Where to eat in Calgary: Bastion Burgers, Holy Grill and Pure Saigonese

Featured Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

Five Stars is back! Chew Steel and I picked him up at the airport. We stopped by to show filial piety to our parents and then Ubered out to try the burgers at Bastion Burgers. Let’s listen to “Smalltown Boy” by Bronski Beat for this post.

Bastion is located in PinBar, a bar that reminded me a little of the now-defunct Cambie Hostel in Vancouver, from the pleasantly drawn graffiti in the washroom stalls to the moody shadows in the room.

We sat ourselves, and shortly after, our server stopped by. Five Stars ordered a regular iced tea ($6), and I ordered a hard iced tea ($15). Curious, he sipped my cocktail and winced, squealing it tasted like rubbing alcohol. I shared the O.G. Smashy ($13) and the American Cheese ($14) with Five Stars.

The O.G. was smaller than the American Cheese, as it wasn’t stacked because it didn’t come with lettuce and tomato. The caramelized onions made it taste more savoury and sweet. Five Stars noted that the skirt was perfect on the patty, teetering on burnt and ultra-thin.

The American Cheese was the star of the two. Five Stars fawned over the crisp, lacy layers of the smashed patties. The layers of beef made the burgers unique. But what won me over was the full-on beef flavour and the hot melted orange cheese that stuck to my teeth, balanced against the perfect proportion of chilled tomato, lettuce, and onion. Each bite was decadent yet refreshing. Five Stars exclaimed he could taste each distinct layer of meat, sauce, vegetable, and the bun.

I asked Five Stars if the American cheeseburger beat Class Clown’s. He said he’d need a side-by-side taste test as it had been a while since his last visit. Still, he admitted Bastion was easily on par. Class Clown has the edge with its killer wine list, but the absurd waitlist is brutal.

The side of the tater tots was ultra crunchy and hot from the fryer. Five Stars liked garlic aioli and dipping the crisp edges of the beef into it. I would get the tots and the American Cheese again. Five Stars was already planning his next visit before we’d even finished.

The next day, I took Five Stars to Holy Grill. I’ve had my eye on this Calgary classic for years. My brother-in-law Dave swears by the burgers, and I’ve eaten their food when I worked at Bow Valley Square. The building would throw parties for all the employees; their caterer was Holy Grill. The food is straight-up legit. I remember one spread with pizza, burgers, skewers, calamari, mussels, and other delights. Everything tasted homemade. I parked myself by the table and ate like Honey Boo Boo before a pageant.

I like the simplicity of the setup at Holy Grill on 10 Ave SW. You go up to the kitchen to order and pay. Five Stars wanted to try the eggs benedict ($18.99) with smash browns, while I picked the beef dip panini ($19.89). I requested soft eggs, which arrived with warm orange yolks that were runny when poked. He was especially thrilled by the little jar of extra hollandaise. He’s always griping that most places skimp on it, so he thought it was a thoughtful move by Holy Grill to throw in a bonus pour.

The panini was stacked with thin slices of roast beef and melted mozzarella. The shell was crunchy, while the beef dip added a soft, wet kiss of beefy broth. Five Stars praised the juicy beef slices and said he’d return for the same dishes. I preferred Five Stars smash browns over the fries I got with my panino. The potatoes were crunchy on the outside while the inside was hot and meltingly soft. We’ll be back, but I’m adding a burger to the lineup next time.

For dinner, Chew Steel and I took Five Stars to Pure Saigonese. But first, we stopped at Side Hustle for a drink. It’s my favourite lounge in the city. Maybe it’s the welcoming all-female crew, the laid-back crowd, or the safe vibe from the combination of all the above.

After, we moseyed over to Pure Saigonese and finally met the famous Matt. If you look at Google’s reviews, you will see that more than half of the customers are gushing about his service. I’ll admit, I thought his friends were behind those rave reviews, especially since, on previous visits, the service of the non-Matts didn’t quite match the high standard of the food. But Matt is the real deal. He is professional, helpful, and busy hustling to manage the entire restaurant.

Since we ordered drinks, wings were half off ($8), so we took advantage and ordered house salted chili and chili lime nuac. The chili lime guac cham batter was buttery and sweet, with the tiniest tingle of heat. The house-seasoned chili chicken wings were good as well, though tamer. The batter reminds me of Church’s chicken. Size-wise, the wings are bigger than pub wings but not as fat as Lonely Mouth.

I always order the shrimp mango papaya salad ($12) and the shrimp tempura ($15). Our plate contained four mega-charred prawns. I love the contrast between the wildly crunchy vegetables, peanuts, and sweet-tart dressing.

Everyone’s favourite was the seafood rice ($20). What hooked me was the unbeatable trio of real Dungeness crab, shrimp, and tobiko. The generous chunks of flaky white crab meat tasted sweet and delicate, and combined with those chewy grains of rice and those briny bursts of tobiko, I couldn’t stop shovelling the rice into my mouth.

Five Stars is on a rigorous diet, borderline unhealthy, but even he couldn’t resist. He complained that the food was so good he couldn’t stop eating like a pig. Lam should patent the seafood fried rice. I usually don’t order fried rice, as I make a good one at home. However, nothing beats Lam’s top-notch ingredients. This one’s a game-changer.

Lam Pham came out to say hi and dropped off a treat for us – the roasted duck crostini ($12). The crostini was lightly toasted and airy, while the pate was creamy and not overpowering. Five Stars thought it tasted like a duck Yorkshire pudding, like a Sunday roast, but not as heavy. Chew Steel raved about this bite, even though he’s not usually a pate guy. He just returned from Vietnam and said the food at Pure Saigonese is as good or even better than what he had in Vietnam.

My older brother Narc is coming to pay homage to my parents in July. I’m not 100% sure where I’ll take him yet, but it feels like a case worth investigating. Somewhere where the flavour is worth interrogating, and the BBQ meat doesn’t crack under pressure. To be continued.

French · Japanese · Restaurants · Wings

Where to eat in Calgary: Bar Chouette, Lonely Mouth and Hayden Block BBQ

Featured Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

My brother Five Stars was in town for two nights. I asked him to pick the restaurants because he never lets me forget if the food isn’t up to his standard. Twenty years ago, I chose an Italian restaurant for lunch in downtown Vancouver, and he still bitches about that meal. For this post, let’s listen to “Juice” by Lizzo.

Five Stars picked three places to try: Bar Chouette, Lonely Mouth and Hayden Block. Out of the three, he was most interested in Bar Chouette, as his favourite Calgary restaurant was Foreign Concept. He still remembers the pork belly baos and wanted to check out Duncan Ly’s latest venture.

Bar Chouette was packed on Friday night, so I’d definitely recommend making a reservation. Duncan Ly wasn’t there, but his brigade of all-male chefs was on point, firing off gorgeously plated food that tasted as good as it looked. Duncan has a knack for hiring the right chefs. I’ve never experienced a lacklustre meal at any of his restaurants. I stole a picture of the chefs from Instagram. Apparently, their names are Willow, Lawrence and Jeremy.

I requested a nice white wine and was given a glass of Villa Maria Sauvignon ($17). Five Stars enjoyed a non-alcoholic Corona ($9), and Chew Steel ordered a beer. My wine smelled tropical, and it wasn’t as brassy as most New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, but it was clean and refreshing.

For food, we shared the Beef Tartare ($20), Squid Ink Spaghetti ($32) and Steak Frites ($52). We didn’t order much because Five Stars is on a diet, and Chew Steel is cutting back. Two mains and one appetizer were perfect for us because the mains were generously portioned.

The beef tartare was just fabulous. Light and airy, the tapioca cracker delivered a salty, slightly shellfish-like flavour. The tartare itself tasted like an insanely good chilled cheeseburger with a pop of mustard. I would get this again. Chew Steel thought it was one of the best tartares in the city.

I asked our server for something that would go well with the steak for my second glass of wine. Our server recommended Le Spinetta Nebbiola ($20), and oh boy, was this glass of red a winner! I would order this wine again; it was smooth, full-bodied, with a nice finish. Chew Steel thought the wines we tried at Bar Chouette were phenomenal.

The steak frites make for an ideal sharing platter. The steak looked like a 12-ounce striploin, nestled between a heaping salad and a mountain of triple-cooked potatoes. Five Stars complimented the nice sear and smoky char on the steak. The fries were hot and crispy, with a soft, mealy interior. Some of the wedges on the bottom of the plate were soaked in that decadent peppercorn sauce, making for some blissful bites. I liked the bitterness from the greens and the citrusy salad dressing, which helped cut through the richness of the gravy.

The squid ink spaghetti was a standout. There was such a generous amount of clams, octopus, and prawns. The noodles had a silky texture, packing heat from the creamy panang curry that clung perfectly to them. The crunch from the sweet peas and the aroma of the fresh dill rounded out the spice in this dish. The squid ink pasta is one of my favourite dishes in the city.

The table next to us was lively. A group of six women, maybe ten to 15 years older than me, were there before us. As we finished our meal, they were still surrounded by bottles of wine and an endless stream of plates. At one point, I heard them laughing hysterically about an incident in the washroom. I turned to Chew Steel and said I hope that will be me in the future.

The next morning, Five Stars and I walked to Lonely Mouth for lunch. My office gave me a Concorde birthday gift certificate, and it’s been burning a fat hole in my wallet ever since. We decided on Lonely Mouth because Five Stars used Chatgpt to pick a restaurant based on his desire for snacky and salty food.

He’s even gone as far as consulting Chatgpt to figure out why I won’t just trash a restaurant. Five Stars has been bugging me non-stop to be blunter in my blog. He wants it all, the good, the bad, and the overcooked. Apparently, my writing style really gets under his skin. He asked Chatgpt why I won’t just say it like it is. Chatgpt didn’t nail it.

Five Stars ordered a house-made lemon soda ($5), and since I wanted to make the most of the long weekend, I indulged in a noontime Suntory Toki Whisky ($17). I enjoyed this drink the last time I ordered it, but this round fell flat. The soda lacked its usual super fizz and was missing that lemony spritz I remembered.

We shared the bluefin tuna tartare ($20) and the chicken wings ($18). Five Star’s eyes popped open when he took his first bite. He said this dish hits the mark perfectly, with the salty crunch from the udon crackers and the creamy texture from the bluefin tuna, avocado, and miso sauce. The crackers tasted like they were cooked in old oil, and I noticed the tuna filling seemed sparse. Proportionally, there was way more cracker than tartare.

The chicken wings were impressive. The wings were so hot that they scalded my greedy piano-like fingers. As we ate, the juice would squirt across the table. The batter is light and melts on your tongue, while the yuzu sauce is bright and lemony. The flats were slightly above the size of pub wings, but the drums were full of massive, juicy meat. The batter-to-meat ratio was insane.

We shopped along 17th, and I decided to walk home. Despite being younger and at an optimal weight, Five Stars could barely make it. He puffed, pouted, and threatened to call an Uber every few blocks. I carried all the gifts he bought for his wife and kid, and even offered to carry his extra clothes because he was too hot. I persuaded him to continue walking to make space for dinner at Hayden Block.

I’d initially planned to take Five Stars to Pure Saigonese, but he was craving BBQ. He brought up our last visit to Hayden Block and wanted to return, saying he can’t get decent barbecue back in BC.

We ordered the beef brisket ($20), beef rib ($38), broccoli salad ($7), corn and bacon on the cob ($7), cornbread ($2), and a round of beers. Oh my gosh—somehow, the food keeps improving every time we come. Every dish was absolutely delicious.

The brisket arrived in two well-marbled slabs. The meat was melt-in-your-mouth tender, with a natural smoky sweetness that didn’t need much besides a little sauce. We leaned into the house BBQ sauce, which brought a tangy, vinegary kick. Chew Steel thought he could taste a hint of cumin in the sauce.

I always get the cornbread. Soft and crumbly, I love that grainy texture against the smoothness of the butter. The corn on the cob was just right: hot, firm, and sweet, wrapped in a crispy layer of bacon that added a salty crunch to every bite. This side is also a winner.

The broccoli salad is always a hit. The dressing was sweet but balanced, and not soggy or oversaturated, unlike salads that sit too long. It brought a fresh, wholesome contrast to all the meat, and the pickles added a sharp acidity that helped cut into the meats.

Then there was the beef rib, the showstopper. The bone alone was nearly the size of a foot-long sub. The rib this time around was less fatty than our last visit, but still moist. We gave it our best shot, but still left with half the rib to take home.

The next morning, I planned on taking Five Stars to Pfanntastic Pannenkoek Haus, but we were feasted out. He’s coming back in May, so we can add Pfanntastic Pannenkoek Haus and Pure Sagionese Kitchen to the list.

When he returned home to BC, Five Stars texted that he had suffered from shin splints, likely due to all the walking. He also weighed himself and still lost weight from our weekend of gluttony. I think he burns so many calories running that mouth of his. In any case, this long weekend was a food-filled hit!

Restaurants

Pure Saigonese: Best Pho in Calgary

Featured Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

Chew Steel and I decided to head out for dinner on Friday night. I’ve been dying to try Pure Saigonese, Lam Pham’s newest restaurant in Marda Loop. In the evenings, Pure Saigonese takes over Diner Deluxe. What a smart way to utilize a space, especially in these economic times. Let’s listen to “This Girl,” featuring Kylie Auldist.

I called to make a reservation, but the restaurant was fully booked. The hostess recommended I come over, and they would find us a seat shortly. When we arrived, we learned the estimated wait was 30 minutes. We decided to have a cocktail at Side Hustle, which is connected to Pure Saigonese.

Side Hustle has a calm, 70s cocktail vibe, with the music set at just the right volume. I’ve visited a few times, and I notice that the staff is welcoming and attentive no matter how busy it gets. We sipped on an old-fashioned cocktail that hit the spot and scored a wicked deal at just twelve bucks during happy hour.

The hostess from Pure walked over to collect us. I was impressed she came instead of just calling me. We were seated by the front entrance, facing the bar. Every time the door opened, a cold draft would hit me. Ah, the joy of Calgary in March, when snow dumps are both a surprise and somehow totally not.

For drinks, we ordered a pint of Asahi ($9, 16 oz). For food, we shared the Shrimp Tempura ($15), Papaya and Mango Salad with Shrimp ($12), and AA Tenderloin Pot of Pho ($32). Portion-wise, this was perfect for us, but if you have a larger appetite, I’d order four dishes per couple or more if you want leftovers.

The salad was absolutely on point. The char on the grilled shrimp reminded me of grilled shrimp tacos from Mexico. The dressing has that perfect balance of sweet, tart and spicy. The fresh basil paired with the crunchy papaya and mango strands made it so herby and fragrant. Chew Steel enjoyed the dry crunch from the shrimp chips. I would get this again.

Oh boy, the tempura shrimp had my inner fei po clapping in delight. The shrimp was giant and sweet with a crisp, delicate batter. The richness of the mayonnaise, combined with the pop of salty tobiko, took me back to Japan. I would easily enjoy the shrimp with a bowl of rice for a meal, like a tempura don.

The AA beef pho didn’t disappoint. Our bowl contained two large pieces of ruby red steak, meatballs, flank and beef ribs. While many restaurants in Calgary make great pho, what sets Pure apart is the quality and tenderness of the meat. The beef ribs are exceptionally soft and meaty. The noodles are smooth and bouncy. The dark broth tasted how it looked and smelled, intensely rich. Chew Steel noticed that even the hoisin sauce was different, almost like it had a hint of chilli oil.

Lam’s food reminds me of the original Anju. I’m already planning a dinner for my father when he comes to Calgary. It has a family-friendly vibe, and I can see my parents feeling comfortable here. Hitting the Sauce gives Pure Saigonese two phat thumbs up.

Looking for more great Vietnamese food? Check out my guide to the Best Vietnamese Restaurants in Calgary, featuring my favourite spots for pho, bun bo hue, banh mi, spring rolls, and more.

Restaurants · Wine tasting

Gut Oggau with Juice Imports: Vine Arts in Calgary

Featured Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

Last Sunday, my friend Lululemon took me to a Juice Imports tasting ($35) at Vine Arts. I was extra excited. The wines are from Gut Oggau, located in Austria, where Lululemon and I are visiting with Juice Imports in 2026 for a wine tour. Let’s listen to for this post “The Lonely Goatherd”.

Typically, it’s Erik who speaks at their tastings. However, this time around, his business partner, Mark Coulliard, led the class. I like the speed at which he speaks, which is fast enough that I don’t zone out and that he’s to the point. Mark is a skilled storyteller, weaving between his personal experiences at the winery while dropping juicy nuggets of information.

Juice Imports doesn’t make any money off these tastings, and to add to the incredible value, he and Erik offered Gut Oggau wines at a much lower price point. The reason? Though these high-quality obscure Austrian wines are priced accordingly, many people in Canada, unfamiliar with Gut Oggau, may be reluctant to spend the money. While wine bars in New York and Tokyo are willing to pay for these high-in-demand wines, the locals here haven’t caught on. So they wanted us to taste them at a lower price point. The Guu collection ranges from $60 and up; even by Mark’s standards, the line-up we were trying was an indulgence.

The label on each bottle features a person, and I initially assumed that each name and image represented a family member. However, I soon discovered that they were part of a fictional family. I felt a sense of disappointment, as I had grown fond of the idea of a large, eclectic family who boozed it up together.

Mark met the owners, Stephanie and Eduard Tscheppe, in 2016 when Erik signed them. Now, not even a decade later, the wines are world-renowned. Throughout our tasting, Mark would reminisce about their subsequent visit to their 17th-century farmhouse, eating at their sister’s Michelin restaurant and picking out any bottle they fancied in the cellar. I nearly fainted from excitement when he recounted how wine was poured from 12-litre bottles.

The first wine we sampled was the Theodora (Gruner/Welshrizling), Gut’s version of white. A mellow yellow, Mark described the wine as light and fresh. I thought it was nice and lemony. I learned that their wine is made in Austrian wood, which is more neutral than oak.

My favourite wine was the Emmeran Gewurtztraminer (discount $61). Lululemon and I loved the floral fragrance. Mark mentioned he likes a good Gewurztraminer, especially when it’s so aromatic, juicy, and bright. To him, the Emmeran tastes like spring. We learned this wine is produced from forty-year-old vines with a low grape yield. Lululemon got a bottle. I wanted to buy this bottle, but it’s beyond my 2025 budget, even with the big discount.

The next wine was Cecilia (discount $75), an orange rose wine. Mark noted this was a new wine, at least for him. As he sipped, he described the wine as unique, explaining it was very different from all the others. Mark informed us that Cecilia is made with a blend of unknown red and white grapes. An easy-to-drink wine, he described the flavour as rosy oranges. I found this one subtle, light and interesting. If I weren’t such a small potato, I would substitute water with Cecilia.

The fourth tasting was Masquerade Rose (discount $35). The rose smelled like port, with a dessert-like sweetness that reminded me of cherries. Mark characterized this wine as bright, easy, and approachable. I bought a bottle for myself and one for Lululemon, who treated me to this tasting. When asked how long it takes to hold onto these wines, Mark recommended five years.

The fifth wine was a winner, though apparently, transporting a living product across the ocean turned Athanasius Blaufrankisch/Zweigelt (discount $40) into a frothy, spritzy red wine. I liked the juicy, light flavour and the bright red hue. I bought two bottles, and Lululemon bought one. Mark explained that most wineries remove the C02, but natural wines make them more alive and fresh.

The sixth wine was Joschuari Blaufrankisch. I found this wine punchier and heavier than the previous ones. We learned the Gut land consists of low-yielding plots of 30-40 plants, all scattered around different soil types, making various wines. Mark stated these are soulful wines made from super high-quality grapes. For example, they cut out grapes to concentrate on the remaining ones.

Mark treated us to a special bottle, Edmund, made from unpruned vines. Mark described this as bright and fresh with teeth. I loved this wine. I found it unusual but in a good way. When asked what temperature red wine should be drunk, Mark suggested 13 degrees or popping the bottle in the fridge half an hour before consuming it.

The conversation about the price of wine going up in Alberta came up. Mark predicted that customers at restaurants would either face higher prices or have fewer options, while other establishments might start offering cheaper, more standardized wines. He rationalized that most customers have a budget, and convincing them to spend more is becoming increasingly difficult. I couldn’t agree more. With the rising costs of everything, I’ve found myself cutting back and dining out less.

Regardless, this was the perfect way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon. Afterward, Lululemon took me to Cold Beer and Pizza, a casual little joint across the street. She plied me with fresh bread, dips and my beloved Ol’ Beautiful hard ice tea as we plotted our wine getaway in 2026. Thank you, Lululemon and Mark, for a glorious afternoon.

Want more wine tastings? I keep a running list of Calgary wine tastings and events.

Indian

Calcutta Cricket – Best Indian in Calgary

Featured Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

On Friday, I wanted to blow off some steam. I suggested to Chew Steel that we check out the Sound Room, my new favourite hangout. For this post, let’s listen to “Iron Man” by El Michels Affair.

I adore the Sound Room. The hard-iced tea, the retro basement vibes, and the music just hit right. I even like the crowd. It’s filled with people in our age demographic, not too old or too young, comfortably in the middle. But were we in the mean or mode? The room is too dimly lit for me to figure it out.

After a drink, Chew Steel and I decided to get a bite to eat. We conveniently strode up the stairs to the restaurant above Sound Bar, Calcutta Cricket. We sat at the bar as the entire restaurant was booked solid.

I almost skipped ordering an alcoholic drink since I didn’t see anything I recognized. Chew Steel encouraged me to order a glass of wine. Our server recommended Cork Twisted, stating the blend of pinot noir, riesling, and Gewurztraminer ($14, 5 oz) brought everything to the table. What a smooth talker. After that description, I ordered a glass. I thoroughly enjoyed the wine. It took me back to a drink we had as kids, Rubina, but this much better.

Chew Steel ordered a Tandoori-Spiced Chicken Kati Roll ($9). I enjoy the kati rolls, but Chew Steel is absolutely hooked on these little pockets of tandoori goodness. He gets one each time we visit. The sauce is sweet, followed by a kick of heat. I also like the raw, crunchy onions and nicely spiced chicken, all enveloped in ultra-flaky bread.

We tried the Murgh Makhani ($21) for the first time, Calcutta’s take on the original 1950s butter chicken masala recipe from Moti Mahal in Delhi. I would order this again. I loved how the sauce was complex and refined, not the one-note, sweet, bland butter chicken versions you get elsewhere.

We ordered the Malai Chicken ($27) again. I love the char flavour and the silky, soft meat. It tastes so good that I don’t think it needs the addition of the white cashew cream sauce. Chew Steel and I agreed this is our favourite dish at Calcutta.

The naan ($4) overflows the metal bowl like a billowing piece of fabric. We alternate between the buttery naan and plain white basmati ($3) to sop up the sauces. The most important thing for me in an Indian restaurant is the naan, which can make or break a meal. Calcutta’s version is excellent: hot, crispy, and airy.

It’s a beautiful restaurant, and what stood out to me was how all the staff genuinely seemed happy to be there. In the background, you can see the chefs calmly cooking at their stations, adding to the peaceful atmosphere. I don’t know why I’m so fixated. Maybe I’m watching too much Severance. In any case, if you love Indian food, you have to give Calcutta a try.