Welcome

Frequently travelling for business across Canada (mostly West) and the U.S. (periodically), we are privileged with eating in various cities, experiencing the life of the city and through the magic of food, different cultures.

The reason for starting this site was because we can't tell you the number of times we would look on other sites to find reviews of restaurants by the general public, only to come away scratching our heads. Yes, that likely will make us sound like snobs, but hey...there really is no accounting for some people's taste.

Unlike most "reviewers", we never, ever tell the restaurant who we are, or what we are doing. This ensures that we receive no special treatment, and that the establishments aren't on their "best behavior" just because we're there. So you'll hear about the worst of the worst, the best of the best and everything from fast food to luxurious restuarants in our travels, as that is the range and diversity of our palates. Please join us on what has been one hell of a food ride thus far, as we finally unveil, without prejudice, what we really think of the food and let you decide where to eat your next meal.





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Copper Chimney: Vancouver BC

8 pm on Wednesday and I am in need of a drink and something to fill my stomach, attached to my hotel is the Copper Chimney. Looking for a simple easy place to eat and grab a few drinks I decide to check it out. Now I have to admit, it never crossed my mind that this restaurant was an Indian fushion restaurant, I always pictured it as a pub that served pub fair... Even when I lived in Vancouver I always associated the outside with a pub...weird as I was oh so wrong.


Walking in your attention is immediately drawn to the plush hard wood floors, the dark wooden tables eloquently set with white napkins, the open foyer with a beauiftul chandellier which just screamed a quiet elegance. A bar located to the far right backs up onto the staircase leading to the second floor dining area providing a beautiful view of the floor beneath and the stained glass windows. The main floor is overlooked by another beautiful chandelier which provided a soft glow to the room entire room.

Dining on my own, my hostess asked where I would like to sit, The place was rather quiet but for a few tables scattered around, and I decide that a table off to the corner would do the trick. Ordering my usual drink, my waitress (who I later discover is a co-owner brought it by). Now I know I have mentioned this before... I love butter chicken...so having seen it on the menu I enquire with the waitress if it was good, as many other entrees caught my eye and I was struggling internally on whether I wanted my comfort food, or to try something different.


Her reply sold me on the butter chicken, stating it was "a feast and would surely love it". Returing with some bread and butter I decided to go with her suggestion and ordered the butter chicken. The ambiance was warm, the waitress very friendly and I couldn't help but feel comfortable here. My drinks were prefectly mixed and my food arrived within 10 mins of ordering it.

The dish was presented rather nicely with a small copper pot of butter chicken, a bed of rice and grilled vegetables on the side. A very generous size if I may say, so she had the feast part right! The butter chicken boasted large chunks of chicken breast in a tomato based sauce...not very spicy, however, be warned it was a spice that could sneak up on the person who has not experienced spicy food... The vegetables were grilled and cooked perfectly, not at all overcooked leaving a small yet tender crunch. The rice and nan were good portions flavourful and also cooked just right.

After polishing off a few drinks, having a nice chat with my waitress and finishing, yes finishing dinner...I retired to my room. Although they dont accept interact, you can bill it to your room or use credit card. This Indian fushion restaurant was a great find....my waitress very friendly and attentive. I found out during a conversation with her that she co-owns the restaurant with her husband, and it had been here for 7 years. My experience here was exceptional, I would highly recommend it to anyone and will return again during my travels. They have it right, just the perfect amount of Indian and fusion which creates an enjoyable dining experience.

Location visted: 567 Hornby St

Ratings:
Ambiance: Upscale Casual
Cuisine: Indian Fushion
Presentation: Above Average
Price: $30/serving
Value: Above Average

Copper Chimney Restaurant & Bar on Urbanspoon

The Meal Truth - Undercover food critics

Characters: Edmonton Alberta

Very funky and upscale restaurant just on the downtown Edmonton outskirts. Slightly concerned about the autographed picture in the entrance of Emeril Lagasse (please read the review on Emeril's South Beach location), but we came with an open mind. We had initially tried to get the rather unique sounding table situated in an elevator shaft, but had to settle for a fireplace table instead. Very comfy chairs, very nice decor, excellent layout and open beam design, with an open kitchen and classy warm accents, but very bad service to start off with.

Brought to and left at our table without so much as a hello, the waiter walked off without taking any drink order, and in fact without even waiting for us to sit down. When I come to a place of this style, I expect that he will pull out the chair for SC, or put our napkins on our laps, or engage us in at least a small bit of welcoming banter.

Returning after a few moments, he took our drink orders, which he brought out very quickly. But still...personality on this dude is totally missing in action. Slightly odd and uncultured demeanor, he didn't really fit the style or feel of the restaurant. Not a judgement, just an observation. In a refined atmosphere such as this restaurant, one would expect to be served by an equally refined waiter. This felt more like service at a small rural family restaurant...only without the warmth and charm.

Anyhow, we decided on Seared Scallops with a Butter Poached Lobster Claw, and a rather unique sounding Prawn Dog, served with a jalapeño relish and wasabi sticks for appies.

For mains, SC chose Beef Tenderloin, which comes with banana potatoes, and a light chili hollandaise, and I selected the Veal Chop with Gruyere spaetzle.

Rather than bread, we were served homemade potato chips and fries, with a black bean aioli that was slightly spicy, and absolutely out of this world!!! Again, where most servers would explain what they were serving, this was just dropped off without a word.

Appetizers here were incredible. The scallops are done to absolute perfection along with the Lobster claw, drizzled with an unnamed sauce (further defined as "mostly butter" by our mono syllabic waiter), and the Prawn dog, done in the style of a hot dog...while difficult to eat without using your hands and looking a tad like a pig...was the perfect blend of flavors.

The Veal Chop...bone in...was a good size, and was cooked a little more on the well done side than I would have preferred, however I wasn't asked so I assume it is only done one way. SC's tenderloin was done way more on the rare side than the medium rare side, but was still quite good...although it could have used a bit more of the chili hollandaise. On that note, not sure why it is referred to in the menu as "hollandaise", as it doesn't resemble a hollandaise sauce in any way. I'm all for creative license, but I think a "light chili glaze" or something to that effect would have sufficed. Both of us could have benefitted from some knives designed more for cutting through the meat, but our waiter...who has now been nicknamed "ninja" hasn't brought anything to that effect.

For dessert, we have our menus dropped off...again, without a word from the ninja...and select the grapefruit and vanilla brûlée, and the banana, kahlua, and pecan bread pudding. Dessert is served, strangely with soup spoons. SC and I switch halfway through as SC is less than impressed with hers. I like both...remarkable as I have a distinct dislike for banana, but the bread pudding is very good in spite of this. The creme brûlée is very good as well, especially considering the infusion of an acid based flavor into an egg and cream based dish.

Overall, I would say this place is well above average, but slightly below our usual experience with restaurants in this style. Right at the end, the waiter warmed up quite a bit (just in time for the tip?) and actually engaged us in conversation, but it was a little strange given the lack of engagement throughout the meal.

Location visited:

Ratings:
Ambiance: Elegant
Cuisine: Contemporary
Presentation: Above Average
Price: $40/serving
Value: Above Average

Characters on Urbanspoon

The Meal Truth - Undercover food critics

Balans Brickell: Miami Florida

Wednesday after having being woken up early it the morning due to unauthorized construction in the apartment above us and not having a good frying pan or cooking utensils, we venture out for food. Just down the road from our rental is Mary Brickell square which boasts several cute restaurants and cafes. Since our morning trek includes starbucks we have passed this quaint establishment a few times and today decide to give it a shot. Arriving a bit later than usual for breakfast we are instinctively provided lunch menus. With nothing specifically jumping out at us, we enquire if they are still offering breakfast, the hostess acknowledges that breakfast is still available and brings us two menus to review. The chorizo con papas immediately catches my eye, and at 7.95 it boasts two eggs, chorizo sausage, salsa and potatoes...so I decide to give it a try. SJ opts for the breakfast burrito listed at 9.25 and adds chorizo for an additional 2$. Adding two mimosas to our meal for $8 each we enjoy the outdoor atmosphere and the fan that is (thankfully) strategically pointed in our direction.


The service, efficient and fast, lead to our food arriving rather swiftly after our order.


SJ's burrito looked rather appetizing. A large flour burrito delicately drizzled with sour cream and accompanied with salsa. The first bite was great, eggs and cheese well mixed, not too little cheese not too much egg. My plate, with the scrambled eggs, looked rather large, more than the typical two eggs. The salsa provided was fresh and suited the dishes well. The only thing I can say about my meal was the potatoes and chorizo sausage were VERY greasy...so much that I could see the oil collecting at the bottom of my plate, and although I usually enjoy crispy potatoes, I don't enjoy them soaked in oil. There is a distinct difference between crispy and over fried. To top it off, the chorizo was so hard my fork could not penetrate it....honestly. Having had chirozo several times, SJ and I know that it can be prepared differently. So harder than others is somewhat understandable, but these were way over cooked. SJ's chorizo was also hard and barely edible. It may have been the late breakfast order, because it really seemed like these had sat under a heat lamp or on the side of the grill for several hours. The mimosas we ordered were good however and the eggs done well....I mean how can you screw up eggs right?? Well, unless you happen to go to a certain resort in Cuba...but that's a story for another time.


Our waitress was attentive and friendly. However based on this experience, the potatoes and chorizo being sooooooooo oily and hard, I would definitely not return for breakfast. I would however give it another try but stick to the lunch menu and stay away from brunch....

Location visited: 213 SE 1st St. (Mary Brickell Village)

Ratings:
Ambiance: Cafe
Cuisine: International
Presentation: Average
Price: $15/serving
Service: Average
Value: Below Average

Balans Restaurant on Urbanspoon


The Meal Truth - Undercover food critics

The Velvet Glove: Winnipeg Manitoba

11:30am at the Fairmont Winnipeg and I wander into the Velvet room while looking for a place to work before I catch my flight out.
Greeted by a friendly and professional waitress who is forewarned of my intention to stay for awhile, she takes my drink order. Being 11:30am, I decided that my usual double may be too much for the time of day, and opted for a single. The waitress explained the lunch special and hurried off to grab my drink. The ambiance here is that of modern elegance and the music playing in the background is trendy, mellow and just loud enough to add to the ambiance. After looking at the menu which is filled with light food fair, I decide upon the Baker’s Dozen Adobo Chicken Wings. You probably wonder why chicken wings? Well SJ and I have been in this lounge a few times this week and every time we have opted for something different, and seeing as SJ makes the best wings I have ever tasted I didn’t want to get the wings here. This being said, as we have been soooo busy and between places SJ has not had the opportunity to make chicken wings in quiet sometime, so I am CRAVING wings...thus I succumb to ordering them when he is not around... =P As the place was empty with only one other patron seated, my drink arrived swiftly and my order taken.

Arriving quickly the first bite of my wings was surprising. The chicken was tender and juicy, not spicy, like one would imagine...quiet enjoyable. Garnished with carrot sticks and celery this dish was an adequate size and perfect to nibble on while I remain at the lounge for my extended stay. Could it have been my craving for wings that made this taste so good? I doubt it..... Let me be clear, these are not your typical wings, not doused in sauce, but rubbed with spice and accompanied with a rich blue cheese dressing. They were far from spicy, and had an almost sweet aromatic flavour to them.

Although the lounge got very busy for the lunch crowd, with almost every table filled, my waitress still working alone, managed to effectively tend to everyone and bring me another drink.

Almost 2 hours into my seating in the lounge the place slowed down a bit and I debated internally on ordering desert...not because I was hungry, but just because I was tiring of drinking and had been eyeing two of the deserts listed on the menu from the first day we walked in for drinks... when prompted if I wanted another drink, I opted for a latte and a vanilla cheese cake... had to get a desert and sober up a bit before my next round of drinks with SJ. The vanilla cheesecake was presented very well with pieces of strawberries and drizzled strawberry confection over a pile of whipped cream. Having only a few bites I decided it was good, typical not exceptional...pretty much what you could get at any store.

Oh, one other thing...the bar nuts that they serve. Out of this world!!! Regular peanuts but with a cracked pepper and lime coating that made for an addictive taste. Very good.


11:30am at the Fairmont Winnipeg and I wander into the Velvet room while looking for a place to work before I catch my flight out.
Greeted by a friendly and professional waitress who is forewarned of my intention to stay for awhile, she takes my drink order. Being 11:30am, I decided that my usual double may be too much for the time of day, and opted for a single. The waitress explained the lunch special and hurried off to grab my drink. The ambiance here is that of modern elegance and the music playing in the background is trendy, mellow and just loud enough to add to the ambiance. After looking at the menu which is filled with light food fair, I decide upon the Baker’s Dozen Adobo Chicken Wings. You probably wonder why chicken wings? Well SJ and I have been in this lounge a few times this week and every time we have opted for something different, and seeing as SJ makes the best wings I have ever tasted I didn’t want to get the wings here. This being said, as we have been soooo busy and between places SJ has not had the opportunity to make chicken wings in quiet sometime, so I am CRAVING wings...thus I succumb to ordering them when he is not around... =P As the place was empty with only one other patron seated, my drink arrived swiftly and my order taken.

Arriving quickly the first bite of my wings was surprising. The chicken was tender and juicy, not spicy, like one would imagine...quiet enjoyable. Garnished with carrot sticks and celery this dish was an adequate size and perfect to nibble on while I remain at the lounge for my extended stay. Could it have been my craving for wings that made this taste so good? I doubt it..... Let me be clear, these are not your typical wings, not doused in sauce, but rubbed with spice and accompanied with a rich blue cheese dressing. They were far from spicy, and had an almost sweet aromatic flavour to them.

Although the lounge got very busy for the lunch crowd, with almost every table filled, my waitress still working alone, managed to effectively tend to everyone and bring me another drink.

Almost 2 hours into my seating in the lounge the place slowed down a bit and I debated internally on ordering desert...not because I was hungry, but just because I was tiring of drinking and had been eyeing two of the deserts listed on the menu from the first day we walked in for drinks... when prompted if I wanted another drink, I opted for a latte and a vanilla cheese cake... had to get a desert and sober up a bit before my next round of drinks with SJ. The vanilla cheesecake was presented very well with pieces of strawberries and drizzled strawberry confection over a pile of whipped cream. Having only a few bites I decided it was good, typical not exceptional...pretty much what you could get at any store.

Oh, one other thing...the bar nuts that they serve. Out of this world!!! Regular peanuts but with a cracked pepper and lime coating that made for an addictive taste. Very good.

Overall experience was great. I did not feel rushed, the waitress was friendly and accomodating and the atmosphere good.

Location visited: 2 Lombard Place

Ratings:
Ambiance: Contemporary
Cuisine: American
Presentation: Above Average
Price: $20/serving
Value: Average

The Velvet Glove on Urbanspoon


The Meal Truth - Undercover food critics
 
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