CALGARY - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 488

Few restaurants in the city have been as popular over multiple decades as Chianti
(1438 17th Ave. SW, 403/229-1600, lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner daily, $15-26). More than 20
well-prepared pasta dishes are featured on the menu, and all the pasta is made daily on
the premises. Among many specialties are an antipasto platter and Salmone Cappesante,
baked salmon with scallops and mango in a creamy coconut and curry sauce. Most regular
pasta entrées are less than $20. The restaurant is dark and noisy in typical Italian style. The
owner often sings with an accordionist on weekends.
Closer to downtown, Bonterra Trattoria (1016 8th St. SW, 403/262-8480,
11:30am-2:30pm Mon.-Fri., 5pm-10pm daily, $17-44) has a stylish dining room with a
vaulted ceiling and lots of exposed woodwork. Tables out on the Mediterranean-style patio
are in great demand through summer. The menu is modern Italian, with pastas from $17
and the pan-seared halibut a worthwhile splurge at $32. The nationalistic wine list has only
a few bottles under $40, but many are available by the glass.
Information and Services
Information Centers
Tourism Calgary (403/263-8510 or 800/661-1678, www.tourismcalgary.com ) promotes
the city to the world. The organization also operates two Visitor Information Centres. The
one that greets visitors arriving by air is across from Carousel 4 at Calgary International
Airport (403/735-1234, 6am-11pm daily year-round). The other is right downtown, at the
base of the Calgary Tower (101 9th Ave. SW, 403/750-2362, 9am-7pm daily in summer,
9am-5pm daily the rest of the year).
Libraries
The Calgary Public Library's 18 branch libraries are scattered throughout the city. The
largest is W. R. Castell Central Library (616 Macleod Trail SE, 403/260-2600,
www.calgarypubliclibrary.com , 9am-8pm Mon.-Thurs., 9am-5pm Fri., 10am-5pm Sat.,
noon-5pm Sun.). Four floors of books, magazines, and newspapers from around the world
are enough to keep most people busy on a rainy afternoon.
Post and Internet
The downtown post office is at 207 9th Avenue SW. All city libraries provide free Internet
access, while almost all hotels have either wireless or modem Internet access. Alternat-