CHAR Hospitality Group Announces Expansion in the City’s NW at University District
CALGARY, AB, January 16, 2024: One of Western Canada’s most acclaimed restaurants today announces the opening of a second location. Multi-award-winning restaurant CHARCUT has repeatedly been named in lists of Canada’s top restaurants since opening in 2010 and is celebrated for uniting Calgary’s culinary community and helping raise the city’s profile on the world's culinary map. A pioneer of Alberta’s local food scene, the Calgary favourite will open its new location in the city’s lively University District in Spring. It promises to keep the key elements beloved about its downtown location, while also offering fresh and exciting additions in keeping with the new locale.
Led by co-chefs and co-owners John Jackson and Connie DeSousa, CHARCUT is known for its charbroiled and rotisserie meats, and handcrafted charcuterie. Its custom-built rotisserie and char broiler, bustling open-kitchen, and back to flavour approach make it one of downtown Calgary’s most energetic restaurants.
“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 into the NW, spread our love of local ingredients, and expand our dedicated team in a vibrant part of our cherished city.”
The new location will add an original Calgary food establishment to the University District’s emerging culinary scene and is housed on the main floor of the new Alt Hotel at 4150 University Avenue NW, part of the Germain Hotels group.
The newly built 2,800 square-foot space features a theatrical open kitchen with a signature-CHARCUT custom rotisserie grill, a smoker, a custom made Italian red slicer, an Italian bronze die pasta extruder and an electric sausage stuffer. Direct views through 12-foot picture-glass windows reveal the chef’s salumeria, a giant meat locker for whole animals and salumi, where the dry-aging magic 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. Copper and wood accents continue into the 16-seat private dining room named ‘The Butcherina.’ An inviting three-season streetside heated patio for up to 60 guests offers plush dining banquettes, stylish pendant lighting, fireplace table lounge seating and a backdrop of great beats.
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, rotisserie prime rib of Alberta beef are on offer as are butcher cuts that are proudly showcased in the custom meat locker. Sustainable, Ocean Wise seafood options and a wide variety of vegetable-forward sharing plates feature under the "Butcher's Daughter" section of the menu.
Daily daytime happy hour from 2-5 pm invites comfort and conversation in the soft-seat lounge over signature drinks and artisan pizza for half-off.
The modern beverage program is ever-evolving, featuring a rotating wine selection in partnership with Market Wines, signature ingredient-driven cocktails, and Connie and John’s own collaborative craft beer. The lounge in the University District location, with its custom “island” bar, rich wood accents, and cozy fireplace, is designed to feel like a home away from home for guests of all ages, where one can enjoy delicious drinks and bites while listening to throwback tracks.
“The reality of a new CHARCUT in a new community in a new Alt Hotel is incredible for our business and for us personally,” says co-owner and co-chef John Jackson. “My aim in life is to do cool things with people I like, so expanding our business as part of an emerging restaurant row in University District amplifies the thrill.”
The Butcherina
Exclusive to CHARCUT’s University District location, The Butcherina is a versatile private dining room for up to 16 guests, situated beside the open kitchen with views into the chef’s butcher shop. Named with a nod to Connie’s ballet background, this intimate and energetic space caters to reservations for large parties. It can quickly transform into a venue for special events, pop-ups, and guest chef dinners (with an exciting lineup to be announced soon).
Connie & John’s Pizza (University District)
With an easy walk-up take out window ideal for locals and hotel guests, the Connie & John's Pizza outpost is located beside the restaurant’s entrance in the ALT Hotel lobby and offers artisanal New York and Detroit-style pizzas. Sold by the pie (not by the slice), each pizza is made fresh to order using the highest quality ingredients and hand-spun dough. The grab-and-go fridge is stocked with Connie & John’s own craft beer in addition to canned spirits and a rotating wine selection in partnership with Market Wines. The entire menu is available for pick-up or delivery via the Connie & John’s website or through Doordash and SkipTheDishes. Pick-up orders can also be placed in person at the counter.
Location
University District, already home to more than 30 diverse retailers, including quick-serve and dine-in restaurants and bars, a bakery, movie theater, grocery, specialty wine and liquor, apparel stores, and fitness facilities. It has become a hub for students, educators, local condo residents, established community members, and now ALT Hotel guests. CHARCUT at University District is a proud addition to this dynamic community, adding an original Calgary food favourite to the scene. The original CHARCUT location will see interior updates in Summer 2024.
ENDS//
About CHARCUT
Known for its back-to-basics, back-to-flavour principles, CHARCUT is a proud female majority-owned and operated destination restaurant and bar from Calgary’s CHAR Hospitality Group. Founded by Carrie Jackson and acclaimed chefs Connie DeSousa and John Jackson, the restaurant offers a warm and inviting space for new connections, celebrations, and memorable conversations.
CHARCUT's local, farmer-focused, and season-specific menus reflect the culinary influences of Connie's heritage, John's immersive work travels in Italy, and their combined experiences at renowned establishments like Chez Panisse and the St. Regis in San Francisco. With two locations – Downtown and University District – CHARCUT offers a true neighborhood restaurant experience, emphasizing community, sustainability, and a commitment to providing exceptional food and drink experiences.
About CHAR Hospitality Group
Owned and operated by Carrie Jackson and co-chefs Connie DeSousa and John Jackson, CHAR Hospitality Group is a “family” business comprised of six brands including their flagship CHARCUT, charbar, Rooftop Bar at the Simmons, CHIX Eggshop, Alley Burger, and Connie and John’s Pizza.
MEDIA CONTACT
heather@immediapr.com
Phone: (888) 887-5484
RESTAURANT CONTACT
Email: info@charcut.com
Phone (Downtown): (403) 984-2180
Phone (University District): Coming Soon
DIGITAL & SOCIAL
Website: charcut.com
Hashtag: #charcutud
Instagram: @charcut
Facebook: facebook.com/charcutcalgary
Youtube: youtube.com/@CHARCUT1
TikTok: tiktok.com/@connie_and_johns
CHARCUT MEDIA BACKGROUNDER
Brand Taglines
Primary: Back to Basics, Back to Flavour.
Secondary: Evolving Simple Ingredients.
Brand Statement
CHARCUT is a local, market-driven restaurant from acclaimed chefs Connie DeSousa and John Jackson. Our menu draws inspiration from Italian and Portuguese traditions, a nod to Connie's heritage, while celebrating seasonal, artisanal, and thoughtfully sourced ingredients. From our handmade pastas and vegetable-forward sharing plates to our house-cured meats, butcher cuts, and rotisserie prime rib of Alberta beef, we take a back to basics, back to flavour approach by evolving simple ingredients. CHARCUT offers a true neighbourhood restaurant experience – a place to gather and connect over great food, drinks, conversation, and company.
Fact Sheet
Our Story (by Connie, John, and Carrie)
With a shared history spanning over two decades and a wealth of experience gained from our time in New York, San Francisco, Italy, and Portugal, the vision for CHARCUT (our dream project) began to take shape. This vision was particularly inspired by our time working at Chez Panisse, where we immersed ourselves in the culinary ethos of Chef/Owner Alice Waters, a trailblazer in farm-to-table cuisine and sustainability. Upon returning to Calgary (Connie's hometown), we envisioned CHARCUT as a restaurant "by locals and for everyone" and before breaking ground, we consciously laid the foundation for a collaborative hospitality community that prioritized local and sustainable food practices. The initiation of our transformative '40 Farms in 40 Days' tour became a pivotal journey that allowed us to forge personal connections with local farmers, ranchers, and artisan producers in Alberta – we wanted to know the first names of the incredible people behind our ingredients and we wanted guests to know where their food was coming from. Seeking to strengthen ties within Calgary’s local restaurant community – and help it become recognized on a global stage – we organized a backyard potluck at Connie’s family’s backyard, drawing in over 70 chefs and their families. This event, marked by shared food and stories, not only fostered enduring relationships within the local restaurant industry but also ignited a collaborative spirit within our city, reinforcing the essence of CHARCUT even before we opened our doors.
At CHAR Hospitality Group, we operate as a community in partnership with our peers and artisan producers and prioritize mentorship and mental health above all else. This originated from John's role as Connie’s chef two decades ago and is a legacy that remains central to our culture. As we've grown, key team members have evolved into partners, contributing to the success of all of our restaurants. Embracing diversity, striving for positive environmental and social impacts, and providing opportunities for our staff exemplify our commitment to a holistic restaurant culture that continues to evolve and thrive.
Restaurant Overview
CHARCUT is a proud female majority-owned and operated destination restaurant and bar from Calgary’s CHAR Hospitality Group – founded by Carrie Jackson and acclaimed chefs Connie DeSousa and John Jackson. Our menu draws inspiration from Italian and Portuguese traditions, a nod to Connie's heritage, while celebrating seasonal, artisanal, and thoughtfully sourced ingredients. From our handmade pastas and vegetable-forward sharing plates to our house-cured meats, butcher cuts, and rotisserie prime rib of Alberta beef, we take a back to basics, back to flavour approach by evolving simple ingredients. CHARCUT offers a true neighbourhood restaurant experience, a place to gather and connect over great food, drinks, conversation, and company.
Raising CHARCUT
Since its inception in Downtown Calgary in 2010, CHARCUT has garnered a great deal of local and national acclaim. Shortly after opening, CHARCUT was featured on enRoute Magazine’s coveted ‘Top Ten New Restaurants’ list and in 2012, the restaurant was honoured by Maclean’s Magazine as one of Canada’s top 50 restaurants. Owners Connie and John have been awarded the ‘Top Canadian Independent Restaurateurs’ award by FoodService and Hospitality Magazine, received the ‘Top 40 Under 40’ designation by Avenue Magazine, and named ‘Top Chefs Under 40’ by Western Living Magazine. You might also recognize Chef Connie from her appearances on Top Chef Canada, Top Chef All-Stars, and most recently as a judge on Food Network’s Fire Masters.
In 2024, CHARCUT’s second location opened in the heart of Calgary’s vibrant University District. This expansion marked a pivotal moment for CHARCUT as it realigned its vision, values, and goals for the future. A timely evolution from its roots, CHARCUT’s growth is a celebration of where the restaurant started and where it is today. We are creative-led, community-spirited Calgarians on a mission to bring people together through food and drink experiences that bring joy and create lasting memories.
CHARCUT University District
CHARCUT University District is located on the main floor of Calgary’s second Alt Hotel. Part of the Germain Hotels group, this property is just steps away from University Avenue and the Olympic Oval. The 2,800 square-foot space includes a beautiful lounge, a versatile private dining room with views into the chef’s butcher shop (aptly named “The Butcherina”), and a large streetside patio with an array of seating options. You’ll also find an outpost of our beloved takeaway pizza concept, Connie & John's, right beside the restaurant’s entrance in the Alt Hotel lobby.
Location Information & Accessibility
Both CHARCUT locations are wheelchair accessible.
CHARCUT Downtown
Address: 899 Centre Street S | Calgary, AB T2G 1B8
Phone Number: (403) 984-2180
CHARCUT University District
Address: 4150 University Avenue NW | Calgary, AB T3B 6K3
Phone Number: Coming Soon
The Food
While the menus at each CHARCUT location vary slightly, our philosophy and approach remain the same. We offer market-driven dishes that draw from Italian and Portuguese traditions while prioritizing seasonal, artisanal, and thoughtfully sourced ingredients. Our menus feature fresh pastas, house-cured meats, rotisserie prime rib of Alberta beef, and butcher cuts that are proudly showcased in our custom meat lockers. We also offer sustainable, Ocean Wise seafood options and a wide variety of vegetable-forward sharing plates under the "Butcher's Daughter" section of our menus. Our University District menu exclusively features artisan pizzas that can be enjoyed in our lounge or main dining room.
The Drinks
Our beverage program is carefully curated and ever-evolving, featuring a rotating wine selection in partnership with Market Wines, signature ingredient-driven cocktails, and our very own collaborative craft beer. The lounge in our University District location, with its custom “island” bar, rich wood accents, and cozy fireplace, is designed to feel like a home away from home for guests of all ages, where you can enjoy delicious drinks and bites while listening to your favourite throwback tracks.
The Butcherina (University District)
A special part of our University District location, The Butcherina is a versatile private dining room with seating for up to 16 guests. Situated beside the open kitchen with views into the chef’s butcher shop, this intimate and energetic space not only caters to reservations for large parties but also transforms into a venue for special events, pop-ups, and guest chef dinners (with an exciting lineup already in store).
Connie & John’s Pizza (University District)
The Connie & John’s Pizza outpost located beside the restaurant in the Alt Hotel lobby, features artisanal New York and Detroit-style pizzas. Sold by the pie (not by the slice), each pizza is made fresh to order using the highest quality ingredients and hand-spun dough. The grab-and-go fridge is stocked with Connie & John’s own craft beer in addition to canned spirits and a rotating wine selection in partnership with Market Wines. The entire menu is available for pick-up or delivery via the Connie & John’s website or through DoorDash and SkipTheDishes. Pick-up orders can also be placed in person at the counter.
Reservations, Walk-Ins, & Waitlist
Reservations for both CHARCUT locations can be made through OpenTable.
To make a reservation at our Downtown location, please visit: www.opentable.ca/charcut
To make a reservation at our University District location, please visit: www.charcut.com
Both locations also accept (and encourage) walk-ins and hold space for walk-in guests every day. On busy evenings, we run a waitlist for the dining room. Guests can add their names to the waitlist online via OpenTable or in person and are welcome to enjoy a drink in our lounge or bar area while waiting (we are not able to add names to the waitlist over the phone).
Large Party Bookings
Both CHARCUT locations can host reservations for large parties, private events, and full restaurant buyouts. Please email info@charcut.com to submit an inquiry and a member of our team will get back to you right away.
Allergies and Dietary Restrictions
Please let us know of any allergies or dietary restrictions at the time of booking and alert your server as well when you sit down to dine with us. We will always do our best to accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions; however, we do encourage you to use your best judgment as you are the most informed regarding the nature and severity of your dietary needs. This especially applies to our gluten-free guests as we make pizza, fresh pasta, and bread in-house, meaning flour can (and does) come into contact with almost everything.
Corkage
At our University District location, we offer a discounted corkage fee of $15 per bottle for wines purchased and brought in from Market Wines. The corkage fee for all other bottles is $30 per bottle. The corkage fee for magnums is $50 per bottle.
Special Occasions
Please let us know if you’re celebrating a special occasion with us, ideally at your time of booking. We are always happy to put a candle on a dessert or send over a special welcome, depending on the occasion.
Dress Code
Both CHARCUT locations are casual; we invite you to come dressed in the fashion that’s most comfortable for you.
Community and Partnerships
Coming soon, the CHAR Hospitality Fund administered by the Calgary Foundation is being created to make a direct and meaningful impact on our community and the people who are part of it. The foundation addresses various critical areas, from creating opportunities for women in poverty to enter the culinary world, to ensuring accessible healthy food for children in underserved communities. We recognize the importance of bridging the gap in access to nutritious meals and are dedicated to being part of the solution. Connie, John, and Carrie are deeply committed to community engagement and draw from personal experiences to advocate for important causes such as the challenges of growing up in poverty, raising awareness about ADHD, and promoting mental health awareness.
While we may not be able to accommodate every donation or participation request, we encourage interested parties to reach out to us at info@charcut.com. Whether you seek support for a cause aligned with our mission or wish to learn more about The CHAR Hospitality Foundation, we welcome inquiries and look forward to exploring ways to contribute positively to our community.
Please note that we generally do not support the following types of requests:
Religious or sectarian organizations
Individuals independently raising money for an event or non-profit organization
Publications
Professional or technical associations
Political groups
Community or goodwill advertising
Corporate fundraising
Sports teams
Career Opportunities
Looking to experience career mentorship, growth, and unlimited potential? Join our dream team!
CHAR Hospitality Group is always looking for passionate and driven people to be a part of our diverse team. We offer a wide range of exciting career opportunities across our award-winning venues and as CHAR continues to grow and evolve, we're on the lookout for like-minded individuals to join us in delivering exceptional experiences to our guests, teammates, and partners. To apply, please send your resume to info@charcut.com and include any documentation in the body of your email as well as a little bit about yourself.
Contact Information & Social Media Details
Media & PR Requests: heather@immediapr.com or john.jackson@charcut.com or connie.desousa@charcut.com
Website: charcut.com
Email: info@charcut.com
Hashtag: #charcutud
Instagram: @charcut
Facebook: facebook.com/charcutcalgary
Youtube: youtube.com/@CHARCUT1
TikTok: tiktok.com/@connie_and_johns