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Posted on
August 25, 2011
by
Rob Campbell
Well… we have been “kidless” around our house for the last few days, so the wife and I have been enjoying some romantic nights out. My good friend Jared Kichula and his stunning wife Aja have just returned from their honeymoon, so they invited us to join them for dinner at their wonderful restaurant La Vita e Bella, in the historic Dafoe Terrace Building in Victoria Park.
La Vita e Bella has been a labor of love for Jared and Aja, and it shows in every aspect of this warm and s...
Posted on
July 25, 2011
by
Rob Campbell
Well this is a first for me. A client texted me yesterday to let me know that he was sorry that the café in Canmore that he was considering buying had “ditched”. Unsure of what he meant, I called to ask. He informed me that a family member who lives in Canmore was told that the owners of the restaurant had done a “midnight move” and stripped the place bare. Not only that, but they had left a DEAD horse on the front lawn!
Not that I didn’t believe him or his kin,...
Posted on
March 6, 2011
by
Rob Campbell
Can I use the word “WOP” without offending my many Italian friends? Well…. in this case I don’t have a choice and if I offend you with the reference, then go down to 1216 - 9th Ave SE, walk upstairs and tell Executive Chef Angelo Contrada and his business partner Jesse Johnson how you feel. But while you’re there..... try the pizza!!
This is the latest homerun from the duo that brought us Sugo in 2001. WOP is located right next door to Sugo in the old Nectar Desserts...
Posted on
October 1, 2010
by
Rob Campbell
I just want to take a minute to thank the Alefantis Brothers of The Broken Plate Group of Restaurants for the invite to last Saturday's inaugural Greek Poker Tourny. All of the profits went to benefit the Calgary Hellenic Society's Special Projects Fund.
Now... being a poker virgin, I was a little hesitant to sit down at the tables. But after hearing that the 4th place player had never played before, and had a set of rules in his pocket, I am bound and determined to play next time!
The cast of characters...
Posted on
May 27, 2010
by
Rob Campbell
Doing our best to get in a little "no kids/date time" last week, my wife and I managed to escape for a few hours and enjoy some patio time on Stephen Ave. With the weather as warm as it was, the patios were packed, but we were glad to get a space at Divino's. We enjoyed a number of appetizer plates (the House Made Rabbit Sausage was outstanding!), and a great bottle of wine (2007 Robert Weil Riesling). Our server Brett was very well versed on the menu and wine list and made the evening.
While we were...
Posted on
March 8, 2010
by
Rob Campbell
Well it was another reason to hire a babysitter and explore the Calgary food scene, my lovely wife's birthday! When our close friends Oliver and Meg Malana (Oliver is the GM of Canadian Linen here in Calgary) heard the reason for the proposed night out, they quickly called one of Oliver's accounts and made reservations. This was my first visit to Il Sogno, so the anticipation was high to sample the culinary artistry I had heard so much about.
We arrived a few minutes early and were greeted with a...
Posted on
November 11, 2009
by
Rob Campbell
It was an amazing night of music, food and friendship at the University of Calgary Theatre on Monday night as the AHEPA Family, The Broken Plate Restaurants and the Alefantis Family sponsored an evening of music to benefit FARA and the search for a cure for Friedreich's Ataxia. This debilitating disease has recently touched the Greek community in Calgary and they rallied to raise as much money as possible to aid in researching a treatment and hopefully a cure. Dana and I were very grateful to be invited...
Posted on
November 1, 2009
by
Rob Campbell
Got an email this morning from my buddy Rob Hilditch of the Joey's Only group of companies, telling me he is growing a moustache (Texas handlebar with a soul patch I was later informed) to raise money for Prostate Cancer research. So after I stopped shaking with laughter and found my Blackberry on the floorboard of my truck, (all the while trying not to drive off the road) I fired up the laptop and donated $50 bucks to this physically impossible, yet very good cause on behalf of Rob's efforts.
Now...
Posted on
October 14, 2009
by
Rob Campbell
On Saturday night I met some friends at 1600 World Bier Haus, in the Glenmore Landing Shopping Centre at 90th Ave and 14thStreet SW, to celebrate a birthday. Now, it was a short notice kinda thing, so when it was put together, I got a call asking if there was anyway I might be able to help out with getting us a table. (I know a couple of people in the restaurant and pub biz I guess was the rationale for the call, LOL)
Well... I sheepishly called my good friend George Haralabakos to...
Posted on
October 4, 2009
by
Rob Campbell
Once again, Twitter has lead me to another unique find, a Blog by a local Calgary foodie!
If you are into eatin', loungin' or just plain hangin out, this is a great look at the Calgary food scene from the eyes of a local lover of food and traveler. Take a minute and scroll through the tastes and textures of ugonnaeatthat.com. I enjoyed it, and I know you will too!

Cheers!
Suggested Blog Articles
Here is a new listing that I am happy to post in Calgary.
Excellent opportunity to acquire a well located restaurant and bar space on Calgary’s highly desirable 17th Avenue SW. This location offers strong exposure, steady traffic, a good patio, and the flexibility for a new owner to continue with the existing style of business or bring in an entirely new food and beverage concept.
The space is already set up as a full service restaurant and bar, but the real value is in the location, the lease, the patio, and the ease of conversion. The kitchen has been recently renovated, which gives a new operator a major head start and helps avoid the cost and downtime of a major back of house buildout. The front of house area can be refreshed or redesigned without a complicated renovation, making it a good fit for many different concepts, including casual dining, lounge, pub, cocktail bar, specialty cuisine, quick service, or a new branded restaurant.
The rent is very attractive for 17th Avenue SW and should be viewed as one of the strongest selling features of this opportunity. For an operator looking to control occupancy costs while securing a presence in one of Calgary’s best known restaurant and entertainment areas, this is a very compelling option.
This is a great opportunity for an owner operator, experienced restaurant group, or growing food and beverage brand looking for a flexible space in a strong inner city location. With a renovated kitchen, good lease economics, a patio, and the ability to rebrand or convert the decor with relative ease, this location provides a solid foundation for a new operator to step in and make it their own. 
Here is a new listing that I am happy to post in 75 White AVENUE in Bragg Creek.
This is a multifaceted listing of a rare commercial property in Bragg Creek, Alberta. There is a fully functioning, high quality restaurant operation with an impeccable reputation ready for new ownership, as well as the potential down the road to redevelop the site with a larger commercial use such as a boutique hotel. The long term potential of this property is excellent, as it sits very close to the approved Gateway Village Development, a 12.6 acre master-planned mixed use resort style project.
This beautiful hamlet has long been an escape for people to enjoy a weekend away from the city, a place to enjoy the outdoors and great food. The local area is known for its hiking, biking, camping, horseback riding and its quaint shops and restaurants. The tourism business has always been extremely vibrant in the area and it growing every year, with more and more people making the trip to Bragg Creek. The Bavarian Inn Restaurant in Bragg Creek is For Sale, located a short drive from the world famous Kananaskis Country recreational area and up against the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, it is a legendary staple in the Southern Alberta dining scene.
Since the 1970’s the BAV TAV, also known as the Bavarian Inn Restaurant has been renowned for its service and consistent quality dining experience. The owners have continually maintained a solid reputation as a place you go for a casual dinner with the family or to book a party and celebrate a special occasion.
The building and property are a gem and very well maintained, featuring a 3000sqft(+/-) purpose built restaurant with a dining room and a separate freshly renovated lounge/bar area. The wonderful wrap around patio serves both the dining room and the lounge. The kitchen is well laid out with lots of prep area and the equipment is in excellent repair, with a large walk-in cooler. The dining room has a warm and welcoming feel, with a great mix of table sizes that are well spaced for a comfortable dining environment. Lots of windows give you great natural light during the day for lunches and a wood burning fireplace completes the ambiance on the chilly nights.
There are a few other exciting parts of this opportunity, like the potential to expand on the property if you chose to. The full basement could be built out as an event space or some other sort of venue or business, or as a living space for the owner. This is an opportunity that you really need to see to fully appreciate the potential of the property and business. Please call to arrange a private tour so you can see it for yourself.
Here is a new listing that I am happy to post in 3 7116 Macleod TRAIL SE in Calgary.
Turnkey Pizza Take-Out & Delivery Restaurant – Prime Macleod Trail Location
An excellent opportunity to open your own pizza concept without the hassle of building from scratch. Located on busy Macleod Trail, just two blocks from Chinook Centre, this fully equipped take-out and delivery restaurant offers outstanding visibility, signage exposure, and convenient customer parking.
Key Features:
Professionally built-out kitchen with commercial exhaust hood
3-deck impinger pizza oven, dough stretcher, and stand mixer
3-door pizza prep table, walk-in cooler, and chest freezer
Efficient layout designed for high-volume take-out and delivery
Bring your menu, turn on the ovens, and start serving pizza from day one. Save on build-out costs and get into one of Calgary’s most desirable commercial locations quickly and affordably. |