Shokunin

Calgary Is a Culinary Destination on the Rise

"The brainchild of celebrity chef and Calgary native Darren MacLean (best known for his appearance on Netflix's The Final Table), this izakaya-style spot has been ranked among Canada's 100 Best Restaurants five times since opening in 2016. It offers one of the city's first omakase experiences: 15 courses with a focus on yakitori and optional drink pairings that utilize products from local distilleries and breweries. The highlight is MacLean's innovative spin on what is billed here as "chicken ass" yakitori — the fattiest part of the chicken right above the tail and rarely used in fine cooking." - Jennifer Malloy