Canmore’s Valbella Gourmet Foods is a hivve of lunchtime activity

It’s been a few years since Canmore’s Valbella Gourmet Foods was plunged into controversy over social comments made by a member of the family business. Boycotts ensued and important corporate clients were lost.

But the von Rotz family persevered, winning back customers and retaining those who never left. Like many others, I figured they’d paid their dues and deserved a second chance. To say nothing of supporting the dozens of Canmore residents employed in the retail store and factory.

Then as now, I’ve considered the 48-year-old Valbella my top road-food pick in Canmore’s burgeoning food scene. Simply put, it’s the best maker of sausages and cured meats in Alberta, if not western Canada. It boasts a dazzling selection of deli supplies (how about whiskey-flavoured buffalo sausage?) for a picnic or take-home dinner.

A wide range of meat pies and sancwiches

Or you can sit down to a smokie smothered in sauerkraut in a refurbished dining area. That’s where I tucked into an outstanding schnitzel sandwich, featuring a succulent slab of veal; a two mealer for the ridiculous price of $11. At Friday noon, the place was filling up fast with construction workers, most of them ordering a hot lunch special of Sicilian meatballs and pasta ($14).

A fabulous schnitzel sandwich for onky $11

You’ve heard the adage of eating where the truckers stop. At Valbella, just follow the overall crowd.

And if you’ve arrived during off hours, no worries. Just check out the refrigerated vending machine in the foyer. This place never sleeps.

Valbella Gourmet Foods
104 Elk Run Boulevard, Canmore, Alberta
Opens daily at 8 am, except 9 am Saturday. Closed Sunday
403-678-4109

Sunny Cider in North East Calgary

Every fall, I watch the apple tree across the street dislodge its bountiful harvest onto the lawn, where it is usually destined to rot. The folks at Sunny Cider have a much different philosophy.

Way back in 2013, residents of the northwest Calgary community of Sunnyside (get the pun?) decided to collect all that fallen treasure and turn it into juice and dehydrated apples. Five years later, a few took the plunge and created Alberta’s first craft cidery.

Today, Sunny makes a wide range of ciders—all with an apple base and often containing other fruits such as Saskatoons, sour cherries, raspberries and peaches. While most of the apples now come from Okanagan orchards, up to 20% still originate from Calgary neighbourhood yards.

You can purchase the canned ciders at liquor stores across Alberta; the typical alcohol content is 4.5%, though alcohol-free is also available. Better yet, visit its cozy taproom, in industrial northeast Calgary, where you can sample a flight of ciders or order a pint.

Great tacos on the menu

Be sure to check out the fine food offerings (under the name of Chile & Mango), which reflect the Mexican origins of its chef. In honour of taco Tuesday prices of $12, our group zeroed in on triplets of excellent tacos (birria, tinga, etcetera), all tucked into double-envelop corn tortillas and lightly grilled.

Lots of canned options to go

The place was hopping by the time we rolled out into the early evening, promising to rescue all future harvests. A cider toast to that.

Sunny Cider
1, 3300 14 Avenue NE, Calgary
Tuesday to Saturday opens at 11 am. Closed Sunday and Monday
403-454-0638

Begonia Bakehouse a Calgary Beltline Treat

There might be a wee line at little Begonia Bakehouse, an artisanal bakery on the ground floor of a Beltline high-rise. But don’t despair.

Most customers, it seems, are filling paper bags with fresh-baked bread and pastries and heading out the door. Which leaves you free to nab a coveted table and sip a “Canadiano” while devouring a flaky delicacy or two.

The regular croissants are excellent. But I usually migrate to something more decadent: a brioche-based pain Suisse, a sweet coconut pecan kouign-amann or a gloriously messy pain au chocolate. And don’t forget to pick up a loaf of chewy sprouted sourdough bread.

Tip: Get there early before things start selling out.

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

Chef Pannu at Naan Tale

At most Indian restaurants, naan is a chewy side dish. But at the aptly named Naan Tale, in the southeast Calgary community of Ramsay, the soft, leavened flatbread takes centre stage.

Sure, there are Indian standards like butter chicken, tandoori paneer and masala on the menu. But consider all the freshly baked naan choices. There’s butter naan, garlic naan, signature cheesy naan, tikka naan, whole wheat naan, naan rolls and even pizza naan.

Cheesy naan with butter chicken dipping sauce

You might want to order a naan or two—with lots of delicious butter chicken dipping sauce—and pair it with a crispy samosa and patta chaat, all washed down with some refreshing lassi.

Naan Tale is in a colourful old Ramsay building

Chef Jaspreet Singh Pannu opened Naan Tale in a colourful old Ramsay building about a year ago, with considerable family involvement. During a midday lull, he and brother Jasdeep Singh, a most personable pair, spent an inordinate amount of time chatting with us.

Brother Jasdeep Singh lends a helping hand

Naan Tale
1048 8 Street SE, Calgary
Opens daily at noon
587-997-5000