Take what you need. Leave what you can. Pay what you want. Alice Lam is an active leader in Calgary’s community who helps create barrier-free experiences for those in need. She initially co-founded the Calgary Community Fridge: a mutual aid project to help those facing financial insecurity access food that is fresh and healthy without costing them a dime. The fridge is located in Crescent Heights and relies on the generosity and help of others to keep it stocked and well-kept. People in the community are then allowed to take what they need, or leave what they can. Alice was able to further her ..read more

Tradition meets contemporary at Big Catch Sushi Bar. Not only are they known for their Oshi style sushi, but what really stands out is their beautiful dishes that are truly a masterpiece. Pictured here: Green Halo Oshi, Autumn Haze Oshi, Ruby Sky Oshi, Magic Mushroom Oshi, Uni Wagyu Nigiri, Hotate Nigiri, Bluefin Toro Nigiri, & Sablefish Nigiri Photo Credit: Kayla Vespa (@lalavespaeats) My favorite Oshi roll was the Green Halo. It is Aburi-stlye (torched) salmon with in-house char sauce, beet-ginger crisp, and a slice of jalapeno. For those of you not familiar with Oshi sushi, it is a tr ..read more

Pictured here: Banana Split Daiquiri Photo Credit: Eric Quach (@the_kungfoodie) In the wise words of 50 Cent, “I’ll take you to the candy shop”…. Candy Shop Cafe that is! If you have a sweet tooth, this is the place for you. They are a dessert, cocktail, and champagne bar offering a variety of sugary treats. Who’s up for a boozy milkshake? I tried the banana split daiquiri shake which consisted of rum, cherry liquer, banana liquer, chocolate, vanilla ice cream, banana, lime, & milk. It had a very strong banana and chocolate flavour, which is what I expected. After one of these, my sweeth ..read more

In 1874, Vincent Van Gogh wrote to his brother, "...find things beautiful as much as you can, most people find too little beautiful." After creating over 900 paintings in his life, it’s safe to say Van Gogh was able to inspire millions of people to find the beauty in everything. Calgary, get ready to find the beauty in a new exhibit: Beyond Van Gogh. After being postponed for months because of Covid-19, Beyond Van Gogh is officially open in Calgary. Located in the BMO Centre at Stampede Park, Beyond Van Gogh is an immersive art experience that let’s you see more than 300 of Vincent Van Gogh’s ..read more

If you’re looking for a new lunch spot, or a place to grab some refreshing food, you’re in luck! With a mission to provide wholesome food, Fresh Healthy Cafe serves up everything you could ever want for a nutritious meal. Their menu has a variety of items such as Salads, Bowls, Juices, Smoothies, Sandwiches, and so much more! In addition, their menu can easily accomodate any dietary restrictions you might have! The service here is also amazing, the staff really goes out of their way to ensure you have a positive experience. They are located in West Springs, so next time you’re in the area, I w ..read more

With products from 24 local vendors in one spot, For Goodness Bake serves up something special. This spot was recently opened in 2021 and has since had such a huge impact on the Calgary Vegan community! I know many people think that vegan food is boring or too healthy, but i’m telling you that For Goodness Bake will have a product to prove you wrong. They have a wide variety of meals, desserts, drinks, and frozen items, so there really is something for everyone! Although all of the food is amazing, it’s the environment of the store that really stands out! The owners are super friendly and tal ..read more

From the creative minds behind Brekkie and Sammie Cafe, Chef Percilla Rubio Gutscher has created Maven, their latest spot for delectable brunch, memorable cocktails, gorgeous plants and delicious coffees. Combining a restaurant, cafe and plant shop into a one of a kind brunch experience, Maven is definitely a spot to add to your growing brunch list. This new-ish eatery is located on 17th Avenue SW, with brunch served in the front and a full plant shop and cafe in the back. Maven is able to capture life’s experiences through culinary expertise to bring a menu and space inspired by storytelling ..read more

Serving up ramen, rice bowls, and various Japanese appetizers, Oishidesu has something for all tastes! Oishidesu serves up quality food in a quick and affordable manner. They’re driven by their passion for food, but also by the desire to bring the flavours and experiences of Japanese Ramen to YYC. Not only is the food good, but the staff here are some of the kindest people that i’ve met. As a family owned business, they have a sense of community with their customers in all of their locations. Oishidesu aims to provide a great customer experience and they certainly live up to it. There are many ..read more

If you’re on the lookout for a good takeout spot, Tori K is the perfect place to go! Located on Centre St, its a great place to stop to grab lunch, supper, or a mid-shopping snack. They have a variety of cheaply priced and delicious Japanese Street food options as well as Bubble Tea. Their menu includes Skewers, Sandwiches, and Bento-like boxes. The food was super satisfying and checked off all of the right boxes. As well, the staff were super friendly! Tori K just opened up last week, so make sure to visit and spread the word! Mains/RiceBoxes: For only $5.99, Tori K offers a Rice Box with you ..read more

Abbey’s Creations serves up a variety of Asian inspired ice cream flavours, as well as crazy sundaes, milkshakes, and bubble tea! If you’re looking for a great Ice Cream experience, this is the place to go! Milkshake (left) and sundae (right) Abbey’s Creation’s just opened up a new location at 4950 McCall Way NE and I got the opportunity to check it out! If you haven’t been to their original location in Bowness, you’re missing out big time. The Bowness location opened up in 2020 and has since made a huge impact! All of their ice cream is handmade without the use of preservatives or artificial ..read more