Savour Selects

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Mari Bake Shop

CAKEWALK

After numerous construction delays that were anything but a piece a cake, the (not-so) little neighbourhood bakery Mari Bakeshop is back in business. Part cafe, part bakery, part sandwich shop, Mari Bakeshop was a local fan-favourite for over five years in the East Village. But with no room to grow, owners Doug Gregory and Lauren Ahn decided to temporarily close shop in June 2021 to build a bigger, more efficient, 1,900-square-foot space at the base of the new Dominion Building in Bridgeland. As former head baker and pastry chef (respectively) of Thomas Keller’s French Laundry in California, Gregory and Ahn know a thing or two about baking, not to mention how bakeries should operate. This duo, known for their croissants, artisanal bread, choux pastries and roll-cakes (an Asian-style sponge cake filled with flavoured cream), have built a stunning, state-of-the-art bakery artfully designed to maximize the experience for both their customers and their employees. Calm, minimal and inviting, every detail here has been carefully considered, from the Swedish rotating bread ovens to the optimal height of the display case, chosen to encourage conversation with customers. After touring this warm, bright space, we couldn’t help but picture ourselves sitting here in the sun, along the soaring floor-to-ceiling windows, basking in the warm glow of freshbaked bread with a latte and roll-cake. Bliss! Mari Bakeshop | 103 St. Matthew Square N.E. 403.214.0629 | maribakeshop.ca

VIVA LA VEGAN

Food made in a kitchen, not in a lab – that’s the philosophy behind Calgary’s V Burger, a 100 per cent plant-based fast food eatery that recently opened a second location at the Calgary Farmer’s Market West. With a menu developed under the careful eye of Chef Andrea Harling, former executive chef at Brava Bistro, V Burger delivers on taste, texture and quality. While not entirely vegan herself, Harling understands the importance of providing more plant-based options to diners, for the planet’s sake and our own. Her mission: to develop flavour-forward, sustainable, nutritious food that appeals to everyone, not just vegans. We tried the Original V burger (a juicy, messy burger with a killer signature sauce), the fries (crispy, perfectly seasoned and pipin’ hot) and a creamy strawberry milkshake (tell us that’s not real ice cream). V Burger claims their menu will satisfy even the most dedicated burger lover. Speaking as self-proclaimed burger enthusiasts over here, we think they deliver. V Burger | 25 Greenbriar Dr. N.W. | 587.387.7272 Heyvburger.com

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Photo provided

BREW-MANCE

The budding brewery scene in the inner-city neighbourhood of Sunalta keeps getting better. First came Tailgunner Brewery last spring, then Two House Brewing Company this summer. Now, just around the corner, you’ll find Best of Kin, a social house, patio and microbrewery from partners Cole Glendinning and brothers Ryan and Collin Mortson. Brewing craft beer together since 2017, Ryan and Collin knew the next step was a taproom. Their main objective was to create a space that feels like home. Vintage, mismatched tables and chairs, antique sideboards and an open-concept kitchen all work towards this goal. In order to create an elevated taproom menu that would complement their existing line of beer, the brothers pulled in Glendinning, their friend and former executive chef of Flower and Wolf. Alive with energy and enthusiasm and visible from all sides of the room, Glendinning’s kitchen operates out of a full-size, black-and-white shipping container with a large cut-out on one side. The food, like their beer, is bold, flavourful and balanced. We tried the sweet and spicy peanuts, Mama Kwan Dumplings in a soy dipping sauce, a smoked red lentil hummus and, the star of the night, the Best of Kin burger. From the taps, try Big Hat, Mom Perm or Sailor’s Delight, a smoked coffee and sugar kelp stout.* Best of Kin | 1059 14th St. S.W. | 825.413.4233 | bestofkin.ca

ESCAPE ORDINARY

Beef tenderloin, black truffles, potato puree, foraged mushrooms, sage jus

Take your guests on a culinary journey • Intimate dinners to large groups • Holiday cocktail parties • In-home chef service or delivery • Custom-designed menus • Lunch, Brunch, Dinner

www.merakicuisine.ca 403.619.COOK (2665)

Try a flight at the new Best of Kin in Sunalta.

Classic pepperoni at Forno di Fontaine

CORNER THE MARKET

What started as a little Italian shop in south Calgary known for its handmade pastas, sauces and specialty oils and vinegars, Soffritto has expanded to include a pizza booth in the Calgary Farmer’s Market West. Forno di Fontaine, owned by Gordon Fontaine with a menu executed daily by Chef Scott Tyler, is a welcome addition for hungry market shoppers. Each pizza, handmade using Alberta or imported Italian ingredients is made to order; nothing’s sitting under a heat lamp here. In addition to classics like the margherita and pepperoni, Forni di Fontaine offers original creations such as The Spaniard: Spanish chorizo, roasted peppers, olives and Manchego cheese or the Mushroom Forager: a medley of sautéed mushrooms with parmesan, fior di latte and asiago cheese. For young chef Scott Tyler, the chance to lead the team the small team at Forno di Fontaine has been an excellent opportunity. “It’s been a really great adventure,” he says. “The experience of building something from scratch, opening a brand new restaurant, it’s invaluable.” After you’re full on pizza, head on over to their sister booth, Soffritto, for some amazing olive oil. You’ll get an education on this treasured ingredient as well as some excellent choices to take home. Win win! Forno di Fontaine 25 Greenbriar Dr. N.W. 587.971.7099 Fornofontaine.com

STORY ON A PLATE

In 2021, Marriot Airport International and Yakima Social Kitchen & Bar welcomed Executive Chef, Eric Beaupré to the team. Beaupré brings a progressive culinary career 29 years of experience and his signature style of sourcing local ingredients for simple dishes. Visiting the suppliers and producers showcased on the menu fosters a deeper understanding of what they do, which becomes a story on the plate. The menu highlights Canadian, Asian and Indigenous food, and changes seasonally. Several dishes are a compilation of local or Canadian producers. The baked brie appetizer is Albert’s Leap Bel Haven Brie, Spolumbo’s Amaro brandy liqueur, dried fruit, apple, walnut, pistachio and Fallentimber honey served with naan bread. Seared scallop with pork belly is a fast favourite with twice-cooked Bear & Flower braised pork belly, pan seared scallops, maple parsnip puree, Nantes carrots, Red Fox Fungi mixed mushroom, green peas, Micro Acres sunflower shoots and jus. Complete the meal with a glass of Moraine Lake Late Harvest Merlot and assorted Noto Gelato. Watch for the new holiday menu to be launched soon. Yakima Social Kitchen & Bar | 2008 Airport Rd. N.E. | 587.232.0538 | yakimayyc.ca

WE’RE ALL MAD HERE

A gig as a barista in Edinburgh, Scotland led Taylor Epp to open The Mad Hatter Coffee Community Café in Inglewood. The large and whimsical cafe focuses on reducing waste, community collaborations and sustainable practices. Paradise Mountain Organic Coffee, roasted in Calgary, is served in a variety of options including take-home beans in your own container, ground onsite or at home. Bring in your own mug and receive a discount, or take your coffee or tea to go in a compostable bamboo cup. Since opening in September, Mad Hatter has started doing evening events like art nights that allow you to paint on the walls. A small selection of art supplies is available at no cost, board games are free to use in the cafe and the Cheshire Market featuring Alberta-made products offers some great finds for holiday gifting. But that’s not all. A delicious, simple vegetarian breakfast and lunch menu with rotating soups du jour has been created by local chef, farmer and mushroom forager Rodrigo Campos, who has extensive experience in vegan and vegetarian cooking. Campos forages on behalf of local chefs, works with Untamed Feast and creates recipes for Just Bite Me, a healthy meal-prep service where he and Epp first met. We dropped in this fall for a coffee and a chat to learn all about this cool new concept. The daily soup and salted caramel affogato (made with Noto Gelato) knocked our socks off. Great food, delicious beverages, specials, deals and happy-hour prices are just a few of the reasons we’ll be back.* The Mad Hatter Coffee Community | 917 9th Ave. S.E. | themadhatteryyc.com

ESCAPE ORDINARY

Wanda Baker

Treat your staff to a gourmet holiday lunch On-site chef service or individual boxes delivered. We offer hot, cold and dietary preference chef-prepared dishes.

www.merakicuisine.ca 403.619.COOK (2665)

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Cobb salad and beef Bourguinon

IT’S ALL IN THE NAME

Tomahawk Kitchen + Bar owner Chef Ravi Panchagnula has opened new restaurant ELEVEN26 Brasserie. The name pays homage to its location on Kensington Rd. and the concept celebrates the building, which was built in 1927. Panchagnula and his Chef de Cuisine, Kurtis Offet, have created brunch, lunch and dinner menus featuring simple, delicious bites like a classic English breakfast, variety of sandwiches, shrimp basquaise and a comforting beef bourguignon. Carefully curated cocktails, wine and beer round out your dining experience including happy-hour pricing throughout the day. “My goal for ELEVEN26 is to provide elevated homestyle food at good value to our guests. We strive to be reminiscent of classic European brasseries with dishes that warm the heart and soul. Our menu is crafted to be enjoyed with friends and family, for it is the memories we create that are the true inspiration,” says Offet. ELEVEN26 is open seven days a week. ELEVEN26 Brasserie | 1126 Kensington Rd. N.W. | 403.460.1126 | eleven26.ca

MI CASA SU CASA

Casa Catrina tacos

Mexican restaurant Casa Catrina quietly opened this summer in The District at North Deerfoot. The Vazquez Alba family came to Canada from Mexico via Quebec 12 years ago, and recently partnered with Alfredo Mata to open this eatery, which offers authentic Mexican cuisine. Siblings Daniel, Jose and Andrea wanted to create an experience that makes you feel like you’re in Mexico. The stylish interior is a collection of items brought from Mexico and built by the family here in Calgary. We’ve been, admittedly, once or twice for the exceptional frozen margarita flights. The molcajete dish is served sizzling hot and can easily feed four with leftovers. This mashup of flavours is one of our favourite things. Other menu standouts include torta ahogada, enmoladas and anything with their authentic mole sauce. Casa Catrina 170, 11120 11th St. N.E. 587.534.0661 casacatrina.ca

European grocery store and deli – where delicious dishes are always cooking for you.

KALYNA

Try our famous Honey Cake

Specialists in eastern European food from Ukraine, Poland, Baltic countries, Bulgaria, Moldova etc. Delicious Ukrainian cuisine: large assortment of perogies, homemade borsch and cabbage rolls, kovbasa (sausages) and more. Traditional holiday food to order: Christmas kutya, Easter babka and wedding korovai. We accept cash donations to help Ukraine and sell souvenirs and flags. All proceeds go directly to defenders in the Armed Forces of Ukraine!

European Food and Ukrainian Deli

8-7400 Macleod Trail SE Calgary, Alberta 403 457.0990

And the winner is...

Thanks to all of the salty Savour Calgary readers who entered the salt quiz from last issue’s “Crash Course on Salt.” We’re happy to announce that David Lunn is our winner. Not David? No worries! There’s another quiz in this issue’s “Crash Course on Christmas Spices.” You too could win a $100 gift certificate to Spolumbo’s! The answers from the salt quiz are: 1. What is the name of the world’s largest salt flat?

Lake Minchin of Bolivia. We also accepted Salar de

Uyuni as it is the largest of three salt flats that currently make up the site of the ancient Lake Minchin. 2. Which Italian city, famous for its canals, was known as a key city during the salt trade of the 12 th century? Venice 3. Maldon Salt is from which region in England? Essex 4. True or False: Salt are the only rocks regularly eaten by people. True 5. Which country produces the most salt? China 6. Which sea animal cries to rid their bodies of excess salt? Sea Turtles

GLUTEN-FREE IN THE NORTH

We are seeing more and more extraordinary eateries opening outside of the downtown core. Selia Bar located in Edgemont Athletic is the brainchild of Omar Polyniak who comes from an extensive background in restaurants including former Mescalero and Crazy Horse. A newly renovated fitness centre with a 30-year history was looking for a reputable restaurant. Polyniak wanted to open an establishment in the northwest: a perfect match. Chef Alexa Livingstone creates the menu of contemporary, health-focused dishes for dine-in service throughout the facility, including poolside. While the menu reads healthy, it offers an array of dishes to suit every palate and is completely gluten-free. An extensive wine, cocktail, beer and spirits list emphasizes local products with daily features and happy hour every hour on Sunday. Selia Bar 7222 Edgemont Blvd. N.W. 587.391.9806 seliabar.com well as catering, butchery and a slate of other skills. In this, his first outing as executive chef, Langille’s menu celebrates wild game, simplicity and an unpretentious approach that makes his food both exceptional and accessible. We loved the chowder, wild boar chop, braised bison short rib and apple crumble with house-made bourbon ice cream. Langille says he’s building his team with folks who are knowledgeable, skilled and committed to the craft of cooking.* The Evergreen 459 Banff Ave., Banff 403.762.3307 evergreenrestaurantandlounge. com

An entirely gluten-free menu at Selia Bar

Photo provided

WHAT’S NEW IS EVERGREEN

The Evergreen Restaurant in Banff’s Royal Canadian Lodge recently welcomed Chef Kyle Langille as executive chef taking over for long-time Chef Max Charbonneau. Trained at George Brown College Centre for Culinary Arts in Toronto, Langille brings a wealth of experience in hotel culinary programs as

Camie Leard

The base of Evergreen's smoked corn and bacon seafood chowder

KENSINGTON 1081 2nd Avenue NW | 403.287.8544 SPRUCE CLIFF / WILDWOOD 8 Spruce Center SW | 403.452.3960

WISHING YOU COMFORT &Joy

CROWFOOT CROSSING 826 Crowfoot Crescent NW | 403.241.3475 MAHOGANY 2171 Mahogany Boulevard SE | 587.623.1144

HIDDEN GEM: BONO-FIDE BREWS

With the highest altitude in Africa, Ethiopia offers the perfect climate for the sensitive arabica beans and is the birthplace of coffee. In this place, coffee is deeply ingrained in the day-to-day culture of living and is an important part of the social fabric. The boona ceremony is how folks welcome one another to their homes by hand roasting beans and brewing them in a clay pot before serving in small cups meant for savouring the full-bodied, aromatic coffee. It’s this sense of reverence, celebration and togetherness Dawit Wubie and Danait Tesfay have aimed to create with their Bono Coffee roastery and cafe tucked inconspicuously into a commercial complex in the city’s southeast. Dealing only with farmers they know and trust, the couple imports Ethiopian beans and roasts them onsite to create thoughtful and delicious blends of light, medium and dark roasts. With another location set to open in Bridgeland in the new year, the team at Bono aims to grow intentionally in order to maintain the quality afforded by smaller-batch brewing. We loved the fruity Red Fox blend, which is available at the counter, by the bag or through the company’s convenient subscription program that ensures you’re never out of fresh coffee. Bono Coffee | 4704 Manhattan Rd. S.E. 403.796.3505 | bonocoffee.ca

Danait Tesfay of Bono Coffee demonstrates the boona ceremony.

Camie Leard

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS

PREPARE FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT SEASON WITH PREMIUM WAGYU BEEF

Available at our BLW Butcher Shop & Distribution across Canada 507 - 42 | AVENUE SE CALGARY AB 587 352.3311 | BRANTLAKEWAGYU.CA

SPECIALTY RETAIL GROCERY STORE FEATURING KETOGENIC, GLUTEN-FREE AND LOCAL PROVISIONS BRANT LAKE WAGYU BEEF GRAB AND GO BAKED GOODS

Shop with us for unique locally sourced provisions & gifts for the holiday season

103-3 AVE SW | EMERSON LANE MALL | HIGH RIVER AB

403 652.1014 | FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM