Salutes and Shout Outs

Courtesy Gareth Paget @loosevisuals

In our very first issue we wrote "Caesar’s Steak House is 40 years old this year - congratulations to a Calgary institution!” And now Caesar’s are celebrating their golden anniversary, huge congrats!

If you’ve eaten in Banff recently, then you’ll be familiar with Banff Hospitality Collective restaurants: The Bison, Maple Leaf, Hello Sunshine, and many more; Chef Justin Leboe’s talents shine here too. New Lupo (Italian for ‘wolf’) on Wolf Street, is a terrific addition to the already excellent roster. An Italian marketplace, Lupo has private rooms, canopy bar, fireplace, and an open kitchen to watch the team create beautifully presented fresh pasta dishes, all available in half or full plates. There’s pizza, meat, and fish mains too, along with a good selection of beer, wines, and cocktails. From 5 pm, closed Tuesdays.

Calgary’s refurbished Booker’s BBQ, at 3 Street SE, has emerged as the elegant and bright, Ellie’s Kitchen & Bar, with authentic Ghanaian and Caribbean food, and live music too. Try West Africa’s popular dishes: beef, seafood or veggie Jollof rice, and Suya skewers; Jamaica faves of oxtail and jerk chicken, or one of many gluten-free and vegan dishes. Tropical cocktails, as well as wine and local beers. Ellie’s is spacious and airy, with Ghanaian paintings, and a private dining room upstairs for 25 people. Reservations available 4 pm-late, closed Mondays.

Calgary Chef Yash Sharma learnt his craft in high-end hotels in India, then after a spell as Carnival Cruise Lines’ Head Chef, and in local restaurants, two years ago he opened YYC Pasta Bar on 17 Avenue SW, and it’s so successful that he’s opened another location in the ex-Cotto spot in Kensington. Choose your pasta, sauce, proteins, and veggies, or go for a chef’s specialty such as lobster ravioli (oh yum!), risotto, and veal tortellini. Portions are generous and it’s some of the best value in the city. Happy hour 11-4 pm includes lunch, chef offers catering too. Closed Tuesdays.

We’ve been waiting since last summer for El Corazon (‘The Heart’) to open in Edmonton, and we’re happy to report the lights are now on at 14101 West Block Drive, in Glenora. With a large menu of Latininspired dishes and cocktails, you’ll be spoiled for choice – paella or pollo, tacos or tequeños, margarita or mojito! Seven days, 11 am-2 pm.

Riverfront Avenue SW in Calgary’s Eau Claire is home to Gravity Café’s third location, where you’ll find a more developed menu, with flatbreads, waffles, charcuterie, wine and beer, as well as Phil & Seb coffee, Tea Trader teas, and specialty cocktails. Everything is made from scratch, and they have the comfiest stools ever! Treat yourself to a Mimosa when the lovely morning light highlights supervisor, Larissa Pendlebury’s murals. There’s a private room for 25 people, and 1-5 pm happy hour. Perfect for a pre/post visit to the cinema, seven days, early-10 pm.

An homage to a Canadian WWII hero, there’s a terrific story behind Tailgunner Brewing, who’ve opened their taproom at 1602 10th Avenue SW, in Calgary’s Sunalta. Founders, Mike Macleod and Cael Tucker are putting out some terrific quality beer in cans and on tap, and tasty snacks to enjoy with them. It’s a big space for 150 people downstairs and a lovely room for 40 upstairs, with a 50-seat patio ready soon! Seven days, tailgunnerbrewing.ca for hours. Edmonton’s Cameron Heights is home to Chef Paul Shufelt’s new Hayloft Steak and Fish, sharing the space with Woodshed Burgers’ third location. Now, in one spot you can drop by for a burger after the game or celebrate your special occasion with Nonay beef (Classic or Unconventional Steak Cuts) from Lakeside Dairy, and Effing Seafoods fish. It’s a wonderful menu - and clever, allowing Chef Shufelt to stay true to his nose-to-tail values, with options to fit your appetite and budget. Seven days from 4:30 pm and brunch at weekends.

As well as popular Smoke N BBQ food truck, Calgary restaurateur, Stephen Szostak, has opened an express retail location at 124 17 Avenue SE. Zip in for your fix of 17-hour apple, oak, hickory, and maple-smoked brisket, pulled pork, chicken, and smoked bratwurst sandwiches, with signature whiskey, Carolina, or apple BBQ sauce, and Cajun spice. Take it out along with frozen cooked meats to eat at home, or have them cater your Stampede and tailgate parties. Pick up your frequent loyalty card, and watch for Game Day specials.

Calgary’s Gorilla Whale, in Inglewood, has morphed into Gwailo, Jason Wankel and Chef Chris Wong’s fun and funky, western-style Cantonese restaurant based on Chef Wong’s Hong Kong roots and culinary studies. Much-loved Halloumi

Shao Kao sticks, Chicken Paitan Ramen, Kimchi, Shrimp Dumplings, and Chashu Roll, are still on the menu, along with must-try ‘Naked’ Crab Rangoon, SakeSteamed Clams, Steak Fried Rice, and Leche Flan with Ovaltine ice cream. Killer cocktails are on offer, and we love the eclectic custom artworks too. Lunch and dinner, weekend brunch from 10 am, closed Mondays.

Following the success of their Vancouver launch last year, Edmonton now has its own modern and eclectic, Community Taps & Pizza, at 8232 Gateway Boulevard NW. Choose from 14 New York-style (thinner crust) and nine Detroit-style, (heftier with a cheese crust) pizzas, add appies and salads or plump for a handheld. Wash it all down with a local beer, curated wine or cocktail - and don’t miss the daily specials! Seven days, lunch and dinner.

Formerly Jack Asters, at 9823 Macleod Trail, Calgary’s Tomahawk Kitchen + Bar is a new steakhouse from the folks at Gully Street, in Southcentre Mall. Choose a beautifully cooked steak; a beef, bison, veal, lamb, or pork tomahawk, all from local producers (as are the beers and spirits); or one of many seafood options. The star is $120 ‘Gold Digger’ local wagyu burger with 13 gourmet toppings, but for a smaller budget, we really enjoyed fried cauliflower, Caesar salad with spicy jerky, prawns garganelli, and more. Two 12-seat private rooms and a 70-seat patio for the sunny days ahead! 11-11, seven days.

Simtopia’s CommonGrind coffee bar is now pouring Devil’s Head coffee and local brews at their 50 Avenue SE, Calgary location, and their Chicken Heaven restaurant is serving lip-smacking, Koreanstyle, fried chicken everything to rave reviews!

Filipino food is proving very popular in Edmonton - Jollibee has opened its fourth location at 881 Tamarack Way. Seven days, 9 am-11 pm, and drive thru too.

8 What do you look for in a café besides good coffee and a tasty snack? A welcoming ambience and people who share your values? You’ll find these and more at Janice Buckingham’s new Daydream Cafe, at 412 Memorial Drive, Calgary. Classically trained chef and creator of Flora Fromage plant-based cheeses, Buckingham has turned her ‘fromagerie’ into a delightful spot to hang out, have breakfast or lunch, and shop your values on the all-vegan wall. Healthy and nourishing are a given here, and everything tastes really delicious too! Seven days, 9 am-6 pm.