So it's mid-day and you're in the mood for a sandwich. Where do you go? Here are some of my tried and trues:
Breen's Deli has been my long-time favorite for a good fresh turkey sandwich. Why not go whole hog and order it with dressing the cranberry mayo? Whoever thought to mix cranberry sauce with the mayo deserves an award! Breen's also has fabulous homemade soups and other standard sandwiches, such as club and egg salad. Find Breen's at 79 Gower St. downtown, 32 Portugal Cove Rd. and their newest location at 44 Elizabeth Ave. in the old Tim Horton's.
Mana European Bakery and Deli has more than excellent fresh-made bread (must try the rye). Service is a little off some days but the satisfaction of a good sandwich makes up for it: curry chicken, corned beef and pastrami. There's also veggie selections and specialty sandwiches such as the yummy sloppy joe. Try one today at 342 Freshwater Rd. or order online.
Buck Weavers has really good grilled sandwiches, though a little expensive. And you'll have to set foot in a mall to order one (Avalon or Village). There used to be a great Buck Weavers on Elizabeth Ave. but it's now replaced by Wedgewood Cafe. Haven't tried that one yet...
Michelle's Bakery also has great breads and salads. But you can also get a great sandwich made-to-order. They're very generous with their toppings so maybe 1/2 is just enough. 799 Water St.
Colemans may be a grocery store but they've long bee known for their homemade take-away food. And their sandwiches are no exception. Best part is you can also get a bowl of pea soup on the side.
Belbins is another grocery store where you can find great homemade sandwiches. Fresh baked bread and a good selection of deli stuffs. 85 Quidi Vidi Rd.
Auntie Crae's is a spot downtown where you can grab a banana, coffee, or a freshly-made sandwich. They have a good selection of deli meats and lots of cheeses to choose from. Also, great bean salad and hummus. 272 Water St.
The Sprout has a well-known and well-loved avocado sandwich called the bravacado. The chickpea burger is also good and a great alternative for non-meat-eating sandwich lovers. 364 Duckworth St.
Showing posts with label restaurant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label restaurant. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Curry delights in a small city
St. John's is diversifying it's portfolio.
A downtown well-known international flavour staple, India Gate restaurant (Duckworth St.), has been said to rival the best Indian and curry joints from near and far. With dishes like tandori chicken, lamb jalfrezi, various pakoras, and about a half dozen types of nann there’s lots to try. If you’re not sure what to get why not try the lunch buffet Mon-Fri 11:30-2:30, but be warned that it will probably be packed and a reservation is recommended. If you want to enjoy their luscious flavours at home you can order take out and it'll be ready when you arrive to pick it up.
I was at India Gate the other day and had a grand feast. The restaurant was about half-full and the food was spot on. The atmosphere is comfortable and sort of formal but you cold easily go dressed in jeans or something casual (especially for lunch). Service is always good and waitstaff attentive. I highly recommend trying the mango lassi which is a cold and refreshing smoothie-type yogurt mango drink. Also if there are two of you dining (or more) consider getting a few dishes to share. Once the food comes you'll definitely want to try your neighbour's and it's easier if this is pre-arranged. Finally I recommend ordering the Gate Snacks appetizer platter if there are two or more in your party. It's a lovely assortment of golden fried starters with pakoras, samosas, and bhajia. And keep in mind whatever you don't eat in one sitting will be delicious for lunch the next day.
On Water St. you can also sample Indian food at Taj Mahal where, if you get a seat near the back, you can watch chefs cook bread in their tandoor oven through an observation window. Taj also has a lunch buffet which features beef Mon-Wed and everyone’s favorite butter chicken Thurs-Fri. Ask anyone who likes Indian food in St. John's and they'll give you their opinion on which one they like better: India Gate or Taj Mahal. It's a matter of personal preference but I say try them both and make your own decision. Both have good eats and offer both meat and veggie options.
There’s also International Flavours on Quidi Vidi Rd. where you can get one of two choices: a plate of veg. curry or meat curry. Sometimes they’ll give you dollop of something new on your plate just to try. This spot always delivers authentic home cooked food.
If you aren’t in the downtown area and really want a samosa, try Taste East on Allandale Rd. (near the University). They have curries, kebabs and samosas for take-out at decent prices ($1.25 veg. samosa). Great for a lunchtime snack. Some people I know go to Tate East now to stock up on fresh spices and other Indian ingredients which can still be hard to find in our grocery stores.
Finally, if you’re in the mood for an authentic, home cooked international food experience and you don’t care about decor try Afghan Restaurant on Duckworth. The food is delish, cheap, and once you get a whiff of what’s on your plate you don’t care about the plastic table clothes or small tables anymore. They offer kebabs, samosas and lots of juicy, marinated meats, tender rice, warm bread...enough said.
Those are the best places that I've tried for Indian (and related) food in this city. If you're hankering for something creamy or spicy or just mouthwatering I highly suggesting making your way to one of these spots for a Indian treat.
A downtown well-known international flavour staple, India Gate restaurant (Duckworth St.), has been said to rival the best Indian and curry joints from near and far. With dishes like tandori chicken, lamb jalfrezi, various pakoras, and about a half dozen types of nann there’s lots to try. If you’re not sure what to get why not try the lunch buffet Mon-Fri 11:30-2:30, but be warned that it will probably be packed and a reservation is recommended. If you want to enjoy their luscious flavours at home you can order take out and it'll be ready when you arrive to pick it up.
I was at India Gate the other day and had a grand feast. The restaurant was about half-full and the food was spot on. The atmosphere is comfortable and sort of formal but you cold easily go dressed in jeans or something casual (especially for lunch). Service is always good and waitstaff attentive. I highly recommend trying the mango lassi which is a cold and refreshing smoothie-type yogurt mango drink. Also if there are two of you dining (or more) consider getting a few dishes to share. Once the food comes you'll definitely want to try your neighbour's and it's easier if this is pre-arranged. Finally I recommend ordering the Gate Snacks appetizer platter if there are two or more in your party. It's a lovely assortment of golden fried starters with pakoras, samosas, and bhajia. And keep in mind whatever you don't eat in one sitting will be delicious for lunch the next day.
On Water St. you can also sample Indian food at Taj Mahal where, if you get a seat near the back, you can watch chefs cook bread in their tandoor oven through an observation window. Taj also has a lunch buffet which features beef Mon-Wed and everyone’s favorite butter chicken Thurs-Fri. Ask anyone who likes Indian food in St. John's and they'll give you their opinion on which one they like better: India Gate or Taj Mahal. It's a matter of personal preference but I say try them both and make your own decision. Both have good eats and offer both meat and veggie options.
There’s also International Flavours on Quidi Vidi Rd. where you can get one of two choices: a plate of veg. curry or meat curry. Sometimes they’ll give you dollop of something new on your plate just to try. This spot always delivers authentic home cooked food.
If you aren’t in the downtown area and really want a samosa, try Taste East on Allandale Rd. (near the University). They have curries, kebabs and samosas for take-out at decent prices ($1.25 veg. samosa). Great for a lunchtime snack. Some people I know go to Tate East now to stock up on fresh spices and other Indian ingredients which can still be hard to find in our grocery stores.
Finally, if you’re in the mood for an authentic, home cooked international food experience and you don’t care about decor try Afghan Restaurant on Duckworth. The food is delish, cheap, and once you get a whiff of what’s on your plate you don’t care about the plastic table clothes or small tables anymore. They offer kebabs, samosas and lots of juicy, marinated meats, tender rice, warm bread...enough said.
Those are the best places that I've tried for Indian (and related) food in this city. If you're hankering for something creamy or spicy or just mouthwatering I highly suggesting making your way to one of these spots for a Indian treat.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Breakfast Club
With Mother's Day coming up and signs of summer on the rise I thought I'd post about my favorite breakfast places in St. John's.
Breakfast foods in St. John’s can be divided into three categories: 1) quick, fast food, 2) sit down, quality fare, 3) traditional food for us all and a must for a visitor.
In the fast food category:
My favourite fast food breakie has to be A&W. It’s not too expensive and you get a decent coffee with your meal. They have traditional eggs, meat, toast meals and also sandwich combos. Not the healthiest stuff but great for a greasy fast food fix. Four locations: Avalon Mall, Torbay Rd., the Village Mall and Mount Pearl. Of course, in this category there’s also Timmies, Micky D’s, Subway, and Burger King. Another option that’s not often thought of is Irving stores. Don’t laugh too hard...the gas station come general store has a few locations in the city that serve pretty decent coffee, several breakfast sandwiches, muffins, and the best banana bread.
In the sit-down breakfast category:
I was always a big fan of Bagel Cafe (Duckworth St.) and find their menu diverse (everything from bagel sandwiches, to samosas, to smoked salmon) and not badly priced. Their restaurant is usually packed on weekend mornings, though, and it’s not uncommon to wait in a line up that stretches out the door until a table frees up. There’s Smitty’s (Duckworth St. and in Mount Pearl) which always offers satisfying pancakes for cheap. Cora’s is a national franchise which is relatively new to the city and has two locations: Atlantic Place downtown and Kenmount Rd. Both offer large meals with fresh fruit and a colourful atmosphere. Cora’s was voted best breakfast 2008 by Scope fans. Perhaps my favourite sit-down breakfast meal, though, is at Zachary’s (Duckworth St.) where you can get the traditional breakfast (with beans!) & unlimited coffee for under $8. And it has all day breakfast so you can order anytime you feel a hankering.
Finally, in the traditional category:
I had a hard time distinguishing some of my favourite breakfast spots from the “traditional” spots, but I just think these are the ones you’d bring a friend from out of town or a homesick relative who is home for a visit. First up there’s the undeniable Velma’s on Water St. They have cheap eats, no frills atmosphere, you can get fried baloney (if you’re into that kind of thing), and the wait staff will probably call you “honey” or "lover.” If you want a more frilled location (or want breakfast at 2am) try the 24-hr Celtic Hearth on Water St. It’s a bit more expensive but they have black and white pudding (again, if you’re into that), and the best potato pancakes ever. For your basic toast, eggs, meat, coffee try the Big R (Harvey Rd. and Blackmarsh Rd.) where you can get a plate of food for about $6.50. Finally, if you want a nice brunch and don't mind paying a little extra for good quality food, try Bacalo which boasts "Nouvelle Newfoundland cuisine" and delivers with everything from fish and brewis to a dish called green eggs and lamb.
It's the most important meal of the day and well worth a trip out to visit a new place or your tried and true spot.
Breakfast foods in St. John’s can be divided into three categories: 1) quick, fast food, 2) sit down, quality fare, 3) traditional food for us all and a must for a visitor.
In the fast food category:
My favourite fast food breakie has to be A&W. It’s not too expensive and you get a decent coffee with your meal. They have traditional eggs, meat, toast meals and also sandwich combos. Not the healthiest stuff but great for a greasy fast food fix. Four locations: Avalon Mall, Torbay Rd., the Village Mall and Mount Pearl. Of course, in this category there’s also Timmies, Micky D’s, Subway, and Burger King. Another option that’s not often thought of is Irving stores. Don’t laugh too hard...the gas station come general store has a few locations in the city that serve pretty decent coffee, several breakfast sandwiches, muffins, and the best banana bread.
In the sit-down breakfast category:
I was always a big fan of Bagel Cafe (Duckworth St.) and find their menu diverse (everything from bagel sandwiches, to samosas, to smoked salmon) and not badly priced. Their restaurant is usually packed on weekend mornings, though, and it’s not uncommon to wait in a line up that stretches out the door until a table frees up. There’s Smitty’s (Duckworth St. and in Mount Pearl) which always offers satisfying pancakes for cheap. Cora’s is a national franchise which is relatively new to the city and has two locations: Atlantic Place downtown and Kenmount Rd. Both offer large meals with fresh fruit and a colourful atmosphere. Cora’s was voted best breakfast 2008 by Scope fans. Perhaps my favourite sit-down breakfast meal, though, is at Zachary’s (Duckworth St.) where you can get the traditional breakfast (with beans!) & unlimited coffee for under $8. And it has all day breakfast so you can order anytime you feel a hankering.
Finally, in the traditional category:
I had a hard time distinguishing some of my favourite breakfast spots from the “traditional” spots, but I just think these are the ones you’d bring a friend from out of town or a homesick relative who is home for a visit. First up there’s the undeniable Velma’s on Water St. They have cheap eats, no frills atmosphere, you can get fried baloney (if you’re into that kind of thing), and the wait staff will probably call you “honey” or "lover.” If you want a more frilled location (or want breakfast at 2am) try the 24-hr Celtic Hearth on Water St. It’s a bit more expensive but they have black and white pudding (again, if you’re into that), and the best potato pancakes ever. For your basic toast, eggs, meat, coffee try the Big R (Harvey Rd. and Blackmarsh Rd.) where you can get a plate of food for about $6.50. Finally, if you want a nice brunch and don't mind paying a little extra for good quality food, try Bacalo which boasts "Nouvelle Newfoundland cuisine" and delivers with everything from fish and brewis to a dish called green eggs and lamb.
It's the most important meal of the day and well worth a trip out to visit a new place or your tried and true spot.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Healthy Eats
Healthy restaurant eating can be difficult in the best of situations. Here in St. John's, where a typical dining experience used to mean everything fried and at least one type of meat on your plate, alternative options for the non-traditionalist and health-conscience people are finally blossoming all over the place.
The leader of the pack is downtown's The Sprout on Duckworth St. The former Classic Cafe location has been retrofitted with tofu, chickpeas and a chill atmosphere. The focus at The Sprout is on good food, organic products and they even serve fair trade coffee (all at reasonable prices). This restaurant is a favorite of the hipster downtown set and is becoming a regular eating spot for regular folk, too...even meat eaters rave about the famous pad thai with tofu. The chickpea burger is tasty and comes with a salad that was actually made with a colourful variety of veggies (not just a bunch of lettuce and some cherry tomatoes). The chickpea curry is delish with coconut milk and broccoli, and they even have mushroom miso gravy which totally makes their veggie poutine dish quite yummy. Tip: skip the pricey pop or Perrier and order a local beer (it's actually cheaper). And if you're a vegan you'll go ga ga for The Sprout's dairy-free chocolate brownies ... you can even order some for take out and much while you stroll downtown.
Now that I have that raving review out of my system I will admit there are other places to get decent and healthy food around this place. Downtown there is Aunti Crae's where you can get a made-on-the-spot sandwich, fresh-made bread, and a piece of fresh fruit to go. Booster Juice in Atlantic Place (also on Topsail Rd., at MUN's food court, and in Mount Pearl) is extremely pricey (how do students afford this?) but jam-packed with fruit and other good stuff. If you can afford it try the pesto chicken wrap. Hava Java on Water is a staple for downtowners who love their coffee but they also serve a few mean sandwichs at lunch and a variety of fresh-squeezed juices. Pi on King's Rd. has fresh produce and quality ingredients to make up their salads and gourmet pizzas. Finally there's Hungry Heart Cafe on Military Rd. (Rawlins Cross) which serves homemade, nutritious food for a good cause. The Hungry Heart, a project with Stella Burry Community Services, offers employment training and opportunities and all money earned though the cafe goes back into its operations and community services.
Another socially healthy, as well as nutritious, places to eat is The Pantry (Clinch Cres., near Health Sciences Centre) which is operated by the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador. Try the citrus, beet and goat cheese salad, yum.
Finally, one more healthy food choice recommendation out of the downtown core: the Tea Room at the Garden, formerly Bloomin' Teapot. Opened in 1995 and located on Mt. Scio Rd. at Memorial's Botanical Gardens, this cafe serves a variety of teas, sandwiches, salads, soups and homemade desserts in a lovely setting.
And remember, you can always order a salad instead of fries, no-meat options and take a nice long walk after dinner.
The leader of the pack is downtown's The Sprout on Duckworth St. The former Classic Cafe location has been retrofitted with tofu, chickpeas and a chill atmosphere. The focus at The Sprout is on good food, organic products and they even serve fair trade coffee (all at reasonable prices). This restaurant is a favorite of the hipster downtown set and is becoming a regular eating spot for regular folk, too...even meat eaters rave about the famous pad thai with tofu. The chickpea burger is tasty and comes with a salad that was actually made with a colourful variety of veggies (not just a bunch of lettuce and some cherry tomatoes). The chickpea curry is delish with coconut milk and broccoli, and they even have mushroom miso gravy which totally makes their veggie poutine dish quite yummy. Tip: skip the pricey pop or Perrier and order a local beer (it's actually cheaper). And if you're a vegan you'll go ga ga for The Sprout's dairy-free chocolate brownies ... you can even order some for take out and much while you stroll downtown.
Now that I have that raving review out of my system I will admit there are other places to get decent and healthy food around this place. Downtown there is Aunti Crae's where you can get a made-on-the-spot sandwich, fresh-made bread, and a piece of fresh fruit to go. Booster Juice in Atlantic Place (also on Topsail Rd., at MUN's food court, and in Mount Pearl) is extremely pricey (how do students afford this?) but jam-packed with fruit and other good stuff. If you can afford it try the pesto chicken wrap. Hava Java on Water is a staple for downtowners who love their coffee but they also serve a few mean sandwichs at lunch and a variety of fresh-squeezed juices. Pi on King's Rd. has fresh produce and quality ingredients to make up their salads and gourmet pizzas. Finally there's Hungry Heart Cafe on Military Rd. (Rawlins Cross) which serves homemade, nutritious food for a good cause. The Hungry Heart, a project with Stella Burry Community Services, offers employment training and opportunities and all money earned though the cafe goes back into its operations and community services.
Another socially healthy, as well as nutritious, places to eat is The Pantry (Clinch Cres., near Health Sciences Centre) which is operated by the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador. Try the citrus, beet and goat cheese salad, yum.
Finally, one more healthy food choice recommendation out of the downtown core: the Tea Room at the Garden, formerly Bloomin' Teapot. Opened in 1995 and located on Mt. Scio Rd. at Memorial's Botanical Gardens, this cafe serves a variety of teas, sandwiches, salads, soups and homemade desserts in a lovely setting.
And remember, you can always order a salad instead of fries, no-meat options and take a nice long walk after dinner.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Big slice out of a small pie
Pizza in St. John's
My first blog entry, I've decided, will be about a food staple: pizza. The simple combination of dough, sauce, meat and/or veggies is satisfying and can be as basic as you want or show up on the fanciest of restaurant menus.
Here in St. John's there are dozens of pizza joints and almost all of them are the same as the next. Typical flour dough, tomato sauce, tonnes of mozzarella cheese, peperoni and the like. And the pizza comes in this jumbo box that will never fit into your fridge. Often it's a case of quantity not quality.
A few spots in town, however, have elevated the lowly pizza joint to something worth taking a bite out of.
Pi Gourmet Eatery on King's Rd. (downtown East, off Duckworth) boats homemade, dairy-free, fairly thin crust with toppings that are anything but ordinary. Pesto, black olive, and curry-infused tomato sauces stand up to toppings such as prosciutto, roasted fennel, grapes, and about six different cheese options, including soy. You can make your own pizza concoction or choose from one of the specials on the menu. Personal favorite: Pascal's Pleasure which features saffron chicken, sweet corn, green peppers, hot peppers, and fresh tomato. All these premium ingredients will cost you, though. Pascal's is $15 for a small pie and $25 for a large. If you're into quality stuff, though, you'll quickly dole out the cash for these handmade and filling treats. Pi's cherry on an otherwise lovely cake is their colourful decor and homemade desserts. And it's they're anniversary so check out specials in the month of April.
Folly on Bate's Hill (formerly Tangled up in Blue) offers much more than pizza. But their pizza names will strike a chord with anyone who grew up in the 90s and watching Saturday morning cartoons. All their pies are named after Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles characters. With prices from $11.50 - $14, you can get the Raphael (featuring butternut squash, pine nuts and feta) or the April O'Neil (tandoori chicken, mushroom, caramelized onion, & raita). In all there's about 10 pizzas and they will make smaller personal sized, and even gluten free dough, if you ask nicely.
Yellow Belly on Water St. is a micro brewery and their restaurant has a couple pizzas on their menu. Perhaps the most interesting tid-it about them is that the dough is made from leftovers from Yellow Belly's beer brewing process. They have a few interesting combos along with the regulars (e.g. Caesar pizza) but it is a bit privy for high-end pub food.
Of course if you're in the market for just waiting for a pizza to arrive at your door, you could go the old school pizza delivery route. And hey, maybe you like tomato sauce, peperoni and mozzarella.
If so, I have two suggestions:
Venice Pizzeria on Military Rd. is fairly standard and consistent. They are used to special requests (e.g. extra hot peppers and no cheese) and are fairly quick and well priced. My other stand-by pizza joint is Old Town Pizza on Portugal Cove Rd. Their pizza is a little greasy but still yummy when you want a hangover cure or just want to order a normal, jumbo-sized pizza.
My first blog entry, I've decided, will be about a food staple: pizza. The simple combination of dough, sauce, meat and/or veggies is satisfying and can be as basic as you want or show up on the fanciest of restaurant menus.
Here in St. John's there are dozens of pizza joints and almost all of them are the same as the next. Typical flour dough, tomato sauce, tonnes of mozzarella cheese, peperoni and the like. And the pizza comes in this jumbo box that will never fit into your fridge. Often it's a case of quantity not quality.
A few spots in town, however, have elevated the lowly pizza joint to something worth taking a bite out of.
Pi Gourmet Eatery on King's Rd. (downtown East, off Duckworth) boats homemade, dairy-free, fairly thin crust with toppings that are anything but ordinary. Pesto, black olive, and curry-infused tomato sauces stand up to toppings such as prosciutto, roasted fennel, grapes, and about six different cheese options, including soy. You can make your own pizza concoction or choose from one of the specials on the menu. Personal favorite: Pascal's Pleasure which features saffron chicken, sweet corn, green peppers, hot peppers, and fresh tomato. All these premium ingredients will cost you, though. Pascal's is $15 for a small pie and $25 for a large. If you're into quality stuff, though, you'll quickly dole out the cash for these handmade and filling treats. Pi's cherry on an otherwise lovely cake is their colourful decor and homemade desserts. And it's they're anniversary so check out specials in the month of April.
Folly on Bate's Hill (formerly Tangled up in Blue) offers much more than pizza. But their pizza names will strike a chord with anyone who grew up in the 90s and watching Saturday morning cartoons. All their pies are named after Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles characters. With prices from $11.50 - $14, you can get the Raphael (featuring butternut squash, pine nuts and feta) or the April O'Neil (tandoori chicken, mushroom, caramelized onion, & raita). In all there's about 10 pizzas and they will make smaller personal sized, and even gluten free dough, if you ask nicely.
Yellow Belly on Water St. is a micro brewery and their restaurant has a couple pizzas on their menu. Perhaps the most interesting tid-it about them is that the dough is made from leftovers from Yellow Belly's beer brewing process. They have a few interesting combos along with the regulars (e.g. Caesar pizza) but it is a bit privy for high-end pub food.
Of course if you're in the market for just waiting for a pizza to arrive at your door, you could go the old school pizza delivery route. And hey, maybe you like tomato sauce, peperoni and mozzarella.
If so, I have two suggestions:
Venice Pizzeria on Military Rd. is fairly standard and consistent. They are used to special requests (e.g. extra hot peppers and no cheese) and are fairly quick and well priced. My other stand-by pizza joint is Old Town Pizza on Portugal Cove Rd. Their pizza is a little greasy but still yummy when you want a hangover cure or just want to order a normal, jumbo-sized pizza.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
