Monday 7 May 2012

Eating Green Across Canada: Calgary


Calgary is quickly growing into one of Canada's powerhouses and is the largest city in Alberta (which has become the strongest province economically over the last ten years due in large part to the crude oil and gas industry). Say what you will about its tar sands, there are plenty of opportunities to achieve a balance by eating green and Calgary has some of the best.

Higher Ground


1126 Kensington Road Northwest
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
(403) 270-3780


An operation spanning 30 years, Higher Ground is a longstanding institution in Calgary offering organic drinks, fair trade coffee, and a variety of meal options. In addition to being a great place to hang out, they have also been preaching green for some time and include a green mission on their website. 
  
The Coup + Meet Restaurant and Lounge

924 17th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
(403) 541-1041

Certainly among the restaurants at the vanguard of the green movement, The Coup offers an eclectic menu serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as goodies in their lounge area. In an effort to ensure their clients can eat with a good conscience, The Coup utilizes the following green techniques: powering by wind,  composting raw material, recycling products, offering tax-free take-out to those who bring their own containers, and planting 36 trees each month to offset their waste. Wow - and I hear the food is pretty great too!

Rouge Restaurant

1240 8th Avenue S.E.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
(403) 531-2767

Rouge represents the fine dining option of the Calgary organic scene. They have a philosophy where the ingredients come first, and that the best and most flavorful ingredients are found locally. As such, they work closely with local farmers and growers to get the best from the land and list on their menu the farms that they have close associations with.


Vue Cafe
 
816 11th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
(403) 263-4346

Mainly a place to stop for lunch, Vue specializes in panini sandwiches, big salads, and artisanal cheeses all made from organic ingredients. Vue, besides being a full-service lunch café, is also an art gallery and is available for private functions.

Farm Restaurant
 
1006 17th Avenue Southwest
Calgary, Alberta
403-245-2276

In partnership with other local farms, where produce is grown organically and animals are treated ethically, Farm is a place to not only eat but to learn about how what you eat is raised and grown; they are quite literally a farm where everything served comes from right nearby. They offer a la carte options as well as Harvest (table d'hote) menus designed for groups.