Even though I’m born and raised in Calgary, I’ve never really heard much about the history of our city, which I always thought was a shame. Until recently that is. I learned about a little or big cartoon character that was quite famous in the city. Ten Foot Henry was renowned throughout the city around the 80s and even though we haven’t heard much about him since, a new restaurant that opened up on 1st Street has decided to keep his name and make a tribute to this fascinating character. I couldn't wait to dine there and was extremely lucky to be invited for dinner!
Atmosphere: Bright airy dining area which feels like you’re in a garden oasis due to accents of planters and greenery.
Price Range: Mid $10s - $20s
Food & Wine: The menu at Ten Foot Henry focuses mainly on veggie dishes with a twist all of which are meant for sharing such as the Collard Greens with merguez sausage, shiitake mushrooms and chickpeas, which sound simple but the flavours hit all the right notes. The shiitake mushrooms are full of buttery goodness and the collards are cooked perfectly. It’s a dish I would definitely order again. We also really enjoyed the Salt Roasted Potatoes served with shishito peppers and a creamy mayo. The potatoes were cooked just right and the added peppers gave it an interesting kick without it being overly spicy.
Don’t get me wrong, they don’t only serve vegetables. There are also wonderful seafood and meat options for those looking for something a bit heartier. The Yellow Fin Crudo is definitely a defining dish. Made with fresh yellow fin tuna and topped with chimichurri, sesame and chili oil, the dish was refreshing yet flavourful. The combination of all the various sauces really just lifted the tuna to another level. It’s a must have when you’re at Ten Foot Henry.
Sticking with the seafood theme, we also tried the Grilled Sardines with creamy yogurt, salted cucumbers and dill as well as the Crispy Skin Salmon with chorizo, mushrooms and avocado puree. The sardines had a nice smoky flavour from the grill which also allowed you to eat the most of the little bones within (since they’re served whole). It was a very nice rustic approach to the dish and I’m glad it’s made it on the menu. The yogurt was a surprising combination but the tanginess went well with it. The salmon had amazing crispy skin and I loved the idea of using avocado (going to be stealing this one). It was a very light dish and a good sharing portion.
There’s a great selection of sides to choose from ranging from Spaghetti cacio e pepe (meaning cheese and pepper) to handmade bread dumplings. We opted for my favorite Sidewalk Citizen Sourdough Bread which came with chimichurri for dipping. It was also great to use it to sop up all the delicious sauces which came with our dishes.
When the dessert menu came around, it was so hard to pick! How does one choose between cream puffs, butterscotch pudding and all the other wonders? I guess we had to decide (come back for the others later) and chose their famous Coconut Cake with toasted coconut, coconut milk and milk frosting and the Cherry Stuffed Pampushky. The coconut cake was super moist and not overly too sweet, it would be a great option for those looking for something sweet but yet still feels healthy. The pampushky aka doughnut had a cherry jam filling and dusted with cinnamon sugar and served with an English crème anglaise. I wouldn’t have minded a bit more crème anglaise, but overall it wasn’t overly too sweet either and did go well with the cappuccino.
Ten Foot Henry also has an interesting cocktail list, so we ordered the Cucumber Collins made with gin, lemon, cucumber, celery bitters and topped off with soda. It was quite refreshing. A nice way to start the meal and I could definitely see myself ordering it in the coming summer months. If you’re interested in wine, they also have a great wine selection for either single glasses or bottles to share.
My Picks: Collard Greens, Yellow Fin Crudo
Overall: It’s really nice to see a restaurant bring back a bit of Calgary history and couple it with new innovative dishes. The blending of the old and new is very refreshing and I love what they’re doing with the cuisine at Ten Foot Henry. I can’t wait to go back and sample all the dishes I missed that night and also all those delectable desserts!
Ten Food Henry
1209 1 Street SW
Calgary, AB
(403) 475-5537
Website: tenfoothenry.com
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