Alberta Archives - Foodology

In Banff

Exploring Banff: Accommodations, Restaurants, and Sightseeing Recommendations

November 4, 2022

As Canadians, we are gifted with the ability to enjoy something so majestic as the Rocky Mountains. A monumental mountain range shared between British Columbia and Alberta. Banff, Alberta is one of the best places to see them in all their glory.

There are no bad views or ugly sides with 360 degree mountains to admire, some of the freshest alpine air to breathe in, and sparkling glacier waters to drink.

When planing your next trip to Banff, here are a few things to consider: accommodations, food options, sightseeing, and activities. Here are a few recommendations from our latest trip with Pursuit.

The following recommendations will be helpful in planning your next excursion.

Accommodations & Restaurants

Depending on your preferences, there are two great Pursuit options for accommodations, each with a shuttle that takes you from Calgary’s airport to your chosen Banff hotel.

Elk & Ave

For those who like a modern boutique look and feel, Elk and Avenue is a great option. Located on the far end of downtown Banff, but still within walking distance to the heart of the city. Clean and spacious rooms with the convenience of a fridge and coffee maker. Hotel amenities include an indoor sauna and hot tub with power jets.

Good Earth Coffee House
This in-hotel cafe not only serves guests staying overnight, but is a popular stop for regulars in search locally brewed coffee, healthy smoothies, and quick bites. Food options include a well-stocked showcase of sweet pastries, savoury sandwiches and pre-made soups and pastas. Visit through the hotel’s gift shop or run in from the street entrance.

Farm + Fire
This farm to table style restaurant specializes in wood fire pizzas and rotisserie prepared proteins, set in a lovely modern farmhouse kitchen setting. For breakfast come early and grab one of their limited number of giant cinnamon buns, accurately named “The Sold Out” cinnamon bun, dressed in a cream cheese frosting. And for dinner we loved the “Late night snack” pizza topped with salt and vinegar chips. The rotisserie chicken was some of the most succulent, and if picking which side to pair with it, it has to be the Thousand Layer Duck Fat Potatoes.

Mount Royal

For accommodations with a lot more history attached, direct your attention to Mount Royal. A newer brand built upon upgrades from the first original hotel in Banff. From its facade you can see the transition of renovations and change over the years. And to pay homage to the initial building that once stood and the decades that followed, the hotel has wings set to specific colour schemes: Cascade, followed by 1940’s and the 50’s. Inside, the suites are modernly furnished for a similar bouquet feel to its sister property, Elk & Ave. Hotel guests can enjoy the outdoor roof top hot tub with mountain views, a complimentary tea bar, and a miniature museum chronicling the history of skiing in Banff. The latter most includes an actual wood and leather strap relic of skis on display.

Cascade Lounge
Adjacent to the roof top hot tub, this bar is fairly hidden and you wouldn’t know it was there if you aren’t actively looking for it. It resembles a modern living room with high tops and couches to sprawl out on. Here, they serve a curated collection of locally produced and canned beers and cocktails, as well as Pursuit’s own blend of red and white wine.

Brazen
With a different menu for each meal you have reason to visit them a handful of times. For breakfast indulge in their peanut butter and chocolate French toast, or go savoury with a stacked croque madame. We recommend the dinner service the most for its theatrical cocktails, and a varied menu with nods to Asian cuisine. This speaks to the restaurant’s name and the Executive Chef’s goal of working outside the box. Dinner service includes Ginger Beef flambé table side with fire and bourbon, mussels in a green tea broth with green tobiko, and a crème brûlée plated to look like an ash tray with white chocolate biscuit cigarettes.

Sight seeing in Banff

By Foot

There are no bad angles when it comes to Banff. When walking through town you go towards mountains on either ends. Majority of the main streets have been closed off during the pandemic to accommodate more patio seating, and it now allows for groups to linger in the middle of the road for the perfect photo up. And the walk from downtown to picturesque waters and expansive mountains is less than 2 minutes. The trek is as easy as cutting through the park and crossing a bridge. Keep going and there is even a waterfall less than 30 minutes away.

Electric Bike

To cover a bit more distance you can rent an electric bike for the afternoon or a day. At Black Diamond Bike and Supplies they have two or three wheel models that take the work out of pedalling. Choose your modes and the amount of propulsion you wish, and steep hills and huffing and puffing are a thing of the past. Some views like the “Surprise Lookout” are only accessible via bicycle, when the walk is too steep and too far, and there is no places to pause a vehicle at.

Top Down Tour

Take the work out of researching where to go and figuring out how to get there with Top Down Tours, available for booking at Mount Royal’s lobby desk. This is a guided tour in a stretch bus done up in 20’s style with a royal blue body kit and white walled rims. The driver and tour guide is dressed from the same era with a dapper vests, raised pants, and bowler hat. She drives pointing out local landmarks and offering interesting tidbits for visiting travellers, all to a soundtrack from the roaring 20’s. The highlight is being able to stand up on your seats and stick your head out of the moving vehicle to catch the views, that is if weather permits.

Banff Gondola

For the bird’s eye view of Banff, ascend the Gondola. The carriage fits 4 and the ride is fairly quick. If you miss something on the way, it is okay, as the view on top is what you want anyways. There, multiple floors with ceiling to floor windows and an open roof top deck allows visitors to take in the majesty of the mountains, their way. Many choose to have their packed lunches on one of the limited seats or within the plastic dome, if lucky.

Sky Bistro
And as you have made it all the way up, extend your stay a little longer with a scenic lunch paired with colourful cocktails. Sky Bistro offers their comfort Canadian menu overlooking the Rockies. Enjoy dressed up classics like chicken and waffles with a maple sriracha drizzle and a gourmet grilled cheese with brie and a roasted pear chutney.

Cosmic Ray Station
For a bit of exercise and a challenge, take the winding wooden walkway up to Sulphur Mountain’s, now inoperable, cosmic ray station, great for a look back at the gondola.

Lake Minnewanka Cruise

From the mountains to the water, take a guided boat cruise across one of Alberta’s largest glacier lakes. Go end to end with Lake Minnewanka’s beer voyage. Sip on local brews as your guide gives you a history lesson of the natives that once took care of the land and how the topography of it is the way it is today. Most memorable is seeing the “Devil’s Gap”, the corridor where the prairies meet the mountains.

In Alberta

The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old Paired with Meat and Cheese

December 24, 2018

The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old is a great gift this holiday. It is available at all government-owned liquor stores across Canada for a pretty affordable price of under $100. The price will fluctuate from province to province, but this smooth Scotch is at a great price point that won’t disappoint.

Taste

It has a golden sun colour to it. As you take your first wiff, you can really smell creamy butterscotch with a hint of toffee apple, candied orange, vanilla custard and newly felled oak on the nose. It’s very aromatic!

When you take a few sips, it has hints of honey, wood spices and citrus, balanced with raisins and caramel. As you finish your sip, the Oak lingers, which is warm and sweet at the back of your throat.

We prefer to have it neat so you can really take in the flavours of the The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old. Of course, you can have it on the rocks or alternatively a dram of it to your coffee or tea. The vanilla custard notes go well with crème-brûlée or pumpkin pie at the end of the meal.

Charcuterie Board Pairings

Of course you can’t just have a glass of Scotch without some delicious accompaniment. You can get cheesey with a simple charcuterie board to have a few nibbles before dinner begins.

To accentuate the butterscotch and caramel flavours of The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old, they suggest a young manchego, French sheep’s milk cheese, or any earthy pecorino.

If you can’t find those at your local grocery store, you can go with some light cheeses like a light Brie or light Cheddar. It gives a nice mouthfeel without overpowering the Scotch.

It’s a great way to enjoy the Scotch, have some bites while continuing your conversations with friends and family.

Pasa-Doble: A Classic Coaktail Twist

You can also make cocktails with The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old. This is a take on the classic Old Fashioned with American style, distinct European flair and a clever Canadian twist. It’s perfect for the holidays.

Ingredients:

1 1/3 oz. The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old
1/2 oz. Amontillado Sherry
Pinch of smoked salt
Drizzle of Canadian maple syrup

Instructions:

Add all ingredients and ice to a mixing glass. Stir gently with a bar spoon for 10 seconds.
Strain into an ice-filled Old Fashioned glass.

Final Thoughts

The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old is good on its own and paired with a charcuterie plate, or turned into a cocktail. It’s versatile and at a great price point. Highly recommended!

Website:
https://www.themacallan.com/en

In Edmonton

Bündok: Amazing Dinner in Edmonton

August 3, 2018

Bündok is located in Downtown Edmonton and we were recommended by a few people to come here for dinner. It’s hard to define what type of cuisine it is, but it feels like elevated hip farm-to-table cuisine.

Interior

The interior is nice and classy. Since we came during a heatwave, there wasn’t any Air Conditioning inside. It was a bit toasty.

The menu changes daily, so what I had when I dined may be different depending on what ingredients are in season. I like how they keep their produce and products as fresh as possible. The menu has a variety of meat, veggies, and seafood options, which is great for people with various dietary restrictions.

Pea Shoots

We started with a salad, which is comprised of pea shoots, snow peas, English peas, mint, grilled croutons, and topped with olive oil, and Parmesan. It was a very light and refreshing salad to start the meal off. You can really taste the freshness of the peas.

Sea Bream Crudo

This dish was highly recommended by our server. It has sea bream crudo, thai basil, citrus, chilli, olive oil, and apple. A good balance of sweetness and acidity. Delicious!

Grilled Asparagus

This has grilled asparagus, deep fried egg, and cured egg yolk. Who knew egg and asparagus would go so well together.

Gnocchi Parisienne

The gnocchi parisienne has mushrooms, green garlic, and breadcrumbs. This was my favourite dish of the evening. The gnocchi were so soft like pillows. Probably one of the top pasta dishes I’ve had in my life. I highly recommend this dish.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by Bündok! The dishes did not disappoint and a majority of the dishes were drool worthy. They definitely put a lot of thought into the menu and use the best ingredients possible. If you are ever in Edmonton, add Bündok to your eating list.

Address:
10228 104 St NW, Edmonton, AB

Website:
http://www.bundokyeg.com/

In Dessert

Rostizado: Dessert in Edmonton

July 31, 2018

Rostizado is a Modern Mexican Restaurant in Downtown Edmonton. I was recommended to come here late at night for dessert. I love desserts and have a little sweet tooth for churros.

Flan de Queso

This is a Mexican caramel custard folded with cream cheese and garnished with shaved almonds. Very delicious, silky smooth and rich. It might be a tad sweet for some people, but still enjoyable.

Churros

This is fried Mexican dough coated with sugar and cinnamon. It is served with salted pasilla milk chocolate and dulce de leche sauces. Freshly made and highly recommended! Easily sharable among the table too.

Final Thoughts

Overall, even though we came here for just desserts, we had a good time chatting and enjoying good desserts. If you’re here for dinner, make sure not to skip out on dessert.

Address:
10359 104 Street #102, Edmonton, AB

Website:
http://www.rostizado.com/

In Edmonton

Farrow Sandwiches: Lunch in Edmonton

July 30, 2018

Farrow Sandwiches is located in the Garneau neighbourhood of Edmonton. I stopped here for lunch to grab and sandwich and drink since I heard it was a must when in town.

They have another location in Ritchie.

Interior

The space is pretty small and there are only a few seats by the window and outside. A lot of people did take out as it is pretty hot inside in the Summer.

Grick Middle Sandwich

This has Four Whistle Farms fried egg, bacon, smoked cheddar, rosemary aioli and arugula. The sandwich was good. The bun was very soft and the fried egg and bacon were balanced by the arugula.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the quick lunch I had was good. They also have freshly baked donuts too, but I didn’t have space for it this time.

Address:
8422 109 St NW, Edmonton, AB

Website:
http://farrowsandwiches.ca/

In BBQ

MEAT: Classic BBQ Smokehouse in Edmonton

July 27, 2018

MEAT is a smokehouse in Edmonton and has been quite popular for their classic BBQ items, sides and drinks. They are located on Whyte Avenue and it’s a great happening neighbourhood with lots going on.

Interior

The interior is large and there are lots of communal tables for small to large groups. They don’t take reservations but they have seats on the patio and indoors.

House Salad

We ordered the house salad to start to balance the rest of the meaty meal. It has mixed greens, pecans, goat cheese, tomatoes, and a light dressing. A good item to lighten the meal.

The Spread

All the other items that we ordered came in a platter – garlic fries, fried chicken, half rack of ribs and a pound of beef brisket.

Don’t forget to use their sauces on the side to enhance the flavour.

Beef Brisket

This was beautiful and when it came out it was nice and tender. One of the better items we ordered.

Fried Chicken

The fried chicken was subpar. Our pieces were dry and quite salty. They definitely need to work on this.

Garlic Fries

The garlic fries had a good amount of garlic incorporated into it. It was crisp and had a crunch when you bite down.

BBQ Ribs

The ribs were meaty and delicious with a good amount of smoke and flavour.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the BBQ here was ok. After eating all the items, we could tell all the items were pretty salty and needed better balance of flavour. Of course salt is an essential ingredient of BBQ but there needs to be a good balance. The texture of the pork and beef were good, but the chicken really needs some work. With all the good reviews, the biggest issue for us was the salt levels.

Address:
8216 104 St NW, Edmonton, AB

Website:
http://www.meatfordinner.com

In Car

Driving the 2018 Buick Enclave Avenir in Edmonton

July 25, 2018

We drove around Edmonton, Alberta for 3.5 days in and out of the city to explore sights, sounds and of course eats with the 2018 Buick Enclave Avenir. It’s a little larger than vehicles I normally drive but I always love to get outside of my comfort zone to experience a wide range of vehicle options. It can seat up to 7 people in the car with adjustable seating configuration to have more or less storage in the trunk.

We drove around the city and into Elk Island National Park about 40 minutes away from Edmonton to go find some bison in their natural habitat.

Sleek Interior

I love the interior and it has such a luxurious feel. The leather, the wood, and the chrome accents. As we both got into the car, we were very impressed with the look and feel. This full-sized SUV has it all to make you feel comfortable.

Passenger Seating

The 3^rd row of seating is a little bit narrow, so a full sized adult will have trouble sitting in that row. It’s best for people under 5”0 or children.

The 2nd row is very spacious and the arm rest make sitting comfortable. Best for adults to be in the front and second rows.

Lots of USB Charging Ports

There are plenty of USB charging portlets in the vehicle, 2 in the back, 2 in the middle and 2 in the front row. Paired with the wifi network in the car, no one will be complaining about keeping connected to the internet or dying phones. It’s pretty awesome.

Whether you’re on a short trip or a longer road trip, you’re all set.

Smart Entertainment System

I’m not a fan of the default entertainment system, but with Apple Car Play and Android Auto, plug in your phone and the whole dashboard changes to suits you needs – navigation, calls, texts, Spotify, etc.

Safety and Visibility

I felt very confident that I could get in and out of any parking spot with ease. The front and rear facing cameras, with the 360 camera view made the areas surrounding the vehicle easy to see so you can judge how much distance you have between other cars, people or other objects.

Parallel parking in tight spots usually makes me nervous but I think I actually became a better driver having the cameras around to help me see and judge distance.

With that being said, you can’t say the same about other vehicles on the road. On the last day of our trip, another vehicle in our hotel parking lot decided to scruff up a side of our rear bumper. A sad end to our trip, but we did everything possible to prevent such a situation.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I really enjoyed the 2018 Buick Enclave Avenir. It handled well on paved roads and even off road at Elk Island National Park. Being inside the vehicle was very comfortable and looks very stylish. I was so proud to show this off to my friend and introducing her to features that you wouldn’t find common in older vehicles.

If you’re looking for an upgrade for a full-sized SUV that gives you a feeling of luxury, comfort and reliability, definitely take a look into the Buick Enclave. I would highly recommend you check this out with a test drive.

Website:
https://www.buick.ca/enclave-large-luxury-crossover.html

In Bakery

District Cafe and Bakery in Edmonton

July 18, 2018

District Cafe and Bakery is located in the heart of Downtown Edmonton. I was staying close by and it was highly recommended that I stop by for a coffee and pastries before I ventured off for the day. A day doesn’t really start until I’ve had a good yummy breakfast with coffee.

Interior

The space is pretty large and suits small to large groups. It is surrounded by windows, so there is a ton of natural light.

When I was here. I noticed most people were having coffee chats, talking about work, or having mentoring sessions.

Morning Menu

Daily Specials

Latte

I got a latte and it was made with beans from Timbertrain, which is a Vancouver-based roastery and cafe. One of my favourites and they have really honed their craft on creating great beans. The latte had a good ratio of espresso and milk foam. Delicious! It even has a little heart latte art on top.

Raspberry Rhubarb Handpie

I grabbed a raspberry rhubarb handpie as I wanted something small to snack on with the coffee. It was delicious and not too sweet or tart. Just a good amount.

Final Thoughts

If you’re in the downtown area of Edmonton, it’s definitely worth a stop here for a coffee and their pastries. They also serve other dishes too for lunch and dinner. They are licensed, so that means later in the evening, they serve alcohol. The space is nice and makes for a great hangout.

Address:
10011 109 St NW #101, Edmonton, AB

Website:
http://districtcafe.ca/

In Edmonton

Zwicks Pretzels: Amazing Sandwichzels in Edmonton

July 15, 2018

Zwicks Pretzels makes awesome pretzels in Edmonton. When I was visiting for a few days, I came twice to try a few different things off the menu. The shop has free parking out front if you’re driving here.

Interior

You order up at the counter and its all to go. There is one table in the store, but most people get their sandwichzels and pretzels to go.

There isn’t any AC, so it can get very toasty and uncomfortable inside.

Bacon and Egg Sandwichzels

Inside, you will find house-cured back bacon, cheddar, egg and grilled tomato on a pretzel bun. The cheddar was griddled so nicely that it had a bit of a crust to it. SO GOOD. I highly recommend this.

McZwick Sandwichzels

This was a little different and it has warm roasted chicken, candied bacon, mozzarella & paprika aioli on their pretzel bun. A little more decadent and greasy, but equally as good. The bacon is nice and thick too.

Garlic Butter Pretzel

I had to get a basic pretzel to see how it is so I went with garlic butter. It had a nice texture and so soft in the centre. There was a good amount of garlic butter on the outside too.

Final Thoughts

Upon first bite, I was addicted to their pretzels and sandwiches. A taste that I definitely won’t forget. You need to make a stop here for their food. It’s so comforting and so damn good. Probably one of the best pretzels I’ve ever had.

Address:
12415 107 Ave, Edmonton, AB

Website:
https://www.zwickspretzels.com/

In Edmonton

City Market Downtown on 104th in Edmonton

July 12, 2018

Every Saturday from May Long Weekend to Thanksgiving at 9am to 3pm, you’ll find the City Market Downtown on 104th bustling with lots of local vendors selling quality produce and goods delivered direct by friendly, local farmers, growers and artisans.

This farmer’s market has been an integral part of Edmonton’s downtown for more than a century.

This market does run for all season, so during the colder months, they can be found indoors at City Hall (Sir Winston Churchill Square) from October 13 to May 11 at 10am to 3pm.

After we landed in Edmonton, we checked into our hotel and made a stop here to stroll around and grab a snack before heading off to our next adventure. What I noticed immediately was the size of this farmers market. It runs for a few blocks and there are so many vendors all in one spot.

There is a small area with food and drink vendors serving up coffee, tacos, green onion pancakes, meat pies, Malaysian food and a few other options. Make sure you bring cash and most vendors only take cash.

There are ATMs as well, but you may incur a fee.

One of the most popular food vendors is Meat Street Pies as they have 11 different pie options.

I went with the Jamaican Patty and it was so delicious. The peppers, herbs and spices mixed with the ground beef was spicy but worked so well. Highly recommended if you want a bite from the market.

A lot of the produce is seasonal and fresh right from the farm. When we were here, the 2 biggest items were BC cherries and asparagus.

A lot of the booth let you sample the items before buying, which is nice.

There were a few beer and spirits booths too, which is a very good balance for this kind of market.

Final Thoughts

This market is pretty darn awesome and I was impressed by the size of it. Definitely rivals some other markets I’ve been to in Western Canada. There are a lot of great vendors with awesome produce, so check it out.

Website:
https://city-market.ca/

In Edmonton

Urban Pedal Tours: Edmonton Early Riser Tour Review

July 9, 2018

When visiting Edmonton, I was very surprised that there were tours like these as I mostly recognized them from Portland. Biking around a table with a bunch of strangers over food and drink for a few hours. Urban Pedal Tours operates from both Calgary and Edmonton and offer different types of tours daily.

They currently offer 3 different tours in Edmonton:

Old Strathcona Tour
Downtown Tour
Early Riser Tour

All of them are 2 hours long except the early riser, which is 2.5 hours. Either way, you get to explore the neighbourhood , exercise, meet new people, and explore new eateries.

Edmonton Early Riser Tour

We all arrived at 9:45am and we began promptly at 10am to begin our tour to 3 different locations for coffee, donuts, and drinks in the Old Strathcona neighbourhood.

The bike fits about 14 people and some seats have pedals and some don’t. People switched on and off certain seats to get a break from pedalling. It’s an easy bike ride and isn’t not very difficult at all because you are all working together to move the bike.

The Holly Roller

The Holy Roller was our first stop on the tour for coffee. As you walk in, the space is so eclectic with so many trinkets on the wall. I spent a lot of time admiring the look of the space.

The seating is very antique and very instagrammable.

The golden antique scale, candy maker and the chalkboard menus add so much to the look of the space.

I put in my order ad watched them create my order with their beautiful espresso machine. They use ACE Coffee Roasters for their beans and its a local Edmonton Coffee Roastery.

My latte came out delicious with a good ratio of espresso and milk.

If you look carefully, they have a lot of comic books and unique coffee table book in their bookshelf.

Ohana Donuterie

Ohana Donuterie makes fresh donuts inspired by Hawaii. The building is a bit hidden but you’ll find them on the east side of the Planet Organic building near the McDonald’s parking lot.

All their donuts are made in-house and made to order. There is even a window into the kitchen to see how its made.

The space is rustic with lots of seats which reminds me of weathered boats of Hawaii.

You can also park your bike inside, which is a nice feature. plus free wifi.

I got an original cinnamon sugar donut with chocolate cream filling. Tt was very similar to malasadas, Portuguese donuts which can be found in Hawaii at the popular Leonard’s bakery.

Have Mercy Southern Table and Bar

The last stop of the tour was at Have Mercy for some drinks on the patio since it was a nice sunny day.

The specialize in all things Southern, so you’ll find a lot of Southern inspired dishes on the menu. We didn’t stop for food on this tour, so we just drank.

I got a caesar a it was still before noon. It has vodka, caesar mix, clamato juice, celery bitters and topped with a lime and pickled asparagus. A good way to end this tour.

Final Thoughts

After the 3 stops and a good amount of biking through Old Strathcona, I had a really good time connecting with the others on this tour as well as checking out a few new places in town.

Remember to bring cash as it is easier to settle up the tab, but most places do take credit cards too.

We were done at around 12:30pm, so I still had lots of time to explore Edmonton.

Address:
#100, 10004 79 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB

Website:
https://www.urbanpedaltours.com/

In Cafe

Tsujiri Edmonton: Japanese Matcha Desserts in Downtwon

July 8, 2018

Tsujiri is a Japanese-chain for tea-based desserts with over 155 years of history. Primarily focusing on matcha – ground up green tea with many health benefits as it is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. They have matcha parfaits, floats, and other treats.

When I was in Edmonton for 3.5 days, I came to Tsujiri 3 times as I had an obsession to try as many things as possible before they open in Vancouver.

Vanilla Mix Soft Serve

The Tsujiri Soft Cream is delicious. It comes in either matcha or vanilla mix. With vanilla mix, you get both matcha and vanilla swirled into the waffle cone. They fill it up very well, so you get your moneys worth. Plus, it looks and tastes great.

Shiratama Parfait

It has matcha soft serve, sweet red beans, shiratama balls like mochi, and a sprinkling on kinako (soybean flour). It’s a lovely dessert but I felt that the red beans were way too sweet and overpowered all the items in this parfait.

Houjicha Float with Vanilla Mix

Houjicha is roasted green tea, thus the dark brown colour. It is mixed with ice and blended into a slushy. Then I got it topped with the vanilla mix. The slushy was a bit thick, so you need to wait a little bit for it for it to melt.

Matcha Cream Puff

The cream puff is dusted with matcha powder and icing sugar. It was sitting in the display case for some time, so the puff wasn’t as crisp, but it was stuffed with a lot of matcha mousse.

Iced Sencha

This drink was very refreshing on a hot day. It’s just iced sencha and not sweet. Just straight up tea. Highly recommended if you love tea.

Matcha Roll Cake

There is a good ratio of cake to matcha cream and not too sweet. A great balance of bitter and sweet. I really enjoyed it.

Final Thoughts

After coming here 3 times to try a bunch of items, my favourite items are the ones that are simple like the soft serve in a cone, iced sencha, and roll cake. The red bean was too sweet and floats were too stiff.

Address:
10173 109 St NW, Edmonton

Website:
http://tsujiri-global.com/

In Brunch

Little Brick Cafe and General Store in Edmonton: Cute and Cozy

July 7, 2018

Little Brick Cafe and General Store is hidden in the Riverdale area in a residential area. The old brick house was built in 1903 and has so much character and charm. This is the former family home of J.B. Little, the owner of the brickyard that used to call the area home and
provided bricks to Edmonton’s most historical buildings.

As I walked in here, I felt like I was trespassing into someone’s home but don’t worry, as you walk through the fence to the entrance, you’ll know its ok.

I love all the patio seating with all the picnic tables spread out. This would make such a good event space for the Summer.

Interior

They don’t take reservations but there is plenty of space. Just go early if you have a very large group. The space is very cozy and cute. You order everything up at the counter and they’ll bring your food to the table.

Latte

I had to get a latte for the morning as my pick me up for the day. It was a good latte with a nice latte art on top. Very good espresso used in it that is pretty smooth and rich.

Thick Cut Bacon Eggs Benny

It is pricey at $16, but it was so delicious. It has bacon, Gull Valley vine tomato, apple cider hollandaise and soft-boiled Four Whistle Farms free-run eggs on toast.

The eggs were perfectly soft and oozed out all over the bennies to bring all the elements together. That bacon just melts in your mouth and filled me with so much joy. You can tell the ingredients they use is pretty high quality.

Blueberry Scone

They also have pastries too if brunch if a bit too heavy. My friend got a blueberry scone and it was massive. You can see all the berries that is used in it.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this spot is an absolute gem serving up brunch. It’s the cutest spot to catch up with friends and have some good treats. Highly recommended.

Address:
10004 90 St NW, Edmonton

Website:
http://littlebrick.ca/lbcafe/

In Airplane Meals

WestJet: Vancouver to Edmonton (WS 160) Review

June 30, 2018

When deciding to travel to Edmonton, we went with WestJet as it was one of the cheapest options at the time. I don’t get the chance to fly with them that often, but when I do, it’s always a great time. We flew out of Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Edmonton International Airport (YEG) at 9am from gate B14. The flight was an hour and 15 minutes and was a quick and comfortable flight.

Interior

As we got on the plane, we noticed it was a 3 and 3 seat configuration. The flight wasn’t very full, so there was tons of space for carry on luggage. The overhead bins were large, so it fits all sizes of carry on luggage unlike some other airplanes.

This particular plane did not have an entertainment system built into the seats. There are some reading materials, tray and an outlet. You can tell this is a newer plane on the fleet.

The outlet has lots of inputs, so whether you have a cellphones, tablet or laptop, you can charge it all without worrying about battery life.

WestJet App

For this particular plane, we had to use the WestJet app on our phones to connect to the flight information and access movies and tv shows. It’s pretty useful, but you just need to know ahead of time to download the app as each plane is a bit different. For their movies and shows, they have current and older options. As the flight is so short, you won’t have time to finish a movie.

Complimentary beverages and snacks

The great things about WestJet is that they still provide complementary snacks onboard. They will ask you if you want cookies or pretzels, but you can ask for both. Biscoff is delicious!! They have partnered with McDonalds to offer coffee on all their flights, which is great because their coffee is not bad at all. On the cup, don’t forget to grab the sticker and card if you’re already a regular customer.

Onboard Menu

If you are still hungry, they have a few other options to purchase food onboard.

Final Thoughts

Overall, it was a good flight. Very simple, comfortable and no delays. For me, the biggest decision factor is price for a flight and glad we were ale to fly with them this time. I like how they haven’t cheaped out completely and give you some snacks on the ride.

Website:
https://www.westjet.com/

In British Columbia

Tim Hortons creates Timbits Bouquet for Mother’s Day weekend

May 8, 2018

This Mother’s Day, you can give a sweet surprise for Timbits lovers out there. It is available exclusively for Mother’s Day weekend on Saturday, May 12th and Sunday, May 13th starting at 8am each day and while supplies last. If you’re mom has a sweet tooth for Timbits, she’ll find this alternative a sweet touch outside of traditional flowers.

It’s not the first time fun delicious bouquets have been created in Canada. There have been ketchup chip roses and even fried chicken bouquets.

Each bouquet comes with a variety of 24 long-stemmed Timbits, wrapped and ready to give to mom. The Timbits Bouquets are available for $12.99 plus tax at participating Tim Hortons Restaurants. The bouquet includes flavours like chocolate glazed, old fashion glazed and sour cream glazed to name a few.

#TimbitsBouquet Contest

To spread the love on Mother’s Day even further, Tim Hortons is giving Canadians in three cities – Toronto, Calgary and Montreal – the chance to nominate a mom to get her very own Timbits Bouquet hand-delivered in an exclusive Tim Hortons Flower Truck just in time for Mother’s Day.

If you are live in the participating cities, you can nominate a mom by posting why she deserves her own Timbits Bouquet on Twitter or Instagram using #TimbitsBouquet between May 7th and 10th.

Website: http://www.timhortons.com/

In Alberta

Eau Claire Distillery Christmas Gin: Review

December 24, 2017

Eau Claire Distillery is Canada’s premier craft distillery, offering a true farm-to-glass experience just 35 minutes southwest of downtown Calgary. Eau Claire prides itself in sourcing locally-farmed ingredients known and respected in Alberta’s agriculture community.

For the holidays, they released their seasonal Christmas Gin, which is flavoured with Frankincense and Myrrh — two of the three ancient wise men gifts.

Since gold is hardly digestible, and the ancient spices of Frankincense and myrrh were viewed as both priceless and flavorful, Eau Claire Distillery decided to make their traditional London-style Gin with these two unique botanicals.

Specially formulated for the holiday season, the spice resins give the a gin a beautiful mouth feel with a hint of almost a lemony, balsamic taste. It’s pretty good in making cocktails to go with cranberry juice or with iced tea. Even a classic gin and tonic will go well with it.

You can only get this shipped within Canada or at select shops. If you are a gin drinker and you’re looking for something unique, I think you’ll enjoy their take on the Christmas Gin.

Website: https://eauclairedistillery.ca/spirits/christmas-gin/

In Alberta

Monplaisir Macaron: French Macarons from Calgary

May 23, 2017

A week ago, Roman and I attended the Monplaisir Macaron Sampling held at the Best Western Plus Chateau Granville Hotel. We met Jean-Marc Mons and his wife, Elizabeth, who were in town to get the word out about their French macarons.

Proudly made in Calgary, Monplaisir offers delicious, delicate and decadent macarons. What makes Monplaisir stand out from the rest, is that the macarons are 100% local, natural, and gluten-free.
The ingredients used to make the macarons do not contain any:

animal gelatin
preservatives
additives
trans fat

This makes for guilt-free indulging. When asked about how long it took to perfect their macaron recipe, Jean-Marc said six months. Roman and I could tell that a lot of care and love went into making them, as we tasted their Pistachio Macaron, Monplaisir’s best-selling flavour. The cookie shells were light and delicate, but perfectly held together while biting into them. They did not crumble like other macarons we’ve tried; these had the right amount of chewiness. The pistachio-flavoured filling was smooth and creamy. Jean-Marc and Elizabeth said that out of their 22 flavours, they usually sell-out of Pistachio, and now we know why!

I also tried the White Chocolate and Raspberry, and I was not disappointed. The White Chocolate was so pretty, with it’s light blue and cream-coloured cookie shells. Its center was smooth and not overly sweet. The Raspberry had tiny bits of raspberry in the cream filling, which enhanced the overall flavour. Needless to say that these macarons were some of the best we’ve ever had!

Jean-Marc and Elizabeth are looking for partnerships within Vancouver, so be on the lookout for Monplaisir. Currently, the website allows for online ordering and shipping only within Calgary.

Website: http://s502259531.onlinehome.us/wordpress/

In Blairmore

Frank Slide: Largest and Deadliest Rock Slide in Canada

November 28, 2015

Driving from Alberta back to British Columbia, Crowsnest Pass on Hwy 3 is home to Frank Slide. This unique historic mining town was partially buried in 1903 due to a limestone rock slide down Turtle Mountain within 100 seconds.

The rock slide obliterated the eastern edge of Frank, the Canadian Pacific Railway line and their coal mine.

It is noted as one of the largest landslides in Canadian history and remains the deadliest. Between 70 – 90 of the town’s residents were killed, most of whom remain buried in the rubble. Just driving by, you can see all the debris that still lay in the area. Multiple factors led to the slide from the changing weather to the mining operations.

Now, its a popular tourist location to those who pass by this area. There is an interpretation centre where you can learn more about the slide. M and I were on a tight schedule to get back to the Okanagan Valley, so we opted to just drive through the area as I snapped away on my camera.

Address:
Hwy 3 Crowsnest Pass, Blairmore, AB

Website: http://history.alberta.ca/frankslide/