Bryan on 
Melody on 
Deanne on 
Paul Dicken on 
Madeleine Boivin on 
Brian on 
Naomi Wilton on 
Michael on 
I was craving waffles one morning so took the opportunity to try the Belgian kind I’d heard so much about at Manuel Latruwe.
The bakery sells flaky croissants, fresh bread and sweet pastries at the counter. But you can also order off their short breakfast/lunch menu for eating in the cafe.
I can categorize my experience positively if I adopt the easy-going manner and eating habits of the French, or negatively if I recall it as an impatient, gluttonous North American. It kinda went both ways.
You order from the counter and then they bring the food out to your table. Ordering was painfully slow. The girl had to go into the back to check if there were waffles, asked for our order, then had to find someone to check again how to ring it in, then confirm our order again.
We were offered a choice of strawberries, ice cream, chocolate syrup, powdered sugar, maple syrup or whipped cream with our waffles. Because there was no mention of any extra charges, we assumed these options were all included. So we were a tad annoyed after we paid to see on the receipt that maple syrup cost an extra $1 as did whipped cream for another $1.
The waffles themselves cost $10. They were light, crisp and delicious, but I was still hungry after.
Manuel Latruwe, 1333-1st St. SE, Calgary, (403) 261-1092. Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday & Friday 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Sunday.
Yeah that would probably irk me. I mean it’s a dollar worth of ingredients, not a big serving by any stretch, and to charge extra for toppings? I’m sure they are lovely but they’d have to be about half the price for me to feel like they’re good value.
Amazing photograph!
So it was $12 for what was in the pic? Looks great, hopefully it was real maple syrup not the Aunt Jemima stuff but I’d agree not the best value in the world (unless you ate one before you took the pic).
HSK: What you see in the pic is what was served before I took a bite. Maple syrup was real, but for $1? Yeah, it was nice but hard to justify for the price.
Saw your waffle photo. Well, I’ve eaten belgian waffles in Belgium. They were excellent at the time and I couldn’t imagine any better waffle (1978-ish). Well, I believe that the recipe for waffles in The Mary Moore Cookbook is about the next best thing or better. I wouldn’t chance ordering waffles in a restaurant unless I see that they are using Mary Moore’s (god rest her sould) recipe! If you are ever in Ardrossan or vicinity – call me and I’ll make you a waffle to die for! No charge and toppings are free. Have catching up to do with your entries – last time I think was around the contest for the Arthur drink. Tried them. I’d rather eat fruit. Cheers to you in Calgary and stay dry!
The best thing about Latruwe is visiting his neighbor Dominique Moussu for a good sandwich…..
hmmm bring our own syrup – ugh! Never, but tempting outta spite. It does look quite divine, but charge more and include syrup!!
It is not uncommon for places to charge extra for maple syrup. Of course the regular house syrup is usually part of the meal. Was this the case at Latruwe?
James: No, there was no option given between regular or maple syrup. We were asked only if we wanted “syrup” and then it appeared as the extra charge on our bill.