Published February 28th, 2011 By Avenue Magazine
25 Best Things to Eat
The third annual list of the city's best eats
"...Bacalhau à Bras
Spago Restaurant
This traditional dish combines salted cod, sautéed julienne potatoes and onions. It’s pan-fried in olive oil and finished with two eggs, garlic and fresh chopped parsley. It offers a very satisfying and flavourful taste of authentic Portuguese cuisine. (12433 97 St., 780-479-0328)..."
http://www.avenueedmonton.com/articles/page/item/25-best-things-to-eat?page=2
Published January 21st, 2011 By Avenue Magazine
Marine Biology
Shellfish as aphrodisiacs might be an urban myth, but bringing your date to a ravishing restaurant with ample seafood is a tried and true method of animal attraction
"...Renewed Passion
Spago just celebrated its 15th anniversary with a complete renovation that brightened the walls, opened up the dining area and improved the decor with nostalgic black-and-white photographs of Portugal. There was nothing to change about the popular menu, which offers three seafood plates for sharing. Each will satisfy two hungry appetites — which makes them a great option for Valentine's Day.
Try the Fisherman's Plate ($30), which has clams, mussels, scallops, calamari, halibut, a four-ounce steak and two large prawns swimming in a thick, rich rosé sauce. Savour every taste by soaking the rice in the sauce and swirling your fork through the liquid to rescue any bits of scallop or calamari that may be submerged.
For a mix of land and sea creatures, try the pork and clams ($24), a strong companionship served with fried potatoes. Its garlic-and-wine sauce is more like a broth, with a smoky smell from the liberal doses of paprika and cumin. If you still can't decide, choose the Cataplana platter ($55). It offers a sample of all the seafood choices Spago has to offer, plus some chourico (chorizo) sausage and chicken. (12433 97 St., 780-479-0328) —S.S. ..."
http://www.avenueedmonton.com/articles/page/item/marine-biology-0
Published Apr. 14, 2010 - Vue Weekly Issue #756: Old Wives
Faithful friend
Spago's seafood offerings a respite from busy life
"...I await "Maria's Special" ($55), which promises a veritable pirate's ransom of seafood: prawns, mussels, squid, clams and bacalhao. It isn't an easy decision, for I am equally drawn to paella. This combination of saffron-infused rice, seafood and tomatoes enjoys considerable popularity in Portugal, in spite of its Valencian origins. I reason, though, that Maria's gargantuan platter will proffer greater gustatory diversity. I nibble a cloud-soft Portuguese roll; spread liberally with butter, the yeasty morsels cleanse the last remnants of quail and chouriço from my palate..."
http://vueweekly.com/dish/story/spago_faithful_friend/
