Alberta Oil Rigs - A meal in the life of a rigger!

So... I haven't posted a restaurant blog in awhile.  The truth is, I've put myself on a tight budget and restaurant food doesn't exactly fit within that budget (thanks, Dave Ramsey!).

Warning: this blog contains info about opposing beliefs!
I'm an environmentalist. I volunteer for the Green Party, run an Environment Club at the local elementary school, and I reduce, reuse, recycle and repair.  My husband works on the drilling rigs north of Fort McMurray in Alberta. When Alberta can offer my husand work (that pays $25/hr plus overtime) building solar panels, I'll do my best to convince him to change careers - until then, we have to pay the bills!

Blaine (my husband) has gone back to work on the drilling rigs.  Recently he sent me some pictures of the food on his camp north of Fort McMurray.

This meal consisted of pork, applesauce from a can, reheated and unspiced frozen beans and baby potatoes.  Blaine was excited because he was used to chicken fingers and hot dogs.  I'd like to dispell a little myth... Rig Food is not delicious!  Blaine has been on plenty of drilling rig camps and always complains about the food.  Usually the biggest complaint is the lack of variety.  When you're being served chicken fingers 5 or 6 nights a week for 6 weeks... well, that just sounds yucky!

And here we have a chocolate eclaire donut.  Yummy!  :)

Summary

ambiance - hmmm... A bunch of riggers sitting in a trailer?  My rating: Poor!

value - "He works hard for his money, so you'd better treat him right!" (isn't that a song of some sort?)

flavour - repetitive and bland!

Bearberry Saloon - cheap wing Friday!

About 20 minutes northwest of Sundre, you'll find a cozy little spot called "Bearberry Saloon".  Rustic and cozy, it's full of charm...and a few drunken old fellas!

The walls are covered with wooden shingles signed by the bar's past customers.  The hockey game is on the big screen and the juke box is ready for your quarters.

The service is good and the atmosphere is open and friendly.  On Friday nights they have a wing special.  We ordered salt and pepper (really dry, no flavour), teriaki, and honey garlic.  The sauced wings were okay, but quite dry.  We asked for a side of sauce for the salt and pepper wings because they were so dry and tasteless.

I'm looking forward to motorcycle season again... the road to Bearberry is curvy and scenic - perfect for a Saturday afternoon cruise followed by a beer and some munchies!
(It's easy to find - just follow the highway west of Sundre and it'll take you right to it!)

Summary

ambiance - rustic, cozy

value - $5 for 12 wings.  Not bad.  It works out to about 42 cents a wing.

flavour - alright

Chips, Beer and Live Jazz!

So maybe this post is a little bit "off topic", but I think it's going to be a good one, nonetheless!

One of the main reasons I started writing this blog was to try to promote local restaurants, in an effort to convince small town Alberta-folk to "eat locally".  Well, what about local arts?

Who would have thought that I could walk 2 blocks from my home on a Wednesday night and enjoy chips, beer and live jazz?  In SUNDRE?!?

I think there's a real disconnect in the community of Sundre.  On the one hand, you have individuals and families complaining about the lack of opportunities, the lack of activities and entertainment in our town.  On the other hand, a live jazz trio comes to town and only 20 people attend, restaurants and small business struggle to make ends meet, and activities and events organized by Greenwood Neighbourhood Place or Sundre Public Library have low attendance.

Perhaps if these events were better attended, more events and opportunities would be offered?

The ABtrio was young, talented and entertaining!  Chips and salsa, $4 beer, live music and friends!  What a great evening... thank you, Sundre Arts Centre!  I look forward to some more great small town evenings spent in your company....

Summary

ambiance - dark, cozy, toe-tapping

value - $20/ticket typically; $4/drink - GREAT VALUE!

flavour - depending on your musical taste and the selection of the evening, but the jazz... quite palatable!



What do you think?  Leave your comment below!

Little Country Cappuccino, Sundre

The coffee shop war is on! 

Who has the best coffee shop in small-town south-central Alberta?!?  Cowboy & Co. has an excellent, fun and cozy atmosphere... but Little Country Cappuccino has got to have the best ice cream, smoothies and sandwiches!

One of my favourite things about Little Country Cappuccino is that the owner, Allison, will take my order and payment for a coffee and sandwich in the morning (on my way to work) and have my sandwich ready for me to pick up at noon (so it's not soggy)!  I feel like a princess - I walk in, past all of the teenagers waiting in line during their lunch break, grab my sandwich and scram!

The story of this little coffee shop is unique...

... it started as a little shop on their property, 17 miles northeast of Sundre.  Now they're open seven days a week and even do catering for the Sundre Arts Center productions!

One of the reasons I like Little Country Cappuccino more than The Koffee Binge is because Little Country has Splenda sweetener and The Koffee Binge has that nasty Sweet N' Low stuff that has an aftertaste!

So, I suppose I should say something somewhat negative about this place, otherwise you might think that Allison is paying me (in lattés, of course).  I like the idea that they have about having a library and kids' play area downstairs... but it seems like a bit of a dungeon down there! A new coat of paint would really freshen it up!

Summary

ambiance - homey, warm, friendly/ downstairs could use an update

value - good

flavour - excellent!

Cowboy & Co. Coffee Cafe, Olds

If only this coffeeshop was open when I was in high school... I could have just walked across the street for a delicious cup o' java and a nanaimo bar for lunch!  Would that have been any healthier than the KFC fries and gravy I chose instead?  :)

Located across the street to the south (not along the highway) from the old Olds High School, this quaint little coffeeshop is right out of an old western movie!

The barrista says that the antique copper espresso machine came from Italy.  It is a gorgeous piece of equipment and it made a lovely latté!

My favourite part of the whole experience though was when a couple of older gentleman were leaving.  The barrista politely called out, "see y'all later!"  Oh wait, maybe my favourite was the fact that they carry Roger's chocolates - imported from Victoria, BC!  Mmmmm....

Summary

ambiance - unique, fun, interesting

value - good

flavour - caffeine-a-licious!

The whole "western theme" of the place got me thinking about a conversation I recently had with a friend.  She was talking about how much culture there seems to be in eastern Canada and the eastern States because of the older buildings, older history, etc.  I argued that we have just as much culture as places like Québec City, even if we don't have as much history.  Our culture is that of the Calgary Stampede, cowboys, hockey, winter sports, etc!  We may not have cobblestone or century-old cathedrals, but we have culture. Yahoo!

What do you think?  How old does an area have to be before it starts to develop its own culture?  Is it more difficult for someone to recognize their culture while they're immersed in it?

The Swamp Donkey!, Sundre

Ahhh... the Swamp Donk!  My husband and I first met at this small town pub on December 14, 2008.  He was drinking long island iced teas (ha ha!) with his riggin' coworker and I was drinking beer with my teachin' buddy.  But, it's been recently renovated - new menu and all and so I figured it was time for a restaurant review!

Half of the establishment used to be a restaurant - but no more!  It's a full-fledged pub now, no minors allowed!  Downstairs is the "pool hall" and upstairs the "sports pub".  It's not too different, just fresh, clean and slightly updated.

After a long week, I was again having some beer with some teacher friends of mine. I was hungry and tired... was it my over-hunger or was it the beer that made my spicy chicken burger taste SO GOOD? A spicy breaded and deep-fried chicken breast, a nice spicy mayo, a crunchy bun, cheese, lettuce, and tomato.  It was super-yummy!  And I love that you can order any sandwiches or lunch items with a side of veggies and dip... it makes for a slightly more healthy meal.

Most of the menu items are the same as before, but I think there are a lot of good options on the menu.  My only complaint is that most of the food is deep fried or drenched in cheese.  It's hard to watch your waistline at the Swamp Donk, but it's easy to watch people (and perhaps find a husband-to-be?)!

No picture this time, sorry.  I was too busy drinking my Bud Lite Lime!

Summary

ambiance - energetic, fun, love the log cabin look

value - a bit pricy  (the appetizers seem too expensive, but everything else is reasonable)
flavour - excellent! (because I was extra hungry or a bit tipsy?)

:)

KINH Vietnemese Restaurant, Olds

It used to be the dark & skanky bar called "The Signature Club"... and now it's a Vietnemese restaurant?!?  What a shocker!

Just to the south of The Brick on main street in Olds, you'll find a delicious place to stop for lunch or supper!  And what a fresh change - it's not pizza, hamburgers, or even Chinese food.... it's Vietnemese!

I first discovered KINH at the teachers' PD day in Olds. A bunch of us decided to try it out for lunch and since then, I've been back a number of times!  I'd like to tell you about two different dishes...

Lemongrass Chicken on Vermicelli Noodles
Strips of chicken in a light sauce, sitting on top of finely chopped lettuce, cucumber, carrot, sprouts and rice vermicelli noodles.  Oh, and it comes with 2 deep fried spring rolls.  The chicken is nicely seasoned.  I love the crunch of the sprouts mixed with the softness of the noodles.  I can eat the whole bowl (which is huge, by the way) and not feel disgustingly full.  It's so fresh and light, yet delicious.  It comes with a light sauce which I pour over the whole thing.  It's not spicy, but if you'd like some "zip", try adding some red sauce (on the table).

Chicken/Beef Curry on Rice/Noodles
Okay, it's 4:30pm and my mouth is watering just thinking about these dishes!  I might have to drive to Olds after I'm done typing these blogs!!  I prefer the chicken curry on rice, but Blaine prefers the beef curry on noodles - just mix and match according to your preferences.  The chicken/beef is tender and comes in a thick curry sauce with some peppers, onions and yams.  Pour the whole thing over your rice/noodles and then dig in!  Mmmmm.... the yams are so soft and the veggies are still slightly crunchy.  And there's just enough heat so that my nose starts running just a little bit.  This one is more filling than the lemongrass dish and it's definitely spicier.

Oh, and try the Vietnemese coffee... it's strong and very sweet, all poured over ice.  I can't wait to have one on a hot July day!

Summary
ambiance - informal, okay (the washrooms need an update)
value - excellent!  (about $12 for a huge plate/bowl of food)
flavour - excellent! (*drool, drool* I'm seriously going to drive to Olds now!)

One note of caution - minors aren't allowed.  They must still have it licensed as a bar.  :(
What does KINH mean?  Click here.

(credit: http://bambooatasteofasia.com/vermicelli_noodles)