One isn’t sure what to expect when they walk into Ming on 17th avenue. The name suggests Asian cuisine, but as we discovered it is so much more than that, with an excellent atmosphere and remarkable cuisine.

My companion and I started off with the Ginger Beef with Jasmine Rice and the Baked Zobra. The Zorba is hummus, herb chevre bruschetta served with grilled flat bread. In the first of many unique flavor combinations, the hummus and bruschetta mixed together remarkably well and proved to be a perfect starter. Bruschetta is common in many restaurants, but in this case, it is something truly original. The Ginger Beef with rice is enough for a meal unto itself. The rice is perfectly flavored; the jasmine is hinted at but not overwhelming, while the beef is sweet, rather than the spicy version that some restaurants offer. The beef is tender and not overcooked, and the ginger is not overpowering. The crispy noodles are delicious and add to the dish. Its no wonder this is what Ming is famous for!

Our main course was also exciting. The "Red Square" burger was tender and juicy, and the red pepper mayo enhanced the flavor without overpowering it. The burger comes with your choice of side, but we couldn’t choose between sweet potato fries and pepper wedges, so we had both. The sweet potato fries are cut thicker than in some other establishments, and were crispy and flavorful. The wedges were also quite good with a nice kick to them, and both types of fries were delicious either on their own or with banana ketchup, a sweet and tangy condiment that I will definitely be seeking out to use in my home.

The "Path to Enlightenment" is another interesting blend of Asian and Italian food, taking the flatbread "pizza" concept and adding a yogurt base and tandori chicken. The chicken was quite spicy, but there was just enough chicken to make it enjoyable without being too hot. The yogurt and cheese helped lessen the bite as well.

Although we were quite carnivorous, it should be mentioned that Ming has a number of vegetarian dishes as well, all of which looked just as appetizing as our meal choices.

At this point we decided to partake in some Ming’s famous martinis. The restaurant sports 18 different types, all named after famous people in history like Lee Harvey Oswald and Jacques Cousteau. I had the Marco Polo, a blend of citrus and coconut that would be ideal for sipping on Ming’s patio on a hot summer day while watching people go by on 17th Ave. My companion’s Boutros Boutros was a rich chocolaty drink, ideal for sipping during dessert. For those who are not fans of martinis, Ming also has 8 different cocktails, champagne slappers, wine, and champagne including Dom Perignion!

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Contributor Jason Clevett |

Locale Calgary |

Topic Food | Ming |