Restaurants

The Best New Restaurants to Dine at This Spring

A ’70s speakeasy, a new locale for a famed Calgary chef and more.

By Western Living /

A '70s speakeasy, a new locale for a famed Calgary chef and more.

Saint Cecilia

535 Yates St., Victoria

Who  Berit Ertz and Thorsten Hoefling, a pair of German ex-pats with a passion for roasts from their home country.

Why we’re excited Can we be honest? As much as we can appreciate a good pour-over, our fave coffee haunts are more about atmosphere than bean origin. So new café Saint Cecelia has the advantage right out the gate thanks to an art-deco atmosphere courtesy of local design darling Kyla Bidgood—and the stellar flat whites are just icing on the cake. instagram.com/saintceciliavictoria

Sunday’s Child

2509 Estevan Ave., Victoria

Who Local foodie stalwarts Jamie and Jesse Owens (Hide and Seek Coffee) and Susannah Ruth Bryan (Ruth and Dean).

Why we’re excited French food can sometimes feel high-falutin’, but under the guidance of the Owenses and Bryan, it’s downright chill. Expect West Coast takes on classics like croque madame and brouillade aux champignons. sundayschild.ca

Key Party

2303 Main St., Vancouver

Who The retro-dining enthusiasts behind Rumpus Room, the Narrow Lounge and Emerald Supper Club.

Why we’re excited What looks like a plain-Jane accounting office in Mount Pleasant is actually a front for something much more interesting: a swinging ’70s speakeasy, complete with tacky wall murals, dark wood panelling and delightfully old-school cocktails (Cherry Paralyzer, anyone?). Leave your tax forms at home. keyparty.ca

Foreign Concept

12445 Lake Fraser Dr. SE, Calgary

Who Chef Duncan Ly of Foreign Concept has opened this outpost in Avenida Mall.

Why we’re excited The original room in Calgary’s Beltline neighbourhood pulled in awards and nominations for its take on pan-Asian dishes and craft cocktails; a second location at Avenida Mall just means twice as many opportunities to snack on that chili lemongrass roasted eggplant. foreignconcept.ca

The Sensory and Wit Bar

101–300 Old Canmore Rd., Canmore

Who Chef Tracy Little, former executive chef at Milton Lake Lodge.

Why we’re excited It’s a two-in-one deal, with a bonus of killer Rocky Mountain views: Sensory is culinarily focused, serving comfort food made from Bow Valley-foraged ingredients, while the cozy accompanying Wit Bar focuses on craft cocktails and share plates. thesensory.ca

Western Living

Western Living

The editorial team at Western Living loves nothing more than a perfectly designed space, place or thing: and we’re here to tell you about it. Email us your pitches at [email protected].