Downtown Best Bites: Heritage Restaurants

August 16, 2017, food critic and writer John Gilchrist joined Breakfast Television to discuss some of his experiences in three Downtown Heritage Restaurants. 

The Guild

The Guild, an Oliver & Bonacini Restaurant is located in the historic Hudson’s Bay building on the south side of what is historically a three building block. The Hudson’s Bay building expanded in 1930 to 8^th Avenue on the south side where the restaurant now resides in what used to be the “hosiery” department. This original expansion has been transformed into three sections including Sub Rosa, a night club under the restaurant, The Guild Restaurant on the ground floor and Hudson’s banquet space on the 6^th floor. The Guild has an amazing Canadian style menu that is “meat forward” with locally sourced products. This is where you go to get a “meat fix”, though there are vegan and vegetarian options! With a beautiful patio under the colonnade that also opened in 1930, The Guild is perfect for summer nights and is equally suitable for winter dining with their cozy interior.

The Belvedere

The Belvedere is nestled in one of downtown Calgary’s older buildings built in 1899 on Stephen Avenue and has been there for almost 20 years! With a beautiful and elegant interior it seems to “take you away from the street”. The backroom has an original skylight with the view of the Calgary Tower. At 2 o’clock, you can pretend it’s night time because of their big comfy chairs and cozy atmosphere. The Belvedere boasts a locally sourced contemporary Canadian menu with “intricately prepared, beautifully prepared food” with options like Confit Duck Thigh with Burnt Peach Chutney and Crispy Duck Breast with White Beans, Asparagus, Cabbage Cassoulet.

Workshop

A great place for theatre and dinner, Workshop is a hidden gem in the Lougheed building next to Theatre Junction Grand on the corner of 1 Street and 6 Avenue SW. Upon entering the lobby, one travels down a corridor to the brilliantly designed restaurant decorated with old running boards from the theatre and old cables hanging from the wall. John Gilchrist explains it as having an “old theatrical workshop bend to it”. Run by chef Kenny Kaechele in an open kitchen concept, “this food is rich, it’s some of the most flavourful food in town” with menu items like Milk Poached Pork Loin with black garlic, brown butter parsnip and apple mustard jus. If you want to enjoy a full culinary experience, try Workshop Improve with a three course meal for $55/person or a five course meal for $80/person.

View the full segment on Breakfast Television, follow the link at Downtown Best Bites: Heritage Restaurants.

The next segment of Downtown Best Bites with John Gilchrist will feature on September 13, 2017.

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