Before Bread Culture opened I walked past and was glad to see something new coming into the space. I wondered what it could be? Then the first sign went up “Bread Culture” I took a picture to remind me to tell my wife about it! “A bakery opening close to us!
“Smart people make their choices in advance”
“Our family likes baked goods”, and that’s putting it mildly. Sure when it comes time to going to a movie theater I’m going to tell you I need candy, but really I’d give it up, if it was one or the other, for croissants.
For a few weeks I walked past, thinking about the difficulty opening up during a pandemic. Then the announcement on Instagram, June 26th would be the big day. But before that, a sneak peek, with one free croissant on June 20th!
The weekend came, and Saturday morning I hyped the kids up about the newest bakery. We went over a few minutes after nine and received our free croissants and purchased a few others.
Since that day our patrionange to the other local bakeries has dropped off. Proximity has something to do with it, but really that wouldn’t matter if it wasn’t absolutely outstanding. Bread Culture stands out with its variety of baked goods, and impeccable quality.
I’d like to say every weekend, (but I’m middle aged now, and that kind of indulgence catches up with you) but frequently enough. I head over to Bread Culture on a weekend morning right at opening when selection is best. There’s always a line up of loyal baking aficionados there to get their weekly? Fix.
My natural impulse to go straight for the almond croissant, but in actuality there’s too much to try. Most weekends I decide to try something else.
Our son believes the “strawberry cakes” are the best. The cheese buns are really something else, but I still prefer something sweet in the morning.
My standing recommendation is the morning bun. This light, flaky layered decadence is sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. Then inside is a citrus zest, that makes the sun brighter, the day better and the kids more patient, (one can dream). The is a top pic for both of the kids.
Our daughter has a frequent preference for chocolate croissants. For my wife it’s brioche anything, sugar, chocolate, berry, yes please.
There pretzel buns, worth a trip for. I was told this past week that they will only be available on Sundays for the time being.
I’m going to be honest we haven’t actually tried any bread, from Bread Culture. But soon, simple toast and jam for me.
Over Christmas break, I went over to Bread Culture for a bit of essential morning sustenance. What was this? “Brioche de Noël” Onsight I knew I wanted it, I bought a loaf in addition to my regular items of baked joy. At home, I excitedly removed it from the bag, exquisite! Not too sweet, light, texture that defies belief. I went back the next weekend for another bit of Christmas. It was done! Till next year! Aaaah, till next year, I’ll be back for thee.
Captured from their Instagram, a little insight into the Brioche de Noël
I mustn’t leave out the owner’s and staff. Everyone is so kind and friendly, clearly they know they are selling joy disguised as baked goods.
Bread Culture, worth getting up for, worth waiting in line for, worth trying everything they offer.
I’m still here, and my site is still alive, but how can that be with no posts for over two years? I’m still interested, I have more to share, but I have an ineffective work process. It’s not a relaunch, but I want to adapt to working on short impulsive posts. It’s a personal challenge to myself, with a refocus on experiences.
Tompkins Park
Sitting here on a summer’s day with the vibrancy of 17th all around is the best. It’s a small park with plaza space, I call ground-zero for 17th ave. The area comes alive with little events every Saturday throughout the summer. (or without COVID it did)
Thomson Family Park
It’s already been five years since this park underwent a complete teardown and rebuild. Inner city parks can get a bad reputation, but this one is always filled with local kids. Here we chat with our like minded neighbors while our kids play together. I wish there was never litter around, but it comes from the hundreds that use the park every day. The city is active with it’s maintenance and any wear is looked after weekly. In summers there’s fountains and outdoor ice in winter. In the planning phase there was talk about food trucks making it a stop, but that’s only happened twice in separate years.
East Village River Walk
In summer our city’s love of the river isn’t any more obvious than along the East Village’s River Walk. Morning brunch at Charbar with coffee in hand, blue sky overhead while looking out at the river is my happy place. Ending a river rafting trip at St Patrick’s island is the perfect occasion to walk back along the river pathway to Prince’s Island.
17th Avenue
I believe 17th Avenue is Calgary’s focal point for walkable urban living. I’m lucky that this last stretch before arriving home isn’t something I have to “get past” but a collection of our family’s favorite places to get out and experience festivals, dining, parks, walks, shopping and attractions. My expectation is that I can go for a walk, take in the sights, grab a coffee, pick up fresh bread, buy dishwasher pods, look at the latest tablets and pick up a birthday gift all without starting the car.
Our family walked past Mont Shawarma & Grill during Lilac Fest two years ago. We were offered a sample pair of beef skewers. We both remarked how excellent it was and immediately planned to visit soon. It took some time till we made our return trip and have now been twice.
The Mont Grill opened as the Fairmont Grill in March 2017, to avoid confusion with their original location they changed the name. The Mont Grill serves Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. This means shawarma, falafel and kabobs as well as traditional salads like fattoush and tabouleh. As well you’ll find staples like garlic roasted potatoes, rice and hummus.
The Mont Grill also mixes things up a bit with a beef and veggie burger, and a day long breakfast offering.
Located at the north west corner of the busy intersection of 17th and 4st SW, in a building built three years ago. The Mont grill fits the definition of fast casual, with a size and layout similar to a Subway. Containing around 8 tables with a few more chairs at a counter facing out the window. The inside has a tile floor and tile work on most of the walls with a few decorations and a few screens. These screens show images of their food and slideshows of landscapes.
Walking to the back and looking up at the menu screens, all the items have pictures. A short description would be nice for those unfamiliar with Turkish spices, but the pictures are worth more than a short description without them. Our daughter saw a picture of a hamburger and immediately wanted that while we wanted something more unique.
Fairmont Burger: In-house beef patty topped with an egg ($10.99)
On both of our visits to the Mont Grill I’ve had the Beef Kabob plate, while my wife has had the Falafel plate, and more recently the Chicken Kabob plate. All entrees are served on a bed of rice with garlic potatoes and hummus with a salad on the side. We added three drinks to our order and our daughter picked a table for us all to sit at.
Beef Kabob Plate ($15.49)
At the time we were the only customers in the restaurant, but before we left two other tables were occupied. Our food took close to ten minutes with the meat items having been prepared fresh. At the time of our first visit I’d have to admit that I had not had any middle eastern cuisine on any end of the authentic scale. I wasn’t used to the spices, everything was new, different and delicious. The meat was spiced with flavours so tender, they aren’t using cheap meat here. There was an orange sauce sparingly drizzled across the plate, this isn’t hot like I expected, I believe it’s a red pepper sauce that I don’t yet know the name of. Everything was hot and enjoyed a great mix of textures from the soft rice to the grilled meat. Both times I’ve thought that I’ll only have a bite of the tabbouleh salad, as it looks like entirely too much parsley to me. But both times I’ve enjoyed it more than expected. I think they really know how to balance out the flavours and keep the parsley mild.
During our visits the staff have added to our visit by being friendly and courteous. They create a welcoming atmosphere, that may not come across right when you walk in. But after speaking, change that with their genuine demeanor. On our last visit they surprised us with three pieces of baklava, always a favorite of mine. The prices are regular and competitive, while the portions are generous. On both visits we could not completely finish up our plates.
Chicken Kabob Plate ($15.49)Various Baklava
It looks like they do a fair amount of takeout and delivery business (done via Skip-The-Dishes) as well as late night business. I’ve really enjoyed our visits and look forward to future visits.
If you frequent 17th Ave, then you’ve seen the lines at Made by Marcus. We made a visit last year getting a kid’s scoop and two single cones. I got the cookies n’ cream, as I usually do and I don’t remember what the rest of the family got. What I do remember is the portions were large and the ice cream was amazing. Since then it’s exploded, at seemingly any time they will have a line well past their building and usually past the neighbouring Waves as well.
Pint’s available to purchase and take home
More than a spot to grab an ice cream cone, Made By Marcus is a Microcreamery. Everything is made on site, and sampling is encouraged. This year we’ve been a few more times and brought family from out of own.
Our daughter enjoying the Lemon Curd and Blueberry.
This most recent time was just my daughter and me. She got a kids cone of the Lemon Curd and Blueberry. She liked it so much that when she slowed down and I offered to take it and finish it, that she found new room and picked up the pace. I only got a lick or two. Myself I expanded my horizons with the Caramelized Pineapple & Spiced Rum. I simply don’t have the words to express how good this was. The Pineapple is sweet but the spiced rum kept it far from ordinary.
In addition, they have coffee and drinks.
Next I need to have one of their milkshakes, however, I think I need to get to the gym for a few hours first. Because this isn’t health food. In addition to their rotating Ice Cream flavours, they also have soft serve and several sundaes. Last they round out their offerings with coffee from Monogram.
The menu at Made by Marcus
Enjoy the season by visiting Made By Marcus, but don’t forget to visit them year round.
With a reputation like theirs, long lineups are commonplace
I heard about Butter Block a few months back in Avenue Magazine. On my first visit it was late in the day with limited selection, this past week I rectified that.
There are in three entrances off 17th Ave to the building
Inside the Devenish is home to many unique shops, Butter Block is located on the first floor
Butter Block is located in the Devenish building and is what I’m going to call Bakery Forward. Meaning it is a bakery first and foremost, not a coffee shop, not a bookstore, not a place to hang out at, it is focused on exquisitely baked goods.
I made my way over on a Thursday morning around eight, with it being about a half hour after opening I figured I’d have my pick of anything. I found that that morning they did not yet have their display case stocked, but was told many fresh items were ready.
Inside the Bakery
I picked up four croissants, two each of the Almond and Roasted Double Sesame, both were promptly packed up for me and I didn’t see them. I walked home having paid $18 dollars for the four croissants. I thought about how I enjoy coffees and croissants at Analog, while paying less and enjoying a popular place to relax and people watch. I decided that it was nice to support someone locale pursuing their dream but that it was a bit too expensive, after all, Analog is local too.
These are the Almond and Roasted Double Sesame Croissants
At home, I put on the coffee and told my wife I had picked us up some croissants for breakfast. I told her wife how I felt they were a bit expensive but I was looking forward to trying them. Then I took them out of the bag, and was impressed, next I took a bite. In an instant my opinion completely changed!
Delectable!
Butter Block’s Menu. I must try the Spicy Cheese Knot!
These were not overpriced in the slightest, it was excellent. (Mental note I simply can’t ever get a croissant from Tim Hortons again, for those are sad excuses.) The croissant from Butter Block exceeded my expectations and any previous. They are light, flaky and the Almond one was generously filled. If the croissant itself had been poor I’d be saying that there was too much almond paste filling, however there was still a lot of flaky pastry to balance things out. The filling itself wasn’t excessively sweet, the almonds on the outside were nicely toasted.
Now I must return and try more of their creations.
(My wife’s own endorsement was that, Butter Block should charge $4.50 for the first one and $6 for every one after, as it would still be worth it.)
After a winter like that Summer is finally here. We’ve been out visiting our favorite parks and spent nearly two hours at one close to home. Our daughter is happy to not be wearing giant coats and boots, but she’s not the only one. We want to box up our winter clothes, then put those boxes in a trunk and then store that trunk in someone’s garage in the suburbs.
4th Street overflows with our city’s biggest festival. From 13th Ave all the way to 26th Ave. Lilac Fest is this Sunday 10am – 6pm.
Lilac Fest returns to 4th street in Mission this weekend! We’ll be going down as a family with a goal of more than walking around. Our daughter has been every year since she was born, but this year I hope we can hear some bands and enjoy more than just a hotdog.
Road construction on 17th resumed, from May 1st to Stampede. Then breaks for Summer and picks up after labor day. The Current phase sees the avenue ripped up from 4th St to 7th St.
Meanwhile construction of 17th resumed at the beginning of May and will go hard until Stampede begins. We’re visiting all of our favorites places like Steeling Home, Analog Coffee and 1410. Of note we were at 1410 for brunch on a hot Sunday where the rooftop patio was 19 degrees at 10:30am. That day my father was in town and we took a walk from Mission along the Elbow River to Ft. Calgary and the East Village. The pathways along there are far from busy but it’s a walk I’ll enjoy taking again.
Stock photo of 1410’s showing 1410’s excellent rooftop patio.
The was April the 28th, by far the hottest day we’d had yet! Try the French Toast.
In other 17th Ave happenings, Butter Block bakery opened back in February. Situated in the Devenish building, they are a proper Bakery offering treats for pickup. It took us a few months to make it over there, and when we did it was late in the day with few options left. We will be back on a less busy Saturday morning.
Butter Block is located here, in the historic Devenish building.
Roosevelt is gone, I’ve added them to my list for a future article about places you should have tried before they disappeared. (It’s a long list with some outstanding places on it) In its place is Hostel. Is it still a 933 Group restaurant? I have no idea. My daughter and I visited Hostel last Thursday, while it’s interior is not my style in the least they have of course the same patio. Here you’ll find all food items are $10 and drinks are $5. Check them out and I hope to fill you in on our experience shortly.
The patio at the new “Hostel” “So now that we’re on the Patio what do we do?
With Summer upon us, we’ll be enjoying all our usual urban spots but also venturing out to new places near and far from the core. Our daughter is at the perfect age for Calaway Park so you can bet we’ll be there. At the opposite end of the spectrum is our favorite Riley Park, we plan on being there a great deal this Summer.
This was taken on my third trip to Calaway, and our daughter’s first. All have been fun visits but this was the first time I was a Dad.
Riley Park, two previous years we visited this oasis once a year, then last year it was six visits.
Summer means Ice Cream, I feel a future article coming on, “ Urban Ice Cream” or “Choosing Rocky Road”. Another visit for our family with be the Zoo and the new Panda exhibit. We’ll be there soon, but not really in a hurry, we’ll wait for the initial crowds to lessen. If that’s even possible.
Typical ice cream line at “Made by Marcus” day or night.
Look forward to some future posts, I’m working on an article about playgrounds in the inner city, and parks & pathways and of course highlighting restaurant experiences.
I hope to have an article about our city’s large parks in the coming weeks. This is at “Pearce Estate Park” in Inglewood.
Have you tried your luck at the track? Make your way to Century Down Race Track and Casino. We visited last year on an open house day with a tour and our daughter saw many cool things.
Skyline Luge wasn’t nearly as scary as someone worried. I’ll have an article about our adventure later this Summer.
East Village Junction’s Pop-Up Retail Park has returned for another year. Open Monday from Noon till 8pm, and Sat & Sun 10am till 6pm. Check it out at 439 8th Ave SE. Expect entertainment and food trucks, check their site for scedules.
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Tubby Dog is a 17th Ave staple, an example of its eclectic and uncorporate vibe. Inside Tubby Dog feels like an old diner, but with changes that have come with time, and nothing like a modern fast food joint. To me Tubby Dog defines my idea of late night food. Maybe it’s because some of their hotdogs could only have been come up with after 2am. Maybe it’s because they used to serve post-midnight lines from a walk-up window. Whatever it is, my past perception was that Tubby Dog was only frequented by a cool alternative crowd. After all, not just anywhere gets the late night lines.
Welcome to Tubby Dog
That may have once been true, but not today. First of all there is no “too cool for school” vibe, just super approachable and friendly. Stepping in, to your right and behind you is a counter along the windows, here a few people can eat while taking in some of the best people watching. On the left side is the counter to order, with the grill and fryer behind. Running halfway to the back is a prep counter similar to Subway but feeling nothing like it. On the opposite side are a half dozen arcades from the 80’s & 90’s all functioning and at their original prices. At the back are a few tables and most recently a few modern pinball machines, these machines seem to change out over time.
Hot Dog Creation Area
Tubby Dog is a hot dog restaurant that specializes in crazy toppings, served with so many of these topping that they are spilling over the sides. Before 2012 I’d never been to Tubby Dog, the only reason being I’m not much of one for hotdogs. However my perception that it was a cool alternative place got the better of me and I declared we weren’t too square to check it out. I believe that first visit was in the afternoon, hardly a crazy late night eat, but I did enjoy a hotdog heaped with potato chips.
My usual the “A-Bomb” ($8.50)
After our daughter was born I felt we were cool urban parents bringing her to Tubby Dog. I’m sure that’s what all the parents there with their kids felt they were too. And why wouldn’t there be kids? Kids love hot dogs, they are right at home in this place. In honesty the regular dogs are just too large for a kid, but you can get a simple and smaller hotdog for them. What about Mom and Dad? Well there’s beer too, so you can pretend it’s a late night date like when you first met, until you have to clean up a ketchup accident.
My Daughter and I at Tubby Dog. Here she was less than a year old. The “Tubby Dog” ($8.50) and a A-Bomb ($8.50)
Over the years Tubby dog has expanded their repertoire with poutine and Taco nights and Hamburger nights too. Watch for the nights when they become a venue for live bands, then the spirit of 17th really comes out. Mellower but no less die hard are their Thursday night screening of the latest Riverdale episodes. What’s that you ask? Exactly as it sounds, new episodes of Riverdale shot up on a wall about a 100”, grab a dog and enjoy the shocking teen drama. While that’s over for now, watch for its return in September when Riverdale returns.
My wife and our daughter decide what to order
This was taken a few years ago before the new pinball games came in
I told my daughter I played this back in the day
A picture form this year of the new pinball games
The back seating area
Just as a said lots of kids this day
Our daughter still practicing to take on Dad
“This is more my speed Dad!”
“Where’s the screen Dad?”
How about the food? Well these are serious ⅓ lb hotdogs steamed to perfection or grilled on request. With any and all toppings you could want. My favorite is the “A-Bomb”, topped with cheese, bacon bits, mayo, mustard, ketchup, and them potato chips! It’s delicious, a mix of textures and messier than anything!
My usual the “A-Bomb” ($8.50)
But if that’s too pedestrian for you then you want the “Captain Dog” with peanut butter & jelly and Captain Crunch cereal. The classic “Tubby Dog” has chili, bacon, cheese, onions and mustard. Sorry, neither of these are pictured.
The “Harlo” features tons of bacon bits ($8.50)
The “Sumo” Japanese Mayo, Seaweed Salad, Wasabi, Pickled Ginger, Lightly Toasted Sesame Seeds ($8.50)
Again for the more adventurous try the “Sumo” Japanese mayo, seaweed salad, wasabi, pickled ginger and lightly toasted sesame seeds.
For options any dog can be made with a veggie dog, turkey dog, bacon wrapped dog or Ukrainian sausage.
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If you’d like a night with more options, come for Tacos on Tuesday night or Hamburgers on Wednesdays. Check out the Google pictures link for images of their tacos, hamburgers, and the hot dog with a fried egg!
The Brewer’s Apprentice – 448 8th Ave SE – The East Village’s own spot to fill your growler with the finest craft beers
For a list of names and links mentioned in this post see the bottom of the article
Once upon a time, you could pick up a simple six-pack of mass-produced swill, enjoy it, and be none the wiser that beer could be so much more.
You might encounter some different styles, but it was dominated by the lager. It was produced by huge national breweries and you could find it everywhere. This remains true, but enter the craft beers to change everything.
Big Rock Brewery – Traditional – An English Style Brown Ale
My beer experience began later than some. I didn’t drink before I was of age. The very first beer I ever drank was a Big Rock Traditional. I thought it was all right, but drank it slow. I ordered Kokanee now and again but didn’t like it much. Two to three years later I switched to Keith’s, back when it was still hard to find. I drank it more frequently. I was developing a taste for beer. Even then I knew there were different styles of beer, but I couldn’t name any of them, any more than by saying “light” or “dark”.
1410 World Bier Haus Restaurant & Lounge – 1410 17 Ave SW – One of my favorites
In 2006 I met a friend at the recently opened 1410 on 17th Ave. He told me they had beer from all over the world, and sure enough, the menu was organized by country. I thought this was pretty cool, and I ordered a beer from Germany. (I know that Bottlescrew Bill’s has been around far longer, with at least 240 beers available. But that’s not where I was that day.) At home I still bought Keith’s, however, a friend would bring over a new beer with every visit, and my time with Keith’s was coming to an end.
Liquor Depot – 1140 17 Ave SW – Craft Beer Cooler
The curiosity of tasting a new beer becomes part of drinking beer. A conversation would come up. What does it taste like? What are the flavors? The answers were no longer easy. I was hooked. Where could I find more? When variety is what you’re looking for, craft beer is where you’re going to find it. Well, what is craft? Following changes to Alberta’s liquor laws, it became easier to start up a brewery. Previous restrictions required such high outputs that few could afford the startup investment. But I’m not talking legalities, I’m talking about what craft means to beer. It means small, independent with traditional methods, yet experimental with flavor. Since the change, these craft breweries have been popping up everywhere. They have their regular offerings to appease, but it’s in the experimentation where they build reputations. Suddenly beer is like indie music in the 90’s; everyone wants to talk about their latest discovery. For restaurants, this means carrying at least twenty to thirty beers instead of the previous eight to twelve.
CRAFT Beer Market – 345 10 Ave SW – My first beer adventure with intent started here
Can you still go out for a simple beer in Calgary? Of course you can. But the market for craft beer has taken off, and there’s no going back. This beer revolution has pushed the prices that the public accepts higher and faster than any other food and beverage category. As a result, the big national breweries have done their part to get in on this, but I don’t think it’s for them. As far as I’m concerned the very definition excludes them. Let’s look at the aptly named “Craft Beer Market” or just “Craft”. Their beer menu contains over a hundred beers, all on tap, organised by style, and I’m not talking “lights and darks”. I went a few months after opening, having heard a great deal about it, and it didn’t disappoint. That first visit was with a beer aficionado friend. He told me our beer journey would start light and travel through the many styles. We enjoyed a mixture of appetizers and entrees and the hours passed. I don’t remember, or can’t if we visited all those styles, but it left quite the impression.
Trolley 5 Brewpub – 728 17 Ave SW – 17th’s ave hot spot of the summer
Do you still enjoy your favorite mass-produced beer? Nothing wrong with that if you do. Or are you adventurous and experimental too? Do you want to start expanding your beer horizons? There’s nowhere better to start than Calgary’s own local breweries. My first beer, though I didn’t realize it at the time, was from one of the granddaddies of local beer, Big Rock Brewery. Founded in ‘85 it was joined in ‘89 by Brewsters, and then in ‘96 by Wild Rose. These three preceded the current craft breweries, but aren’t just significant for when they got their start. They each have a history of supporting the local market with innovations, sponsorships, and being encouraging to newcomers.
The YYC Beer Map put together by Tourism Calgary and the Alberta Small Brewers Association – Is this still available? Will a new version come out next year?
They’ve been joined by Caravel, Village, Annex Ale, Dandy, Tool Shed, Common Crown, Banded Peak, Cold Garden, High Line, Zero Issue, and Citizen. Any one of these are great and I look forward to trying more. Speaking of more, there are more local breweries coming.
National on 10th – 341 10 Ave SW – The 10th Ave location features a bowling alley in the basement and the ultra-chill Bourbon room upstairs
Most of these breweries offer tours to see their facilities, hear their tales, and afterward enjoy a beer in their tasting rooms. However, if that’s further than your enthusiasm goes today, I suggest “National”. Part of the Concorde restaurant group they have quickly grown to four locations in the city. National has about half the beers that Craft does, however with a formidable focus on Alberta breweries. I suggest the Tool Shed People Skills. You can still go to my old favorite too. “1410” from the 933 Group had been called “World Beer Haus” before any of the others. Their menu is no longer listed by country but they’ve kept up with the trends and still have one of the largest selections. I suggest their exclusive from Village Brewery “Holy Grail” it’s a quenching amber ale. If you looking for an option serving their own beer, then I have three to suggest. Two having opened last fall, Trolley 5 and Mill Street. Both on 17th Ave, Trolley 5 was purpose-built on the ground that once was Melrose. They have claimed the title for the patio to be seen on. All their beer is produced on-site, with others on their menu usually from breweries just a few blocks away. Mill Street comes from Labatt, but I won’t hold that against them, as I appreciate their reuse of the historic Costigan House and the investment in the east end of 17th Ave SW. They have an offering of 21 beers and a selection from six other seasonal brews.
Brewsters – Hammerhead Red Ale – A traditional red ale with medium body, ABV: 35 – My favorite when I was still drinking bland beer at home
Village Brewery – Holy Grale – Caramel Amber Ale
Trolley 5 – Derailed – West Coast style Pale Ale
Where’s the third? Well, I can’t talk about local beer without talking about “Last Best”. Located on 11th Ave in what you may remember as District, or the Fox Downtown. Last Best has more beers I enjoy than any other. Even the styles that aren’t for me, I enjoy tasting there. While I may agree with accusations that the food is just a little pricey, it is excellent (which if you’ve followed my previously mentioned reasoning, means I accept more often than having issues).
Last Best Brewing & Distilling – 607 11 Ave SW – My favorite brewpub
A friend pointed out that Last Best has a monthly beer tasting they call the “Social Club”. I was shocked at the time, a favorite pub of mine, only a half dozen blocks from home, and I didn’t already know about it. We immediately made plans for the following month and I haven’t missed one since! Here’s the lowdown: on the first Wednesday of every month Last Best hosts the Social Club in their lower-level called “The Beer Shop”. Here with a quieter atmosphere and a unique beer list separate from upstairs you’ll find new discoveries to be had. But the real treat is during the Social Club, it’s all about beers that aren’t on the list at all.
Two events for different tastes
Downstairs you’re in for something unique
This menu isn’t available upstairs, only in The Beer Shop
The Beer Shop isn’t large, and therefore creates the perfect cozy atmosphere
The downstairs continues the upstairs vibe, but slows it down for leisure drinking
Hosted by Last Best’s Adam Sequin, each month introduces a new theme. Since I starting going in June we’ve had the following themes: Sours, Summer Fruit Ales, Gin Pairings, Wild Ales, Lactose Sugars, Barley Wines and most recently Christmas cookie pairings.
Adam Sequin explaining some brews at a summer Social Club
I believe this was “the Kimmie, the Yink and the Holy Gose Ale” from Anderson Valley, during the June tasting
Beginning at 8 o’clock the first 10oz samples are brought around, with the others following at roughly half-hour intervals. Adam introduces the beers, discusses the breweries, origins of the brews, and what makes them unique. His understanding and passion for beer is apparent and he adds his own personality to the whole event. In no way is this just a promotional event for Last Best: what it feels like is a secret little club for beer lovers. Frequently this isn’t a solo gig for Adam either as there’ll be representatives from the other breweries featured that night.
Never intimidating or conceited it’s just relaxed and enjoyable.
For me, beer has changed from that simple boring lager to something unique. And like music, I want to share it. Talk about it with like-minded individuals and discover more new favorites. Yes, there’ll be hits and misses. That’s why when you’re adventurous, you start with singles. The next time you’re out, be adventurous. Don’t ask if they have your regular on tap, “because this is a 90’s music store” ask them for their favorite. You’ll hear an elaborate tale about what they like and what they’ve tried. They’ll ask what styles you like. Maybe keeping it easy by using “light and dark”. They’ll tell you about a local brew that they just put on tap tonight that you must try. Then before you leave, having enjoyed this craft adventure, your server will suggest you try their real favorite.
Something a little different today, for the most part I want to avoid franchises or corporate restaurants here on Choosing Urban. If that’s the case then why Nando’s? It’s a little different, not quite the regular here in Calgary. At the end of the day it’s just chicken, and they do have fries, so maybe not that different.
Nando’s sandwich board out on 17th
When the building that was a TD bank was renovating and expanding, I was hopeful for a clothing retailer, something unique, with men’s and women’s clothes. While we didn’t get that, we got a relocated H&R Block (from down the street) and later Nando’s. I was pleased to see the investment along this block, and the south side of 17th. It’s less true today, but for the longest time it felt like the north side got all the love.
When ever our daughter sees this she says “Red Chicken Daddy” “You wanna go there?”
Nando’s Patio on 17th
Nando’s is a restaurant chain originating in Johannesburg South Africa in 1987. Over the years they’ve gone through extensive expansion mostly in Africa, Asia and the UK. However they have a presence here in Canada as well as the US. Their food is Mozambican-Portuguese on account of its peri peri spices. Peri-peri being a Swahili word adopted by the Portuguese for hot peppers. Their signature dish is flame grilled peri peri chicken served in quarters, halves and whole. Traditional sides are rice, corn, macho peas, coleslaw and peri-peri vegetables.
Nando’s Kitchen
Nando’s round booth, our daughter calls it “sitting in an egg”
Nando’s lively dining room
Nando’s atmosphere and presentation fall into the fast casual category. Inside are wooden surfaces and lively colors. Their seating has a mix of tables, booths and a single long table at bar height. Seated at your table you can go over everything at your leisure. They have a selection of appetizers, salads, chicken dishes, sandwiches and wraps. All of their chicken dishes can be ordered with one or two sides. As well they have platters to share which we’ll have to try soon. Nando’s is reasonably priced, but it is easy to get carried away with addons. Your biggest decision will be how hot do you go? All dishes can be made with five options for heat and flavouring. And while hot it hot, it’s not coated in hot sauce, it’s not wing night at the pub. Meaning if you enjoy hot food you’ll find the “xtra hot” is easier to make it through. Once you’ve decided take your table number up to the counter to order.
Nando’s here’s a good sense of their decor
At the counter you can order any alcohol you’d like with your meal, they have red and white wines, Sangria and beer. I was surprised to see their beers are on tap and not bottled. With your order placed at the counter you need to make one more stop on the way back to your table. The stop at a side station allows you to pick up additional sauces, cutlery and any fountain drinks you’ve ordered.
Nandos’ has just recently added some new items to their menu, which prompted our most recent trip
We’ve been to Nando’s five or six times since they opened. I always look over their dessert items but in honesty I order to much food to have room for a dessert. Of note they have a Portugese custard tart called “Pasteis de Natas”, as well as a chocolate cake, a cheesecake, ice cream and a bottomless frozen yogurt.
Nandos’ has just recently added some new items to their menu, which prompted our most recent trip
I really enjoy their chicken it’s cooked right, flavourful and spicy. The spiced rice is really nice and on our last visit I had corn on the cob for a side. Our daughter likes the fries and the rice and it depends on the day if she’s up for chicken, but we get the same at home regarding chicken. I know these are showing up in more and more places but we first saw it here, self serve pop machine with flavour mixing options. My wife loves this thing, and I too like getting a lime ginger ale.
Nando’s calls these their “PERi-PERi Chippers, I’ve seen something very similar at a few places now, and they are always very good, with Nando’s being no exception, except here you can dip them in spicy PERi-PERi sauces!
Nando’s ¼ Chicken (Leg + Thigh) $7.95 on it’s own or $12.95 with 2 sides, here shown with PERi-PERi vegetables
Nando’s Kids Chicken Strips with Fries $8.50
Nando’s corn on the cob $375
Nando’s double skewers shown with spiced rice $9.35 on it’s own or $14.35 with two sides
Is it good for kids? Yes. They have a kids menu, high chairs, and more non pop drinks than water, with apple and orange juice, milk and chocolate milk. I like that there’s some new flavors for our daughter to try and we can skip the fries if we want.
Nando’s table number stand
Lastly if you enjoy Nando’s various sauces they had for you to add to your dinner you can buy a bottle to take home for $6.99.
I grew up in a B.C. mountain town in the eighties. Restaurant options were, steak, burgers, pizza and pastas. As a result years ago when I was asked if I liked Vietnamese food, I could only say I’d never had it.
My first experience with Vietnamese was a spicy phở. I didn’t like it much, but enough that we went back soon and I tried a vermicelli dish, I loved it! It’s been sixteen years and I should try pho again, but I really just enjoy my vermicelli too much. Maybe soon. I hear you’re less open to new foods the older you get, so I need to push that clock back.
We started going to Golden Bell in 2013, a few years after it opened. It was excellent. I’m not going to say it’s the best in the city, I even have one on my own list that I hold a little higher. However we go here more. Why then? Because it’s good, consistent and at the right price point for frequent visits.
When our daughter was less than a year old we took her here. We both wanted her to be familiar with more flavours and spices at a younger age than either of use were. Well it was a big hit, she ate lemongrass chicken, spring rolls, bean sprouts, rice vermicelli and developed a love for fish sauce.
Deep fried spring rolls (4 rolls) ($6.95)
We frequent Golden Bell about once a month, however we were there last week in addition to this week, and that’s hardly rare. If you need a more accurate count let’s just say 18 times a year. We always get an order of spring rolls for our daughter and cut them up to cool for her. She get’s a little dish of fish sauce for dipping. Honestly she’s all about dipping. If you can dip it, she’ll eat it.
Golden Bell is located on a busy area of 17th ave right next door to the Boston Pizza. They have a small patio out front that holds four tables. Inside is a modest interior with about twelve tables and a bar that seats another three. However I’ve never seen anyone sit at the bar. That being said we are usually there between 5-6, and I have seen the restaurant much busier around 7. Golden Bell is licenced and you can enjoy from a small selection of beer.
My wife and I mostly order the same rice vermicelli dish I’ve been ordering for a decade and a half. At Golden Bell that is number 72B, Charbroiled lemongrass chicken and a single diced spring roll, served on rice vermicelli noodles with bean sprouts, lettuce, shredded cucumber and carrots, topped with ground peanuts and green onion. On the side is a bowl of the beloved fish sauce for you to add to your desired mixture. I’m told that an intention is to preserve the various textures of the food and not let it turn soggy. As a result you should add fish sauce to the dish sparingly, only enough to coat the vermicelli so that they’re not in one big clump. I pour the whole bowl in and look for more.
Charbroiled lemon grass chicken and spring rolls (white meat) ($11.75)
I can’t find where they’ll sell me more of this. However peanut sauce is $0.75 for a dish.
What I love about my rice vermicelli dish is the mix of textures. The rice noodles are so fine and then the chicken and few spring rolls mixed in and bean sprouts, it’s just fun to eat. The flavours of the lemongrass chicken with the fish sauce together is what makes the meal for me. What is fish sauce? Well really it is Nước chắm, this accompanies many vietnamese dishes and is a sweet, spicy, sour and fishy sauce. It’s made with fish sauce, lime juice, garlic, chili peppers and some shredded carrot. There are various of course, but this gives you an idea if you’re not familiar.
Where I do change things up is with appetizers, which I almost always order. At Golden Bell they have a smallish list of appetizers, but all the favorites are here. There are spring rolls, (both pork and vegetable), shrimp salad rolls and chicken salad rolls as well as chicken wings and ginger beef. I haven’t seen canadian style ginger beef at other vietnamese restaurants. However let’s not fool ourselves and call it chinese, so why not have it here too. Afterall our daughter also loves the ginger beef.
When bringing little ones out for vietnamese start with spring rolls. The texture is easy and approachable. Our daughter likes the vermicelli noodles, however has a hard time chewing and breaking them down, she might cough and even choke. I prevent this by cutting them up superfine. Don’t do it to mine, but she needs it. The lemongrass chicken I also cut up small for her, like any other food. Golden Bell uses nice tender cuts of chicken and our daughter has never had difficulty chewing them, neither have I. The ginger beef, also requires cutting up for her and is mildly spicy, so depending on your child’s feeling about spice you may need to consume this one yourself.
One last thing must be mentioned when talking about Vietnamese cuisine. The sauces, hoisin, fish, peanut, shrimp paste, tuong, soy and hot chilli. Try them all, add them to everything, dip everything. Hoisin sauces are nearly the same everywhere, but peanuts sauces can have a lot of variety. Golden Bell’s peanut sauce white it is distinctly peanut, it isn’t overwhelmingly so. I’ve had peanut sauces where it tastes like a thinned down peanut butter. Not necessarily bad, but good to know.
Deep fried spring rolls (4 rolls) ($6.95)
I feel that Vietnamese cuisine is “fresher feeling” without the abundance of deep fried items. There can be a great variety of unique spices and cooking styles in the appetizers at other Vietnamese restaurants and that’s a great way to share and try things out.
I think my revisit to phở is long overdue, maybe a phở soup for me and my daughter to share is in the near future.
