Chorney-Booth: Acme Pizza and Pasta Co. finds a new (familiar) home
When restaurateur Dean Symonds moved to Calgary over 15 years ago, the first restaurant he had a hand in opening was Vendome Café, owned and operated by the Teatro Group. Symonds has since become a regular fixture in Calgary's restaurant landscape, working at and eventually owning several beloved restaurants, including The Beltliner and Gorilla Whale. Now, a decade and a half after walking into the Vendome Block for the first time, Symonds and his business partner Jason Wankel are back in that historic Sunnyside venue with a new restaurant of their own, Acme Pizza and Pasta Co.
Article content
Article content
Article content
Vendome had a great run under the stewardship of the Teatro Group, but that company decided to close it down last year to focus on other projects. Meanwhile, Symonds and Wankel, frustrated after losing their other restaurants in the wake of the pandemic, had pivoted to pizza, the one foodstuff that seems to thrive no matter what the state of the world may be. Their Acme Pizza Co., with a location in Tailgunner Brewing Co. in Sunalta and another standalone takeout spot in Renfrew, was a bona fide hit. The pair were ready to expand into a larger facility with capacity for a commissary kitchen and a full-service, sit-down restaurant to showcase their well-honed hospitality skills.
Article content
Article content
Article content
Timing, as they say, is everything. Right as the Acme crew were ready to expand, that familiar Vendome space suddenly became vacant.
Article content
'It is interesting to come full circle,' Symonds says.
Article content
Symonds and Wankel originally toyed with the idea of opening Acme Pizza and Pasta as a scrappy red sauce joint. But their heritage building location, which Teatro renovated extensively over the years, with its gentle archways and sleek bartop, felt a little too elegant for red checkered table cloths and New Jersey-style spaghetti and meatballs. They knew they had to develop a friendly neighbourhood spot that could do double duty as a romantic date night destination and a go-to for family pizza night.
Article content
Article content
'We can be playful here, but the room dictates we put a little bit of parsley on top of things,' Symonds says with a chuckle.
Article content
'We wanted to match the room,' Wankel says in agreement. 'But the other guiding force is that everything on the menu is going to be on a table with a pizza. We had to remember that, too.'
Article content
To help strike that balance, the Acme kitchen team – head chef Alexander Row, chef de cuisine and pasta wizard Elyse Trimble, and sous chef Colby Tio – created a menu to entice locals looking for both a quick pizza and beer or a plate of seafood-studded, house-made pasta. The king of the menu, to Symonds and Wankel's admitted surprise, are the gooey panko and parmigiana-crusted mozzarella sticks ($15), which feel both remarkably modern and like a (much-welcome) throwback to the '80s. There are other snacks and small plates worthy of investigation, such as a gorgonzola beet salad with apple and pistachio ($21), marinated olives with rosemary and lemon ($8), and mussels in a lemon-butter garlic sauce ($25), but ultimately, this is a pizza 'n' pasta restaurant.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Behold the backyard
When a creative couple bought a 30-year-old split-level home in Transcona's Lakeside Meadows 10 years ago, they knew they had taken on a project. To put it mildly, the home was in dire need of updating. Undeterred, they set about bringing the 1,776 sq. ft. residence up to contemporary standards. The 1,776 sq. ft. split level has been tastefully remodelled and comes with an added bonus: an amazing backyard. The decade-long reno journey was a labour of love, says Shona Scappaticci of Vivico Real Estate. 'They knew the home had a good design and layout, it just needed to be taken from the '80s and brought up to modern standards,' she says. 'It wasn't just a partial renovation — they had to redo the home from top to bottom.' She notes that their first product was the ceiling in the main living area. 'The whole area — kitchen, dining room and family room — sits under a gorgeous, vaulted ceiling. However, when they bought the home, it was finished with stucco, which didn't look good, and dated the home. So, they took everything out, putting in a new ceiling. It's now a contemporary painted ceiling and looks amazing.' That was only the start of the renos in the main living area. 'When I say it and the rest of the home was totally redone, that's what literally happened, especially in the main living area.' Photos by Todd Lewys / Free Press A gorgeous in-ground pool is the centrepiece of the resort-like backyard at 214 Lynn Lake Dr., Lakeside Meadows in Transcona. As might be expected, the first project was the kitchen. 'It was totally redone with a quartz waterfall island that seats three, quartz countertops, espresso maple and Euro-style cabinets, a lovely tile backsplash and stainless vent over the range that matches the appliances,' Scappaticci says. 'Gorgeous laminate flooring was installed, and there's a pantry with tons of pull-outs and even a hidden spice rack and hidden dishwasher.' Once the kitchen makeover was complete, the next project was the dining area. 'What can you say — it was totally transformed. A cultured stone feature wall was placed on the rear wall along with an electric fireplace — I love the light fixture they chose — and a sliding patio door was installed on the side wall to make way for a barbecuing deck in the lovely, fenced side yard.' That left the family room to take care of, and take care of it they did. The dining area, which is next to a sliding patio door that leads out to an elevated barbecuing deck in the side yard, is framed perfectly by an elegant cultured stone feature wall. 'So much thought went into the redesign of the home, and the family room speaks to that. It's a very simple space with a newer bay window that lets in lots of natural light, and a simple area to hang a huge TV on the wall over an entertainment unit. There's plenty of room for a sectional.' The rest of the like-new home unfolds in logical, family-friendly fashion. Ascend a brief set of stairs to the home's upper level and you find two spaces: a masterfully remodelled main bath that offers a tile floor, tub with matching tile surround, contemporary grey vanity and a newer low-flush toilet. That gives way to the primary bedroom. 'Parents will love that it's in its own private area away from the other bedrooms,' says Scappaticci, noting that the home has five bedrooms in total. 'It's a very peaceful, private space that comes with an updated two-piece ensuite, large bay window and a double closet with mod sliding doors and loads of built-in storage.' Meanwhile, the first of the home's two lower levels offers all kinds of function. Modern and functional, the island kitchen offers quartz countertops, espresso maple and stainless Euro cabinets, a tile backsplash, newer flooring and a pantry with pullouts. Its centre portion houses an office area with a garden door to the resort-like backyard — more on that shortly — while a hallway to the right leads to two large bedrooms. A three-piece bath and hidden laundry area complete the transformation, making for a fabulously functional, kid-friendly refuge. Finally, there's the home's final (and lowest) level, which is dedicated to one thing: entertainment. 'It's a media room that would probably be claimed by the kids,' she says. 'It has a laminate plank floor with a dry core sub-floor underneath, a niche for your TV between two closets, and pot lights above. It's just a wonderful space.' Scappaticci adds that the home's backyard is its ace-in-the-hole. The remodelled main bath is as contemporary as they come. 'The only word to describe it is spectacular. It's a private oasis with an in-ground pool, gazebo area, lounging areas and gorgeous landscaping. It's great for family fun or for kids to have friends over for a swim,' she says. 'It puts the finishing touch on an amazing home that lives like a new home. With all the updates inside and out, all you need to do is move in and enjoy.' lewys@
Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Globe and Mail
New Toll Brothers Model Home Now Open in Randolph, New Jersey
RANDOLPH, N.J., June 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE:TOL), the nation's leading builder of luxury homes, today announced its newest model home is now open in its Oaks at Randolph community in Randolph, New Jersey. This exclusive Toll Brothers neighborhood features upscale townhomes and an array of resort-style amenities. The model home is now open daily for tours at 3 Flower Horn Blvd. in Randolph. Oaks at Randolph features 108 townhomes situated within a beautiful, wooded setting. The community offers home shoppers an impressive selection of open-concept two-story townhomes with dynamic floor plans up to 2,311 square feet, including flexible living spaces and basement options. Toll Brothers homes in Oaks at Randolph are priced from the upper $700,000s. 'Our brand-new Noah Elite model home serves as inspiration for our customers building their dream home in Oaks at Randolph, showcasing some of our most popular features and options,' said Jill Sarcia, Division President of Toll Brothers in New Jersey. 'We invite new home shoppers to visit the community and tour our new model home to take advantage of the rare opportunity to build a new construction home within the well-established and highly desirable Randolph area.' Oaks at Randolph is located within the esteemed Randolph Township School District and surrounded by endless outdoor activities. In addition, Toll Brothers homeowners will enjoy the community's future onsite amenities, including an exclusive clubhouse, fitness center, outdoor swimming pool, and more. Residents will enjoy proximity to charming downtown Morristown, with easy access to New York City as well as Interstates 80 and 287. Toll Brothers customers will experience one-stop shopping at the Toll Brothers Design Studio. The national award-winning Design Studio in Dayton, New Jersey allows customers to choose from a wide array of selections to personalize their dream home with the assistance of Toll Brothers professional Design Consultants. Quick move-in homes with Designer Appointed Features are available in the community, allowing home buyers the opportunity to move into their new dream home later this summer or fall. For more information on Oaks at Randolph, call (844) 834-5263 or visit About Toll Brothers Toll Brothers, Inc., a Fortune 500 Company, is the nation's leading builder of luxury homes. The Company was founded 58 years ago in 1967 and became a public company in 1986. Its common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'TOL.' The Company serves first-time, move-up, empty-nester, active-adult, and second-home buyers, as well as urban and suburban renters. Toll Brothers builds in over 60 markets in 24 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington, as well as in the District of Columbia. The Company operates its own architectural, engineering, mortgage, title, land development, smart home technology, and landscape subsidiaries. The Company also develops master-planned and golf course communities as well as operates its own lumber distribution, house component assembly, and manufacturing operations. Toll Brothers has been one of Fortune magazine's World's Most Admired Companies™ for 10+ years in a row, and in 2024 the Company's Chairman and CEO Douglas C. Yearley, Jr. was named one of 25 Top CEOs by Barron's magazine. Toll Brothers has also been named Builder of the Year by Builder magazine and is the first two-time recipient of Builder of the Year from Professional Builder magazine. For more information visit From Fortune, ©2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
Globe and Mail
4 days ago
- Globe and Mail
eDesign Interactive Launches Redesigned Website for County College of Morris, Empowering Student Success
eDesign Interactive launched a redesigned website for County College of Morris to create a future-focused platform that supports student enrollment, engagement, and confidence. Morristown, New Jersey--(Newsfile Corp. - June 19, 2025) - Full-service digital agency eDesign Interactive has successfully launched a redesigned website for County College of Morris (CCM), a leading two-year public institution in New Jersey. The new website was designed to elevate CCM's digital presence, support the college's strategic goals, and deliver a modern, engaging experience for students, employees, community partners, and visitors. The Different Elements of County College of Morris' (CCM) New Website To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: The redesign focused on empowering the community and providing prospective students with intuitive navigation, dynamic content, and a clear connection between academic programs and real-world career opportunities. The new site includes: Tailored Student Experience: A mobile-first design that guides prospective and current students through academic, financial, and support services. Career Pathways Content: A reimagined program structure that ties degrees directly to career outcomes, encouraging exploration and confidence. Internal Directory: A centralized space for faculty and staff to access tools, documents, and updates efficiently. Strategic Messaging: A new content framework built around the message "Emerge Confident" to reinforce CCM's student-first mission. Optimized Architecture: A complete overhaul of site navigation and content hierarchy, reducing thousands of outdated pages and improving search performance. "We focused on meeting real student needs such as career clarity, accessible content, and mobile navigation," said Vincent Mazza, Managing Partner at eDesign Interactive. " The result is an experience that helps prospective students feel empowered, informed, and confident about their future from the moment they land on the homepage." Built using cutting-edge technology, the redesigned site also ensures compliance with WCAG AA accessibility standards and supports robust analytics to inform continuous improvements. The launch has already driven strong engagement, with thousands of visits recorded on the first day and notable increases in page interaction and community interest. To explore how eDesign Interactive helps brands revamp their websites and digital presence, visit the eDesign Interactive Portfolio. About eDesign Interactive eDesign Interactive is an award-winning digital experience agency headquartered in Morristown, NJ. Founded in 2004, eDesign's team of 50+ talented individuals, fueled by passion, artistic flair, and unconventional ideas, combines creativity with strategic insight to help brands connect meaningfully with their audiences. About County College of Morris (CCM) Located in Randolph, New Jersey, CCM has been meeting the educational and training needs of residents and businesses in Morris County for more than 55 years. The college offers 50+ associate degree programs and a full slate of certificate and workforce development programs designed to lead to successful careers.
