CALGARY — CHARCUT is opening its second location in Alt Hotel University District, part of the Germain Hotels group, this spring. The new location will add an original Calgary food establishment to the University District’s emerging culinary scene and will be housed on the hotel’s main floor.
Led by co-chefs and co-owners John Jackson and Connie DeSousa, the 2,800-sq.-ft. space features a theatrical open kitchen with a signature CHARCUT rotisserie grill, a smoker, an Italian bronze die pasta extruder and an electric sausage suffer. Direct views through 12-foot windows reveal the chef’s salumeria, a giant meat locker for whole animals and salumi where the dry-aging happens.
Its 80-seat main dining-room offers a mid-century vibe with minimalist concrete floors and ceilings, a mild-steel clad communal fireplace, saw cut knotty red-oak panelling and velvet banquettes. Cooper and wood accents continue into the 16-seat private dining-room named The Butcherina. A three-season street-side heated patio for up to 60 guests offers plush dining banquettes, stylish pendant lighting and fireplace table lounge seating.
The culinary offerings at the two CHARCUT locations vary slightly but the philosophy and approach remain the same. Market-driven dishes are offered that draw from Italian and Portuguese traditions while prioritizing seasonal, artisanal and thoughtfully sourced ingredients.
Fresh pastas, house-cured meats and rotisserie prime rib of Alberta beef are offered, as well as butcher cuts. Ocean Wise seafood options and a wide variety of vegetable-forward sharing plates are featured under the Butcher’s Daughter section of the menu.
The modern beverage program features a rotating wine selection in partnership with Market Wines, signature cocktails and DeSousa and Jackson’s own collaborative craft beer.
“CHARCUT as a brand is centred around community, sustainability and a commitment to providing extraordinary food and drink experiences,” says DeSousa. “The expansion of CHARCUT presents an exciting opportunity for us to grow our Calgary community connections, spread our love of local ingredients and expand our dedicated team in a vibrant part of our cherished city.”
