Enfield Big Stop
Variety: Diner
Address: 6757 Highway 2
Date Visited: Saturday, December 10, 2016
Orders: Chicken Finger Poutine
Taste: 6 + 6 = 12/20
Portion Size: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Presentation: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Value: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Service: 9 + 9 = 18/20
Bonus: 1
Minus: 2
Final Grade: 73% (Good)
(Scoring:
100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good,
60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40%
to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: Apparently, the thing to do in Enfield is to visit the Big Stop. Everyone was there, and the lineup was huge. However, this well-oiled machine was incredibly efficient at getting people in and out, and we only had to wait a couple of minutes.
The old Big Stop was torn down a few years ago when this new version was built. It looks like a cavernous wood cabin attached to a gas station, but feels surprisingly like home inside. They also had a lanky teenager playing holiday classics on a keyboard, which added to the vibe. So, bonus point for atmosphere.
T has fond, nostalgic feelings about the Big Stop poutine, but heading in, also had a craving for chicken fingers. Lo and behold, the special of the day was Chicken Finger Poutine, so we both ordered it - although J was tempted by the Club Sandwich.
Despite the size of the crowd, the food was served quickly. We received large piles of crinkle cut fries, which tasted as though they came right out of the deep freezer. The gravy was tasty, but instead of cheese curds, it was covered in shredded mozzarella. So, it wasn't a "real" poutine, but it was ok and there was a lot of it. The chicken fingers, however, were very small and overcooked - hence the lower score on the "portion size" and the minus points - chicken fingers shouldn't crunch or taste like that.
Because there were so many fries, we were too full at the end to order pie, which is a Big Stop specialty, and we were kicking ourselves a short while later. Truthfully, some of the day's shortcomings would have been forgotten had we topped it off with a nice slice of lemon meringue.
Final Verdict: It's usually pretty good, so pass on the Chicken Finger Poutine and try something else.
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Saturday, November 26, 2016
Review #74 - Chef Abod Cafe & Catering
Chef Abod Cafe & Catering
Variety: Mediterranean, Turkish
Address: 3217 Kempt Road
Date Visited: Friday, November 4, 2016
Orders: Sambusa, Fatayer
Taste: TBA
Portion Size: TBA
Presentation: TBA
Value: TBA
Service: TBA
Bonus: TBA
Minus: TBA
Final Grade: TBA
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: Apparently, when T is busy and I get together with the guys, our "thing" is to eat Turkish food. Or, at least that's how it's worked the past two times we've done it.
I suggested this place because when I used to live in the North End, I'd walk by this place on my way to and from the grocery store. Ah, the days when I didn't have a car. Anyway, we never stopped in, so I suggested it because one of my friends works just down the street from it. Apparently, Chef Abod used to be the personal chef of a Prince in Saudi Arabia - pretty cool!
The parking lot was "a little snug" (that's being pretty generous), but it was nothing compared to the size of the booths inside. None of the four of us are huge, but we're not tiny either. Sitting side by side, the person on the aisle definitely had to sit with a cheek dangling. Amplifying matters was that there was nowhere to put our coats, making us feel even more crammed in. We asked if we could move to one of the nearby tables instead, but the server said it was "really messy back there" and asked us to stay where we were while he cleaned it up. Thankfully, he got to work and we were able to move before our food was served.
Heading in to the restroom to wash up, I almost jumped out of my skin after seeing the terrifying decoration on a shelf under the mirror. I can't even describe what the heck this thing was - a candle, maybe? I should have taken a photo of it but I just needed to get the hell out of there. That thing haunts my dreams!
I was having trouble deciding what to order - the daily special was fish, which I don't eat - so I selected a couple of appetizers to try and get a variety of what was available. I selected the Sambusa and the Fatayer. That was a mistake - I didn't really understand they were both pastries, one fried, the other baked. So, I basically got two plates of almost exactly the same thing. The insides of both didn't taste like much, except the spinach, which wasn't to my liking, so I pawned it off one someone else. I was also a little disappointed because I'd ordered a mango milkshake and got a mango juice instead...which tasted like it came directly out of a tetra pack.
I fear I might not have made the best choices when it comes to this restaurant and will hold off on giving it a score until my next visit. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their orders, so I think it's worth another try.
Final Verdict: TBA
Variety: Mediterranean, Turkish
Address: 3217 Kempt Road
Date Visited: Friday, November 4, 2016
Orders: Sambusa, Fatayer
Taste: TBA
Portion Size: TBA
Presentation: TBA
Value: TBA
Service: TBA
Bonus: TBA
Minus: TBA
Final Grade: TBA
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: Apparently, when T is busy and I get together with the guys, our "thing" is to eat Turkish food. Or, at least that's how it's worked the past two times we've done it.
I suggested this place because when I used to live in the North End, I'd walk by this place on my way to and from the grocery store. Ah, the days when I didn't have a car. Anyway, we never stopped in, so I suggested it because one of my friends works just down the street from it. Apparently, Chef Abod used to be the personal chef of a Prince in Saudi Arabia - pretty cool!
The parking lot was "a little snug" (that's being pretty generous), but it was nothing compared to the size of the booths inside. None of the four of us are huge, but we're not tiny either. Sitting side by side, the person on the aisle definitely had to sit with a cheek dangling. Amplifying matters was that there was nowhere to put our coats, making us feel even more crammed in. We asked if we could move to one of the nearby tables instead, but the server said it was "really messy back there" and asked us to stay where we were while he cleaned it up. Thankfully, he got to work and we were able to move before our food was served.
Heading in to the restroom to wash up, I almost jumped out of my skin after seeing the terrifying decoration on a shelf under the mirror. I can't even describe what the heck this thing was - a candle, maybe? I should have taken a photo of it but I just needed to get the hell out of there. That thing haunts my dreams!
I was having trouble deciding what to order - the daily special was fish, which I don't eat - so I selected a couple of appetizers to try and get a variety of what was available. I selected the Sambusa and the Fatayer. That was a mistake - I didn't really understand they were both pastries, one fried, the other baked. So, I basically got two plates of almost exactly the same thing. The insides of both didn't taste like much, except the spinach, which wasn't to my liking, so I pawned it off one someone else. I was also a little disappointed because I'd ordered a mango milkshake and got a mango juice instead...which tasted like it came directly out of a tetra pack.
I fear I might not have made the best choices when it comes to this restaurant and will hold off on giving it a score until my next visit. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their orders, so I think it's worth another try.
Final Verdict: TBA
Review #73 - Turkish Delight Restaurant
Turkish Delight Restaurant
Variety: Mediterranean, Turkish
Address: 5680 Spring Garden Road
Date Visited: Thursday, August 18, 2016
Orders: Chicken Doner Kebap
Taste: 9/10
Portion Size: 9/10
Presentation: 8/10
Value: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Bonus: -
Minus: -
Final Grade: 41/50 x 2 = 2% (Good)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: T was otherwise occupied, so I got together with the guys and headed downtown after work to try Turkish Delight. This place has been there for what seems like forever, but none of us had ever been there before.
The decor was nice but not overly upscale. In truth, it was pretty casual. The service was pretty casual, too. But, for a dinner out with the guys, it worked.
I tried the special of the day: the Chicken Doner Kebap, which was basically seasoned, diced chicken served on rice and with a side of Turkish salad. It didn't blow my mind, but having recently been over to the Mediterranean, it was pretty much true to form. It was a little pricier than I think it should have been, but I left feeling a little happier (and healthier) than I would have been had we just grabbed burgers instead.
All in all, it's not somewhere I'd take T if I was trying to impress her, but next time we're in the mood for a kebap, we'll likely give it a shot.
Final Verdict: Casual, decent Mediterranean food. Glad I finally tried it!
Variety: Mediterranean, Turkish
Address: 5680 Spring Garden Road
Date Visited: Thursday, August 18, 2016
Orders: Chicken Doner Kebap
Taste: 9/10
Portion Size: 9/10
Presentation: 8/10
Value: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Bonus: -
Minus: -
Final Grade: 41/50 x 2 = 2% (Good)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: T was otherwise occupied, so I got together with the guys and headed downtown after work to try Turkish Delight. This place has been there for what seems like forever, but none of us had ever been there before.
The decor was nice but not overly upscale. In truth, it was pretty casual. The service was pretty casual, too. But, for a dinner out with the guys, it worked.
I tried the special of the day: the Chicken Doner Kebap, which was basically seasoned, diced chicken served on rice and with a side of Turkish salad. It didn't blow my mind, but having recently been over to the Mediterranean, it was pretty much true to form. It was a little pricier than I think it should have been, but I left feeling a little happier (and healthier) than I would have been had we just grabbed burgers instead.
All in all, it's not somewhere I'd take T if I was trying to impress her, but next time we're in the mood for a kebap, we'll likely give it a shot.
Final Verdict: Casual, decent Mediterranean food. Glad I finally tried it!
Review #72 - Gingergrass Thai & Vietnamese Restaurant
Gingergrass Thai & Vietnamese Restaurant
Variety: Thai/Vietnamese
Address: 1284 Barrington Street
Date Visited: Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Orders: Pineapple Curry combo, Peanut Curry combo
Taste: 7 + 8 = 15/20
Portion Size: 7 + 6 = 13/20
Presentation: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Value: 6 + 6 = 12/20
Service: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Bonus: -
Minus: 2
Final Grade: 66% (Satisfactory)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: I'd had the food several times when my colleagues ordered take-out and it was always very tasty, so we decided to stop by for an in-person taste test. I really wish we hadn't.
It's hard to think of a polite way to say that this placeis a bit of a dump has seen better days. Ok, I guess it wasn't that hard. It's a little tired. It feels like you're sitting and eating in a stranger's living room - and they're sitting there staring at you, hoping you'll get the hint and get out. The atmosphere isn't exactly what I'd call welcoming. And the bathroom...oh man. Just. Don't. Do. It.
That said, the food was pretty tasty - not the best Thai in town, but enjoyable nonetheless. The portion sizes weren't huge, but there was just enough to stop us from going across the street to grab a slice of pizza afterwards. The presentation was nothing special, and neither was the service. So given all of that, the price wasn't right.
We weren't blown away, and we were certainly uncomfortable. That's not a winning combination. So for that, we have to dock a couple of points.
Final Verdict: An uncomfortable visit, but the food is decent - stick to take-out.
Variety: Thai/Vietnamese
Address: 1284 Barrington Street
Date Visited: Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Orders: Pineapple Curry combo, Peanut Curry combo
Taste: 7 + 8 = 15/20
Portion Size: 7 + 6 = 13/20
Presentation: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Value: 6 + 6 = 12/20
Service: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Bonus: -
Minus: 2
Final Grade: 66% (Satisfactory)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: I'd had the food several times when my colleagues ordered take-out and it was always very tasty, so we decided to stop by for an in-person taste test. I really wish we hadn't.
It's hard to think of a polite way to say that this place
That said, the food was pretty tasty - not the best Thai in town, but enjoyable nonetheless. The portion sizes weren't huge, but there was just enough to stop us from going across the street to grab a slice of pizza afterwards. The presentation was nothing special, and neither was the service. So given all of that, the price wasn't right.
We weren't blown away, and we were certainly uncomfortable. That's not a winning combination. So for that, we have to dock a couple of points.
Final Verdict: An uncomfortable visit, but the food is decent - stick to take-out.
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Review #71 - Patrons Golf & Lounge
Patrons Golf & Lounge
Variety: Casual Dining
Address: 27 Dellridge Lane
Date Visited: Thursday, July 21, 2016
Orders: Nachos, Roasted Beet & Goat Cheese Salad, Pad Thai
Taste: 9 + 9 = 18/20
Portion Size: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Presentation: 9 + 9 = 18/20
Value: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Service: 9 + 9 = 18/20
Bonus: 1
Minus: -
Final Grade: 87% (Excellent)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: We've visited a number of the restaurants in our neighbourhood (Bedford South) and most of them have left much to be desired. So, it was really nice to visit one and be pleasantly surprised by the experienced, to the extent that we'll most likely visit it again in the near future.
In a way, Patrons isn't really a restaurant; it's a facility with golf simulators that doubles as a restaurant and lounge. Walking in, the place looks kind of like a show room, in that everything is sleek and new. At the same time, we didn't feel out of place, despite really not giving a crap about golf. It's kinda posh, without being pretentious. It had fairly minimal decor - some nice photographs on the wall and not much else, but their light fixtures were really impressive - a series of beautiful orbs along with an impressive chandelier. Off to the east side of the room was the golf simulators, curtained off but with enough of the screen peeking through to inspire intrigue from these non-golfers. Maybe next time...
Although they have a new patio, it was a really nice afternoon and all of the tables with umbrellas were taken, so we opted to sit just inside the front doors. Good call: It was nice and air conditioned inside, but we still got the benefit of the cool breeze. The ambiance
Our server, Jeff, greeted us with a warm smile and was very friendly. We felt as though we were being treated not only as customers but also as friends. We noticed his interactions with the other customers and he offered a everyone perfect blend of chit chat and getting down to business. He had T's beer over to the table in seconds, which she described as "the coldest, most delicious beer I've ever had. No joke." It was "Patrons Ale," which was just a fancy way of saying Keith's Red. Still, apparently it was that good, with "perfect carbonation," and it was reasonably priced, so we were off to a good start!
The menu was a little curious in that it seemed kind of all over the place. Some typical pub fare (nachos, chicken fingers), salads, sandwiches, pizza, some Asian-inspired dishes, plus salmon and steak. T contextualized the variety: although golf may seem like a hoity-toity sport to some, Patrons is likely looking to appeal to those who are interested in the sport but come from all walks of life - some to give it a shot without having to spend a full day on the links, and other looking to refine their skills...plus their spouses and children. When you look at it that way, it makes a heck of a lot of sense. Looking around the room and patio, that's exactly who we saw. So, clearly this place knows its audience!
We ordered nachos to start, and when they arrived, it looked like a big pile of chips covered in sizzling cheese. Translation: we were a little put off by the lack of vegetation. However, after we burst through the first layer of chips, we located ample tomatoes and red/banana peppers (we held off on the onions). Some green peppers would have been nice, but we enjoyed them nonetheless, and the portion size was just right.
Thanks to some intuitive serving (hence the bonus point), our mains arrived just as we finished our nachos - we decided to split the Roasted Beet & Goat Cheese Salad and the Pad Thai. The salad was excellent, offering a perfect ratio of greens, cheese, beets, nuts and dressing. The Pad Thai was very tasty - red pepper was an unusual but very nice touch - but it was on the small side. Had we not ordered the nachos, we might have left hungry.
All in all, the service was very good, as was the food, we just think a couple of tweaks to the portion size and prices would help move this place from very good to great.
Final Verdict: Even if you don't like golf, this place is worth a shot!
Variety: Casual Dining
Address: 27 Dellridge Lane
Date Visited: Thursday, July 21, 2016
Orders: Nachos, Roasted Beet & Goat Cheese Salad, Pad Thai
Taste: 9 + 9 = 18/20
Portion Size: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Presentation: 9 + 9 = 18/20
Value: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Service: 9 + 9 = 18/20
Bonus: 1
Minus: -
Final Grade: 87% (Excellent)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: We've visited a number of the restaurants in our neighbourhood (Bedford South) and most of them have left much to be desired. So, it was really nice to visit one and be pleasantly surprised by the experienced, to the extent that we'll most likely visit it again in the near future.
In a way, Patrons isn't really a restaurant; it's a facility with golf simulators that doubles as a restaurant and lounge. Walking in, the place looks kind of like a show room, in that everything is sleek and new. At the same time, we didn't feel out of place, despite really not giving a crap about golf. It's kinda posh, without being pretentious. It had fairly minimal decor - some nice photographs on the wall and not much else, but their light fixtures were really impressive - a series of beautiful orbs along with an impressive chandelier. Off to the east side of the room was the golf simulators, curtained off but with enough of the screen peeking through to inspire intrigue from these non-golfers. Maybe next time...
Although they have a new patio, it was a really nice afternoon and all of the tables with umbrellas were taken, so we opted to sit just inside the front doors. Good call: It was nice and air conditioned inside, but we still got the benefit of the cool breeze. The ambiance
Our server, Jeff, greeted us with a warm smile and was very friendly. We felt as though we were being treated not only as customers but also as friends. We noticed his interactions with the other customers and he offered a everyone perfect blend of chit chat and getting down to business. He had T's beer over to the table in seconds, which she described as "the coldest, most delicious beer I've ever had. No joke." It was "Patrons Ale," which was just a fancy way of saying Keith's Red. Still, apparently it was that good, with "perfect carbonation," and it was reasonably priced, so we were off to a good start!
The menu was a little curious in that it seemed kind of all over the place. Some typical pub fare (nachos, chicken fingers), salads, sandwiches, pizza, some Asian-inspired dishes, plus salmon and steak. T contextualized the variety: although golf may seem like a hoity-toity sport to some, Patrons is likely looking to appeal to those who are interested in the sport but come from all walks of life - some to give it a shot without having to spend a full day on the links, and other looking to refine their skills...plus their spouses and children. When you look at it that way, it makes a heck of a lot of sense. Looking around the room and patio, that's exactly who we saw. So, clearly this place knows its audience!
We ordered nachos to start, and when they arrived, it looked like a big pile of chips covered in sizzling cheese. Translation: we were a little put off by the lack of vegetation. However, after we burst through the first layer of chips, we located ample tomatoes and red/banana peppers (we held off on the onions). Some green peppers would have been nice, but we enjoyed them nonetheless, and the portion size was just right.
Thanks to some intuitive serving (hence the bonus point), our mains arrived just as we finished our nachos - we decided to split the Roasted Beet & Goat Cheese Salad and the Pad Thai. The salad was excellent, offering a perfect ratio of greens, cheese, beets, nuts and dressing. The Pad Thai was very tasty - red pepper was an unusual but very nice touch - but it was on the small side. Had we not ordered the nachos, we might have left hungry.
All in all, the service was very good, as was the food, we just think a couple of tweaks to the portion size and prices would help move this place from very good to great.
Final Verdict: Even if you don't like golf, this place is worth a shot!
Monday, May 30, 2016
McDonald's Create Your Taste - Australia vs Canada
Over the Christmas holidays, we traveled to Australia for a little adventure. We never expected one of our favourite meals would be from McDonald's, but it's totally true!
Macca's response to the worldwide "gourmet burger" trend, Create Your Taste lets you customize your regular fast food burger with some interesting ingredients you wouldn't normally expect to see at McDonald's. We tried it a total of three times, with each Frankenburger being better than the last.
Upon our return to Halifax, we learned that Create Your Taste has already hit Western Canada and would soon be rolled out nationwide. We were pretty excited...but would it be as good? We finally gave it a shot in May 2016. Here's what we found:
(Note: Anything denoted with an * = an ingredient not included in the base price)
Buns
Canada (3): Black & white sesame seed brioche-style bun, Artisan-style bakery roll, Lettuce wrap
Australia (4): Toasted brioche-style bun, Baker's bun, Ciabatta bun, Lettuce wrap
Advantage: Australia. Although the Canadian buns sound fancier, Australia's tasted (and, frankly, looked) better, plus there's an extra option.
Cheeses
Canada (5): Natural cheddar*, Monterey Jack jalapeno*, McDonald's classic cheese, Swiss*, Crumbled blue cheese*
Australia (5): Natural cheddar, Swiss, McDonald's classic cheese, Shaved parmesan, Tasmanian brie
Advantage: Australia. Monterey Jack jalapeno is great and all, but we'll take those big honkin' flakes of shaved parmesan any day of the week. PLUS, in Australia, up to three slices of cheese are included in the base price of your burger. In Canada, one slice of classic cheese is included in the price - you have to pay extra for anything else
Sauces
Canada (11): Ketchup, Big Mac special sauce, Guacamole*, Garlic aioli, Chipotle aioli, Smokey BBQ, Mustard, Grainy mustard, Mayonaise, Sriracha sauce, Sundried tomato pesto
Australia (10): Ketchup, Big Mac special sauce, Guacamole*, Herb aioli, Chipotle mayo, BBQ, Dijonaise, Tomato chilli jam, Tomato and onion relish, Chili lime aioli
Advantage: Tie. Australia doesn't really cut the mustard if that's your jam, but the tomato chili jam was phenomenal. Canada's Sriracha sauce on top of the sundried tomato pesto is pretty darn tasty, but the herb and chili lime aiolis were really stellar.
Vegetables
Canada (8): Tomato, Leaf lettuce, Red onion, Caramalized Onions, Crispy Onions, Sliced Jalapenos, Long sliced pickles, grilled mushrooms
Australia (8): Tomato, Leaf lettuce, Red onion, Caramalized Onions, Sliced Jalapenos, Long sliced pickles, sliced beetroot, spinach
Advantage: Australia. Canada's crispy onions were pretty tasty, and mushroom lovers might appreciate the grilled mushrooms (no idea if they cost more - we wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole). But seriously, have you ever tried beets on a hamburger? If not, you're missing out. Big time. The spinach was a nice lettuce alternative, too.
Proteins
Canada (1): 100% Canadian Angus Beef
Australia (4): Angus beef, Grilled chicken breast fillet, Gourmet crispy chicken, Grilled halloumi. You can also do a Create Your Taste salad, too.
Advantage: Australia. All. The. Way. Is there really any question?
Extra stuff
Canada (2): Hickory smoked bacon pieces*, Hickory smoked bacon strips*
Australia (5): Crispy bacon*, Rasher bacon*, Egg*, Tortilla strips, Grilled pineapple
Advantage: Australia kicks Canada's arse yet again. As with the beets above, those who've never tried egg on their burger are really missing out. Then try both. Yeah, exactly. You're welcome. In case you're wondering, Rasher bacon is kinda like "Canadian Bacon." Which isn't an option in Canada, either...
Service
Canada: You place your order at a kiosk, take an electronic chip, a server brings your beverage to your table (and ketchup, if you ask), both of which are served in regular McDonald's disposable cups and ketchup cups. When your order is ready, they ding a bell and the server returns with your meal. Your burger is served on a wooden plank and your fries are served in a little metal basket. The server checks on you a few minutes into your meal, and takes it away when you're done.
Australia: Pretty much the same, except they give you a table number instead of an electronic chip. However, your beverage/ketchup are served in fancier glasses/dishes, and you're also given actual cutlery (not the fake plastic stuff).
Advantage: Australia. Those little extras help you forget you're eating at McDonald's.
Taste
Canada: No complaints! The burger patty is comparable to the ones on the regular Angus burgers, the ingredients taste fresh (the lettuce was almost ridiculously huge) but, in truth, there aren't enough "extras" that differentiate this from a regular trip to McDonald's. Also, they really skimped on the fries but not on the salt. No likey.
Australia: Much like the service, the variety of available flavours and the overall package helps you forget you're eating at McDonald's.
Advantage: Australia.
Price
Canada: Slightly higher than your average meal, but not by much. About $10 per combo apiece, plus tax... unless you splurge on the extras.
Australia: About $12 (Canadian) per combo apiece, plus tax, and there aren't too many extras for which you're dinged additional fees. Keep in mind, food in Australia is a lot more expensive than it is in Canada (partially because service staff are paid WAY more).
Advantage: Australia. Given all the extras, we didn't mind paying extra in Australia. The extra fees really hindered our enjoyment of the Canadian burger. So, Australia it is...until Canada axes the fees (year right) or brings in the beets and eggs!
Final verdict
We realize not everyone has been to Australia and, if they have, maybe they tried something a lot more exotic than McDonald's. We were traveling on a budget, and this feature really caught our attention - for good reason: it's awesome. The Canadian version is slightly less awesome, but it's still worth a try.
Macca's response to the worldwide "gourmet burger" trend, Create Your Taste lets you customize your regular fast food burger with some interesting ingredients you wouldn't normally expect to see at McDonald's. We tried it a total of three times, with each Frankenburger being better than the last.
Upon our return to Halifax, we learned that Create Your Taste has already hit Western Canada and would soon be rolled out nationwide. We were pretty excited...but would it be as good? We finally gave it a shot in May 2016. Here's what we found:
(Note: Anything denoted with an * = an ingredient not included in the base price)
Buns
Canada (3): Black & white sesame seed brioche-style bun, Artisan-style bakery roll, Lettuce wrap
Australia (4): Toasted brioche-style bun, Baker's bun, Ciabatta bun, Lettuce wrap
Advantage: Australia. Although the Canadian buns sound fancier, Australia's tasted (and, frankly, looked) better, plus there's an extra option.
Cheeses
Canada (5): Natural cheddar*, Monterey Jack jalapeno*, McDonald's classic cheese, Swiss*, Crumbled blue cheese*
Australia (5): Natural cheddar, Swiss, McDonald's classic cheese, Shaved parmesan, Tasmanian brie
Advantage: Australia. Monterey Jack jalapeno is great and all, but we'll take those big honkin' flakes of shaved parmesan any day of the week. PLUS, in Australia, up to three slices of cheese are included in the base price of your burger. In Canada, one slice of classic cheese is included in the price - you have to pay extra for anything else
Sauces
Canada (11): Ketchup, Big Mac special sauce, Guacamole*, Garlic aioli, Chipotle aioli, Smokey BBQ, Mustard, Grainy mustard, Mayonaise, Sriracha sauce, Sundried tomato pesto
Australia (10): Ketchup, Big Mac special sauce, Guacamole*, Herb aioli, Chipotle mayo, BBQ, Dijonaise, Tomato chilli jam, Tomato and onion relish, Chili lime aioli
Advantage: Tie. Australia doesn't really cut the mustard if that's your jam, but the tomato chili jam was phenomenal. Canada's Sriracha sauce on top of the sundried tomato pesto is pretty darn tasty, but the herb and chili lime aiolis were really stellar.
Vegetables
Canada (8): Tomato, Leaf lettuce, Red onion, Caramalized Onions, Crispy Onions, Sliced Jalapenos, Long sliced pickles, grilled mushrooms
Australia (8): Tomato, Leaf lettuce, Red onion, Caramalized Onions, Sliced Jalapenos, Long sliced pickles, sliced beetroot, spinach
Advantage: Australia. Canada's crispy onions were pretty tasty, and mushroom lovers might appreciate the grilled mushrooms (no idea if they cost more - we wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole). But seriously, have you ever tried beets on a hamburger? If not, you're missing out. Big time. The spinach was a nice lettuce alternative, too.
Proteins
Canada (1): 100% Canadian Angus Beef
Australia (4): Angus beef, Grilled chicken breast fillet, Gourmet crispy chicken, Grilled halloumi. You can also do a Create Your Taste salad, too.
Advantage: Australia. All. The. Way. Is there really any question?
Extra stuff
Canada (2): Hickory smoked bacon pieces*, Hickory smoked bacon strips*
Australia (5): Crispy bacon*, Rasher bacon*, Egg*, Tortilla strips, Grilled pineapple
Advantage: Australia kicks Canada's arse yet again. As with the beets above, those who've never tried egg on their burger are really missing out. Then try both. Yeah, exactly. You're welcome. In case you're wondering, Rasher bacon is kinda like "Canadian Bacon." Which isn't an option in Canada, either...
Service
Canada: You place your order at a kiosk, take an electronic chip, a server brings your beverage to your table (and ketchup, if you ask), both of which are served in regular McDonald's disposable cups and ketchup cups. When your order is ready, they ding a bell and the server returns with your meal. Your burger is served on a wooden plank and your fries are served in a little metal basket. The server checks on you a few minutes into your meal, and takes it away when you're done.
Australia: Pretty much the same, except they give you a table number instead of an electronic chip. However, your beverage/ketchup are served in fancier glasses/dishes, and you're also given actual cutlery (not the fake plastic stuff).
Advantage: Australia. Those little extras help you forget you're eating at McDonald's.
Taste
Canada: No complaints! The burger patty is comparable to the ones on the regular Angus burgers, the ingredients taste fresh (the lettuce was almost ridiculously huge) but, in truth, there aren't enough "extras" that differentiate this from a regular trip to McDonald's. Also, they really skimped on the fries but not on the salt. No likey.
Australia: Much like the service, the variety of available flavours and the overall package helps you forget you're eating at McDonald's.
Advantage: Australia.
Price
Canada: Slightly higher than your average meal, but not by much. About $10 per combo apiece, plus tax... unless you splurge on the extras.
Australia: About $12 (Canadian) per combo apiece, plus tax, and there aren't too many extras for which you're dinged additional fees. Keep in mind, food in Australia is a lot more expensive than it is in Canada (partially because service staff are paid WAY more).
Advantage: Australia. Given all the extras, we didn't mind paying extra in Australia. The extra fees really hindered our enjoyment of the Canadian burger. So, Australia it is...until Canada axes the fees (year right) or brings in the beets and eggs!
Final verdict
We realize not everyone has been to Australia and, if they have, maybe they tried something a lot more exotic than McDonald's. We were traveling on a budget, and this feature really caught our attention - for good reason: it's awesome. The Canadian version is slightly less awesome, but it's still worth a try.
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Review #70 - Prospectors' Pub
Prospectors' Pub & Eatery
Variety: Pub
Address: 75 Peakview Way
Date Visited: Thursday, April 21, 2016
Orders: Gold Nugget burger, Chicken Wings, Onion Rings
Taste: 4 + 7 = 11/20
Portion Size: 5 + 8 = 13/20
Presentation: 5 + 5 = 10/20
Value: 4 + 7 = 11/20
Service: 3 + 3 = 6/20
Bonus: -
Minus: 2
Final Grade: 49% (Poor)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: A couple of years ago, we visited a fairly new restaurant (opened about six months at that point) and had such a pitiful experience that we decided to pass on giving them a score and decided to return a year later, hoping they had their act together (which they had). Now, we had a bit of a dilemma on our hands when we visited Prospectors' 11 months to the day after they opened. Because, friends, this was a brutal dining experience. I mean, they MUST have had someone call in sick that day because there were literally only two people running the show so the service was horrible and the chef's culinary skills were questionable at best. To say this place has PROBLEMS is an understatement.
After much debate, we decided to proceed with the review. 11 months is more than enough time to iron out the kinks. They have such a golden opportunity, being one of the very few restaurants in a booming area of town (Bedford South), but if every experience is like this, we cannot in good faith recommend this establishment.
We arrived around 7pm on a Thursday evening and the place was packed. We were kind of impressed that it was so bumpin' at that hour. However, once we were seated, we quickly figured out why - it was because we only saw two staff on duty - we believe one was handling the food prep while the other handled the serving and bartending. Nobody in the joint looked overly impressed, and it quickly became clear that we'd be in for a long wait. We should have bailed, but we were so hungry that we must not have been thinking straight enough to make that call.
The menu was...ridiculous. It had everything from wings and burgers to pasta to stir fry to seafood. Based on what we saw at our table, and around the restaurant, it's the kind of place that tries to do everything and doesn't do anything particularly well. That might be harsh, but we really tried to give it a fair chance. We were just let down again and again and again. Honestly, the only thing we were impressed by was the beer special. That's it.
After what seemed like an eternity, our food was served. T's Gold Nugget burger (bacon, cheese, fried egg - see below) was served on a crappy store-bought bun and was "just ok." She wasn't able to finish it - not because she was full, but because she just gave up. It was served with "chippers" - basically heated Miss Vickie's chips. J's Dusted Dry Spiced Sriracha wings were minuscule, overcooked, and barely had any flavour. He seriously wondered if they came straight out of the freezer. The onion rings were most definitely straight out of the freezer and were sadly soggy and beyond bland. Our friends were equally unimpressed by their stir fry and fish & chips - we put a napkin on top of the fish batter when it arrived and the grease sopped through it in less than a second. Gross. We genuinely wished the meals had been served with a side order of TUMS, and J went straight for the medicine cabinet when he got home.
What was most disappointing was the service. We understood the server was run off their arse, but although that person was pleasant, they were beyond inattentive. Our water was never refilled. It took several tries for them to remember an ordered glass of pop. When our meal was finally ready, it took almost ten minutes to get everything delivered to the table. The server never asked how the meal was, and despite asking twice, we never received a takeaway box for one of our friends' order, so we had to wrap it in napkins. Worst of all, when the stir fry was delivered, the server brought the bottle of soy sauce to the table shoved into their arm pit. We're not even kidding.
A meal that would normally have taken 45 minutes to order, serve and eat should not take two hours, but that's exactly what happened. We left wondering if maybe we were on Just For Laughs Gags, but sadly nobody laughed at us and pointed to a hidden camera when we left.
Based on this experience, a score of 49 is really very generous for this establishment. And, only two minus points - one for the "soy sauce incident" and one for general neglect is, also, very generous, if we do say so ourselves. Again, maybe this was a bad night for them and it isn't indicative of their usual standards, but we daresay we won't be back anytime soon to see for ourselves.
Final Verdict: Mediocre at best. Someone call Gordon Ramsay!
Variety: Pub
Address: 75 Peakview Way
Date Visited: Thursday, April 21, 2016
Orders: Gold Nugget burger, Chicken Wings, Onion Rings
Taste: 4 + 7 = 11/20
Portion Size: 5 + 8 = 13/20
Presentation: 5 + 5 = 10/20
Value: 4 + 7 = 11/20
Service: 3 + 3 = 6/20
Bonus: -
Minus: 2
Final Grade: 49% (Poor)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: A couple of years ago, we visited a fairly new restaurant (opened about six months at that point) and had such a pitiful experience that we decided to pass on giving them a score and decided to return a year later, hoping they had their act together (which they had). Now, we had a bit of a dilemma on our hands when we visited Prospectors' 11 months to the day after they opened. Because, friends, this was a brutal dining experience. I mean, they MUST have had someone call in sick that day because there were literally only two people running the show so the service was horrible and the chef's culinary skills were questionable at best. To say this place has PROBLEMS is an understatement.
After much debate, we decided to proceed with the review. 11 months is more than enough time to iron out the kinks. They have such a golden opportunity, being one of the very few restaurants in a booming area of town (Bedford South), but if every experience is like this, we cannot in good faith recommend this establishment.
We arrived around 7pm on a Thursday evening and the place was packed. We were kind of impressed that it was so bumpin' at that hour. However, once we were seated, we quickly figured out why - it was because we only saw two staff on duty - we believe one was handling the food prep while the other handled the serving and bartending. Nobody in the joint looked overly impressed, and it quickly became clear that we'd be in for a long wait. We should have bailed, but we were so hungry that we must not have been thinking straight enough to make that call.
The menu was...ridiculous. It had everything from wings and burgers to pasta to stir fry to seafood. Based on what we saw at our table, and around the restaurant, it's the kind of place that tries to do everything and doesn't do anything particularly well. That might be harsh, but we really tried to give it a fair chance. We were just let down again and again and again. Honestly, the only thing we were impressed by was the beer special. That's it.
After what seemed like an eternity, our food was served. T's Gold Nugget burger (bacon, cheese, fried egg - see below) was served on a crappy store-bought bun and was "just ok." She wasn't able to finish it - not because she was full, but because she just gave up. It was served with "chippers" - basically heated Miss Vickie's chips. J's Dusted Dry Spiced Sriracha wings were minuscule, overcooked, and barely had any flavour. He seriously wondered if they came straight out of the freezer. The onion rings were most definitely straight out of the freezer and were sadly soggy and beyond bland. Our friends were equally unimpressed by their stir fry and fish & chips - we put a napkin on top of the fish batter when it arrived and the grease sopped through it in less than a second. Gross. We genuinely wished the meals had been served with a side order of TUMS, and J went straight for the medicine cabinet when he got home.
What was most disappointing was the service. We understood the server was run off their arse, but although that person was pleasant, they were beyond inattentive. Our water was never refilled. It took several tries for them to remember an ordered glass of pop. When our meal was finally ready, it took almost ten minutes to get everything delivered to the table. The server never asked how the meal was, and despite asking twice, we never received a takeaway box for one of our friends' order, so we had to wrap it in napkins. Worst of all, when the stir fry was delivered, the server brought the bottle of soy sauce to the table shoved into their arm pit. We're not even kidding.
A meal that would normally have taken 45 minutes to order, serve and eat should not take two hours, but that's exactly what happened. We left wondering if maybe we were on Just For Laughs Gags, but sadly nobody laughed at us and pointed to a hidden camera when we left.
Based on this experience, a score of 49 is really very generous for this establishment. And, only two minus points - one for the "soy sauce incident" and one for general neglect is, also, very generous, if we do say so ourselves. Again, maybe this was a bad night for them and it isn't indicative of their usual standards, but we daresay we won't be back anytime soon to see for ourselves.
Final Verdict: Mediocre at best. Someone call Gordon Ramsay!
Review #69 - La Piazza
La Piazza Resto Cafe
Variety: Pizzeria
Address: 6430 Chebucto Road
Date Visited: Friday, January 22, 2016
Orders: Spinach Pizza, Tuscan Pizza
Taste: 8 + 9 = 17/20
Portion Size: 8 + 10 = 18/20
Presentation: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Value: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Service: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Bonus: -
Minus: -
Final Grade: 81% (Good)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: This location has hosted numerous enterprises in recent years - a coffee shop, a BYO wine restaurant, and now a friendly neighborhood pizzeria. From the outside, it doesn't look like much, but on the inside, it kind of feels like dining in someone's home (that has a stone oven inside it - gosh, we wish we had friends with one of those!). That could be good or bad, depending on how you're feeling that day, but we rolled with it.
We were seated at a table directly under a heater, which was kind of uncomfortable, in that J's hair might have singed just a touch. But, whatever, it was a cold day at the end of a long week, so at least we weren't at work.
We each order pizzas - T picked the Spinach, J selected the Tuscan. The Spinach (see below) featured red pepper, goat cheese, mozzarella, chicken and, well, spinach. It was fine. The Tuscan had red pepper, arugula, sausage and mozzarella (he passed on the sauteed onions). It, too, was fine. The pizzas came out looking pretty huge, but in reality, it was just air. We both left the place in need of a pit stop for a snack on the way home, which is never a good thing - but it's a reality when you pay $17 apiece for a pizza that doesn't fill you up. So, in other words, it was good, but too expensive for what it was. Our dining companions, on the other hand, had the gourmet burger, which was huge and featured fried salami on top. That one looked like a winner (and sounded like one, too, based on their reviews).
Final Verdict: Ok pizza, but a little expensive for what it was.
Variety: Pizzeria
Address: 6430 Chebucto Road
Date Visited: Friday, January 22, 2016
Orders: Spinach Pizza, Tuscan Pizza
Taste: 8 + 9 = 17/20
Portion Size: 8 + 10 = 18/20
Presentation: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Value: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Service: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Bonus: -
Minus: -
Final Grade: 81% (Good)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: This location has hosted numerous enterprises in recent years - a coffee shop, a BYO wine restaurant, and now a friendly neighborhood pizzeria. From the outside, it doesn't look like much, but on the inside, it kind of feels like dining in someone's home (that has a stone oven inside it - gosh, we wish we had friends with one of those!). That could be good or bad, depending on how you're feeling that day, but we rolled with it.
We were seated at a table directly under a heater, which was kind of uncomfortable, in that J's hair might have singed just a touch. But, whatever, it was a cold day at the end of a long week, so at least we weren't at work.
We each order pizzas - T picked the Spinach, J selected the Tuscan. The Spinach (see below) featured red pepper, goat cheese, mozzarella, chicken and, well, spinach. It was fine. The Tuscan had red pepper, arugula, sausage and mozzarella (he passed on the sauteed onions). It, too, was fine. The pizzas came out looking pretty huge, but in reality, it was just air. We both left the place in need of a pit stop for a snack on the way home, which is never a good thing - but it's a reality when you pay $17 apiece for a pizza that doesn't fill you up. So, in other words, it was good, but too expensive for what it was. Our dining companions, on the other hand, had the gourmet burger, which was huge and featured fried salami on top. That one looked like a winner (and sounded like one, too, based on their reviews).
Final Verdict: Ok pizza, but a little expensive for what it was.
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