Sunterra Market & Café, Kensington Road

nice, small, and tucked away, this sunterra is one of my favourite ones to go to because it's small and secluded and they have a great patio space. the grocery selection isn't as extensive as other locations in Calgary, but the food and atmosphere are wonderful. the chicken/pesto flatbread is to DIE for.

This is a delightful little grocery store and caffè! Central location, close to the major intersection of Kensington Road and Crowchild Trail, everything from ready-to-eat meals to fresh produce to juice to smoothies to frozen goods to everything else they can fit into the little place, as you can see in my photos. Super friendly staff, rustic picnic tables to chill out and dine at if you have the time!

Let me just start by saying that my first experience here two years ago was a 5/5 - all their pasta dishes were freshly made and tasted divine. Decided to introduce Sunterra to a friend this week and I'm sad to say that it was a total letdown.nnOur server was confused and seemed inexperienced - she didn't know anything about what was available for the pasta and when bringing us our food, she just haphazardly left our cutlery directly on the dirty table outside no tissue, plate, nothing! and awkwardly ran away. After 15 mins of waiting, I was told the pesto cream sauce I ordered wasn't even available and was offered a tomato based alternative which I wasn't happy about since they could have told us before we paid but I trusted it to be good anyway.nnI couldn't be more wrong.nnNot only were both pomodoro and bolognese sauces bland, but my small shell? pasta was so tough and hard to chew that it made the food completely unenjoyable, a tough feat to achieve for pasta. I hadn't even been informed that this was the type of pasta they'd be using as I'd requested penne for my previous choice. The spaghetti was also cold/room temp which felt like it had been sitting out for a while.nnThe side bread and chocolate cheesecake I got was pretty decent but still didn’t make up for the overall awful experience. Not going to be back unfortunately, especially after hearing about their unsanitary food safety at another location.

The ready to go meals here are incredible!! Home cooked feel but better! And lots of healthy options! I could eat here everyday!nnNote: the pictures do not do justice! There’s way more food than this, and it’s always a different variety!

I was delighted with the service by the young gentleman at the cash register who helped me realize I could actually order an omelette, which is not currently on the breakfast menu of options, and which I hope they will add. The omelet of ham and cheese with two eggs was fantastic and I was deeply grateful. They put the little fruit into a lid plastic container, so I can take that away with me since the breakfast was abundant.for a small person like myself.nnI’m not sure who may have suggested these giant farm tables and plank benches, but I would encourage the management to consider even small round IKEA, tables and chairs to accommodate several smaller groups in the upstairs as well as main floor levels and a few tall plants to add atmosphere to these very nice but bare eating areas.nnAn additional stand where condiments could be stored upstairs and perhaps inexpensive salt and pepper shakers would also be helpful.nnI noticed this particular location is right across the street from an old age facility called the Lion's Village and I am sure more of those nearby people would be more inclined to come and eat if the atmosphere catered more directly to that nearby audience.nnWonderful farm fresh food! Superb Lavazza Italian coffee

Directions to Sunterra Market & Café, Kensington Road with public transportation

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