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Ten Ren’s Tea Time

I really enjoy drinking Chinese teas, and when we figured out there was a little sit down place with Chinese teas, we knew it was a place on our “to go” list. The only Ten Ren’s Tea Time location in Calgary with a sit down dining would be this one, where all the others are just drinks. The place is in an interesting location as it’s kind of tucked into residential area, but isn’t far off the ring road – so I can see it being an ideal location once the road is completed and further development is completed.

We arrived on a weeknight evening, and it was really quiet. The entire time we were there, we were the only table. This was during the dinner hour too, but we didn’t mind as it’s nice to sit down in a quiet dining room once in awhile!

We first sat down and ordered some drink, and I ordered the Almond Milk Tea with no Pearls, as I still don’t like pearls in my drink. However, when the drink got to me, it was the Almond Black Tea, but I had nothing against the black tea, so I just kept it. It was quite good actually – full of almond flavour in the drink. Some places try to dilute the almond so they can use less, and I’m happy to say they didn’t do that with my drink!

For dinner, I had a bowl of Beef Stew Noodle Soup, and what really caught my eye was in the picture on the menu – the noodles was green! When my bowl of noodles came, it was only a slight hint of green colour.

We also ordered a plate of Special Salty Sliced Pork Belly on Steamed Rice, and oddly, it took a long time for it to come. The pork belly was really nicely done as the skin was really crispy and salty! It went perfect with the steamed rice.

As much as we eat, we really wanted to give their wings a try, so we ordered some Deep Fried Chicken Wings and it was fried really crispy! Ten Ren is really good at frying their food as it’s all coming out great!

I do say their deep fried food looks great because our friends ordered some dishes with deep fried chicken over steamed rice, and it looked really tasty! I can hear the crunch of the crust as they bite into their dinners which really is quite impressive!

I quite enjoy this little location, and I can see it being a popular evening place to grab a bit to eat as they are opened quite late. The prices are quite reasonable, especially for it’s portion size. The food tasted good, so there’s nothing I can complain about! I can’t wait to return and have some more goodies!

Ten Ren’s Tea Time

1110 Panatella Blvd NW
Calgary, AB T3K 0S6
(403) 269-6088

Hours:
Sunday~Thursday: 12PM to 11PM
Friday & Saturday: 12PM to 1AM

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Jelly Modern Doughnuts

I finally made it to Jelly Modern Doughnuts after all the hype during summer 2011! I went there this one afternoon during the Christmas break and found myself relaxed against this large banquette in the corner, where the atmosphere was all decorated in pink (my favourite colour)! I was so excited to be there, especially after I thought I would get to try one of their Maple Bacon Doughnuts during BaconFest over summer – where they sold out left their booth… But, I got to try it!

The Maple Bacon Doughnut was a very interesting doughnut – definitely freshly prepared with the light batter they used, and great maple syrup drizzle they put on top. The balance in texture for this doughnut was really well thought out! I love the crunch of their delicious bacon against the light doughnut with the sweet drizzle of maple syrup! This doughnut is a masterpiece and no wonder it’s been in the talk around town for such a long time!

The second doughnut we bought was Peanut Butter Cup Doughnut and this one was by far better than the maple bacon doughnut to me! It was really light and fluffy doughnut and the peanut butter cream on the top was really smooth and creamy, and also kind of airy! It’s like the beat it to incorporate air into it and it just made it quite heavenly!

We also ordered some Hot Chocolate and I must say, it’s one of the best hot chocolates I’ve had in a very long time. They actually do it properly, and it’s not just mixing powder with water – so it was really delicious. It had a nice chocolate flavour that wasn’t too sweet! Just the right subtle flavours and I am sure I will be back for their hot chocolate any day!

I love this little doughnut shop, except for the fact it’s in a terrible location for me to just drop by as parking is hard, but I’m sure I’ll make the effort to going there again. However, apparently there are a few parking spots designated for Jelly Modern Doughnut customers in the back. I like their decision to using eco-friendly products in both their decorations for the interior to their cutlery.

Jelly Modern Doughnuts on Urbanspoon

Jelly Modern Doughnuts

100, 1414 8 St SW
Calgary, AB
(403) 453-2053

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Tim Hortons Breakfast Bagel BELT Sandwich

What is a lazy day without a Tim Hortons breakfast? Finally, I got myself to try a Toasted Bagel B.E.L.T. breakfast sandwich instead of my usual suspects – toasted bagels with cream cheese. It was a welcoming change as it a filling and heartier sandwich!

This breakfast bagel BELT sandwich consists of two strips of crisp bacon, a seasoned egg patty, fresh lettuce, ripe tomato and processed cheese – of course, on a bagel which you get to choose! I chose the sesame seed bagel as it’s my favourite.

The texture of this breakfast sandwich is really quite unique from other breakfast sandwiches – especially ones with bagel! I like that Tim Hortons uses fresh bagels as it enhances the breakfast experience! I like it!

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Good Earth Cafe

I went to Cranston in Calgary this one afternoon to Good Earth Cafe to try one of their season drinks as I saw an ad for it in the newspaper, I finally went to try it and I was happy I did. The location was really interesting to get to, but I think it’s easier to stay on Cranston Avenue SE and making a right hand turn into the parking lot, instead of going around through the residential area. The actual cafe is really cute and it’s really bright with all the large windows from this corner bay at the strip plaza.

The drink I tried was called Toasted Coconut Chai and it definitely tasted like toasted coconuts. After drinking half of the small, I think I got use to the taste and I didn’t taste the coconut as much. I’m sure it would be better if I ordered food with my drink – so I’ll be sure to do that next time. The chai wasn’t as strong in the spices they used, but you can still tell it’s chai!

The menu at Good Earth Cafe is extensive and the selection of drinks are plenty! I didn’t try anything to eat this time, but I’m sure I will be back as it is a cute cafe – not too far away!

Good Earth Cafe on Urbanspoon

Good Earth Cafe

356 Cranston Rd SE
Calgary, AB
(403) 294-9330

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The Ranche Restaurant – Calgary, Alberta

I really enjoy going to Fish Creek Provincial Park in Calgary, it’s a beautiful location where the Bow River passes through this park. At the edge of this park lies a wonderful little restaurant that is delicious and known as The Ranche Restaurant. I’ve only been here twice – ever! Both times I’ve been here so far was during the Christmas season and it’s jammed packed! Somehow, they always manage to bang out delicious food, and great service!

This time, we started our dinner with Blue Corn Crusted Red Spring Salmon and Lobster Cakes Lambs Lettuce with flaxseed Vinaigrette, pickled red onions and lime aioli. This appetizer was amazing, and you definitely know it’s salmon cake as salmon does have it’s own distinctive taste. The lobster adds lightness to the cakes and makes it sweeter. It’s a wonderful combination and unfortunately, I don’t have a beautiful picture of the appetizer. I’ve got to say it’s one of the best “seafood” cake appetizers I’ve had in a long time!

For the dinner, I tried Roasted Brome Lake Duck Cider braised red cabbage, pancetta crisp, ricotta parsley gnocchi, maple raisin gastrique – which is caramelized sugar, deglazed with vinegar. The gnocchi was little light pillows of potato goodness. It was really light and fluffy and infused with flavour. The duck was really well made, and delicious – even though it was slightly on the tough side.

The other meal we had was Seared Atlantic Scallops and Braised Porkbelly which was made with Roasted fingerling potatoes, cauliflower puree, aged balsamic reduction. The pork belly of course was a fattier part of the meat, but it makes the pork so tender, juicy and pork tasting it was great! The crispy skin on the pork was very memorable. The pieces of scallops was quite large, and thankfully it wasn’t over cooked at all. It wasn’t rubbery at all and it was fresh and sweet!

Desserts was something I really loved. I ordered a Chocolate Lava Cake with decadent rich, dark chocolate that souffled out of the ramekin and a pool of chocolate oozes out when I started digging into it. I never did figure out what the custard sauce was, but I mixed it into the molten cake. It was really delicious and definitely a highlight of the evening.

The final dessert we ordered is a Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Café Napoleon Caramelized Orange Sherbert, Chocolate Tuille. This wasn’t really what I was expecting, as I was thinking it would be in layers of light crispy phyllo pastry or something like that – where in fact, the dessert was really hard and brittle. It tasted great, but not the dessert I had imagined it to be.

The Ranche Restaurant is a wonderful place to eat for any occasion – whether it’s for a romantic night out, a party or gathering, it’s just a nice place! It’s great for families and entertainment! The best part is, they always seem to serve excellent food!

The Ranche Restaurant at Fish Creek Park

15979 Bow Bottom Trail SE
Calgary, AB
(403) 225-3939