T O P P I C K S f rom Savour staf f | S A V O U R S E L E C T S
Lamb kebab dinner
Anatolia Turkish Food Crossroads Market and 237 8th Ave. S.E. 403.616.2238 anatoliaturkishfood.ca
PASSING THE REIGNS
Before coming to Canada, Chef Mahmut Elbasi was a culinary student in his hometown of Kayseri, Turkey. While studying for his red seal designation, he worked as head chef at Elmacioglu Iskender. When an opportunity to work in Calgary arose, he took a leap of faith and moved to Canada, leaving his young family behind. Once reunited, the family opened Anatolia’s Turkish Cuisine in the Crossroads Market. Offering braised lamb shanks, kebabs, borek, pide, simit and other Turkish delicacies, the booth’s popularity soared and, on the request of many customers, they took another leap and opened their restaurant in the Burns Building across from Olympic Plaza five years ago. With his wife Selma Elbasi serving as head pastry chef (and indispensable business partner, he raves) Elbasi’s ingredients are local and fresh, and with spices coming from Turkey, he puts his own twist on Turkish classics. Some of our favourites include borek, baklava and anything eggplant. When not running his eateries, you’ll find Elbasi volunteering with newcomers and in the community working on bridging the gap between cultures. Both Anatolia's locations are open for take-out, catering and currently dine-in, although we recommend you check before going.
Things are moving and shaking in Fresh & Local Market & Kitchens, as Takori Avenida has closed and The J Spot Culinary Kitchen has opened under the leadership of Chef Joel Harris. Many will know Harris from his days at Foreign Concept, and more recently as the head chef at Takori in the market. He’s trained with several Calgary chefs, Arizona restaurateur Kevin Binkley, and chefs Sheldon Simeon and Jeff Sheer in Hawaii. When Duncan Ly announced Takori’s closure, he handed the reigns to Harris, who took over the equipment, rebranded the space, and kept inspiration from the Takori menu to develop something new. Harris regularly The J Spot Chef Joel Harris and wife Chera Harris adds new menu items like burgers, frozen meal kits, jarred sauces, and specials like Sunday’s beef bulgogi eggs benedict served with triple-cooked fries, or honey-butter chips that typically sell out by noon. He sources local ingredients from the market and draws inspiration from his father, his grandmother's comfort food, his travels and chef mentors like Duncan Ly, Jinhee Lee and Darren MacLean. Harris exudes a contagious passion for his craft and a boundless Soft tacos enthusiasm The J Spot for what the Culinary Kitchen future holds. 12445 Lake Fraser Dr. S.E. 403.971.2508
Calgary Co-op
STOCK YOUR FREEZER
Shefs Fiery Kitchen butter chicken
Shef’s Fiery Kitchen 510 77th Ave. S.E. 403.975.2475 shefsfierykitchen.com
Operated by sisters Shefali (Shef) and Sharon Somani, Shef’s Firey Kitchen has become a popular lunch spot in the Calgary Farmers’ Market. With roots dating back to the market at Currie Barracks, the eatery offers a variety of dishes from India, Thailand, Pakistan, Burma, and east Africa. They proudly source natural, antibiotic- and hormonefree beef and chicken, make the curries glutenfree and change the menu every three weeks. Shef and Sharon use a traditional tandoor oven to grill lamb, beef and chicken and the menu is full of fresh-made items and frozen, heat-and-serve curries large enough to feed two adults. As more customers are stocking their freezers in uncertain times, these products have gained popularity. The butter chicken is a hot seller, and we know why: it’s everything we dream about in a butter chicken. The team has created a line of basic Indian spices, pastes, and powdered blends for take-home. Pick up meals in the market and at a handful of retailers around town including Calgary Co-op, Bite Grocer and Eatery and Sunnyside Market in Kensington. At press time, restaurants and markets are open to limited capacity. Take-out and delivery are available.
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A TWIST ON TURKISH CLASSICS
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Anatolia Turkish Cuisine
Savour selects
M A RC H » A P R I L 2021
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