Things have been pretty quiet over here while I’ve been preparing my brand new website.  Now that it’s live, expect to see lots of great new material coming your way.  My first official blog post of 2019 is a feature on The Nash Weddings and what makes them so unique.  I recently met with Dominique  and she gave me the scoop on The Nash and their historic roots.

Tell us about The Nash and how it came to be?

Situated in the vibrant and historic community of Inglewood in the recently restored National Hotel, the Nash writes a new chapter in the hotel’s long history while building on the story of its past. The food concept is based on high quality natural ingredients sourced from as many sustainable local growers and producers as possible with a dash of urban grit thrown into the mix.

A little history lesson

The National Hotel, a heritage building constructed in 1907, and at the time “the” hotel in Calgary, served as the local district tavern and hotel for transient workers for the nearby CP railroad station.  The Nash dining room takes inspiration from the once grand hotel’s design, while Off Cut Bar serves as the alter ego; drawing on the hotel’s less savoury side of history.

Whiskey and women

Before Inglewood’s main street became 9th avenue, it was known as ‘Atlantic avenue’, or more infamously referred to as ‘whiskey row’, and was a place to find booze, brawls and bawdy women.

The darker side

Off Cut’s walls are lined with a colourful collection of mug shots from the British library’s archives that put a spotlight on local scoundrels and rogues who would have frequented the hotel during the wake of prohibition.  How’s that for a fascinating history? 

The Off Cut Bar

The off cuts of meat do make for some very tasty dishes. The Off Cut Bar is built on this premise, with dishes featuring cheeks, bellies, tails and offal as well as our own charcuterie, great house-made burgers and more daily creations from our every changing menu. This is also the place to enjoy great cocktails, craft beers and a collection of small batch bourbons, whiskeys and other spirits.  Off Cut Bar holds 50 for a seated dinner and 75 for a standing cocktail reception.

The Dining Room

During the restoration, a great deal of care and attention to detail went into the design of the updated space. Everything from the floorboards to the lighting and tabletops were fashioned to represent exciting elements from the hotel’s past.  The dining room holds 130 for a seated dinner and 200 for a standing cocktail reception.

Who are your ideal couple for The Nash Weddings? 

These images are from a spring inspiration shoot at The Nash, to be featured on the blog soon.  

Here’s a Hanukkah inspiration shoot photographed at the Nash in 2019, if you’d like to see.