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

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!

U & Me Restaurant – Dim Sum

I’ve been meaning to try U & Me for dim sum for a long time, and we just haven’t gotten to it as it was always “out of the way”. Chinatown parking isn’t the easiest or the cheapest, so we like to go on Sundays… but, parking then is difficult as there’s Chinese school and other activities that go on. But, U & Me does have a few parking spots that they dedicate to their customers – which is great, but when we got there, it was full on this Saturday morning.

We just paid the parking in a paid lot as we didn’t want to waste our time and energy finding a spot. We made it to U & Me and what appeared to be a back door. It was interesting, but we got seated quite quickly and into a back room. The place was already starting to get packed!

We were seated by the window which was quite nice. Our tea, and slips to mark off which dim sum we wanted came instantaneously! So, we just marked a few items, and waited. The wait time wasn’t bad at all, and the food was really good!

We ordered the Shrimp & Scallop Tart since it was something we’ve never heard of or tried, and it came out in a bamboo basket but the dumpling of shrimp sat inside of a tart made of the Chinese white buns! It was really unique and it looked great too! A fairly large piece of scallop sat on top of the tart and it was very exquisite!

U & Me - Spring & Scallop Tart

From there, we tried another dish we’ve never tried before, and it’s the Pan Friend Country Fish Cake which was actually deep fried in my opinion – and not pan fried! It was fried to perfection as the colouring was perfect, the crunch was intense and the food inside the dumpling wasn’t over or under cooked! Inside the deep fried wonton wrap was fish paste and it was seasoned wonderfully and it tasted great! This was a hit dish for me! I really enjoyed it!

U & Me - Pan Fried Country Fish Cake

From there, we went to things we like that is more typical. Of course, I ordered my favourite Steamed Beef Tripe with Ginger & Onion as I do at any dim sum place I go to (unless it wasn’t good one too many times). They made this decent, but it wasn’t my favourite. The flavours seemed to be a little watered down and it just didn’t feel like it was freshly steamed. I am afraid to say it, but I think it was a left over from the day before and they just steamed it back up! The texture of the tripe was tender, but it was dry and hard along the edges – which steaming food doesn’t normally do that!

U & Me - Steamed Beef Tripe with Ginger & Onion

As another common item – the popular and famous Steamed Shrimp Dumplings which everyone who goes to dim sum knows how to order “Ha-Gow”! So, we ordered it as well, as many people say they’re delicious here! Guess what? They were delicious! Inside the steam basket was 4 large shrimp dumplings and 1 smaller one in the center – probably for visual interest, and it was spectacular! The shrimp was sweet, and it wasn’t mushy at all! It was very succulent, and the skin was quite thin! I wouldn’t go as far as calling it the thinnest or anything, but compared to many places, it was quite translucent! So, well done on the shrimp dumplings!

U & Me - Steamed Shrimp Dumplings

The last savoury dish we enjoyed was something I loved as a child and rarely see it done the same way anymore. The dish I’m talking about is Steamed Cuttlefish in Curry Sauce. I know, gross you may think – but don’t mock anything till you try it. Most of the things I like does have either an acquired taste or texture, and I think that’s why I like it! It’s not the same as everything else! But, these cuttlefishes was large enough where there’s lots of texture to it. It was soft and tender and the curry sauce was perfect. The consistency of the sauce coats the cuttlefish perfectly – and this was one of my favourite dishes of the visit!

U & Me - Steamed Cuttlefish in Curry Sauce

Then, we end with a sweet dish for dessert, the Steamed Cream Custard Cake which is something I order often. It’s an eggy dish as some would say, but it’s basically a steamed sponge cake made into layers and held together with cream custard. It’s really good and they’re never overly sweet. The cake is filling but it’s really light.

U & Me - Steamed Cream Custard Cakes

U & Me offers a huge selection of dim sum throughout the day which is unique on it’s own. The dim sum and sweets are excellent, in fact it is one of the best dim sum in the city! This is a location I will definitely consider going back to as the selection, taste, and price was all exceptional!

The dessert after hours (around 8pm to 10pm) and food is wonderful too! Be sure to try out late night snacks at U & Me!

U & Me Restaurant on Urbanspoon

U & Me Restaurant

223 Centre St S
Calgary, AB T2G
(403) 264-5988

Mighty Skillet Food Truck – Calgary

One of our newest members to the Food Truck in Calgary would be The Mighty Skillet which recently started hitting the streets in November 2011.

I ordered the Eggs Benny which is their take on the Eggs Benedict. It still was delicious and just by looking at it, you knew it was suppose to be an eggs benedict. This platter of food came with 2 perfectly poached eggs, on top of a slice of ham, and that all sat on top of a bed of hash browns. Along side was a slice of toast. The hashbrowns was different from any other hash brown, as they were not crispy and it was made of what seemed to be a lot of onion shavings with a lot of herbs and spices!

We also ordered the Corn Beef Hash which again used a different type of hashbrown! This time, it wasn’t as “spiced” up, but still very flavourful! This dish was their spin on the regular corned beef hash as well! It was shredded potatoes with pieces of corned beef (deli?) mixed into it! It also had a fantastic egg on top!

Everything from this truck was very flavourful and well worth the wait! We went during a wind storm, and it was actually a lot of fun braving the elements and enjoying some good and hot food! Well worth the visit! These guys know how to prepare really good breakfast food and they’re awesome at making eggs in my opinion! Great work!

MGM Grand Buffet

We don’t normally eat at buffets, but we did on this occasion, as the room I booked came with complimentary buffet. I stayed at the MGM Grand Resort & Casino which was a wonderful place to stay.

MGM Grand Buffet Entrance

The buffet was delicious, and there was a lot of food options. It was quite the Grand Buffet as you’ll definitely find something for everyone! They have from regular breakfast/lunch foods like potatoes, eggs, sausages, to much more exotic brunch items like sushi. Even the selection at the salad bar was massive, and the ingredients were fresh. They employees at the Grand Buffet keep the items stocked and that’s a great thing to see – as I’ve been to a few buffets that don’t refill to control their supplies and not meeting demands.

MGM Grand Buffet

One of my favourite stations from this buffet was the Smoked Salmon, they had two pieces of really nice salmon, and I’m sure I ate enough they would’ve frowned at me if they knew it was going into my belly – solely! I did try some of their sushi, and it wasn’t anything special, but I think it’s a special item for breakfast! This buffet is definitely trying to cater to as many ethnics and cuisines as possible!

MGM Grand Buffet - Sushi

To further enhance what I’m talking about regarding selection, even the selection of loaves was massive! There is really something for everyone, and it’s kind of too bad this was found at the back – because I really stuffed myself before I found the bakery selection!

MGM Grand Buffet - Pastries

I really enjoy desserts, and the dessert bar at this buffet is actually quite massive for a morning buffet. I’ve previously been to a buffet in Vegas last year and they actually do things like turn the ice cream machine off for the morning buffets, and everything becomes cookies, pastries, like croissants, breads and toasts and other morning goodies. At the Grand Buffet, they even have a large selection of sugar free desserts which is really pleasing to see!

MGM Grand Buffet - Dessert Bar

This is a great location and definitely a grand buffet! You can find traditional meal items to specialty items, and usually variations of all, plus everything in between! So, if you’re looking for selection, especially with the heated item selection – this could be a great option for you!

MGM Grand Buffet on Urbanspoon

MGM Grand Buffet
3799 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 891-7777