Mediterranean

$50+, Calgary, Canadian, Cocktails, desserts, European, Fine Dining, Food 4.5, French, Ice Cream/Gelato/Yogurt, International, Italian, Mediterranean, Modern American, Pacific Northwest, Pacific Rim, Salad, Soups, West coast, Wine

Calgary, AB – Teatro Restaurant (Fine Dining) – Part 2/4

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The menu had all the things that “needed to be there” – the Caesar, the beef tartare, the family recipes, and dishes that have been there since it likely opened, but they were updated. They were re-interpreted by Chef MacNeil and presented with modern style. The menu items do not seem to change often, but the components and details change with the season.

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$50+, Calgary, Canadian, Cocktails, desserts, European, Fine Dining, Food 4.5, French, Ice Cream/Gelato/Yogurt, International, Italian, Mediterranean, Modern American, Pacific Northwest, Pacific Rim, Salad, Soups, West coast, Wine

Calgary, AB – Teatro Restaurant (Fine dining) – Part 1/4

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Teatro is celebrating its 20th year and while some call it “old news”, I wouldn’t. It is a classic for fine dining in Calgary and it is associated with corporate accounts and special occasions, but it is relevant to today’s culinary scene. There were some Italian dishes, but also lots of French and Pacific Northwest ones.

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Mediterranean, Recipe, Seafood, Spanish, Tapas

Sous Vide Octopus, Chorizo, Fingerling Potatoes, Green Almonds & Salsa Verde Recipe

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“The sous vide technique is perfect for octopus. It not only allows us to infuse the flesh with other flavours, it also cooks it so gently that it becomes very tender. And the flavors – the fish, the spicy chorizo sausage, the salsa verde, lemons, and capers – close your eyes and you’re on the coast of the Mediterranean.” – quote from Under Pressure by Thomas Keller

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$20-30, $30-50, Brunch, Canadian, Chocolates/Candies, Cocktails, desserts, Downtown Vancouver, Eclectic, Euro-Asian, Food 3.5, French, Ice Cream/Gelato/Yogurt, Mediterranean, Pacific Northwest, Pacific Rim, Salad, Tapas, Vancouver, Vegan, Vegetarian, West coast, Wine

The Parker (Vegetarian Restaurant) – Part 3/3

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According to their website, “The Parker generates less than one pound of waste in a month!” I appreciate their efforts and it is something I admire, but in the end it is a restaurant so the food has to deliver. I wouldn’t say the menu was hit and miss because everything was generally good, but maybe not at its full potential.

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$20-30, $30-50, Brunch, Canadian, Cocktails, desserts, Downtown Vancouver, Eclectic, Euro-Asian, Food 3.5, French, Mediterranean, Pacific Northwest, Pacific Rim, Salad, Tapas, Vancouver, Vegan, Vegetarian, West coast, Wine

The Parker (Vegetarian Restaurant) – Part 2/3

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I know what you might be thinking… who dragged you here? Yes, I am a meat eater (not necessarily a carnivore, but I enjoy eating meat), however I actually like vegetables – a lot too. I just rarely order vegetarian dishes when I’m dining out because they often sound uninspired or offer little value, until now.

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$20-30, $30-50, Brunch, Canadian, Cocktails, desserts, Downtown Vancouver, Eclectic, Euro-Asian, Food 3.5, French, Mediterranean, Pacific Northwest, Pacific Rim, Salad, Tapas, Vancouver, Vegan, Vegetarian, West coast, Wine

The Parker (Vegetarian Restaurant) – Part 1/3

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I knew I was going for vegetarian food, but the menu read like an allergy friendly menu, which is a different market altogether. Most of the items had either a “V” for “vegan” and/or “GF” for “gluten free” and I think the format of the menu and style of restaurant could benefit from readjusting. The food is beautiful with new chef, Curtis Luk, but it needs more time.

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$30-50, $50+, Cocktails, desserts, Eclectic, Food 4.5, Food 5, Fusion, Mediterranean, Modern American, Moroccan, San Francisco/Bay Area, Wine

San Francisco, CA – Aziza (New Moroccan Restaurant – Chef Mourad Lahlou)

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It is known as the first Moroccan restaurant to receive a Michelin Star, I wouldn’t celebrate it as that. Some of the Tasting Menu courses seemed New American and I was more intrigued with Mourad’s creativity and techniques than I was with his “New Moroccan” flavours. Aziza is ahead of the game and almost before its time.

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$30-50, $50+, Cocktails, desserts, Eclectic, Food 4.5, Food 5, Fusion, Mediterranean, Modern American, Moroccan, San Francisco/Bay Area, Wine

San Francisco, CA – Aziza (New Moroccan Restaurant – A la carte menu)

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The Tasting Menu was riskier and more exciting than the a la carte menu, and without trying the Tasting Menu I would have missed out. It wouldn’t have been bad, but I wouldn’t have been surprised and my dining experience would not have reached full potential. The flavours of Morocco were not always obvious, but the food still good.

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