Dairy Lane Cafe is a neat little restaurant tucked away in a strip mall on 19th Street NW between 2nd and 3rd Ave. It has been a long time since I visited such a small place to eat, but I am sure glad I did! Entering the restaurant I noticed there were only nine tables, and eight of them were full; a good sign for a newly discovered restaurant. Dairy Lane Cafe could definitely buy out one of the retail spaces adjacent to it and still be packed to maximum capacity for breakfast on any Tuesday morning.

I am an Eggs Benedict lover, so I ordered one of the variations with gluten free bread, roasted pepper, avocado and requested they add back bacon as well. The Eggs Benny came with hash browns and the waitress brought along some funky India hot sauce, which just happened to supersede my reigning hot sauce favorite, Franks. After that first bite, I no longer was paying any attention to my surroundings, not even to my sister sitting across from me. I lost all train of thought because of the deliciousness of roasted pepper, bacon and especially the lovely taste of the avocado, giving my taste buds more than they bargained for. When I snapped back to reality, I had to let my sister know these are the BEST eggs Benedict I have had in town. As an Eggs Benny guy, I have to let everyone know including you!

If you are in the Hillhurst area during the lovely hours of the morning, I highly recommend stopping by Dairy Lane Cafe for a wonderful breakfast. I only saw one table for 4 when I was there, so if you have a larger party you might want to call before hand to have something arranged. Check out Dairy Lane Cafe today for the best Eggs Benedict in town.

Dairy Lane Cafe

319 19th Street NW, Calgary, AB

403.283.2497

Thanks for stopping by! Maybe Dairy Lane Cafe is a bit far to travel to for you during the hectic morning traffic hours? Another two lovely breakfast restaurants are:

Blue Star Diner Restaurant in Calgary

OEB Over East Breakfast Restaurant Review

When people are at home or in a hotel room, one determining factor in how comfortable they feel in that environment is directly related to the amount of privacy offered. Taking a shower is a private thing. So are many other occurrences that have become a part of our daily routines. Privacy when doing private things is a must and often we take it for granted. If there is no comfort provided by a reasonable level of privacy when doing private things, then it becomes a hassle. Fencing is a method used for thousands of years by people for different purposes, one of them being to create added privacy.

Calgary Infill Buyers Guide – Exposure

Calgary Infill Buyers Guide – Area Plans

Calgary Infill Buyers Guide – Home Inspections

Privacy is Key

There is a wide variety of different kinds of fencing for Calgary infill home owners. When choosing what fence to use on your property, record the dimensions of the fence and observe how the chosen material would optimize your privacy. Maybe the fence is too short with that direct line of sight from your kitchen to the unknown neighbour’s kitchen still exposed. Unfortunately there are sometimes developer stipulations for new communities that limit the kind of product available for use in such tasks. If this is the case, and things aren’t private enough just yet, you can always turn to proper landscaping to add another dimension of privacy to your home. Fencing that adds character and privacy with some landscaping to customize your home are valuable assets that will increase the overall value of your property.

Make Money, Save Money

Carefully designed landscaping will not only add value to your estate, but can add extra privacy as well if you choose. A well-placed tree can add that extra comfort that you were looking for. It is proven that homes with well-done landscaping actually increase in re-sale price. Also, carefully chosen and placed plants can lower heating and air conditioning costs by 20% by acting like insulation to prevent heat loss and the invasion of cold air during winter months! Amazing! Not only can your privacy be improved, but you can also save approximately between $100 and $250 dollars annually off the energy bill by planting 3 trees close to your home.

Calgary Infill Buyers Guide – 5 Must Ask Questions for your Home Builder

Always be sure to approach a potential home from every possible angle. It’s never good when commitments are already made with no going back. If you have any other questions about these two features concerning a new Calgary infill or other homes, I would be happy to assist you! Thans for stopping by and check in later for more Buyers Guide Tips.

Pegasus is a Greek restaurant located in the SW Calgary community of Altadore. It is tucked away in a small strip mall on the corner of 48th Ave. and 16th St. SW, so it might take a little bit to find its location for the first time. I have to say that Pegasus is a definite must if you love authentic Greek food, or if you are looking for something different to try instead of the same old restaurant over and over again.

Pegasus is decorated accordingly with tons of pictures of Greece and other ornaments and such that remind you of Europe. Before I could even check out the rest of the interior decor, we were served by a hostess who was very friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. She was definitely Greek, and quite possibly an owner of the restaurant. Pegasus uses authentic names for their menu, so describing what you want to the server is best in order to get what you want.

Our first appetizer was a unique style of pita-bread I never had before which was absolutely delightful. The second was huge, delicious meat-balls and the third, leaf-wrapped ground beef and spinach with a lemon flavor. Lemon roasted potatoes were the last, and were better here than at any other Greek restaurant I have been to. Each appetizer was delicious in its own way and are served with tzatziki sauce.

For the main course I ordered bass with rice and Greek salad. The fish was cooked to perfection and melted in my mouth, with a lovely lemon aftertaste. Rice and salad went well with the fish and weren’t too over proportioned in comparison. A friend of mine ordered a roasted lamb leg in a juicy tomato sauce and let me try it. The succulent meat came right off the bone with ease and was better than the fish.

Not only is the food at Pegasus delicious, but is moderately priced as well. Each plate was about 16 dollars give or take a few bucks. If you want to save money when eating tasty and authentic Greek food at the same time, then head on down to Pegasus!

Pegasus Greek Restaurant @

4824 16th Street SW, Calgary, AB

Phone Number – 403.229.1231

For more restaurant reviews for Calgary concerning other types of food, check out:

Open Sesame – Calgary Asian Food Review

La Dolce Vita – Italian Calgary Restaurant Review

Haru Sushi – Calgary Japanese Restaurant Review

No matter how good the food is at a Vietnamese Pho Restaurant, a sloppy interior can quickly make your voracious appetite non-existent. I cannot deny that a renovated, well kept restaurant typically adds to its appeal as long as the food is good too. This is where Cochinchine on 17th Avenue SW stands out from most of the other Pho restaurants I have been to in Calgary.

My first impression of Cochinchine was a good one, made true by its modern interior design and finishings that were complimented well by thoughtful artistic decoration. Our server was very friendly and was proficient in doing his job. Shortly after sitting down I ordered salad rolls, spring rolls and bun vermicelli topped with chicken, shrimp and beef served with fish oil on the side. The salad rolls were particularly tasty and seemed to be made fresh. On the other hand, the spring rolls seemed to be lacking ingredients with absence of flavour.

The bun vermicelli was the highlight of the meal. Each piece of meat added to my bowl was free of any gristle and bone and was quite a large serving when compared to other Vietnamese restaurants I have been to. The vermicelli noodles, diced lettuce, diced carrots, chicken, shrimp, beef and peanut crumbs topped with fish oil, sweet and hot sauce all in one big bowl was delicious. It wasn’t the best bun vermicelli ever, but was up there in the top.

The selling point for me for Cochinchine in Calgary was the modern interior and bun vermicelli. Since this visit I have also stopped in and tried the Pho Dac Biet (special house soup). It was definitely worth it. One thing about the house special is that every Vietnamese restaurant in Calgary makes it different. I recommend this dish as well as the bun vermicelli with chicken and beef when visiting Cochinchine.

Find Cochinchine Address and Phone Number

• Address: 3320 17th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB
• Phone Numbner: 403.452.9696

Thanks for stopping in to read this Calgary restaurant review. More on Calgary foods, treats and more can be found at:

Best Calgary Ice Cream

Best Calgary Pastas

FRAM+Slokker have a commitment to their customers to bring them the best and largest variety of condo floor plans at FIRST, their new Calgary East Village riverside condo development. It doesn’t matter what kind of condo you are looking for; whether it be a one or two bedroom and den, or simply just a one or two bedroom, the choices available to you allow you to choose the floor plan that will suit your personality and lifestyle to the fullest.

Personally, I can’t decide which feature of FIRST is my absolute favorite. The flexibility of FRAM+Slokker to meet the needs of a wide variety of people is definitely one of the top. Still, I cannot forget imagining the beautiful night sky on the rooftop lounge while enjoying the relaxing sound of the moving river, just a short distance away. I am very impressed by FIRST in East Village. Here are a few attributes of FIRST condos that are a part of my standing impression:

Bedroom

Laminate flooring disguised as wood grain continues from the living room and hallway into the sleeping quarters. Inside the bedroom, fully sized mirrored sliding closet doors make sure you have a full view from head to toe when deciding on what to wear, but first enter through a modern, sliding birch veneer door that adds to the overall appeal of the interior design nicely.

Bathroom

Bathrooms are clean-cut and contemporary with lots of storage space, a must in any modern day condo. A spacious glass walled shower with a rain-shower shower head, custom vanity with two decent sized drawers and bottom shelf make you feel like you are at the spa! Sustainability is also a characteristic of FIRST, where water saving toilets is standard.

Kitchen

FRAM+Slokker are keen on giving their customers choice. There are three different concepts used in the kitchens at FIRST. Modern cabinetry with a textured, shiny finish creates compatibility with your chosen decor and isn’t limited to one color template. A custom-built island seats four with bonus storage cabinets matches the wood grain laminate and cabinets nicely and if necessary can be pushed to the side for more space, an awesome feature for when hosting your family and friends! Stainless steel, Energy-Star appliances come standard at FIRST, and are a nice finishing touch.

Living Area

More choice! You decide on one whichever color template suites you; Jazz, Rock or Blues. Each palette uses natural textures and colours which emulate FIRST’s wonderful downtown riverside location in Calgary. Each template is flexible enough to allow for easy mix and matching with your preferred interior decor. Let’s not forget about the oversized windows with a special glazing to let natural light in, trap heat and prevent noise invasion from the outside environment.

FIRST condos in East Village are one of my favorite new condo developments in Calgary. I find the quality of condo built by FRAM+Slokker is exceptional, surpassing my expectations for such a reasonably priced riverside living opportunity. If you have any questions about FIRST, please call me today at 403.370.4180, or message me right now on the right side of your screen! As a Condo Specialist, let me be your guide! I will respond promptly. For more on FIRST condos in East Village, check out:

Calgary East Village Promenade

Calgary East Village Hilton Hotel

Calla is a new inner city Calgary condo development in Connaught, which is now more than 80% sold! Developed and constructed by the well known Qualex-Landmark group adjacent to the Loughheed House and Beauilieu Gardens, Calla is in high demand. Not only do residents have two awesome recreational parks at their disposal, but are also only minutes away from anything and everything necessary for a comfortable downtown Calgary living experience! Walk to work in the downtown business core just a short walk away, or head over to the reputable Talisman Rec Centre for a workout. All is possible and made true when living at Calla.

Why Calla?

Calla is now more than 80% sold! A total of 40 units were purchased between March and April and are going fast. Even with the amount of units sold already, there are still 30 wonderfully designed units available. No matter if it’s your first residence, investment purchase or current upgrade from an existing home, Calla is good value for your dollar, has exceptional location and style. Don’t miss out on this opportunity! The following is some information as to why…

• As little as 5% deposit is required
• Interest rates are low and are held until Calla is completed
• Construction is on track and currently in progress
• Next summer is projected for move in time
• Connaught is a central downtown community
• Connaught is a quiet, established area for inner city living
• Pricing is all inclusive and includes parking, upgrades, air conditioning and storage
• Qualex-Landmark is a well-known, exceedingly experienced developer with solid customer feedback and proven existing establishments.

If you are thinking about living at Calla, or have any questions / concerns for that matter, please contact me today! Phone me at 403.370.4180 and let me help you attain your real estate aspirations. More information for Calla can be found below. Thanks for stopping by!

8 Reasons Why for Living at Calla

Calla Condo Lifestyle in Connaught

East Village’s first commercial development, the Hilton Hotel, has been announced! Set at an approximated price tag of $75 million, the 315 room hotel will be constructed by an American commercial development firm by the name of Widewaters Group on the corner of 7th Ave and 4th St SE.

The Hilton Hotel in East Village will be a 208,000 square foot, 14 floor, full service hotel combining three different features of the renowned Hilton hotels into one inclusive setting. Some features of the project include a fitness centre, pool, rooftop terrace, convention and library services as well as two underground parking levels.

The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation is very excited to the experienced Widewaters Group become a part of the developing partners for Calgary’s East Village, alongside FRAM+Slokker and Embassy Bosa. The new Hilton project will be a key part in making East Village the fully equipped inner city community it is promised to be. Not only will the establishment and design of the Hilton add even more character to the area, but also will also add more amenities for residents in East Village.

Widewaters Group commented on the fact that Calgary IS one of the strongest economies in North America and is a place where they could see the potential of East Village as a future commercial core and new tourist destination. Having an opportunity to be a part of the redevelopment of an area adjacent to the downtown core of Calgary was too much of a unique opportunity to pass up.

Widewaters Group is a commercial property development and management group based in the United States with multiple offices across the nation. Hospitality, office and retail projects across the USA and Canada total more than 2500 hotel rooms at a total investment of $1.16 billion dollars. Impressive!

What an exciting time it is for East Village! Who is going to be the next joint development partner with the CMLC to bring the new urban community to life?

10 Reasons Why to Buy in East Village, Calgary

1. Live on the confluence of the Elbow and Bow rivers
2. Up and coming Cantos Music Centre
3. New Central Library
4. Redevelopment of St. Patrick’s Island
5. Fantastic public transportation that is easily accessible
6. 3 riverfront recreational parks
7. Urban streetscapes and design
8. Amenities, everywhere!
9. Affordable condos starting in the mid 200’s
10. Adjacency to the downtown Calgary core

For more information on this up and coming community, check out 10 Cool Facts for East Village. Not sure about the downtown lifestyle? Check out our Calgary East Village Lifestyle article!

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We are always networking no matter where we go. It may be with a colleague, new client, old friend or in a personal setting with a hobby group or for a charity function. So there is always a need for good places to meet and organize your netwokring event. No matter how big or small the following locations in Calgary are great for networking events, have  a read and please share your ideas with us if your favourite is not on the list!

1. Coffee Shops will always be an excellent place to network in Calgary, especially with all the energy.  To see the best coffee shops in Calgary check out this link!! With so many great coffee shops all over Calgary this is a great way to spend 30 minutes with someone in conversation.

2. The Libertine, a great after hours hang out? Yes! A great lunch spot? Double yes!! Always jam packed with downtown core workers, The Libertine is located right smack dab on Stephen’s Ave. The open concept, two story building has TV’s to watch the game and pool tables to keep you and your new found friends entertained!! Something you may not know is that The Libertine has an extensive chicken wing menu, so check it out! They are constantly surprising us with happiness!!

3. 1410 World Bier Haus, not only is the ownership and staff amazing, so is the atmosphere. This is one of the spots where you can walk into in Calgary knowing no one and you will feel like you have a million friends!! The atmosphere and hospitality is top notch but isn’t the only thing to brag about; they have delicious nachos and other great menu items. Beer drinker? You are in luck they have a world wide variety of imports, sure to satisfy even the non beer drinkers palate! Stay tuned for the opening of their 2012 roof top patio.

4. Melrose, a guaranteed location for fun!! Both the restaurant and bar sides have a HUGE patio in warmer seasons. There is no doubt that Melrose is a legend on the Redmile because its always jam packed with social media guru’s and exceptional new connections! A great place to host a large event or just pop in alone, Melrose has high standards in hospitality and are expanding on this with their SECOND location in the Cowboy Casino!

5. Brewsters is located right in the beltline of downtown! A great space to host a networking function or pop in on a walk home from downtown. The staff and service is awesome and the food is tasty! Check out their daily specials!!

6. West is located in the downtown Scotia Centre, so more or less right outside your door if you work in the buildings down there! Boasting a higher end atmosphere you definitely need to stop in and check these guys out! They are always hosting exciting functions where networking can happen. Also have I mentioned they have the LARGEST rooftop patio in Canada, absolutely stunning and a must check out for everyone. So much fun! More awesome patios here.

7. Double Zero Pizza is delicious pizza in a wine cellar setting. Definitely casual appropriate Double Zero has the best happy hour (3-6pm Monday-Friday) going, you can have a ton of their appy’s for $5.00 each and it’s the perfect sharing amount!! Also don’t forget the drinks are $5.00!! This is a slam dunk for a great place to grab a drink and meet new friends, because with a Happy hour like that you are guaranteed to see a lot of other people doing the same thing! More of the best pizza in Calgary right here

8. Ox & Angela is located on Calgary’s Redmile and are doing well to treat drink making like an art because it satisfies. So if you are looking for a nice after work drink with someone at a place that takes drink making to the highest level then this is the pick for you.

9. Earl’s Tin Palace is the busiest Earl’s in the city by far. Its always full of great new connections no matter what side of the venue you sit on! Looking for a drink and some new connections, check out the lounge side where you seat yourself but make sure you get there quickly since they do not take reservations!!

10. The District is fun, unique and is a place where they are continuously hosting networking functions that are bound to connect you with some amazing new people in this city. As well you will learn about up coming events to get yourself out there! By the way this is the only place in the city you can order a bucket of bacon!!! Delicious, yes please! More about the District.

More good networking ideas:

Best Calgary Italian Deli’s

Best Calgary Lunch Spots

There are many more great networking places in Calgary that we would love to hear about. Please leave a comment and tell us what your favorite networking place is! Thanks for stopping by!

Moving with kids younger than the age of 6 might be easier to do, when compared with older children, since they have less of a capacity to comprehend the changes involved. This is not to say that your guidance throughout the process isn’t crucial, but is to say that it might be easier for you to move sooner than later if you have preschoolers or toddlers.

7 Tips to Help Ease the Move…

On the day of if you can arrange a babysitter for your preschooler or toddler, it will keep them occupied with regular daily events that will remove them from the business of the move, keep their curiosity at bay and prevent them from possibly getting in the way and getting hurt.

If it is possible to visit your new home before the move, you should do so and bring your young ones as well as some of their toys for them to play with while they are there.

Refrain from introducing anything big like potty training or changing a toddlers sleeping space from a crib to a bed. Moving is a big change so it can be a good idea to let your child settle in to the new surroundings before introducing any other big changes.

Communicate with your toddler or preschooler in simple terms and ask them if they understand you clearly. There are also books and other resources to help you communicate with your child on a level they understand.

Be creative! Use a book to help your young ones understand like Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day (Ages 3 to 7) or We’re Moving! (Ages 0 to 8). Make it interesting for them by relating it to something they enjoy like a bed time story. If they are really young, a simple explanation with some of their toys and some furniture might be best!

When you begin to pack your toddlers play toys into boxes, make a point to explain to them that they aren’t being thrown away. Also ask them to watch and even try to help so they are a part of the process. Make sure you let them keep their favourite blanket or teddy bear with them if it is comforting.

Postpone moving any furniture inside your preschoolers or toddler’s room until you absolutely must. Having all the things they know in their room for as long as possible comfort them. Another idea is an attempt to arrange them in a similar fashion in their new bedroom.

Hopefully these suggestions might help ease the transition for your young ones. Let me know what you think about them by leaving a comment below! I’d appreciate your feedback. Thanks for stopping by.

More on relocating to Calgary….

20 Reasons to Love Calgary

Moving to Calgary Relocation Guide

15 Reasons Why to Relocate to Calgary

Calgarians looking in the inner city for a newer built home will commonly refer to these types of homes as an “infill”. These homes have many great qualities and are in strong demand within the Calgary real estate market.

One of the first things associated with infill homes is that they are usually thought of as tall and thin, usually more of a modern style and within close proximity to the downtown area. Even though this approximation is usually right, there are more kinds of homes included in the category. Bigger homes that occupy larger lots or encompass more than one lot for additional home style and size opportunities can also be categorized as an infill.

Buying this type of home does not mean the floor plan has to be skinny, tall, restrictive or thin, there are numerous floor plans that facilitate a functional use of space and provide a beautiful and optimal living area. This is one of the reasons it is important to work with a Calgary inner city specialist when shopping for a home, the expertise, experience and advice is invaluable in finding the best home for your needs.

The term “infill” correctly describes a form of development where new development is built on an older lot and the old structure is removed to be rebuilt new. Hence the existing lot is filled in with something new. The term infill in Calgary most commonly describes new inner city homes built on prime inner city lots where the old homes are removed.

Infills are mostly referred to as new inner city homes that have been constructed in a community with establishment dates back to the early or mid 1900′s.  Development of existing lots in mature communities helps prevent urban sprawl, something that the City of Calgary is particularly concerned with. Buying an infill brings with it many benefits, including the finishings of a brand new home and most importantly, the prime inner city location.

Why an Infill Home?

Some main benefits to living in an inner city infill home in Calgary are, but aren’t limited to:

• Accessibility to the downtown area
• Amenities and services are plentiful in number
• Inner city property tends to appreciate in value rather than depreciate
• Access to an extensive network of green spaces, river pathways and recreational centres
• Entertainment and amenities can be found nearby
• More time to live instead of wasting time spent in traffic jams to and from suburbia.
• Save time from shorter commutes plus abundant public transportation
• Mature, lush vegetation and trees and an abundance of park space
• Population density is higher and access to downtown is convenient

Read more in 10 Benefits to Living an Inner City Lifestyle in Calgary

If you have any questions about anything concerning new inner city infills or any other topic at all, please feel free to contact me at any time! You can get a hold of me via phone, email and instant chat right now on the bottom right screen of your browser! Thanks for stopping by. Come back soon for more great content on infills and much more, like the following:

10 Top Inner City Parks in Calgary

10 Tips for Buying a New Inner City Home