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Blog

Regular Urban Week

This is my first effort at a simple blog post.

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 SW
My 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.

Learn more about the BMO Centre Expansion here

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 Tigers
Hyped!!
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 SE
They were having a better time than this phto makes it look.
Sien Lok Park
Address: Riverfront Ave & 1 Street Southwest
They 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 SE
As regulars at Analog on 17th we wanted to see thier newest location that just opened up that week.
Address: 1139 9th Ave SE
The Livery Shop, a collection of local independent artisans clothing, jewelery and gifts.
Address: 1119 10th Ave SE
Mumbai Bites
Address: 1214 9th Ave SE
Rosso Coffee Roasters
Address: 1402 9th Ave SE
Norley’s Authentic Colombian Street Food
Address: 1314b 9th Ave SE
The Attic Bar & Stage
Address: 1413 9th Ave SE
Ami Tea & Sub
Address: 1357 9th Ave SE
Inglewood
Address: 1228 9th Ave SE
The PAtio at Mumbai Bites
Address: 1214 9th Ave SE
The Burn Block Building
Home to The Next Page book store
Address: 1217 9th Ave SE
The 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.

Chinatown, Festival, Summer

Chinatown Street Festival

Chinese Cultural Centre (West Side)
Address: 197 1 St SW, Calgary
Chinatown from Google Earth
Map from Google Highlighting many businesses

Located downtown on the south side of the center street and extending a few blocks is Calgary’s Chinatown.  This is not Calgary’s first Chinatown, it’s in fact the third, and it’s perhaps why it is a small area.  The first around 1888 was on 8th Ave SE. After a smallpox outbreak, the area was burned down to prevent its spread.  Around 1901 and until 1910 an area rose up on either side of the CPR tracks around 1st Street SW. In 1910 the Canadian Pacific Railway announced they would build a hotel next to the downtown station.  This caused the land values to rise and its owners sold the land out from under the tenants of this Chinatown area.  Wanting to prevent further moves a number of wealthy Chinese established the new Chinatown at Center Street and 2nd Ave.  All the remaining Chinese residents and businesses quickly relocated there.  By 1950 the area had grown to encompass ten city blocks, and in 1974 city council officially recognised twenty hectares as Chinatown.  This area has also influenced the commercial street over the river, with many businesses also catering to and owned by Chinese people.  In 1980 many older buildings were demolished and the area underwent redevelopment.  A highrise residential building was built and the Chinese seniors center.  The Chinese Cultural Center was added to the area in 1992.  Again not a large area but with a strong push to maintain its unique heritage and atmosphere, it became the Chinatown BIA in 2015.

Oi Kwan Foundation
Address: 200 1 St SW
Lions Outside the Chinese Cultural Centre
Address: 215 2 Ave SW
Inside the Chinese Cultural Centre
Address: 197 1 St SW, Calgary
Chinatown mural, painted over 10 days in Aug 2022, 135′ wide and 55′ high
Address: 116 2 Ave SW

On Saturday, August 19th my wife and I with our two kids went down to the Chinatown Street Festival.  We went years ago in ‘19 but that time we arrived late in the day and missed all of the entertainment.  This time we made sure to arrive in time for the starting parade and to see the Lion dance.

Chinatown restaurants along Centre Street
Address: 233 Centre Street Sotuh
Chinese Freemasons & Dat Coon Club
Address: 116 3 Avenue SE
Chinatown’s BIA Poster for the Street Festival

I had seen some notices on social media about street and parking lot closures for the event, but being downtown savvy I already knew not to try to park close.  We walked a few blocks from Eau Claire which gave us the opportunity to walk through the Chinese Cultural Center.  Once on the other side, we were a block from the heart of Chinatown.  Still, this was too far for our youngest who would rather we parachute directly to events.

Once there we found the usual atmosphere of any street festival with tents lining each side of the street.  There were ethnic food vendors and music performances.  There were tents from some import stores within Dragon City Mall with numerous anime-related collectibles as well as many stockers related to things I wasn’t familiar with.  My son and daughter were both drawn to backpacks with figures on them, but my daughter quickly turned to an intricate day planner with stickers. 

Opening Parade at Center St down 3rd Ave SE
Guzheng performance on 3rd Ave SE
TD Bank is a sponsor of the Festival
They had a tent outside the Far East Shopping Centre
Address: 132 3rd Ave SE
Kall Mart Gifts Market on 3rd Ave SE
Kall Mart Gifts Market on 3rd Ave SE
Kall Mart Gifts Market on 3rd Ave SE

My son really enjoyed looking at these little plushies also at Kall Mart Gifts

On the other end of the event was a space with activities for kids, where my son was drawn to a bouncy castle.  My daughter took part in a diamond dot activity.  As well there was a spot to learn to make ballon animals and play street hockey.

The tents extended down 3rd Ave Se to the Harry Hays Bldg
At the end of this block was where the bouncy tent was and the kids activity area
The kids activity area, extendeding down 1 St SE
My daughter enjoyed the craft area with Diamond Dotz

In one of the area’s regular packing lots was a stage surrounded by food vendors.  I would have liked to have gotten something, but in preparation for hungry and therefore cranky kids, we had gone for brunch before coming to the event.  This however didn’t stop my daughter from wanting to try a Strawberry Mochi that she had heard so much about at school.

In addition to the Lion dance the stage also has musical performances and other dancers as well as martial arts demonstrations.

This is the stage area in the parking lot behind the Dragon City Mall
Address: 3rd Ave & 1 st St SE
This was a great to watch, I only wish I could have had a better view
There was a lot of various entertainment and everything was easy to hear
Here were ost of the food vendors and the area to sit
Address: 3rd Ave & 1 st St SE
The festival begand here outside the Silver Dragon Restaurant
Address: 106 3 Ave SE
Calgary Jiang Zhe Shanghai
Address: 114 3 Ave SE

If you would like to attend next year’s festival I would encourage you to also park at Eau Claire to avoid the chaos of the area.  Before coming down decide if you would like to get food at the festival.  Which, unlike something like Lilac Fest, has much smaller lines, and has tables to sit at.  I really appreciated that part, I like getting to sit and not eat off my lap on a bench.  I would also suggest seeking out the entertainment schedule in advance to know what’s going to be happening.  I would hope that in future years they have a better stage to allow greater lines of sight because it doesn’t take much before no one else can see.  And they have too much going on to let that happen.

Chinese Cultural Centre (East Side)
Address: 197 1 St SW, Calgary

Attending from eleven thirty to two o’clock, we left just before our son was done with the whole event.  All in all, we really enjoyed ourselves.  Our daughter and I would like to return to walk 2nd Ave, get lunch and visit Dragon City Mall.

If you’d like to read more about Calgary’s Chinatown, Avenue Magazine has a great article from September 2021.

A Look at the Past, Present and Future of Calgary’s Chinatown
Blog

Choosing Urban is back

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)

Neighborhood

Kensington

I’m not going to spread falsehoods, Kensington is technically not a neighborhood.  Technically it’s a few eastern blocks of Sunnyside and a few western blocks of Sunnyside.  How did it come about, why are there so many buildings and stores named “Kensington”?  Like all of Calgary’s old neighborhoods holding the best examples of mixed-use areas, it is named after the former streetcar route that went to the area. (And it was named for terminating at Kensington Road)

Kensington’s reputation for being trendy and urban predates this blog’s lifespan and even my time in Calgary.  Distinguished by its unique and eclectic shopping and dining, you’ll find boutiques, restaurants, cafes, and specialty stores.  In my own opinion, it has the mix of restaurants and stores that 17th is missing.  Yes, 17th has both, but as a ratio, it is dominated by Restaurants.  

The colloquial neighborhood of Kensington is located just north of the Bow River and is within walking distance of downtown Calgary. It is bordered by the Sunnyside neighborhood to the east, Hillhurst to the north, and the Bow River to the south.

Kensington is home to the historic Plaza Theatre that screens a mix of independent and mainstream films.  There are also art galleries and studios showcasing the work of local artists.  At the north end before the rise up to SAIT is Riley Park.  This area was once owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway and pioneer rancher Ezra Riley when the park was used as a horse pasture.  Today it is a central green space, offering a place for picnics, sports, and leisurely walks. The park includes a cricket field, a playground, and a wading pool, making it a popular spot for families.

Kensington hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including the Sun and Salsa Festival and the Christmas in Kensington event. These festivals contribute to the neighborhood’s vibrant and communal atmosphere.

Kensington is well connected to transit with various bus routes and the CTrain passing right through the area behind Safeway, along 9A street.

Kensington is part of the City of Calgary’s Mainstreets program and is absolutely a pedestrian-focused area best experienced on foot.  That being said it is still Calgary and the sidewalks are narrow with frequent obstructions and alleyway crossings.

Park, Summer, Winter

Bowness Park

Bowness Park MapDownload

My earliest experience with Bowness park was after buying a bike around 2002, I headed out and went west along the river.  I passed through numerous parks, Bowness park had a festival or something going on, music over speakers, and BBQs everywhere.  I however just kept pedaling.

Talking about Bowness Park and it’s origins require discussing Bowness as a whole and Calgary’s former “Municipal Railway”.  Going back to the late 1800’s the land was used for ranching but that all changed in 1911.  John Hextall divided up the area into what he called Bowness Estates.  Being just six miles west of Calgary he envisioned an exclusive residential suburb.  In exchange for the City of Calgary running a streetcar line to his development he donated two islands on the Bow for use as a park, now known as Bowness Park.  I think it’s interesting how many of the city’s parks date back to this time and come from donations.

While as a development Bowness languished until after the second world war.  Bowness Park however was extremely popular with Calgarians.  In the 1920’s and 30’s as many as 25,000 would ride the streetcars out to Bowness Park during summer weekends.  The service was maintained from 1913 through to the 1950’s when automobile ownership changed everything.

After the 2013 flood, the park was closed for repairs and redesign.  The west end of the park reopened in 2014, and the east in 2016.  The lagoon was redesigned, the parking lot was moved to the center of the island, while flood mitigation was added along the park’s shorelines.

bowness-design-planDownload

Today the park is a popular place for picnics and water activities, featuring many amenities.

  • Tea house (operated by Seasons of Bowness)
  • Boat rentals (operated by UofC Outdoor Centre)
  • Lagoon
  • Train ride (operated by UofC Outdoor Centre)
  • Playground
  • Pathways
  • Skate rentals (operated by UofC Outdoor Centre)
  • Ice shinny rink
  • Curling rink
  • Fire pits and BBQ stands
  • Picnic sites and shelters
  • Washrooms
  • Bow River access
  • Wading pool
  • Cross-country skiing
  • 500 stall parking lot

Our visits to the park have been all about the splash park and playground. I hope this year we can rent one of the peddle boats.

Four our kids it’s all about the splash park. Which includes a concession and washrooms.

Our last trip last year had included a significant visit to the playground.

There is a miniature train that runs around the park, while our son was too little last year I hope he can enjoy it this year.

In my top three for family outings. This is simply one of the amazing parks in the city.

17th Ave, Restaurant

Bread Culture (Closed)

  • Opened: Friday, June 26 2020
  • Address: 1502 14 Street SW
  • Kid-Friendly: Yesssss!!!
  • Brunch: Could be, but I prefer morning pastries with coffee
  • Website: www.breadculture.ca
  • Instagram: breadculture you need to follow
  • Google Pics: Link
  • Calgary Herald Article: Link

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.

17th Ave, Attraction, Blog, East Village

My favorite locations living downtown

Gallery

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.

What does Urban Living mean to you?

Sunshine and Shadow in Tomkins Square Park
Interested in the history of Tompkins Park?  Read up on it at Calgary Heritage Initiative Society
Downtown, Restaurant

Pigot’s Burger Club

On Saturday the 30th we broke from our frequent pandemic pizza pick ups, for a taste of new with Pigot’s Burger Club.  What was it, where did it fall on the charts, how did it rank?  

Operating Monday to Sunday, noon to midnight Pigot’s Burger Club offers a pop-up burger experience.  Orders can be picked up from Craft’s 10th Ave location or delivered via all major delivery apps.  I can’t comment on any aspect other than the burger, well the website is simple, easy to use with many hunger-inducing burger images.

The menu features three burgers, a Cheese Burger, Bacon Cheese Burger and a Mushroom Cheese Burger.  As well as two non meat offerings the “Non Meat a Tarian Cheese Burger” and “Non Meat a Tarian Mushroom Cheese Burger”.  All burgers can be ordered as singles, doubles and triples.  While the non meat burgers can be done as singles or doubles.  To round out the menu there are Fries, Tots, Dirt Tots and a Kale Caesar.  We ordered the side tots, as well as the Dirty Tots.  

Now for the main event, the Burger!  Is it the simplest form of north American fast food?  Perhaps, then how come there’s such a wide range.  From good to bad, mediocre to extravagant! What does one want in a burger?  I can fire up my BBQ, cook meat with fire and fill a hunger.  So when I order instead what am I looking for?  Something unique, what’s my take away, how will I recommend this, or why won’t I.

This was it, a Bacon Cheese Burger I’m still thinking about.

It’s not complicated, it didn’t grab me with gimmicks and rare ingredients.  What it is, is perfectly executed,with everything balanced proportionately.  No teen threw this together at an assembly line with eight more quickly needed while a car waited.

This was planned long before I ordered it and crafted to exceed expectations.  Assembled with care, beginning with the bun, not an afterthought or a fluke.  This was chosen to make a first impression.  Was it too soft, too dry, too much, did it just soak up like a spunge and fall apart?  After all this is for pick up and delivery.  No this bun offers just the right addition to every bite.  Because again, this is a perfectly executed burger.

For my indulgence I had the Bacon Cheese Burger at $12.49 it’s where burgers are priced nowadays.  The simple lettuce and flavourful tomato add to the burger.  Then bacon, just right, and brown sugar onions, these are diced adding sweetness and intreig.  Then the “Merican Cheese” this isn’t a single slice that gets missed, this melted goodness brings the cheeseness I remember every burger having, yet seldom do.  Lastly Pigot’s secret sauce, just right, not strong, not lifeless, no this brings it all together in just the right proportions.  Lastly that bun again, it’s not falling apart, you can put it down and pick it up again, the burgers collapse isn’t making you rush, no this construct holds together.  Take your time savor.

First post in two years.   And it’s a love letter to a burger.

My wife had the Mushroom Cheese Burger $11.99, I assume it was amazing.
Attraction, Winter

Zoo Lights

  • When: November 23, 2018, to January 5, 2019 (excluding Christmas Day)
  • Time: 6 – 9 pm (no admission after 8:30 pm)
  • Where: Calgary Zoo.
  • Address: 210 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary, AB.
  • Admission: Children 3-14 $14.95, General 16+ $19.95
  • Website: www.calgaryzoo.com
  • Direct link on the Zoo’s website: Link
  • Photos on Daily Hive: Link
  • YouTube video from user notenufwow during the 2016 Zoo Lights: Link
Expect lines, but remember there are ticket kiosks at both the main entrance and inside at the train station entrance

The grounds of the Zoo along with the Enmax Conservatory are transformed with 2 million lights into a Christmas wonderland.  Beginning in 1997 running from the last weekend in November to the first in January, each night the Zoo closes at 6pm and then reopens with a Christmas Light show like no other.  

Promotional video from the Calgary Zoo, this does not belong to me

For the first fourteen years I lived here I never went to Zoo lights.  I’d just pictured Christmas lights and didn’t think much of it. Well when our daughter was born we were starting new traditions for us and her.  Zoo lights has become a tradition for us like many other Calgary families. We always go two days before Christmas regardless of if its a cold year or a mild year.  Parking can be crazy but the Zoo has a well designed lot and no matter where you park it’s not too far to the gates (because of it’s fan like layout).

I like to think this is a festive Ogopogo

First off this isn’t just some lights thrown around, there is a lot of effort made for presentation and artistic display.  There are also fire pits to enjoy hot chocolate by, ice skating inside a giant tent to protect you from the potential winds.  Next at the conservatory is Santa Claus along with a themed exhibit. One year that was a sugar plum forest, complete with fairies.  

This year the Zoo has an all new exhibit …

“”Wander both indoors and out with the ENMAX Conservatory activities and displays featuring Snow White, the evil queen and the seven stewards of the forest. Throughout our magically decorated topical oasis and surrounding gardens, you’ll find a Giant Gingerbread House, an Enchanted Forest, an Apple Wishing Tree, our Sustainability Factory with craft stations and Santa himself.”

Except from https://www.todocanada.ca/city/calgary/event/zoo-lights/

Note: These were not the real penguins dressed up with electric lights

If you go remember your mittens or gloves, dress in layers and expect it to be busy with lots of strollers (we’ll be with one of them).  There will likely be Zoo Lights themed merchandise to buy along with the regular gift shop being open.

Our daughter has enjoyed it every year

17th Ave, Restaurant

Mont Shawarma & Grill

Mont Shawarma & Grill, on the corner of 17th Ave & 4th St SW
  • Opened: March 2017
  • Address: 502 17 Ave SW
  • Kid Friendly: Without a kids menu, but comfortable with kids
  • Brunch: Serving two breakfast items (Fairmont Omelette & Fresh Two Eggs Breakfast)
  • Website: https://www.montshawarmagrill.com/
  • Google Pics: Link

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.

Beef Shawarma Plate ($14.49)
Falafel PLate ($11.99)

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.