Say cheese! Here are six interesting and generously cheesy dishes around Calgary to savour when the temperature gets almost too low to bear.
Blink Croquettas
Just because you’re known for upscale dining and contemporary Canadian cuisine doesn’t mean you can’t be a little cheesy too. The croquettas on Blink’s current menu are made with a combination of creamy manchego cheese and chunks of prosciutto. Once breaded and fried, they turn into the fanciest morsels of fried cheese that you’ve ever sunk your teeth into.
111 8 Ave. S.W., 403-263-5330, blinkcalgary.ca
Bridgette Bar Garlic Bread
With a slightly misleading name, it’s likely many skip over this creative snack offering on Bridgette’s menu. I’m here to tell you not to because it is actually cheesy goodness in disguise. Cheese curds are wrapped in a thin layer of garlic bread roll, fried and finished off with finely shaved parmesan and chives.
739 10 Ave. S.W., bridgettebar.com
GreekTown Flaming Saganaki
You can never go wrong with a classic Greek ingredient like Kefalotyri, a hard, salty cheese that truly comes to life when it’s lit on fire. Dosed with brandy and set aflame to soften up, this entertaining cheese plate at GreekTown is served with fresh lemon for brightness and warm pita for slathering. Some things never go out of style!
2005B 4 St. S.W., 403-460-0911, greektowncalgary.com
Oak Tree Tavern Brussels Sprouts Dip
Since spinach dip hasn’t been hot since the 1990s, it only makes sense to let something more interesting like Brussels sprouts take centre stage in a garlicky, cream cheese-dip. Served with warm tortilla chips, this dip is a great dish to spoon into when it’s especially snowy outside.
124 10 St. N.W., 403-270-3347, oaktreetavern.ca
Whitehall Le 1608 Double-baked Cheese Souffle
What is likely the most Instagrammed cheese dish in the history of Calgary, Whitehall’s signature robust, buttery souffle never disappoints. If you’re dining here with more than one other person than ordering two of these is strongly recommended.
24 4 St. N.E., 587-349-9008, whitehallrestaurant.com
Winebar: Kensington Crepe-wrapped baked brie
Order some of this buttery, gooey cheese dish with sweet apricots, pumpkin seeds and finished off with truffle honey to share with a friends at this cozy lower-level bar in Kensington. For a nice compliment, ask the server to point you in the direction of something like a cremant or champagne.
1131 Kensington Rd. N.W., 403-457-1144, winebarkensington.com