It’s that time of year when we all agree that we are going to dine out as much as possible. The Big Taste is happening March 6 to 15.
Presented by Downtown Calgary, this year there are 76 restaurants participating with more than 100 prix fixe menus that include lunch for $15 or $25, dinner for $25 or $35 dollars and gourmet meals for $65. There are also signature events with limited tickets that sell out fast. National Bowl has a doubles tournament, Downtownfood is doing a five-chef collaboration, Market has Sunday brunch and Earth, Sea and Sky will take you to Charcut Roast House, Catch and Sky 360, for example.
It’s an opportunity to try restaurants you might not otherwise eat at and it takes the guess work out of ordering. These are just 15 of the restaurants participating, with the menu item that might sway you toward trying it out.
Anju
Meals on offer: Gourmet, lunch
Menu item that will make you want to go: Japchae, bulgogi and chili prawns with rice and kimchi, which is course number four of the gourmet menu. You’ll never be able to repeat the amazingness of this dish at home.
344 17 Ave. S.W., 403-460-3341, anju.ca
Black Pig Bistro
Meals on offer: Dinner
Menu item that will make you want to go: Pork and beans. It might be the best dish in all of Calgary.
825 1 Ave. N.E., 403-460-0350, blackpigbistro.com
Bonterra Trattoria
Meals on offer: Lunch, dinner
Menu item that will make you want to go: Sweet pea arancini with saffron and shellfish oils. These fried rice balls are probably the greatest thing that ever came out of Italy and they are your starter for the $15 lunch at Bonterra.
1016 8 St. S.W., 403-262-8480, bonterra.ca
Bookers BBQ + Crab Shack
Meals on offer: Lunch, dinner
Menu item that will make you want to go: Deep fried pickles with barbecue mayo. If you are from the United States, you know it is difficult to find a proper deep fried pickle in Calgary, but they do it right here.
316 3 St. S.E., 403-264-6419, bookersbbq.com
Catch Restaurant
Meals on offer: Lunch, gourmet
Menu item that will make you want to go: Manhattan manila clam chowder. The lunch menu at Catch also includes an Albacore tuna melt, but the chowder is what you’ll remember, mostly because you can also buy a jar to eat at home on your way out.
100 8 Ave. S.E., 403-206-0000, catchrestaurant.ca
Hapa Izakaya
Meals on offer: Lunch, dinner
Menu item that will make you want to go: Ocean in a bag. It’s deep fried soft shell shrimp, soft shell crab and panko breaded oyster shaken with 11 spices.
816 11 Ave. S.W., 403-452-6737, hapaizakaya.com
Home Tasting Room
Meals on offer: Lunch, gourmet
Menu item that will make you want to go: Jerk rabbit stew. If only because you have probably never had it before and The Big Taste is a time to try new things.
110 8 Ave. S.W., 403-262-8100, hometastingroom.ca
Modern Steak
Meals on offer: Dinner
Menu item that will make you want to go: Mini lobster poutine. Mostly because we respect a poutine that will leave room for the wagyu hanger steak and chocolate mousse to follow.
107 10A St. N.W., 403-670-6873, modernsteak.ca
Ox and Angela
Meals on offer: Lunch, dinner
Menu item that will make you want to go: Salt-cod and potato fritters. At Ox and Angela, each course is really several bites of different things and this fritter is one you’ll wish there was more off. It’s crispy and salty and delicious.
528 17 Ave. S.W., 403-457-1432, oxandangela.com
Posto Pizzeria and Bar
Meals on offer: Lunch, dinner, gourmet
Menu item that will make you want to go: Dolce veloce. That’s Nutella s’more in English.
1014 8 St. S.W., 403-263-4876, posto.ca
Swine & Sow Wine and Ale House
Meals on offer: Lunch, dinner
Menu item that will make you want to go: Mac and cheese. This dish will comfort you with its house cured ham hock, peas, mornay sauce and black truffle crumb.
131 6 Ave. S.W., 403-237-9585, swineandsow.com
The Libertine Public House
Meals on offer: Lunch, dinner
Menu item that will make you want to go: Chocolate bacon cookies. Because it is chocolate and bacon in a cookie.
223 8 Ave. S.W., 403-265-3665, thelibertine.ca
The Living Room Restaurant
Meals on offer: Lunch, dinner, gourmet
Menu item that will make you want to go: Crme brle. Because they flamb it tableside.
514 17 Ave. S.W., 403-613-7151, livingroomrestaurant.ca
Township Bar & Grill
Meals on offer: Lunch, dinner
Menu item that will make you want to go: Fried ice cream with chili caramel sauce. This is a new restaurant to try and the ice cream will hit the spot after your southern fried chicken and waffles, or steakhouse meatloaf.
181, 250 6 Ave. S.W., 403-265-3837, townshipbarandgrill.com
Vintage Chophouse
Meals on offer: Lunch, gourmet
Menu item that will make you want to go: Beef carpaccio. It’s really good at Vintage.
320 11 Ave. S.W., 403-262-7262, vintagechophouse.com