With the Alberta hospitality industry ready to return to a relatively restrictionless dining format next week, a slew of once-postponed restaurant concepts are now beginning to announce their official opening dates.
Fonda Fora–a buzzworthy contemporary Mexican restaurant concept from Calgary’s Thank You Hospitality–will officially open tomorrow in the lobby of The Westley Calgary Downtown.
While Thank You Hospitality is already responsible for three of the city’s go-to Mexican eateries in Native Tongues, A1 Cantina, and A1 Burrito, Fonda Fora promises to offer an entirely different approach to Mexican cuisine under the leadership of chef Rafael Castillo, whose culinary focus veers toward that of his home region of Yucatan.
Fonda Fora’s opening menu aims to fuse seasonal, seafood and vegetable-forward dishes with traditional Yucatan street fare with starters like sikil p’aak with toasted pumpkin seeds, fried yuca, charred tomatoes, and habanero dip and entrees like tamal de cochinita pibil with slow roasted pork and fresh masa steamed in banana leaves, achiote sauce, and pickled red onion.
The restaurant’s beverage program is being headed up by former Native Tongues bartender and Made With Love cocktail competition finalist, Allie Martin. Along with a strong selection of local and imported beer on offer, Martin has created an impressive list of handcrafted cocktails that are designed to pair perfectly with chef Castillo’s menu.
Fonda Fora opens June 29 and will be open weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on the weekend from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Reservations can be made online.
