Avocado on 17th Ave.....

We were hungry and could not for the life of us decide where to go. My husband pulled the car over and said "let's just walk around". We ended up on 17th at Avocado, now I have been to an Avocado in the far south of Calgary around Heritage and it was great. This however was not even close to my previous Avocado encounters. We walk in to find the place practically empty, which is fine I suppose. However finding the staff hiding in the back, or sitting with the only group eating there to talk isn’t exactly what I would find to be welcoming or professional, I felt like I was entering an unsupervised classroom then a restaurant. We were told to just pick a spot, so we did...after a while our waitress came around. She was actually delightful, really helpful, and talkative she was the only thing that is making this review somewhat good.

The menus are small, and I found confusing. Having half the words written on the menu vertically makes it hard to read. Along with this, they had maybe 4 dinner entrees then we found out you are allowed to order from the "lunch menu" anytime even though it’s under "lunch". Simply choosing our meal was irritating but again tolerable - Food is always my deciding factor!

We ordered the burritos, mine was with chicken and yam fries. My husband’s was a beef/steak burrito and fries. The food came and we each received one small burrito cut in half with a small bowl of fries along with it. Now my burrito was bland, the avocado was brown and mushy, my fries were mostly burnt and so over cooked it was like noshing on small pencils. My husband’s was primarily lettuce, now honestly nothing annoys me more than having a meal ordered and if being stuffed with filler foods like lettuce, with your main ingredients skimped on. To finish it all off paying 40 bucks for a meal that left me  unsatisfied, hungry and truly annoyed with my entire experienced made me just want to go home.

Overall everything I look for from a restaurant was a big fail. The atmosphere was horrible, the food was bland and confusing the only decent comment towards it all was the waitress we did have a really nice and happy. I would say to save your money, or go to the other great restaurants that can be found down the street.

The Calgary Foodie.

UNA Pizza!

Located upper 17 Ave, this little hallway sized pies and wine bar has all the ingredients of an urban oasis! The ambiance of this gem is so welcoming and cozy, and if you love pizza pies and wine you'll fit right in. We were sat at the chefs table; to me it’s the best table. The first thing I had ordered was they're in house red wine. I love trying in house wines; I feel it says a lot about a restaurant. It was really earthy and it went well with what I had ordered. We first had the Swiss chard pie, double smoked bacon, with wilted Swiss chard, set with creamy goat feta, and lastly with crushed chilies. It was great the bacon was the perfect amount of saltiness, the Swiss chard was earthy and subtle and the goat cheese added such creaminess it was divine! We scarfed it down faster than you could say “Swiss chard”. As we ate we watched as the chefs are fly pizzas out of the oven. We were temped and we give in!
Next is the margherita smothered in san marzano tomato sauce, fior di latte mozzarella, and topped with crushed basil. This was just great and at $14.00 bucks you can't go wrong! I love the pure taste of tomato on a thin crust with mozzarella its simple, it's satisfying and so my favorite comfort foods. They combined it perfectly and serve it up at an awesome price! My wine was a great finish I really can't imagine pizza or cheese without my wine and the in house was a really good choice I felt.


My final outcome for this was it was really good is now one of my favorite places and I will be back for sure. They serve lots of options one chef said his favorite was the flat iron steak another said he loved his veggies and said the "sautéed broccolini, garlic, calabrian chili oil "was his favorite. Another option that was flying off the shelf was the beautifully thin slices of marinated zucchini, marinated in lemon, olive oil, pecorino Romano, cracked pepper. Personally I will be going for the clams as they cooked it in front of us I was dying to get some but seeing as I could barely finish my pizza slice, we decided we will just have to come back. No matter what you like I'm sure you will find something you love!


As for this restaurant, its great staff, excellent food, and really decent prices make it a real neighborhood treat. I did over hear some staff ask the chefs how long it would be for those taking out and it was a wait time of an hour, so I would suggest going in. The staff and restaurant is so great I doubt you will want to leave anyway!


Check it out www.unspizzeria.com ( they have the menu online so you can see what your getting!)


Calgary Foodie!

Teatro

My husband and I decided to go to Teatro for a dinner a little while ago, and we fell in love! Our night began as soon as we had arrived. The beauty alone of this restaurant which is nestled in the core of Calgary, displayed among rich luxury and priceless ambience will be enough to "woo" your sweetheart. Of course the service was impeccable, everything from typical coat service to completely helpful and descriptive suggestions of the menu made choosing very easy. Ordering a perfect red wine, we enjoyed a tomato,mozzarella and basil salad to share. The main course is more exciting I promise, my husband ordered duck meatballs. I personally was interested to try this as I have experience in trying both good and badly prepared duck in the past trying it in "meat-ball" form quite literally sparked my curiosity. I ordered ahi tuna this dish which was beautifully seared and delectably dressed. Everything flowed for both dishes my husbands was divine. Not only was the meatballs cooked fantastically the pasta (which I cannot for the love of me remember the type) was perfect it wasn't too heavy it was a real treat!
My most favourite part resulted at the end. It came in three small dishes and was like the perfect first kiss at the end of a perfect date! It was love at first sight, the creme brule! Flavoured in strawberry,chocolate and regular it was unspeakably wonderful. Unfortunately I cannot even remember what my husband had I was so indulgant.
Overall it was fantastic, so romantic and so tasty you must try it!!

With love
Calgary foodie!!!

The Spice Hut

The Spice Hut!

The Spice Hut is a great little place in the N.E specializing in Pakistani cuisine. This place is small blink and you’ll miss it but inside its packed with excellent, authentic food and a great staff!

My husband and I were a bit hesitant but after some had said it’s a great place to go, we thought ok let’s try it! We walked in the aroma was all the convincing I needed, we were wonderfully welcomed and given a menu. We ordered take out, which has no less of a grand variety of choices. We immediately saw how reasonable the prices were. I have been to too many East Indian restaurants where I have practically had to hand over my first born just to enjoy lunch!

We picked the first combo for 2 for $25.00. It was phenomenal, all coming in large quantities we received Kabab & Vegetable Pakoras, Butter Chicken, Lamb Curry, 2 Rice ,1 Naan  and 2 Litre Drink. It was all fantastic, all I can say is you might want to order two of the naan bread! When you smell it as they make it in front of you, and then when you taste it, it’s not something you will want to share!

Spice hut has become one of our top restaurants and that’s not an easy list to make! We will be back Spice Hut,


Your Calgary Foodie!

Cora's Breakfast!

Cora's is a really great place for everyone. A great place to bring the kids or just go with a friend. My husband and I crave out favorites there quite often. We really prefer the location in the far south (even though we are located far N.W). The lines are not as long; staff is excellent very attentive and particular.

Food wise of course is of most importance. We don't even need menus I love the “Buckwheat Blessing" it’s the perfect, perfect breakfast. Fruit is piled high always beautiful! The buckwheat Crêpe is cheesy and it’s delectably wrapped around a delish breaky sausage. My husband is a huge fan of the Eggs Benedict the smoked salmon and also the asparagus ones are the best! Coffee is good and warm up are regular, prices are very decent and overall I would say you will have a satisfying experience!

Breakfast is the most important meal so eat well at Cora's!

Pros - Great service, great food, great prices!

Cons - lines up... (But worth it)

Your Calgary Foodie!

The Calgary Foodie!

Hello!

My name is Rachel and I am here to share my favorite restaurants around Calgary with you! My love of food and wines, beer and burgers, seafood, veggies and ingredients alike came very early. Since I have become completely obsessed with discovering great places to enjoy your favorite dishes with warm atmospheres, and unique characteristics. I attended cooking classes and tastings all over the city! I also try restaurants of all types and cultures. This blog is purely a result of my passion for food - follow me on Twitter, my Blog and Facebook and hear the download on great places all over the city!

If you wish for your restaurant to be shown on The Calgary Foodie, send me an email!

Hope you all enjoy

Sincerely

Your Fellow Foodie!