Jill Browne, from home and away

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Home: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

The poor weather was good luck for us: we got parking on the street in Kensington.

Let me repeat: we got parking on the street in Kensington.

I actually avoid Kensington, even though it’s one of Calgary’s more interesting commercial spots, because of the parking. Yes, I am a bit more picky. A lot more picky about parking than anyone else in the world. I don’t care. If parking isn’t easy, why go?

So, poor weather = good parking.

Moving on to the actual food experience, I would go to Wake Bistro again. We sat in a table by the window with a view to the goings-on outside, such as they were.

I had the bacon, eggs, special breakfast, all great, and with an added touch of homemade mango jam. Tasty.

I’d go back.

Had a little stroll in the rain for a few minutes, over to Pages. Bought books.

Admired the green velvet cupcakes in the window of Cravings the cupcake place. Well, green cupcakes. Not something you see every day but perhaps inevitable on March 16. St. Patrick’s Eve.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Home: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Ate at Mango Shiva on a Saturday night before the theatre recently. This is a restaurant right downtown, on Stephen Avenue Mall.

The food, very good. Reasonable price, especially compared to some of the other restaurants in the downtown area.

But it took a long time between visits from the server. He was attentive and polite when he was with us.

We almost ran to the theatre!

My advice: by all means, go, it’s a good meal. Just watch the time.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Home: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Primal Grounds, 3003 – 37 Street SW

Looks like it might have started life as a Dairy Queen. Run by a lady who makes soup and sells it at the Kingsland Farmers’ Market.

We didn’t want soup, we wanted breakfast, and we weren’t disappointed. The choice was limited; this isn’t primarily a breakfast place. Limited but excellent: the breakfast bagel was a meal and a half, fresh and nice.

Great latte as the name suggests.

I always thought it would be cool to have a coffee shop in the Provincial Court building and call it Reasonable and Probable Grounds. Another one in the old Court of Appeal building, called Grounds for Appeal of course.