Charbar:
The Simmons Building,
618 Confluence Way SE, 403-452-3115,
charbar.ca
Sidewalk Citizen:
The Simmons Building,
618 Confluence Way SE, 403-457-2244,
sidewalkcitizenbakery.com
Whitehall:
24 - 4 St NE, 587-349-9008,
whitehallrestaurant.com
Shokunin:
2016 - 4 St SW, 403-229-3444,
shokuninyyc.ca
(Top to bottom)
Ling cod à la niçoise,
prosciutto and
sage wrapped pork
tenderloin, slow
roasted Cornish hen
stuffed with sautéed
wild mushrooms and
sautéed chicken liver,
clams Provençal,
housemade ricotta
and spinach ravioli
with tomato confit at
Cassis; Norvégienne
galette with smoked
salmon, leek, and cream
at Suzette Brittany
Bistro; Royale Brasserie
Francaise; Tacos de
Guisados at Native
Tongues
For those who like things a bit spicier, Native
Tongues is a modern taqueria modelled on
traditional foods you’d buy on the street and
in markets in Mexico; antojitos — or “little
cravings” — are consumed as quick snacks at
all hours of the day or night, and fit perfectly
with our dining out style that’s geared toward
sharing. Some of their taco fillings (trout, beef
tongue, and octopus) are grilled over hot coals,
while other meats and vegetables (lamb neck
and pork belly) are braised and stewed, served
mercado (family) style in corn tortillas with
white onions and cilantro, house made salsa
verde and roja. Even the tequila and mezcal
cocktails, hamburguesa al carbon, and big,
soft donas are deliciously affordable ways to
experience Mexican street food — and with a
take-out window, it can happen even on the
chilly streets of Calgary.
Food is our common denominator; it brings
people together everywhere you go. Alberta’s
combination of local ingredients and skilled
chefs with varied backgrounds provides so
many opportunities to gather, share, and
celebrate our diverse Canadian palate.
50
THE ESSENTIAL CALGARY 2016/17
Cassis Bistro:
2505 - 17 Ave SW, 403-262-0036,
thebassisbistro.ca
Suzette Brittany Bistro:
2210 - 4 St SW, 403-802-0036,
bistrosuzette.ca
Royale Brasserie Francaise:
730 - 17 Ave SW, 403-475-9457,
royaleyyc.ca
Native Tongues:
235 - 12 Ave SW, 403-263-9444,
nativetongues.ca
PHOTOGRAPHS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP) COURTESY ANSTICE COMMUNICATIONS; COURTESY TEATRO GROUP; BY JANIS NICOLAY, COURTESY TRAVEL ALBERTA; BY JANET DAVIE
For those craving French flavours, the menus
at Cassis and Suzette Bistro are driven by
local, seasonal ingredients but reflect the fresh,
approachable food served in the south and
north of France. Owned by restaurateur Gilles
Brassart, who was born near Aix-en-Provence in
the south of France, his wife, Andrea and chef
Dominique Moussu, who has roots in Brittany
and attended Brevet d’Etudes Professionelles,
cooking in luxury hotels including The Savoy
in London before coming to Calgary, the
inspiration at both locations is the food of
their childhoods — including dishes Gilles’
mother prepared in her own kitchen. Cassis
focuses on more Provençal-style cuisine, while
Suzette, known for its savoury buckwheat crêpe
galettes, is more northern, with chef Steve
Thompson at the helm. Moussu, at one time
the executive chef at Teatro, has returned as the
Teatro corporate executive chef to help shape
the bistro-style menu at Royale Brasserie
Francaise on 17th Avenue. With the flavour and
feel of a true French brasserie, the offerings
include classics from across France.