Dairy Queen

The Dairy Queen at this location just opened not too long ago – maybe just a few month at this point now. I’ve been looking for the perfect time to go, and I finally did!

The store is really small actually, but it works as most people take their ice cream to go! This franchise location doesn’t do the grill – which was something I was hoping for, but they do have Orange Julius.

We were only here briefly as we just wanted a cold treat. I ordered my favourite, which is a pineapple sundae and the pineapples are always really sweet, even though I personally think the sauce (syrup) is a little to runny, it’s still a delicious treat on the soft serve ice cream!

We also ordered a Peanut Buster Parfait which was really large actually! It had lots of peanuts, and they use the lovely warm chocolate fudge. It’s a perfect snack to satisfy any craving! You can have a bit with as little or as much peanuts as you like, and the peanuts are the full sized nuts which is extra special (instead of using chopped peanuts).

I’m really happy that there is a Dairy Queen here in this area now! I was really hoping for one when we first moved here! Now, I’m satisfied!

  • Dairy Queen - McKenzie Towne Location
  • Dairy Queen - Frozen Treats
  • Dairy Queen - Pinapple Sundae
  • Dairy Queen - Peanut Buster Parfait

Dairy Queen on Urbanspoon

Dairy Queen

150, 35 McKenzie Towne Ave. SE
Calgary, AB
(403) 457-4407

Haru Sushi & Grill – Calgary, Alberta

Recently opened in McKenzie Towne is Haru Sushi & Grill and after I realized it was opened, I knew I had to try it sooner than later! So, soon it was!

The decoration was really modern, the chairs were big and comfortable, it was well light, and overall great ambiance! It is very clean, and no harsh edges anywhere, everything just flowed, which was a really nice design concept they had!

We ate lots at Haru Sushi – just to get a good sample. We’ll have to go back for other things such as teriyaki, or udon or things like that! I love soup noodles such as udon, so I’ll be there to at least try it out some other time!

We ordered gyoza’s to start with, and when they came, the skin was really thin and the meat filling was really well seasoned. These delicate gyozas was cooked/pan-fried to perfection! If I was to make it myself with skin so thin I’m sure I wont have much of the skin left as it would have been stuck to the bottom of my pan!

Afterwards, we had our Haru Platter which consisted of 4 salmon sushi, 4 tuna sushi, 4 shrimp (ebi) sushi, dynamite roll, and spicy crunchy tuna roll.

It also came with an assorted tempura which was a nice surprise! I didn’t read the menu, so I was shocked when we got tempura! The salmon, tuna and shrimp was really quite nice quality, and large portions as well! Both the salmon and tuna was a thick piece and quite large as it draped over a ball of rice really nicely!

To top it all off, just in case we weren’t full, we also had a order of Spicy Prawn Roll which was a huge plate of their special rolls. It was really good, and quite spicy from the Sriracha sauce. It was really nice and crispy and just a good choice for a special roll! It’s got prawn tempura and yam tempura wrapped with steamed prawn, avocado and tobico! It’s also got this crispy layer in it, which I think is backed wonton wrappers or something of that nature! It added a lovely crunch to the sushi roll.

This is a great place, and I would highly recommend it if you’re looking for some good sushi in the South. It feels like there are still a few wrinkles they need to iron out as it’s still very new, but I’m sure it’ll become a great place! The service was pretty good, considering they were packed – even before 7pm, keeping in mind there weren’t THAT many tables inside. They were still able to accommodate everyone in a timely manner which was really good! At least the seafood was fresh, which is extremely important in a sushi restaurant!

HARU Sushi & Grill

150, 35 McKenzie Towne Ave. SE
Calgary, AB
(403) 457-5881

Sea.Fish n’Chips – Calgary, Alberta

I went to Sea’s on a quiet afternoon. It was a beautiful day, and just after the lunch rush, so I got the place pretty much to myself.

Sea’s is a little location that offers a few tables, that offers freshly fried fish, chips, and all sorts of other goodies. Their take out menu isn’t as complete as their sit down menu, and both menus are available on their website.

One thing I was kind of craving was something like a crab cake, but it didn’t have to be a crab… they didn’t have any starters that had just that, but it’s alright, I’ve had their calamari before, and it was good. But since I came alone this time, I know I wouldn’t have been able to finish everything if I ordered calamari on top of my meal.

I had a nice refreshing glass of home made lemonade which was really tasty! Just as I would expect home made lemonade to taste like! It was perfect for a nice bright summery day!

As much as I wanted to try their burgers, I went to a fish and chip joint – so I should enjoy fish and chip! They had an array of options, from halibut, cod, and haddock. So, I chose a haddock meal with chips, just like how England would do it! It was freshly fried, great piece of fish – not fishy at all, lightly and flaky – perfect! and the fries were really crispy on the outside, and tender & juicy on the inside.

The decoration inside really suite the theme. There was a giant net on the ceiling, and there were a lot of posters that stayed with the “sea” theme. It is a cute place for sure! I can see myself being back in the near future.

Sea.Fish n’Chips

45 High Street SE
Calgary, AB
(403) 452-3474

Second Cup

Yes please! I would love a second cup from the Second Cup on High Street! I really enjoy going to this cozy location, with great service, comfortable seating, and most of all – great coffee!! I’ve tried a huge selection from coffee alternatives such as chai and hot chocolates, as well as lattes and mocha’s! They never seem to fail here, and I can sit here for a while and not feel like they’re glaring at me to leave. It normally is a really relaxing location and it doesn’t get “busy”. Of course, it’s constant in and out, but it’s never jammed packed or anything!

I really enjoy the Holiday London Fog during the Christmas season! It’s really different than the London Fog, and I just enjoy it a lot more! An all year round drink that I like is the Chai Tea Latte, which is spiced up a lot more than other Coffee Places.

For days near Christmas and the holiday season, I have TONS of favourite drinks! From Eggnog Lattes to Peppermint Hot Chocolates, these drinks really put me in the festive mood!

In the summer, I really enjoy my Frrrozen Hot Chocolate or even a Chai Chiller! They are both really good and full of flavour and a perfect cool down on a hot summer day!! If I’m looking for a nice ice cold refreshing drink, I do find myself ordering Sparkling Green Tea Lemonade which is really a Green Tea Lemonade with carbonation!

And, another Fall Favourite would definately be the Pumpkin Spiced Latte or really, anything Pumpkin spice! Second Cup makes a lot of their drinks with warm, rich, delicious flavours that sure satisfies my tastebuds!

In general, I can find something year round at my favourite Second Cup, and the one on High Street is just cozier than the rest — landing it top marks in my books!

Second Cup on Urbanspoon

Second Cup

30 High Street SE
Calgary, AB
(403) 257-2809

Calgary Stampede Breakfast

Stampede Breakfast: Pancakes, sausage, other great food, great location, great entertainment, FREE!

What’s there not to like about stampede Breakfasts?

3 of my favourite Stamped Breakfasts:
1. Family Day at the Stampede Grounds – Calgary Stampede has always offered a stampede breakfast at the Grandstand, thanks to Caravan Stampede Breakfasts. They offer great breakfasts throughout the city during the 10 days of the greatest outdoor show! I always end up at the Grandstand for the Caravan breakfast. I try to hit the other ones, but they’re usually on a weekday, and I don’t have time to enjoy them.

2. Chinook Centre Stampede Breakfast – in the parking lot of Chinook Centre, they also offer a Stampede Breakfast. I believe it’s privately held, and it’s a delicious one! Pack with tons of people, samples and coupons from stores at the mall, live music, pancakes with blueberries, coffee, juice, and a lot more – this truly is one of the best mornings you can have! They always have their stampede breakfast the 1st Saturday over the Stampede! 🙂 Be sure to support them!

  • Calgary Stampede Breakfast Chinook Center Big Crowd
  • Calgary Stampede Breakfast Chinook Center Pancake

3. McKenzie Towne Stampede Breakfast – located right on High Street in the Southeast, the roads are blocked for this event, it’s a large community gathering, and it’s fantastic! You get a lot of community support from local shops, with lots of activities for children and adults. The food they give is actually top notch! During my visit to the McKenzie Towne Breakfast, they had inflatable bouncy kids play area near the Sobeys, they had popcorn and other great treats for sale, as well, they had a lot of samples they gave out from the stores near and around High Street such as treats from the Groomingtails, and mini cupcakes from the Little Cupcake Shoppe. It was magnificent!

  • McKenzie Towne Stampede Breakfast on High Street
  • McKenzie Towne Stampede Breakfast on High Street - Treat for our pets
  • McKenzie Towne Stampede Breakfast on High Street Little Cupcake Shoppe mini Cupcakes
  • McKenzie Towne Stampede Breakfast on High Street
  • McKenzie Towne Stampede Breakfast on High Street - Odwalla Juice
  • McKenzie Towne Stampede Breakfast on High Street Line up for Breakfast
  • McKenzie Towne Stampede Breakfast on High Street - The Breakfast

Click for a list of 2011’s Caravan Breakfast Schedule