Joe Beef
Al McFarland

Joe Beef – Montreal – February 2020

Experience Rating
4.3/5

We had tried unsuccessfully for two years to get a reservation at Joe Beef, one of Montreal’s top-rated dining establishments and #2 on the Canada’s Top 100 list. Now, this said, it wasn’t like I was sitting by my tablet each month when the new reservation periods opened up. Rather, I would check fairly regularly just to see if something was available – even one or two months out. We had even decided that if something did come up, we would make a special trip just to have dinner. And this is exactly what we did – booking a hotel and making a two-hour trek to Montreal – just to experience this legendary restaurant.

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Mango Salad
Al McFarland

Mango Mozzarella and Avocado Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Regardless of the season, this Mango Mozzarella and Avocado Salad is sure to please. The recipe is light,fresh, and satisfyingly crispy and flavourful. The citrus vinaigrette brings the whole dish together perfectly, adding just the right level of sourness to balance the dish.

GO TO RECIPE

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Bundok Sign
Al McFarland

Bündok – Edmonton – February 2020

Experience Rating
4.7/5

On a snowy February night a group of colleagues and I trekked through downtown Edmonton in search of Bündok – one of the cities top rated restaurants. Located only a stones throw from beautiful Rogers Arena in the newly created “Ice District“, Bündok has received a lot of great hype since opening it’s doors in 2017 and is ranked at #93 on Canada’s Top 100 list for 2019. As a result, we were excited to see what all the fuss was about.

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Boulevard Sign
Al McFarland

Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar – Vancouver – February 2020

Experience Rating
4.9/5

My recent trip to western Canada began with an on-board flight announcement congratulating Chef Roger Ma on his recent win at the Canadian Culinary Championships in Ottawa. Being a foodie, I was very excited just to be in the same general vicinity of such an accomplished chef, and was blown away when two days later I had the opportunity not only to dine at his amazing Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar, but also to meet the man in person.

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RGE RD Sign
Al McFarland

RGE RD – Edmonton – February 2020

Experience Rating:
4.8/5

My visit to RGE RD (pronounced Range Road) restaurant was somewhat of an afterthought. Although reservations had already been made for Biera and Bündok (two Edmonton properties appearing on Canada’s Top 100 list) during my stay, RGE RD never came up on my radar. It was only after a last minute search for other top restaurants in the city that I found it – and boy am I glad I did!

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St. Lawrence Sign
Al McFarland

St. Lawrence – Vancouver – February 2020

Experience Rating:
5/5

On a recent seven day trip to Western Canada, I had the opportunity to visit St. Lawrence restaurant in Vancouver, British Columbia. Located in the popular Gastown district, St. Lawrence currently holds the #5 ranking on the 2019 list of Canada’s Top 100 Restaurants and has received several other accolades since opening in 2017. The restaurant is a testament to the signature “haute country” cooking of Chef/Owner Jean-Christophe (J-C) Poirier and pays homage to his French-Canadian roots.

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