Anatolia’s Gate – Burnaby, BC

Anatolia’s Gate
7084 Kingsway
Burnaby, BC
(604) 525-2519

On my visits to this building which also houses Nao Sushi, I had often seen Anatolia’s Gate to be a busy place with customers inside, including many who visually seemed to have ethnic ties to the Arabic world – always a good sign when those who probably know best are eating inside.  Promising myself I’d come back to visit, I did a while ago and got a take away dinner to go.  With less than thirty minutes before closing time, the trio of employees who were still there were quite accommodating as I took my time perusing the menu full of Middle Eastern delights.   I was happy to see the wood burning oven out front was still churning out a warm glow, but just to be sure I asked if the full menu was still available, and I was told that indeed it was.  Perfect!

However, broken up into the following sections, there was a lot to choose from within each:

a) Cold Starters & Salads
b) Hot Starters, Wraps
c) Kabob Sofrasi
d) Steaks, Oven Dishes
e) Gourmet Pizzas & Sweets

Sharing between two people, I could expand on the selections somewhat, more so than if I was eating for one.

Joey’s Global Grill & Lounge – Edmonton, AB

Joey’s Global Grill & Lounge
9911 19 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB T6N 1M4
(780) 465-1880

Joey’s South Common is the upscale version of the more common Joey Tomato’s found throughout this and other cities.  Taking advantage of a beautiful summer day in Edmonton, we slid out of the office a good half-hour before noon to ensure we could grab a table on the outdoor patio.  Good thing we did, as most of the tables were already filled by the time we got there – although this could have been due to the sunny Friday afternoon in which we chose to visit this establishment.  The outdoor patio is equipped with a full bar, water features, shade umbrellas, and plenty of staff to keep drinks refilled, and the plates moving.

After perusing the “world-inspired” menu, the ‘Baja Fish Tacos’ caught my attention.  My lunch companions ordered the ‘Tandoori Chicken Flatbread’, and ‘Viva Salad’.  We shared a laugh when we got to reminiscing about a lunch at this same restaurant years ago, when I ordered this same salad — but distinctly recall it being called the ‘DIVA Salad’ (as I had to endure quite the verbal onslaught from my friends at the table that afternoon).  Maybe other customers shared this experience, resulting in the name change?  Who knows!?

The service on this day was very quick – replacing drinks just as they crossed the half-way point – and the food arrived surprisingly quick considering how busy the patio was.

My trio of tacos arrived on a clever taco stand, with a plentiful side dish of Mexican hot sauce (which was actually mild, even for my low heat tolerance).  Flavor of the tacos was quite tame — which made the sauce a must.  Overall – not the worst fish tacos I’ve ever had; however, the biggest drawback to my meal was the unfortunate luck of sitting downwind of my companion’s tandoori chicken.  Don’t get me wrong – I am an Indian food junkie — but if 75% of what we perceive as taste actually comes from the olfactory receptors – I was smelling Indian food, while putting Mexican on the actual tastebuds…

Baja Fish Taco

The tandoori chicken flatbread looked great, and as mentioned – smelled great.  The server commented that this was her choice of the trio, but two of our group didn’t find it all that exciting.  Comparing this to your average Indian restaurant, I would have to say this falls short.  Maybe to those who haven’t experienced really good Indian food – this might suffice as a nice introduction to the cuisine?

Tandoori Chicken Flatbread

Last, but certainly not least is the ‘Viva Salad’.  I’ve been a big fan of this salad (as far as meal-worthy salads go).  The apples add a nice sour note, the Craisins provide a nice sweetness, and the roasted chicken is tender and seems to absorb just the right amount of the balsamic dressing.  Maybe it was the heat, but the lettuce was a bit on the wilty side, but still within a tolerable state.

Viva Salad

I find my experience(s) at Joey’s most fun when the intention is to go for a few drinks and a couple bites.   Every experience I’ve had for lunch or dinner, has resulted in at least one individual who was a little let down with their meal, while another is satisfied.  Maybe this is due to their attempt to bring such a variety of world influences to a single menu – which makes them the restaurant equivalent of a “Jack of all trades, and a master of none”.

Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company – Canmore, AB

Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company
#1 838 10th Street
Canmore, AB
(403) 609-5508
Wednesday – Sunday, 5.00 pm onwards

I’m not exactly sure when flatbread became synonymous with pizza, but that’s exactly what it is. Generally speaking, thin crust, though i’ve come across all kinds in my travels. Regardless of what you call it, the recipe for success is generally the same. A great crust, appropriate sauce, and the right blend of toppings – for the most part, meats, cheeses, and vegetables. While it seems like a simple formula, very few places get it right. Thankfully, Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company is one place that works hard to succeed.

The Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company is a Canmore-based company producing good flatbread pizza. Perhaps more admirably, they do so with a mission. Their key philosophy is their belief in community. They believe in contributing to the community they live in, supporting their local producers, and supporting a variety of social and environmental causes. They even charge a optional carbon tax on each meal to offset the carbon emissions used to create your meal. This form of respect for their community certainly comes with a price – slightly higher prices, but I know personally, it is a small price I am willing to pay. In line with their mision, they use only local organic ingredients. No additives, GMO’s, transfats.