| The Belmont Diner small touches
I should disclose right off that I have a soft spot for diners, and especially sitting at the counter. It's not only that lunch counters (and access to them) have played a pivotal role in North American culture – as a flashpoint for the civil rights movement, you can feel part of history every time you plunk yourself down – it's also that they're convivial. Solo customers can strike up a conversation with the counter staff or the cook, and more often than not, amid taking orders and clearing plates, the staff will participate. It's like a breakfast-time barstool.
The Belmont Diner (2008 - 33 Ave. S.W. in Marda Loop, phone 242-6782) is owned by Brad Myhre of the Galaxie Diner on 11th Street S.W. – and he must like old cars, because just as there's a Ford Galaxie, there's a Plymouth Belmont. It's a small narrow place with five or six booths and eight stools by the counter – that's it. Accordingly, it feels welcoming and is rarely empty. The colours are darker than the Galaxie, though, and it is less aggressively retro – the big Marconi clock is the main homage to the ’40s.
Both times I've been there the food has been excellent. It's not the cheapest diner, as most of the main dishes are between $5 and $8, but I'm prepared to pay an extra dollar or two for freshness and quality.
The Belmont Bleu burger ($6.75) is first-rate, with a homemade patty, some Danish blue cheese, bacon, lettuce and tomato on a toasted bun – a recent issue of Saveur Magazine extolled the virtue of a great burger, and this would count. The Monte Cristo ($6.75), a bacon and cheese sandwich dipped in egg, is slightly untraditional – it's served on thick cut bread with back bacon – but it was also really good. And, for a massive protein fix, the Calgary Sandwich ($7.50), a bacon, sausage, mushroom, tomato and cheese omelette on whole grain bread, was fantastic. Everything was made to order and fresh.
The Belmont also adds small touches that indicate the ownership's passion for quality. You can get a fruit cup instead of hash browns, and there's a real milkshake served in a metal container, a bottomless cup of decent coffee and little boxes of cereal. I'm relieved that the Belmont isn't closer to my office because I'm sure I'd be there once a week for breakfast or lunch, and I'd weigh 500 pounds.
The only negative aspect of the Belmont is its popularity. During lunchtime and on weekends for breakfast, the place is lined up out the door. I've had no trouble getting in at off-peak times, though (1 p.m. seems to work).
AND... AN INDIAN SUMMER DRINK
The white peaches are almost over. I've never seen so many white peaches and nectarines as I have this year, and I love their crisp acidity. You can only make the best patio drink ever, the Bellini, with white peach purée. Here's a paraphrased version of Jamie Oliver's Bellini recipe from The Return of the Naked Chef: buy some white peaches, peel them by cutting a cross on their top and pouring boiling water over them and leaving them for a minute or so (the peel will slip off). Take out the pit and put them in the Cuisinart (you might have to add a little sparkling wine). Put some purée in a wine glass or champagne flute, add some sparkling wine and, it's like magic, you're in Venice, the Bellini's birthplace. |
