted **Dec 3, 2015, 4:18 PM**

I'm really looking forward to trying 5S17 when I'm in town over the holidays, the concept sounds interesting and pictures look delicious.

Brown's Social in Grande Prairie is my local when I trek into GP and it's a nice joint. The décor and atmosphere make me forget that I'm in GP and their Alaska Highway gravy is beyond tasty.

It's unconfirmed on the planning side but I'm being led to believe by someone ITK that Nando's is joining this 17th Ave party...

CCF · #**7888** Posted **Dec 3, 2015, 8:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bt04ku

I liked the concept, but the couple of times I was there I'm not sure if the execution really matched up with it (or at least not my interpretation of it anyway). Weren't really sure if you were in a restaurant or a bakeshop/cafe so it never seemed to be good as either. To me the latter is a lot less formal, basically a coffee shop with more offerings and space and caters to those who want to be in-and-out quickly or who just want to just hang out for a while. Coffee shops have mastered this coexistence, sometimes to a fault.

Instead Corbeaux also tried to put a restaurant setting right in the middle. Meant neither the in-and-out aspect was all that welcoming and the 'just hang out a while' atmosphere wasn't either. Bit too much of a mish-mash that had to be pricey because of how expensive the land was and how little of the space was really usable. An expensive place like that isn't going to do super well in this economy.

It didn't help that they didn't offer wifi. I would have gone and worked in the cafe/bakery shop portion had wifi been available. Alas it was not, so I never went there.

In other news, near the intersection of 17th Ave Sw and 4th Street SW the building next to the one that houses Pizza Boy Shawarma has been undergoing renovations. As I was walking by today I saw that the facade has been exposed and signage has gone up for..............A&W.

Spring2008 · #**7889** Posted **Dec 3, 2015, 9:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCF

In other news, near the intersection of 17th Ave Sw and 4th Street SW the building next to the one that houses Pizza Boy Shawarma has been undergoing renovations. As I was walking by today I saw that the facade has been exposed and signage has gone up for..............A&W.

I forgot to mention that - usually i wouldn't care but they've done a pretty major structure plus cladding re-design to what was previously an abandoned building on 17th. That black Alucobond plus the grey bricks looks a lot better than what was there. I like it.

Ramsayfarian · #**7890** Posted **Dec 3, 2015, 9:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCF

It didn't help that they didn't offer wifi. I would have gone and worked in the cafe/bakery shop portion had wifi been available. Alas it was not, so I never went there.

Free Wi-fi would have turned it into a Purple Perk but with edible desserts and drinkable coffee. Place full of "bloggers" who sit there all day taking up space and buying very little.

fusili · #**7891** Posted **Dec 3, 2015, 9:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spring2008

I forgot to mention that - usually i wouldn't care but they've done a pretty major structure plus cladding re-design to what was previously an abandoned building on 17th. That black Alucobond plus the grey bricks looks a lot better than what was there. I like it.

I agree. Sometimes chains are good for putting lots of money into a building. Most chains wouldn't be caught dead in a run-down building.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramsayfarian

Free Wi-fi would have turned it into a Purple Perk but with edible desserts and drinkable coffee. Place full of "bloggers" who sit there all day taking up space and buying very little.

I am one of those guys, ha! Analog staff know me well, but I typically buy more than just a coffee. Getting a seat in that place is nuts.

CCF · #**7892** Posted **Dec 3, 2015, 10:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramsayfarian

Free Wi-fi would have turned it into a Purple Perk but with edible desserts and drinkable coffee. Place full of "bloggers" who sit there all day taking up space and buying very little.

Isn't that what most coffee shops are? I find it bizarre when places don't offer wifi in this day and age (Cafe Beano being another). Heck, I have gone and sat at Original Joes to have lunch and use the wifi to do work.

I get that it's a balance - they certainly don't want to encourage people sitting around all day while purchasing very little. But at the same time, the lack of wifi would discourage a lot of the "blogger" types from coming in - including at times of the day when it's not busy and they could use patrons.

Of course I am bias as I am one of those people (well not a blogger, but a PhD student - same sort of loitering habits

).

DizzyEdge · #**7893** Posted **Dec 3, 2015, 10:58 PM**

Weird question, but anyone know where you can get a taco salad in this city? Other than Wendy's which is basically a garden salad with chili dumped on it.
Fast Food/Take out is preferred, but I'm not sure if there even is any place.

MalcolmTucker · #**7894** Posted **Dec 3, 2015, 11:22 PM**

^ The Den at the U of C has a good one.

Ramsayfarian · #**7895** Posted **Dec 4, 2015, 3:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by fusili

I am one of those guys, ha! Analog staff know me well, but I typically buy more than just a coffee. Getting a seat in that place is nuts.

Next time I'm there I'll keep an eye out for someone surfing SSP and Pinterest.

bigcanuck · #**7896** Posted **Dec 4, 2015, 3:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

Weird question, but anyone know where you can get a taco salad in this city? Other than Wendy's which is basically a garden salad with chili dumped on it.
Fast Food/Take out is preferred, but I'm not sure if there even is any place.

Taco Time has them - beef, chicken or veggie I believe. Comes in a taco-shell bowl. Marcello's downtown also has them - comes in a plastic container.

Riise · #**7897** Posted **Dec 4, 2015, 3:29 PM**

Has anyone been to The Derrick? It's opened where Opus use to be on 8th/Stephen Ave years ago. I'm thinking about having a gathering there and wouldn't mind hearing some reviews.

DizzyEdge · #**7898** Posted **Dec 4, 2015, 4:19 PM**

Sweet thanks guys

CCF · #**7899** Posted **Dec 4, 2015, 7:30 PM**

Anyone know what is happening in the space adjacent (north) of National on 17th. Looks like there is some activity going on and a building permit placed in the window.

flipstah · #**7900** Posted **Dec 5, 2015, 5:04 AM**

YES.

I like A&W. They have awesome onion rings.

Anyone have Carl's Jr. yet?