Nov

‘You Gotta Eat Here’ Filming and Lunch at Boxwood Cafe

Dan

Boxwood Cafe, calgary, Dan Clapson, dining, Food Network Canada, John Catucci, Spooning and Forking, You Gotta Eat Here

Last week, Calgary was lucky enough to have Food Network Canada’s popular series ‘You Gotta Eat Here’ return to film segments at more of our great restaurants.

If you remember from last winter, the always funny host, John Catucci, and his crew filmed segments at Diner Deluxe, Tubby Dog and a handful of other quirky places.

This time around, I was invited to the filming at Boxwood Cafe, that charming little spot nestled in Central Memorial Park on 13th Ave SW and 4th St SW. Boxwood is the sister establishment of River Cafe, sharing the same local and sustainable ingredient mentality. The food here is beautifully simple, fresh and always filling.

My lunch date, Naddine, and I, opted for some lighter options as we had Jelly Modern doughnuts tempting us for dessert a bit later in the afternoon.

We started off with the Red Lentil Hummus, which is one thing I always make sure to order when I’m here for lunch. Served with house made crackers, the dip was smooth and garlic-y. Using the lentils instead on chickpeas gives it more of an earthy flavour and definitely more Alberta-centric.

While we were devouring the hummus, John Catucci was making his way around the room, chatting with different diners about the dishes they were eating. You Gotta Eat Here is fairly casual by nature, so you could tell everyone in the room was enjoying the filming and laughing at John’s witty commentary.

For our main dishes, we opted for a couple salads. Naddine had The Toasted Quinoa and Vegetable Salad, which was filled with fresh veggies and tossed in a light brassica mustard vinaigrette.

Since I’m a sucker for red stains on my white shirts, I decided to go with the Roasted Poplar Bluff Beet Salad. Big, colourful chunks of beets were joined by fennel (fennel rocks!), pea shoots and farro grain. The salad was almost too pretty to eat, but I ate it anyway and ended up with no stains on my shirt. Success!

Boxwood’s Quinoa and Market Vegetable Salad.

The Roasted Poplar Bluff Beet Salad. Gorgeous, right?

My lovely lunch date, Naddine, pouring some of Boxwood’s signature Wild Berry Iced Tea before her on-camera interview.

‘You Gotta Eat Here’ airs regularly on Food Network Canada. The new season, featuring Boxwood Cafe and other great Calgary restaurants will begin in Spring, 2013! Make sure to tune in then!