Yesterday I moved my daughter into residence for her first year at Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD). Just like her “Wish” painting below, Erin got her wish…she’s going to art school. My little artist is leaving home.
After we unloaded all of her worldly belongings, Paige and I left her to settle in while we visited some of our favourites haunts in the city.
The Mercato on 4th Street SW was our first stop for a Mama Cathy’s donut.
We couldn’t resist the panzerotti either, I mean, its deep-fried dough filled with nutella. How can you say no to that?
Anything that reminds me of Italy is a good thing and the Mercato—which means market in Italian—does just that.
Family run, this little market carries homemade tomato sauces, prosciutto, tomatoes, porcini, fettucini, scallopini…you’ll sound like Vince doing a Slap Chop commercial as you stroll through the aisles naming the products that Mercato carries.
From 4th Street it’s not far to one of my favourite shopping districts on 17 Ave SW. I’ve been going to Rubaiyat for…yikes…30 years, when I finished high school and headed west to work in the hotel industry in Banff.
On paydays we’d hop the bus and head to Calgary to shop. The owners of Rubaiyat travel the world looking for treasures to sell in this very eclectic store.
You can find something for anyone in Rubaiyat …everything from animal-shaped knife holders to fine jewelry to feather covered footstools to …well, you name it.
Funky finds and new style retro-ware are at Blame Betty and its neighbouring store, Dick and Jane.
If you want to dress like Katy Perry, go to these stores.
Check out the bikes in front… if I had a banana bike like this when I was a kid, I would’ve ruled the streets of Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
The Rocket (624 17 Avenue SW) is a great shop for custom-made t-shirts. They have thousands of iron-ons to choose from, you can get anything you want. And right next door is a Vietnamese sub shop called the Kim Anh.
I’ve seen these places pop up all over lately but had yet to try their offerings. Wow. Beef Satay on a toasted bun? Is this what heaven serves? I think so.
On to Inglewood. I have to say, “You’ve come a long way, baby!” Back in the day, I remember Inglewood for a few antique stores and that was it. There’s a whole lot more to this area of Calgary now: food stores, vintage finds, quirky furniture and home accessories, the incredible Choklat store where they make their own chocolate right from the cocoa bean (one of only two chocolatiers in Canada to do so) …
and Bite Groceteria (where I first found black garlic).
I was thrilled to see Greens Eggs and Ham’s duck eggs on the shelves. Way to go, Andreas and Mary Ellen! Nice to see your products are being sold down south.
I love Bite. Check out the funky lighting fixtures.
We picked up a jar of home made dill pickles that literally made our hair stand up. Pure pucker power. Whooo-doggie!
I’ve always liked Calgary. You can’t deny the beauty of the city and the good things it has to offer. I don’t have any qualms about leaving my daughter their in her pursuit of a Fine Arts Degree. In fact it gives me a really good excuse to zip down there for the weekend now that she’ll be attending school at ACAD. My only worry is that she might become a Flames’ fan. So, all you Edmonton Oilers…you guys who are getting paid to play hockey…you one percenters of hockey players who actually make it to the big leagues: please play to win this year. Make us feel like your salaries are worth it. Put your heart and souls into this crazy game we love so much and keep in mind, my little girl is in Calgary and it’s up to you guys to keep her as an Edmonton Oiler fan. I’ll be watching you.
I love your calgary write up !