Diurnal Pabulum: Nachos

Had a celebration at Earl's today. With big crowd comes big platter.

Didn't get a chance to get all the food down, just the Nacho plate...


Nachos...always a great finger food, especially with the trio of guacamole, sour cream, and salsa dippings.

And to cool off those jalapenos, a big bottle of San Pellegrino sparkling water...


And the flame was doused...

Earl's
9825 100 Street
Grande Prairie, AB T8V 6X3
(780) 538-3275

Jackpot Bar & Grill

December is a month of celebration...or so they say. Apparently, lots of treats over the month, and they sure didn't lie :)

Got the invitation to Jackpot Bar & Grill for some hors d'œuvre... Being the foodie that I am, can't miss it!

The place itself is set up like a bar and lounge, and food was served buffet style...I like. Picking a bit of everything, here's what I came up with (in my 1st of many rounds..haha)



The satays (chicken and beef) were good, especially the chicken one, which was seasoned with peanut butter base. The roast beef rolls (top left of plate) was a dry though, and tough in fact...almost like chewing on leather. The fried shrimp was so-so, could've been better if they use panko as batter. Just to balance the meat, the usual veggies go on the side :)

3.5/5 (Satay)
2.75/5 (The rest...)

Now the star of the show...


Spinach Dip!! Who doesn't love this stuff?! Sometimes I wonder why these are called Spinach Dip when there's obviously a 1:100 Spinach to Mayo ratio :) But no complains, delicious as expected.

3.5/5

I've been told by a few colleagues that they serve lunch buffet as well, might be worth a try in the future.

Service: 3.5/5
Ambience: 3/5

Jackpot Bar & Grill

10904 92 Avenue, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 6B5

Telephone : 780-538-1255

Diurnal Pabulum: Earl's

Driving down to Kananaskis for a 2-day gathering of the new team as part of our company's reorganization. On the way to there, the ops team decided to drop by Earl's for dinner.

With Mr. G around, appies are always a must...here are the Sushi Plate and the Chili Chicken.




Rolls were ok...really liked the thinly sliced tuna and salmon wrapped around them. The chicken were good, cripsy exterior with juicy and tenderness inside; plus the sauce was delicately portioned.

Here's the seafood linguine a colleague had...(looks tasty, but not as much seafood as the one in Madhatter's)


As for myself, the Cedar Planked Salmon...


Perfectly grilled, delicious sauce, and moist brown rice (close to being risotto but drier). Absolutely loved it!

Earl's
10640 MacLeod Trail SE, Calgary
(403) 228-4141

Diurnal Pabulum: Fairmont Palliser

Another one of the evenings where guests are invited for snacks.

Finger foods at their best...Bocconcini and cherry tomatoes, drizzled in sweet vinaigrette. Beautiful presentation as well!


Next are the hot food...lamb chops, canapes, and the marvellous goat cheese/spinach/rice fried balls :)


Fairmont Palliser
133 - 9th Avenue Southwest
Calgary, AB T2P 2M3
(403) 262-1234

Diurnal Pabulum: Farimont Palliser

Got very lucky this time. Checking in to the Fairmont Palliser, the attendant realized all the regular rooms were fully booked, and I ended up in the President's Club room. O boy, what a treat! There's a butler attending to your every needs any time :)

Got invited to their club-member-only evening snacks. They were delicious. Here are some of the food.



Roasted veggies, steak skewers



More steak for me! And the sesame-coated skewered salmon beside it...lovely!



This is a delicate glass of goodness, filled with chopped ham, veggies and drizzled in thousand-island-ish sauce.

That's what President's Club is all about I guess!

The Fairmont Palliser
133 - 9th Avenue Southwest Calgary,
AB T2P 2M3
(403) 262-1234

Madhatters Liquid Lounge

Had an invitation from one of the vendors for an after work appie party at Madhatter's. I remember this place fondly, as this was the 1st place I had really good food in GP. This was when we had the engineering group lunch to celebrate my 1st week at work :) (time sure flies...) Too bad I didn't get to take pictures last time, as I didn't want to break the decorum on my 1st day out.

The party room was at the back of the bar, and it was pretty packed when I arrived. Here are some of the finger foods served...

The veggies...normal stuff


Next comes the salt & pepper wings, honey garlic ribs, sweet sour pork on fried noodles, and spring rolls...



The spring rolls, wings, and ribs were so-so, nothing special. However, the sweet sour pork was delicious. They were really thin strips, so came out really cripsy. With just enough sauce to go on top with the noodles and spring onions...good mix! Reminds of the Szechuan Ginger Beef in Richmond :)~

3.25/5

Next is the gyozas...



The gyozas are regular, and the sauce is a tad too sweet. I prefer to have gyozas with soy sauce. Nice presentation though!

3/5

Service: 3.5/5
Ambience: 3.5/5

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

Madhatter's

Got invited to another gathering at Madhatter's. Finger foods all the way...



Tasty dipping sauce - honey mustard.



Most of these were average, but the spring rolls...they're good (maybe because they are just out of the fryers).

Madhatter's
10508 100 Avenue
Grande Prairie, AB T8V 0V9
(780) 532-9080

Grande Prairie 50th Anniversary @ Centre 2000

Into my 1st month in this new windy city of GP. Apparently, GP is celebrating their 50th B'day, Congratz! Went to their exhibition today, and looking at the old pictures...this place sure changed a lot, like a complete facial restructuring. But it's great to see there are still some folks who have been here since forever, and they got lots of stories to spare. Along with those stories, appetizers were just around the corner...

There were plenty of variety of canapes, fruit sticks, and tarts up for grabs...and I just can't shy away from these can I :)


Started my rounds with a plate of canapes...and the Devil's Eggs (wonder why they are called that...)


There is the cream cheese, smoked oyster on herbed mashed potato and the salmon pate, along with the egg. They were as delicious as they can be...all I can say I grabbed more than a couple of these darlings :)

3.75/5

Next up are the fruit sticks and the irresitable Prosciutto Wrapped Melon...


These were real good, almost to the point of ISG (I see God)...the fruits were really fresh too.

4/5

Like any other meal, gotta end it with a sweet present in the form of strawberry jello topped with a dollop of whip cream...


Nothing special aside from the extra marshmallow at the bottom, but good wrap up to snacking meal.

3/5

One final note: Happy 50th Bday!!

Service: 3.5/5
Ambience: 4/5

Centre 2000 Tourism & Trade Centre
11330 106 Street
Grande Prairie, AB T8V 7X9
(780) 513-0240