Salutes and Shout Outs

Congratulations to Big Rock Brewery’s new Brewmaster and Director of Brewing Operations, Graham Kendall, on taking over from Paul Gautreau, who retired earlier this year.

Congrats too to Von der Fels’ (VDF) Will Trow and Douglas King, who are moving to The Ranchmen’s Club as General Manager and Head Chef. VDF closes at the end of July so be quick to reserve for your last meal here!

Rümi is the newest member of the ATCO family, and they’ve partnered with local businesses in Calgary and Edmonton to deliver home maintenance and repair services. From heating to painting, electrical to plumbing, and roofing to yard care, check out rumi.ca.

In 1969, Calgary bartender Walter Schell, created the Caesar cocktail at the Westin Hotel’s Owl’s Nest Restaurant, and now you can enjoy not only the original but a vegan version too on their newly opened Owl Patio & Bar! Bask in the sun or around the firepit and nibble on signature Cumin Chili Roasted Chick Peas, Applewood Smoked Beef Jerky, and Tempura Mushrooms (yum!), and enjoy a local craft beer with your bison burger, flatbread or heart healthy bowl. 3-9 pm, closed Sundays.

Laid Fresh and Chikin are now available in both Calgary and Edmonton! These new menus from award-winning, Miami chef Michael Lewis, are available noon-2:30 am (for your late night cravings too!). We really enjoyed the Hot Mess with Fried Chikin, hot sauce, blue cheese, Napa slaw and yuzu pickles; the Fully Loaded Waffle Fries; Kimchi Coleslaw; and Avocado Salad… thatsgoodchikin.com.

High school students can now gain hands-on experience at Teatro Group’s Culinary Trades Program with The Educational Partnership Fund. Partially funded by the Government of Alberta, students train at six Teatro Group restaurants to enter the hospitality workforce straight from high school. Evario Kitchen + Bar is open in Edmonton’s Holiday Inn South, featuring Chef Sonny Sung’s menu of locally sourced, farm fresh ingredients. We’ve a hankerin’ for his 72-hour roasted, succulent lamb shank, but you can choose from classic and modern Italian, Asian, and local dishes too. 11 am-10 pm, seven days.

Roy’s Korean Kitchen is fully open in the ex-Mr. Chen's space on Calgary’s 4 Street SW. We’ve been missing Chef Roy Oh’s modern Korean dishes since Anju Restaurant closed, and we’re looking forward to our fave Crispy Tofu with Sesame Maple Kimchi, Soy Maple Brussel Sprouts, and Oxtail Tortellini again!

Calgary’s Southcentre Mall has launched a new interactive art installation, Eat & Seek, mirrored at sister Kingsway Mall in Edmonton, as a joint effort to support eateries and promote Alberta artists in both cities.

Curated Catering, by Hotel Arts, is SAIT’s new food services provider, providing an array of breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus for campus catering and events, as well as at the soon to open Begin Tower Dining Centre.

Calgary’s Wow Bakery has three locations in Chinook Mall, Chinook Park Plaza, and Marda Loop, and now you can find Chef Hwang’s Korean, Japanese, and Frenchinspired decorated cakes and breads in Royal Oak, at 8650 112 Avenue NW. 9 am-8 pm.

Fonda Fora, Thank You Hospitality’s (Native Tongues, A1 Bodega, and more…) new Mexican restaurant is now open at Calgary Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, Westley Hotel. Chef Rafael Castillo is from Yucatan, and his contemporary Mexican menu has a seafood focus with imported heirloom yellow and blue corn, house-ground for their tortillas. Beverage Director, Allie Martin, has created a superb drinks menu with local beers and Mexican staples, natural and orange food wines, and stunning cocktails influenced by the food. Dine in or on the patio for signature dishes, 3-course comida corrida lunch, and chef’s tasting menu, or sip Monogram coffee with pastries from 6:30-11 am.

In Edmonton, Black Box Hospitality Group has opened Young & Restless Pizza, operating from District Café & Bakery, on 109 Street NW, serving up a small selection of hot pizzas and cold beers with first come-first served picnic tables. 5-9 pm, Wednesday-Sunday.

In Calgary’s Bridgeland, Villa Firenze has opened Toto Pizza. Focusing on traditional pies and the family’s classic dough, with Nonna’s favourite recipes, you can also enjoy appetizers and a selection of salads and desserts. Tuesday-Saturday. toto-pizza.com.