Living downtown doesn’t only mean we make it out to every festival in the area, no it means any time of the year we are out engaging in our community. Last week we had a number of simple things going on without needing a car or thinking about parking.
Bussin Burgers on 17th
That Friday my daughter and I went out Bussin Burgers on 17th. We had been there previously during Stampede but just for milkshakes.
Bussin Burger on 17th Ave, this photo actually taken in July Address: 715 17th Ave SWMy daughter was ready to judge, did this burger make the grade?
Bussin has a signature pink atmosphere and serves smashed-style burgers, milkshakes and waffles. I ordered the the Bussin Burger (two smashed patties, cheese, tomato, lettuce, onion, Bussin sauce on a brioche bun) ($10.99)
I don’t think these photos look appealing. Tin foil doesn’t make a good photo surround.
My daughter ordered the Stampeder Burger (two smashed patties, cheese, maple glazed beef bacon, crispy onion, tomato, lettuce, BBQ sauce, brioche bun) ($11.99)
You can just see the cheese on this one.
Did you catch that? Not bacon, but maple glazed beef bacon. Their entire menu is Halal, which means beef bacon. It was pretty tasty, I had a bite.
The spiral fries were just right.
We also had an order of spiral fries (not spicy) ($3.99)
How was it? Was it a five outa five urban stars? No. There was nothing wrong, the smashed style isn’t my favorite. Then why go? Well, to give it a try. I will say it was better than the photos look.
After that, we walked to the Saddledome for the Hitmen game.
The building that was on the NE corner of 17th Ave and 4th Street is all gone. It’s destruction had been a sight all summer.
The building that was on the NE corner of 17th Ave and 4th Street is all gone. It’s destruction had been a sight all summer.
The building that was on the NE corner of 17th Ave and 4th Street is all gone. It’s destruction had been a sight all summer.
This is a great strech of summer patios.
BMO Expansion
Since August of 2021 any trip to the Saddle Dome is also a chance to see the expansion of the BMO centre. This $500 million expansion more than doubles Calgary convention space to over a million square feet. I look forward to seeing how the Calgary Comics & Entertainment Expo uses the space.
I’m sure the street scape will be better finsihed than this.Victoria Park condos are close by.This covered area will offer opportunities to get out of the sun and rain during Stampede. I wonder what angle will become the defacto standard for skylines photos?
Hitmen Hockey at the Saddledome
My daughter had been to the Saddledome a handful of times previously, but thanks to Covid, not in years. Despite the utter lack of a crowd for the Hitmen, and the constant talk about the Dome needing replacement it still made a big impression on her.
The Calgary Hitmen were playing the Medicine Hat TigersHyped!!Always with the photos, I wonder where she gets that from?Excitement was building!I was being explained something.Gasp, how could we lose 1-4.Still a great night was had.
Bubble Tea in Chinatown
Saturday evening my wife and I had dinner plans and tickets to the broadway show, “Ain’t too proud”. During the day the kids and I wondered around the core, stopping in Chinatown for bubble tea, and the playground at Eau Claire market.
My son likes the train, but not to the extent my daughter did when she was younger.
To any onlooker my son looked like he was about to enjoy a delicious chocolate based beverage. But to captain skeptical, this beverage was a masquerade not a chocolate milk or a much safer plain white milk. “Why can’t we just have water?”, must have been what he was thinking. You see my son isn’t the most open to new or familiar foods. Still he liked it enought that I felt it was worth getting my own instead of sharing as planned.
Ho Won Chinese Food Restaurant Address: 115 2 Ave SEThey were having a better time than this phto makes it look. Sien Lok Park Address: Riverfront Ave & 1 Street SouthwestThey liked this wolf statue at Waterfront Court condos.
Eau Claire Market playground
We made it to Eau Claire Market. The whole area is going to be torn town in the next two years. It’s a shell of it’s former self, when I first moved here the market was fulled leased and lively. But even then it could be seen that it didn’t quiet fit with the area, and never truly delivered on it’s hope and promises for the area. I beleive that the area didn’t have the population, additudes, and pedestrian life yet to support such an idea. It’s been in a downward trajectory for over two decades. I hope what comes next can have a better influence and contribution to the public realm in Eau Claire.
My son didn’t care that most of the market is empty, the small playground was all new to him.The Calgary International Film Festival exhibits at the Eau Claire theater, and all of the backdros presented us with photo ops.Presenting “Sibling Hijinks “A great fall day was had by us.This is a great Joey’s location, that we’ve been to before many a movie and other outings. I haven’t made it to the LOCAL as of yet. Address: 208 Barclay Parade SW
Evening Walk in Inglewood
At home feeling couped up my daughter and I decided to go on a walk through Inlewood. (I lied, we used the car to cross town, we were up against bed time). In my opinion Inglewood’s abundance of orignal brick buildings gives the area a unique vibe from the other old inner city neibourhoods. Historically this area was the city’s earliest industrial area with factories, warehouses and railyards. Today it has a great collection of eclectic shops and a growing variety of restaurants.
Address: 9th Ave & 11st SEAs regulars at Analog on 17th we wanted to see thier newest location that just opened up that week. Address: 1139 9th Ave SEThe Livery Shop, a collection of local independent artisans clothing, jewelery and gifts. Address: 1119 10th Ave SEMumbai Bites Address: 1214 9th Ave SERosso Coffee Roasters Address: 1402 9th Ave SENorley’s Authentic Colombian Street Food Address: 1314b 9th Ave SEThe Attic Bar & Stage Address: 1413 9th Ave SEAmi Tea & Sub Address: 1357 9th Ave SEInglewood Address: 1228 9th Ave SEThe PAtio at Mumbai Bites Address: 1214 9th Ave SEThe Burn Block Building Home to The Next Page book store Address: 1217 9th Ave SEThe Nash Restaurant & Off Cut Bar Address: 925 11 St SE
My favorite thing about living downtown is the spontaneity, enough of our lives are planned and scheduled. If I needed to plan ahead for any one of these things, and it required twenty minutes in the car and then a hunt for parking, I doubt I’d do them. And if I did it would be the exception, not the rule, and then relegated to the weekend.
I’ve dusted off this site, Instagram, and all of its Facebook integrations. Does this mean you can count on this being your one-stop for what’s going on in Calgary? No. I’m not committing to that. It’s about baby steps, and my first step is “Instagram Daily”.
The Shoppes at the “Devenish” Address: 908 17th Ave SW
The genesis for this site was when I was told, “You should do restaurant reviews”. I had posted some to Facebook, but it felt a little “So what”. I wanted to build a site that was more, that idea grew into “Choosing Urban”. However I’ve been asking myself for years, “Is it a restaurant review site?”. My answer is always, “No, it’s more.” “Is it a news site?” “No, never”. “Is it a straight blog, with a running editorial?” It isn’t, but that is the format I envision, but I question the tone of it, “Who am I writing to”, “Who’s my audience?” A long time back I was told, “just go with your instinct”. “What you write will fit, because it’s you, and it’s your site.” I’ve pitched the site to people as, “being about living downtown.” But then my posts are only about places and attractions. I struggle to put my opinions and ideas out there. While some can fill pages without a second thought I can not. So let’s start with baby steps, bite-sized, tidbits, and short form.
The Arch & The Aura Towers Address: 1115 & 1112, 9th St SW
My intention is to share my family’s experience living downtown. I’m putting the finishing touches on a little article about our visit to the Chinatown street festival a few weeks ago. I have more in the draft stage but I don’t want to over commit. In the meantime Instagram will be the place to see my daily efforts. The three most recent are along this site’s left banner, and can be clicked and followed if your not on Instagram.
Stampede Fireworks on the grounds during the pandemic (July 12, 2020)
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.
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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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.
Whenever I made a particularly involved Facebook post I was told I should make a website. A website about living downtown. I’d laugh, and think about it a bit. That’s as far as I ever got.
Yet everyday I’m living potential posts. What’s it like raising a family downtown? How do we have enough space? How can it work with only one car? Where did we just eat out? Where was that picture taken? I’d think about it again. However I set high standards for myself, I’d get overwhelmed at the idea I’d created and never begin.
A few more years went by. Again and again I’d be told, “you should put that on a website”. Again I’d think about it. I could make a blog, talking about downtown life. I’d post about car alarms at 3 am, and street closures for festivals, my wife’s four block commute. Maybe restaurant reviews, and that’s it? Maybe pictures and reviews of city parks, oh that’s already been done. How about a site about current events in our city! Oh I just intimidated myself. I can’t maintain that website.
Still I think about it.
On Wednesday June 21st, I decided to do it. I was going to make a website about “Calgary’s Downtown Experience”. What would it include, what wouldn’t it? Will I have a strict mission statement?
It will be about things that interest me and my family about downtown life. Where does that begin and end? I’m not sure. Do I have to define it? I don’t think so. In time the objective of the website will become obvious, the tone will evolve, and the scope will grow to suit “Calgary’s Downtown Experience”.
This is my telling of our family’s experience living in downtown Calgary. Our choice to live downtown was always our preference. We can’t imagine being anywhere else, we have no ambition to leave, this is ideal for us. We keep our life focused on downtown, for diversity, for convenience and for enjoyment.
