Palate Parade

A Downtown Rose

Found right in the core in the historic Grain Exchange Building is Gypsy Bistro and Wine Bar. With its proliferation of wood, large colourful paintings and ornate architecture, it has an authentic European bistro feel. A great place for a downtown lunch, you can enjoy the barbecue salmon crostini ($13), brie and peppers baked in phyllo ($12) or a bowl of roasted garlic and wild mushroom soup ($9) to start. Next, move on to one of the flatbread pizzas (roasted eggplant, tomatoes, kalamata olives and feta cheese, $15) or sandwiches (lamb and sundried cranberry burger with gorgonzola cheese and onion marmalade, $16). If you are in for dinner and looking for an entrée, there are a number of interesting selections including curry chicken columbo with jasmine rice and West Indian condiments ($23). Gypsy is one of those restaurants you may have passed by many times and never tried. It’s well worth checking out. (817 1 St. S.W., 403-263-5869)

Haute and Heavy

The elegant dining room of Q Haute Cuisine is found in the base of one of Eau Claire’s nicer condo buildings, and the restaurant formerly known as LaCaille on the Bow lives up to its prestigious locale. You can order a chef’s tasting menu with anything from three to eight or 12 courses. On the à la carte dinner menu there are starters like a lobster bisque ($13) and crab duo-salad and cake ($15), and intricate main dishes like free-range bison tenderloin with truffled celeriac sauce mushroom and ricotta ravioli, Mediterranean vegetable pavê, braised Belgium endive and creamy barley pea risotto ($53), or Hog Wild boar tenderloin filled with mushroom and black olive, braised boar flank with corn sweet pepper pancakes with boar sausage, potato and cauliflower puree and light truffle jus ($34). (Upper level, LaCaille Place S.W., 403-262-5554)  

A Trip to the Market

The concept of Cravings Market Restaurant is a little different from other eateries with a similar menu. Diners are given a plastic debit-like card and then wander past a variety of stations, each with a number of items. If you want something, you simply hand your cardto the helpful staff to scan and keep track of what you’ve ordered. The deli area has paninis (chicken soprano, vegetarian, $7.25 each), soups (cup, $5) and a variety of salads like Caesar, pasta and fruit (small, $6; full, $8). Another area has wood-fired oven pizzas (Triple X, a meat-filled creation, $18; caprese, $16) and pastas (lobster ravioli, $16; fettucini alfredo, $13). The grill area has appetizers (calamari, $9; pecan-crusted shrimp, $11), burgers (BLTC burger, $13) and entrees (pork tenderloin medallions, $17; seafood casserole, $17). (7207 Fairmount Dr. S.E., 403-252-2083)  

Finding Balance

The location of Balance Lounge and Eatery on the corner of 14th Street and 16th Avenue S.W. has seen some different concepts over the past few years, but here is hoping this casual lounge and its tapas-filled menu sticks around. Inside, the décor is sparse, but contemporary. The menu is smallish, but includes small plates (vegetable tempura with ponzu dipping sauce, potato gnocchi with truffle and parmesan, $7 each) and large plates (lobster grilled cheese with tomato soup shooter, tandoori chicken with mint raita, $10 each) for sharing. There is also the group kettle mussels with a choice of sauces including white wine and garlic and Thai coconut ($14). The menu is rounded out with entrees including blackened pork tenderloin ($18) and Alberta beef striploin ($22). Balance’s signature cocktails are also worth a try. (1504 16 Ave. S.W. 403-244-9958)

Rolling out the Sushi

El’s Japanese Fusion is a relatively new restaurant in Marda Loop. While the restaurant itself holds only a few tables, its menu has one of the largest selections of rolls you’ll find in the city with 70 choices available. You’ll find standard maki (rolls) like dynamite ($7) and California rolls ($6) mixed in with interesting creations with names like the cobra roll ($9), sunnyside roll ($10) and superstar roll ($19). In addition to and overwhelming number of rolls, there is sushi by-the-piece (tuna, $2.50; toro, $3.50), a number of appetizers (edamame, $5; ebi gyoza, $10; soft shell crab, $15), rice bowls (beef teriyaki, $19), tempura (yam, $9) and noodle dishes (chicken udon, $13) to select from. El’s also does takeout, which given the small number of seats is a good option to have. (17, 2008 33 Ave. S.W., 403-217-6796).

Tower of Taste

Olives is the restaurant, deli and lounge that recently opened on the ground floor of the Arriva condo tower near the Stampede Grounds. Sharing ownership with Hotel Arts Raw Bar and the Kensington Riverside Inn, it serves up a menu offering contemporary takes on Italian dishes. The interior is bright and modern with a slight industrial look. Starters include an heirloom tomato salad ($13) and Black Angus beef carpaccio ($14). There are a number of pastas to choose from, including herb gnocchi ($19), Manila cam linguine ($20) and truffle, parsnip and marscapone raviolis ($21). If entrees are more what you are looking for, try the grilled ahi tuna ($32) or 12-ounce Black Angus rib-eye. ($40). A great addition to a developing area. (1129 Olympic Way S.E., 403-984-5000)