If the first few weeks of 2018 are any indication, this is going to be a great year for Calgary’s dining scene. Here’s what you need to know about the latest food-related openings, news and events in Calgary.
Calcutta Cricket Club now offers weekend brunch
This Indian restaurant started 2018 off on the right foot with the launch of its new weekend brunch menu on January 6. Available between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, the menu includes Ovaltine-chai pancakes, chips and curry, kerala fried chicken and parsi akuri (spiced, soft scrambled eggs served with tomatoes on sourdough toast). You can wash it all down with a pineapple mimosa, chaat masala Caesar, a mango lassi or a glass of chai.
340 17 Ave. S.W., 403-719-1555, calcuttacricketclub.com
Calgary Heritage Roasting Company holds a pop-up in Undrcard Boxing Studio’s cafe
You can get Calgary Heritage Roasting Company’s coffee at a new spot now. The local roastery recently launched a pop-up cafe, and you’ll find it inside Undrcard Boxing Studio in the Beltline. Stop by for a cup of coffee and a sandwich the next time you’re in the area or after your next workout.
Undrcard Boxing Studio, 349 10 Ave. S.W., undrcard.com/yoadrian
Gringo Street opens on 17 Ave. S.W.
The team behind Cleaver restaurant didn’t go far when they opened their sister restaurant earlier this month. Gringo Street, a new Latin street food restaurant, is located right next door to Cleaver, and has a bright yellow exterior that you can’t miss. The restaurant offers dishes like tuna or snapper ceviche, Peruvian pachamanca ribs, queso fundido and Peruvian skewers. Plus, there are 14 different kinds of tacos ranging from Guinness braised short rib to smoked mushroom. Like Cleaver, Gringo Street also has an incredibly inventive drink menu; expect loaded micheladas, pitchers of margaritas and cocktails like The Worm Eater (with mezcal, agave, resposado, orange and lemon zest and a gummy worm) and El Gringo (with gin, green chartreuse, lime, maraschino and soda).
101, 524 17 Ave. S.W., 403-474-1411, gringost.com
Hula Poke opens downtown
Hula Poke opened its first location in Vancouver this past November, then followed with a second location that opened in Calgary’s Brookfield Place just before Christmas. The eatery offers six different kinds of poke bowls, as well as veggie bowls, tostadas, plantain chips and a handful of drinks. It also uses Ocean Wise fish in its dishes.
Brookfield Place, +15 level, 225 6 Ave. S.W., hulapoke.ca
The Lake House’s prix fixe menu returns
One of The Lake House’s popular annual features is back. The Lake Bonavista restaurant once again has a special prix fixe menu for guests to enjoy. The $50 menu features three locally-inspired courses, and is offered starting at 5 p.m. from Monday to Thursday. The menu is available in limited quantities, so make sure you don’t miss out.
747 Lake Bonavista Dr. S.E., 403-225-3939, lakehousecalgary.com
Po-ke opens its second location in Kensington
Po-ke was one of Calgary’s first eatery’s dedicated to poke when it opened in Crescent Heights last April. And now, it’ll be that much easier for those living in Kensington to try it thanks to the recent opening of a second location. Stop by to build your own poke bowl or choose from one of the four poke bowls or sushi burritos on the menu.
1111 Kensington Rd. N.W., po-ke.ca
SaVeg Cafe opens in the Beltline
Looking for a healthy meal in the Beltline? Head inside Heavens Fitness to find this cleverly-named new vegan cafe, which offers a Korean-inspired menu. For breakfast, there are dishes like sweet quinoa bowls, breakfast burritos and bagel sandwiches. At lunch, you can try items like bibimbap, japchae, sweet chili smoked tofu wraps and hummus wraps. And, if it’s just a quick bite you’re looking for, there are also salad rolls, baked goods and eight different smoothies to wash it all down. Whatever you order, you can count on it being a plant-based dish that will leave you feeling great.
637 11 Ave. S.W., 403-263-3126, savegcafe.ca
Two Penny Chinese now offers lunch and dim sum brunch
There are now two more great reasons to head to Two Penny Chinese in Victoria Park. First, the restaurant now offers lunch on weekdays. You can opt for the lunch special (a protein like roast duck, pork belly or crispy chicken with a vegetable and soup noodles or rice) for $16, or order dishes like fried chicken steam buns, wonton soup or mushroom salad. If you’re around on a Saturday or Sunday, you can stop in to try the new dim sum brunch. Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., order from an ever-changing selection of dishes like shrimp wontons, egg tarts, pork shumai, red bean sesame balls, chongqing chicken wings, sesame chicken salad and more.
1213 1 St. S.W., 403-474-7766, twopenny.ca​