Good restaurants in Calgary

[Wormius]

What makes great sushi though? Minimalist or what? Unless the ingredients are rotting or something, I am not sure what the little things are that would make a sushi restaurant either suck or be the best in the city. There must be some very fine line if we're talking about the product itself, and not the restaurant environment or serving staff.

[Table 5]

Just tried out Tubby Dog, and honestly I'm not sure what the fuss is about. $7 bucks for a hotdog who's only real defining characteristic is the huge amount of condiments slathered on top? I'm not seeing the magic.

[malcolmk14]

Not a huge fan of Tubby Dog but occasionally it can be good after a night of drinking.

[Table 5]

I did try out that Chien Chaud place on 4th a while ago, and thought that was better (more interesting combinations, and just seemed to taste better overall). Too bad, because I live on the same block as Tubby.

[return to the red]

Had a craving for Vietnamese last time in Calgary and came across Nem Delight, Best Vietnamese I've ever had.

[Knalus]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I did try out that Chien Chaud place on 4th a while ago, and thought that was better (more interesting combinations, and just seemed to taste better overall). Too bad, because I live on the same block as Tubby.

I like Tubby Dog, and can't stand Chien Chaud. Boiled dogs, instead of fried, bad mealy bread instead of the generic stuff they serve at Tubby (bad bread is worse than lacking good bread). The toppings are perched on top, so that they fall off the dog, leaving you with more than a few bites with no toppings at all, a larger majority of their toppings being vinegary and watery in flavour...

At first I wasn't sure what it was that I didn't like about that dog. Then I realized it was everything.

[LIP MAN]

The Dairy Bar in Ramsay, right by MacDonald Bridge. Right around the corner from me, and a turn away from Spiller Road to the 'Dome. It's not open yet, but in spring/summer has ridiculously good hotdogs and tasty gingerale rootbeer etc.

The buns they use are great, and they're split and grilled sooooo good! I've talked to the owner numerous times about opening up for Winter, just adjusting the menu to have more comfort foods etc. Like the place so much I wanted to work there part time 'cause it's got potential.

[MRCboicgy]

I still like Bolsa for general Vietnamese, and gunplay.

[malcolmk14]

Had pizza from Madison's tonight and thought it was pretty decent. Expensive, though.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by LIP MAN

The Dairy Bar in Ramsay, right by MacDonald Bridge. Right around the corner from me, and a turn away from Spiller Road to the 'Dome. It's not open yet, but in spring/summer has ridiculously good hotdogs and tasty gingerale rootbeer etc.

The buns they use are great, and they're split and grilled sooooo good! I've talked to the owner numerous times about opening up for Winter, just adjusting the menu to have more comfort foods etc. Like the place so much I wanted to work there part time 'cause it's got potential.

I've been there for sundays before and really liked it. Cool spot.

Another great summer spot for me is Inglewood drive-in. Their blizzard like concoctions (I think they call them Brain Freezes) are awesome, and I like the burgers quite a bit too!

[East Coast Flame]

Anyone tried the Tilted Grill yet?

Going to Yuk Yuks tonight and I'm looking for something walking distance from there.

[malcolmk14]

I went to the Tilted Grill on a Saturday a few months ago. It was 1 in the afternoon and they wouldn't let me order off the lunch menu - brunch only.

I went specifically to try the bulgogi burrito, and ended up having to get something else which wasn't very good. Haven't been back, but I've been meaning to go and try that burrito!

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by East Coast Flame

Anyone tried the Tilted Grill yet?

Going to Yuk Yuks tonight and I'm looking for something walking distance from there.

I've been a few times. The food is decent, but not spectacular. It's good value for the price. Try the Caesars there's. They're good.

[Jing]

Originally Posted by _Q_

It's not like I hate sushi or anything, because I really do enjoy it. I sometimes crave it actually, and nothing else can satisfy that craving. However the way I look at it is this, if I'm going to spend over $140 for a dinner for two, I better get something pretty damn good and frankly, for the money you pay, there are far better options. I have been to all the good sushi restaurants in the city, so it's not like I'm speaking from a position of ignorance. The service usually sucks and the product is pretty meh for the price you pay. I have been to Vancouver and yes, the stuff is slightly better there, but it's still not this life changing experience that is worth several hundred dollars per meal that some people make it out to be. Again, sushi is great sometimes, but it's not the only thing to eat.

May I ask where you are spending $140 on sushi for two? When I go to Zipang it costs $70 tops after tax and tip for a meal for two.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by Jing

May I ask where you are spending $140 on sushi for two? When I go to Zipang it costs $70 tops after tax and tip for a meal for two.

It's quite easy actually. Take globefish for example. It's not the best sushi place, certainly not the worst though, and their prices are pretty average for this city. Maybe I eat more than most guys when I go for sushi, I don't know, but I'm not a very big guy myself. So a typical meal for me and my date would look like this:

Gyoza - $6
Two "expensive" rolls - $15 x 2 = $30
Two cheap rolls - $6 x 2 = $12
nigiri sushi - $2.50 x 10 = $25
Bottle of saki - $40

Total - $113
Total plus tax - $118.35
Total plus tax and 20% tip - $142

That gets each person about 16 pieces of sushi, a couple Gyoza and half a 300 mL bottle of saki.

[malcolmk14]

Ahh, I don't drink, so that's where I have a hard time seeing a $140 bill somewhere.

I can be well-fed at Globefish with tax and a tip for $70 (for 2) on most visits.

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by MRCboicgy

I still like Bolsa for general Vietnamese, and gunplay.

Yeah, I'm addicted to their soup. Good stuff.

[LChoy]

Bump

The Executive chef from Muse will be on the 2nd edition of Top Chef Canada

http://www.torontolife.com/daily/dai...n-2-announced/

[Table 5]

Going to Charcut tonight. Any recommendations?

[East Coast Flame]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Going to Charcut tonight. Any recommendations?

I am going tonight as well and was just about to ask this!

My friends recommend the marrow and to stay away from the turkey sausage.