Calgary Restaurant Thread

[dirtymood]

Yup those buildings are all done, IBU looks really good, need to try it soon. Another restaurant opened in the west building, Brioche, a french restaurant from the people behind the popular Avitus wine bar

On the other end of the spectrum, a little Vietnamese place opened up a block north of here called Banh Mi Boy, they have fantastic subs, probably the best I've had in Calgary. Highly recommended if anyone is in the area

For date night last Friday we went to Brioche for drinks, and IBU for dinner. Both were pretty full- we snagged the last reservation for IBU that wasn’t at 5:30pm or 10pm.

Both were fantastic. The Avitus guys really know how to set up a vibey, cozy bar- can’t wait to come back for some food later on. They also have a tap room upstairs that they said can be rented out for events, and they are opening up a gelato shop in the unit right beside it in the spring. The place is going to be bumping in the summer when they can open the big patio out front!

IBU was the best meal I’ve had in quite a while- I love the higher end family-style dining setup they have going. They might have the best cauliflower appetizer in Calgary, and the fried rice with pork belly was absolutely delectable- and with a good kick of spice, which is nice to see even in this part of the city and at this price point, and with the info-fusion concept. The speed of service and knowledgeability of the staff was spot-on too, especially for a place that opened so recently (the waitress mentioned delaying the opening and rigorous training….so I guess that paid off!)

So pumped to have this little cluster of businesses in the neighbourhood. With daily Brett right across, it feels like the start of another resto-bar and cafe corridor similar to 34 ave (one can dream).

 

[potatopizzafan]

For date night last Friday we went to Brioche for drinks, and IBU for dinner. Both were pretty full- we snagged the last reservation for IBU that wasn’t at 5:30pm or 10pm.

Both were fantastic. The Avitus guys really know how to set up a vibey, cozy bar- can’t wait to come back for some food later on. They also have a tap room upstairs that they said can be rented out for events, and they are opening up a gelato shop in the unit right beside it in the spring. The place is going to be bumping in the summer when they can open the big patio out front!

IBU was the best meal I’ve had in quite a while- I love the higher end family-style dining setup they have going. They might have the best cauliflower appetizer in Calgary, and the fried rice with pork belly was absolutely delectable- and with a good kick of spice, which is nice to see even in this part of the city and at this price point, and with the info-fusion concept. The speed of service and knowledgeability of the staff was spot-on too, especially for a place that opened so recently (the waitress mentioned delaying the opening and rigorous training….so I guess that paid off!)

So pumped to have this little cluster of businesses in the neighbourhood. With daily Brett right across, it feels like the start of another resto-bar and cafe corridor similar to 34 ave (one can dream).

All great to hear! I moved to the area almost 11 years ago and the transformation of this little node has been pretty amazing. Now just need something to happen with the little cluster of commercial units north of the ESSO

 

[CBBarnett]

All great to hear! I moved to the area almost 11 years ago and the transformation of this little node has been pretty amazing. Now just need something to happen with the little cluster of commercial units north of the ESSO

The real white whale out there would be to evolve 14th Street in to a true main street with retail on both sides of the road! As a single-loaded strip, it's hard for the retail to compete against the perception that the street is really just a commuter route. There's nothing really to slow down NB cars, or setup an expectation that people may be crossing the road at any corner, like a traditional retail street with stuff on both sides.

Of course, the Mount Royal influence is strong here, which is why we have bizarre patterns of fancy restaurant infills on one side, and the fenced off backyard of a $5M mansion on the other. Need that retail on both sides!