Good eating come in all shapes and sizes.
Good Eats, Small Package
The name of Petite Restaurant refers to the cozy location and not the serving sizes at this Beltline restaurant. Well-proportioned mains that allow room for starters and dessert are served in a room with exposed brick walls, an open kitchen and seating for 30 (plus a patio, weather permitting). A focus on seasonal ingredients means chef Jared Alvey revises the offerings on the one-page menu frequently. So, while the beet salad with summer truffle, citrus vinaigrette and quark cheese ($13), Whitetail deer sirloin with sweet Vidalia onion and new potato hash ($23) and panna cotta with white chocolate, fresh raspberries and a sable cookie ($8) sound like a meal you would go back for, don’t get too attached. Next time it could be pear salad with goat feta, candied pecans and honey rosemary vinaigrette ($13), gnocchi with elk short rib and onion jam ($16) and apple crumble with bavarian cream and caramel sauce ($8). (1301 10 Ave. S.W., 403-452-5350, petiterestaurant.ca) —Jaelyn Molyneux
Food on the Fry
The third Calgary location of Wok Box Fresh Asian Kitchen is located on 17th Avenue S.W. Wok Box straddles the line between fast food and casual dining, offering up selections from around Asia cooked to order. The stir-fries (lunch box, $6.49 served until 4 p.m.; regular, $10.99; Sumo, $19.99) include choices such as Pad Thai, Singapore Cashew, Mongolian, Jungle Curry and the extra-spicy Dan Dan. Diners choose the protein they want (pork, chicken, beef, shrimp, tofu) and whether they want rice or noodles. Other items include soups (wor wonton, $7.99), “sharables” (lemon chicken or Mongolian beef and broccoli, $10.49) and appetizers (spring rolls, $4.99; naan bread with dip, $5.99; ginger beef, $9.99). This alternative to your typical “burger and fry” chains is a good fit for those times your timetable calls for fast, but your craving calls for fresh. (736 17 Ave. S.W., 403-457-5400, wokbox.ca) —Anthony Charron
Taking Sides
Anyone familiar with Korean food is accustomed to the assortment of side dishes that accompany those meals. At Anju Restaurant & Lounge, these sides are the main attraction. Owner Roy Oh’s twist on anju, savoury and spicy Korean tapas, make this a great place for drinks and a tasty meal. For those keen to share and sample, try the anju platter ($20 for the chef’s daily creation). Sides include pickled daikon ($2), spicy kimchi ($3) and rice ($2), while anjus range from wild mushroom japchae spring rolls ($4) to spicy cured blue crab ($5). The kimchi ramen soup with Broek Acres Berkshire pork belly and crème fraiche ($15) is a must-have, while the stone rice bowl ($15) is a filling choice. Other entrees include mussels ($7) and fish (sweet clay pot-braised black cod, $20), as well as ribs and steak (baby back ribs, $10; Spring Creek marinated rib eye, $20). It’s open until midnight on weeknights and until 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. (507 10 St. S.W., 403-532-9419, anju.ca) —Lynda Sea
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