Calgary lands four spots on Canadian Top 50 Hotel Restaurants list
Open Table and Kayak partnered to compile a list of the best hotel restaurants in Canada, and southern Alberta came out on top with Calgary landing four spots, and Banff with five.
Article content
The list was created using reviews from over one million verified Open Table diners between June 1, 2024 and May 31, 2025. The reviews were then evaluated by rating and percentage of five-star reviews.
Article content
Article content
Article content
The Calgary spots on the list include Mexican restaurant Fonda Fora, Hawthorn Dining Room and Bar serving authentic prairie cuisine, The Keg Steakhouse & Bar on 4th Ave and award-winning fine dining destination The Wilde on 27.
Article content
Article content
Banff's top restaurants include 1888 Chop House, Castello Italiana, Rundle Bar, The Vermillion Room and Waldhaus Restaurant.
Article content
'An exceptional hotel restaurant transcends the mere act of dining, it skillfully combines storytelling, refinement, and a heightened sense of occasion in every detail to ensure the experience is memorable,' said dining expert Delphine Maillard, Director of Food and Beverage at the Fairmont Empress.
Article content
The list includes other data points, including that 64 per cent of diners believe hotel restaurants are open to hotel guests and locals equally. In fact, the list shows that 61 per cent of hotel restaurant diners over the past 12 months were locals.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
17 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Here's how a major Mexican tomato exporter is affected by Trump's 17% tariff
AJUCHITLAN, Mexico (AP) — The Trump administration's decision to impose a 17% duty on fresh tomatoes imported from Mexico has created a dilemma for the country providing more tomatoes to U.S. consumers than any other. The import tax that began July 14 is just the latest protectionist move by an administration that has threatened dozens of countries with tariffs, including its critical trading partner Mexico. It comes as the Mexican government tries to also negotiate its way out of a 30% general tariff scheduled to take effect Aug. 1. While the impacts of the tomato tariff are still in their infancy, a major grower and exporter in central Mexico shows how a tariff targeting a single product can destabilize the sector. Surviving in times of uncertainty Green tomato plants stretch upward row after row in sprawling high-tech greenhouses covering nearly six acres in the central state of Queretaro, among the top 10 tomato producing states in Mexico. Climate controlled and pest free, Veggie Prime's greenhouses in Ajuchitlan send some 100 tons of fresh tomatoes every week to Mastronardi Produce. The Canadian company is the leading distributor of fresh tomatoes in the U.S. with clients that include Costco and Walmart. Moisés Atri, Veggie Prime's export director, says they've been exporting tomatoes to the U.S. for 13 years and their substantial investment and the cost to produce their tomatoes won't allow them to make any immediate changes. They're also contractually obligated to sell everything they produce to Mastronardi until 2026. 'None of us (producers) can afford it,' Atri said. 'We have to approach our client to adjust the prices because we're nowhere near making that kind of profit.' In the tariff's first week, Veggie Prime ate the entire charge. In the second, its share of the new cost lowered when its client agreed to increase the price of their tomatoes by 10%. The 56-year-old Atri hopes that Mastronardi will eventually pass all of the tariff's cost onto its retail clients. Mexican tomato exports brought in $3 billion last year Experts say the tariff could cause a 5% to 10% drop in tomato exports, which last year amounted to more than $3 billion for Mexico. The Mexican Association of Tomato Producers says the industry generates some 500,000 jobs. Juan Carlos Anaya, director general of the consulting firm Grupo Consultor de Mercados Agrícolas, said a drop in tomato exports, which last year amounted to more than 2 billion tons, could lead to the loss of some 200,000 jobs Experts: U.S. will have difficulty replacing fresh Mexican tomatoes When the Trump administration announced the tariff, the Commerce Department justified it as a measure to protect U.S. producers from artificially cheap Mexican imports. California and Florida growers that produce about 11 million tons would stand to benefit most, though most of that production is for processed tomatoes. Experts believe the U.S. would find it difficult to replace Mexico's fresh tomato imports. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Atri and other producers are waiting for a scheduled review of the measure in two months, when the U.S. heads into fall and fresh tomato production there begins to decline. In reaction to the tariff, the Mexican government has floated the idea of looking for other, more stable, international markets. Mexican Agriculture Secretary Julio Berdegué said Thursday that the government is looking at possibilities like Japan, but producers quickly cast doubt on that idea, noting the tomatoes would have to be sent by plane, raising the cost even more. Atri said the company is starting to experiment with peppers, to see if they would provide an option at scale. President Claudia Sheinbaum said recently her administration would survey tomato growers to figure out what support they need, especially small producers who are already feeling the effects of a drop of more than 10% in the price of tomatoes domestically over fears there will be a glut in Mexico.
Japan Forward
4 days ago
- Japan Forward
Salted Drinks Surge as Japan Battles the Heat
このページを 日本語 で読む As Japan swelters through another punishing summer, one ingredient is emerging as the star of the season: salt. Food and beverage makers are rolling out an array of salt-infused products, from drinks to chocolates and gummies. It's all part of a fierce retail battle to help consumers beat the heat, and sales are soaring as a result. With heavy sweating causing the loss of both water and sodium, salt plays a vital role in maintaining the body's fluid balance. Now, companies are embracing it not only for its health benefits but also for its flavor-enhancing appeal. Shoppers, in turn, are gravitating toward products that let them replenish salt deliciously. People walking through Tokyo's Ginza under the intense sun. Central Tokyo experienced its first midsummer day of the year on July 20, in Chuo Ward. (©Sankei by Hayato Narita) Beverage makers are spearheading the salty trend with creative, thirst-quenching offerings. Kirin Beverage has introduced a limited-edition "Lime Salt" drink under its Sekai no Kitchen Kara brand, blending zesty Mexican lime with a balanced salty tang. Asahi Beverages has followed suit with "Salt Cider," a seasonal twist on its classic Mitsuya Cider that features Okinawan salt for a hint of savory depth. Both drinks meet the Japanese Ministry of Health's heatstroke prevention guideline of at least 0.1 grams of salt per 100 milliliters. Kirin's flagship salty beverage, "Salty Lychee," has already posted a 10% year-on-year increase in shipments from April to June 2025. Its newly launched "Lime Salt" is proving even more popular, so much so that it's expected to sell out ahead of schedule. Asahi has also seen a 5% boost across its lineup of heatstroke-prevention drinks, including popular brands like Calpis and Dodekamin. Vending machine sales have been especially robust, with the exclusive "Asahi Delicious Natural Water: Pink Grapefruit Salty" performing at a staggering 363% above projections. To keep up, Asahi has quadrupled production for July. Other companies are riding the salty wave as well. Kikkoman Foods has introduced Del Monte Salt Tomato juice, while FANCL has launched a limited-edition powdered drink called "Summer Salt Lemon," designed to dissolve in water and sold both online and at its retail locations. Lotte has spiced up its crispy Crunky chocolate line with a touch of pink rock salt, debuting Crunky Salt Vanilla for the summer season. Meiji, meanwhile, rolled out limited-time salted versions of its beloved almond and macadamia chocolates. The company blended Okinawan salt into both milk and white chocolate, creating a rich yet refreshing twist, especially recommended when chilled. Starting on July 8, FamilyMart launched a 'Salty Sweets' fair, featuring ten types of salt-infused desserts. (Photo courtesy of FamilyMart) Meiji's summer salt lineup doesn't stop there. It also includes salted watermelon gummies, as well as "Salt Lemon" flavors of its Bulgaria Frozen Yogurt Dessert and Drinkable Bulgaria Yogurt. Altogether, the company has launched five seasonal salt-based products. Convenience store giant FamilyMart kicked off a "Salty Sweets" fair on July 8, featuring ten varieties of salt-infused desserts. Standout items include a Salt Chocolate Tart, filled with ganache made from Lorraine rock salt and topped with whipped cream. Another highlight is the Fruit Cube Chocolat Salt Lemon, which combines lemon-flavored fruit cubes with a coating of salted white chocolate. Other additions to the lineup include Salty Grapefruit Gummies and Salted Caramel Ice Bars inspired by Morinaga's classic candy. With Japan experiencing record early-summer heat, including the earliest end to the rainy season in western regions, FamilyMart emphasized that salt intake is just as important as hydration. "Demand for salt-based products is rising as people prepare for another dangerously hot summer," a company representative stated. (Read the article in Japanese .) Author: Suguru Kojima, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
Calgary Herald
4 days ago
- Calgary Herald
Calgary lands four spots on Canadian Top 50 Hotel Restaurants list
Article content Open Table and Kayak partnered to compile a list of the best hotel restaurants in Canada, and southern Alberta came out on top with Calgary landing four spots, and Banff with five. Article content The list was created using reviews from over one million verified Open Table diners between June 1, 2024 and May 31, 2025. The reviews were then evaluated by rating and percentage of five-star reviews. Article content Article content Article content The Calgary spots on the list include Mexican restaurant Fonda Fora, Hawthorn Dining Room and Bar serving authentic prairie cuisine, The Keg Steakhouse & Bar on 4th Ave and award-winning fine dining destination The Wilde on 27. Article content Article content Banff's top restaurants include 1888 Chop House, Castello Italiana, Rundle Bar, The Vermillion Room and Waldhaus Restaurant. Article content 'An exceptional hotel restaurant transcends the mere act of dining, it skillfully combines storytelling, refinement, and a heightened sense of occasion in every detail to ensure the experience is memorable,' said dining expert Delphine Maillard, Director of Food and Beverage at the Fairmont Empress. Article content The list includes other data points, including that 64 per cent of diners believe hotel restaurants are open to hotel guests and locals equally. In fact, the list shows that 61 per cent of hotel restaurant diners over the past 12 months were locals.
