Multi-course Korean fare and fluffy Japanese pancakes, oh my! 

Lulu Bar

510 17 Ave. SW, Calgary

Who  Chefs JP Pedhirney and Joe Sokoloff take the lead with the latest addition to the Concorde Group.

Why we’re excited  Behind an ornate, nine-foot-tall wooden door, you’ll find the neighbourhood’s new local: snack on crossover palate- pleasers like hot dog bao and skewers of Thai sausage in the chic, tile-lined space. lulubar.ca

Cera Korean Restaurant

490 Pandora Ave., Victoria

Who  The creators of Nubo Japanese Tapas and E:Ne Raw Seafood Sake Bar.

Why we’re excited The menu is based on hanjeongsik, the traditional 18th-century Korean emperor’s feast, so consider us royally excited. nubocera.com

Gram Cafe

1284 Robson St. and 2145 W 41 Ave., Vancouver; Aberdeen Centre, 4151 Hazelbridge Way, Richmond

Who An iconic Japanese pancake chain.

Why we’re excited Kyoto’s over-the-top fluffy breakfast offerings changed the way we felt about pancakes forever, and Gram heroically aims to bring the same experience to Metro Vancouver, with both sweet and savoury options on offer. instagram.com/gramcanada

(Photo: Dean Cebuliak)

Cilantro Café

Emerald Lake Lodge, 1 Emerald Lake Rd., Field, B.C.

Who Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts, champions of the luxe lodge experience.

Why we’re excited  Perched on the lakeshore, Cilantro serves up house-made pizza and hearty chili made with bison from the resort’s own game ranch on an oversized, sun-soaked patio. crmr.com/emerald/dining

(Photo: Bonjwing Lee)

Hawthorn Dining Room and Bar

133 9 Ave. SW, Calgary

Who Hometown hero Bern Glatz (Ten Foot Henry, Anju) is the newly appointed executive chef; Dustin Makarenko (Hy’s, Ki Modern) steps in as GM.

Why we’re excited It’s the first new dining space added to the iconic Fairmont Palliser in 60 years, and beyond the family-style menu that taps Alberta’s farm bounty (like kohlrabi, pork belly and grits) there’s local design talent (Frank Architecture), too. hawthorndiningroom.ca

(Photo: Kyoko Fierro)

Open Outcry

475 Howe St., Vancouver

Who  Seán Heather, the man-with-a-plan behind Gastown’s most iconic snugs (Irish Heather, Salt Tasting Room).

Why we’re excited Heather’s leaning in to the history of Outcry’s former stock exchange location with the branding; we’re looking forward to similarly era-appropriate indulgences on the menu. openoutcry.ca

Stacey McLachlan

Stacey McLachlan

Stacey is a senior editor at Western Living magazine, as well as editor-in-chief of sister publication Vancouver magazine. She loves window shopping on the job: send your home accessories and furniture recommendations over to [email protected]