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As a French-trained chef with a sturdy resume, Danny Ta might simply be cooking high quality eating fare at a giant resort or fancy golf course. However today, the chef spends his time in a strip mall that straddles Brentwood and Dalhousie in northwest Calgary, slinging breakfast dishes in addition to comparatively humble lunches and dinners. Ta’s new 25-seat restaurant Bonjour Saigon could also be small and deliberately unassuming, however the chef couldn’t be happier as he cooks the meals that’s most significant to him as an individual.
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Ta moved to Calgary from Winnipeg two years in the past, instantly falling in love with the creativity and variety of our meals scene. Eager to create one thing from his coronary heart, he determined to show to his Vietnamese background for his new enterprise, which opened final October. Realizing most Calgarians are already greater than well-acquainted with the ever present pho noodle soup, he’s selecting to make use of his expertise to point out a distinct aspect of Vietnamese delicacies, with a particular emphasis on the French influences in Vietnamese meals.
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“I haven’t cooked Vietnamese meals at any level throughout my whole profession – that is my first Vietnamese place,” he says. “I used to be skilled in French and Italian delicacies, however Vietnamese meals has such a historical past with French delicacies. It’s nice to showcase some meals that most individuals haven’t seen, from a Vietnamese perspective.”
Bonjour Saigon’s identify is, in fact, a reference to that French/Vietnamese connection. Whereas a lot of the Vietnamese dishes that North People know properly contain French elements or strategies stemming from France’s colonization of Vietnam – assume the wealthy beef broth of pho and the baguettes that kind the spine of banh mi subs – Ta wished to make use of his meals to discover the meals relationship between the 2 nations even additional.
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Somewhat than going high-end, as we’ve seen with another restaurateurs increasing the notion of Vietnamese meals in Calgary, Ta opted to take issues informal, preserving his worth level accessible, however that doesn’t imply the meals and environment of Bonjour Saigon isn’t of a excessive commonplace. Sarcastically, the restaurant area was previously occupied by a pho spot, however Ta has reworked it right into a candy little cafe with cozy seating. With a group of classic mugs, a homey vibe, and the chef himself usually standing behind the counter to greet company, the private nature of the restaurant is a giant a part of its enchantment.
One of many cornerstones of the menu is the bò hâm ($15), a household recipe that originated with Ta’s grandfather and was handed all the way down to his mother, who then taught him the way to make it. The dish is a standard wealthy French beef stew made even higher with Vietnamese flavours and greens. Along with serving the fragrant stew as an entree over rice noodles or with a baguette, Ta has developed a beef brisket sandwich ($13) that comes with a aspect of stew for dipping, bringing a brand new dimension to the concept of a French dip.
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The remainder of Bonjour Saigon’s lunch and dinner menu is equally comforting, with dishes like salad rolls ($9), charbroiled skewers ($12), attention-grabbing takes on banh mi and different sandwiches ($13) and noodle bowls ($15). Ta additionally does a preferred breakfast service, with Vietnamese flavours taking part in into conventional Western breakfast objects to various levels. Ta’s love of pancakes is properly represented ($10, which incorporates eggs, espresso or tea, a aspect, and maple butter cream sauce) and there’s additionally a Vietnamese marinated steak and eggs ($14), and a hearty banh mi hash bowl with ham, paté, butter sauce, and a aspect of baguette ($12).
Ta is a gifted chef with huge concepts, so count on an evolving menu with new dishes rising over time. For now, Bonjour Saigon is open from 9 a.m. to eight p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 8 a.m. to six p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with a particular weekend brunch menu. The restaurant is situated at #3, 3616 52nd Ave. N.W. and may be reached at 403-732-6072 or by means of bonjoursaigonyyc.com. Reservations are accepted and Bonjour Saigon additionally affords catering choices.
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In different restaurant information, April is upon us, which implies it’s time for Filipino Restaurant Month in Canada. Eating places throughout the nation shall be providing particular prix fixe menus to assist introduce diners to the deliciousness and variety of Filipino meals. Calgary, which has a very vibrant Filipino group, has probably the most taking part eating places of any metropolis. Search for celebratory menus at eating places like Amihan Grill and Bakeshop, Chopstix, Nan’s Noodle Home, and a handful of others, in addition to Kain Tayo in Canmore. For extra info, go to filipinorestaurantmonth.ca.
Lastly, River Cafe shall be internet hosting its Roots and Shoots dinner on April 25. This celebration of native elements and sustainability will characteristic programs by the restaurant’s personal Scott MacKenzie, in addition to visitor cooks from Rouge, Concorde Group, Teatro, and Toronto’s esteemed Canoe restaurant. Tickets are $225 per individual and embody canapés, a six-course dinner with wine pairing, and a welcome cocktail. For extra info, go to river-cafe.com.
Elizabeth Chorney-Sales space may be reached at elizabooth@gmail.com. Observe her on Instagram at @elizabooth or join her e-newsletter at hungrycalgary.substack.com.
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