Salutes and Shout Outs

For 15 years the Ocean Wise symbol has meant an ocean-friendly choice on a menu or in a store, and in February it’s their first National Chowder Chowdown festival, so let’s enjoy delicious chowders all month with partproceeds supporting this sustainable seafood program (and our local restaurants too!). For details, check out ocean.org/seafood.

Two new breweries have opened up north! Congrats to Darren McGeown of Arcadia Brewing, in Edmonton’s Manchester Square. His long-term dream, since a kid in Northern Ireland, was to open a friendly, neighbourhood and community place where people can come together, share good times – and enjoy crushable craft beers. And now he’s done it! arcadiayeg.com.

And further west in Spruce Grove, another community-focused brewery, Talking Dog Brewing has opened its doors! This family of dog lovers has joined their science expertise with the creative arts to produce their craft brews from local ingredients. And of course they have growlers and howlers! talkingdogbrewing.ca.

Calgary’s love of pizza knows no bounds!

We loved James Beard Award-winning Chef Keith Luce’s Tavernetta, and were very sorry to see it go, but now he’s opened the Little Tavern Pizza Project in Strathcona Park. He’s keeping it lowkey, but having fun with it, and we’re not at all surprised to see the elevated, quality food and the quirky names for his dishes. You have to try a Stinkin’ Rose, Pig Perfect, and Basically Medicine pie! littletavernpizza.com

You won’t recognise the Open Range space on Edmonton Trail – it’s been completely torn apart and rebuilt bright and airy with garage doors, and is now home to Pizza Culture, the new venture from Tony and John Nicastro, along with Pizzaiolo Jeremy Hube. They’re keeping it very traditional, with their recipe for dough from early 1500s Naples, and a Stefano Ferrara woodfired pizza oven brought over from Italy. pizzacultureyyc.ca Completing the pizza trio is the new concept from long-time faves, Starbelly and The Beltliner. Pink Door Pizza is across from A&W on 130 Ave SE, for take out and delivery only. Group Executive Chef Justin Lall is here making his dough and sauces, and has created a fun menu with dishes such as Okey Dokey Artichokey, Curry Up & Don’t Be Late, and Pizza For The Seoul, as well some Ol’ Faithfuls! pinkdoorpizza.com

Oh wait! Fom the kitchens of Craft Beer Market is the new Pie-Eyed Pizza, serving up both round and Detroit-style pizzas, and also only open for delivery through Skip, Doordash, and Uber Eats!

Talking of Italian food, YYC Pasta Bar has opened at 1322a 17 Ave SW. Chef Yash is making everything freshly for you, and as well as a big selection of familiar starters and pasta dishes, you can create your own dish - choose your pasta, then one of seven sauces, add some meat, fish, seafood… and finally add some veg! yycpastabar.ca

And Noto Gelato, the new concept from Pulcinella’s Domenic Tudda and his niece, Stefanna Spoletini, has opened in Bridgeland at 236-4 Street NE, offering traditional, handcrafted gelato with ingredients imported directly from Italy! notogelato.ca Caitlin Fulton, who have opened their 4,000 square foot, The Butchery by RGE RD, in the ex-Jiffy Vacuum spot at 12229-107 Avenue. A veritable emporium of provisions for your kitchen, you’ll love the custom cuts and house-made products from local farms, as well as breads, pickles, local cheese... and a lot more. rgerd.ca.

A1 Cantina has opened its doors in Calgary’s Britannia Plaza, in the ex-Suzette location. You already know it’s going to be excellent if you’ve eaten at Native Tongues and A1 Bodega (and if you haven’t, you really should!). We love Chefs Rodrigo Rodas and Salvador Penieres’ northern Mexican menu of salads, tacos - do try the Al Pastor with spit roast pork - the 5-salsa tasting (oh yum!), the cocktails, and we just about inhaled the Buñuelos de viento for desert! a1cantina.com

And rivalling any of Alberta’s top restaurants, Änkôr (pronounced ‘Encore’, and you will want more!) is open in Canmore. Danny Beaulieu, previously at Crazyweed and The Juniper, has gathered a superb team (coincidentally, all originally from Quebec) to open this absolutely outstanding bistro. Every dish we tried was plate-licking stunning; the tartare is genius, and the duck with confit leg, dry-aged breast, and parsnips, is some of the best we’ve had. It’s Lede certified, solar-powered, and with almost no waste! Wherever you live, it’s worth the drive. ankorcanmore.com.