article content
The master plan to develop the land surrounding 32North Dakota Avenue and Shaganappi Trail, NW, west of the university, was a major project for the University of Calgary Properties Group (UCPG), formerly known as West Campus Development.
Announcement 2
article content
It is remarkable how the area has been, and continues to be, transformed from a wasteland to a great new community.
It already contains eye-catching multi-family residences and a nursing home serviced by a Save-On-Foods grocery store, a Cineplex VIP movie theater and a main shopping street designed to make shopping and dining easy.
It has attracted some excellent retail establishments and a recently opened Canadian brewery; this month will see the opening of another quality piece of the puzzle, a much-anticipated and much-needed contemporary Northwest restaurant.
Borough Bar + Grill is a new venture from Murrieta’s Hospitality that celebrates North America’s unique culinary tradition in a casual yet expressive space.
Announcement 3
article content
Designed by Fort Architecture, it covers 4,500 square feet, accommodates 138 guests on one level, another 3,000 square feet of lavishly decorated patio space, plus a 40-foot dog patio for the many dog walkers who frequent Main Street and the walking trails.
Adjacent to the main entrance from the plaza area is BBG Patisserie, offering coffee to go and a variety of fresh sandwiches, with breads made in the restaurant’s kitchen.
The open kitchen, outfitted with $400,000 in new equipment, including a vertical rotisserie, will be overseen by Murietta’s Hospitality Corporate Chef Daniel Pizarro. It promises New York-style haute cuisine favorites like rotisserie chicken, ribs and whole fish.
The restaurant will also offer a selection of around 100 wines.
Announcement 4
article content
Indoor social dining spaces will include a grand bar with banquet tables and full service menu, main dining room, private dining room and a unique chef’s table near the kitchen for large parties.
The 148-seat patio is sure to be a big draw, as it faces south directly onto the three-acre summer/winter Central Commons Park, which will feature a cooled winter skating rink, a splash pad , concert staging area, picnic areas and even biker showers before heading to the Borough Bar for a drink.
Watching the skaters is made even more comfortable by two large outdoor gas fireplaces and ceiling heaters that reach as low as -15C.
The restaurant filters all of its water and plans to donate the net profits to children’s charities; for the first few months, the profit will go to its neighbor, Alberta Children’s Hospital.
ad 5
article content
The location also benefits from being next to the entrance to the University District’s 500-stall underground parking lot that allows diners and shoppers three hours of free parking.
Borough Bar + Grill is scheduled to open next week under the direction of General Manager Rohit Sharma, who recently moved here from Vancouver to oversee the operation and hire and train more than 40 enthusiastic employees.
UCGP President and CEO James Robertson says, “We continue to expand our culinary and entertainment offerings in the University District, and Borough Bar + Grill will be another great addition to our collection, truly making the neighborhood a fantastic place to live, work and play.”
Other recent openings include Fuwa Fuwa Japanese Pancakes, Foxy Box Wax Bar, Almond Nail Bar, and healthcare apparel and uniform retailer Bottoms Up Scrubs.
ad 6
article content
Grades:
• Sad to report the passing of Norman (Skip) McDonald, a partner at Horton McDonald Developments, a passionate Calgarian who gave so much to this community. Born in Calgary to a pioneering Cochrane ranching family, Skip’s contributions to this city include serving on the board of Glenbow and Foothills Hospital and honorary colonel of the Calgary Highlanders. He was also very active in provincial politics, especially during the Klein years.
• Not all of Stampede’s new dining experiences are on the grounds. Highly trained Teppanyaki chefs will serve Green Tea Pancakes at OMO Teppan & Kitchen during their annual Stampede Breakfast on Macleod Trail on Saturday.
David Parker appears regularly in the Herald. Read online at calgaryherald.com/business. He can be reached at 403-830-4622 or via email at [email protected].
