Restaurant suggestions - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

FurnaceFace · 10-13-2006, 09:39 AM

Going out tonight with another couple, we're pondering dinner options so thought I'd use the great powers of CP to come up with some suggestions.

Stick to places in the core or the west end unless you've got something awesome to suggest. Meals around $20 mark.

Thanks.

Bend it like Bourgeois · 10-13-2006, 10:02 AM

Why do I assume that's a dirty word ^^^

Conga Room on 8th for something different

Escoba for a quiet conversation spot

Bring_Back_Shantz · 10-13-2006, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

Conga Room on 8th for something different

Absolutely agree. This is one of my favorite restaraunts. I call it my "I know a place" place.

Other suggestions (depending on what you want)

The Palomino (corner of center st, and 7th ave). Great BBQ joint, with a great menu and there is often live music (usually I've seen the Ronnie Hayward Trio, great live music).

Booker's (owned my none other than Ronnie Stern). Just North of the Cecil. It's in a terrible part of town, but the food is fantastic, assuming that you like cajun type food.

GrrlGoalie33 · 10-13-2006, 10:51 AM

I like Crush on 12th Ave and 12th Street. It's a resturant and bar, but the resturant is on one side and the bar on the other. They have a great selection of food.

fanforever1986 · 10-13-2006, 10:55 AM

1. Pulcinella (in Kensington) - Pizza is a work of art at this place, not food. Yes I've been to Italy.

2. Bonterra Trattoria - Amazing Atmosphere, great service and even better food.
http://www.bonterra.ca/

3. Divino - It's just really good.
http://www.crmr.com/divino/contact.php

Sure they're all Italian, but it's no secret that is the best food in world.

Shazam · 10-13-2006, 10:58 AM

If you want Italian, go to Capo. Apparently the best in town by a wide margin.

I-Hate-Hulse · 10-13-2006, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fanforever1986

1. Pulcinella (in Kensington) - Pizza is a work of art at this place, not food. Yes I've been to Italy.

Maybe it's the day I went, but I thought the Pizza was vile at this place - it seriously resembled an undercooked McCain's Delissio the day I went. Thin crust soggy dough made it cardboard thin, along with minimal toppings. Not very much meat on them either, not that it was a "meaty" pizza on the menu.

I'm sure it's authentic and perhaps an artform, but ultimately, it made for lousy food IMHO. Nothing like the Pizza from the restaurant that used to be in that space, Stromboli's. Now THAT was a great pie.

Bill Bumface · 10-13-2006, 11:50 AM

Abruzzo is a little known, but great Italian restaurant. 4th ave and 10th street SW I believe. In fact, it was Chris Drury's favorite restauraunt!

troutman · 10-13-2006, 11:53 AM

West End:

Signal Hill (near Sunterra) there is the new Villa.

Shazam · 10-13-2006, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

Capo is very expensive

Yeah, I've never seen the prices there, so there you go

I only of it by reputation.

FurnaceFace · 10-13-2006, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

West End:

Signal Hill (near Sunterra) there is the new Villa.

We've been there, it was just months ago so I don't really remember it, which is both good and bad I guess. I think we're going to try Pulcinella or at least that got a reaction from Mrs. Furnace.

I shall report back my findings.

Shazam · 10-13-2006, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Maybe it's the day I went, but I thought the Pizza was vile at this place - it seriously resembled an undercooked McCain's Delissio the day I went. Thin crust soggy dough made it cardboard thin, along with minimal toppings. Not very much meat on them either, not that it was a "meaty" pizza on the menu.

I'm sure it's authentic and perhaps an artform, but ultimately, it made for lousy food IMHO. Nothing like the Pizza from the restaurant that used to be in that space, Stromboli's. Now THAT was a great pie.

Pulcinella is totally unique in Calgary, so I find you either love it or hate it. I'm gotten to shun lots of meat on pizza, so I find I rather like it.

I went to Il Centro a couple of days ago, and it was great. But the place has zero ambience.

trew · 10-13-2006, 12:15 PM

Pulcinella is a love it or hate it place.

They strive to serve authentic Naples style pizza, which is really quite different from western style pizza. It's sparse on toppings, features fresh ingredients and greens (some pizzas actually resemble salads), and very thinly sliced smoked meats. More subtle flavoured, for sure.

I definately like the basic taste, but find that their wood oven tends to char the bottoms of the pizza while the juice from their sauce left the pizza on top underdone.

I went shortly after they opened, and chalked this up to a new restaurant/staff issue, but now I'm thinking that this just might be the way they serve pie.

I still really like the concept of the place, and will try them out a couple more times, perhaps seeing if there is any options in how they prepare the pizzas.

Shazam · 10-13-2006, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trew

Pulcinella is a love it or hate it place.

They strive to serve authentic Naples style pizza, which is really quite different from western style pizza. It's sparse on toppings, features fresh ingredients and greens (some pizzas actually resemble salads), and very thinly sliced smoked meats. More subtle flavoured, for sure.

I definately like the basic taste, but find that their wood oven tends to char the bottoms of the pizza while the juice from their sauce left the pizza on top underdone.

I went shortly after they opened, and chalked this up to a new restaurant/staff issue, but now I'm thinking that this just might be the way they serve pie.

I still really like the concept of the place, and will try them out a couple more times, perhaps seeing if there is any options in how they prepare the pizzas.

I'm starting to suspect it's the wood they use. I don't think it gets the air hot enough, so they leave it in too long, resulting in the burnt crusts.

Superflyer · 10-13-2006, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

Booker's (owned my none other than Ronnie Stern). Just North of the Cecil. It's in a terrible part of town, but the food is fantastic, assuming that you like cajun type food.

I did not know that it was owned by Ron Stern, but yea it is really good food, just wish they could pick it up and move it to a better location.

SpitFire40 · 10-13-2006, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankster

I like Crush on 12th Ave and 12th Street. It's a resturant and bar, but the resturant is on one side and the bar on the other. They have a great selection of food.

I will forever boycot that place for stealing my Sizzling Wok.

Aarons13 · 10-13-2006, 01:42 PM

what is so special about the Conga room? I haven't even heard of the place! Any info would be great. thanks!

Mike Oxlong · 10-13-2006, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankster

I like Crush on 12th Ave and 12th Street. It's a resturant and bar, but the resturant is on one side and the bar on the other. They have a great selection of food.

Crush is awesome. Really good food and a cool place.

Bring_Back_Shantz · 10-13-2006, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aarons13

what is so special about the Conga room? I haven't even heard of the place! Any info would be great. thanks!

It's just a neat place. It's good South American food, and a good atmosphere (often have live music). I'm not sure why I like it so much, but the food is delicious, and more importantly it is something really different than the usual fare. Fried Yuca (sp?)= tasty

Bring_Back_Shantz · 10-13-2006, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Abruzzo is a little known, but great Italian restaurant. 4th ave and 10th street SW I believe. In fact, it was Chris Drury's favorite restauraunt!

He speaks the truth. If you want good Italian, this is the place to go!!! I'd probably put it on the top of my list for Italian in the city.