WEEKEND

Calgary – Beyond the Stampede

By Karen Ashbee

Calgary may be known for its annual rodeo – 10 solid days of beef, bucking broncos and beer held every July – but it’s certainly not the only way to have a good time in this sophisticated city.

Alloy

Check out 17th Avenue S.W. between 1st and 14th streets for one of the most happening shopping, dining and leisure areas in the city. With its chic but casual atmosphere, Brava Bistro’s bar is a hit with the urban set. Wines by the glass include homegrown options (B.C.’s Blue Mountain Brut) as well as cult producers (Val di Suga Brunello from Tuscany), and the signature crispy chicken is not to be missed. Also in the area is the hip tapas bar JAROblue, serving an excellent assortment of tasty small plates, from duck confit to the ever-trendy mini-burger.

If your appetite is for shopping, don’t miss Rubaiyat, an emporium of one-of-a-kind furnishings, jewellery and glassware. Ooh la la is the place for the serious clothes horse on the hunt for designer names like Jean Paul Gaultier or Valentino, while shoe fetishes are fulfilled at Gravity Pope, carrying Blundstone, N.D.C. and Paul Smith, among other Carrie Bradshaw-worthy lines. Another good bet is Worth, a beautifully appointed clothing shop for men and women that effortlessly blends funky and modern.

Caffè Artigiano

You may need a pick-me-up to keep the good times going. Luckily, Calgary is known for its java joints, and Caffe Beano on the corner of 17th and 9th never disappoints with its signature coffee the Beano Buzz, a high-test espresso made with their own dark roast. (Or take a detour downtown and check out the award-winning baristas at Caffè Artigiano’s new outpost.)

Just north of 17th and round the corner on 1st S.E. is Manuel Latruwe Belgian Patisserie & Bread Shop, which can’t be beat for baguettes, tarte au citron, quiche or anything else exquisitely calorie laden. The bread is perfect with a pâté or terrine picked up from the recently opened French grocery L’épicerie, right next door.

For a little culture, head over to the design district on 11th Avenue S.W. The Weiss Gallery is the result of a melding of minds between hot interior designer James McIntyre and artist Barry Weiss. The space serves as a showcase for both Weiss’ work and other contemporary pieces. If you are in the market for furnishings, Peridot boasts a collection of antiques and reproductions as well as a variety of Venetian and laser-cut mirrors.

When it’s time for dinner, Alloy restaurant lays claim to the best patio in town. Reminiscent of a Palm Springs bungalow, it offers fine dining without the pretension. Signature dishes include the ahi tuna tartare starter and baked monkfish. Another good bet is the Chef’s Table at Kensington Riverside Inn. (Make sure to try the truffle agnolotti.) When you’re tuckered out, head back to your Luxury Jacuzzi Suite at the boutique Hotel Arts, located just minutes away from the Calgary Stampede’s fairgrounds, but a world apart.

Useful information

Ooh la la, 1575 7th St. S.W., 403-245-6900

Worth, 1013 17th Ave. S.W., #119, 403-228-1003

Caffe Beano, 1613 9th St. S.W., 403-229-1232

Manuel Latruwe Belgian Patisserie & Bread Shop, 1333 1st St. S.E., 403-261-1092

L’épicerie, 1325 1st St. S.E., 403-514-0555

TOP PHOTO: ROBERT LEMERMEYER
GRAVITY POPE: JARED SYCH