Hotel, Shops and Dining in Kensington, Calgary

Chef's Table restaurant at the Kensington Riverside Inn in Calgary, Alberta (Canada).

After almost a week burning around rural Alberta, I absolutely loved hanging out in the neighbourhood of Kensington, Calgary. I had no idea this pocket existed just outside of downtown Calgary, but I’m glad I found it.

I checked into the charming Kensington Riverside Inn for a night of complete elegance. Sitting right on the corner of 10A Street and Memorial Drive, it’s a block away from the hub of Kensington Village.

A dinner at their tiny (40-seat) Chef’s Table restaurant left me stuffed, but in a good way. I couldn’t muster up the courage the try the 6-course Chef’s tasting menu ($95 CAD) so went with Hand Picked Organic Greens ($12 CAD) and Braised Queen Charlotte Halibut ($36 CAD).

Stride Shoes (where I found my Clarks) in Kensington, Calgary (Alberta).

My cousin came to indulge with me and we decided to do the dessert course right: White Chocolate Mousse ($13 CAD) and Baked Valrhona Chocolate ($13 CAD). The Valrhona chocolate was as rich and satisfying as we thought, but the white chocolate mousse exceeded all expectation: fluffier than any mousse I’ve ever tasted, it melted in my mouth and literally made my mouth water.

With all that eating, I took a walk through Kensington, a couple of blocks of boutique shops and cute cafes. It reminded me of the neighbourhood of Kerrisdale in Vancouver, but without the high prices. This area has more of a bohemian feel, yet an upscale bohemian vibe.

I found my way to Stride Shoes, a shop I fell in love with. After trying on a pair of Tsudo women’s shoes and Clarks women’s shoes, I ended up buying a pair of Clarks. Talk about comfort and good service.

The Bed at Kensington Riverside Inn (the steps are just out of frame) in Calgary, AB (Canada).

What I liked:

• In my room at the Kensington Riverside Inn, the bed was so large that there were two steps at the foot of the bed to assist people in getting up on it. I felt like a queen climbing my throne (and I like that!).
• In the washroom, the towels hung on a heated towel rack, confirming my guess that every detail is thought through at this boutique hotel.
• Chef’s Table restaurant was to die for. it’s a special occasion place, unless you can afford the $34-$43 entrées (my cousin ate the $43 Roasted Certified Angus Striploin) on a regular basis.
• Stride Shoes was a delightful find. I was looking for a particular pair of flat, black shoes that I could bring on trips and walk in all day, yet still wear at night with a dress. I’m a happy convert to Clarks shoes, as well as the cute Tsubo shoes.  

Tags: Chef’s Table, Chef’s tasting menu, Clarks women’s shoes, Dining, heated towel rack, Hotel, Kensington Calgary, Kensington Village, restaurant, Rural Alberta, Shops, Stride Shoes, Tsudo women’s shoes