China Rose Restaurant and Lounge, Calgary

A rarity outside downtown's Chinatown enclave, here is a Chinese restaurant meant as much more than a front for a takeout and delivery operation. Spacious and airy, with tall windows and soaring ceilings, this Peking-oriented stop does its biggest trade with the buffet crowd. Lunchtime and dinner packs in the northeast industrial office belt crowd for quality all-they-can-handle plates of gingered beef and other specialties served at a large buffet. And it's all at the bargain prices of CAD8-11.