Where Calgary Magazine July/August 2018 | Page 51

DINING

Dining Spotlight

HOLLY PARKS

Holly Parks loves a challenge — especially when the clock is ticking . So the hospitality industry feels like home .
“ It ’ s 100 percent a perfect fit for me ,” Parks says . “ I like to be busy . Even in my own home , I ’ m always putzing . It drives my husband crazy that I can ’ t stop doing things and sit and enjoy . I ’ m always going and fluttering about .”
As the operations manager of Vintage Group , Parks oversees their downtown properties , including Vintage Chophouse ( page 67 ) and newly opened Elwood and the Rabbit ( page 64 ). She ’ s also got her hands full travelling to Lethbridge once a week in support of a new concept Vintage Group is opening there in the summer . And with a steakhouse opening in Mahogany in 2019 , there ’ s no slowing down .
Born and raised in Nova Scotia , Parks moved to Calgary in 2000 eager to make her mark in Calgary ’ s hospitality scene . She got her start with Creative Restaurants , and then the Stampede Casino , before joining Vintage Group in 2010 .
The folks who come through the doors keep her energized in an industry known for its fast pace and long hours .
“ The guests make our business . Vintage is celebrating 15 years this year . We ’ ve weathered some major recessions and the only way we ’ ve stayed in business and continued such great success is because of our guests . We ’ re loyal to them and they ’ re very loyal to us .”
Watching her team grow is a big part of what she loves about her job .
“ It ’ s exciting to watch the evolution and growth of younger employees — to watch them grow through the ranks — starting as a server or bartender and moving into management and seeing their great success and rise within our group or outside of our group .”
Luckily for Parks , she ’ s been able to find a career that ensures she ’ s able to follow the big passions of her life : food , wine and travel . She ’ s always learning more , and both for work and fun she travels the globe in search of the next big dish or new wine Vintage Group can bring to their guests .
“ My work allows me to travel all over the world to some really great places , sometimes because of work , and sometimes on my own with my husband and my family ,” Parks says .
“ Any travel you do changes you as an individual . You see how other people live and you see what other people ’ s core values are , which you bring back with you .”
— Silvia Pikal
PHOTOGRAPH : NADINE BENOIT JASMINE CROTEAU
The following listings include cafes and restaurants that the editors judge worthy of your attention , including advertisers in Where Calgary . Prices are based on a dinner main course per person without a beverage — ($) under $ 15 ; ($$) $ 15 to $ 25 ; ($$$) more than $ 25 . The map coordinates at the end of each listing ( E4 , E8 etc .) refer to the city maps on pages 75 to 76 . If you have an observation regarding any of our listings , please email editor _ calgary @ where . ca .
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BARBECUE BELLE SOUTHERN KITCHEN + BAR This welcoming space showcases stylish picnic tables , a pink pig smoker , and the food is exquisitely presented on cookie trays . The menu is full of Southern-inspired dishes and lets you build your own feast , with the ability to pick from multiple snacks , salads and sides . 1919 - 4 St SW , 403-455-5775 , bellebbq . com
BIG D ’ S SMOKEHOUSE This barbeque shack ’ s marinated and spice rubbed meat is slow smoked for 4-14 hours over real chunks of hickory wood . Choose from “ build your own ” beef brisket or pulled pork sandwiches , pork ribs , smoky glazed chicken , sausage link of the day , or a bowl of Big D ’ s signature smoked brisket chili . Entrees : $$. 510 - 77 Ave SE , 403-667-0625 . Map 1 , H7
BIG SKY BBQ PIT While Big Sky isn ’ t exactly in Calgary ( it ’ s about a 30-minute drive south ), it ’ s well worth the trip to this massive , no-frills barbecue emporium with indoor and outdoor seating for hundreds . Bring your hungriest
friends to help you defeat the mountains of Texas-style smoked meat . 306016 - 15 St E , Okotoks , 403-938-0701 . www . bigskybbq . ca
BIG T ’ S BBQ & SMOKEHOUSE True Southern barbecue with slow-smoked barbecue ribs , chicken , pulled pork and more . Served with tasty homemade sides . Try their deepfried pickles . Casual vibe and a great bourbon selection . Entrees : $$ 2138 Crowchild Tr NW , 403-284-5959 . Map 1 , F5
BOOKERS BBQ GRILL & CRAB SHACK With a rustic warehouse interior , this casual barbecue and seafood restaurant serves smokehouse brisket , crab legs by the bucket , blackened catfish , jambalaya and smoked chicken wings . Entrees : $$ 316 - 3 St SE , 403-264-6419 . Map 2 , D7 www . bookersbbq . com
HAYDEN BLOCK SMOKE & WHISKEY House-smoked , true Texas BBQ brisket , turkey , and pulled pork paired with hand-crafted whiskey cocktails . 1136 Kensington Rd NW , 403-283-3021 . Map 1 , G5 www . haydenblockyyc . com
HOLYSMOKE BBQ & SMOKE PIT Pork and brisket sandwiches wood smoked at low temperatures for hours in the traditional Southern U . S . style topped with chooseyour-own barbecue sauces . Entrees : $ 4640 Manhattan Rd SE , 403-605-9365 . Map 1 , I7 holysmokebbq . ca
JANE BOND BBQ Jane Bond BBQ first rolled through Calgary as a food truck before expanding to a barbecue house in 2016 on International Avenue , a cuisine hotspot in the southeast . The menu features some tasty and unique dishes , including croc bites . 2014 - 36 St SE , 403-277-7064 . www . janebondgrill . com
PADDY ’ S BARBECUE & BREWERY If you want to chow
down on Southern-style barbecue with small-batch craft brews never far from your side , this “ brewbecue ” is the place for you . Nestled in Manchester Industrial Park in a cluster of craft breweries pegged the “ Barley Belt ,” it ’ s a casual and family friendly spot . 3610 Burnsland Road SE , 403-651-7150 . paddysbrewbecue . com
PALOMINO SMOKEHOUSE & SOCIAL CLUB A bustling restaurant and bar featuring finger-licking American barbecue . A popular music venue . Entrees : $$ 109 - 7 Ave SW , 403-532-1911 . Map 2 , E5 www . thepalomino . ca
BAR & PUB 1410 WORLD BIER HAUS Specializes in international beers . Global fusion menu served every day until 2 am . Live DJs Fri and Sat . Group and party bookings available . Entrees : $$ 1410 - 17 Ave SW , 403-229-1410 . Map 2 , H5 www . 1410bierhaus . ca
4TH SPOT KITCHEN & BAR A casual local eatery that serves upscale pub food including pizza , pasta dishes , and ribs . Nightly drink and food specials every day of the week . 2620 - 4 St NW , 403-984-3474 . Map 1 , F5 www . 4thspot . com
BANKVIEW PUBLIC HOUSE Catch the game at this friendly neighbourhood pub , featuring an updated menu , VLTs , and pool tables . 2905 - 14 St SW , 403-245-0500 . www . facebook . com / BankviewPublicHouse
BAR VON DER FELS A small , cozy restaurant with an excellent wine list . Ask the knowledgeable servers for recommendations . They pour a constantly rotating selection of wines by the glass . Prices per glass are marked right on the bottle . A unique and eclectic menu that rotates with appetizer-size dishes such as spring pea falafel and smoked lamb tartare . Make reservations well in advance . 1005A - 1 St SW , 587-349-2656 .
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