SA LUTE S & S H O UTO UTS In Edmonton, Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse have now opened A Bite of Brazil at 10114 104 Street NW—a coffee shop serving up their most popular dishes, such as gluten-free, savoury and sweet cheese breads and brigadeiros (chocolate truffles) in a casual environment, along with their own specialty Brazilian coffee. Open 7 days. Calgary’s Bridgeland Distillery have created an exclusive membership Founders’ Club, for those that share their passion and to join them in the journey as their whisky matures. Perks include exclusive bottles throughout the maturation process and also a prerelease bottle of the first whisky. Details at bridgelanddistillery.com. Calgary has a gorgeous new event space, The Pioneer, on 8 Avenue SW in the extensively restored ex-Art Gallery of Calgary and upstairs in the old Divino space next door. A blank canvas with four different spaces, it’s ideal for weddings, corporate events, pop-ups, fundraisers, gala dinners, film screenings and more. Chef Judy Wood, of Meez Cuisine, has opened a gourmet restaurant in Calgary heritage mansion, Lougheed House. Open for lunch, brunch, and pre-booked high tea, Chef Wood has created a delicious, classic French comfort food menu using local ingredients. And after dining, enjoy a discounted admission to the house. Closed Monday/Tuesday. Second openings in Edmonton: Doughnut Party have almost a cult following since they opened three years ago, and now they’ve opened a second location, in Ritchie at 9610 76 Avenue. 9–2 pm, closed Mondays. And upscale, upbeat Guru Restaurant & Bar have opened the doors at their second restaurant offering more creative, Indian-inspired dishes in Ice District at 10111, 104 Avenue. Open from 11 am, closed Mondays. Deane House, in Inglewood, has reopened after four months of extensive repairs and restoration from a sprinkler 6 Culinaire | March 2020
malfunction last September. Chef Chris Barton, formerly of Anew Table, now leads the kitchen, with new shared plates and family-style dining menus for lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, afternoon cocktails, and Sunday live jazz, no corkage suppers. Lunch and dinner six days, closed Mondays.
inventive plant-based dishes from 15 Calgary restaurants, with wine and cocktails. New this year, the chefs will be vying for the “Best in Taste” trophy, with yours truly as one of the judges! Proceeds from this delicious event go to the Starlight Children’s Foundation. See you there!
Kensington has a new beer hall in the ex-Molly Malone’s spot, and it’s one for food lovers! Free House is the latest addition to the Creative Restaurants Group (Bonterra, Posto, Cibo and more) so we knew the food would be good, and it is! As a tasting room and showcase for staff and customers’ favourite microbreweries, 24 local beers are on tap at any one time; and as a food organization first who’s big on flavour, the chef-driven menu is designed to marry with these beers, with a focus on Alberta products. Enjoy—we certainly did! Open seven days for lunch and dinner.
City and Country Winery have been making wine in BC since 2017 and their goal to move production to Alberta has finally been realised! Calgary’s first urban winery and tasting bar is now open at 544 38A Avenue SE, making small batch, gluten-free and vegan wines with no added sugars, colours or flavours, in Flexcubes and Oenotanks rather than oak barrels. Enjoy a plate of charcuterie with a California zinfandel, and an Oregon or Okanagan pinot noir—all made in Calgary! Open Friday–Sunday.
Now in its third year, the celebration of vegan and vegetarian cuisine, Plants, Pinot and Potions, is taking place at WinSport on March 27. We’ll be sampling
Our Daily Brett’s new location is now open on 14 Street SW at 29 Avenue SW in Calgary—you can’t miss “Good Honest Food” painted on the outside wall! Now with 50 seats in this bright and modern new space, drop in for breakfast or lunch,
