Josh Stoddart has been working in restaurants since he was old enough to get a job. He’s done everything from washing dishes and making take-out pizza to serving and managing. He fell for the magic of the kitchen and then for co-worker and chef Amelia Stoddart.
Since then, this husband-and-wife duo has shared a life that revolves around food, wine and hospitality. After working together in some of Calgary’s best Italian restaurants, they opened their first venture, Full Circle Pizza & Oyster Bar in 2016. Unlike the fine dining environments in which they previously worked, Full Circle is relaxed and casual. “We wanted to do something that’s a little bit more approachable and affordable,” says Josh. “We decided we’d do pizza because it has a broad following.”
In the open kitchen towards the back, a wood-fired pizza oven is the star of the Full Circle culinary show, and is visible from any seat in the restaurant's narrow, rectangular space.
It’s a come-as-you-are kind of place with an easygoing feel. Its soundtrack is classic and funky sounds by the likes of James Brown and Ray Charles. The staff, (including Josh and Amelia) are clad in crisp, white shirts, red suspenders and colourful bowties handmade by Josh himself. A kitschy play on words, the mathematical pi symbol and accompanying equations are displayed on the walls. These decorations imply a touch of nerd-like obsession. “We’re pretty nerdy about food and wine and pizza and cocktails,” explains Amelia.
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A long, lounge-like eatery featuring an open kitchen, Full Circle is perfumed with the sultry scent of its busy wood-fired pizza ovens. Serving classic pies such as the margherita and putanesca, inventive creations such as the Dr. Octo-Pi topped with grilled octopus and bonito flakes are winning the new eatery (launched December, 2015) considerable buzz. It will officially launch its brunch menu on Mother’s Day. A work in progress until then, Mom can rest assured that the menu will feature its namesake oyster dishes and pizza pies. Seatings: May 8, 10 am to 4 pm.
View this Smart ListA long, narrow restaurant with an easygoing lounge atmosphere, Full Circle’s open kitchen fills the air with the culinary perfume of oven-fresh pizza. Serving such classic pies as the margherita and putanesca, inventive creations such as the Dr. Octo-Pi topped with grilled octopus and bonito flakes are winning the new eatery (launched December 2015) considerable buzz. As the its name suggests, East and West Coast oysters are also served, and a short list of non-oyster-and-pizza dishes includes carbonara calzone, ricotta gnocchi and roasted game hen.
View this Smart List