Point Sushi ReView – e61s1

episode 61 season 1

keep your fingers out of the way!
ReView of Point Sushi

Episode 61

Todays episode I’m goig to review Point sushi. 34:09 You order on an Ipad pick your favourite and they come shooting out on a streamlined system at bullet speed beside you – watch your fingers and enjoy the episode.

 Point sushi  has been opened for 7 month before we discovered this place. It’s located at? Pretty good sushi and served on a butelt train car.

As we sit a peruse the ipad style of menu, and get tea, right besie me there’s a hot water tap to refill your tea cups and pot at your convenience, but it is hot. We’re situated in a bench seat at the back

Point Sushi Bullet Train Delivery
Watch out for the bullet train delivery by point sushi

I want coke London says. To clarify she doesn’t drink pop typically, once in a while for a treat but can you hear the confidence in her voice – like this is standard, it isn’t people

As we’re trying to figure out the menu – you sort of feel like using the ipad is foreign at first lol but you press all of the buttons to get it to work and order things 1 by 1 – it’s an interesting process. Especially with the ipad mounted securely to the table.

As we are mulling pictures over, the bullets of food go shooting by, at records speeds.

Jeff says tea would be good for me, London really wants to order ice tea, honestly people she never finishes her drinks, she likes the idea of a coke or an ice tea but in the end it’s a $3. glass sitting almost full on the table as we walk away…  

4:15 Mom look – as another tray go wizzing by, this place is great entertainment for the kids and the parents. 

 4:54 now we are order, first we ordered these fried that come with a ‘shaker’ powder to put on them under hot foods, then we order salmon…as a side note when we first started taking London for sushi at like 2 years old, she wasn’t sure about all of this texture. She said to us is this really good mom? We said yes gave her a small piece of raw salmon then, she held her little hand out to her dad and more, he slapped a full piece of salmon into her hand and she was hook-line and sinker – in love with Sushi! Not the easy rolls but full on raw fish.

as we ponder the menu and order our tea and water when it shows up the cups just have tea bags in them…the water is self serve.

London is sitting across from me closest to this conveyor belt of sorts and she points and get’s close..it’s funny listening to Jeff and I we can still get away with some extreme measures to get our points across – it will cut your fingers off lol

ordering our rolls, it’s nice because you can see all of the pictures

small unagi rolls which is bbq’d eel, it’s a sweet bbq flavoured eel and it’s delicious. 

It’s distracting in here it’s very busy and everyone is doing what we are doing reviewing the menu selecting and tapping their choices plus taking in the scene. There is a whole bunch of single or two people lined up along the wall beside us, they got this down pat, the dishes are situated, with napkins, ginger, soya sauce, chopsticks etc you just sort of help youself.

you have to order each and every item lol

Jeff and I are trying to solve how this system works

is when we figureout how to get napkins etc, I had to figure out what was going on…being observement pays off, less salty and or regular soya – which do you prefer? 

Don’t you love a good set of chopsticks, that don’t come out of paper – that have been washed

nice chopsticks and good tea – what else do you need at a good sushi place..oh the food, it’s coming.  

Fries arrive, the order is a little small but it’s fun to create this paper bag of potatoe sticks. Adding powder at a time until the flavour is where you want it to be… 18:39 the fries are really good – who doesn’t love fries and dipping them in mayo – ME! 

the water still hasn’t arrived, we got our tea already but still no water…listen to London, she’s so cute, have some tea while we still wait for the 

we finally get our water and it’s served in glass, glassware

We are filling up our teas with the table faucet of on-demand hot-water, but it comes out super slow, so just be patient (you don’t have to be as patient as waiting for the glass’ of water tho lol) 32:35 jasmin tea, in hand filled tea bags…such good earthy tea flavour 

Point Sushi, ice glass wear and chopsticks!

This is a fun place, it’s got a good vibe, busy and clean, and new  33:34 You know what creates a good vibe, is when people areound you are having a good time also…we could feel the energy in this place and all of the people were having a great time.

we are still reviewing the menu, picking this and pondering that…since we are pescatarians when we eat together (you know me I’m flexible). the pan fried shrimp dumpling…

22:25 our food starts to arrive, this is so fun, it stops perfectly beside our table.

Pride

One thing I love about Japanese culture and style of food is their pride in displaying tiny things. Weather it be sushi perfectly positioned on a plate just so or quilting and stitching it’s the smallest detail that is perfect. Growing up with my dad being a chef food display and preparation was so important. The Japan style just takes this up one more notch!

the food is turning out to be really good, fresh and well put together 31:04

yes we are thoroughly impressed with the food, London and Jeff love the caviar black and pink. the Shrimp balls are just like when you go for dimsum but….better they are pan fried, steamed shrimp dumplings 35:46 and 39:11 black and white ninja roll – so good!

London is talking to the bullet car as we’ve already unloaded it but it’s not leaving yet…how does this mysterious tray know when to go? Is it by weight, by magnet or is it timed?? Do you know? 

Keep on eye on things

you can monitor your time what’s been delivered and how long you’ve been waiting – it’s a Calgary thing we are a demanding culture? the ipad is securely place at the edge of the table so it’s only really convenient for th epeople on that end, not the other side…one person controlls the ship! 29:18

We are pretty adventurous however we are western Canadian people, not sure if I would try snail kimchi, would you? 

checking out the menu and reviewing what we have eaten…I hear this voice say to me, watch out or something listen…move your hand please…yikes!

Not as effective telling Jeff but when I tell London…39:54 careful it would have skinned my hand alive hahaha

London excuses herself to go to the restroom (which also means she wants to explore the restaurent and people further) while she’s gone we review the menu further – yes people there’s lots of choices. As she’s coming back I spot her out of my peripheral and in the Moss house we always scare each other – like I mean scare the pants off. So you’ll be brushing your teeth and open the door and BOOOO someone will scare you to death…it’s been going on for years since jeff and I met. Even the cat gets it – so as were sitting there jeff’s sort of facing the back of the restaurent and London comes up and scares him, 38:26 – even in a restaurant you’re never safe!

we review the final tally of our order we let London review this…

some of you might remember my episode of the robber in our garage, this is still sitting with London…I try to change the topic. 44:55

Point Sushi ReView, overall it was a good night here, checking out this place, London and Jeff have been back numerous times and always enjoy coming. Have you been there? Let me know how you liked it or if you try let me know your thoughts? 59:09

1:03 thanks for listening!

Brekkie Cafe – e54s1

episode 54 season 1

freshest ingredients, neat atmosphere.

Today I’m sharing my ReView of Brekkie Cafe, located at 120 120 Westpark Way SW. Brekkie Cafe boasts – A Glorious Break in Your Day! It’s a beautiful Cafe high ceilings, lots of windows and light. The food is fresh, wholesome and beautifully displayed on the plates.

Welcome back to Valerie’s Variety Podcast with your host me, Valerie Moss this show is about ReViews, InterViews and my Daily Views. It’s a story podcast about my life in Calgary, WhatEVER | WhenEVER. The show drops every Tuesday.

Follow me on Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook

Instagram @ValerieJMoss

Pinterest @VJMoss

Facebook @ValeriesVarietyPod

This is a great place to check out for breakfast, there’s a bit of a wait to get in but it’s worth it. The service is pretty good, you can tell people like to be there. They are happy and the people in this place range from father daughter duos, to families, to first dates. It’s got a good vibe in there.

Our Order

We order the avocado toast to start, which comes out in colours of purple and green. London Fogs to drink and I order the breakfast sandwich, Jeff orders either the lobster Benny or the Wild Mushroom Benny, London goes for the French toast that you heard at the top of the show! All the food is positioned just right on the plate. Theirs pride here and you can feel it and it’s noticeable.

No wait is no longer available Jeff tells me, if you’re not familiar with the ‘no wait’ app – which provides you a spot in line when you are on route to a restaurant or want to get in ahead of the crowds you could put your name in this app for your favourite dining spot – called no wait. You can monitor your position in line and it gives you a time when to be at the restaurant. It was bought out by Yelp for $40 million dollars.

Ambiance

When you sit in this place it has super high ceilings, there’s benches and tables and chairs, there’s plants everywhere as well as stacks of fresh bananas, avocados displays on teired platters. There’s a giant shelf made out of orange pipe and wooden planks. with plants and decorations – this shelf is separating the restaurant from one side to the other. But it’s open yet has a purpose. the charts are kind of retro in a mint green shade. The table too are retro with a aluminum trim around the sides. The cutlery is wrapped in linen napkins, don’t you just love a real napkin instead of the paper kind.

Great shelf separating the space, still open and full of nice decor.

I just love their brekkie logo, its the word BREKKIE spelled out in capital letters kind of a block style of bring and then the CA-FE is stacked at the end. Since this place is located in a strip mall kind of setting, there’s a few doors to go in but like most places- both doors to not open. One of the doors has a great saying in white vinyl “I’m not a swinger BUT the other door is with an arrow pointing to the other door.

door at BREKKIE CaFe, so funny!
Love the logo at BREKKIE CaFe, nicely done!

We notice the owner is sitting in one of the tables. He’s wearing chef whites prepared with papers and his planning journal.

Thanks for listening to my review today, of the BREKKIE cafe . Check out my website for pictures of BREKKIE Cafe and did you know you can text me to my email @ValerieMoss.ca.

Follow me on Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook

Instagram @ValerieJMoss

Pinterest @VJMoss

Facebook @ValeriesVarietyPod

If there’s a place you’d like me to ReView let me know…maybe I can meet you there and we can ReView it over a glass of wine and your favourite menu item. Talk to you next Tuesday.

The Best Bread – e53s1

episode 53 season 1

Who doesn’t like fresh bread and butter, yummy!

Today I’m going to share my bread recipe. This is what I like about my ‘variety’ show, it allows me the platform to share stories about WhatEver-WhenEver and provides you with randomness of information.

Welcome back to Valerie’s Variety Podcast with your host me, Valerie Moss this show is about ReViews, InterViews and my Daily Views. It’s a story podcast about my life in Calgary, WhatEVER | WhenEVER. The show drops every Tuesday.

Follow me on Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook

Instagram @ValerieJMoss

Pinterest @VJMoss

Facebook @ValeriesVarietyPod

5 years ago Subway made headlines, not for their great tasting sandwiches, not for their over 33,000 locations beating McDonalds by over 1000 but for the chemical used in their bread. Their staple ingredient, the mere platform that everything at Subway relies and lies upon – their bread. This bread contains very bad ingredients. Referring to this ingredient by the tag-name of “yoga-mat”. The chemical name is azodicarbonamide or ADA which btw is contained in over 500 recipes and not just bread. In the plastics industry ADA is the chemical foaming agent. It is mixed into polymer plastic gel to generate tiny gas bubbles, something like champagne for plastics. The results are materials that are strong, light, spongy and malleable – like a yoga-mat.

This got me thinking, I did some research on a loaf of bread in any grocery store and I was pretty educated on the amount of chemicals in the everyday bread we buy in a grocery store and most of them contained azodibarbonamide – not just Subway!

So, I decided right then and there that I would start making my own bread. Jeff was on board. Who doesn’t like a fresh loaf of bread smelling good and tasting even better. We even have a song ‘jam bun jam bun’ and it goes to the jingle of old Cops shows. bad boys bad boys whatcha gonna do…I digress.

Bread Machine

Cuisinart Bread Machine, a staple for making bread in my house!

We purchased a bread machine as I knew better then to try and time rising. This bread machine isn’t anything fancy, it’s the Cuisinart Bread Machine. You can purchase it on Amazon for about $160 and if you’re a prime member shipping is free. I bought ours about 5 years ago at Home Outfitters – for $200 but according to their website all stores are closing and they have huge sales so you might be able to pick one up from there for a good price.

Since I’ve had this bread maker I’ve made 2 loaves a bread a week, sometimes more but this is pretty typical. That’s over 520 loaves of break with this same machine.

You must put the ingredients into the bread maker or your mixing bowl in this order and this recipe is for a medium size of loaf. I found this to be the best size for the bread machine.

French Bread Ingredients – Standard White

Water, Table Salt, Bread Flour, Measuring Cups & Spoons, Amaranth Flour
Water, Table Salt, Bread Flour, Measuring Cups & Spoons, Amaranth Flour (maybe)
  • (x1) Cup, (x1)TBsp of water – room temp (I actually use the water from the Keurig holding tank)
  • (x3) 1/4 teaspoons white table salt
  • (x2) Cups, (x1) 1/3 Cup, (x1) TBsp of Bread Flour – I use bread flour as it’s seems to rise the best and taste the best. You can use all purpose but it’s not as good, in this picture on my site I’m showing a small bag of Amaranth flour, I will sometimes add a Tbsp of this within the cup measurement of the bread flour just adds a different element.
  • make a well in the flour to add your yeast
  • (x2) Teaspoons of Dry Active Yeast

Then set your Cuisinart bread machine to menu 5 – French Bread, and in 3:15mins you’ll have warm hot-made bread.

ReView of the Cuisinart Bread Machine

Since I’ve had this bread machine for so long I love it, it does what it needs to do and is very reliable. It’s noisy as it mixes away, beeps to add ingredients and to take the paddle out. It’s looks good on the counter and it has these great rubber feet that secure it while it does it’s mixing. It has 15 menu options, you can even make jams.

Taking the paddle out is such a nice treat if you can get to it. I usually make the bread when I’m away from the house or overnight as it’s noisy so I can’t take the paddle out. Leaving this metal flipper inside the bread when the bread is done baking, while removing the bread the paddle keeps a chunk of the bread so there’s a slight hole in the middle – doesn’t change the flavour.

We also use a bread box to store our newly fresh, cooled loaf in. Did you know you’re not supposed to store bread in the fridge? This makes the bread dry out and stale faster. It’s best to store bread in room temperature. So I found this box, it’s a teal tin bread box on Amazon for about $35. as it’s the perfect size for the exact loaves I make. When purchasing a bread box for your bread be cognizant of the size, they typically come very large-long and shallow, it’s weird. So just a heads up.

Thanks for hanging out with me today. Bread is a girls best friend, we eat it as a comfort food, men like big manly sandwiches – who doesn’t really. Bread some in so many shapes and sizes, with so many ingredients. But as a daily staple in my house anyway, we love our simple 4 ingredient bread recipe, we know there’s no ‘yoga-mat’ chemical in it and it’s pretty wholesome, yes we could argue and get into the gluten factor and the processing of the flour however…lets stick with this fresh white bread slathered in true organic salted butter.

My auntie Cher told a story about her gramma making loafs and loafs of bread – likely because they had so many kids…she had these giant arms (like the hugest ‘hi helens’) and she’s snap those loaves into this brisk twist and put them onto the large butchers block French country table for rising. Auntie said that you didn’t get near her gramma’s arms while she was making bread or you might have a ‘cuff’ upside the body by getting into her work space, such a cute memory.

My daughter, London growing up with fresh bread in the house is so funny, mum can you buy these store buns they are so yummy! ugh isn’t this such as life..grass is greener somewhere else.