By Joel Dryden
Who says there’s nothing to do in Calgary during the winter? With February in the books – along with Block Heater, the Midwinter Blues Festival and the YYC Hot Chocolate Festival – we turn the page to a packed March calendar. Here’s the best of our city this month. [Photo credit: Foreign Concept]
Acclaimed chef Duncan Ly brings his talent and experience to Foreign Concept, an “alternative Asian” eatery that opened its doors at the end of 2016. With winning interior design and food almost too aesthetically pleasing to eat, Foreign Concept has quickly established itself as a destination on 1st Street.
Though situated just steps away from Foreign Concept, blink and you’ll walk right past the unassuming Bar Von Der Fels, housed in a former antique store. Though easy to miss, the wine bar is usually packed (especially on weekends) with guests enjoying high quality food and a well-curated wine list. For those who identify as less than connoisseurs, staff are invariably quick and spot on with suggestions.
Though there’s no shortage of great new eateries opening around the city, I find myself time and again returning to Hayden Block Smoke & Whisky. The recent Kensington addition boasts a whisky-aficionado’s dream selection and sweet, sweet house-smoked Texas BBQ. The restaurant’s backyard whisky garden has me counting down the days until summer.
With new restaurants opening on a near-monthly basis, it’s hard to keep on top of the hottest new eateries. Thankfully, the return of The Big Taste food festival will set this right, giving Calgarians the opportunity to discover a host of local restaurants via three-course and five-course fixed price menus. Let Sarah Sussman be your guide to some of the most delectable options.
With the 150th anniversary of Confederation fast approaching, there may not be a better way to show your Canadian pride than attending the Calgary Maple Syrup Festival. This year, the festival – hosted by the French Canadian Association of Alberta – will make Heritage Park its home, with a variety of events scheduled including games, wagon rides and, of course, the maple syrup market.
It’s not easy being green – except, of course, on March 17. Though pubs of all stripes will host St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, you can take the festivities to the next level at one of many local Irish pubs. St. Patrick’s Day also brings with it the chance to raise money for a good cause during Calgary’s first big race of the year. The Original St. Patrick’s Day Road Race, started by the Calgary Roadrunners 30 years ago, offers runners the chance to raise funds for the Canadian Diabetes Association.
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Check out more great coverage on things to do in Calgary from YP:
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With the weather growing warmer and those much-welcome Chinook winds rolling into town, it appears spring is nearly here. But don’t put away the winter jacket and gloves just yet.
A day trip to Banff is a perfect way to rest and rejuvenate when the stress of day-to-day life seems to weigh you down, whether that includes a ride up the Banff Gondola or dinner at the Grizzly House Restaurant.
Or, if you want to go on an adventure here at home, why not check out what’s new in Calgary’s exciting new neighbourhood, the East Village? Try your hand at a new instrument at the National Music Centre or indulge yourself at Charbar.
The warmer weather and sunshine couldn’t have come at a better time, as it’s shaping up to be a packed month in Calgary. From Big Taste to St. Patrick’s Day, get out there and enjoy the best of our city this March!
