2007-05-13 - Calgary Sun
By: Kathleen Robinson

Cactus Club Cafe offers modern dining

I'm not exactly on the cutting edge of technology.




For example, I am one of those few people who prefers my cellphone functions only as, well, as a phone.

But I do work with computers and e-mail every day, so I guess I never considered myself a complete Luddite either.

Until I went to the Cactus Club Cafe.

"The washrooms are really neat," said my friend Carolyn as she returned to our table shortly after our orders we taken.

"It's really modern and nice. You've got to try it."

Our friend Shannon and I didn't quite know how to answer that, but were rescued by the arrival of our meals.

There is lots of variety on the menu with categories, including 'dim-sum things,' greens, steaks, 'on a bun,' bowls and southwest.

Shannon ordered a chargrilled chicken caesar salad ($11.50) opting for the Cajun rather than teriyaki chicken.

Carolyn had a spinach and artichoke quesadillas ($8) with roasted tomatoes, feta and marinated peppers. There were pesto and smokehouse versions, as well that both sounded great.

I went with the teriyaki chicken bowl ($12.50.)

Both mine and Shannon's were very attractively presented -- hers in a big, funky, square bowl.

Big strips of chicken lay atop lettuce, fresh croutons and grana padano cheese with a creamy dressing.

Mine had gorgeous-looking shredded swirls of beet and carrot on top.

Not being a fan of beets, I did wonder momentarily how a beet garnish would taste with teriyaki.

My concern was unnecessary.

In fact, my dish was a delight of different tastes: Broccoli, peas, cilantro, red pepper, chicken, rice, spicy yoghurt and water chestnuts all tumbled together with the ingredients both standing out as separate flavours and also melding together in unique combinations.

I love a dish where every mouthful is noticeably different from the last.

Shannon described her salad as "very fresh and filling," although the chicken didn't quite live up to its Cajun billing with only "a hint of spiciness."

That's about all she got to say because Carolyn was waxing poetic about her quesadillas.

"This is so good. I thought I would like it because I really like spinach and artichoke together in a dip, but this is so much better.

"There are huge chuncks of artichoke and it is so flavourful.

"It comes with a dipping sauce, but you don't need it. It tastes great just on its own."

But undeniably the most enthusiasm was reserved for Carolyn's side salad ($2.50.) It was billed as a seasonal green salad, but that name hardly did it justice.

"I've never seen a salad look this good before," she said.

It did look amazing, with the same beet and carrot swirls that had topped my meal. along with mixed greens, tomato, feta, and almonds with a lemon-thyme vinaigrette to tie it all together.

"There's even blueberries," Carolyn added. "This salad is amazing."

The Cactus Club Cafe is modern restaurant targeting the hip crowd with a large central bar, TVs everywhere and horseshoe-shaped booths.

But you've got to give 'em credit, they know how to keep a tea granny like me happy with a nice big teapot, piping hot -- that provides ample refills.