The Best Appetizers in Calgary

[driveway]

I'm not asking where they are, I've found them and I'm going to tell you.

The best appies can be found at Anju restaurant, 507 10st, SW. It's a Korean influenced restaurant, located just next to those two condo towers with the round balconies on 6th Ave.

To get there, head west on 6th, then turn Right onto 10th st. The restaurant is in a building that once was a house.

My co-workers and I found this place about three weeks ago now and I've been there at least fifteen times since, the couple who runs the place are young, awesome and unbelievably friendly.

You need to order:
The Yam Fries - this is what will keep you coming back. Bonus points to anyone who correctly identifies the 'crack' ingredient that makes them so freaking awesome.

The Calamari - not very Korean, but there is not better Calamari in Western North America, guaranteed.

The Chili Rice Noodles - just trust me on this one.

The Kimchi Rice Bowl with Pork Belly - Words can not express the awesomeness that is this dish. It will jump down your throat and throttle your soul with its awesome.

What else makes this place great? They're open late - weekdays until 1 and weekends until 2, so you can get food late, something this city is sorely, sorely lacking in.

Also, appies are half-price on weekends after 11.

www.anju.ca

[troutman]

Do they put a fried egg on top of everything? Last Korean restaurant I went to did that - yeeech.

[ok, ok,....I get it]

is this going to be an asian restaurent thread......bring you Kevlar

[HitterD]

Does this restaurant have an automatic tipping policy by chance?

[driveway]

No, they don't have an automatic tipping policy, and I have yet to be shot, shot at, or seen anyone else shot while dining there.

And no, there is not a fried egg on top of everything.

[troutman]

Where else in Calgary will you find good appetizers/tapas?

Kensington Wine Bar
Raw Bar
F.A.T.S. - great pub food
Greek Restaurants
King & I

[Jayems]

I'm pretty sure I don't want to know what the special ingredient is.

[enthused]

How much are they paying you?

[Dan02]

well it was a pretty good/well disguised pitch. I might have to give it a shot.

[driveway]

Jaro Blu on 17th is also great for tapas and I've heard good things about Vin Room.

While it's not a secret that I work in restaurants, it's also not a huge secret which one I work at, and it ain't Anju. I just want to see this place succeed so that I can keep wolfing down order after order of their food after I'm done work every night.

[mykalberta]

I tried Yam Fries at Boston Pizza, I loved them. If these are more awesome, then taht would be full of awesomeness. Although I dont see that on the menu.

Do they do take out?

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by troutman

Do they put a fried egg on top of everything? Last Korean restaurant I went to did that - yeeech.

You dissin' our fried egg love?

[pepper24]

When my wife and I lived downtown before selling out to the suburbs and having children we'd pick a few high end expensive type restaurants on a night out and pick an appetizer or 2 from each restaurant then move onto a neighboring restaurant. We'd alternate between 8 Avenue downtown, 17 Avenue and 4 St SW.

It gave us a good chance to get a taste of what Calgary has to offer without coughing up too much money. It was also a fun night out on the town.

[jammies]

That's only a couple blocks from my place. I'm all over it!

[ricosuave]

thanks, will give it a try soon!

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by troutman

Where else in Calgary will you find good appetizers/tapas?

Kensington Wine Bar
Raw Bar
F.A.T.S. - great pub food
Greek Restaurants
King & I

Tapas are Spanish, aren't they? I'm sure most spanish restaurants would serve Tapas.

[DESS]

The warm bread at The Keg is da bomb yo and it's free. :P

[an_album_cover]

Pomme Frites @ Divino FTW

[Kolbe31]

My girlfriend celebrated her birthday at Anju almost 2 months ago. They accomodated about 25 people in the upstairs part of the restaurant, served appy platters and it was fantastic. There were a few people at the party that ordered food off the actual menu, and they all said it was amazing. And yes, the yam fries are great!

The couple that runs the restaurant are super nice people, and were very accomodating for our group, including bringing in different kinds of liquor they didn't otherwise carry. I definitely recommend it for any occasion.

[Ducay]

This thread has inspired me to mention that, again, YAMS =/ SWEET POTATOES. I ought to sue all these restaurants for false advertising when I get my order of "yam" fries