Vacation Post: Alberta 2017

Every year, we take an annual vacation (farther and longer) usually end of April or beginning of May.  Reason for this timing is we try to get some nice weather, but also have it early enough so that we are still paying low season pricing.  The last few years, we've been venturing around Europe.  And then during the summer, we'll do a shorter getaway either within Canada, or to the nearby United States.  This year, we decided to do it differently.  This May, we decided to take a short vacation in Alberta.

We flew into Calgary, and drove towards Banff.  To avoid the high costs of accommodation, we stayed in the hamlet of Harvie Heights.  Compared to Toronto, food seems to cost a bit more in Alberta.  But because taxes are less there, it seems to even out a bit in the end that way.  We did a bit of 'home cooking' just because it was more convenient for some breakfasts, and dinners.  Here's a list of where we ate.

Canmore:
Rave Coffee
Le Fournil Bakery

Banff:

Wild Flour Bakery

Lake Louise:

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Calgary:

Naina's Kitchen

Calgary Farmers Market - Analog Coffee, Simple Simons Pies

Market on McCleod - Fresh-a-dilla Fresh Tortilla

Mercato

Sidewalk Citizen Bakery

Crossroads Market - Alaturka

Philosafy Coffee

Pigeonhole

Still need to do the write up for Piegonhole.  Need to find the photos as well....but definitely a must go to when in Calgary.

Sidewalk Citizen Bakery

One of my favourite places to eat at in Calgary.  Everything was delicious.  We went for brunch on the weekend, and it was packed in there.  There's a few tables for people that want to eat in, and a few tables on the patio if it's warm enough to eat out.  The lineup to order and pay was out the door!  Lineups are usually good signs.

That particular morning I just wanted something simple, I ordered bread, butter and a fried egg.  The bread was fresh sourdough bread that they bake.  Crispy crust and chewy sour inside, topped with butter, delicious! Hubby ordered a breakfast sandwich.  That came with fried egg, bacon, avocado and arugula all on a brioche type bun.  Great combination ingredients, but super messy to eat with the sunny side up egg.

Brunch 

After enjoying breakfast, we grabbed a scone (chocolate pear), and fruit topped danish (theres a better name for it, I just don't remember) to go.  So glad I was feeling like a glutton that morning.  The scone and danish were delicious.  The scone had just enough chocolate to make it a sweet treat without it being overly sweet and dense.  I liked the combination as well, not a common one, or at least not that I've noticed, elsewhere.  The danish, pastry part of it, buttery, flakey deliciousness.  One of the best danishes I've ever had.

Chocolate Pear Scone, Fruit Danish

The plan was to go back the morning that we were to fly back to Toronto.  That plan failed when we ran late.  I was so disappointed.....  If I'm ever back in Calgary, I'm going there for breakfast every single morning.

Sidewalk Citizen Bakery

618 Confluence Way SE

Calgary Alberta

T2G 0G1

Phone:  (403) 457-2245

Hours:  Monday - Thursday 800a - 300p

             Friday - Sunday 800a -400p

http://sidewalkcitizenbakery.com

Philosafy Coffee

Interesting name for a coffee shop.  And even more interesting how it's spelled.  I hate to label this place, but it's definitely hipster.  I can't put my finger on it as to why....but it just totally screamed hipster when I walked into it.  I ordered a latte, and holy geez it was expensive.  I forgot to take a picture of the latte itself, but I did snap a picture of the menu because I was in shock as to how expensive my drink was.  Deep down I was telling myself, it's this expensive because it must be a good latte.  And while it wasn't bad, it wasn't good either.  In my opinion, definitely not worth the hefty price tag considering theres other coffee shops nearby that serve delicious coffee.

Menu at Philosafy

Philosophy Coffee
632 17 Ave SW,
Calgary, AB
T2S 0B4

Hours:  Monday - Friday 700a -1100p
             Saturday - Sunday 800a - 1100p

https://www.philosafy.com