A weekend road trip with the family to Calgary is a must! Especially, when there is no snow in sight in the month of November. Calgary is an amazing city to try new restaurants or even places I’ve wanted to experience but couldn’t.

A Japanese restaurant on my list with stellar online reviews is Big Catch Sushi Bar. They are well-known for their handcrafted sushi and fresh sashimi. I was impressed with their intimate setting and minimal, clean line design. The highlight for me had to be the Omakase 5 Piece Special Nigiri Set. It was melt in your mouth, deliciousness!

A staple spot for us when we touchdown is Pho Dau Bo. I can’t get enough of their Beef Carpaccio. The balance of sweet, spicy and sour with garnishes of Thai basil, red chili peppers and crispy shallots. YUM. We ordered their salt and pepper chicken wings and it’s now a new favourite of ours! The wings were crispy and well seasoned. Just to switch it up, I wanted to try another Vietnamese spot that was a staple in the city. We went to Rau Bistro and I was so impress with their Bun Rieu noodle soup dish and the Wrap and Roll. I enjoyed their modern take on classic Vietnamese delicious and I must say, their Ca Phe Sua Da (Ice Coffee w/ condensed milk) was solid! Very impressed.

Other notable mentions are Mari Bakeshop, Korilla Korean BBQ, Noble Pie and I Love You Coffee Shop. A mix of new, new and some recognizable spots. Happy to experience places that knows how to create a vibe but legit serve great pastries; Korean BBQ; pizza and coffee.

Not seen in my post is The Sunday Shop. AYY! Now that place is such a vibe to explore and purchase beautiful plants. Like who legit plays back-to-back Drake at a plant shop! Good on them. I think the plants are happily vibin’ to good beats! I bought a beautiful hanging plant and recyclable mustard yellow planter that I’m very happy with. My sister bought a beautiful miniature money plant. Such great additions to our plant collection.

Overall, a successful weekend getaway with my brother and sister! Beautiful weather, lovely vibes and great food. What more can I ask for.

Mari Bakeshop

Address: 103 St Matthew Square NE, Calgary, AB T2E 8H8

Website: www.maribakeshop.ca

What we ordered: Passion Fruit Choux, Ferrero-Rochoux, Matcha Choux, Ice Americano and Latte

Big Catch Sushi Bar

Address: 8835 Macleod Trail SW #130, Calgary, AB T2H 0M2

Website: www.bigcatchcalgary.ca

What we ordered: Omakase 5 Piece Special Nigiri Set, Chef’s Choice Sashimi 12 pc, Miso Soup, Tamago Nigiri and Hokkaido Scallop Nigiri

Rau Bistro

Address: 806 Centre St N, Calgary, AB T2E 8K1

Website: www.raubistroyyc.com

What we ordered: Wrap 2 (Beef La Lot, Sausage and Shrimp Paste w/ Tamarind Sauce), Bun Rieu (Soup 9) and Pho Bo Dac Biet (Soup 1) and Ca Phe Sua Da (Ice Coffee w/ condensed milk)

Korilla Korean BBQ

Address: 1410 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2T 5S8

Website: www.korilla.ca

What we ordered: 1410 GORILLA (Cote Galbi - Beef Short Rib Boneless, Chadol Bagi - Thin Sliced Beef Brisket, Hang Jeong - Sliced Pork Jowl, Daeji Galbi - Galbi Marinated Pork Shoulder and Sam Gyeop Sal - Pork Belly) and Cass Beers