A “Bizarre” Wagyu Burger

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Delectable Wagyu cheese burger at Bizarre Gastro Pub

Wagyu beef is usually way out of my price range. But when I see a marbled, oh-so-tender Japanese Wagyu cheese burger at Bizarre Gastro Pub for just $14.99, I’ve got to check it out.

It’s a hell-of-a-lunch special, down from the regular $23.75, and includes a wire basket of hot fries. The Wagyu beef certainly delivers—a melt-in-your-mouth patty, topped by caramelized onion, smoked cheddar, house pickle coins and Bizarre sauce, in a soft potato bun. Actually, with a patty this good, you might want to cut back on potentially distracting toppings.

A funky gastro pub

Started by two buddies in 2024, Bizarre is an evocatively named Ramsay pub, featuring smoky cocktails, a fusion food menu and a colourful interior.

Bizarre Gastro Pub
2016 Spiller Road SE, Calgary
Opens 11 am daily except 4 pm Sunday
825-509-5777

Small Bar Burger is a Smash Hit

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Small Bar Bridgeland

In a crowded Calgary burger market, it makes sense to focus on the wildly popular smash burger trend—involving flattened patties with crispy exteriors and juicy interiors. But success ultimately relies on quality ingredients and stellar execution.

And that’s where the newish Small Bar Bridgeland nails it. Its double cheeseburger features two dry-aged beef patties, American cheese, mac sauce and a potato bun that, critically, doesn’t fall apart.

Fabulous double smash burger

At $22 for a double burger and plentiful crinkle fries, it ain’t cheap. But I’m guessing it’s one of the best smash burgers in the city. While you’re at it, might as well spend $4 extra on an excellent, unusual Bushmills peppercorn gravy.

Small Bar is a comfy but funky Bridgeland spot with an extensive list of local craft beers and wines. Its owned by the same folks who operate the splendid Blue Star Diner next door.

Lovely Bridgeland patio

Small Bar Bridgeland
813 1 Avenue NE, Calgary
Opens weekdays at noon, 11 am weekends
403-454-5808

This Smash Burger is Spot On

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This Spot On burger is a smashing sucess

I usually balk at a $20 burger. And if it’s $23.50, forget it, even with some nice fries.

But a happy-hour (Thursday 2-5 pm) deal that knocks $5 off the price is enough to get me in the door of Spot On Kitchen & Bar, next door to Mount Royal University in southwest Calgary.

Spot On Kitchen & Bar is next door to Calgary’s Moount Royal University

I’m here to try the celebrated Super Dave (the cook, not the stuntman) smash burger: two hefty AAA Alberta beef patties loaded with cheese, grilled onion and mushrooms into a valiant brioche bun.

It’s a large, messy, juicy affair; one of the best smash burgers I’ve devoured. Paired with a basket of hot of kennebec-potato fries, this smash burger was well worth the $18.50 cost.

Spot On Kitchen & Bar
2 Richard Way SW, Calgary
Opens daily at 11 am
403-240-3619

My New Favourite Calgary Bakery

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The Beltline’s Beautiful Begonia Bakehouse

Two days earlier, I’d never heard of the place. But here I am at Begonia Bakehouse on a Sunday mid-morning, and there’s a line of young Beltliners stretching to the door.

Some are here for a Monogram-roasted coffee. But they’re all picking up delectable pastries—twice-baked croissants, egg brioche, kouign-amann—and loaves of naturally leavened sourdough bread.

A sweet treat

Indeed, Begonia is one of a handful of Calgary bakeries producing both high-end pastries and artisan breads. Owner and SAIT graduate Elizabeth Reimer opened this little bakeshop in 2023 and is constantly introducing new creations such as a pastry apparently containing apples from her mother’s yard.

I manage to score the last loaf of sprouted sourdough; no such luck with the cherry pistachio sourdough. But I do claim a wee table to devour a sublime almond croissant and a “Canadiano”.

A delectable hazelnut fig loaf

Looks like I’ll have to show up earlier for future visits.

Followup: A week later, I’m there at 9 am and able to score a delightfully chewy hazelnut fig loaf ($8, available Saturday only), a decadent pain Suisse ($5.25) and, what the heck, a substantial made-to-order turkey sandwich to go, a $9 bargain. And the busy staff are so friendly!

A made-to-order turkey sandwich

After only two visits, Begonia is my new, favourite Calgary bakery.

Begonia Bakehouse
1502 14 Street SW, Calgary
Wednesday to Saturday 8 am-3 pm, Sunday 8 am-2 pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday
587-355-7768

Calgary Coffee Circuit

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Vintage Caffeine the latest coffee shop in Hillhurst

Calgary has its Barley Belt, a collection of craft breweries in the city’s southeast. Perhaps it’s time to declare a similar coffee circuit.

Quietly and quite recently, four coffee shops have opened along a few blocks of 19th Street in the northwest neighbourhood of Hillhurst. Here’s a brief description of each.

I invariably take my coffee black, typically an Americano/Canadiano. But in the interests of research, I’m willing to add some white liquid to the mix.

At vegan Vintage Caffeine, (101 19 Street NW) that means the dairy-free “milk” is instead oat, soy or almond. I’m not ready to switch to white, but my oat milk cappuccino (Fratello beans) tastes pretty darn good, paired with a house-made chipotle empanada.

Vintage has gone vegan

Now here’s a true partnership. The aptly named Pocket Coffee (317 19 Street SW) is owned by attached Dairy Lane Café, with roasted beans from Fratello and baked treats from superb Butter Block. Be bold and tackle a French toast latte and double-baked apple croissant on the sidewalk patio.

Pocket Coffee

Crave Cupcakes has expanded its mini empire with a new Hillhurst bakery that includes an attached coffee shop, CeCe’s Coffee (114 18 A Street). Order a Monogram-based java with a fresh-baked cupcake or savoury cheddar scone.

Cupcakes and coffee

Liquid Gold

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My family calls this quadruple (?) French brie “crack”. It just glides from the knife, or finger, and down the throat. No chewing required. Don’t ask what it costs.

Available at Luc’s cheese emporium in both Calgary Farmers’ Market locations.

Luc’s European Meats