About Calgary City Editor
Calgary City Editor Ricky Zayshley knows a good thing when he sees one. His heart races when he discovers a new hotspot and his mouth waters at the sight of delectable food. After years of living out east, this Prairie boy has found his way back home and can’t wait to dish about sweet finds in his favourite city.
It’s official: I have a new apartment. After months of living with benevolent friends and family while I transitioned from Toronto to Calgary, I finally have a place to call my own — which brings along a wealth of challenges and new discoveries.
Let’s start off with the challenges: my apartment is virtually empty. Some people might look at my place and think: college student. I look at it and think: blank canvas. I can feel my decorating impulses start to kick into high gear. My Toronto apartment was a continual work in progress. It was about 100 years old, so I worked with the built-in charm to created a space that was comfy and elegant (in my opinion):
My new apartment is a mod 60s low rise. I’m really quite excited to explore mid-century modern design and I plan to make my new space quirky, fun, colourful and eclectic. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with Jonathan Adler. I think his aesthetic is a perfect blend of past and present. Take a look at a few of his current offerings:
Aren't they perfect? I’ve already spent eons ogling over the beautiful pieces at Kit. Not only do they have a great selection of Jonathan Adler, they also carry a huge range of modern design classic. Last time I was in they had yards and yards of Marimekko fabrics on clearance — window treatments!
But I do think that it’s really important to not dwell on one era or way of decorating, so I’ll definitely mix it up. I love exploring Chintz & Company’s three floors of eye-catching furniture, and I love the ornate and romantic pieces at Peridot. Of course, I’ll definitely end up buying lots of stuff at Ikea, the favourite standby. I plan on lining up several Billy bookcases to create a library wall to encourage me to read more. Stay tuned for ongoing coverage of my apartment's transformation (coming up: before and after pictures!).
Now onto the discoveries: I love exploring new neighbourhoods! For the past few months I lived in Lower Mount Royal. I loved walking to Chiasso for an Americano, picking up a bottle of wine from The Wine Shop and grabbing dinner at The Coup. I was worried moving to a new neighbourhood (Killarney) would cramp my style — my worrying was in vain. I love this area.
I’ve already been coming to this hood for my favourite pho sate soup at Pho Huong Viet (3855 17 Ave. S.W.) and the nearly perfect bulgalbi at Bow Bulgogi House (3515 17 Ave. S.W.). And yes, as a proud Ukrainian, I’m happy to say the perogies at Heritage Bakery & Deli (1912 37 St. S.W.) are very good (but not as good as my grandma’s). As an aspiring Italian, I long for the ridiculously cheesy pizza at Greco's PIzza.
The first morning at my new place, my roommate and I wandered over to Donegal Irish Pub for the $4.99 Big Breakfast, which is big indeed. And tasty, too. I strolled over to Shaganappi Grocery Store (3919 17 Ave. S.W.) for a few mouth-watering Mediterranean delicacies. I picked up some feta and spinach–stuffed popovers and a couple slices of baklava. So good. So sweet.
Every day I keep seeing new restaurants to try and stores to pop into, and I’ll definitely write about the best of the best. I have high expectations for Little Lebanon Pita & Donair (3515 17 Ave. S.W.) and Amici Sushi (1908 17 Ave. S.W.).
Calgarians: what are your favourite local gems? Killarnians: what places should I check out?