Where Opulence Meets Intention

There’s a new addition to Calgary’s fine dining scene, and the city’s gourmands are taking notice. Gatsby’s is an ultra-fine dining experience that opened its doors in May. Offering an exclusive six- and nine-course tasting menu, two levels of wine pairings and an impressive array of rare scotches, Gatsby’s has it all. 

A part of Vintage Group, the team behind Chairman’s Steakhouse and Luca Restaurant, Gatsby’s is the latest addition to the group’s premium restaurant offerings. Located under the Oliver Apartments on 10th Avenue between 4th and 5th street, the restaurant is a destination in itself in the heart of the Beltline. Vintage Group president Lance Hurtubise thinks the time is right to bring ultra-premium dining to the city. 

“We think Calgary’s ready for it. Calgary is underrated that way. Gatsby’s offers exclusive wines and products; we try to stay as Canadian as possible. The philosophy is to simply be the best,” says Hurtubise.

The right ingredients

As hinted at by the name, Gatsby’s is inspired by the Roaring ‘20s, with the lavish elegance of the period making its way into the 36-seat dining room’s Art Deco decor. Menu items are thoughtfully created and curated by culinary director Michael Dekker and chef de cuisine Asher Wilson. The stars of the show, however, are the premium ingredients from across Canada. A9 Wagyu beef, Acadian Emerald Sturgeon Caviar and black cod all featured at various times on the ever-evolving set menu. 

The black cod, or sabelfish as it’s also called, is sourced from Golden Eagle Farms in British Columbia. Working in partnership with Kyuquot-Checleseht First Nations, the company raises fish from egg to plate. Starting in their hatchery, the fish are then transitioned into the Pacific waters of Kyuquot Sound, a 300-foot-deep fjord on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island. The result? Premium sushi-grade black cod, prized for its texture and flavour, featured regularly on Gatsby’s menu. 

A House of Hazelwood location

A wide variety of exclusive wine and whiskey options complement the carefully selected ingredients. Gatsby’s is the first and only House of Hazelwood Keyholder location in Canada, giving patrons the exclusive opportunity to taste the ultra-rare House of Hazelwood whiskies. 

Started as a family collection mainly for personal consumption, the House of Hazelwood collection has grown to encompass rare whiskies from every corner of Scotland, going back seven decades. House of Hazelwood has opened up for public consumption in meticulously selected small batches, and Gatsby’s is the only restaurant in Calgary to offer wide access to these unique scotch whiskies. The Old Confectioner’s 44-year-old whiskey, for example, is available nowhere else in the country.

Full-service fine dining

Hurtubise says from the moment diners walk in the door, no thought needs to be involved from their end to have an amazing dining experience. Every detail is taken care of, and service is as seamless as it is pleasant. Patrons need only decide whether to go for the six-course or nine-course set menu (also available as vegetarian) and if they’d like to avail themselves of the curated wine pairings or select a bottle from the extensive and exclusive wine list. Everything from server uniforms to the plates — some of which were made through the Japanese art of pottery mending known as Kintsugi — has been chosen with the intention to create a unique and memorable dining experience. 

The menu is constantly evolving, keeping up with seasonal ingredients and staying fresh and reflecting both the rhythm of the seasons and the chef’s creative direction.

To learn more, visit gatsbysyyc.com.

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