All India Restaurant and Sweets, Edmonton AB

We went there and ordered take out. While we were waiting there was a beautiful display of homemade Indian desserts. The gentleman that took our order helped explain what they all were and gave us some yummy samples. Very interesting, a lot of them are made from whole milk, homemade cheese, lentils and chickpeas.  Not your typical dessert ingredients. My favorite is the chickpea one, crunchy, golden brown little square, nice toasted, nutty flavor.
For dinner we ordered, Veg Samosa's, Wings, Vindaloo Lamb, Dal Makhani and Saffron rice.  The samosa's were huge, nicely stuffed with potatoes and peas.  Wings were a bit disappointing, the menu described them with a spicy Indian twist .....still waiting for the twist.  Vindaloo was good, not too spicy, more lamb would have been nice.  My favorite was the Dal Makhani, black lentils, red kidney beans, tomatoes, ginger and onion.  A flavorful vegetarian dish, nice and spicy, wonderful with the saffron rice, which was cooked to perfection.
Enjoyed the meal overall, in the comfort of our own home. We will try it again...

Natasha :)

Highlevel Diner, Edmonton, Alberta

Went back this afternoon for brunch.  Wild Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes with fruit and bacon.  Very good! I started out with a regular latte (and a shot of Baileys) what a good idea that turned out to be.  Nice hot milk, creamy Baileys flavor and the espresso brings it all together.
Joe had a cinnamon bun to start (voted number 1 in the city) very big, nice crispy outside, not too sweet in the middle, couple pieces of soft butter to melt down the cracks and its almost perfect.
Joe also had the duck sausage, which unfortunately was very dry. The eggs were great though as always, nice crispy hashbrowns, fruit could be a bit more fresh....
Nice visit, we will be back....

Natasha :)

Original Joe's, St.Albert and Edmonton

Just a casual atmosphere, bar style, regular food, but good every time.  I have been to about three different locations, they are very consistent.  I usually get the California Cobb salad, it's loaded with turkey, bacon, tomatoes, egg, cheese, cucumber and avocado. It comes with a blue cheese vinaigrette, but i always get ranch on the side instead.  It's fresh and tasty every time.
They have delicious fries, both regular and yam. The yam fries come with a yummy dill dip, soooo good. Crispy and hot.
Great wings, good burgers, and good beer.  I sometimes get a raspberry draft, its creamy and light. They also have a good selection of wines, i had an Argentina red, which was fabulous....

Natasha :)

Kyoto, Edmonton, Alberta

My brother took me here a couple weeks ago. It was fabulous. I know that the thought of sushi in Edmonton isn't very appealing. However we were both surprised at how fresh the fish was.  I had one of the box options, it came with miso soup, rice, salad, sushi and there special of the day which was cooked spicy tuna.  Very tasty, well priced, good service.
You must also have the green tea. It has taosted brown rice in it, so you get a yummy nutty flavour along with the cleanliness of the green tea.
Went back the very next say until i was sushied out...

Natasha :)

Chateau-Deli, The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

So if you happen to be at the Fairmont enjoying your Vadalia Onion Soup (previously blogged), make sure to stop by Chateau-Deli, they make a fabulous, flaky croissant...

Natasha :)

Lakeview Lounge, The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Just the most delicious French onion soup.
At the Lakeview Lounge you will find exactly that.  A stunning view of the glacier lake and the famous Rocky Mountains.
You will also find Vidalia Onion Soup. Made with vidalia onions, these onions are grown in Georgia U.S. The soil they are grown in has a very low level of sulfur, this is what makes them so sweet.  These onions help to create a sweet, salty and caramelized flavor. On top of the generous amount of perfectly caramelized onions, and layers of broth, are pieces of twelve-grain croutons and those are then topped with a very generous topping of melted Gruyere cheese. Need I say more.......Yum!!

Natasha :)

Restaurant Madrid, Quebec

Originally known as Moulin Rouge over 55 years ago. Now known as Madrid, located on highway 20 between Quebec and Montreal. You can't miss it, there are dinosaurs on display from the highway, they really make you stop.
It's a long tedious drive between Quebec and Montreal, so famished and tired we saw the dinosaurs and decided to stop for a break and a bite.
We ordered a couple sandwiches to go.  I ended up having the best turkey sandwich, it was like the turkey sandwich you make after Thanksgiving. Fresh white bread, stacked with pieces of roasted turkey and mayonnaise. Thats it, thats all.

Natasha :)

Auberge Metis-Sur-Mer, Quebec

Wonderful lodging, cabins over-looking the tail of Riviere Saint-Laurent.  The Auberge restaurant serves a nice breakfast. To start, my latte came in a bowl, good way to start the day, a bowl of espresso soup.
Over easy eggs with bacon, potatoes, baked beans, fruit and toast, but very small amounts, not too much food. A bit pricey, but fresh food and pleasant atmosphere.
I would go back fore sure...

Natasha :)

Le Gaspesiana, Sainte-Flavie, Quebec

The worst lobster experience of my life.... Club Sandwich Au Homard Garni (Lobster Club) $18.95.  Regular white bread, toasted, soaked in butter, not in a good way, i am a big fan of butter but this made my stomach instantly say "wtf".  Four or five dry chewy pieces of lobster, shredded iceberg lettuce. Did i mention $18.95...

Love Eastern Quebec, but that was just cruel...

Natasha :(

Sugar Bowl, Edmonton, Alberta

This place seems to be hit and miss.  The first time we went it was great, good coffee (very important), i had a the Lamb Burger with, goat cheese, guiness mustard and garlic mayo. It was pretty good. Joe had the Jerk Chicken Burger, also good.
Nice historic feeling, beautiful paintings, made by a local artist Willi Braun.
Wonderful selction of imported beers, i had a Scottish Innis and Gunn, was lovely.
Its usually busy, university crowd, cute servers.

However, the next visit was for brunch, didn't go so well. My Breakfast Sandwich came in a bowl, with no side, a hot soggy bun (probably microwaved) some egg like substance, hot soggy tomato and processed cheese....Ya not such a great experience. Good latte though.  Joe had Chicken and Waffles, which was well....chicken and waffles, it just doesn't quite work together in my opinion, but a daring choice fore sure.

Next couple visits were alright, i think the best time to go is in the evening for a beer and perhaps a bowl of Edamame Beans and Paprika Popcorn...

Natasha :)

Highlevel Diner, Edmonton, Alberta

Opened since 1982, welcoming and homey. Nice variety, such as, the Middle Eastern Appetizer Platter, my mums favorite. It has hummus, tabouleh salad, chicken souvlaki, tsatsiki, spinach pie and pitas, the menu quotes, "perfect for sharing," umm i don't share very well...
The Jambalaya is a good one, nice and spicy, Joe and my brother love it.
Yummy brunch on saturday and sunday, eggs benny made with local free-range eggs, with back bacon, hollandaise on an english muffin.
Basically, simple, fresh, homemade.

But everyone must know about their Bread Pudding, homemade from their cinnamon buns, served with a warm brown sugar bourbon sauce.....that's all i have to say...

Natasha :)

Copper Pot, Edmonton, Alberta

Located at the foot of the Legislator building. We have been a few times, but mostly for the atmosphere. Its a great place to cozy up in the winter. Dimmed lighting, nice view above the river valley.
The food is alright, it needs some work though.
The appetizer Beef Wellington was very tasty, however the pastry was under done, and doughy.
The Smoked Brushcetta was quite tasty, drizzled with aged Balsamic, Parmesan and served with toasted focaccia.  Its the smoked tomatoes that sets it apart from your typical brushcetta.
The first time we went Joe had the Halibut with butternut squash risotto. The risotto was under cooked, not very pleasant.
I had the Maple and Chili glazed pork loin chop, it was quite good.
We recently returned, just for a romantic evening. I had the "Rack of Lamb", i found it a bit deceiving when my plate arrived with three little popsicles of lamb.  Joe had the bacon wrapped tenderloin, very tasty, cooked properly, however not hot, as well as his whipped potatoes.
My ginger creme brulee had not even a hint of ginger, the sugar was too thick, and there was raw suger surrounding the rim.
The espresso was warm and very bitter.
The wine selection was very good, we had a 2008 Pinot Noir from Oregon, very nice.
Server was very kind, and aimed to please.

Natasha :)

Kawaihae Harbor Grill & Seafood Bar, Hawaii

The first bite made my eyes close and the world stopped turning.  Outside patio, upstairs, sitting in the sun, just before the harbor.  Harbor Grill & Seafood Bar, in Kawaihae Big Island. I found this place by mistake, just by exploring the island, i ended up driving past, and knew i had to try it.
So after shooting back a couple of succulent oyster shooters, feeling pretty good, things were about to get better.
Teriyaki, braised short ribs, with rice and asparagus which was grilled then fried in tempura batter.  The ribs were so tender and perfectly flavored, it brought me to that place that i don't get to very often.
All i can say is who ever is running that kitchen knows exactly what they are doing, and i thank you...

Natasha :)

Le Cafe Bar, Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel

The best steak sandwich and fries. Located in the center of downtown Montreal Quebec. A beautiful hotel of course.
After a long day of travelling, all i wanted was comfy pants and hoody, with yummy food. Which is exactly what we got, room service!!
 I had a flank steak sandwich (yes i said flank, its very enjoyable if cooked properly). Very beefy, and tender, the fries must have been home cut, they were thick, fresh and hot, served with tiny bottles of mayonnaise, Dijon and ketchup. Joe had the Reuben, stacked high with juicy sliced Montreal smoked meat, melted swiss, dijon, served on toasted light rye. Very good.
If you are not up for room service, then just step into Le Cafe Bar, and enjoy the view through the windows that go up to the ceiling, while you munch on your fries..

Natasha :)

P.S.  Just went back to this place a year later and had the exact same steak sandwich with fries, it was almost better! Still very good, love the consistency <3

Hakone, Waikiki, Hawaii

This simple and quaint setting was a disguise for the meal i was about to experience. Hakone is a Japanese restaurant located in the Hawaii Prince hotel in Waikiki Oahu.

They were offering an all you can eat seafood buffet for about $40.00 U.S. per person.

The buffet display was beautiful, full of fresh sushi, bright red tuna, pretty pink salmon and endless amounts of king crab legs.

This was by far the most intoxicating meal i have ever experienced.

The fish was just so clean and fresh it melted with every bite, and having access to as much as you can eat was to good to be true. 

The Saki was perfect, just warm enough to sip back.

Our waitress was adorable, very sweet.

So all together a great experience, highly recommended.


Natasha :)