Drew Anderson
Libertine Cuban sandwich
The crispy chicken Cuban at The Libertine.
When most people walk into a pub they’re just looking for a nice pint and a cozy atmosphere to sit in and relax. Almost all of us have ordered food off a pub menu out of sheer hunger knowing not to expect much more than soggy fish and chips a burger with the standard toppings or a plate of over-fried wings with sauce straight out of a bottle. But as Calgary’s restaurant scene continues to up its game some pubs are putting as much effort into making great food as they are into stocking their taps with the best brews.
While you can still find blander fare at plenty of places if that’s what you’re looking for here are some places where you can get a superior meal and a superior pint in the same sitting:
THE LIBERTINE PUBLIC HOUSE
223 8 Ave. S.W.
Situated in the heart of the Stephen Avenue strip The Libertine isn’t as homey as your traditional pub but it does boast a healthy selection of craft beers on tap and a menu that falls firmly in the “foodie” category. Diners have their choice of items featuring trendy ingredients like duck confit and pork belly (both served on poutine) and elevated items like charcuterie boards and a bison salami flatbread alongside dressed-up versions of pub standards like burgers wings and steak sandwiches. The Libertine also serves interesting sandwiches like a visually impressive open-faced Reuben with house-made red sauerkraut and a truly delicious (and happily pickle-heavy) crispy chicken Cuban. If you’re really up for a meal though call at least five days in advance and bring 19 friends to take on a whole roast pig with all the fixin’s.
NATIONAL
550 17 Ave. S.W. 341 10 Ave. S.W. 180 Stewart Green S.W. 360 – 225 8 Ave. S.W.
Is there a clear distinction between a pub and a beer hall? National classifies itself as the latter but all four locations (a brand new one just opened downtown in the old West space on Stephen Avenue) make the local chain impossible to ignore when talking about places that offer great beer and food. The original National menu was developed by Model Milk chef Justin Leboe but Adam Trochie now oversees all of the locations’ kitchens serving everything from oysters and sharable seafood towers to pork belly BLTs and Maui ribs. National has also mastered the art of playful bar nibbles with items like two-bite corn dogs and delectable duck nuggets with a Dijon dipping sauce.
THE PIG AND DUKE
1312 12 Ave. S.W.
Living up to its name the Pig and Duke has plenty of pig meat on the menu with “pigtine” (poutine with “pig sauce”) pig knuckles a burger with pulled pork on top and many other porky choices. Other menu standouts include “The Hammer” (a sandwich filled with kielbasa stuffed with black applewood cheddar and wrapped in bacon) and a meatloaf smothered in an Innis and Gunn mushroom peppercorn sauce.
THE OAK TREE TAVERN
Level 2 124 10 St. N.W.
Burgers and sandwiches reign at Kensington’s Oak Tree Tavern with fun spins like a kimchi burger a meatloaf burger with tomato bacon jam and the Oak Tree “BLTC” featuring bocconcini bacon kale and tomato. Alongside other pub faves like fish ’n’ chips and nachos you’ll also find interesting bites like spicy tuna poppers and curry fries.
WILD ROSE BREWERY
4580 Quesnay Wood Dr. S.W.
Of course like any craft brewery Wild Rose puts its own beers front and centre but the menu almost makes it worth the trip to Currie Barracks even if you don’t drink beer. Again there are some chef-y buzzwords on this menu (duck tacos! Alberta bison brisket!) but where else are you going to get scallops braised in Velvet Fog or a stew spiked with Barracks Brown Ale?
