There are some big anniversary celebrations this year in our restaurant scene! Congratulations go to Charcut and NOtaBLE, both opening 15 years ago, and both as strong and popular as ever. And to their siblings Charbar and The Nash who are both ten years old (and still as strong and popular as ever!). Congrats too to Minas Brazilian Steakhouse, who also opened in 2015, and still as good as ever! Which other Alberta restaurants are having big anniversaries this year?
There’s no stopping Bodega Tapas Bar! In addition to their flagship location at Sabor, and restaurants in Edmonton’s Highlands, 124th Street, Ellerslie, St. Albert and Sherwood Park, they’ve just opened their seventh location in Old Strathcona at 10314 Whyte Avenue. They’re serving up a wonderful selection of both meaty and veggie tapas, grilled meat and seafood dishes, rice and paellas, charcuterie, and so many spreads for your breads, all washed down with your choice from the extensive cocktail and drinks list. Rumour is that Calgary’s getting a Bodega soon! From 4 pm, closed Mondays, bodegayeg.ca
Super Variety is the new kid on the block in Inglewood! From the stable of Calgary’s Our Daily Brett and Actually Pretty Good pizza, it was their Neighbour Coffee location, but they’ve cleverly opened up the space right through to the back for more continuity with their Business & Pleasure cocktail bar, and added a retail section of olive oil, conservas, condiments, drinks (including alcoholic ones!) and more. So now you can get their superb sandwiches (we loved the Sunday Sub and T.B.C.) and elevated comfort food, such as the delicious wedge salad, and fries with super salt and roasted garlic aioli, and excellent cocktails. 11-7 pm, Wednesday-Sunday at 1327a 9 Avenue SE, supervariety.ca
Lady Bea’s English Tea House has opened in Edmonton’s former Manor Café spot. An homage to owner Antonia Rosa’s tea connoisseur mother, Beatriz, there are four beautifully decorated and furnished, Victorian-style parlour rooms over two floors, and five different tea offerings. Choose the Royal Tea Experience, Afternoon Tea Experience, Garden Tea Experience, Sweetheart Tea Experience, all with different menus and different prices, and there’s Tea with Teddy for the little ones. The à la carte menu offers sandwiches, soups, salads, and quiche, with gluten-free options too. Brunch is served Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday Mondays, with more house-made treats and your pick of fine teas (cocktails are on offer too!). 10109 125 Street, closed Tuesdays, ladybeas.ca
Start your day or end your night at Edmonton’s Boa & Hare Coffee and Cocktails, a new restaurant concept from Winnie Chen (of Fu’s Repair Shop), her brother Wiliam, and business partner Wilson Wong (last year they took over the long-standing, quick service banh mi restaurant, Van Loc). With such a pedigree (and with Chen’s uncle, chef Tommy Chung in the kitchen), it’s no surprise that Boa and Hare has come out of the gate strong, hoping to breathe more life into Chinatown’s Pacific Mall, and bring in a younger demographic to revitalize the neighbourhood. And the name? It’s William and Wilson’s Chinese zodiac signs! Seven days 9-3 pm, cocktail hours Wednesday-Sunday coming soon at 127, 9700 105 Avenue NW. boaandhare.ca
A huge Mahalo to Joel and Chera Harris for sharing the love and spirit of Hawaii with their new restaurant, Aloha Modern Kitchen, in the fully renovated former Gaucho Brazilian BBQ space. If you’ve eaten at J Spot in Avenida’s Fresh & Local Market & Kitchens, your mouth will already be watering in anticipation of this menu (don’t worry, J Spot is still there, and you can get their dirty fries at Aloha too!). Soak in the island vibes of this laidback atmosphere with the warm, inviting, sand to sky colours, and Harris’ art from his years of Hawaiian culture and heritage in Maui. So many good dishes to share and enjoy here - Huli Huli chicken (marinated in pineapple juice for three days, flame-seared, and served in a smoking cloche) and the lip-smacking Fat Chow Funn noodles, are just two of many! Do be sure to have at least one of bar manager, Jeremy Bennet’s cocktails too! 5920 Macleod Trail SW, seven days from 11 am.
Calgary has a new South African café and gift shop - Baobab Cafe & Boutique in Kensington. Dani and Zantel du Toit’s dream took three years to come to fruition, and if you’re familiar with South African food you’ll feel right at home - and if it’s new to you, you have so many treats in store! Do allow plenty of time for your visit – when you’ve finished your bobotie, vetkoek and mince, boerwurst, slap chips, Cape brandy pudding, milk tart, peppermint crisp bar, and koeksisters (yes we ate all of that, and we’re here to tell you that Chef Francois Strauss is doing a great job!), Baobab is an emporium of beautiful South African housewares, gifts, shoes and handbags, packaged goods, as well as food from local Alberta artisans. And there’s more… afternoon teas, wine tastings, and catering too! 124 10 Street NW, from 11 am, closed Mondays, baobabcalgary.com
Union Social Room has opened in Calgary’s Bridgeland, at 60 9 Street NE in the ex-Cabeza Grande spot opposite Murdoch Park, where so many festivals are held in the summer. There’s an elevated tap room feel to this light and bright gastropub with its walls of windows, it’s a spot for the Bridgeland community to gather to watch the game and a relaxed atmosphere for business meetings, it’s family-friendly too! Flavour is the name of the game with Chef Trent Bochek’s (formerly at The Artist Lounge) menu – comfortable, approachable, and absolutely delicious (don’t miss the fried chorizo-stuffed olives and the crazy good Brewmaster Smash Burger!) with a good selection of cocktails and mocktails, and only Alberta breweries on tap. Seven days 11-11 pm, unionsocialroom.ca
