Salutes... The results are in – Air Canada has announced its Best New Restaurants, and four of the top ten list are in Alberta! It’s celebration time for Calgary’s Bar Von Der Fels in third place, and hats off to Clementine, Café Linnea, and Alder Room in Edmonton. Congratulations to all!
Congrats too to Gold Medal Plates Winners: Chef Blake Flann, of BLAKE in Canmore, swept the board to win Gold; Chef Matthias Fong, of Calgary’s River Café took home Silver; and Bronze went to Teatro Ristorante’s Chef David Bohati.
And to Monogram Coffee co-founder, Ben Put, who won the 2017 Canadian Barista Competition for the fourth time! Put will now represent Canada in the World Barista Championship in Korea.
and Shout Outs... There’s no stopping OEB. Calgary’s popular breakfast and brunch spot has opened a third location in the old Bocce location, in Mission. Expect fun and bright, egg and chicken-themed décor, and the same egg-focused menu as their Edmonton Trail and 5th Avenue SW locations. The Tastemarket by SAIT is celebrating the launch of its new downtown eatery and innovative learning environment for future culinary entrepreneurs. A unique facility, SAIT students are gaining real restaurant management experience, and offering breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and grab-and-go meals in this this cutting-edge space on 7th Avenue SW, Monday to Friday, 7:00 am – 5:30 pm. You can also take classes here in going gluten free and cooking for your health. tastemarket.ca/cooking-classes/locations. TwoPenny, a new Chinese restaurant from the team behind Calgary’s Native Tongues Taqueria and Calcutta Cricket Club, has opened its doors on 1st Street SW in Beltline offering familiar family-style Chinese dining.
TwoPenny 6
“The Tea House,” is a lively bar downstairs, with a different menu and features dim sum cart service. These beautifully designed spaces, by Sarah Ward Interiors, boast elaborate and rich fixtures, with modern Chinese ornaments and artwork. Don’t miss Chef Scott Beaton’s roast meats and lamb ribs, the smoked mushrooms and special fried rice – and wash it all down with beverage director, Stephen Phipps’, creative cocktails. Open 7 days, 5pm-11pm.
Utca Chimney Cakes Coffee House
Something new and different has opened in Calgary’s Victoria Park – Utca Chimney Cakes Coffee House, on 13 Avenue SE. This 28-seat café features traditional chimney cakes with sweet and savoury toppings and spreads, as well as a breakfast cone ready to eat on the go with egg, cheese, and bacon or sausage on a donut cone, and a chimney ice cream cone with soft-serve Fiasco gelato. See the bakers preparing the pastries, and learn from the baristas at the espresso bar.
The Wednesday Room
We’re excited for the opening of The Wednesday Room in the ex-Trib location on 8 Avenue SW. McKinley Burkart have recreated a ‘60s vibe, to provide a relaxed, cool lounge with cool food, and a great music program. There’s a baby grand downstairs, and a 36-seat private dining room upstairs. Derek Wilkins’ (ex Rouge and Workshop) modern Canadian menu features 18 shared plates, 15 of which are gluten free, and four each are vegan and vegetarian – try them all for $150. Big share plates of Tomahawk steak and arctic char feed 2-4 people. Cody Goss (of Anju and Ricardos) has created a seasonal cocktail program – and your Old Fashioned is served in a flask! On-demand food delivery service, foodora, has launched in Calgary and Edmonton to deliver good eats from over 50 restaurant partners directly to your door. Restaurant partners include Po-ke, Freshii, Würst, and Prairie Noodle Shop, and until December 31, delivery on all foodora orders is free! foodora.ca