Savour selects

Alpine Dreams

Apres ski, before ski, maybe skip ski? With breakfast comforts like Prime Rib and Egg on Toast, a happy hour that features half-price food and cocktails and a dinner menu that serves rich steakhouse classics, any time’s a good time to check out Banff ’s newest hotspot, Bluebird. Situated in the former Melissa’s Missteak building, Bluebird captures the alpine charm of ski chalets of the past while at the same time preserving a strong sense of place in modern-day Banff.

Bluebird boasts wood-fired, slow-roasted Canadian Prime Rib as its signature dish, with other fire-roasted meats, fish and vegetables rounding out the menu. Prepared traditionally with jus and served tableside with horseradish cream to elevate the experience, the beef is something special. Enjoy the $35 Prime Rib Dinner with traditional trimmings every Sunday starting at 5 p.m. (except holidays).

Bluebird Restaurant and Lobby Bar | 218 Lynx St., Banff | 403.985.9163 bluebirdbanff.com

Tasting Table

Chef Roy Oh is certainly no stranger to Calgary’s restaurant scene. The early 2020 closure of Anju, his award-winning modern Korean restaurant on 4th St., was a sad day for many. Not one to stay down, Oh pivoted and opened Roy’s Korean Kitchen, first as a takeout version in March 2020 and then a brick-and-mortar location in Mission in 2021. Thankfully, the menu is full of many of Anju’s greatest hits including the Soy and MapleGlazed Brussel Sprouts, Crispy Tofu, Gochujang Wings and KFC Sliders

What you may not know is that Roy’s Korean Kitchen also offers three exceptional tasting menus with separate price points to suit your budget: $50, $75 or $100 per person. Dining with a party of eight, we chose the $50/PP menu. Each dish, perfectly timed, was a delight. Standouts included the Oxtail Tortellini, the Spicy Salmon Tacos and the interactive KBBQ for the table made up of Ginger Soy Chicken Thigh, Marinated Beef Short Rib, Spicy Marinated Pork Belly, rice, kimchi and banchan. We left full with a promise to return. Roy’s Korean Kitchen | 2024 4th St. S.W. | 825.863.8849 | royskoreankitchen.com

Nacho Average Taco

Native Tongues has opened a second location in Britannia Plaza. With the same menu as the original location, Native Tongues Britannia serves up a range of bold, balanced dishes that please fans of classic Mexican street food. Led by Regional Chef Enrique De La Torre Martin, Native Tongues is inspired by the cantinas of Mexico City.

“Mexico City is world renowned for its incredible street food,” explains owner Cody Willis While their salsa tasting, tostadas and selection of tacos al carbon shouldn’t be missed (try the Pork Belly Pibil! ), consider ordering the Barbacoa de Cordero, slow-roasted, fall-off-the-bone lamb neck served in a rich consommé with salsa roja, corn tortillas and a variety of other accompaniments.

Native Tongues Britannia | 829 49th Ave. S.W. 403.454.8976 | nativetongues.ca

Peak Momo

Half of the team behind Calgary Momo House has branched off and opened the new Aama Nepalese Cuisine in Cochrane. With a gorgeous dining room featuring a great view of the Rockies to the west, Chef Gyanendra Sharma and his wife Tara Sharma bring the magic of Nepalese home cooking to an enthusiastic local crowd. With an eye to bringing dishes from all over Nepal, Chef G has brought an underutilized meat to the menu in yak. We had the braised yak short rib served with wilted greens and poleko aloo (charcoal-roasted potato). It was everything a short rib should be: tender and infused with flavour from Chef G’s spice mix. You can’t visit Aama without having the momo. These beautiful dumplings are the crown jewel of Nepalese food. We had the yak (obviously) in jhol momo sauce and the dish was not only gorgeous, but delicious too. The chef even gave us a chance to make our own momo as the team is planning to offer classes sometime this year. Ours were… not beautiful…but it was so much fun to learn. Every order of momo is entered into a draw to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Nepal, including Mount Everest base camp. As soon as they reach the goal of 8,850 orders (the height of Everest in meters), they’ll make the draw.*

Aama Nepalese Cuisine | 2106, 100 Horse Creek Rd., Cochrane | 403.376.6165 | aamanepalesecuisine.ca

You Are What You Eat

After working in restaurants around the world (they met in one), Kevin and Robyn Birch have turned their focus to whole food, conscious eating and living a healthier life. Their new eatery, Chef’s Earth, is conveniently located in the Calgary Farmers’ Market and showcases the local food within arm’s reach. Kevin’s menu has something for everyone including create-your-own salad, or hot meal from any of 52 ingredients. From the menu, we recommend the Buffalo Cauliflower Wrap, the Back 40 Bowl or the Brickle Chicken Bowl. At press time Kevin announced a second location opening in April on 8th Ave. downtown. Congrats!

Chefs Earth | 510 77th Ave. S.E. | 403.993.1299 | chefsearth.ca

Mi Casa Es Tu Casa

Milpa is a new Mexican small-plates restaurant and cocktail bar by Chef Elia Herrera, a third-generation chef and classically trained pastry chef. She owns and operates Colibri and Tecolote restaurants in downtown Toronto and is a former contestant on both Top Chef Canada and Top Chef Mexico. The stunning dining room features turquoise-lit arches while the bar takes centre stage embodying the importance of community and celebration. The seasonal menu focuses on Mexican techniques and local ingredients. Must tries include Cochinita Pibil Panuchos, Rajas Poblanas and Tres Leches. General manager Franz Swinton (Anejo) is a pioneer in Calgary’s cocktail scene and bar manager, John Fairholm has more than 20 years in the hospitality industry. He created the cocktail program at Milpa, showcasing beverages weaved with Mexican stories and traditions. Milpa is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Milpa | 1531 5th St. S.W. | milpa.ca

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South Okanagan And The Similkameen Valley

Savour Calgary headed west to the South Okanagan and Similkameen Valley last fall and came back with some great news: there’s a LOT of fantastic food and wine waiting for you on your summer vacation this year. Perhaps lesser known than it’s northern cousins Kelowna and Penticton, the south Okanagan is a mecca for gastronomes and wine-lovers alike. We discovered the delightful Bartier Brothers Vinyard and winery where we had to pick up the 2020 Cab Franc. The heat in this part of the Okanagan allows for bold reds you can’t find elsewhere in B.C. Treat yourself to the Founder’s Cellar Experience at Phantom Creek Estate Winery featuring a five-course fine dining experience paired with library and exclusive wines from Phantom Creek’s cellar. Make your home base the Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos where the house restaurant, Park 15 Bistro is run by Calgary-born chef Nick Atkins and serves up fresh local produce paired with regional wines

Over in the Similkameen Valley, make sure you stop at Row Fourteen at Klipper’s Farm in Cawston. Here you will be treated to a harvest lunch or dinner featuring ingredients picked right there on the farm. Also hit Clos de Soleil Winery and Grist Mill in Keremeos as well as Covert Farms and the District Wine Village in Oliver.*

Beyond Donuts

Amaido Café has reopened in Chinatown under the same roof as owner Melissa Luu’s store Urban Pop Shoppe. New flavours are introduced weekly alongside classic flavours customers love. In addition to the famous mochi doughnuts, the café has coffee, cookies, breads, muffins, mochi brownies, matcha Rice Krispie squares and ice-cream pints to go. Mochi doughnuts can be ordered in advance or onsite and are available individually, or by the half dozen.

Amaido Cafe | 202D Centre St. S. | 825.561.8597 amaidocafe.com

Mash Up

Cabeza Grande Tacos & Tequila quietly opened last summer in the space directly behind Mari Bakeshop in Bridgeland. It’s the third restaurant of the same name for owners Jerry Beasty, Matt Urbanowicz and Gradey McMahon, who describe them as Mexicaninspired eateries with a little southern California flair. Nick Isaac brings extensive restaurant management experience to the team as general manager.

Try the Quesadilla Salad with mixed greens tossed with cheese, tomatoes, black beans and a hatch-chili vinaigrette topped with pineapple salsa, tortilla strips, a chipotle aioli and served with a cheese quesadilla. Barbacoa Mushrooms and Crispy Avocado are stand-outs in the taco department and the Tijuana Dog pairs nicely with any of the tequila flights.

Cabeza Grande Tacos & Tequila | 60 9th St. N.E. 403.474.8226 | cabeza-grande.com

Building Community Through Coffee

The team behind Monogram Coffee has opened Primary Colours Café in Britannia Plaza Shopping Centre taking over the space formerly occupied by Elbow Room. Executive chef Matthias Fong has created brunch and dinner menus showcasing Canadian ingredients. Even the wine list is entirely comprised of Canadian wines. All items are made in-house including the smoked bacon, cultured butter, pickles, preserves, sauces and more. Watch for a mini market featuring prepared food, marinated meats and all kinds of delicious in-house made items in the near future.

Primary Colours Café | 205, 4915 Elbow Dr. S.W. | primarycolours.cafe