The Steak Out

Calgary has a lot to be proud of this year, from the 100^th anniversary of the Stampede to being named Cultural Capital of Canada. And then there’s the steak. For your own local steak tour, start here.

Park yourself in the sexy Raw Bar in Hotel Arts and discover a twist on steak in such dishes as the soya braised short rib and herb-crusted tenderloin topped with spiced crisps with coconut lime potato croquettes.

At Ox and Angela, try creative Spanish-style dishes such as the tapas plates of grilled 32-ounce AAA rib-eye cuts served with piquillo confit, aioli and mojo verde. Get the patatas bravas—potatoes seasoned with cumin, paprika and lemon—to share.

Still one of the city’s best-kept secrets, Anju is a Korean tapas restaurant helmed by Chef Roy Oh who marinates certified Angus beef rib-eye for 24 hours in traditional Korean spices. Don’t miss the addictive gochugaru panko breaded tofu with kimchi.

Thanks to Chef Paul Rogalski, Rouge is one of the top dining spots in the city. Local seasonal ingredients from the onsite garden shine in dishes like truffled elk carpaccio with arugula salad and Parmesan shavings. You can also order the bison strip loin medallions with toasted grains, pickled berries and seasonal mushrooms.

Originally published in up! magazine's July 2012 issue.