The Sound Room and Turkish Kebab House: A Calgary night out

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On Friday, I was feeling spry and suggested to Chew Steel that we start at the Sound Room, then head to Turkish Kebab House in Calgary’s Manchester area. Let’s listen to Colours by Black Pumas for this post.

The Sound Room is my favourite place to decompress. I love the ritual of descending into the dimly lit basement, claiming an empty table, and heading to the bar for a cold beer. A vinyl record spins behind the bar, filling the room with music set just right, loud enough to enjoy every note, yet soft enough to engage in conversation.

Chew Steel ordered a glass of Okami Kasu ($8.50, 16 oz), a Japanese rice lager, while I chose the Honeybush Hard Ice Tea ($8.50, 16 oz). Ol’ Beautiful makes seasonal ice teas, but Honeybush is the only one for me. It’s dry, with subtle stone-fruit notes, refreshing and lightly effervescent with tiny bubbles. It’s so good I bought a six-pack ($16) to enjoy at home, for those times I can’t make it to the Sound Room.

We left soon after to make our reservation at Turkish Kebab. The restaurant is larger than it appears from the outside, filled with groups of all ages enjoying big meals. Without asking if we had a reservation, a manager quickly found us a table.

The service is calm and proficient. Soon after, our order was taken, and glasses of water and bread, hummus, and acili ezme, a spicy vegetable dip, were dropped off. We gobbled down the warm, chewy bread with hummus and tangy vegetable dip. I could really taste the bright red pepper characteristics in the acili ezeme. We didn’t have to wait long before our food arrived.

We shared two platters, the Adana Kebab ($24.95) and the Adana Mix ($24.95). The Adana kebabs contained minced lamb and beef. The latter had an adana kebab and one beef shish. The beef shish stood out for its deep charcoal-grilled aroma, crisp edges, and juicy interior. Each bite reminded me of eating yakitori late at night in Japan, intoxicatingly smoky.

The Adana kebab had a softer, tender texture, yet was rich in taste. I enjoyed the subtle grassy notes of the lamb. All the skewers were served piping hot and nicely seasoned by the BBQ’s char.

Both platters come with buttery rice, green salad and fries. The green salad was so large I couldn’t finish it all. The long, silky grains of rice were a simple foil to all the fire-kissed meats. The fries were battered, similar to those you find at the Costco food court.

I pulled a Peggy Hill social blunder. As we stood up to leave, I noticed the table next to us had ordered the karışık ızgara platter, a glorious mountain of grilled meats. Without thinking, I enthusiastically commented on the bounty. The entire table stared back at me with cautious suspicion. Especially the toddler.

Despite my faux pas, I’d happily return to Turkish Kebab House. Next time I’m ordering the massive platter of meats for two. And I’ll remember to admire with my inside voice.

Restaurants

Francine: A Standout French Restaurant in Calgary

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Divine Offering turned 31! To celebrate this occasion, we went to Francine’s in Calgary’s Chinatown district. Though it was a Tuesday night at 6:00 p.m., the restaurant was packed with customers celebrating, and staff hustling to keep up with the steady stream of drink orders. Let’s listen to Fight Song by Rachel Platten for this post.

When I arrived, a customer at a nearby table looked strangely familiar. I’m notorious for thinking I recognize people I actually don’t know and giving them awkward, puzzled stares. Before I could embarrass myself further, I broke eye contact and headed to my table.

The tables at Francine’s are New York tight. If you’re over a size six, take the outside chair; otherwise, you may find your seat uncomfortably close to the next table. The close quarters also make for good eavesdropping, if you’re into that sort of thing. A particularly loud group of Flames-jersey-wearing diners made it nearly impossible for me to hear Divine Offering. I had to shout several times just to get her to repeat herself.

Perhaps I am so hyper-observant because I’ve been off the sauce for more than half the month due to medical treatments, an adjustment I’m still getting used to. While the birthday girl gleefully nursed a Francine 75 (1.5 oz, $16), murmuring demurely about how strong it was, I, mournfully, made do with a house pineapple pulp soda ($6). I worked my way through the slightly tart, bubbly drink while enviously watching the tables around me happily lingering over their glasses of wine.

We shared the Tuna Tartare ($22.95), silky pink cubes of tuna tossed with bits of apple, crunchy potato chip sticks for texture, and calamansi, an Asian citrus, that reminded me of fresh grapefruit. I preferred the calamansi to lemon or yuzu as its flavour was brighter, slightly sweet, and fragrant. I would order this again.

For our main, we shared the Steak À La Francine for two ($78.95). The generous 14-oz confit Delmonico-style steak was served with potato purée and a little gem salad. I encouraged Divine Offering to order a glass of wine. She ordered Francine’s house red (6 oz, $13). I enjoyed the salad, crisp lettuce leaves lightly glossed with olive oil and brightened with fresh mint. The freshness helped balance the richness of the steak and potatoes. When I order the steak frites ($39.99) in the future, I’ll be adding a salad. It nicely cuts through the richness of all that steak and fries.

The purée was a welcome component for soaking up the saucy steak, though it wasn’t quite as mind-blowing as the ultra-crispy fries. I ordered French fries ($9.95) near the end of the meal because I was craving them. By that point, however, I was completely stuffed, so I brought the leftovers home to Chew Steel.

Our server told us the steak had been braised for three days. That evening, instead of the usual peppercorn sauce, it was prepared with an Asian spin. The meat was ridiculously tender, and the subtle sauce, with its faint hint of five-spice, reminded me of duck. Divine Offering loved the steak’s charred, crispy edges. For a few moments, we ate in silence, listening to the satisfying crackle of the fries.

Now that I’ve tried both versions, the steak frites with peppercorn sauce and the Steak À La Francine with the Asian twist, here’s my advice. If it’s your first visit to Francine’s, go for the steak frites with peppercorn sauce. If you love duck or want something slightly lighter than the peppercorn version or something to think about, order the latter if it’s being featured. Both are excellent, and you really can’t go wrong.

For dessert, I suggested Divine Offering order the French Toast ($12.95). I raved about the soft, eggy toast, covered in honey caramel and topped with cold honey ice cream, and how the salty notes from the sauce and 14-month Comté cheese elevate this dessert to legendary status. Our server thoughtfully added a candle for the birthday girl. Divine Offering sat in quiet concentration, clearly delighted with each mouthful.

The next day, after finishing my workout at the Eau Claire Athletic Club, Robert Jewel, the food and beverage manager at the Exchange, came up to me and asked how I liked Francine’s. Small world! It turns out he was the mystery diner. It seems you never quite know who might be sitting at the next table at Francine’s.

Robert previously hosted TV’s A Is for Apple, worked with Chef Michael Allemeier, and oversaw several Concorde restaurants. I recognized Chef Allemeier’s name from my days in Vancouver, when he was the chef at Bishop’s, an upscale restaurant that was well out of my budget at the time. Robert also explained why I’m so obsessed with the Exchange’s chicken fingers and fries ($15 on the kids’ menu). He states the honey mustard poppyseed sauce is made from scratch, with all local ingredients. I also love the fries, which are clearly homemade and very potatoey.

Happy Hour · Patio · Pizza

Posto – Sunday all-day happy hour in Calgary

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Winegurlsushi, Juliejuliehu, and I were finally meeting in real life. After years of exchanging messages on Instagram, we locked in a date. We’d come close before. A few months ago, we missed each other in an exchange of homemade goods when Winegurlsushi dropped off sourdough focaccia, and I left behind a jar of my chilli oil. We picked a Sunday and committed. I invited Lovegastrogirl and Divine Offering along. Let’s listen to AudioSlave for this post.

I threw out Posto Pizzeria & Bar as our meeting spot because it checked every box. It’s one of only two pizza places where Lovegastrogirl will eat the crust, which already tells you everything you need to know. Sundays come with an all-day happy hour deal: $15 pizzas (with a drink), 25% off wine bottles, cocktails knocked down by $4, and house wine for $6. I hadn’t been back since 2014, when Posto was the place for gourmet pizza. It felt like time for a revisit.

The moment I walked in, a waft of Italian cooking wrapped around me. The restaurant was buzzing, with the room full. Almost every table was taken. Reservations are a good idea here. Just note there’s a $15 charge per missing guest, which, honestly, is fair given how quickly they could fill that seat. Winegurlsushi couldn’t make it in the end, but luckily, I wasn’t charged for her cancellation.

Divine Offering and I both went for the Peach Bellini ($16, or $12 during happy hour). Compared to Cactus Club’s version, this one leaned less sweet, more like a lightly boozy peach slush. Lovegastrogirl went with the Espresso Martini. I had a sip, and we both agreed it was quite sweet.

I immediately thought of Quebecoise while scanning the “flex zone” wine list. The selections, Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino ($127), Bertani Amarone ($125), and Borgogno No Name Nebbiolo ($110), all look to be priced surprisingly close to retail. I made a mental note to tell her. I’d be curious to hear her take.

I took full advantage of the happy hour pricing and ordered two pizzas, partly for the table, partly so I wouldn’t have to cook the next day. I picked the Ok…Ok… ($26, HH $15) and the Smoked Salmon Club ($28, HH $15). Juliejuliehu went for the Meet Your Maker ($28, HH $15) plus a Caesar ($17). Lovegastrogirl ordered the Velvet Underground ($25, HH $15), and Divine Offering echoed my choice with the Ok…Ok….

The Ok…Ok… was scrumptious. The thin, delicate layers reminded me of Hasselback potatoes. The crust was fluffy, generously dolloped with creme fraîche, leeks, potatoes and smoked pancetta. Divine Offering is a fan. She said she can’t remember ever having potato slices on a pizza, but they were very thin and didn’t feel weird. The pancetta was thinly sliced, too, a proportional ratio.

The crust at Posto is a standout. Thin and crunchy, but still airy, with blistered bubbles that add texture and a subtle smokiness. It’s the kind of crust you don’t leave behind, which explains why Lovegastrogirl actually eats hers here.

The smoked salmon pizza leaned even more indulgent, layered with cultured cream cheese and thick slices of chilled smoked salmon. I loved the contrast of textures, the delicate crunch of pickled onions, the bright pop of capers, and the fresh arugula lifting each bite. The coolness of the salmon against the warm crust, finished with a hint of coarse salt, made it feel especially luxurious.

Divine Offering thought it was good, but not something she’d order again. I, on the other hand, really enjoyed it, though I’d agree it’s best shared. It’s a rich dish for one.

Lovegastrogirl’s Velvet Underground was loaded with meaty shiitake mushrooms and looked so good I’ve already earmarked it for my next visit. Juliejuliehu was quiet about her Meet Your Maker, but the pizza looked appetizing, heavily speckled with sausage, salami, calabrese, smoked pancetta, and bubbling white cheese.

One of the best things about this crew is the unspoken understanding that this is a space for honest conversation, spirited venting, and plenty of strong opinions on where we love to eat. We’re already planning our next meet-up. The agenda: a Chinatown whirlwind, starting with drinks at Prosperity Bar, followed by dinner at Paper Lantern, and ending on a sweet note at Francine’s.

It’s been over a decade since Posto first opened, and I’m happy to say it’s even better than I remember, and I already thought it was fantastic. Hitting the Sauce gives Posto two phat thumbs up.

Bars/Lounges · Dessert · French · Restaurants · Special Occasion · Wine tasting

Varbar Wine Bar – Fondue and champagne in Calgary

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Lululemon treated me to a belated birthday dinner at Varbar with fondue and champagne. The evening struck a chord between indulgence and charm, securing its place on my list of must-try spots in Calgary when you’re in the mood to celebrate. For this post, let’s listen to Mykonos by Fleet Foxes.

The restaurant is tiny, even smaller than Bar Gigi. Four tables for two, a bar with four stools, it feels like someone carved out an attic or closet and turned it into a tiny, sparkly playground for unapologetic lushes.

I have limited experience with champagne, mostly through Juice Imports tastings and time spent with good neighbours, Quebecoise, Sirski, and Kournikova. What I do know is this: I don’t care for the yeasty styles, which thankfully, weren’t on the menu at Varbar.

Lululemon ordered us a champagne flight ($45), fondue for two ($65), kimchi brussels sprouts ($7), and a glass of Pommery Brut Ŕose ($28). Our flight came first, and I followed her lead, tasting each glass and deciding which one we wanted to save for last.

The first one we tried, Bolinger Champagne Special Cuvee ($34 glass), reminded Lululemon of autumn and pear cider. I noticed the tang at the end and then no aftertaste. The bubbles were fine and gentle on the tongue.

The second champagne was Charles Mignon Réserve Rosé ($25 per glass). I enjoyed the clean, bright bubbles and the way they sparkled on the palate. Lululemon noted hints of rose and lychee. I thought it was absolutely delicious.

The Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve ($26 per glass) was equally impressive. Compared to the first two, it leaned softer and more toasty, with a gentle roundness that made it feel a little more unique.

Lululemon wanted us to try one more, so we landed on the Pommery Brut Rosé ($28). It ended up being her favourite, fresh, dry, with bright strawberry and raspberry notes, and the liveliest bubbles of the night.

Our fondue came with bread cubes, pickles, pickled white onions, baby potatoes, and green apples. Lululemon’s favourite were the in-house-made kimchi brussels sprouts, which were crunchy and tangy, and the apples.

I’ve had fondue three times before, once at a restaurant and twice at a friend’s house. Varbar’s gruyère and emmental fondue is the best I’ve had. The cheese itself was silky, nutty and savoury with a touch of sweetness.

I think one reason is that the cheese is served bubbling hot, which makes a big difference in its texture. It was stretchy and smooth, evenly coating each ingredient. I especially loved the acidity of the pickles cutting through the richness of the molten cheese, alongside the contrast between the cold, plain potatoes and the juicy green apples.

At the bottom of the pot, the cheese formed this golden, crispy crust that’s completely different from the silky fondue. It’s deeper, saltier, with a crunch that reminds me of the edges of a fancy grilled cheese sandwich.

Everything was so decadent, I wanted to weep with joy. Unfortunately, I was too dehydrated from treatment to shed a tear, so I did the only reasonable thing and kept eating.

Lululemon’s birthday is coming up, and I’ll need to come up with something spectacular. She’s a vegetarian, which makes this a tough act to follow. Best case, I take her back to VarBar and try to recreate the magic. Thank you, Lululemon, for such a thoughtful and memorable night.

Bakery · Cheap Eats · Comfort food · Mediteranean

Doughlicious and Doughboy in Calgary: Saturday special

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I’ve heard great things about Doughlicious, a family-owned Mediterranean one-stop market in Calgary’s Greenview Industrial / McCall area, but didn’t venture in until this weekend. I’m late to the party, and that’s entirely on me. Let’s listen to Peaches and Cream by 112 for this one.

I recognized the owner, Mohamed, from Doughlicious Instagram account. I told him I’ve been enjoying his reels. He smiled, a little skeptically, and said some were better than others. He asked if I needed more time with the menu, but I already knew what I wanted.

I wanted to bring something back for my friend, Lululemon, who since the summer has been showing up with her famous weekly soups, plus a steady stream of thoughtful treats and gifts. Since she’s vegetarian, I ordered the muhammara and cheese pie ($6.99), vegetarian samosas (6 for $7.50), hummus (16 oz, $9.99), their famous homemade white pita and doughnuts ($11.99). She later texted me the samosas leaned more toward filling than shell, exactly how she likes them, and that they were the best she’s had in Calgary. For future parties, I’m officially switching from Nooren to Doughlicious, not just for the food but for the hospitality and the opportunity to grab other goodies in one stop.

Mohamed mentioned the homemade pita is his top seller. I can see why. It’s soft, pliable, and thin with just a soft little chew to it. It’s the kind of pita that actually feels alive, unlike the usual grocery store versions.

The hummus follows the same philosophy. It’s not overly processed or perfectly smooth, but textured in a way that lets each ingredient come through. Nutty, slightly tangy, finished with olive oil that ties it all together.

At the counter, there’s a wide range of options. Meat pies, vegetarian pies, samosas, wraps, and kebobs. The smoked chicken and brisket are available on the weekend-only. I ordered both for Chew Steel for our Valentine’s dinner, a whole roasted and smoked chicken ($28) and a pound of applewood smoked brisket ($30).

Mohamed asked for a few minutes to prepare everything and invited me to help myself to tea. I wandered around the shop, admiring shelves lined with tahini, spice blends, juices, and desserts. A steady stream of customers came through, many leaving with stacks of pita and trays of food.

I walked over to Doughboy, which shares the space with Doughlicious. There are two young staffers who were hustling to keep up with orders. The doughnut holes are fried fresh right in front of you, then assembled to order. I went with two combos, Bueno Supreme (dozen, $11.99) and Dubai Chocolate (dozen, $11.99). The doughnuts are superb. The shell shatters on first bite, giving way to a warm, airy interior that tastes clean rather than greasy. It’s that combination of light dough and well-handled oil that sets them apart.

The toppings are just as thoughtful. Chew Steel gravitated toward the sweeter option, milk chocolate and pistachio butter, drizzled over crisp phyllo and crushed pistachios. I preferred the more restrained combination of Bueno wafers, Nutella, and fresh strawberries. I expected the toppings to tip things into overly sweet or soggy territory, but they didn’t. At $9.99 to $11.99 per order, these are standouts you expect to see featured in Avenue Magazine.

We saved the meat for dinner at home. The brisket arrived in clean, even slices, showing off its marbling. It held together beautifully. No masking with a heavy sauce. Just well-executed, tender pieces of beef. The garlic sauce, served cold and silky, added a smooth, rounded richness without overpowering.

The chicken was just as impressive. Full, generous pieces of meat, intact and beautifully cooked. No dryness, no gross blue or red stringy bits. It’s the kind of chicken where you notice the quality right away. This doesn’t taste like a grocery store chicken, nor should it, as it’s almost double the cost, and worth every extra nickel.

Doughlicious and Doughboy are busy, and for good reason. There’s a disconnect in the best way for the customer. The kind of quality you expect to pay more for, at prices that are understated. They could charge 18% more, and I’d still come back, just not as frequently. At these prices, you don’t need to save it as a treat.

At this price, Doughlicious overdelivers, the kind of place that makes you rethink what counts when you’re choosing where to eat in Calgary. Just a heads up, the parking lot can get a little lively, so bring a bit of patience on the way in and out. It’s a popular spot, and everyone’s just very enthusiastic about snagging a space.