Elizabeth Chorney-Booth

White wine is refreshing and red is rich and flavourful, but these days rosé is all the rage. Once considered a lesser wine, many top wineries are now producing high-quality pink wines that are perfect for all-season sipping. Check out these Calgary restaurants that have embraced the trend. [Image credit: iStock.com/Mark Swallow]

Whether it’s sunny or not, many Calgarians can’t resist the lure of an outdoor restaurant patio. The best feature great views, secluded locations or unique seating arrangements, but these seasonal seating areas may also feature their own special food and beverage menus. Here are a few top outdoor spots where you can enjoy exceptional open-air meals this summer. Image credit: iStock.com/stevecoleimages.

Calgary is a city that loves its pizza, but over the last half decade, the number of delicious and creative pizza joints here has exploded. Below are just a few of the best spots in town in which to enjoy premium pizza pies. Image credit: iStock.com/zoranam.

Ah, those buttery, flaky crescent rolls – there are few things more satisfying with a cup of coffee than a perfectly executed croissant. A good, authentically French croissant isn’t easy to make at home, but you can have yours and eat them, too, with a visit to any of these bakeries and patisseries. Image credit: iStock.com/robertsre.

Once exclusively the domain of ultra-fancy French restaurants, tartare is in! With casual pubs and creative high-concept restaurants all adding it to the menu, tartare is no longer a rare delicacy in Calgary. Here are some recommended spots to sample this “It” dish.

Sangria, a Spanish-style wine punch usually made with juice and fresh fruit, has become increasingly popular in North America for good reason: it’s an amazingly refreshing way to enjoy the flavour of wine. Here is a selection of restaurants that are prepared to quench your thirst. [Photo credit: iStock.com/bhofack2]

Calgary has never had such a profusion of pastry shops. On a daily basis, the patisseries, bakeries and cafés below roll out sweet desserts and savoury snacks that are warm and fresh. Enjoy these flaky treats on the spot (with a premium cup of coffee where it’s available), or take a selection to go.

Mussels are those black-shelled mollusks that are so often served in a flavourful broth with bread or French fries to soak up the extra juices. A staple of French, Spanish and East Coast North American cuisines, there are many delicious ways to prepare mussels, with or without the accompaniment of other seafood. Here are some of the best places in Calgary to get your mussels fix.

What makes for a perfect French fry? Whether you prefer thick-cut, shoe-strings or extra crispy, great burger joints and upscale restaurants alike know that a tasty plate of fries is just as important as the sandwich they’re meant to accompany. Here’s a list of Calgary eateries that make French fries the star of the show.

Calgary is a city that loves its breakfast and brunch, so it’s no surprise that the bustling Beltline neighbourhood is packed with scrumptious options for sunrise and mid-morning eats. From diner grub to fine French dining, there are countless delicious and satisfying ways to break your fast.

There’s no need to settle for a plate of iceberg lettuce topped with bottled Italian or French dressing when you’re out for lunch or dinner. Here are some Calgary restaurants that put care and creativity into preparing spectacular salad selections.

The Beltline – that neighbourhood directly south of downtown that is essentially the “middle” of Calgary – is rife with eateries, shops and, of course, places to drink. If you’re looking for a spot to park yourself and enjoy a pint, these joints are great for having a drink in the heart of the city.