Phoebe Fung was on sabbatical from her job in the oil and gas industry when she was walking along 4th Street SW and came across an old heritage building. “I saw it and said I’m going to create a wine bar out of it,” she recalls. Restoring the 1905 building was the first step to what is now one of Calgary’s premier wine bars, Vin Room. “While I was on sabbatical I was exploring passions and one of my passions was food and wine so I thought, why not? Wine is one of these multi-generational drinks that people can enjoy, whether you’re young or old.”
Jumping into the food and beverage industry may have been seen as an unusual career choice for a self-described oil and gas geek, but it didn’t stop her. Phoebe had hosted wine and tapas parties at her house so she understood how wine and food can bring people closer together. “The social aspect of dining is important,” she says. “You’re dining because you want to spend time with your family and friends. If you can create that sharing aspect in your food and in your wine then you have just elevated that experience for the diner.” The Vin Room creates that experience at all three of their Calgary locations.
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Even after all these years this is still a great place to meet some friends for a glass of wine and some appetizers.
The food was really good! However, a lot of the staff looked like they just rolled out of bed, while appearing to be pretentious. It is expensive, but that ok if the quality and service are good. Server/manager removed my drink before I was finished. Did not have proper garnishes for a 12 dollar drink. Honestly, appears that this place is trying to be something that its not.
South Silk Road is a Chinese restaurant but different from others. You will find many traditional Chinese dishes that you have never heard before,especially spicy food .
Me and my closest girlfriends came here last Friday and had a great time. It was happy hour sparkling wine, which was awesome and we shared two bottles of wine, both were delicious and well priced as far as wine goes in a resto. We ordered a ton of tapases and shared. By far the best were the eggplant chips. We sat on the patio which was fantastic on this autumn evening, so we will definately have to venture back one day next year during the summer! Our waiter was very friendly, his wine reccomendations were great and when it got a little chilly, he bought us some blankets to keep us warm!
Loved it! Great food, even better wine. Sat on their roof top patio and enjoyed the experience. Will be back.
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If mom is into fashion and food, take her to Vin Room Mission May 14 for a special brunch and fashion show in partnership with Hudson’s Bay Calgary. The fashion show features the latest fashion trends for spring at The Bay and may give you a few leads on some fashionable belated Mother’s Day gifts. The event features a three-course brunch with wine pairings that includes a cheese and fruit plate with muffins, ham Florentine quiche with BLT salad and strawberry crepes. The event also includes complimentary makeup touch-ups by MAC and gift bags from The Bay and Yann Haute Patisserie. Admission is $60 for adults and $30 for children ages 12 and under. Tickets to the event are available online.
View this Smart ListWhile this tapas lounge and wine bar doesn’t offer a specific pairing menu, it’s known that Vin Room is one of the prime places to go for stellar pairing recommendations. Whether you’re ordering up a charcuterie, or an assortment of small plate bites, Vin Room’s expert staff will be able to recommend a wine pairing for each plate you order. Get experimental and order up the eggplant chips or gnocchi with suggested pairings.
View this Smart ListTapas and wine make for a mighty fine time at Vin Room. Its flagship location in an old bike shop on Fourth Avenue Southwest is cozy and intimate inside. In warm weather, its rooftop patio, which overlooks the activity of the avenue, can’t be beat. The venue’s Enomatic Wine System makes sampling superb.
View this Smart List