The Exchange: Eau Claire Athletic Club in Calgary

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On Saturday, Québécoise, Sirski, Deal and No Deal met us for dinner at the Exchange in Eau Claire. This dinner was particularly epic because we got to meet one of the chefs at the Exchange, Carla. Let’s listen to “Work It”.

Chef Carla stopped by our table to let us know one of the dishes we ordered wasn’t available. I was excited to meet her, as some of our favourite dishes have been her creations. She was humble and warm, speaking passionately about her food philosophy and love of food. I learned she moved from Peru to Calgary a few years ago and previously worked at Shokunin and Eight, which is owned by Chef Darren MacLean. It’s always impressive to meet a chef who has worked at MacLean’s restaurants, as I imagine the expectations there are not exactly laxydaisy. I’ve never eaten at Eight, but to get a sense of the experience, read food writer Elizabeth Chorney-Booth’s article.

If Québécoise hadn’t been with us, I would have happily asked our server, Liam, to choose the wine as he has great taste. I tend to order based on what I recognize, which isn’t always the smartest strategy when my wine knowledge is limited. Québécoise, on the other hand, approaches a list strategically, by region, vintage, style, and price. She buys enough wine to know retail pricing versus restaurant markup, which is a skill in itself. She spotted the Chablis Servin Les Pargues ($75) and immediately said it was a steal by restaurant standards.

The Chablis isn’t the buttery, oaky style often associated with California chardonnay. It’s clean, crisp, and bright, with a refreshing citrus note. Chew Steel was a big fan. Speaking of value, I forgot to tell Québécoise that our friends took us out to dinner at the Argyle Restaurant. The Glencoe Club recently started offering 750 mL wine bottles at retail price plus $20. That’s practically philanthropic for a club with a membership waitlist that feels more than generational.

Whenever there’s a feature with Peruvian influences at the Exchange, we get it because the flavours are incredible. I still remember the lomo saltado with buttered rice ($50), the Peruvian pork sandwich ($24), and, most recently, the halibut with squid-ink risotto ($27). I asked our server, Liam, if the halibut was better than my usual order of Chicken Tenders ($15). Fighting a laugh, he confidently announced the risotto’s deep, umami flavour was off the charts.

The risotto was silky and buttery, coated in a squid-ink sauce that tasted earthy and savoury. The halibut was meaty and juicy. I loved flaking the firm fish into the risotto and dragging each bite through the sauce. The halibut’s clean, wholesome flavour balanced the dish’s rich creaminess. Chew Steel especially liked the bright pop from the cilantro drizzle dotting the plate.

Side note. Liam is friends with Francine’s chef-owner Garrett Martin, and sous chef Jordan Anderson. We bonded over similar dining experiences eating the French toast, steak frites, and trout crêpes at Francine’s. He said the amount of thought that went into both the food and the drinks there is kind of wild.

With Deal and No Deal dining with us, both with a shared sweet tooth, dessert was non-negotiable. I’ve sampled three desserts at Exchange so far, and the Carrot Cake ($11) stands out. Gently spiced and moist, it’s elevated by a tangy yogurt-cream cheese spread, generously garnished pistachios and candied Beck Farm carrots for texture and sweetness. I’d order it again, which says a lot, as I’m not usually a dessert person.

Chef talent, off-the-charts savoury depth, smart wine picks, and carrot cake worth breaking the scale over? Yes, the Exchange worked it again. Thank you, Chef Carla, for a great meal.

Una Pizza + Wine: Lunch special in Calgary

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I took Bex Oxo out for a belated lunch. Since we share a love of a good deal, we checked out Una Pizzeria‘s lunch special. For this post, let’s listen to Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush.

From Monday to Friday until 2PM, Una offers a $20 lunch special that includes a pop, tea or coffee. I went with a crispy Diet Coke, and Bex Oxo ordered an Americano.

You start with a small kale Caesar, and “small” is a lie. It’s bigger than a side, about half a regular order. I like the chew of the kale, and the dry crunchiness from the toasted garlic panko crumbs, grated cheese, and prosciutto. The boiled egg adds a richness, while the citrus in the dressing cuts through the heavy flavours of the meat and cheese. The kale salad tastes like a charcuterie board decided to become a salad.

You can pick between pasta or a pizza. For pizza, options are the Sweet & Spicy or 4-Maggi. We went Sweet & Spicy. It’s about half a regular pizza, the perfect personal size. The crust is light and crisp, though the center gets a bit wet from the sauce. Each slice holds some meaty goodness from the chorizo and prosciutto, sweet heat from habanero honey, and peppery arugula to freshen things up. I still boxed half because that salad was filling.

Mid-lunch, a pack of grade 4–5 kids rolled in and confidently ordered. They came in polite and organized. When offered by their server, they refused the kids’ menu as they found the selection limited. Instead, they shared pizzas, expertly split the bills and were making post-lunch plans. One offered up his house for entertainment. Another piped up and told everyone to relax and to enjoy a bit more time at Una. My mouth must have dropped open. What baby ballers, living their best lives. If I were their mother, I would be so proud.

Another thing I love about UNA is the service. It’s consistently excellent at every location. It honestly feels like they hire people for their ability to genuinely care. Every staff member gives off serious Care Bear Stare vibes.

Twenty bucks for a drink, a substantial salad, and a personal pizza or pasta is one of the best lunch deals in the city right now. If you’re looking for where to eat in Calgary without spending much, this is one I keep coming back to.

Bars/Lounges · Chinatown · French · Restaurants · Seafood · Special Occasion · Steakhouse · Wine tasting

Francine Calgary: A Date Night That Actually Holds Up

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For my birthday, Chew Steel and I checked out Francine’s, a new French restaurant that opened up in Calgary’s Chinatown district. I’ve eaten at Francine’s before at a pop-up and a special event dinner, so I knew we were in for a treat. Let’s listen to Paradise by Sade for this post.

I made reservations at the last minute, so I was only able to secure bar seats at 5:15 p.m. As it was so early in the evening, we weren’t super hungry and just ordered two mains, the Steak Frites ($39.95) and the Smoky Trout and Crepes ($42.95). I wanted to try the trout dish because I read an Instagram post by the chef/owner, Garrett Martin, about his creative process for creating some of the dishes.

We started with a cocktail, a Francine’s martini ($17) for me and a Crepe Suzette Old-Fashioned ($16) for Chew Steel. The ice-cold gin-forward martini was aromatic and herby, marked with a distinct note of fennel. As we sipped, I noticed how quickly the room filled on a Tuesday evening. An older Asian couple sat beside us. It was cute to watch him, intently absorbed watching a YouTube video on his phone while his partner quietly ate, content in her own private little world.

The steak frites were among the best I’ve ever had. I don’t want to be dramatic, but the steak here is a must-eat-before-you-die type of experience. The bavette butcher’s steak was beautifully textured, sliced thin yet generously wide, with a charred, rugged exterior and a ruby-red interior that offered a juicy chew. The peppercorn glaze was rich and smooth, with a peppery bite that cut through the steak.

The fries were ridiculously delicious, golden and light, with an ultra-crunchy shell giving way to a whipped potatoey centre. Jordan, our bartender, nailed the wine pairings. For the steak, he paired it with a glass of Cabernet Franc (Domaine La Paleine, $10, 3oz).

The trout was soft and smoky, with a flavour profile reminiscent of salmon. We tore off a piece of crepe and wrapped it around a piece of trout, two types of pickled onion, cucumber, bright green spinach and chives. Each bite was decadent, drippy and messy.

The trout reminded me of Neptune’s famous johnny cakes, but the flavours were more refined. There wasn’t anything fishy or overly sweet. The combination of what I thought were unusual ingredients blew me away. The flavours were rounded and worked so well together that it made me think of head chef Koji Kobayashi’s fine-dining creations at Sukiyaki House. Jordan selected a bright white wine (Juste Le Blanc, Jurancon Sec $8.50, 3 oz) that cut through the smokiness and the decadent white sauce.

The mains are a generous portion, but I still wanted dessert. We shared the French Toast ($12.95) with honey-caramel, honey ice cream, and 15-month Comte cheese, paired with a glass of sherry (Moscatel Peromesa Jerez Valdespino, $13).

The dessert is worthy of Michelin recognition. The thick-cut bread was warm and eggy, layered with sweet, cold ice cream and topped with salty flakes of cheese. This dish, as well as the two before, had us licking our lips and scraping the plate for every last drop of caramel.

How good was the food? So damn fine, I sent Lovegastro, Quebecoise, Betty, Kournikova, Juliejuliehu and Divine Offering text messages raving about Francine’s and making future plans to revisit.

How indulgent was the food? I had a chemo follow-up appointment the very next day and had gained two pounds. I’m not sure whether that jump was due to fluid and inflammation or to the peppercorn glaze, but I choose to believe it was the sauce doing the heavy lifting.

The crowning glory is the value. For this level of cooking, the prices make Francine’s an easy choice any night of the week, not just for special occasions. Wines matched to each course are $6–10, and the steak frites is priced below lower than chains like The Keg and Cactus Club. Francine’s is one of the best restaurants in Calgary right now, and I’m looking forward to my next visit. Go, you won’t regret it!

Bars/Lounges · Curry · Indian · Mexican

La Hacienda & Himalayan Nepali Cuisine: Same night, different worlds

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After Christmas and before my first chemo appointment, I wanted to go out for cocktails and a bite to eat. December was a month of indulgent platters from Peasant Cheese and memorable meals at Cassis Bistro, Sukiyaki House, and The Exchange Restaurant. January, by contrast, is about cooking nourishing foods, rest and gentle exercise. For this post, let’s listen to “Clean” by Taylor Swift.

Our first stop was La Hacienda, located in Calgary’s Marda Loop neighbourhood. This bar and its family of restaurants, such as Bar Rocca and DOPO, are difficult to find if you aren’t a regular or from the area. While locals may find this quirky characteristic charming, when the weather is -27, I was not amused. Lucky for us, our server/bartender, a man with large expressive eyes and floppy brown hair, offered us cocktails and conversation well worth the chilly adventure over.

We sat at a table between the bar and the washroom. The green print wallpaper, framed photos and lamps give a calming 1920’s vibe, like you’re sitting in your fancy aunt’s parlour, but it’s loaded with booze.

Our first round of drinks were nice, but it the second round, based on our server’s recommendation, was the winner. Tequila Margarita ($17, plus an upcharge for Don Fulano Blanco). I love a good margarita, but this one? Pure bliss. I didn’t see the bill, but it tasted like it was worth every nickel. More complex than a basic margarita but still dangerously easy to sip, with tropical vibes and a hint of grapefruit.

Our server ended the night with a taste from La Hacienda’s portfolio, a super damn delicious sake. It was light, with a softer, gentler flavour than most sakes I’ve tried. Next time I’m at Sukiyaki House, I’m going to show Judith this label and ask her thoughts on this sake.

We learned a lot from our server. He knew all about where these unique bottles were sourced and who the producers were. He also told us the food served at La Hacienda is created by the head chef at Penny Crown, formerly from DOPO. If you haven’t been to this cocktail bar, go! Hopefully, you will get the same experience we received.

Chew Steel and I were planning on dining at DOPO next, but our reservations got mixed up. Instead, we head back to our hood to the Himalayan. Ah, we could spot Himalyan’s clear signage a mile away, even with my poor eyesight. Despite arriving as the last customers of the night, our servers assured us to take our time.

I knew what we wanted: Machha Ko Jol ($26), Cha Chau Noodles with Chicken ($23), a side Daal ($6) and extra naan ($4). The Maccha curry is usually my favourite, but the pieces of fish seem more mushy and lack the tantalizing toothsome bite they had on previous visits.

The Cha Cha noodles were superb! The noodles were al dente and chewy, tangled up with crunchy cabbage and carrot strands. And the chicken was juicy and tender, nicely flavoured from what tasted like a high-temperature wok or grill. The chau chau noodles never disappoint, nor does the Himalyan Eggplant dish, which we usually order.

The next restaurant outing I have planned is Penny Crown, another restaurant part of the burgeoning empire of tiny restaurants. I waited 30 days before my birthday to book Penny Crown because it is so popular. Based on the buzz alone, I’m expecting something special —as in Bar Gigi, Sukiyaki House, Cassis level good. To be continued.

Chinese · Seafood

Emerald Garden – Chinese takeout

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For my mom’s early Christmas dinner, I ordered takeout from Emerald Garden, located in Calgary’s Mount Pleasant / Capitol Hill area. This was my second visit, and I was even more impressed than on my previous visit. When I entered, I was helped by a woman who had the aura of a manager or owner, efficient, alert, and someone clearly running a tight ship. Let’s listen to “Beige” by Yoke Lore.

I called the day before to pre order the Crab HK Style ($79.99), Tendon Beef Hotpot ($22.99), Fish and Tofu Hotpot ($22.99), Beef Chowfun ($17.99), and Ginger Beef ($17.99). I ordered in English, and the person on the phone clarified what I was requesting in Cantonese. She said a few words that I didn’t recognize, so I just said yes, in Cantonese, because I didn’t know what else to do.

When I arrived, the manager / owner asked if I wanted tong, a complimentary soup made from meat bones, vegetables, and herbs. I didn’t hesitate as I love a good Chinese broth. It’s so simple, comforting, and soul-satisfying.

I asked my mom, Boss Lady, to make rice before I arrived at her house, as hot pot and ginger beef are best with plain steamed rice. We started with the crab, and for Calgary, it was excellent. The crab tasted fresh, with fluffy, sweet meat. Boss Lady approvingly noted that the restaurant had done a good job pre-cracking the shells. She loved the HK-style seasoning, which is a dry, fragrant mix of garlic, chili peppers, scallions, fermented black beans, and salt and pepper. While she would have preferred a bit more garlic and heat, she still thought it was excellent. She suggested ordering the lobster next time, since the meat pulls out more easily. I’d definitely get this again.

The beef hot pot came with tender brisket, small pieces of opaque tendon, and firm, juicy radish. Boss Lady commented on the high quality of the beef. The tendon was so soft it barely had any chew, and the brisket was braised until almost shredded. The sauce was light and savoury with hints of ginger and star anise.

The fish hot pot was another winner. The fish came in long, thick pieces, battered and fried, fully saturated in a light, clear sauce. The tofu was the spongy kind that compresses when you bite into it, releasing a burst of juice. This is definitely a dish I’d order again.

The ginger beef had lost its crunch by the time we opened the container, but it was still enjoyable, with more meat than batter, sweet and gingery. This was Boss Lady’s first encounter with deep-fried ginger beef, which is very different from the B.C. version, which is typically stir-fried with vegetables. Chew Steel reminded her that this particular style was invented in Calgary. I tried to draw a comparison to Vancouver’s honey garlic ribs and Calgary’s ginger beef, but Chew Steel firmly shook his head in disagreement.

The beef ho fun noodles outshone Phoenix Gate’s by a mile. The rice noodles were thick, sticky, and glossy, with a fragrant wok hei you could smell immediately. Chew Steel mentioned to Boss Lady that this is one of my favourite noodle dishes, and she noted how challenging it is to pull off without a proper wok and an extremely hot stovetop.

This dinner was a success! Boss Lady was happy, and it was hands down some of the best Chinese food I’ve had in Calgary. Chew Steel was also a fan, though he couldn’t help but note that everything on the table fell somewhere on the beige-to-brown spectrum. Next time, I’ll throw in some gai lan (Chinese broccoli) or snow peas for a pop of green. To be continued now that I found a new favourite Chinese restaurant in town.