Readers and critics give their picks for Calgary's top restaurants.
The Judges
Anthony Charron
For three years Avenue associate editor Anthony Charron has tasted his way across Calgary for Avenue’s Find Dining column. Prior to embarking on his journalistic career, Charron worked himself through two post-secondary degrees slaving over fryers and grills in the back-end of Calgary restaurants, and sometimes misses the organized chaos of a lunch rush.
John Gilchrist
Author of the bestselling book, My Favourite Restaurants in Calgary and Banff, Gilchrist has reviewed restaurants for CBC Radio for more than 25 years. He is a contributing editor on food for Avenue and has written in all but two issues since its inception. He also writes a weekly column for the Calgary Herald.
John Gilchrist's Only The Best from the pages of Avenue.
Danyael Halprin
A former FFWD restaurant reviewer, Halprin draws upon dining experiences from her past residences of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, as well as her food adventures abroad. Her writing has appeared in the National Post, Toro, Saturday Night, Avenue and the Calgary Herald. If she had to pick her last meal, it would be butter chicken.
Plus: READER’S CHOICE selections based on Avenue’s online survey.
The 6th Annual Avenue Food Awards Part 2
The 6th Annual Avenue Food Awards Part 3
View the complete list of winners from the 2009 Avenue Food Awards
Best Sushi
AC: Globefish Sushi & Izakaya. Now with two locations, north and south of downtown, Globefish is bustling but efficient, with great sushi served in a hip setting. While the popu-larity and no reservations policy often means a wait, the service and quality remains top notch.
JG: Globefish. Sushi might be served on a flaming bed of salt or a driftwood log, but regardless of the presentation, the quality is always outstanding at both Globefish locations.
DH: Globefish. It’s so fresh, it’s still moving, albeit slowly, like the live sea urchin sashimi. Beautiful presentation of innovative dishes in a lively atmosphere.
RC: Globefish. Ditto to the above, say our readers.
Best New Restaurant
AC: Mango Shiva. The newly resurrected restaurant not only has an interesting menu filled with modern takes on Indian cuisine, but it also serves up in one of the best-designed interiors you’ll find downtown.
JG: Chef’s Table. Small, refined, stylish and with oh-so-good food, Chef’s Table features the best of regional ingredients prepared expertly by chef Theo Yeaman.
DH: Farm. Bravo to Janice Beaton. She has poured her passion and knowledge of fine local cheese, meats and wine into this inviting, modern country-style kitchen. From the horsehide draped over the couch, to the wood cutting board platters and the communal dining room table, everything here is perfectly lovely and refreshingly different. Ee-i-ee-i-o!
RC: Siraia. Location and beautiful views of the mountains and city aside, Siraia aims to serve the best meal possible. World-class chefs provide first-class service, preparing food with fresh, organic and local products.
Best Kept Secret
AC: Not exactly a secret, but an oft-overlooked choice for an amazing sandwich is Kensington’s Peppino. Hands down the best meatball sub in town. Peppino is also a great place to pick up pre-made tortellini, cannelloni and Italian sauces.
JG: Jonas’s Restaurant. Almost impossible to find on 6th Avenue S.W., this narrow Hungarian restaurant serves goulash and paprikash redolent of the flavours of Budapest.
DH: Caffe Rosso. To find Illy coffee, paninis and baked goods, you must pass through the red portal of this brick station plunked in the midst of an industrial-construction zone.
RC: Holy Grill. A good location (across from Mountain Equipment Coop downtown) won’t keep it a secret for long.
Best Steak
AC: Caesar's Steak House. Located smack in the middle of beef country, there are plenty of places that serve up great steak. Caesar’s wins out because of its decor, which is likely the same as when it opened in 1972. It’s the kind of place where you want to eat steak or have a sit down with The Godfather.
JG: Open Range. Chef Dwayne Ennest has a handle on Alberta beef and does it a multitude of ways, including beef tenderloin on a wild mushroom ragu with black truffle gravy.
DH: Vintage. This happening and stylish dining space renders the traditional steakhouse antiquated, featuring prime cuts of hormone-free Alberta beef with great accompaniments like mac and cheese in a truffle cream sauce.
RC: The venerable Caesar’s Steak House tops the readers’ choice list.
Best Burger
AC: Boogie’s Burgers. This veritable institution on Edmonton Trail N.E. has been doling out great burgers for more than 30 years. Be sure to have a quick game of Defender or Ms. Pac Man while you wait.
JG: Teatro. Teatro’s burger is freshly ground rib-eye and brisket, topped with heirloom tomatoes and Comte cheese — at a jaw-dropping $25. But it’s gooood.
DH: Tommy Burger Bar. Tommy’s puts the fun back into the patty with its BYOB theme — that’s “Build Your Own Burger,” with toppings like smoked Gouda, jalapeno bacon, sweet onion aioli and fried egg.
RC: The Holy Grill. Home-style heaven, The Holy Grill serves up the best burger in Cowtown, according to our readers.
The 6th Annual Avenue Food Awards Part 2
The 6th Annual Avenue Food Awards Part 3
View the complete list of winners from the 2009 Avenue Food Awards
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