“We always take
care of each guest
individually,
giving them the
sort of experience
we’re known for”
5) Chef Justin Leboe
6) Beets and burrata at Model Milk 7)
Boudin noir with egg yolk gnocchi and
herb puree at Model Milk
54
areas and multiple entrances,
which can help a guest’s arrival go
unnoticed. “We’ve had tables of VIPs
that we’ll sit in the private dining
room, or seat them strategically in
areas where we can control who
sits and walks by them to make sure
they’re not bothered. The business
THE ESSENTIAL CALGARY 2015/16
reality is that here in Calgary that
level of discretion is fine,” says
Leboe. “VIP clients often call in
advance to reserve a spot, and a lot
of that is a precaution from people
who don’t understand Calgary,”
says Leboe. “But once they get
here everything is fine. People [in
Located in a historic building across
from Arts Commons and Stephen
Avenue, Teatro is known for its
charming setting and delectable
made-to-order Italian fare.
Teatro ensures that any interested
guest is able to enjoy their food by
making special arrangements for
guests with allergies or dietary
concerns.
“We have one regular guest with
about twelve or thirteen allergies—
but we’re able to accommodate
her and she keeps coming back,”
says Teatro Group’s marketing
coordinator Breanne Sich. The
kitchen is very meticulous with how
they prep everything from start
to finish. “We’ll tell guests [with
allergies or dietary restrictions]
what they can and can’t have, as
well as what we can change in a
dish that won’t affect the overall
presentation, taste, and experience.
Our hostesses are very attentive
when they take reservations to ask
about any allergies, and we can walk
them through what they can have.”
If guests want a more intimate
or quiet experience for a special
PHOTOGRAPHS: BY JASON DZIVER
TEATRO
MODEL MILK
Chef Justin Leboe’s Model Milk is a
go-to in Calgary for innovative fine
dining, while his recently opened
small plates and cocktail bar
Pigeonhole is impressing guests
and critics alike—Pigeonhole was
awarded
enRoute
magazine’s
prestigious accolade of Best New
Restaurant in Canada for 2015.
The restaurants have celebrity
status in Calgary, and both places
are routinely packed with foodie
fans, including visiting celebrities
who hear about the restaurant
through
agents,
promoters,
and restaurateurs—friends and
connections Leboe has made
through his time in the industry.
“We do get a lot of last minute
requests, so we simply don’t release
all of our tables,” says Leboe. “We
take reservations in both places,
but we always leave tables X