It’s a funny thing when you go home for the holidays. I’ve been away from Calgary for over a year and am still infatuated by London (if we were a relationship, I’d be the one who loves it “too much”). Because of this, I had forgotten what’s awesome about Calgary.

First, its proximity to the majestic Rockies – what a major breath of fresh mountain air:

Next, I was reminded of Calgary’s diverse, quality eating options. Oh my, how I fantasize about Alberta beef. In my two-week visit, I went to my very favourite restaurant Safari Grill, twice. I could eat heaps of their barbecued short beef ribs (nyama ya mbavu, $12.50) seasoned with a zingy and savoury blend of African spices. Also love their deep fried cassava (masala mogo, $7.50) with its crispy and chewy texture and drenched in crushed tomatoes…I wish owner Ali did transatlantic deliveries. Suffice it to say, if you haven’t been to Safari Grill yet, go, go, go.

Eating in Calgary makes me think of the time I went to an actual bingo hall for my 22^nd birthday with bingo dauber in hand, sans lucky troll. Now I can play it online without inhaling decades of stale smoke. But I digress. Like a game of bingo based on random luck, you could make your way around the restaurants in town, be quite entertained by the process, and perhaps even win a few jackpots.

I also made sure to pick up about a dozen packages of Sweet Georgia Browns ($4.00/package of 2) to take back to London. From Vancouver-based Purdy’s Chocolates, these accessible yet gourmet treats are the definition of instant gratification. Comprised of salty, roasted Georgia pecans encased in a gob of sticky caramel topped with milk chocolate, SGBs are good enough to cause an embarrassing foodgasm in the middle of an English pub during open mic night (also true, happened last week).

Moral of this post – if you know what you like and you’re across the world from it, overindulge when the opportunity arises, otherwise you’ll be in a sad state of longing (and salivation) like I currently am.

Happy eating, wherever you are!
-Anh

 

No related posts.