Gaucho Brazillian BBQ

Grand Opening week! Another one of John Gilchrist's picks, though I found this place by noticing the revolving sign on Macleod Trail. Overall I liked this restaurant and would go back. My only qualms are that, a) not all the variety of meats were there, as well as the bbq banana b) they apparently do bbq banana rather than the bbq pineapple like most other Brazilian bbq's. And c) the salad bar was so-so, mind you, you are going to this place for meat. Btw, not really a place you would take a vegetarian to. Ha ha ha thank god I'm not one!

Real Brazilian's run this place, this is just some extra proof if you needed it.

From the salad bar (not too impressive)

Pasta salad, tomatoes, hearts of palm

Rump- delicious, my favourite.

There was also salsa/sauce to dip the meat in, but I chose not to have it since the meat has such a distinct delicious flavour.

Pork loin!

Sirloin

Brazilian dessert, some type of egg tart with coconut. The dessert has a name, just don't remember what it is called or how to pronounce it.

Passion fruit mousse- very sour tart taste YUM!

Kefi Greek House and Ouzo Bar

I first noticed the sign a few weeks ago, then heard some great reviews on this new Greek restaurant.  

The menu consists of the typical appy's, sides and main courses (Spanakopita, saganaki, lemon potatoes, kalamari, mousaka, lamb cooked in a few different ways) you would find at most Greek restaurants.  According to Gus (manager/owner), this current menu is just a trial.  Good thing too, the rack of lamb only comes with the rack of lamb, and the sides are a la carte.  

The spanakopita was delicious.  I've had the dolmathes from other restaurants, but this is by far the best I have had.  The portions are smaller compared to typical dolmathes where they give you 2 or 3, we had 6, so it is perfect for sharing. 

I ordered the Kleftico, which is a slow roasted lamb dish. To my surprise this parchment sack of lamb appeared on plate. Gus explained that the name of the dish comes from 'to steal' (i.e. where 'klepto' comes from), culturally, thieves would be on the run, and therefore they needed used these satchels to carry their food in them and toss them near a fire to heat it up.   This is the traditional way to cook and serve this dish.  Described as a lamb-stew, the Kleftico contained potatoes, beans, tomatoes.  The texture of the lamb was perfect, not quite melt in your mouth, but somewhere in between.  This dish also included a Mediterranean type rice (I have seen this at Broken Plate) but the rice here is better, it's moist, not dry like other places.  This is one filling dish.  The menu is moderately priced, but you do get what you pay for, a delicious and full meal.  It's a bit hard to even think about dessert, but here we are with a... "pasta"? The cake was delicious, not overly sweet.  

This restaurant is quite spacious (seating around 200), with a plate breaking area in the center that only operates during the weekends where they have staff that dance around you while breaking plates.  

Kleftico

Rack of Lamb

Spanakopita

Dolmathes

Lemon potatoes

A view of the bar.  

Back of the restaurant

Plate breaking area

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The Coup

Now, as you all know. I am a carnivore. I will eat everything from chicken feet, game meat, bison, fois gras, roe, to tripe. I am anything but a vegetarian. However, vegetarian food does not necessarily have to be bad, in fact The Coup makes really really good filling, vegetarian food.

It's a tiny hole in the wall restaurant located on 17th Ave. No need to make reservations but it's usually pretty busy. Avoid the yam fries though, it's okay, but not what I expected. Pseudo sushi was actually my favourite appy (pic isn't on here, will upload it next time).

Here is what I ordered: Soup of the day (black bean tomato) and the grilled panini with pear, caramelized onion and brie.

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Death by Chocolate: Edmonton

Simply Irresistible. (yes and that is the name of this chocolate lava cake with chocolate mousse)

Height of Passion

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Remedy Cafe

Chocolate rum cake from my favourite cafe when I used to live in Edmonton. Steps away...

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Tubby Dog

Mine is on the far right, the PBJ & Cap'n'crunch dog

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Broken Plate

Baklava 

Kleftico

Rack of Lamb

New York Bagel Cafe: Edmonton

New York Bagel Cafe

Brunch and breakkie are the must for this restaurant. The food is excellent, there is a vast selection of eggs benedict styles. Each accompanied by fresh fruit and hash browns.

One warning note, be prepared to wait. They even have signs up telling you that it is worth the wait. You wait to get a table, then you wait to get served, then you wait for your food. All seems normal, however the wait times are just a bit long, but well worth it. And who could blame them, there is apparently only 1 or 2 chef's in the back.

Eggs Benedict

 

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Wendy's Cylon Toaster

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