Quick Bites

OH MY OLEA

Congratulations to the team behind Sensei Bar on the opening of sister restaurant Olea. Under the direction of Culinary Director Ryan Blackwell (Elbow Room, Bin 941), this Mediterraneanthemed eatery focuses on accessible food that will appeal to the whole family using the beautiful ingredients and techniques of Italy, Greece and beyond. It’s no surprise the cocktail game is on point with Managing Partner and International Sake Sommelier Amane Kanai taking the reigns of the drinks program. * Olea | 1520 14th St. S.W. | 403.454.4535 | oleayyc.com

MAKING LA LISTE

Congratulations to the team at River Café for being selected as one of the world’s best 1000 restaurants by gastronomic publication, La Liste. Added to its top-10 finish on Canada’s Top 100 Restaurants earlier this year and it’s been a great year for this Calgary institution that’s always been a winner in our books. River Café | 25 Prince's Island Park, S.W. 403.261.7670 | river-cafe.com

HOMETOWN HERO

Congratulations to SAIT culinary program alumna Korae Nottveit, who took home gold at the WorldSkills Competition 2022 in Lucerne, Switzerland.

GROWING THE L’IL EMPIRE

Is it us, or is Capitol Hill in the city’s northwest becoming a thing? The folks at L’il Empire Burger think so as it recently opened its third location in the neighbourhood late last year. L’il Empire Burger | 1837 20th Ave. N.W. 403.452.3020 | lilempireburger.com

THE HEAT IS ON

A new Nashville-style chicken joint has opened in the heart of busy 17th Ave. Nim’s Fried Chicken serves classic fried-chicken sandwiches as well as original twists like the Sweet Daisy with jalapeño ranch or the Hot Mac with comeback sauce and nacho cheese. Or dig into a platter of the loaded waffle fries. Take-out only. Nim’s Fried Chicken 1415 17th Ave. S.W. 587.893.6855 @nimsfriedchicken

SWEET SIPS

We recently enjoyed a bourbon-paired meal at The Nash in Inglewood courtesy of Basil Hayden bourbon. The food, of course, was great, so were the cocktails. We loved the Golden Hour.* Basil Hayden Bourbon | basilhaydenbourbon.com

NOODS DOODS!

Could noodles be Calgary’s favourite food? Judging by the number of noodlecentric eateries opening up, one could make that assumption (don’t tell beef). The latest addition is Hanbo Noodle House on Macleod Tr., a Koreanstyle restaurant that also rocks a solid dumpling. Fun fact: Kalguksu is a knife-cut, wheat noodle soup that is a staple on Korea’s summer menu. Hanbo Noodle House | 4340 Macleod Tr. S.W. | 403.214.1576 | @hanbo.yyc

MUSIC TO YOUR MOUTH

Alvin’s Jazz Club in Mahogany has updated its food and cocktail menus with some great new dishes and sips to try. We loved the wild mushroom gnocchi, to which we added chicken. Make reservations for food, drinks and live music Tuesday through Sunday weekly. Alvin’s Jazz Club | 176 Mahogany Centre S.E. 403.313.1051 | alvinsjazzclub.com

TURKISH DELIGHT

Anatolia Turkish Foods announced last month it has opened a new location offering the same delightful cuisine we all know and love from the Crossroads Market and downtown eateries. Drop in for a bite and stay to shop the Turkish market. Anatolia Turkish Foods | 1440 52nd St. N.E. anatoliaturkishfood.ca

FLAVOURS OF SPICE

Discover Surrey has created the Surrey Culinary Spice Trail highlighting South Asian and multicultural cuisine within the area. The trail includes more than 70 restaurants (including Vikram Vij’s), cafes and retail stores featuring international flavours and unique experiences for adventurous foodies. Ange Chew from Discover Surry and Raj Thandhi of Pink Chai Living were in Calgary recently for an educational South-Asian Sunday brunch showcasing street food by chefs Jesse Mann and Rahul Kanojia of Saffron Street. We enjoyed a flavourful fall feast that included dosas, samosas, chaat and kati rolls inspired by flavours available on this culinary destination tour in B.C.* Surrey Culinary Spice Trail discoversurreybc.com/spice-trail

TINY BUT TOUGH

Varbar by Moonlight & Eli by Mhairi O’Donnell quietly opened in November in the community of Killarney/Glengarry on Richmond Rd. Slightly smaller than their Bridgeland location, this new fondueand-champagne eatery gives you all the feels and a comfy, cozy intimate experience. Reservations are recommended. Varbar by Moonlight & Eli | 2915 Richmond Rd. S.W. | moonlightandeli.com

EXPLORATORY DINING EXPERIENCE

Codo Agave Social House opened in December in the newly renovated Delta Hotels Calgary Airport in-terminal hotel. This new concept takes a classic tavern approach towards comfort food in the dining room to an exclusive bar menu with tapas and tequila-fueled cocktails. Codo Agave Social House | 2001 Airport Rd. N.E. | 403.250.2609 | cocoagave.com

30 UNDER 30

Pastry Chef Arin Hiebert from Hawthorn Dining Room & Bar at the Fairmont Palliser has been recognized by the Tourism Industry Association for Canada’s 30 Under 30 Future Leader Award. Chef Hiebert is known for Hawthorn’s famous Cinnamon Toast Crunch Mille-Crepe Cake. Hawthorn Dining Room & Bar | 133 9th Ave. S.W. | 403.260.1274| hawthorndiningroom.ca

AN ORGANIC PIZZA CAFE

Lina’s Italian Market is opening a new experience with a one-of-a-kind Italian organic café in the former Bite Grocer location in Inglewood. Piazza, Lina's unique dining experience, will include classic dishes and a pizzeria including a delectable Italian brunch on weekends. An artisan bakery and deli with European groceries will round out the experience. Watch social media for opening dates. Lina’s Italian Piazza 1023 9th Ave. S.E. linasmarket.com

AUTHENTIC TAQUERIA

Native Tongues is taking over the A1 Cantina location in Britannia Plaza opening a second signature restaurant. Renovations are underway ensuring they capture the essence of the original location which will include an all-season patio. Native Tongues Taqueria 829 49th Ave. S.W. 403.454.8976 nativetongues.ca

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Churrascaria & Restaurante

Eclipse Bakery’s Sangak bread

OPEN FOR DINE-IN, TAKEOUT, DELIVERY & CATERING

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(403) 454-2550 136 2nd STREET SW minassteakhouse.coM

Your one-stop connection to Brazil!

136 2 Street SW, Calgary AB

TOP OF THE MORNING

From the same brothers who gave us Bro’kin Yolk comes Bro’s To Go, a new fast-casual breakfast sandwich spot in Brentwood. Aiming to fill the gap between quality food and fast service, the brothers have developed a menu with some inventive, crave-worthy breakfast sandwiches. Try the Basic B with smashed avocado and paprika aioli or the Shorty with braised short rib, crispy onions and an egg. Both served with a chocolate chip cookie. Bro’s To Go | 303, 4820 Northland Dr. N.W. | 403.300.2246 | brostogo.ca

GOLD STAR

Two Calgary restaurants recently made the Air Canada enRoute top 10 list for Canada’s best new restaurants. Major Tom, with its soaring city views from the 40th floor of Stephen Avenue Place, landed in eighth place, while Một Tô, a modern Vietnamese restaurant serving classic dishes with modern twists, placed fifth. Congratulations to both hotspots! Major Tom | 4000 700 2nd St. S.W. | 403.990.3954 | majortombar.ca Một Tô | 1609 Centre St. N.W. | 825.910.8488 | mottovietnamese.com

THAT’S THE STUFF

The most adorable modern Korean pastry concept has to be Stuffies, animalshaped waffle-like pastries stuffed with your choice of filling: soft serve ice cream, custard, even bacon and eggs. Lucky for us, a Stuffies Pastries has a location in South Centre Mall and is opening one at Chinook. Stuffies Pastries | Chinook Centre: 6455 Macleod Tr. South Centre: 100 Anderson Rd. S.E. | 604.971.1000 | stuffiespastries.com

TAKES THE CAKE

Calgary-based food writer and cookbook author, Julie Van Rosendaal, has released a new cookbook, You are Human and You need Cake. Available online and at a number of independent bookstores, the new book is chock-full of her favourite cake recipes, including a viral-worthy Nanaimo bar cake that has us drooling. You are Human and You Need Cake | dinnerwithjulie.com

DYNAMITE

The popular T&T Supermarket has opened its fourth Calgary location in Sage Hill Plaza. As the largest Asian grocery store chain in Canada, T&T takes us on a culinary journey through Asia, offering fresh, authentic flavours from many different regions around the world. T&T Supermarket | 10 Sage Hill Plaza N.W. | tntsupermarket.com

FACE VALUE

A new location for fan-favourite Pizza Face opens soon. From the same team behind D.O.P., Pizza Face has, up until now, been selling its popular pies out of Community Foods. Now it’s putting the final touches on a permanent location in the heart of 17th Ave. We’ll be lining up for the famous Mike’s Big Pickle pizza. Pizza Face | 140, 515 17th Ave. S.W. | pizzafaceyyc.com