Places I Like
This is a frequently-updated list of places that I like for one reason or another. I’ll be adding and changing categories as they occur to me. For now, I’m limiting this list to in and around Calgary, but I’ll write about places in other cities in my blog. I’ll provide web links when I can find them. If I can’t, I’ll give addresses and phone numbers.
The Globe Cinema is a two-screen operation owned by Landmark Cinemas. They operate on a standard week-by-week schedule with the occasional midnight movie to shake things up. Excellent popcorn.
The Plaza Theatre is the only remaining neighbourhood cinema in Calgary. It’s been showing an odd mix of arthouse, mainstream “dollar cinema” leftovers, and Bollywood for the last few years, but new management is attempting to make this a proper rep cinema, with tons of interesting programming, along the lines of the Bloor Cinema in Toronto. This is also the home for Calgary Cinematheque screenings.
The Uptown Stage and Screen is a traditional repertory art-house with two screens (upstairs is raked seating- it used to be the balcony) in the closest thing left to a grand-old-lady cinema in Calgary at the base of an amazingly cool art deco skyscaper to boot. It’s all tattered and characterful, a great space. There’s a very cool nightclub upstairs as well, which is is party central during the insanity of the Calgary International Film Festival.
Additionally, the Cineplex Odeon 6-plex at Eau Claire Market has been showing indie and otherwise “quality” movies at one, and sometimes more than one, of their screens lately. Eau Claire is to be redeveloped at some point in the (possibly distant) future and unfortunately that means the theatres may be demolished as well.
A Ladybug Cafe (Facebook page) is at 2132 Aspen Stone Blvd (403-249-5530), in the western end of the city and is gracing the ‘burbs with JJ Bean coffees made with the first La Marzocco GB5 that I’m aware of in Calgary. Ladybug’s facebook page shows that, yes, the third wave has made it out of the inner city here. Ladybug sells marvelous pastries, baked goodies and crepes at both their cafe and at the CFM, but the coffee aspect is only at the cafe itself.
Bumpy’s has really helped to raise the bar in Calgary since its opening in September, 2005. A lot of people know it more for its excellent food (and rightly so), but coffeegeeks flock here for fantastic espresso prepared with a brand new Elektra Kappa, with beans from Vancouver’s JJ Bean (only source in Calgary) and 49th Parallel. Baristas are among the best in town; superb latte art, and this was the first place in town that offers an occasional single-origin espressos. A class act.
Caffe Artigiano has opened its first Calgary location and its first outside the Vancouver area at 332 6th Ave SW in the new Centrium building. Beautiful, bright space with the same delicious sandwiches and other food (try the yogurt parfait and the superb sandwiches) as at Vancouver locations. This one has a four-group La Marzocco FB 80 and Calgary’s second Clover, and is open, heavens be praised, seven days a week, currently Sat and Sun 8-5, as well as weekday hours 6-6 M-W and 6-7 Th-F. UPDATE June 30, 2009: CA has a second location that will be opening soon in the Shell Centre two blocks north of their current location; hours TBA.
Caffe Beano, 1613 9 St SW (no website, yet): Post about its renaissance. As atmosphere goes, Beano might be the single best coffeehouse in North America, with ample hours (6a-midnight, seven days currently), great seating inside and out and atmosphere to burn. It’s always busy here, and it’s ground central for artists and the artistic in Calgary. It’s not, to my taste, the best coffee in town (a hyper-roasted blend haplessly but consistently provided by Fratello is, at least, fresh, and it does hold up in milk), but hey, some people like dark, and it’s nice to get it from Beano, made with care on a Slayer, with fresh beans to boot.
Caffe Rosso is in Ramsay, in the inner southeast just east of the Stampede grounds, and it offers coffees from Boston’s Terroir roastery in a funky, comfortable space. They pull shots on a Synesso and offer some of the best bakery I’ve seen at a coffeehouse, including an addictive Müsli loaf from City Bakery.
Communitea is actually a 1.5 hour jog west in Canmore, but in addition to being a beautiful, calming space with killer pastries, they are the first place near Calgary to buy (and drink) Intelligentsia Black Cat espresso, one of my faves. They pull shots with a Synesso Cyncra, a beautiful, beautiful thing.
De Ville Luxury Coffee and Pastries is on the second floor of the Art Central building on the NW corner of 7th Avenue and Centre Street in the heart of downtown Calgary, kitty-corner from the Hyatt. De Ville continues the happy trend of seven-days-a-week third-wavers with hours M-F 7-7 and weekends 9-6. They pull shots with a Synesso and are the first in Calgary proper to source Intelligentsia Black Cat (no more having to drive to Communitea for it!). Very, very exceptionally good coffeehouse fare come from the well-regarded Saint Germain restaurant at Hotel Arts. DeVille has a charcuterie menu (with wines) available around the clock and, in my opinion, the best cupcake in the city. UPDATE June 30, 2009: De Ville has a second location inside Chow Bazaar in the Colours condo tower on 1st Street SW at 13th Avenue.
Good Earth Coffeehouse and Bakery is a chain based in Calgary with 11 Calgary locations as I write this (and one more each in Red Deer and Edmonton). I’m not always, or even usually, thrilled with what I get at Good Earth, but they are improving all aspects of their coffee program, with new NS Aurelia machines to better shots to diligent microfoaming of milk. Beans are a proprietary blend roasted with care from Calgary’s Fratello Coffee. Lately I’ve had some great shots here (especially at the U of C location) and there are some talented, motivated baristi, much moreso than I’ve found with other chains. Their bakery is good, sometimes exceptional, and they have killer mac n cheese.
The House Coffee Sanctuary is in Kensington, a neighbourhood awash with mediocre coffeehouses. I was a little hesitant to go back to The House after I found out it was owned by a mega-church in the wilds of the northern suburbs, but they have their priorities in order (no proselytizing, no judgment, and a very laudable community focus with huge support for local arts groups); better still is that they’ve really improved their coffee program. This is the first shop in Calgary to use the very good beans from Mountain View Roasterie, which I extol at various places in my blog.
Insomnia Cafe opens summer 2009 in the Burns Building, at the corner of Stephen Ave and McLeod Trail SE- that’s next to the Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts and across Stephen Ave from Olympic Plaza. Insomnia has a three-group GB5 for Fratello’s “competition blend” espresso and will be offering press pot coffee for brewed. This is a beautiful, historic space and will be great for Epcor Centre audiences as well as City Hall employees, a great addition to the Olympic Plaza Cultural District.
Java Jamboree in in Cochrane, which is a pretty cute NW suburb of Calgary with a twee, western-themed town centre. But JJ is in a hideous strip mall and gives no indication of the glory inside. JJ was the first coffeehouse in Alberta, and the second in Canada, to purchase a Synesso. They are the only place in Alberta, and one of only a couple in Canada, to brew beans from both 49th Parallel and Josuma (in SF). Latte art photos cover the walls, and the owners LOVE to talk coffee. It’s like a dream.
Kawa Espresso Bar is a new beltline neighbourhood (adjacent to downtown Calgary) venture for the folks at Java Jamboree. At 8th St and 14 Ave SW, and it’s all shiny glitz and uptown jazz versus the homey character of JJ. The equipment is the same top-notch assortment, with a Synesso and a Clover, and the same combo of 49th Parallel and Josuma beans. Hours are 6a-9p M-F and 9a-6p Sat-Sun, but since Kawa is increasingly packed on weekends, look for those hours to expand. Among an expanding list of food and desert options are wines and a really outstanding chicken quesadilla, made lovingly with roasted sweet potato and zuke, a unique and delicious spin.
Phil & Sebastian Coffee Company is, like JJ, a pioneer in bringing new equipment into Calgary; in their case, a Clover vacuum/press brewing system. Their espresso machines (yes, current setup is two machines) aren’t seen very often in these parts; a La Marzocco FB-80 and a Synesso. Thanks to P&S we now have a regular source in Calgary for beans from some the reputationally great Novo Coffee in Denver. Their location in the Calgary Farmers’ Market (former Currie Barracks) is neat and convenient, but terrible for conversation. For coffee, though, it’s peerless (just about). UPDATE June 30, 2009: P&S will soon be opening a storefront location in Marda Loop in the Shops of Marda Loop at 33rd Avenue and 20 Street SW. They will have their own beans, roasted at their new roasting facility in southeast Calgary, on offer.
Ali Baba Kabob House, 1602 14 St SW 403-541-1115
Babylon, 302-225 28 Street SE 403-272-2233
Banh Mi Thi Thi, 209 1st St SE, 403-265-5452 and 8th Ave SW just west of the Uptown.
Calgary Court, 119 2 Ave SE, 403-264-7890
Double Greeting Snack House, 113 303 Centre St. SW 403-266-2766
European Bakery and Deli, 515 17th Ave SW, 403-806-3768
Golden Bell Saigon, 1112 17th Ave SW, 403-452-8803
Golden Inn, 107A 2nd Ave SE, 403-269-2211
Han’s, 116-303 Centre St SW 403-263-5667
Kim Anh Vietnamese Subs, 626 17th Ave SW, 403-228-2380
Lina’s Italian Market, 2202 Centre St NE, 403-277-9166
Midori Japanese Cafe, 1054 17th Ave SW, 403-244-3787
Mirchi, 825 12th Ave SW, 403-245-3663
Oishii Village, 1604 14th St SW, 403-229-2881
O Shima Japanese Cuisine (Facebook page)
Ruan Thai, 1302 11th Ave SW, 403-262-7066
Sammy’s Donair, 1235 17th Ave SW, 403-244-4201
Shawarma Knight, 1512 14 St SW, 403-244-3999
Sungate Cafe, 1101 Kensington Rd NW, 403-283-8778
Tiffin Curry and Roti House, 188 28th St SE, 403-273-2420
Trinidad and Tobago Organettes Social Club
Village Pita Bakery, #208, 255 28th St SE, 403-273-0330
Vogglio d’Pizza, 1514A 14th St SW, 403-228-1228
Marnie said
HI John!
Thanks for the mention on your list.
You really do need to eat here though! (ha ha… not that the pastries aren’t food!… but I highly recommend a portabella mushroom and brie panini or rice bowl with the asian fusion sauce or come for dinner and have a glass of wine and a seafood curry!)
Tell ya what… have a meal here and your espresso after is on me!
Hope you are enjoying your summer!
Cheers,
Marnie
Communitea Cafe
Canmore
John Manzo said
You’re on, Marnie- hope I get to play on the Synesso again.
Samantha said
John,
It’s great to hear you enjoyed our coffee. I just wanted to mention that we have started serving Mountain View Espresso and Coffee, as of December. I noticed you mention them a while back, and we have been really pleased with their beans. We are in the middle of renovations right now and you should check us out when we re-open. Should be back in business by January 14th, if everything goes according to schedule!
-Sam
The House Coffee Sanctuary
126 10th Street NW
John Manzo said
Thanks for your Comment, Sam- I’m happy to see a coffeehouse picking up MVR’s coffee; his roasting program can only improve as he gets a larger customer base. I’m also looking forward to trying his espresso on a professional machine since I’ve had good experiences at home. Oh, and I’ll have someplace to buy it as well!
Cheers!
s. said
do you mind if I reference this list in a comment I’m formulating to the following blog:
http://www.dmblog.ca/2008/03/11/10_places_in_toronto/
I’m sure his list of Toronto restaurants is fine, but I don’t agree with his comment that Calgary has mostly large chains and no decent smaller restaurants.
Or better yet, maybe you could comment directly. Your so much more eloquent
John Manzo said
s- I just made my comment at this person’s blog.
DM said
I didn’t mean to imply that there are no non-chain restaurants in Calgary, just that, in comparison to Toronto, you do see a ton more chains out here. And the amount of small restaurants in Toronto doesn’t compare – it really can be overwhelming…
Yes, there are many places in Calgary that stand out from the rest and I’m intending to follow up my post with another one – 10 Places to Eat in Calgary/Alberta – I just haven’t gotten around to it yet…
John, many thanks for the link to your blog – I’ve been to many of the places on your list here
Best,
DM
Gina said
I see that you like Vietnamese food. I would highly recommend Pho Rang Dong in the North. It’s in a strip mall right next to Forest Lawn High School.
Yes, it doesn’t look like much, but it does have the best soup in the city. Also, as befitting such a fabulous Vietnamese restaurant, it’s super cheap, very fast and pretty much only Vietnamese people frequent it.
John Manzo said
Thanks Gina!
Jemmie said
Hi John,
Thank you for your great mention… small world, i know one of your past students and he sent me a link to your last blog on Blowfish Sushi Lounge. He’s also one of our customers, and he was happy to hear that you share his feelings about our restaurant.
I remember you coming in last January 2007 and helping you. Thank you for remembering to visit us again. Unfortunately, I wasn’t working this day, but I’m very happy that my staff took good care of you! Your great word-of-mouth i and support from our customers why we are still around…
Hope to see you more often!
Jem
aquamarinebeach said
Nice list John – been to lots of these places. My most recent discoveries are Globefish sushi and the new Fiasco gelato in Kensington (James is doing a good job in raising the bar for gelato in Calgary – tried it by accident and overwhelmed by how much more authentic it tastes compared to the 17th ave location).
Also tried Ali Baba Kabob today after reading your review – very good indeed – liked the Afghan love for grilling shown by the meticulous preparation and the sobre decor of the place (highlighted by comparing it to the flashier of appearance & faster prep times of Shawarma King next door). I ordered the filet mignon + ground beef + afghan naan + Kabuli rice combo – but did go through their menu and just shocked by their value compared to next door Shawarma King (typical wrap for less than $6 while it seems Shawarma King commands higher prices…
I have not yet tried Shawarma King but I don’t it will be as good Ali Baba. It will probably be closer to Falafel King or at best closer to Babylon…(which has the best lamb donair I have tried in this city)…It’s a bit sad that most Calgarians will be drawn to the more fast-food looking Shawarma King than to a gem like Ali Baba…but that’s life.
By the way do you know of any good places for lamb donair in Calgary? Sadly, most of our shawarma places seem to skip that meat…I have had it at only 2 places – Babylon and out of all places Angel’s Diner by the Bowness Park in the NW. Both were very good.
I live in the downtown core so would be more practical to find something closer. Is Sammy’s lamb donair very fatty…how does it compare to say Babylon?
Also you probably know of these places but I will mention them just in case.
In the same strip mall as Babylon there is Safari Grill (unique food just like Ali Baba – east african cuisine – sorta Indian and Kenyan fusion cuisine). They have the best Beef short ribs in town – waay better than next door Tiffin as well as Mirchi. Their Africana chicken(marinated in periperi) is flavourful and tender – 10x better than the dry one at Nando’s
Also for Banh Mi – Thi Thi is good but I find the one inside that very same strip mall in Chinatown (run by the cheerful couple) to be much more flavourful. It’s right across from the jewellery store and adjacent to the flower store in that little mall attached to the building in which Thi Thi is. The satay sauce they use has this richer taste and texture of crushed peanuts and a kick to it. The best IMO is their satay chicken. And I think the prices are still around $6
aquamarinebeach said
Also forgot to mention the Masala fries at Safari grill – what an excellent appetiser/comfort food – would never would have thought crushed tomatoes and curry powder could take fries to another level..lol
Looks like it’s been waaaaay too long since I visited Babylon/Safari Grill/Tiffin:)
John Manzo said
Aqua- thanks for all the comment- but I have to come to the defense of Shawarma KNIGHT (not Shawarma King, it was sold and name changed about a year ago)- they serve a completely different cuisine from Ali Baba (Afghan vs Lebanese, well its owners are Iraqi) and compared to, say, Shawarma Station in Kensington, the prices are not bad at all. I also love how they prepare their shawarma there, with the split round pita wrapped in the big thin square one, no mess and it’s a delight for textures. And the taste is great too.
Sammy’s on 17th just to the east usually has lamb but I find it too chewy. I wish somebody would sell a real non-ground veal döner like you can get everywhere in Germany (and other parts of Europe) but on this side of the pond, of course, veal is very expensive.
I’m familiar with Babylon and like it very much- have not been to Safari Grill as I’m a Tiffins devotee (also Ismaili-owned) but will give it a chance one of these days!
aquamarinebeach said
Tiffin is good, but more buffet-level. Safari Grill is slightly more expensive but your food is prepared right when you order – takes around 15 minutes if not more – in part why it’s not as popular with employees of the neighbouring businesses v/s fast-food speeds of Tiffin and China Rose – but excellent option for dinner. If you are a fan of Tiffin, then you will definitely find the food at Safari Grill a few notches above…
aquamarinebeach said
Hear you about real veal – price is also the reason for the rarity of the lamb donair in Calgary. I really like how Babylon kinda fries the lamb donair for a bit – probably to kill surface bacteria – but also like how it gets crispy on the outside and stays soft inside…May be I’ll get something else from Sammy’s then…have to try Shawarma Knight some day – just got dessert from it on the same day I had dinner at Ali Baba. The cream-cheese Baklava and the Baba O Rum were okay – had better ones at the Village Pita Bakery across from Babylon in the SE though