Calgary Food, coffee, etc.

[Rusty van Reddick]

Originally Posted by agent_imperial

Any news on when the Kawa espresso bar is going to open? It's only a few blocks from my office... I'm waiting patiently to check it out!

I spoke to Les a few days before I left on this trip (am in Madison Wisc right now) and said I'd miss their opening as I am not back until the 8th, and he said no problem as they're shooting for the 12th. It'll be worth the wait. This place is going to make Artigiano look scruffy.

[Chinook Arch]

Where is this Kawa Espresso bar opening? Also, not being much of a coffee guru, what would be a good coffee to try out?

[Habanero]

^I'm not a coffee expert either. I usually buy a latte, and if it tastes good enough not add sugar, I'm sold!

[jeffwhit]

Originally Posted by Chinook Arch

Where is this Kawa Espresso bar opening? Also, not being much of a coffee guru, what would be a good coffee to try out?

8th Street around 13th Ave SW I think.

[Rusty van Reddick]

1333 8 St SW, at 14 Ave actually

[Stephen Ave]

I'll have to check out Kawa after it opens.

[Surrealplaces]

^That's a great location for Kawa. I've been noticing that 8th street really gets alot of pedestrian traffic between the core and 17th. It's an evolving corridor, and this can only help.

[ST1]

speaking of 8th street. Has anyone eaten at Ric's Grill? My and I drove past it one day, and he asked me if it was good or not, but I've never eaten there.

[jeffwhit]

^^
I just remember Gilchrist giving it a horrible review, probably the worst I've read by him.

[Tarsus]

I've never eaten there, but my girlfriend has, and she said it wasn't too bad. Nothing to write home about though.

[Rusty van Reddick]

kawa is waiting and waiting for inspections to finish (still health, plumbing and electric to go) but I was let inside and here's a little teaser for what's to come- that's a spanking new 3-group Synesso, one of the best espresso machines made (Phil and Sebastian use one as well), with a barista who made me a killer macchiato with it. Note the cups w/ 49th Parallel logo, that's the same roaster that Bumpy's and Artigiano use. Class act, and it'll be open until 9 weekdays and 11 weekends, or so goes the plan.

[yads]

Originally Posted by Deepstar

I ate at Taco Del Mar yesterday, and was pretty impressed. It's fast food obviously, but the best quality Mexican fast food I've had so far. Much better than Taco Bell or Taco Time. You have several choices of meat for the tacos, and different choices of beans, etc.. The guac was pretty fresh tasting.

I have to say it's pretty good, but not worth the wait. The 5th ave place at lunch time has a 40 minute deep line up.

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by furrycanuck

kawa is waiting and waiting for inspections to finish (still health, plumbing and electric to go) but I was let inside and here's a little teaser for what's to come- that's a spanking new 3-group Synesso, one of the best espresso machines made (Phil and Sebastian use one as well), with a barista who made me a killer macchiato with it. Note the cups w/ 49th Parallel logo, that's the same roaster that Bumpy's and Artigiano use. Class act, and it'll be open until 9 weekdays and 11 weekends, or so goes the plan.

Great news Furry. I'm glad to see they'll be open a bit later on the weekends. Who knows, if they get really busy they might even extend the hours.

[Innersoul1]

That is a pretty sleek and sexy machine!

Pretty much coffee porn! LOL
http://espressoporn.blogspot.com/

[Innersoul1]

I had dinner over the weekend at the new Escoba location. While the space is nice, it really is a shame that Vern's is downstairs. They must have some sort of mutual agreement that music can start playing at 10PM (this is also the time that Escoba closes). Nonetheless, our diner for four was cut short as the noise from below was a bit much.

That being said, the food was quite good. The entrees looked great (that is what our guests had) while the flatbreads seemed well concieved they weren't as good as I would have hoped. Appies were outstanding as was the wine selection.

[Aralaus]

I just went out for lunch today with a buddy at an absolutely fantastic place and needed to share it. Its called the Holy Grill, and its located at 8th st and 10th ave SW (across street from MEC). Lunch goes for ~$10, and they make FANTASTIC panini's. If you go on a hot day, they have 4-5 tables set up in the back to make a pseudo-patio... and you get to hear the soothing sounds of construction from Xenex two blocks away...

[Innersoul1]

Just wanted to give you all the heads up. Tomorrow Manchester United is playing Chelsea in the Champions League Final. If any of you are interested in watching I will be watching with some mates at Flames Central. Kickoff is at 12:30.

Would love to meet some of you footy fans!

[Rusty van Reddick]

Originally Posted by Aralaus

I just went out for lunch today with a buddy at an absolutely fantastic place and needed to share it. Its called the Holy Grill, and its located at 8th st and 10th ave SW (across street from MEC). Lunch goes for ~$10, and they make FANTASTIC panini's. If you go on a hot day, they have 4-5 tables set up in the back to make a pseudo-patio... and you get to hear the soothing sounds of construction from Xenex two blocks away...

HG also has SUPERB fries- russets, and sweet potato and BEETS too! These guys really get customer service too. It would be awesome if they were open evenings. But at least they're open Saturdays, and they're less busy then too.

[Rusty van Reddick]

Repost of mine from Chowhound, photos mine:

Well it's been many, many months, but the wait is finally over. Kawa Espresso Bar, on the main floor of the office building at 1333 8 St SW (the space that was once Loyalty Sound), is open! Today was the softest of soft openings- no charges for anything, just tips- this is in part because of waiting for the "maximum occupancy" certification by the city, but the place was buzzing with curious customers being plied with terrific 49th-Parallel espresso (and lattes, cappos, etc) as well as Clover-brewed Columbian. The menu will also include various panini and quesadillas, and, in due course, wines. Seeing the space with its seating, and without all the boxes and construction equipment, is inspiring. Pic of interior attached. It's going to look stunning at night, too.

Kawa will be open initially 6:30am-9pm seven days a week; they hope to have hours until 11 in time for Stampede.

I got the full poop on DeVille "luxury coffee and pastries" today as I got to speak to one of the owners. This is a venture with Saint Germain who will be providing the sweet stuff (good news as SG has tremendous deserts); they have the same espresso machine as does Kawa (a three-group Synesso) but not, at this point, a Clover. As noted earlier, this shop will be pulling beans from Chicago's famous and respected Intelligentsia Coffee Roasters, and will be the first in Calgary to offer Intelly's Black Cat espresso (Communitea in Canmore does as well).

DeVille has plans to open next Monday, the 26th. As you can see in the third pic, they are well on their way; this alacrity is in part because this space did not entail the transition that Kawa did (including change of use permits); this was because De Ville is in the space that was until recently Palette Coffeehouse. Initial hours will be 7-7, 7 days a week, but like Kawa they will aspire to be open later since, like Kawa, they intend to offer wine.

So the 7-days-a-week (even in our downtown!) that Artigiano ushered in seems to be the pattern to follow- even in the case of the new Good Earth in the Lougheed Building, incidentally. Let's wish all these newcomers well.



Kawa interior:



De Ville interior- you can make out the Synesso on the far side of the bar; note also the new ceiling lights are like those at Capo:

[Innersoul1]

If you are ever in Edmonton craving Greek food, be sure to check out Koutouki! Quite honestly the best Greek food I have had outside of Greece...the griled Calamari is FANTASTIC!

http://www.koutouki.ca/