are you gonna eat that? » wine

VICTORIA: Ferris’ Oyster Bar

are you gonna eat that? — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:23:34 +0000

Victoria is a fantastic food destination with many brew pubs and little bistros. We tried to hit one of the local brunch hotspots but the lineups were just way too unwieldy to risk with a hungry toddler. I wish we had more time and less baby to explore the city properly, but I’m sure [...]

Lucky Penny wine (Mommy juice)

are you gonna eat that? — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 03:34:57 +0000

Jason was in a liquor store a while ago and heard a mother say to her kid, “Mommy just needs to pick up some Mommy juice.” Well, now that I have baby H, I fully understand the need for Mommy juice.

So I was more than willing to taste two new wines from Lucky Penny, which [...]

CALGARY: Vin Room

are you gonna eat that? — Tue, 17 May 2011 18:00:28 +0000

Vin Room is a place I wish I visited more before we moved. It’s got great small plates, amazing wines (and wine experts), a beautiful space and the city’s best rooftop patio. (Best patio still belongs to Bonterra.)

I have to apologize for these meh photos as my blogging commitment took a back seat [...]

CALGARY: Una Pizza + Wine

are you gonna eat that? — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:14:53 +0000

When Una Pizza + Wine first opened in the former space of Wicked Wedge on 17th Ave., it was instantly packed. They didn’t take reservations, so waits were about an hour long on weekends. I figured I’d hold off.

Now that I’ve been, I’m going to be going back a lot more. Una has done [...]

CALGARY: Tango Bistro

are you gonna eat that? — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:00:00 +0000

I dread restaurants that say they specialize in “sharing plates,” “small plates,” or tapas. A lot of the time, it’s a token concept that brings small portions and high prices, mediocre cold cuts or overly fussy concoctions.

So I was leery of Tango Bistro, the latest venture from the Smuggler’s Group that runs Smuggler’s Inn, Open [...]

CALGARY: AKA Bistro

are you gonna eat that? — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:39:17 +0000

Today marks my debut as Metro Calgary’s restaurant reviewer! I’m really excited about this paid assignment and am looking forward to the new challenge.

My food column, Urban Foodie, will run every Thursday in Metro, so pick up your free copy in Calgary, or check out the digital edition via the main page.

What does this [...]

EDMONTON: Red Ox Inn & the girls

are you gonna eat that? — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 19:48:04 +0000

A few of my girlfriends really wanted to host a stagette for me. But the whole notion brings to mind tacky tiaras, penis-shaped cups, and ‘Suck for a Buck’ T-shirts.

I am not a woo girl.

But after they assured me the night would involve none of the above, I consented to a small dinner with [...]

CALGARY: Anju

are you gonna eat that? — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:16:04 +0000

This is how I always start off describing Anju: “You know those two round condo towers downtown near the Bow? The ones that look like Miami Vice?

“OK, and you know how there’s a big liquor store on the corner? Go down that dead-end street, and Anju is in the little house.”

Now that you [...]

CALGARY: The Brangelina treatment at Bonterra

are you gonna eat that? — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:14:22 +0000

The affable manager of Bonterra Trattoria, John, delights in telling the story of how Brad Pitt dined at his Italian restaurant, then returned a few days later with Angelina Jolie — “Ang” as she introduced herself — and their entourage in the summer of 2005.

(Pitt was in the area filming the Assassination of [...]

CALGARY: Milk Tiger Lounge

are you gonna eat that? — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:00:54 +0000

I began taking photos of Milk Tiger Lounge as the sun was setting outside, but then the dapper bartender/owners started serving me their delicious cocktails and the rest is history.

The lounge is as polar opposite as you can get from the space formerly occupied by A Bar Named Sue, as well as from the [...]