Best Restaurants on Calgary’s Edmonton Trail: The original “Soul in a Bowl” at OEB Breakfast Co. (Photo: Jason Dziver)
Just a four-minute drive north of downtown, Edmonton Trail is the dark horse of emerging restaurant rows. The stretch is punctuated with an eclectic mix of eateries from retro diners serving brunch, burgers and Benedicts to upscale bistros serving fusion cuisine.
One of Calgary’s largest beer selections, along with summery cocktails and a delicious menu, secured National Beer Hall a spot on our list (Photo: Adele Brunnhofer)
WHERE Calgary Contributing Editor and the city’s best-known food critic, John Gilchrist, shares his selections for the best spots to enjoy craft beer in the city.
One of the contestants in this mouth-watering competition. Photo: 80th and Ivy.
It’s time to settle a question that’s near and dear to this beef-lovin’ town: who has what it takes to eliminate the competition and claim the glorious title of Best Burger in Calgary?
Dine in luxury at Teatro in the heart of downtown Calgary. (Photo: courtesy Teatro)
Calgary’s many brunch spots feature long lineups on Mothers’ Day. We’ve found six elegant, kid-friendly and casual venues, which are still open for bookings.
Photo: Commonwealth Bar & Stage
SIT Interiors plays host tonight to the Calgary Folk Music Festival kick-off party, where local band Eve Hell and the Razors will perform their unique brand of ’60s surf and rockabilly. The band will also perform this coming weekend at the festival. Craft beers by Village Brewery will be served. Admission is free, show starts at 7 pm. SIT Interiors 820 11 Ave SW.
Two of Calgary’s hippest 17th Avenue eateries, Una Pizza and Wine and Ox and Angela, are holding a customer appreciation night at Commonwealth Bar and Stage tonight. Local bands the Nix Dixons and Double Fuzz will be perform. Complimentary appetizers and drink specials, the event is open to the public. The celebration will include complimentary appetizers and drink. Tickets are $5 at the door, event begins at 7 pm. Commonwealth Bar and Stage 731 10 Ave SW.
Musician and songstress Carla Olive hosts the new singer-songwriter open mic at Café Koi. The intimate café features a diverse menu of Asian-fusion dishes with numerous vegetarian options. Delicious cocktails like the Rising Sun sake martini are a must-try. Café Koi 1011 1 St SW.
Kensington Road during the festival. Photo: Kensington BRZ.
This Sunday, Kensington brings heat to the street for its fun outdoor Sun and Salsa Festival. Attendees are invited to wander the neighbourhood’s many shops and boutiques while sampling over 25 salsas lovingly prepared by a variety of the area’s businesses. (more…)
Though the hot (okay, at least warm) days of summer may be behind us, the lack of patio space is no reason to forgo a cool beer – just pull up a stool at your local pub. The renewed interest in shopping and eating local definitely includes beer, and you won’t have to go far to find some of the best. These Calgary watering holes came in at the top of our list for their mouth-watering microbrews. (more…)
Get a feel for the culinary flavour of yyc with these dishes
BY LAURA PELLERINE, DAN LEAHUL AND ALLISON ONYETT
For 75 years, Where Magazine has been the most trusted source for travellers looking for the inside scoop on what the world’s greatest cities have to offer. To celebrate this milestone, here are some of the most iconic and unique dishes the city has to offer, from local meat and produce to flavours balanced to perfection to cult favourites. It wasn’t easy, but we had a little help from some of Calgary’s top food experts—John Gilchrist, Karen Anderson, Linda Garson, Anh Chu, Catherine Caldwell and Andree Lau. Happy eating!
#2 - Grilled Cheese at Janice Beaton, photograph by Jason Dziver
1. “The Whole Truck” at Alley Burger Food Truck • This juicy burger is made from 100 per cent Spring Creek Angus beef with your choice of toppings. We liked it with piri piri aioli, fresh cheese curds, pickles, tomato and lettuce. There might be a line-up, but it’s worth the wait. Watch for their location via Twitter @AlleyBurger.
2. Grilled Cheese at Janice Beaton • Creamy Oka “Classique” cheese mingles with sharp cheddar and tomato chili jam, served on a freshly baked ciabatta bun.
3. The Crave-O-Licious Cupcake at Crave Cookies and Cupcakes • Moist chocolate cake is topped with blue vanilla buttercream icing and shaved dark chocolate.
4. Vegetarian Pad Thai at Delicious Thai • A hearty helping of noodles, sprouts and chunks of sweet, crispy tofu, with robust flavours of peanuts, lime and chilis.
5. Ricotta Gnocchi at Capo • Billowy ricotta gnocchi swims in a rich Lobster Américaine sauce, topped with black truffle oil and greens.
6. The Masala Mogo at Safari Grill • A plate of deep-fried cassava (a tropical root, similar to a potato) mixed with masala sauce: Indian spices with crushed tomatoes.
Tubby Dog (Photo: *ee)
Enjoy mouth-watering barbecue ribs, retro milkshakes and quirky hotdogs at these specialty eateries.
A combination of unpredictable weather and strict health code regulations have forced Calgary’s streetfood vendors to become a resourceful, inventive and inspired bunch. The day of plain ol’ hotdog carts are long passé—instead, many restaurants are branching out to the street, with walk-up takeaway-windows serving gourmet grub on-the-go. These connoisseurs of outside eats have raised the bar of their cornerside-counterparts, taking streetfood staples to unseen summits. (more…)
Get a taste of a French-Canadian classic snack at the newly opened The Big Cheese Poutinerie. On the menu find 21 variations of the typical fries-gravy-and-cheese Quebec treat, including the popular Notorious P.I.G. (a combination of Carolina pulled pork, double-smoked bacon and Italian sausage with cheese curds and gravy). Other offerings include Buffalo Chicken (grilled chicken tossed in Frank’s Red Hot sauce and green peas) and the Cow Town (barbecued beef with caramelized onions). Though a majority of their menu is based around meat, they also offer gluten-free gravy and options for vegetarians. The hot spot is open until 3:30 am on Friday and Saturday nights for weekend warriors heading home from nearby pubs and lounges. 738 – 17 Ave SW, 403-457-CURD (2873).—Ryan Duncan
The Big Cheese Poutinerie
Discover Field Stone Fruit Wines, a true taste of Alberta
by Laura Pellerine
It’s no secret that Alberta is known for its high quality beef; if you’ve taken a look at some menus around town, you’ll also find that our Taber corn is a hit, as are our juicy Hotchkiss tomatoes, Poplar Bluff potatoes and free-range bison. However, what you may not know, is that we also make our own wine—fruit wine, that is. Ontario, B.C. and even Nova Scotia, may have their grapes, but here in Alberta, we’re making wines with the likes of saskatoons and rhubarb. (more…)
Start your night off with Melrose Café and Bar’s sweet tropical “Fishbowl”—a blend of three kinds of rum, Crème de Banane, Grand Marnier and Peach Schnapps, for a whopping total of six ounces of alcohol. Poured into an oversized fishbowl-shaped glass, there’s also fruit juice, cranberries and a cherry garnish. Warning—this drink must be ordered by two or more people, so be prepared to share.—Allison Onyett
Fishbowl drink at Melrose Café and Bar