Restaurant recommendation

[DrPepper]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Gang,
I need a solid recommendation for a good restaurant. I'm looking for some place to take my lady out for her birthday. I'd like something nice but not too "hoity toity" - as it's simply not our style.

I've thought about both River Cafe and the Ranche but it's not really the type of grub she enjoys.

Just looking for a nice, relaxed, fun place to take her.

Thanks!

If you wanna take your girl out for her bday. The best place is teh Sky 360. The prices are pretty decent, but at least its a dinner to remember.

[MRCboicgy]

I would vote for Redwater on MacTr. It's excellent. I don't know if it's on the menu still, but the chef there did an apricot stuffed chicken breast that rates up there with the best meals I've ever had.

[troutman]

Raw Bar (Hotel Arts)

[tete]

Brava Bistro is nice, but might be too similar to River Cafe.

One of my favourite places is still Aida's in Mission - it has great Lebanese food and is non-stuffy.

[Temporary_User]

What about sushi?
I don't live in Calgary anymore, but when I did (a couple years ago) I used to always take dates for sushi. Kyoto's on 17th (door is on 16th) was always my favourite.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Jayems

i'm partial to that Brazilian place on McLeod called Bolero.

Not sure if that's the type of atmosphere you're looking for or not.

Another thing to keep in mind, meat, meat, meat, is more a man thing.

[Peanut]

Originally Posted by Temporary_User

What about sushi?
I don't live in Calgary anymore, but when I did (a couple years ago) I used to always take dates for sushi. Kyoto's on 17th (door is on 16th) was always my favourite.

I think Kyoto's might be closed??

The best sushi in Calgary (IMHO) is Hana Sushi on 4th Ave SW. Definitely not fancy though.

I'm partial to The Ranche because we got married there (awww....). I've heard pretty great things about Chef's Table in Kensington, but it's really pricey.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by pylon

If you are into the type of food. Rajdoot is awesome. No need to dress up, and the kitchen always seems like it is staffed by a bunch of east indian grandmothers, so you are getting a pretty authentic experience. Can get a bit pricey, usually about $40-50 a head, but it is well worth it for the excellent service and food.

Rajdoot has hands down the best Chicken Tikka Masala in the city.

But the best overall Indian food goes to Moti Mahal.

[DFO]

I think Big Fish on Edmonton trail would work for you. I second the vote for Escoba too.

[sclitheroe]

Il Giardino's on 17th Ave and 4th St. is my vote for Italian. Have always enjoyed quiet dinners there.

[krazycanuck]

Hooters!!

or I hear the french maid makes a mean roast beef dip...

[Kipper is King]

Originally Posted by Suave

Farm is good but you can't do reservations unless you are in a group of six or more. So unless you show up at open, chances are you are waiting at least 30min for a table. So probably not the best for a Birthday dinner.

Hmmmm. I didn't know that. Good to know!

[Jedi Ninja]

Originally Posted by Nage Waza

Try Fergus and Bics in Wentworth area, trust me on that. Great atmosphere, really good food and a cool bar all in one. If you can get in...

The burger is reliably good, but that's the only thing I'd consider ordering there. It's mostly just pub food. In fact, the place is really just a pub. The Chowhound gang doesn't like it so much:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/544294

EDIT: Well, the above sounds kind of harsh, so I wanted to add that I generally like the place, the atmosphere is pretty good for a deep-suburb restaurant. Other review sites don't seem quite as harsh on F&B as Chowhound, and I have to admit that some of the comments on the CH reviews are kind of weird. (Young mobsters? WTF, the crowd there is mostly late middle age.)

[malcolmk14]

Hana and Kyoto 17 for sushi!? What is wrong with you people?

Sushi Club, Sushi Bar Zipang, Sukiyaki House, and Misato (my personal fav).

Globefish, El's Japanese Fusion, and Shibuya Izakaya are also decent.

[Hoj]

Brava Bistro, or maybe Blink?

For sushi - Zipang, Misato, or Wa's.

[Kswiss]

Originally Posted by DrPepper

If you wanna take your girl out for her bday. The best place is teh Sky 360. The prices are pretty decent, but at least its a dinner to remember.

Agreed...something she will tell her friends about

[Nage Waza]

Originally Posted by Jedi Ninja

The burger is reliably good, but that's the only thing I'd consider ordering there. It's mostly just pub food. In fact, the place is really just a pub. The Chowhound gang doesn't like it so much:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/544294

EDIT: Well, the above sounds kind of harsh, so I wanted to add that I generally like the place, the atmosphere is pretty good for a deep-suburb restaurant. Other review sites don't seem quite as harsh on F&B as Chowhound, and I have to admit that some of the comments on the CH reviews are kind of weird. (Young mobsters? WTF, the crowd there is mostly late middle age.)

Did you read the first review, it was generally good...keep in mind this was based on a brand new restaurant/bar. Not many restaurants of that style get that type of positive review.

I enjoy going there, and it seems to be a perfect place for a date (which is what this thread is about). I don't think I would recommend the place for fine dining, for single people it is a great place to bring a girl (and get her drunk).

If you live far away, then forget it.

[troutman]

Discovered a great place last night - District.

Between the Keg and Amsterdam Rhino on 11th. Coolest menu I have ever seen in Calgary. The menu changes every week, and is very innovative. Also, an oyster bar. On your table are little order forms to order charcouterie and awesome cheeses. Great selection of wine and beer. Music was good, and the staff was very welcoming and attentive. Nice big screen for watching the game. Sometimes they bring in live music - jazz. Prices were reasonable. It opened last July.

Very impressed.

http://enjoydistrict.com/2009/06/26/...in-blue-jeans/

Calgary foodies take note, there’s a new watering hole in town and it was launched Wednesday night with a lively party that included a pig roast, music and mouth-watering food.

The former Red Door Bistro on 11th Avenue S.W. closed its doors and within 72 hours was reborn as The District. Owner Darren Gurr and his crew worked feverishly to transform the space from a French bistro to…well, we’re still looking for a word that accurately describes this casual, affordable, foodie-friendly, party-atmosphere destination.

Darren says gastropub is close, but he wants to take the idea one step further. Maybe a couple of steps further, given that he plans to make The District really stand out in the crowded Calgary food scene.

http://www.chomp.ca/calgary/restaura...esc#review_521

[Peanut]

District sounds pretty nice. Words like "gastropub" and "restolounge" drive me nuts, though.

Malcolmk - what's wrong with Hana?! We used to live 3 blocks from there and order take-out all the time... I thought it was pretty delish. But maybe I'm not a sushi conniseur.

[frege64]

Originally Posted by Temporary_User

What about sushi?
I don't live in Calgary anymore, but when I did (a couple years ago) I used to always take dates for sushi. Kyoto's on 17th (door is on 16th) was always my favourite.

K17 has been closed for a couple of years and even when it was open it was HORRIBLE.

El's, Zipang, Momo-Yama, Misato, Sushi Club, Sukiyaki House, Blowfish, Globefish, Wa's.