Historic Calgary Restaurant Space Gets New Life with Bungalow Club
One of Calgary's most legendary restaurant locations has finally found a new purpose after years of uncertainty. The Bungalow Club has officially opened its doors in the iconic salmon-colored building on 17th Avenue Southwest that once housed the beloved La Chaumière restaurant for four decades.
The End of an Era and Pandemic Challenges
For forty years, La Chaumière stood as Calgary's premier destination for special occasions, celebrated for its authentic French cuisine, elegant atmosphere, and exceptional wine selection. The restaurant's closure in 2019 marked the end of an era when the owners announced their retirement, leaving Calgarians mourning the loss of a culinary institution.
The building's future remained uncertain as the pandemic reshaped the restaurant industry, with operators increasingly favoring smaller, more intimate spaces over grand standalone locations. For several years, the historic structure sat vacant, with only an "aspiHer" sign hinting at potential redevelopment as a spa or business facility.
A New Concept Emerges
As it turns out, aspiHer represents a new women's business club that now occupies most of the building. However, the culinary component has been revived through the Bungalow Club, which operates independently while complementing the networking space. The restaurant occupies the southwestern quarter of the building, featuring views of a soon-to-be-active patio and adjacent green space.
Local entrepreneur Joel Bombenon leads this culinary venture, bringing two decades of restaurant industry experience to his first ownership role. Bombenon, who also operates Zest Kitchenware in Dalhousie, has specialized in restaurant design throughout his career and drew inspiration from his extensive international dining experiences.
French Garden Theme and Design Elements
The Bungalow Club embraces a distinctive French garden aesthetic that maximizes the building's natural light through expansive windows. "I envisioned creating this wonderful biophilic garden interior," Bombenon explains. "During daytime hours, we maintain clean greens and a beautiful garden atmosphere. At night, we completely transform the space through strategic lighting."
While the new establishment bears little resemblance to its predecessor, Bombenon incorporated subtle nods to La Chaumière's legacy, including vintage posters and a Taittinger advertisement discovered among items left behind by the previous restaurant. The minimalist decor features light-colored walls and furnishings, with a gold-accented corner bar serving as the dining room's centerpiece, adorned with faux flowers and plush green barstools.
Franco-Italian Culinary Approach
Culinarily, Bombenon sought to honor French traditions while establishing a distinct identity separate from La Chaumière's legacy. He describes the menu as "Franco-Italian," blending Italian ingredients with French techniques to create an ambiguously European flavor profile.
The eclectic menu features a substantial snack section with offerings like tomato prepared four ways ($17), raw Hokkaido scallop ($22), and charcuterie plates ($32), all designed to complement the creative cocktail selection. Main courses venture into European territory with dishes such as dry-aged duck in Grand Marnier jus with beluga lentils ($35) and pasta with red wine sauce, braised beef, and comté cheese ($35). Nearly every dish offers optional luxury additions including bone marrow butter, burrata, or truffles.
The Bungalow Club represents more than just another restaurant opening—it signifies the revival of a cherished Calgary landmark that had seemed destined for non-culinary purposes. By blending historical appreciation with contemporary design and cuisine, this new establishment honors the building's storied past while writing an exciting new chapter for Calgary's dining scene.
