Copetta at Flores and Pine
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Flores and Pine opened in the former Bear’s Den location in Bearspaw this summer, and even if you live in the south end of the city, we’ve heard rumblings that the copetta is worth the drive to the northwest end of Calgary. This dessert is a mix of savoury and sweet with layers of salted caramel mousse, cashew praline and housemade marshmallows that are toasted right before they hit your table. Reserve a table by the fireplace for full-on winter coziness.
254028 Bearspaw Rd. N.W., 403-241-7611, floresandpine.com
Tonkotsu Red Ramen at Jinya Ramen Bar
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Jinya Ramen Bar has restaurants throughout North America, but only a select few offer the limited edition Tonkotsu Red Ramen. Luckily, the Calgary location will have it starting December 1 and the first 150 guests who order it get a free T-shirt that says “Ramen is All the Craze.” The dish is made with pork broth, pork chashu, kikurage, green onion, seasoned egg, nori, spicy bean sprouts, thick ramen noodles and Jinya’s signature Hollywood Hot Sauce, which is aged in Napa Oak barrels for over a year. You can also pick your spice level ranging from one to 10 (anything over seven costs $1 extra).
180, 1800 4 St. S.W., 587-356-0721, jinyaramenbar.com
Diavola Pizza from Pizza All’Angolo at Lina’s Italian Market
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When you’re off work on Christmas holidays and don’t want to put on real pants, there’s always delivery. Back in October, Lina’s Italian Market started serving made-to-order pizzas at Pizzeria All’Angolo located in the cappuccino bar. The pizzas were only available for dine-in or take-out, but now you can have them delivered. Choose from a long list of 10-, 12- or 16-inch pizzas as well as “Al Taglio,” which is a large, family-style pizza. There are even keto, gluten-free and vegetarian options. A sure bet is the Diavola Pizza with Genoa hot salami, red peppers and onions.
2202 Centre St. N.E., 403-277-9166, pizzaangolo.com
Ricotta Gnudi at River Café
River Café in Prince’s Island Park is pretty much the most magical place in the wintertime, especially when the island is blanketed in snow. Treat yourself and someone special to the restaurant’s new winter menu, which includes this delicious-looking ricotta gnudi. It’s made with roasted delicata and butternut squash, sage and burnt sourdough soubise, which is made with day-old bread to give the sauce a toasty flavour. River Café also has a new head chef, Ross Bowles, who was the restaurant’s former sous-chef before spending two years travelling.
25 Prince’s Island Park, 403-261-7670, river-cafe.com
Chorizo Tacos from The Taco Shop at Mikey’s on 12th
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Many people were sad to see Mikey’s Juke Joint in Sunalta close down. But the live music legend lives on at Mikey’s on 12th and is now home to a new indoor taco window called The Taco Shop. Mikey’s chef and co-owner Alli Said is from Mexico City and word on the street is these may be the most authentic tacos in Calgary. The Taco Shop is open weekdays starting at 11:30 a.m. and on weekends at noon until they’re sold out. On Tuesdays, tacos are $3 each all day. Go for the chorizo or chicken mole.
918 12 Ave. S.W., 403-542-8060, mikeyson12th.com