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Pixie's candy shop

A SWEET SCOOP

Pixie’s Candy Parlour is an old-fashioned candy parlour located in The District at North Deerfoot. Launched in 2013, this family-owned business found success in one of the farmers’ markets and relocated to a bricks and mortar location a few years later. Owner Jackie Ruhl channels her inner child by offering a unique selection of sweets from around the world in her boutique-style candy shop. Besides the fun selection of treats, they have a fully operational 1950’s soda fountain bar, one of only a few in Canada. We can’t resist stopping in for an old-fashioned soda or ice cream float. Gift ideas include subscription boxes, gift boxes, Easter baskets and candy buffets. Pixie’s Candy Parlour | 207, 11135 14th St. N.E. 403.567.0109 | pixiescandy.com

CELEBRATE MALBEC

Malbec World Day is a global initiative created by Wines of Argentina celebrated every year on April 17th. Willow Park Wines & Spirits is celebrating throughout the month of April with in-store displays, deals and a special selection of featured Argentinean wines. While malbec is Argentina’s signature red varietal producing nearly 70 per cent of the malbec vineyards in the world, their winemakers are also passionate about crafting fresh and food-friendly rosés. A diverse climate, high-altitude vinyards and a wine culture dedicated to excellence is what makes Argentinean malbecs a reliable and popular red wine. Willow Park Wines & Spirits | 10801 Bonaventure Dr. S.E. 403.296.1640 | willowpark.net

MEXICO IN YOUR KITCHEN

Thirteen years ago, Salsita, a boutique food market opened specializing in Mexican cuisine. Originally from Guyana and Venezuela, owner Jean Williams started as an employee and bought the market when opportunity knocked… and brought food.

Jean and her team make everything fresh in-house with products available for pick-up to be reheated at home or enjoyed as is. Some of the delicious items available in store include birria, al pastor tacos, enchiladas, soups, burritos, empanadas, tres-leches cake, lime tarts, tamales and Mexican wedding cookies. While we change our minds regularly, our current favourite is the selection of dried chiles, fresh guacamole and pico de gallo. Salsita Mexican Food Market 777 Northmount Dr. N.W. | 403.289.2202 | salsita.ca

Photo provided Camie Leard

THE STARS ALIGNED

Starr Distilling Co. charcuterie board

Mike Stanfield bought Halifax-based Starr Manufacturing, a business operating since 1861 and known for inventing the modern ice skate, from his father. He imagined a new path for the business and together with his wife Lee, opened Starr Distilling Co., which has been making Summer Love Vodka since 2016. Last year, an opportunity to expand came along and the Stanfield’s bought the Burwood Distillery building, moving in and sharing space until Burwood is ready to relocate to their new digs in Currie Barracks. Chef Kyrin Wollen formerly of Rouge Restaurant, The Wednesday Room and Boxwood Café designed Starr’s menu bringing flair and creativity that aligns with the current selection of cocktails. Now that they’ve found their forever home, future plans include seasonal gins, coffee creams, liqueurs and whiskey. In February, they launched a limited batch of chocolate liqueur made from oven-roasted cacao and we can confirm, it’s fabulous. Starr Distilling Co. | 4127 6th St. N.E. | 403.971.7600 | starrdistilling.com

THANKS MOM!

Chef Mike Pigot (Craft, La Mano, Pigot’s Burger Club) and business partner James Martin launched a hot new spot in Victoria Park in January. An homage to their moms, Pat & Betty’s menu rounds up European-inspired food with a Canadian touch and elevates it to a collection of dishes dedicated to indulgence, flavour and the comfortable feeling of home. A creative cocktail menu and robust wine list accompany the menu and support a lounge vibe to the dining room which took over the former Habitat nightclub space. We learned how good a green salad can be by starting with P&B’s greens. The butter lettuce, mixed greens and green goddess dressing make a delicious beginning to your meal, but the real star of this dish is the chewy, buttery, garlicky brioche crouton, which we’re still thinking about weeks later. We loved the mussels, and gorged on the bone-in pork chop, which is brined for 48 hours and served with caramelized honey butter, roasted pear and zippy pickled chilies. The three-ounce Marty cocktail blends Four Roses bourbon, Aperol and sweet vermouth for a surprisingly smooth and delicious sipper enjoyed over a leisurely dinner served by warm and knowledgeable staff who are enthusiastic to the point of being effusive about the food. We finished with the P&B carrot cake and had lots to take home with us to enjoy later. Pat & Betty | 1217 1st St. S.W. | 403.453.7690 | patandbetty.com

Soulful recipes inspired by our families straight from the heart of old Italy and made in-house daily.

Our famous sausages are only one part of our story. Check out Spolumbo’s for stress-free office, event and home catering. Our in-house deli and ready-to-eat take-home meals are just waiting for you! Visit us in Inglewood at 1308 9 Avenue SE | spolumbos.com

MULTO BENE!

Camie Leard

We got such a treat in February as Chef Trevor Jerram from a start-up pastadelivery service Pasta Fresca made contact inviting us to try his “assembleat-home” pasta kits delivered fresh every Thursday. Born and raised in Calgary, Jerram graduated from SAIT’s culinary program before heading overseas to hone his craft. Now back in Calgary, he’s taken his passion for pasta and created restaurant-quality kits with fresh-made pasta and delicious, seasonal sauces. We tried the cavatelli with crumbled fennel sausage, cavela niro (Italian kale), white wine, black pepper butter which absolutely delighted. The difference fresh pasta makes is immeasurable and it was cooked and on our plates in under 15 minutes. We also had the rigatoni with slow-braised beef shin and red wine ragu, rosemary and parmesan – another hit. Pasta Fresca delivers to all Calgary postal codes every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Cut-off for orders is Tuesday at midnight and delivery is free for orders $25 and over.*

Pasta Fresca's rigatoni Bolognese kit

Pasta Fresca | 140, 7920 42nd St. S.E. | 587.830.0815 | pastafrescayyc.com

CATCH THE WAVE

Surfy Surfy Bar, Concorde Group’s latest outing, set up shop in a totally tubular space in Chinook Mall. Located on the main floor beneath Double Zero, this sunny space is perfect for a signature margarita and lunch of SoCal fare with a Korean twist. We very much enjoyed the tuna ceviche to start, which was fresh, creamy and offered just a hint of heat with the togarashi mayo. Worth mentioning are the tortilla chips, which manage to find that perfect crisp. We’re told balls of tortilla dough are delivered to the restaurant then pressed in-house before they’re thrown on the flat top for some extra bubbles and browning. Camie Leard We loved the al pastor taco and the chicken gringas – a take on a quesadilla with gochugaru (Korean red chili) and a zippy citrus agave dip.* Surfy Surfy Bar 6455 Macleod Tr. S.W. 403.863.7356 surfysurfybar.com

The delicious potato churros at Surfy Surfy Bar with the rich and decadent chocolate marquise in the background. MomFOR

KENSINGTON : 1081 2ND AVENUE NW | 403.287.8544 SPRUCE CLIFF / WILDWOOD : 8 SPRUCE CENTER SW | 403.452.3960 MAHOGANY : 2171 MAHOGANY BLVD SE | 587.623.1144 CROWFOOT CROSSING : 826 CROWFOOT CRESCENT NW | 403.241.3475

@piejunkieyyc | piejunkie.ca

HIDDEN GEM: CALAN BEEF NOODLE

When Calan Beef Noodle founder David Liu, arrived in Calgary as an international student from China, there were no hand-pulled noodle eateries to be found. This famous Chinese street food originated in 1915 in Lanzhou, China and is a soup dish he grew up with. Liu fell in love with Calgary but missed the noodle soups prompting a return to his home town to learn the art of noodle pulling from a professional chef. Once back in Calgary, he opened Calan Beef Noodle on Centre St. N., and due to its popularity, a second location downtown. The team brings in spices directly from Lanzhou providing an authentic tasting beef soup. They are open seven days a week and have franchises available. Calan Beef Noodle | 2219 Centre St. N. 587.350.0050 | calanbeefnoodle.ca Calan Beef Noodle | 109, 683 10th St. S.W. 587.351.6633 | calanbeefnoodle.ca

Calan beef noodle soup