Tiffany "Tea" N.'s Profile

Getting inside is tricky! The front of the Monastery is undergoing some renovating, so I ran around outside in confused circles; getting easily distracted by the Canada Geese outside that were brazenly walking right up to me to inspect my iPhone music selections.

Sarah Louise had asked me the day before to meet her inside, and I was running late, but finally, a kind lady directed me toward the entrance (which was where the renovations were happening) and where the quarterly Vegan Buffet was happening*. I've passed by this building so often, but as I am not Buddhist, this was my first time inside. I had also heard about the Vegan Buffet from a family friend that occasionally volunteers for it, but I always seemed to miss it when it was taking place! A thousand thank yous, Miss Sarah Louise, for texting me about it while I was at the Optometrist's.

For $15, you can partake in one of Calgary's best succulent secrets: Once every three months (or so), The Land of Beef Bacon is home to one of the most amazing Vegan Buffets. Hands down. Barbecued bean curd skin, turnip cakes, assorted curries, soups, veggies, sticky rice puddings, mini-apple pies, an entire table dedicated to teas; it's all enough to make you feel like Templeton at the fair. Everything was so divine and fragrant, and the best thing about a Vegan buffet? You don't feel like a bloated sack of lethargy and remorse, even after tucking in to two plates (not including a big plate of dessert!). And because this is at a Monastery and they're all about giving, they've even lovingly posted the recipes for everything you nosh on, right on their website:

http://www.avatamsaka....

You know, in case you can't wait 3 months to stuff your face :). They also have a Tai Chi class every Friday, Meditation classes and if you show up for the Vegan Buffet; you can buy some desserts and wares to take home. Visit the website before making a trip, so you can brush up on proper Monastery etiquette and learn about one of Calgary's more peaceful landmarks.

* The Vegan Buffet happens on the 2nd floor, as I was kindly instructed :).

Home Depot is one of those places where someone is there to help you out, only when you least expect it. If you know what you're looking for, this can work in your favor. But staff here is friendly enough, once you actually find someone to talk to.

Surprisingly, one-stop shopping can be done here. If you're hungry for a sandwich; need gaffer tape, a hammer and chocolate.

Woo, Calgary Farmers Market! You helped me earn a Domestic Badge :). How awesome is it that Sarah Louise and I can come here and try out so many things? Vegan Empanadas! Vegan Curry! Flavored Nuts! Dippy Dips! Fresh fruit samples everywhere I turn!

Man, am I glad that we came here after a vegan buffet, or I would've eaten the entire market and there would be nothing left. Nothing but dust and hydrangeas. I heart you, CFM. If there was a real beach here, I'd write your name in the sand.

As a 90's Goth kid... hell yeah, I have comic books. I have a good grip of Jhonen Vasquez, Serena Valentino, James O' Barr, Rick Spears, Robert Tritthardt, etc.,... and also a pile of Marvel and DC to round things out and make me appear more dimensional.

Alpha Comics is well laid out and clean, as mentioned in other reviews. Chris and the other guy that was there knew their stuff, and were incredibly friendly and also! Knew about Battlepug, which is five stars worthy all by itself. I came here for Revenge of the Fifth (AKA Free Comic Book Day) and was kicking myself for not visiting earlier. I used to live just up the hill, after all.

Just before I left; I started rifling through the button bin, when one of the buttons came to life and darted across my fingertips. A spider had decided to make the bin his home. Chris, rather than play Spider Executioner that day; did the win-a-vegan's-heart-for-life thing and carried the bin outside so that Spidey could return to the outdoors from whence he came. Thank you for not smashing Spidey.

I've been here a few times, and I didn't realize I hadn't reviewed it yet!

I really appreciate the fact that they will turn any (or most) of their menu items in to a vegan item just for you. No sad, sour pasta or sad, dry veggie burger or gross salad with raspberry vinaigrette (blech). Their Watchamacallit wine reminds me of a candy bar they have in the States, and it's dangerously delicious. Their miso ramen bowl is nice, nothing awesome, but I like it enough to order it again. Wait staff here is cheerful and pleasant.

Also, I once... no wait, haha. I can't tell you guys that story. So four for you, Joey Coco.

"How was the party?"

"I think... I drank it."

Ah, Watermelon Sourpuss. That drink you buy when you're 16, and you give someone outside of the liquor store $10 to buy you "something" and hope they come back. Stuck to lots of Felicia's lovely Sambuca for the rest of the night. And unfortunately, (or fortunately??) Jägermeister. Which resulted in the post-party drunk dialing of my German friend to see if he actually drinks this stuff. I didn't get an answer, but I got a polite, "you're crazy, Tiffany."

My guest, Ian, made it to the event safely and before I did, which had him texting me wonderful things like, "where the hell are you?" "I'm here" and "I don't care if you show up. I HAVE NEW FRIENDS NOW." Because Yelpers are awesome and take you in to the fold. One of us... One of us... One of us...

I couldn't eat anything at this event, which probably expedited my drunkenness considerably, but whatever helps me beat you at Guess Who? 4 times in a row. The staff at Diner Deluxe are adorable and super friendly. And so is Mike, the Steamwhistle Man.

So, five stars for you guys because you're all so fun to hug. Great party, Wendy! Glad none of us had to pass the Phil.

What can I say about Sears? Sometimes they have amazing sales (50% off Levi's yesterday) and when I least expect it, I find something awesome just walking through on my way back to the parking lot. Or something hilariously awful to laugh at, like Jay Manuel's clothing line. Because every lady needs see-through tapered linen pants to complete her wardrobe.

During Spring and Summer; you can usually hit up the Clinique counter, spend $28-$30 and leave with your purchase and an awesome gift bag full of free samples (and even some full-size makeup). Thanks to Clinique, I never purchase eye makeup remover. I usually get a free sample with a purchase from them, 2-3 times a year, so I always have a bottle on hand. It's the best. They have manly moisturizers at that counter too, in MANLY BLACK PACKAGING, so if you were wondering what to get your lady friend (or cousin, or sister) for her birthday; pick up some Clinique for Men and get a free makeup gift bag in the process! Win for both of you!

I hope this Sears doesn't bite the dust.

"With a group this large, someone is bound to get forgotten and left out. Bet you anything that person is going to be me."

Yeah. I know not to expect much from Boston Pizza. It's one of those "we like to cover our bland food with cheese, fat and garlic" places that I tend to avoid, because usually the only lactose-free dish I can get here is a big pile of lettuce-y yuck. But I came here, because I was invited to a Ladies Brunch with some very nice ladies. Fourteen, to be exact (and two little girls).

When we sat down, I ordered a V8, because I'm savvy enough to realize that I was probably going to get my food last and would need something to tide me over. Something about ordering food with things left out; tends to gets bored kitchen staff that is used to mechanically plopping ingredients on a plate all nonplussed. What do you mean you don't want cheese on your pizza? Crazy pills. You are on them. The V8 arrived insipidly warm, despite the ice that was thrown in the glass.

But, a cheeseless individual pizza and yam fries is what I ordered. The waitress told me that there was no lunch deal on Sundays for sides, but I asked if I could get fries anyway and just pay the extra $$$; she said, "sure, no problem."

Twenty minutes later, orders slowly started to come out, and when I looked up expectantly, the waitress apologized and told me that they had accidentally put cheese on my pizza and they were making me a new one. She said that it would be discounted on my bill, and in the meantime, I could "snack on the cheese." Er... pass. I told her that I was lactose intolerant (which, after years of being vegan, is true. My body no longer produces the enzymes necessary to break down dairy products), and she nodded and disappeared.

Meanwhile, my drink glass was empty and she never bothered to offer a refill (which I would have been fully aware was not free, but I think I should've been offered one anyway), or a glass of water. Five minutes later, she came back, and told me the pizza would be a few more minutes. Ten minutes later, a flavorless heap on dough arrived. A few minutes later, when the waitress came back with the water glass I had to ask for, I asked when my fries were coming out.

"You don't get fries. Remember? There's no deal today."

"I'm aware, but I asked if you could just add it on anyway, and that I would pay for it; you said that was fine."

*Insert frozen, awkward smile here*

A different waitress brought the fries fifteen minutes later; long after the sad pizza was now sitting uncomfortably in my belly, because I was taught that wasting food, even bad food, is a sin. I asked for hot sauce that never arrived.

If I hadn't been with company, I probably would've left after it was suggested that I "snack on the cheese."

A very friendly guy made my wrap here, yesterday. I got a small Falafel wrap that had 2 Falafels inside and was brimming with fresh toppings. It was decent, but I've honestly had better, and it was kind of weird that he scooped all the stuff that fell on to the cutting board back in to the wrap. Waste not, want not? Not a bad thing, just... weird. Back in you go, little toppings! You are going to get eaten, whether you like it or not! The beets and pickled cabbage were a nice addition. I also like that the sauces all seem to be housemade.

It's not the first Falafel place I'll suggest, unless you're in the area, but I'd come back. The service is genuinely pleasant and the food is solid.

Read someone's quick tip that they were able to walk here from Douglasdale. Well, since that's where I am, I decided to check it out.

Didn't walk, since I was with company, but it is pretty close by. A short drive through Bow Bottom, and it's in the shopping plaza with the Dollar Store and Donair Hut. A pleasant lady took our orders; I decided on their red espresso latté with soy, my sister had a chai latté, and my niece had a Pellegrino lemonade. There were also homemade bars: mocha fudge, lemon, and a gluten-free salted chocolate caramel bar.

I'm not sure what exactly was in my red espresso, but it was tasty! The chai smelled wonderfully spicy, as well. Service was cheerful and pleasant. It's good to know that, even in suburbia, there are independent cafés within walking distance.  Will definitely stop by again very soon :). Wish they had wi-fi, though!

ETA: I just Google-fu'd Red Espresso: It's Espresso made with Rooibos tea! Delicious.