Upscale eateries open casual options
One of Calgary’s biggest dining trends has been to come down a notch as some of the city’s top fine dining restaurants have opened more casual affordable locations in recent years. It seems this new direction reflects our evolving attitudes toward good innovative food; Calgarians seek out quality even in more lively casual settings and aren’t always in the mood for white linens. Fortunately there’s no need to choose between fine dining and great eating.
River Café led the charge with its easygoing offspring Boxwood located in Central Memorial Park where they serve a menu of more casual spontaneous dishes prepared using the same high-quality local ingredients and the same River Café philosophy. Inspired by proprietor Sal Howell’s transition into parenthood an event that raised her awareness of the need for more casual mealtime solutions for busy families the concept was also fuelled by the recession which triggered a drop in business for many higher-end Calgary restaurants.
“The dining out scene took a hit a few years back” she says. “We wanted to open a location that was more accessible — more everyday.”
Their goal: to connect with more people more often. Boxwood is open seven days a week for lunch dinner and the afternoon between with the option to dine in or take out.
Since then Alloy has made the leap to Fourth Street S.W. with the opening of the slightly less upscale Candela Lounge already known for its unique tapas and cocktails; and Bonterra Trattoria has sprouted the far more casual Cibo on 17th Avenue S.W. decked out in repurposed wood with an open kitchen a real kids’ menu (that was actually created by kids) $5 pizza happy hour and relaxed food made to share with the option of ordering family-style.
Teatro opened the smaller more casual Cucina Market Bistro last fall in an attempt to reach a new market and quickly became a sought-after breakfast lunch and dinner destination. With an extensive wine and beer list it’s popular with the after-work crowd too.
“We wanted something in-between Vendome and Teatro” says John Michael MacNeil executive chef at Teatro. “Something upscale but not pretentious somewhere casual where we could go to eat when we just want a (Sunworks Farm chicken liver) parfait and a glass of wine. It’s a totally different experience — lively and fun.”
Cucina offers soups salads artisanal sandwiches and pastries to grab and go — something you wouldn’t see at Teatro — or you can saddle up to the communal table in their rustic-chic farmhouse-style room and order from an innovative menu that reflects the quality of Teatro.
“When the space came up we jumped on it” says MacNeil of their cozy downtown location about five blocks from Teatro in the new Eighth Avenue Place. “We planned it for about a year — we wanted the transition to be seamless so that when we opened it would seem like we had been open for a long time.”
Similarly Bistro Rouge the offspring of the iconic Rouge restaurant in Inglewood has been brewing since 2006 and recently opened in Signal Hill. “We opened in the southwest to bring something more casual to the market” says chef-owner Paul Rogalski “something that represents the other side of us. The less formal side.” As for their Signal Hill location “there are not many independent restaurants in the northwest or southwest — we saw it as an opportunity.”
As at the mothership they make most everything from scratch including bread pasta and bacon and their Veloute Soup Bar is the ultimate marriage of formal and casual (think Rouge meets the White Spot). Bistro Rouge is open daily for cocktails and charcuterie at 4 p.m. and for full dinner service at 5 p.m. — or there’s the option to grab a Provencal-style chicken dinner to take home.
Just another reason to relax and gather more friends around the table.
EATING OUT… IN THE ‘BURBS
At one time suburban dining options were limited to drive-thrus and restaurant chains. In recent years high-end eateries like Rouge and Mercato have realized the benefits of going where the people are and have opened locations in residential neighbourhoods. Here are a few great places to eat when you want to go out but not have to worry about downtown parking.
• Bistro Rouge offers more casual French fare in Signal Hill with cocktails and charcuterie at 4 p.m. and full dinner service at 5 p.m.; they also offer fresh Provencal chicken scalloped potatoes and veggies to go. 1919 Sirocco Dr S.W. 403-514-0561.
• Mercato expanded from Mission with a second location in West Springs in the space that was previously Sweetgrass Market. You’ll find the same great market and dining experience with space to sit at the open kitchen as well as private tables and almost the same menu as the original. 5000-837 85 St S.W. 403-263-6996.
• Vin Room has brought their dining concept of wine and tapas to West Springs with Vin Room West located at 8561 8A Ave S.W. 587-353-8812.
• Cassis Bistro brought the south of France to the corner of 17th Avenue S.W. and Crowchild Trail in Market 17. It’s a destination no matter where you live but is particularly walkable from neighbouring ’hoods like Shaganappi Scarboro and Killarney. 105-2505 17 Ave S.W. 403-262-0036.
• Notable established itself as one of Calgary’s best neighbourhood restaurants in Montgomery and rumour has it a second location is in the works. 4611 Bowness Road N.W. 403-288-4372.
This summer watch for the opening of the new National West Hills an offspring of National on 17th Ave. S.W.
