Published Feb 26th, 2009

25 Best Eats in Calgary Part Two

SHISH KEBOB AT MIRCHI
We’re still debating what’s better — the naan bread, the spicy ground beef kebobs or the charbroiled Afghani pepper chicken. Suffice to say everything is fine at this friendly little Pakastani take-out spot in the Beltline. The yogurt sauce that it comes with is yummy, too. Cheap and cheerful exotic fast food. (101, 825 12 Ave. S.W., 403-245-3663, mirchirest.com)

TAPAS AT JAROBLUE
This cool but cozy little resto-lounge knows how to serve small plates and excellent wine by the glass. Try the duck confit and risotto croquettes with spicy pineapple chutney, the seared beef tenderloin and crispy potato rosti with ginger demi-glace, a bowl of warm spiced olives and the desserts. All are outrageously good. (1314 17 Ave. S.W., 403-237-5276, jaroblue.com)

MULLED PEARS FROM THREE SISTERS PIES
Get a big one-litre jar of these spiced organic pears made right here in Calgary and you’ll be sent right back to your grandmother’s preserving kitchen. Serve them warm with a skiff of vanilla yogurt for a simple, healthy and lovely dessert, sliced on the cheese board, spooned over waffles or alongside classic roast pork. (403-236-7116, threesisterspies.com)

RODIZIO AT GAUCHO BRAZILIAN BARBECUE
This little spot wins a nod for the most entertaining new place to dine. It’s an out-of-the-way joint that’s authentic, right down to the pots of black bean and beef stew and friendly Brazillians hauling skewer after skewer of grilled-beef ribs, pork loin, smoky chicken and sausage to the table. It’s a meaty experience and you must take time, so pace yourself, have a couple of Brazilian Caipirinha cocktails and enjoy the ride. (3605 Manchester Rd. S.E., 403-454-9119, brazilianbbq.ca)

VITAL GREEN FARMS CREAM ON TOP VANILLA YOGURT
This is a whole-milk, non-homogenized yogurt from a farm near Lethbridge that’s creamy, rich and lightly sweetened — the perfect yogurt to spoon over your breakfast granola or dollop on fruit salad or pie. Organic, too. (Available at the Calgary Farmers’ Market and fine grocery stores.)

LAS TORTILLAS
Finally, truly fresh corn tortillas made right here in Calgary. Las Tortillas makes tortillas from scratch, and that’s it. These are the real deal, made by a local Mexican family in one of those simple little machines you see cranking out fresh flatbreads in every small town market across Mexico. Get them fresh, as they should be. (4100 Marlborough Dr. N.E., 403-273-3555)

PHIL & SEBASTIAN CLOVER COFFEE
Baristas Phil Robertson and Sebastian Sztabzyb were the first to bring Calgarians individually brewed coffee from the $11,000 computerized Clover machine. These self-proclaimed coffee geeks know more about making coffee and buying the best direct-trade beans than anyone in town. (Available at Phil & Sebastian Coffee Co. at the Calgary Farmers’ Market)

ORGANIC APPLES FROM BLUSH LANE ORGANIC MARKET
This new organic market in the city’s southwestern ’burbs (an outgrowth of a shop in the Calgary Farmers’ Market) has an amazing selection of organic apples that comes right from its own orchards in the Similkameen Valley. Conventional apples are high in pesticide residues, so organic is the way to go, and this place has a direct pipeline to some of the best and most interesting varietials you’ll taste. The best selection of local and organic produce in the city, too. (3000, 10 Aspen Stone Blvd. S.W., 403-210-1247, blushlane.com)

HOTCHKISS BEANS
Paul and Tracy Hotchkiss may have made their name with their certified organic heirloom tomatoes, but you should try their beans. In their organic greenhouses, they grow green, yellow and pole beans that taste fresh from the garden, like beans should. The purple kind (they turn green when you cook them) are a fave — slim and so delicious simply steamed with a dab of butter and a bit of fresh dill.(Available at Amaranth Whole Foods and Community Natural Foods, 403-236-2963, hotchkissproduce.com)

MAC AND CHEESE AT FARM
Cheese maven Janice Beaton has expanded her cheese counter horizons with the new Farm — a cozy restaurant adjacent to her cheese shop, serving charcuterie, cheese and cheesy creations like chef Adam O’Brien’s creamy and decadent mac and cheese, with his mom’s pickles on the side. A home away from home. (1006 17 Ave. S.W., 403-245-2276, farm-restaurant.com)

25 Best Eats in Calgary Part One

25 Best Eats in Calgary Part Three