Good gravy! And great French fries and cheese curds as well. Quebec’s best-known culinary export next to Montreal smoked meat — frequently a poutine topping — has become a big seller in Calgary. These restaurants serve particularly appealing versions of this guilty gastronomic pleasure.
A Calgary poutinerie that has recently expanded to Chicago, this place serves a lengthy menu of styles and claims to use locally grown ingredients. Its basic poutine comes in potato and yam. Also walk on the poutine wild side with styles that include Scottish curry, chicken peppercorn, smoked meat as well as an Indian version topped with buttered chicken, peas and caramelized onion.
Another sophisticated take on the dish, Brava Bistro’s lobster poutine is as rich and tasty as its name suggests. Befitting its casual-upscale setting, the bistro serves pomme frites smothered in silky smooth butter sauce and tops the dish with lobster, mascarpone cheese and herbs. This may be the city’s most Champagne-compatible poutine.