Widesky Inn

Had a tour of my new field today with Mr. T. Everyone working in this field/plant are really helpful and courteous...cool beans! After a walkaround in the plant, we all decided to go for a brunch, at the famous Widesky Inn.

The diner at the inn is located at the lobby, and fairly small with ~15 seatings. The owner/waitress were very nice though. So came the menu...they have 1 for breakfast and another for lunch. We took both since some wanted to go lite and others un-lite :)

Breakfast items were regular fare (omelette, pancakes etc), same with the lunch (burgers, sandwiches, and a bunch fried stuff). I wanted to try everything of course, but upon recommendation, I went with the Widesky Burger...hehe

2 patties, 2 bacons, 2 cheese and a ham (can't go wrong!)

Here comes the burger...


It was one of the biggest burger I've seen and eaten to date...a close up for comparison



And stacked...



Managed to finish the whole thing, but boy it was a mess! I swear I could've downed 1-2 more of these, but my fellow friends don't buy it; guess they haven't seen me eat yet ;). But having to work later, I decline to their challenge.

The burger was delicious, juicy, well seasoned, and hot off the grill. Cheese was nicely melted (not runny, but sticks to your mouth). Overall, it's one of the best I've eaten.

4.25/5

Apparently, this is part of the initiation ceremony for this field...don't you wish you had one too?

Service: 3.75/5
Ambience: 3/5

Wide Sky Inn
PO Box 247,
Wanham, AB T0H 3P0
780-694-3888

Avenue Diner

Winter is sure harsh back in GP, glad I am able to get a break from those cold cold days and nights...So, in Calgary for the next couple of days for training.

By this time, Avenue Diner is almost always my 1st choice for breakfast. Feeling hungry, I ordered the Maple Fried Oatmeal. I encountered this dish on my 1st time to Avenue Diner, as I was leaving the place...saw this lady eating off a frying pan. Being curious as usual, I asked...

Here it is...



Pretty unique dish I'd say, but disappointing taste and texture wise. There's definitely not enough of the lemon curd and vanilla cream sauce for the serving of oatmeal they have in the pan. What you ended up with is a half-pan full of tasteless oatmeal. In addition, I was expecting albeit of crunchiness to it, but nothing...at least the berries are good.

Not sure if it's because the dish came out in a rush, or if that's what it is, but doesn't live up to my imagination.


Avenue Diner
105 8 Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2P 1B4
(403) 263-2673

Diurnal Pabulum: Grilled Sirloin

Went for a quick dinner with a colleague at the airport prior to departure. Always passed by Chili's but never had a chance to try till now. To end a long time, sirloin is the way to goooooo :)





The steak is placed right on top of the garlic toast...bad bad idea as the toast is soaked with oil and mushy. Aside from that, the steak was nicely done, along with the sauteed veggies.

Chili's Texas Grill
2480 37th Ave NE Calgary, AB
T2N 3N6
Tel: (403) 291-0520

Tony Roma's

Congratz to both my roomies...one got his DL, and the other got her PR! For celebration, we decided to go to Tony Roma's. My family used to visit the place quite often, especially on Tuesdays with their AYCE ribs, but I never got the chance, so this is actually my 1st time.

To begin the feast, we ordered the Onion Ring Tower...

I'd heard of this before, but to actually see it and eat it is a whole new experience! With the cheese dipping sauce, it sure is good. However, my roomy complained it being to soggy, and is usually crispier. I would think it would taste that much better crispier.



3.5/5

For main dish, my roomies decided to share a whole rib


I tried bit of the ribs, and they tasted ok to me, just tons of bbq sauce on it. The good thing is this place offers 4 kinds - regular, spicy, sweet, and smoked. Based on what I was told of TR's ribs, I've alwasys imagined that there was something special, nonparallel taste and texture to it, but I was disappointed with this one.

3/5

Finally, I myself had the pulled chicken sandwich...(had dinner at home already, so didn't go for the monster meal tonight)

This was really disappointing...it's basically a pulled-pork wannabe, but failed miserably. All I can taste was bbq sauce all over.

2.5/5

Well, there goes my 1st time at TR, leaving with a full stomach but unsatisfied palate. Is this the same kinda TR my family have been raving about? Boooooo..(I still love my Memphis Blues!)

Service: 3/5
Ambience: 3.5/5

Tony Roma's
102-10745 117 Avenue
Grande Prairie, AB T8V 7N6
(780) 538-4546

Acropolis

Our fellow engineers from Calgary came to town and decided to do a gathering at the local, one and only Greek tavern - Acropolis. Being here for the 1st time, I was really looking forward to the visit :)

Appies were pre-ordered, with this coming first...some sorta Greek cheese cooked in a wok, and yes it came served with a wok! The cheese tasted a tad bitter, maybe of the added wine? I would think fried mozza or cheddar would taste waaay better.

3/5



Next came the appie platter - Cabbage Wrap, meatballs in marinara, spinach & cheese pastry, fried cucumber, and of course...calamari (a must have in a Greek place). I was expecting fried zucchini, but they served cucumber instead, which turned out to be a disaster (mushy) as I had expected. O well...the rest were good though.


A close up...


3.5/5

Next came the entree, which each of us got to pick. Went with a souvlaki combo platter, which comes with 3 skewers of meat - lamb, beef, and chicken, rice pilaf, grilled veggies and a side of Greek salad.


The salad, as a few of my colleagues had warned me before I had came here, was disappointing. It's a westernized version, missing ingredients like red onion, oregano and basil, and soaked with too much oil in my view.
The skewers were huge though (I like!). However, they were all a tad too dry (except for the chicken), and too salty. Taste-wise, not Greek at all, just grilled herbed meat.

3.5/5

Finally, the dessert...favourite part of any meal :) Ordered the Pick-me-up cake.


The cake was good, esp. with the chocolate and caramel drizzle with it. One complain though - more mascarpone would've been perfect!

4/5

Service: 4/5
Ambience: 3.75/5


Acropolis Restaurant & Pub
10011 101 Ave, Grande Prairie, Alberta
(780) 538-4424

Madhatters Liquid Lounge

Another engineer joins the boat today - a coop student from UVic - Mr. W. And a welcome lunch is in the order!

Madhatters off we go again. Maybe it's time to try other places...just maybe.

Feeling like chicken, I tried their Tandoori Chicken again, in hopes that my comments to the waitress last time were taken to heart :)



A close up...


More mango chutneys this time round, I like. The chicken were a bit dry this time, but the seasoning has improved...the fragrance of garam masala and cumin and tang of ginger is more evident.

3.5/5

My affable mentor Mr. L ordered the Mexican Chicken Taco Loco Salad. Apparently he was on a challenge to go back in time on the weighing scales ;)



The salad sure looks tasty, but I wonder if it's going to help achieve his goal :) Salad these days...they are like candied apples.

Everyone seems to enjoy their meal on this occasion, and no wonder we are back here again.

Service: 3/5
Ambience: 3.5/5

Madhatters Liquid Lounge
10508 100 Avenue
Grande Prairie, AB T8V 0V9
780-532-9080

Italian Tomato

The King of Pasta. Large portion, fair price, delicious pasta...what more can pasta lovers ask for?

The Pesto Chicken Linguini


Seafood Marinara Spaghetti


Italian Tomato
8380 Bridgeport Road
Richmond, BC V6X 3C7
(604) 247-0040