t seemed as though Calgary was lacking in the area of late night restaurants. Sure, some people consider pizza delivery nourishment at 12:30am, but what if you're just hungry at that time, and not drunk? What's a gourmand to do? Enter, Vero Bistro Moderne. Serving the usual meals of the day- lunch and dinner, Vero has taken inspiration from the Mediterranean cuisine they serve, and stay open past the usual dinner hour rush. The restaurant serves a late night's tapas menu with appropriate wine pairings, and stays open late enough for you to properly enjoy them.

The modern décor, features dark grey floor tiling and a black granite tiled wall with a contrasting strip of mirror running across it. For contrast, the red banquette seating lines the opposite wall, while the bar (possibly in attempts to make the place more club-like), provides a colour-changing effect with LED lighting. But Vero is much more sophisticated than that would sound.

The menu is Mediterranean fusion, with heavy Italian and French influence. Dishes on the main menu includes Lemon Poached White Wild Prawns with crisp leeks, edamame, and a caramelized pineapple and tomato salsa to start. For entrees, the Grilled Duck Breast with truffle potatoes, grilled veg and cassis port jelly, as well as the Pan Seared Sea Bass with lobster ravioli and oyster foam sound enticing. The tapas menu is more straightforward with calamari and zucchini fritters, yam frites with gorgonzola aioli, and the like.

On top of a great concern over plate presentation and taste, the folks at Vero Bistro have become a bit obsessed with wine pairings. Specials of the night are offered with specific 2oz. pours. And the tapas menu, which is served from 9 till 2 on Friday and Saturday (thought the regular menu is available as well), is all about appropriate drink accompaniments, with wines specifically paired to the various dishes.

So next time you get a hankering for something to eat around 1 in the morning, don't call KFC, head to Vero.