Tandoori Hut - Lunch Buffet April 17, 2007

I was feeling rather ill and took the day off work. In doing so Zac and I lazed around for most of the morning before I, feeling mildly better, suggested that a curry would clear up my throat and get rid of my head ache.

Hmmm the Tandoori Hut, Zac and I went there on our first “official” date in December. It was a late birthday present from me as I spaced on the actual date and Zac was without gift and I felt that was a bit unfair.

 So we wandered over to Kensington on what was possibly the most summery day we’ve had all year.

The one thing that I REALLY remember about Tandoori Hut was that unlike other calgary indian restaurants it doesn’t hold back the spices, at least not in the way that the disappointing Rajdoot did. I do remember eating something at Tandoori Hut and thinking, wow this is almost too spicey for me.

 Anyways, I’ve found that Buffets are only as good as the number of people that frequent them. Therefore, due to the location, I wasn’t expecting to be that impressed. If there isn’t enough people at the place then the food won’t be as fresh and it just won’t be as good, it’s still not going to be horrible, but it won’t be like eating at one of the big down town places (ie Mango Shiva), for obvious reasons.

So we went in and were told to seat ourselves wherever we’d like. They took our drink order and then we scurried off to the buffet to try our luck.

 This buffet is a Calgary indian buffet. It has it’s general dishes that Calgarians LOVE and it was alright, though did fall prey to the lack of people, lack of turn over in dishes. There was a beef curry and a butter chicken. They had a lovely looking chickpea curry and na’an.

 All in all the food was great, but obviously not AS good as when you order. The tandoori chicken was very good, but everything was slightly cold and felt like it had been sitting out for a while. I did love the butter chicken and the beef though the spicey heat that I had remembered wasn’t there (I’m assuming this is because they were doing the buffet thing). It was a nice lunch but very much a case of you get what you pay for. $30 for the two of us isn’t at all bad, especially the way that Zac can pack away a curry.

 For lunch buffets I wouldn’t go out of my way to come here, but if you are in the area it is a nice lunch for a good price. I still would reccomend it for supper though as their food is fantastic and some of the best curry I’ve had in the city.

#5, 201 10 St NW
Calgary, AB

Hours : Lunch: 11:30a-2p Mon-Sat; Dinner: 5p-10p Mon-Thu; 5p-10:30p Fri-Sat; 5p-9:30p Sun

Happy, happy happy happy April 12, 2007

So yes I know I’ve been slacking on writing. I’ve been busy hanging out with Zachary and enjoying just doing very little other than maybe deciding what to eat, and frankly even that I didn’t do that very often!

•  There are a couple reviews in the works, I ate Momos for the first time last night and they were VERY tasty.
•  The Saturday before last I made curries and tried to stuff people with as much as humanly possible. There is still a chicken curry and a veggie curry lurking in the freezer (we managed to finish the beef off this week).
• I made the oh so lovely Banana bread for work this week (I am now an indispensable employee)
• It is sunny and I am trying desperately through the power of thought to create a body double so that my real self will run back home and laze about in the sun with the Vogue I just bought.
• I have a new boss (who likes banana bread) and I’m very happy to have him as the executive I will be assisting.
• Last satuday I made a meaty meatball sauce and we tucked into our pasta and meatballs Easter Dinner. Followed by Zachary’s sexy flambe’d berry sauce and ice cream
• THE EASTER BUNNY CAME, twice
• Check out www.ureviewcalgary.com, I don’t ncessarily always agree with what is written but it’s great to have a second opinion!

So now we’re updated I’ll get those reviews done soon and then we can head out and check out some new restos and bars! I’m itching to see what the Flames bar is like, not because I have high expectations, I’m just curious because I love the venue and I have a feeling that with one of my friends convocating it would be an excellent excuse to head over there to celebrate.

Oh what a bummer April 3, 2007

HATE, SAD FACES, EMPTY TUMMIES…

So it looks like Mango Shiva has closed with the whole Penny Lane closing thing that finally happened (to think, I never managed to get to Cowboys). I was disappointed with this today, so disappointed in fact that I called the restaurant to see if they were still open (of course they aren’t). I had a lovely chat with someone, I have no idea who, but they said that sadly yes they were closed but will be moving to a new location. The new location is just across from that Flames bar, the spot used to be a Dairy Queen, (so I’m assuming that they’re going to have to do some renos) and will be opening sometime in the late summer.

 I do wish them well, the food was fantastic and the service was great. I hope not too much changes between now and August.

 Much foodie love to the people at Mango Shiva, my dining out plans won’t be the same without your lovely curries tempting me and RIP to the smoke shop too, Zac is already pouting and missing your humidor.