Vegan Options Rating: ★★★☆☆ | Food Rating: ★★★★☆
Nestled in the bustling First Street Market, “Actually Pretty Good” beckons as a go-to spot for pizza enthusiasts. There is another location in Bankview, Calgary but we haven’t tried that one yet.
While the venue offers a variety of dishes, including salads and sandwiches, it undeniably shines as a pizza haven. As we explored their vegan options, a few highlights and quirks came to light.
First Street Market sets the stage for a lively dining experience, boasting street food-style vendors, a well-stocked bar, and inviting communal seating areas. On the day of our visit, the place was abuzz with energy, likely fueled by the excitement of a nearby Calgary Flames hockey game. It’s evidently a hotspot for fans gearing up for the match.
“Actually Pretty Good” offers Flore Fromage plant-based mozzarella (cashew based) as an option for their pizzas. Not a great option for those that can’t eat nuts or factor in the water or carbon footprint aspects of cashew based cheese in their environmental decisions, or the ethical side of things. We find that, in general, If the pizza base is good enough, then no cheese with some oil (truffle is good with mushroom) is a good way to go if you’re not a fan of the alternative cheese options.
Let’s face it, some are awful.
While their vegetarian pizzas can be modified to suit a vegan palate, the lack of vegan sandwiches or salads without extensive modifications is a notable gap. Clearer labeling on vegan-friendly choices would undoubtedly enhance the dining experience for plant-based patrons.
Opting for the modified El Cap pizza with dairy-free cheese, mixed mushrooms, thyme, and scallion, our order arrived promptly, and hot—a commendable feat, considering the bustling atmosphere. The taste, while generally enjoyable, presented a few nuances. The pizza base, though tasty, leaned towards a slightly chewy texture compared to a previous experience with the Actually Pretty Good.
Our culinary journey took an unexpected turn with the addition of scallions, providing a unique but divisive flavor. Personal preferences aside, I have always wondered if tarragon could be a potential game-changer for mushroom pizzas. Not a herb which is overly available. The base, while flavorful, was deemed a tad greasy—an observation that, while not unpleasant, might not appeal to all palates. We still finished the pizza no problem.
The staff at “Actually Pretty Good” exhibited a commendable level of friendliness and accommodation, even assisting with our recycling inquiries. However, a minor hiccup arose in the form of limited recycling options for larger items, highlighting an area for potential improvement in their waste management.
In the realm of vegan options, “Actually Pretty Good” earns a respectable 3 out of 5 stars, with room for growth in menu clarity. The overall food experience, garnering a solid 4 out of 5 stars, showcases the eatery’s commitment to delivering flavorsome fare with a few quirky twists. To sum it up “Actually Pretty Good” offers a noteworthy culinary escapade and that it is in First Street Market, is a bonus.
