The coming out of a closeted food/fattie

Adventures Gallore!

closetedfattie — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:15:44 +0000

So I don’t think Edmonton is known as a food lover’s paradise but like all cities, they have those hidden places of yummy goodness. With the help of the internet, these small places are getting a bit more exposure…good or bad? Well it’s good for me. Yes, I obviously enjoy wandering around and ‘discovering’ these places myself but unfortunately, the way Edmonton’s sprawl is…well, makes it a bit more difficult. However, during my travels I like to map out a few eating places before I head out for a wander so I imagine this won’t be much different. Armed with my bike, I’m excited to check out these places hopefully before the snow gets in Last time, I listed out a few places I found when perusing online; I’ve found another list of recommendations:

http://www.avenueedmonton.com/articles/page/item/25-best-things-to-eat-in-edmonton

I also figured that I should share this with everyone as well: http://foodwishes.blogspot.com

This link is going to take to cooking heaven. Why? The food looks amazing and the way the chef shows it through his short videos, relatively simple. I’m going for the flour tortillas and garlic pasta this weekend. Not to mention, he’s incredibly funny.

Exploring Home #3

closetedfattie — Thu, 26 May 2011 04:24:35 +0000

So…it’s been long while since I touched this blog…my bad So I’ve moved back to Canada and relocated to Edmonton, Alberta for at least a year for work. Although I went to the UofA here for my BA, I only really explored the Whyte Avenue area and to be honest, only found some of the better spots in my last semester. Worry not, I will never relinquish my love for Sugarbowl and it’s glorious cinnamon buns and beer (yes..together jk..) and other great menu items..not to mention it’s ambiance. Nor will I give up my chai from Remedy since it’s the best I’ve had, regardless of where I’ve visited. However, it’s time to utilize my new form of mobility: biking! Well..as soon as my gimpy ankle heals but I figured that this would be a great time to compile a list of places to visit and hang out. Let’s also remember I do have a bit more disposable income for exploration..though you won’t find any high end places; I’m more of a cafe, coffee shop, bistro kind of girl. Anyways, these are the places I’ve mustered up so far and for you Edmontonians/visitors, I would love your company on these food adventures!

Elm Cafe (#100 10140 – 117 St) – take out sandwich place; apparently, also with really great soup and coffee. It’s also a big plus that it’s in the upcoming Oliver area and very close to my favorite shopping spot: MEC
Acme Meat Market (9531 76 Avenue NW) – butcher; yes perhaps not an eating place but I do love to cook at home…the freedom to explore cooking at home is one of those perks to staying in one place for a bit
The Junction Bar & Eatery (10242 – 106 St. NW) – pub food; apparently really good and decently priced though a bit further into downtown than I would prefer to go
~~Italian Centre~~ by Southgate – according to my friend who was born and raised here, one of the best places to go for cheese
- went and loved! had my first canoli since NYC (SO GOOD!) and bought some cheese; quality food available for very decent prices; will be back!!
Don Antonio’s (10750 124 St NW) – so after watching Anthony Bourdain scarf down real Mexican food numerous times on his show and having had this amazing soup at this small Mexican restaurant in Calgary, let’s just say I’m very interested (CLOSED!!! until Fall 2011..boooo)
Culina’s (9914 89 Avenue NW) – seems a bit expensive but hear the brunch food is amazing; I love good breakfast food and it’s hard to pull me away from Sugarbowl..
Treestone Bakery (8612 – 99 St.) – love of baked goods will win over at least once when I splurge on something from this place…
Red Star Pub (10534 Jasper Ave NW) – food is amazing + good prices + ~~good~~ massive portions. Sold. Might need to bring a few friends for this visit though..
~~Cafe Haven~~ (9 Sioux Road) – Omg. I finally found a cafe near work!!!! Ha maybe for once, working at Capilano will be worth something…wheee excited! This post from Vue Weekly makes it sound like my kind of place
- was yummy and a good atmosphere; sadly, I don’t think I really enjoyed the place as it should be enjoyed: with 0 time limit and a book
Tres Carnales (10119 – 100A St. NW) – authentic Mexican food ftw. nom. Sounds good according to this review

All things baked..

closetedfattie — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:22:17 +0000

I must dedicate my first actual entry to the awesomeness of baked goods. Regardless of where I am in the world, all things baked seem to call to me. At home (in Canada), my auntie’s apple pie is sooo good; super flakey crust…yes. Chinese/Hong Kong styled bakeries produce a completely different style of delish baked goodies and are often lower in sugar and fat, though not necessarily on taste. But, since I am here in Brussels, my go to place for baked awesomeness has been Boulangerie Charli, near St. Catherine’s. It was my first Brussels bakery experience and man, oh man was it beautiful. I had a pain au chocolat (chocolate crossiant) and a café for breakfast. Please, check out those layers of flakey goodness. Oh..my..guts. Buttery..so good. On one of my later visits, the awesome people that worked there were kind of enough to let my friend and I try one of their new creations called chouquettes? Basically, they’re like upgraded timbits made out of the same dough used for eclairs. Then, they’re finished off with bits of chunky sugar, appearance similiar to that of sea salt.

Or, if it so tickles your fancy to go a bit later in the day, say around 1030..maybe 11. You’ll get a free food-making show, more specifically, a sandwich making show. The guy doing it is so insanely fast and efficiently and the products of his labour are fantastically fresh…I’ve only had one with prosciutto and fresh mozarella..but omg was it amazing. I aspire to try the smoked salmon sandwich, but only when I’m feeling a bit more baller. Also, please observe the crusty goodness of the bread used. The bread, which is a sample of the baguettes’ quality, is ‘chewy’ or ‘ngun’ in Chinglish. Amazing.

Unfortunately, I live a bit further away from this awesome place for baked yumminess so the morning before work breakfast is out of the picture. However, I think it makes my soon-to-be weekly Saturday treks for breakfast all the sweeter. Did I mention how awesome the people were as well?

The Beginning – Brussels, Belgium

closetedfattie — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:53:58 +0000

My stomach has always had a premier role in where I’ve wandered in a city, giving a whole new meaning to “gut feeling”. Whenever I had a camera available, many shots taken have been of some sort of food I had/was in the process of consuming. At the persuasion of my friends, who noticed I had a thing for taking pictures of food, I have decided to start a food blog. There will be locations mentioned of course; however, not all the places that I ate were restaurants or I just don’t remember the name of the said place. Despite this hiccup, I hope the enjoy the pictures and perhaps, over-enthusiastic descriptions of the food that found a home in my stomach.