Where Calgary Magazine Where_JA17 | Page 59

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE 2017 In January 2017 Where Calgary magazine released its annual list of Best Restaurants in Calgary as voted by our readers. Here are some of the winners, which provide an exceptional dining experience year-round. WHERE TO DINE Awards Anju Barcelona Tavern Native Tongues Taqueria Modern Steak Rouge TOP 3 BEST ASIAN FOOD ANJU TOP 3 CASUAL BUSINESS DINING MURRIETA’S BAR & GRILL In the heart of Calgary’s Retail & Entertainment district, Anju serves up traditional Korean small plates and sharing plates with a modern twist in a refined setting. One bite of any of chef Roy Oh’s dishes and you’ll see why locals love it here. From a classic Bibimbap to unique dishes such as the Oxtail Tortellini and Korean Fish Tacos, Anju has something to please every palate. Pair a creative cocktail or choose from a vast selection of Sake and Soju for an unforgettable dining experience.​ ​Open late everyday. 344 - 17 Ave SW, 403-460-3341, anju.ca Whether you want to do some people- watching on the balcony or find a quiet place to dine indoors, Murrieta’s Bar & Grill has what you’re looking for in the beautifully renovated, historic Alberta Hotel building. A wine list focused on Pacific Rim gems combines flawlessly with fresh, inventive West Coast cuisine such as the applewood cured salmon sandwich on toasted focaccia with pickled shallots, cucumber, tomato, and dill aioli. 808 - 1 St SW, 403-269-7707, calgary.murrietas.ca TOP 3 BEST USE OF LOCAL/ REGIONAL INGREDIENTS ROUGE Ditch the Mexican vacation and stay home with Native Tongues’ Happy Hour! Calgary’s best Mexican Taqueria runs Happy Hour Monday to Friday from 3pm to 6pm with $9 burgers, $5 Esquites and $5 margaritas. For those late night cravings, Reverse Happy Hour runs every night from 10:00 until close with $2.50 tacos, $5 bourbon and $4 Cheladas! 235 -12 Ave SW, 403-263-9444, nativetongues.ca For a true taste of Calgary and of Canada, pay a visit to Rouge restaurant which has been setting the bar for “fresh and local” for years. With a garden right outside the historic building which houses the restaurant, Rouge takes the concept of local to a new level while sourcing the rest of their ingredients from nearby farms and regional suppliers. Rouge offers a comfortable fine dining experience where every visitor is treated like the guest of honour. 1240 - 8 Ave SE, 403-531-2767, rougecalgary.com TOP 3 CASUAL BUSINESS DINING BARCELONA TAVERN Murrieta’s Bar & Grill Barcelona Tavern is Mediterranean Inspired & Locally Infused, serving delicious made- from-scratch Tapas like Spanish Popcorn Prawns & Veal Bomba. Try the Truffled Mushroom hand-tossed pizza, Chef-Driven Entrées, and Calgary’s best Seafood Paella. We handcraft all of our famous Gin & Tonics and Fresh Fruit Sangrias - Make sure you try the Cava! We always have Good Times on Tap with 21 Craft beers flowing ice cold. Time to “Wine”about oil — we’re offering 20% off all bottles of wine until Oil hits $70 a Barrel. 501 - 8 St SW, 403-265-6555. barcelonatavern.com TOP 3 BEST MEXICAN/LATIN FOOD NATIVE TONGUES TOP THREE BEST FOR STEAK MODERN STEAK “Humanely raised, ranch-specific Alberta beef that’s well-aged and cooked on an infrared grill—steak at Modern Steak is pretty much as good as it gets,” says local food critic John Gilchrist. ​Modern Steak joins two concepts into one: a modern steakhouse and cocktail lounge. Modern Steak offers a rotating menu that focuses on local, seasonal, and organic ingredients to create inventive dishes that reflect evolving culinary trends, coupled with an experience and atmosphere you will not forget. We are one of just a handful of steakhouses in Canada that serves grass-fed, grain-fed, wet-aged, dry-aged, and Wagyu beef 365 days a year. Can’t decided which cut to get? Get the filet trio for two for a true taste of Alberta. This is not the steakhouse of the past, it’s what a steakhouse can be. 107 - 10a St NW, 403-670-6873, modernsteak.ca