To Market, to Market... to eat a great meal!
We went to Market on a recommendation from a friend, and we are so glad we did! Tucked away next to a small strip mall on 17th Avenue, you could almost miss it. Having said that, it's actually right in the middle of the bustling street. Look out for it next time you're across the street from Western Canada High School. While we were at Market for their Big Taste menu, everything we had is offered on their regular menu as well. That said, their regular menu changes often based on what's in season. Our recommendation - go all the time!
When deciding on our appetizers, we were a bit hesitant to order the Foraged Mushroom Soup. Seriously, how good can a mushroom soup be? Apparently, exceptional! It tasted like a forest in a bowl - and we really mean that in the very best way! It was full of earthy mushroom flavour, combined with a bit of cream for texture. It was rich and luxurious, guaranteed to please mushroom lovers! We are so glad we took a chance on this delight.
We also ordered the Crab Corn Dogs. We had our hearts set on this before we even got there. Full disclosure: we really love corn dogs! Every Stampede we sample almost all the different varieties of corn dog on the midway. Don't judge us! Of course, this corn dog was miles ahead of anything you'd get at Stampede. The outside was perfectly warm and crispy. On the inside was a filling similar to a real crab California Roll, but kicked up several notches. It came with a sweet and sour dipping sauce that was the bomb! It also came with a seaweed salad on the side. Picture what you would get a gourmet Japanese Stampede. It was absolutely delicious. What a creative appetizer!
Next we got the Duck and Waffles. Look for it in the starters section of the menu. The duck wings were cooked confit style, low and slow in their own fat. Not only were they cooked excellently, they were tossed in a mouthwatering truffle maple syrup. The waffles were just as you'd want them to be - crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. A blueberry sauce was fresh and flavourful. A delightful blend and sweet and savoury (if you have read every word of our previous posts, you know we love this combination!).
Let's talk about this pasta already! We ordered the Chef's Daily Pasta - hand made tagliatelle with bacon and mushrooms in a rose sauce. We were absolutely blown away by this stellar dish! The bacon was the star, and it shone brightly. Not only was it cured it house, it was so crispy, so crunchy and so full of bacon flavour. Eating this pasta is like treasure hunting for bacon. Lucky for us, they were generous with their cured pork gems. The rose sauce was a treat as well! You can tell it's made from fresh, high quality tomatoes and cream. We can't rave enough about this dish, and we hope the Chef's Daily Pasta has something this divine every day!
Our dessert was a very pretty Rice Pudding. This hearty dessert was complete with raisins and Crème fraîche. The pudding was not too sweet, but rich with a creamy texture. Given how great this was, we can't wait to try all the other desserts Market has to offer!
V's Final Word: We don't often order regular pasta at restaurants. We're much more interested in the techniques of risotto, gnocchi and ravioli when we dine out. I was so incredibly impressed with the pasta at Market. I really hope the chef gets to read this blog and know how much we appreciated their creation.
P's Final Word: I love Market's focus on freshness. They cure their own meat, bake their own bread, and even make their own cheese. They were the first restaurant in Calgary to use an Urban Cultivator that allows them to grow a wide range of herbs and greens right in the kitchen. The Chef changes the menu regularly to reflect this freshness, and the quality really comes through in Market's delicious dishes!
Price Range: $100 for two big taste menus and drinks.
Website: http://marketcalgary.ca
Address: 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2S 0B7