CHAR|CUT, Calgary, AB

CHARCUT has been receiving a lot of publicity due to Chef De Sousa being on Top Chef Canada.  A lot of buzz in Calgary!  I want to give a good review as most reviews are quite positive for this place which would suggest it is top notch.  Well I was in for quite the experience.  Let's dive into this one and start with the food!

There were three of us and we shared the Pig Head Mortadella, Bone Marrow au Gratin and Kielbasa for starters.  I grew up with my mother using bone marrow in soups so I knew it would be flavourful.  There were escargot baked into the bone marrow and it did not disappoint.  As for the kielbasa and mortadella, both tasted fine but nothing that left me craving for more.

Main entrees consisted of the 6oz dry aged butcher steak and grilled fish.  Sides we shared were the duck fat fried poutine and grilled asparagus.  If there was one word to describe the steak, poutine and broccolini - salty!  I'm not sure if they were having an off night and someone was going happy on the salt or if it was normal.  All you could taste was salt and nothing else.  Which was too bad as the steak was tender, cooked perfectly but all you could taste was salt.  This was the same for the poutine and asparagus.  The grilled fish was definitely the better entree as it was not over salted.  It did not leave me wanting for more and it was likely due to the salty sides and steak.  My dining partners did not want to 'complain' about it, otherwise I would of turned back all the sides and their steak without any question.

We figured that we mine as well go through the rest of the menu and onto dessert.  The good news - dessert was the best part.  The two we went with was the creme brulee and preserved apricot in the jar.  Creme brulee was simple and served with two warm chocolate chip cookies that really added to the whole experience.  Again, simple but really good.   Preserved apricot in the jar was layered with cheesecake and graham crackers.  Definitely creative and not something you normally see.  The textures, sweet to tart flavours all served in a cute little jar made for a solid dessert.

So that was the good.  Unfortunately for us the bad did not end here.  Later on that evening all three of us were sick to our stomachs.  This continued throughout the evening and into the early morning.  I felt horrible the next day.  I thought it would only be right to report this to CHARCUT incase others reported this as well and also anyone who has a weakened immune system could result in much worse.  The owner contacted me promptly and took the matter seriously.  Obviously it was a food borne illness from something the three of us shared.  I will say from my conversation with the owner they certainly have high standards as far as food safety and follow-up procedures.

Again, I want to say great things about CHARCUT, but my experience both during and after leaves me with little to praise about.  Is it just me or has someone else experienced similar food quality?

Jelly Modern Doughnuts - Calgary, AB

Well... a review on doughnuts!  On my visit in Calgary I had to visit this hot spot that has created some local buzz in the sweet tooth arena.  Greeted by a clean, modern, open space and of course the case that contains a well organized display of doughnuts.  I had to have them all!  For $24.95 you could have a dozen which would cover it all - let the games begin!

This was Sunday's spread, consisting of everything from maple bacon, marshmellow to the classic jelly.  With only so much real estate in the stomach, between 3 of us, we had to strategically do a tasting to get a good feel for Jelly Modern Doughnuts.  

Carrot Cake Doughnut

The first bite was into the classic jelly.  My first thought was fresh.  It certainly didn't disappoint, but it didn't sent me to another stratosphere.  I continued my journey through a few more different doughnuts including the espresso, lemon curd and carrot cake.  I made a conclusion that everything was good, fresh and unique in it's own way.

Is it worth $24.95 a dozen? Maybe. They claim to use local ingredients, organic and all that good stuff. It's a refreshing change to the cupcake scene I suppose and definitely has the fun factor. I really like the concept and the branding they have done.  My one negative is the coffee. I was really hoping for a nice americano to balance it all out, but it was mediocre. Lacking crema and served in a small paper cup. Nonetheless,  a good Sunday afternoon experience that did leave me scraping off some chocolate! 

Saskatoon Berry Barn

A rainy gloomy Sunday in the city called for the first trip out to the Saskatoon Berry Barn.  The Berry Barn as we know it has become a popular tourist spot and a regular visit for a lot of locals.  Located 10 minutes outside the city and situated along the river banks of the Saskatchewan River, it is easy to understand why it is a popular escape.

Upon walking into the barn you are greeted with a very well stocked gift shop full of local Saskatoon berry products and souvenirs.  If that wasn't enough, there is a greenhouse and berry patch that you can dive into after your meal inside the barn.  So let's focus in on the food!

I had the 'Berry Barn Burner' that included borscht, perogies, farmer sausage, vegetables and dessert.  The borscht was confusing as it wasn't what I expected.  It was tomato based with carrots, cabbage and a lot of dill.  Definitely too sweet for my liking, but I have had the borscht with beets in the past that was a lot better.

Next was the main course that came with farmer sausage, cottage cheese perogies, and vegetables.  Farmer sausage is one of my favourites and it didn't disappoint.  Lean and flavourful as expected.  The perogies on the other hand were cooked from frozen, resulting in more moisture inside than cottage cheese as it was disintegrating.  It came with a sauce that was too rich when combined with the perogies.  Vegetables of the day were asparagus - blanched and that was it.  All in all, wasn't the greatest meal, but I do know the greatest part of the Berry Barn is the pie!

Save the best for last.  The pie never disappoints as it is the best seller at the Berry Barn.  It comes in a Splenda version which is great for those who are diabetic or just don't want the sugar!  I had the Splenda version which has a crust on top.  The regular version does not, but both are equally good.  I have yet to have a Saskatoon berry pie better than what they do here.  It certainly will not disappoint and something that you can count on.

It's a unique part of Saskatoon and a must for tourists.  For the locals, it's a great escape from the city on a Sunday to enjoy the peaceful view and pie!!