Scandinave Les Bains
71, rue de la Commune O., 514-288-2009, scandinavemontreal.com
À table tout le monde
361, rue Saint-Paul O., 514-750-0311, atabletoutlemonde.com
Miss Villeray
220, rue Villeray, 514-658-3969, missvilleray.com
Le port de tête
What Specializing in general literature and social sciences, this bookshop stocks both new and used books. Why With its creaky hardwood floors, overflowing shelves and friendly staff, it’s easy to see how their many regulars feel at home here.
262, avenue du Mont-Royal E., 514-678-9566
Monsieur B.
What It only took a few months for Montée de lait’s old Plateau locale to find a new owner. Why The French-inspired menu lists delectable dishes at affordable prices. Bring your own wine to complement the excellent steak tartare.
371, rue Villeneuve E., 514-845-6066
Biotiful
What A health-food store with an organic bent where you can find eco-friendly everything, from cosmetics to cleaning supplies.Why The takeaway counter is a great place to grab a freshly made sandwich on markouk bread or a tabbouleh salad to go.
104, rue Laurier O., 514-807-0716, biotiful.ca
Scratch Espresso Bar
What Local art, music, food and fashion are all part of the Scratch coffee break. Why The graffitied façade portrays people in the neighbourhood, a true testament to the café’s commitment to its community. On the inside, couches, barstools and a large communal cement-board table encourage all manner of chatter.
1358 Bathurst St., 416-536-2220, scratchespresso.com
Chabichou
What On top of gourmet cheeses, this shop also houses other fine foods like special spices and homemade pâté. Why To spruce up your sandwich, you get to choose from over 60 varieties of cheese. Pop in next door at Tati Bistro for a baguette or French pastry to seal the delicious deal.
196 Borden St., 647-430-4942, chabichou.ca
Hank’s Café
What Jamie Kennedy is en route to ubiquity with his latest venue, which once again demonstrates the impeccability of his dining formula. Why Located next to the Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar, the low-key Hank’s features a soul-food menu with homemade granola for breakfast and a daily stew for lunch. It’s slightly friendlier on the wallet, though just as chic.
9.5 Church St., 647-288-0670,jamiekennedy.ca
Zoots Café
What A cozy café in Dundas West with a wide range of loose-leaf teas, organic fair-trade coffee, and pastries from local bakeries, like Clafouti’s chocolate almond croissant. Why Details like vintage vinyl stools, quirky out-of-print books and aged board games, make for a delicious time warp.
1438 Dundas St. W., 416-536-2233
Vdara
What This new Queen West restaurant strives to charm foodies and local hipsters alike with its “upper bohemian” style. Why The offbeat décor combines dark wood tables and black and white chairs with a faux-antler chandelier and a grey stone wall. Nurse a cocktail at the monthly gallery night, with local artist Andy Schmidt currently on display.
735 Queen Street W., 416-868-3272, vdararestaurant.com
The Green Beanery
What Born out of the non-profit online store, the shop that sits across from Honest Ed’s is both a café and a retail space offering a wide range of caffeineophile paraphernalia. Why The GB promotes micro-roasting and supports small farms. Enjoy a conscience-friendly coffee as you gaze through large windows at the bustling Annex.
565 Bloor St. W., 416-964-9223, greenbeanery.ca
Housebrand
What Local architectural firm, John Brown, has recently added a design store to its ever-expanding portfolio of home beautification businesses. Why Not satisfied to just design, build and even sell homes, Brown will now help decorate. Choose from furnishings by Benson, out of Vancouver, Italy’s Arper dining chairs and lighting by Bocci, as well as fabrics and pillows from New York.
2212 4th St. S.W., #202, 403-229-4330, housebrand.ca
Meet
What A combination juice, martini and dessert bar, Meet is the latest offering from the people who brought us Coup, the popular vegetarian restaurant on 17th. Why With fresh, healthy juices like carrot and beet, a cocktail list that lookslike it was created by a nutritionist, and desserts like Frangelico chocolate mousse and lemon lavender custard shortbread, this place provides the perfect balance of vice and virtue.
924b 17th Avenue S.W., 403-541-1041
Frocks
What Always a bridesmaid? After several years in Vancouver, Frocks, a brand new boutique dedicated primarily to bridesmaids, has opened in Calgary. Why By appointment only, Frocks dresses bridesmaids, flower girls and, yes, the occasional bride in the latest silhouettes and fabrics.
1006 Macleod Trail S.E., 403-263-5580, frocks.ca
Vij’s Ready-To-Go Frozen Meals
What Long a staple on the Vancouver food scene, Vij’s has brought a line of ready-to-cook frozen meals to Calgary. Why Saag Paneer (a mix of spinach, rapini and greens), curried chickpeas, or chicken in Vij’s masala are world famous and now available at Cookbook Co. Cooks.
722 11th Avenue S.W., 403-265-6066, cookbookcooks.com
The Gallery
What The inspiration for this hip new shop on Calgary’s busy 17th Avenue is the intersection of fashion and art. You’ll find unique streetwear from L.A., New York and Tokyo. Why Be sure to check out the tees and sweaters by local designer Light and Soul Apparel. And while you’re there, take a minute to enjoy the rotating monthly art shows dedicated to local talent.
1013 17th Ave. S.W., Suite 113, 403-561-4457, gallerystyles.com
Premiere Interiors
What This one-stop shop for renovating has everything from Blanco fixtures and Wolf Ranges to Caesarstone quartz countertops and custom cabinetry. Why All the staple brands of high-end home décor are here, but the real stars of the showroom are the clean, green bio-ethanol fireplaces.
7144 Fisher St. S.E., 403-444-8888, premiereinteriors.ca
The Ferocious Grape
What This recently opened Midtown wine shop is riding the wave of an ever-growing trend toward showcasing boutique wineries.Why With a focus on selections from Italy and California, the vibe is simultaneously refined and unpretentious. Offering tastings, classes and helpful hints, the focus is on making fine wine fun.
833 10th Ave. S.W., 403-457-0099, theferociousgrape.com
Walrus
What This new minimalist, white-on-white store on Cambie carries exclusive pieces like whimsical ceramics (inspired by take-out containers) from designer Lorena Barrezueta. Why Owners Caroline Boquist and Daniel Kozlowski both earned their design bona fides at Inform Interiors, the city’s Mecca for all things contemporary, before launching their own lifestyle shop.
3408 Cambie St., 604-874-9770, walrushome.com
Posh
What A new all-you-eat sukiyaki (Japanese hot pot) restaurant just west of South Granville on Burrard. Why Forget all-you-can-eat’s sullied reputation. This modern, boisterous room serves healthy and delicious hot-pot style soup with all sorts of exotic ingredients cooked (by you) at the table.
101–1788 W. Broadway, 604-737-7674, 303-posh.com
Deacon’s Corner
What A slick new breakfast spot, favoured by Gastown coolhunters, from the owners of Cobre restaurant. Why One word: pancakes. A stack of three, each the size of a dinner plate, plus eggs, bacon or ham, and hashbrowns for a ten spot. The diner is back, baby.
101 Main St., 604-684-1555, deaconscorner.ca
Whistler Tasting Tours
What The Olympics are now less than a year away. Celebrate with an evening touring five Whistler restaurants, each offering a sumptuous dish paired with a B.C. wine. Why It’s a fantastic (and frugal) way to experience Whistler’s finest rooms, and scope out the 2010 venues before the pandemonium begins.
604-902-8687, whistlertastingtours.com
Body Politic
What A new South Main boutique carrying sustainable designs with an urban aesthetic – no granola here. Why Discover new-to-Canada lines like Teich vintage leather handbags in bright colours – all vegetable tanned and chrome-free – and Bahar Shahpar, a Brooklyn-based designer of dresses and separates carried by Saks Fifth Avenue.
208 E. 12th Ave., 604-568-5528, bodypolitic.ca
Chi at the Shangri-La
What The hotel’s swanky new Himalayan-style spa, the first in North America, is now open. Why Hard times call for otherworldly escapes and Chi delivers with Tibetan singing bowls, ringing tingsha cymbals and treatments like the Jade Jewel Facial that uses a jade tool in combination with specialized massage techniques.
1128 W. Georgia St., 604-689-1120, shangri-la.com
Photos: (Montreal) courtesy of Scandinave Les Bains, (Toronto) courtesy of Hans Wontorra, (Calgary) courtesy of Housebrand, (Vancouver) Courtesy Gucio Photography.
