The Living Room (Big Taste YYC 2014)

Just a week ago, it was that time of the year again when Calgary Downtown Association held the Big Taste Calgary event. A good number of restaurants downtown offer a three course lunch for $15/$25 and three course dinner for $35. There was also the five course gourmet dinner menu offered for $65.

For my first Big Taste this year, my friends and I went to The Living Room on 17th Avenue SW. We wanted to revisit the restaurant as our first time there was very memorable. The restaurant itself isn't big and gives you sort of a home feel, hence the name 'Living Room'.

Seared Diver Scallops - avocado purée, pepper dust, lemon salt, pepitos, micro oregano — **Seared Diver Scallops** - avocado purée, pepper dust, lemon salt, pepitos, micro oregano

The scallops were seared perfectly but lacked flavours. Perhaps more seasoning would of made it a perfect dish. On the other hand, the tartare was amazing. It was well seasoned, very flavourful and the extra crunch in the vegetable chips went great with it. Although after awhile the venison tasted a bit gamy but I didn't mind!

Sous-Vide Chicken Supreme - lemon and roasted garlic spätzle, buttered broccolini, Granny Smith and blue cheese vinaigrette — **Sous-Vide Chicken Supreme** - lemon and roasted garlic spätzle, buttered broccolini, Granny Smith and blue cheese vinaigrette

Pan Seared Cod - Proscuitto wrapped, wild rice creamed spinach, lemon caper butter — **Pan Seared Cod** - Proscuitto wrapped, wild rice creamed spinach, lemon caper butter

We were looking forward to eat the sous-vide chicken again. On our last visit, it was cooked with a dolce de latte sauce (which was more savoury) and chicken skin. This visit, it was cooked with a granny smith apple and blue cheese sauce (sweeter). The chicken was amazing itself but there was just not enough sauce!!! Personally I like my meat a little saucier if you will. Also there was no crispy skin that gave the dish an extra crunch. The spätzle was cooked al dente and was a perfect starch for the chicken. The cod was really delicious, cooked just right, flakey and you can taste the natural sweetness of the fish. The lemon caper butter on top just melts into the fish, giving it extra flavour.

Raspberry Tiramisu - bord, lady fingers, creme — **Raspberry Tiramisu** - bord, lady fingers, creme

Fiasco Gelato - assorted flavours — **Fiasco Gelato** - assorted flavours

We finished dinner off with tiramisu and gelato from Fiasco Gelato. The tiramisu was good but lacked something. I can't quite put my finger on what was missing but I'm pretty sure it was in the creme; it felt quite plain. Fiasco Gelato are a local handmade artisan gelatiere. I didn't taste the gelato but I often get it and is one of my favourite places to get gelato.

Overall I would definitely visit The Living Room again. Perhaps because it was a busy night during dinner service and we had a table of 13 that mostly ordered chicken. Maybe that explains the difference between my first and second visit.