2019-04-01 Taste and Travel International

The Culinary Traveller’s Guide

Neighbourhoods

KENSINGTON One of Calgary’s most

beloved neighbourhoods also offers up an

impressive assortment of culinary gems.

Pop by Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey for

some Texas-style BBQ and an impressive

assortment of whiskey, or grab a seat at

Container Bar and indulge in a plate of Duck

Poutine or Crispy Pigs Ears — at the city’s

most gourmet alleyway getup.

Want takeout? Grab a box of fried chicken,

chips, and corn fritters at Chicken on the Way,

a city favourite since 1958. If Naples-style

pizza is your thing, make sure to stop by

Pulcinella for a quick pie, and follow it up

with a scoop of frozen goodness at Amato

Gelato, just down the street.

DOWNTOWN There’s no shortage of

restaurants, cafes, and shops in Calgary’s

downtown, and it’s always growing.

Stop by Last Best Brewing & Distilling

for a house-made brew and a bite

to eat, or indulge in some of the city’s

tastiest plates (and a killer happy hour, to

boot) at Bridgette Bar. On the bustling 17th

Avenue, you’ll find the colourful Calcutta

Cricket Club, their Bengali-inspired street

food, and drool-worthy cocktails.

Down the street in Victoria Park, you’ll find

Proof and their award-winning cocktails,

Two Penny (modern Chinese food and a fun

teahouse in the basement), and the beloved

Ten Foot Henry — along with their attached

coffee shop, Little Henry.

The nearby Native Tongues offers up an

incredible tequila selection (along with

delicious Mexican cuisine), and Thai Sa-on

(on 10th Avenue) has some of the best Thai

food in the city.

Want to go gourmet? Make a reservation

at Pigeonhole, touted as Canada’s best

restaurant, or grab some goodies to go at

Eau Claire’s Alforno.

INGLEWOOD One can spend hours upon

hours just strolling around Inglewood,

without any concern about whether or

not they’ll go hungry. Keep caffeinated

at Gravity, grab a bottle or two of wine at

Brick’s Wine Co., or pick up some spices to

complement dinner at the Silk Road Spice

Merchant. Have a grumbling belly? Satisfy

that hunger at some of the city’s favourite

restaurants: Rouge, the Nash, or (slightly

west, in the East Village), Charbar.

4 TH STREET Head to Mission for an

incredible cultural mish-mash of culinary

gems, like Anejo (tequila and Mexican

food), Wurst (beer hall and German

grub), Shokunin (to-die-for Japanese),

Anju (Korean fusion), and La Boulangerie

(French pastries and more). You simply

can’t go wrong.

THE ‘BURBS The trip to the far south’s

Starbelly is totally worth it, and it’s family-

friendly, seven days a week. For a killer

menu and a restaurant with a view, be

sure to dine at Canadian Rocky Mountain

Resorts’ Lakehouse on Lake Bonavista.

While you’re in the area, stop

by Willow Park Village for some

deliciousness at Crave Cupcakes, Urban Butcher,

North Sea Fish Market, Made Foods, Willow Park

Wines and Spirits, and Springbank Cheese. What

else could you ask for?

If you’re on the west side of the city, check

out the Indian food at Nawab Restaurant,

grab some tapas at Vin Room West, and pick

up a bottle of wine at VR Wine, Vin Room’s

accompanying bottle shop.

Cooking Classes

Enjoy one of the many different classes at

the Cookbook Co., learn from the best at the

SAIT-run Culinary Campus, or take in one of

the interactive classes at Calgary’s Cuisine et

Chateau.

Kitchen Stores

Inglewood is easily one of the city’s most

culinary-focused neighbourhoods, so it’s no

surprise that two of the best kitchen shops

are located there. Check out Savour Fine

Foods & Kitchenware for everything cooking-

related, or Knifewear for the finest selection in

Japanese knives.

If you’re in the downtown area, the Cookbook

Co. is your best bet for specialty foods,

kitchenware, cookbooks, and so much more.

Markets

The Calgary Farmers’ Market, the Market on

MacLeod, and the Crossroads Market are all

year-round, but some of the markets within

and on the outskirts of the city are must-see

events, like the Millarville Farmers’ Market, just

south of Calgary.

đƫHoney, mead, and candles from

Fallentimber Meadery

đƫPierogies from Heritage Deli

đƫSausages from Spolumbos

đƫSourdough bread from Sidewalk

Citizen

đƫCheese from Peasant

Cheese

Calgary’s great tastes.

đƫOl’ Beautiful Brewing 

đƫCold Garden Beverage Co. 

đƫAnnex Ale Project

đƫMarda Loop Brewing Company

đƫLegend 7 Brewing 

đƫThe Dandy Brewing Company

đƫWild Rose Brewery

Calgary’s great drinks.

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BY STEPHANIE ARSENAULT
APRIL–JUNE 2019 TAST E& TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL 91
TAST E& TRAVEL REGIONAL MARKETPLACE
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