A Foodie’s Guide to Calgary
Calgary has long been known as farm country, which has meant that city-breakers sometimes shy away from this destination. However, Calgary has got plenty for the cosmopolitan and thanks to its farm country heritage, there’s a seemingly endless supply of delectable produce. If you’re looking for the perfect foodie destination, then this up and coming city might just be it. Whether you want budget street food eats that pack a punch, traditional Canadian fodder, or fine dining with a difference, we’ve got you covered in this foodie’s guide to Calgary.
Kick Things Off at NOtaBLE
It’s always good to kick things off with a bang and at NOtaBLE they seemingly don’t know how to do things any differently. This cocktail bar not only mixes delicious drinks, it also has a wonderfully curated winelist, lots of local beers and some of the most delicious small plates in town. They pride themselves on working with a small handful of local farmers who provide only fresh, seasonal ingredients all year around. With this great produce they create classic dishes with an innovative Canadian twist. Duck with cherry is a classic combination, but an NOtaBLE they elevate it. A perfectly seared duck breast is served with a sour cherry sauce, some crunchy, garlicky green beans, a crumble of candied pecans and the piece de resistance, a foie gras profiterole. The combination of deep umami flavours, with sweetness, acidity and a melody of wonderful textures is something you have to experience to properly understand. They will also serve each dish with a complimentary glass of wine. They know as much as any winery could tell you about each of the bottles on their menu, so don’t be afraid to quiz them!
Stay and Eat at the Grey Eagle Resort
Staying at the Grey Eagle Resort is the most luxurious option for your stay. This 5-star resort is not only home to stunning bedrooms, but it also has plenty of other treats on site too. Their buffet restaurant is great every day of the week, but it’s something really special on Thursdays when they put out an entire seafood menu. Expect to find lobster, crab claws, clams and delicious meaty white fish alongside a whole host of sides that are expertly prepared. There’s a great wine menu to accompany the food and there’s dessert too if you have room that is. Once you’ve finished you can enjoy gaming in one of the area’s largest casinos. In there you’ll find table games and slot machines, as well as helpful staff who will be happy to point you in the right direction. Of course, if you’ve overfilled a little on crab claws then the Grey Eagle are very happy for you to game from the comfort of your room using their complementary wifi. You’re able to access all of Canada’s best online casinos and you can find out about the bonuses that you could use, as well as the variety of games available thanks to Vegas Slots Online’s comprehensive guide.
Indulge in Mexican Delights at Native Tongues
Once you’re well rested it’s onto the next stop. Native Tongues is a great little restaurant that promises to serve up simple and traditional Mexican food and boy does it deliver. They’ve received numerous awards since opening in 2015, including Calgary’s Best Mexican Restaurant several times over. You’ll find the taqueria just around the corner from Victoria Park and once you step inside you’ll immediately feel right at home. The vibe here is homely, friendly and casual enough to make anyone feel at ease. The bar has an excellent selection of Mezcal and all of the bar staff know more than enough to suggest which one you might like to try. To eat, it would be a sin not to try some of the tacos. The tortillas are all made freshly in house and served alongside your choice of slowly braised meats, artfully prepared vegetables, or something from their charcoal grill. Whatever you choose, you’ll be able to top your tacos with white onions, a salsa verde that’s good enough to have you going back just for another mouthful of that alone, and plenty of cilantro of course. If you’re still a little peckish then the delightfully named ‘Antojitos’ or ‘Little Cravings’ section of the menu will be sure to scratch any culinary itch.
