Now that you know my criteria, here’s what I like about Tea Pot (9650 Harvest Hills Blvd, NE). First, I like the restaurant itself: it is very spacious, divided into 3 main sections (one of which is for dim sum) and nicely decorated. Most dim sum places do not seem to care about looks – Tea Pot gets extra points here!

Second, I like the ordering procedure: once seated, the waiter brings the dim sum menu (bilingual, thank you). You get to choose what you like (or, in my case, imagine you’d like). After a few years of sampling dim sum, I go for a few shrimp dishes, usually steamed. I never fail to order the BBQ pork buns, as well as an order of steamed veggies. I’m not so keen on the lotus wrapped rice, but it’s an add-on to consider if really hungry.

For a party of two, we usually get around 5 orders of food and the egg tarts (after that, I go to T&T and get those tarts for home. Not as fresh as the ones in Tea Pot, but, hey, they’re still delicious!!). Among my favorites: shrimp and veggies dumplings, shrimp in rice crepes, BBQ chicken buns, and the afore mentioned BBQ pork buns. So far (and I hope I’m not jinxing it), I have never left disappointed. The bill usually comes at around $30 before tip.

Update November 2011: Since we liked Vero Bistro back in 2010, we decided to go back and try the food again before taking guests out for dinner. Armed with a 30-for-60 CAD coupon, we went out for a romantic dinner. I chose the lamb chops (34 CAD) and my partner decided to try the sea bass (33 CAD). Both dishes came with tasty and visually appealing sides, but the sea bass didn’t deliver. In fairness, it’s probably the fish itself (bland, IMHO). The lamb chops, on the other hand, were… exquisite! Juicy and perfectly seasoned, they were a total hit! We ended the meal with a mango cheesecake (8 CAD) – fresh, not very sweet, and not cheesy at all. With a glass of wine and a tea, the bill amounted to 93 CAD before tip.

A week later, we took our guests to Vero Bistro for dinner. I have to say I really like the place, even though I find it way too expensive for a bistro. This time, I tried the lamb shank (28 CAD) which was a bit disappointing: too spicy for my taste (way too much pepper)! My friends chose the fish – the arctic char (28 CAD) and the sable fish (33 CAD). The fish was rather bland, but I liked the arctic char more than the sable fish. As usual, the dishes came with interesting sides combining seasonal veggies. For four entrees and three glasses of wine, the bill came at 153 CAD before tip.

When we arrived around 8pm, only two other tables were taken. The restaurant is small and you do get that feeling of being a guest in someone’s house. The kind of place where you go to on a weekday evening when you ran out of food but don’t feel like dressing up. Frankly, not my kind of place (I do like to dress up and I’m quite fond of places that offer an aesthetic as well as culinary experience).

We settled on shrimps in garlic sauce (9.95$) as a starter and a Hanni’s special pizza (17.95$) for the main course. The shrimps were delicious and still hot when the waitress brought them to the table. The pizza was nice but not my favourite crust. I found it a bit too greasy, but if you read my blog you know I’m quite fussy about fatty, oily or cheesy foods. I enjoyed the food but I’m not hooked on it. The highlight of the evening was, however, the best apple pie (5.95$) ever. It was, well, delicious. We were told is made by a local cook.

Along with two teas ($4.50), the bill came at 38.77$ before tip.

Ingredients: 1 pack of Ziggy’s spinach and cheese ravioli, 1 carrot, 2 bell peppers (try yellow and orange for aesthetic reasons), 3 tomatoes, 3 green onions, 1 celery stick, 1 tsp coriander, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 Tbsp oil, 2 Tbsp white wine, salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions:

• 1. Bring a pot with salted water to boil and throw in the pasta. Cook for 5-7 minutes. Drain water and set aside.
• 2. Peel and grate the carrot. Set aside.
• 3. Wash and coarsely cut all remaining veggies. Set chopped tomatoes apart.
• 4. In a frying (or wok) pan, heat the oil and add the onion, the celery and the bell pepper. Sauté lightly.
• 5. Add tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, mixing the veggies constantly.
• 6. Add grated carrot, spices and wine. Add some water if needed (almost no liquid). Cook for 5-7 minutes.
• 7. Pour over the pasta, mix well and bring to quick boil (5 more minutes). Voila, dinner is ready!

Peel and coarsely grate the apple. Add 2-3 plain (social) biscuits (just break them over the grated apple), add a bit of cinnamon, raisins and nuts. If you want, you can add just a bit of rum or liquor for extra flavour.

And here is how mine looked like before I crumbled the biscuits:

Ingredients: 1kg back ribs, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustards, 1tablespoon honey, salt, pepper, thyme, 1 teaspoon oil, 2 tablespoons cooking wine.

Instructions:
1. In a bowl, mix all the ingredients (except the ribs, of course).
2. Wash the ribs and using a teaspoon or a brush, spread the mustard mix evenly on the ribs.
3. Place on rack and set the oven to broil (or BBQ them). If you’re using the oven, place a tray with water under the ribs to keep them moist. Cook for 50 minutes (turning them once) at 350F.

• Good Earth Cafe on 17th Ave – well, not really on 17th, but on 15 ave with 11 st (1502 11th Street SW). The place is open until 10pm, and it’s always filled with people. It has lots of tables, so you’ll always get a spot – yet it’s still intimate. Oh, and in summer, they have a patio which is lovely, update 2010: after the renovations, the patio isn’t that nice anymore, it’s almost as if you are on the sidewalk, where you get to see people and cars and all the urban buzz…

• Kaffa Coffee and Salsa House in Marda Loop (2138 33 Avenue SW, Calgary). If only there were more of these in Calgary… located in a house, you can choose your table in one of the three rooms. Always busy, very good hot chocolate. And in the summer, the lovely patio with lots of vegetation makes it almost perfect…Update 2010: stick to the patio. They need a serious cleaning inside, everything is dusty and filthy. Update spring 2011: I recently saw the “For Sale” sign on the fence… I hope a new owner buys and revamps Kaffa, especially the patio…

• Kawa Espresso Bar on 8 Street SW (101-1333 8 Street SW, Calgary). I really like the patio in the summer! Intimate, with a few umbrellas to shelter you, and with a great view of the street (and yes, occasionally you can see people on the street too, hurray!). The place is very nice inside too, but it was always way too crowded – we never found a place inside You have to try the pastries, really delicious. Expect Starbucks prices. Update spring 2011: I almost NEVER get a table here. It’s always crowded.

• Cafe Beano, again on 17th Ave, just a few blocks away from Good Earth (1613 9 St SW). A bit more crowded than Good Earth, but with huge windows so that you can see the world moving by. The caffe latte comes in a huge soup bowl… and the brownies are just delicious. Open until midnight or 11pm.

• Oolong Tea House located in Kensington (#110 10th St NW). The tea collection is intimidating at first – what to choose? But once you settle on something (I’d advise green tea since it’s my favorite), get a brownie too… Open until 11pm or midnight (Friday and Saturday).

• Steeps Tea House is right downtown, on 17th Ave (12G-880 16 Avenue SW). Serving tea only (from $ 3.50 the small cup) and hot chocolate ($4.50). A very large selection of teas available.

• Primal Grounds – in SW (3003-37st SW), boasts freshly made breakfast and lunches, as well as a selection of coffee.

• Gratitude Cafe – in Kensington, vegetarian. Organic tea and coffee, wine, veggie & fruits drinks.

• DeVille Cafe in Art Central – I’m a big fan of what they’ve done with the place after the renovations! Trendy design with a white/red/ black theme, great collection of green teas, yummy desserts. Did I mention the very interesting tea cups that are transparent, have no holders but are never warm on the outside? The only major problem with this place is that it closes at 3pm on Sundays. Expect the price range of Starbucks and Good Earth.

• Coffee Cats Cafe – on 17th Avenue (2765 – 17th Ave SW, that’s further west than the downtown area, past Crowchild trail). The place is rather new, with a clean interior design and a very nice barista. Although the location is not perfect for people watching, it still is such a great place to relax, read your morning newspaper or tend to your coffee/tea addictions.

• Waves Coffee House: a new addition to 17th avenue (1019 17th Avenue SW), this coffee house is relatively large and quite comfy inside, with a blue/white tile design. It features a wide collection of loose leaf teas and coffees, as well as croissants, cheese cakes and other desserts. Expect prices in the Starbucks/ Good Earth range. Update spring 2011: a brand-new Waves coffee house will open on 17th Ave, in the old location of She Apparel (the lingerie shop).

• Phil & Sebastian: a new addition to Marda Loop ( 2043 33 Ave SW), with a fresh design that rivals deVille, this place has a good collection of in-house roasted coffee and some good teas as well. I’m not a coffee drinker, so I can’t comment on the coffee, but I am a huge fan of pastry. And this coffee house has the best pastry I’ve had so far in Calgary. But Phil & Sebastian is worth going to if only for the experience of sipping your warm drink in a neatly designed place while people watching.

• Chiasso is a new coffee shop on 17th avenue (835-17th Ave SW). It’s rather small and it has become very popular lately, but if you’re lucky enough to get a place by the window, you’re guaranteed the people watching experience while sipping your green tea ($2.25) or cappuccino ($3.50). My favorite dessert is the pain au chocolat (chocolate pastry, $2.75). The only complaint I have is that the place closes at 7pm, which is way to early for 17th street…

Latte, croissant and pain au chocolat at Chiasso.

• Vendome Cafe, in Sunnyside/ Kensington. A really neat place for your morning coffee/tea and brunch.

The tiramisu wasn’t very impressive: way too sweet, way too creamy and decorated with whipped cream and chocolate sauce (that is, more sugar).

The two salads, along with one tiramisu and one tea came to $35.43 (before tip).

* * *

Fiore Cantina is conveniently located downtown, on 17th Ave close to 5th St (602 17 AVE SW). They have a special offer for all-day pasta (Sunday, Monday and Tuesday) for $9, which is also a good option for lunch/ dinner. We went there on Friday night, and we were quite happy with our choice. I had a sausage pizza, with thin crust, which was OK. They boast making it with home-made sausages, but I wasn’t too impressed with them. My partner had the breaded veal with vegetables (veal parmigiano), which was really, really yummy. We didn’t have any alcohol, but only a tea and a lemonade. The bill came at $39. The place itself was nice, cozy atmosphere, red lights and candles on each table.

Cashew and garlic mixture

1. Using your hands (and a bit of flour if necessary), flatten the pizza dough and place it on a pizza tray or in an oven-proof dish.
2. Brush 1 tsp of olive oil on the dough.
3. In a blender or food processor, mix 1 handful of cashew nuts with a bit of water (around 1/4 cup).  Pour the resulting cashew paste in a small container.
4. Peel and mince the garlic cloves, add them to the cashew paste. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Spoon approximately half of the cashew paste on the pizza dough.
6. Peel and slice onion. Spread slices onto the dough.
7. Slice the mushrooms and put them on.
8. Grate the zucchinis. You can use a box grater or the veggie peeler. Spread them on top of the mushrooms and add some more cashew paste.
9. Bake in the oven (350F) for 30 minutes or until zucchinis are golden.

The place is not very big, but with two rooms you’ll find a place to sit and enjoy your tea or coffee. A few high-tables by the entrance, a few tables with chairs, and a few benches. I really like the minimalistic decorations and the fact that both rooms have big windows so that you can watch the street and the pedestrians (yeap, there are quite  a few pedestrians in Kensington!).

The other day, I met my girlfriends there for brunch around 10:30. The place was almost packed but we found a table and tried the goodies on the menu. I went for the eggs Benedict with ham ($13): two eggs Benedict with Hollandaise sauce on ham and toast. They came with really tasty hashbrowns – you could actually taste the potatoes and not get sick from the oil. I liked the dish, but I think that next time I’ll go for the veggie option because there was just too much ham and I didn’t like that. I could not resist the bottled Coke (you know, the one in the ‘real’ – glass – bottle!). The bill came to $16.89 before tip.