Don't you just hate it when people answer a simple, direct question with "it depends"?
"Can you recommend a good restaurant?" Now there's a simple question often put to this restaurant critic, who, for review purposes, dines out at least once a week.
But "¦ it depends!
In the interest of "it depends," here are the Weekly Dish's socio-demographic-economic recommendations of where you might want to dine out in 2016.
You want to impress him/her, you have $200 burning a hole in your pocket, you want the linen, the Downton Abbey cutlery, no background noise and a thoroughly professional waiter: The Hardware Grill, Characters, The Harvest Room (Hotel Macdonald), Ruth's Chris, Violino, Solstice Seasonal, Sorrentino's Downtown, Madison's.
You want to impress her/him, you have $200 burning a hole in your pocket, but you want something a little more casual: Corso 32, Sabor, RGE RD, Woodwork, Vivo, Gini's, Red Ox Inn, Normand's, XIX, Bistecca, Cibo, Black Pearl, Wildflower Grill, The Marc.
You w ...
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Sorry to be the Grinch, so soon after Christmas Day.
But reality must be confronted.
Alberta will soon be in its worst financial pickle since the '80s.
Our naïve New Democratic government is in for the shock of its young life. The unforeseen consequences of corporate and personal tax increases, the new carbon tax and higher minimum wages are being layered on top of a fast-shrinking energy sector and a recession that's just now taking shape.
The tax specialists consulted for this column were blunt. When the dust settles, they say, the provincial government won't have the added $1.1 to $1.55 billion it expects from corporate and personal tax hikes. By 2017, Alberta's corporate and personal tax revenue will shrink, not grow.
Here's why.
As of January 1, high-income earners - top managers, corporate partners and owners - will see their personal income tax rate (combined provincial and federal) jump from 39% to an expected 48% in 2016. Tax advisors are telling their clients to pay as much in ...
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If a downside exists in the restaurant reviewing business, it’s the lack of time and budget to return to enjoyable dining spots, to eat for the sheer joy of eating rather than with pen in hand and camera at the ready.
So these memorable Meals of 2015 are, of necessity, mostly based on one-time visits to an astounding variety of restaurants in our city.
I can say — as far as I am aware — that I eat what you eat. As a reviewer, I seek anonymity. Reservations are made under other names, I pay what you pay. The only exception is attending showcase dinners to which all members of the city’s food-reviewing community are invited.
I also keep my distance from restaurant chefs, owners and charming maître d’s. Nothing destroys objectivity as quickly as friendship. From their blogs, it’s so easy to tell the food writers on the free-dinner circuit, or those in tight with certain chefs. They like everything, criticize nothing.
Memories of 2015 …
The Hot Dog R ...
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So you want to open a restaurant.
You, and a thousand other dudes, all sitting around half-hammered on a Friday night, waving your beers and being enthralled by the BEST FOOD CONCEPT EVER!
Ryan Heit, Craig Milne, Jeff Morton, Arden Tse and Terry Wong, however, went and did it.
Their very hip Prairie Noodle Shop opened for business this past week … after 2½ years of preparation.
Here’s their story.
Phase I, The Concept: In mid-2013, nine friends who were connected through the University of Alberta’s MBA (Master of Business Administration) program began meeting regularly, just to think about business ideas. “We all wanted to start something,” says partner Ryan Heit, “but what?”
Arden Tse and Terry Wong, both experienced restaurant managers, brought the idea of a Japanese-style ramen noodle shop to the group. “We held a ramen tasting party,” says Ryan. “We all liked the idea, but it was a $450,000 investment. And, being MBA stu ...
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There’s a pile of songs in the Mayfield Dinner Theatre’s “Back to the ‘80s” show – playing with a full cast and band, until the end of January, 2016
From my notes while attending the show, here’s a list of all the songs I jotted down – some of them being just a few bars. I’m too lazy to go and look up the proper title. Besides, you’ll know:
Video Killed the Radio Star – great tune!
Still Rock ‘n’ Roll to Me – Billy Joel at his best
(You Can} Hit It
Call Me
Turning Japanese (I Really Think So)
Live Forever (from Fame)
Cadillac Ranch – all that line dancing!
They Got the Beat
Jessie’s Girl – timeless
Bette Davis Eyes – Kim Carnes, the best whiskey voice in the biz
Dancin’ With Myself
Hold On – Phil Collins’ first hit on his own?
Hey Rickie
Who Can It Be Now – Men At Work
Don’t Stop Believing – thank you Glee
Spending The Night Together
867- ...
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