Calgary Dining

[onetwo_threefour]

Originally Posted by Fobby

This is now a Korean/Japanese Restaurant..

Abruzzo on 4th is a nice little italian place.

Damn... Haven't been up that way in a while I guess. Come to think of it it's probably been about 5 years. We don't get up that way too much anymore. I used to love Momma's. They always had great pasta and seafood dishes. On Seventeenth there's a little italian place directly across from Mount Royal Village. The name escapes me at the moment... anyone... anyone.... Bueller?

[Frequitude]

What are you looking to spend (not including wine)?

[Dion]

Leo Fu's Szechwan & Mandarin Restaurant.

511 70 Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2V 0P5

(403) 255-2528‎

[Got Miikka?]

If you're into sushi there is a really quaint albeit divine little place in Bridgeland called Sushi Zaipang. Top-notch. If you go make sure to have the tempura banana dish for dessert - amazing.

River Cafe is a great nice-weather destination as well; menu can be a little static but their mainstays are of themselves quite good. Nice patio.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Muse in Kensington is easily my favorite in the City. Stacked up well against places sampled in London. Not terrible expensive, a few dollars more than Earls if you don't get too crazy with the entree.

http://www.muserestaurant.ca/

[bendecido]

I hope that Redwater recommendation is as good as you guys made it out to be... I just bought a certificate for my parents to eat there.

[Prototype]

Crazy story... So I'm looking over a list online of resturants, including most mentioned here, and my wife suggested the place inside Flames Central of all places. My wife isn't a Flames fan per say, but I guess she's heard good things about there.

But keep the thread going, I'm sure we'll go somewhere again soon.

As far as what we're looking to spend, we're not big wine drinkers, so with drinks, $60-$80 evening.

[IHATEOILERS]

Originally Posted by onetwo_threefour

On Seventeenth there's a little italian place directly across from Mount Royal Village. The name escapes me at the moment... anyone... anyone.... Bueller?

I think you're referring to Buon Giorno. Haven't actually been to that one, but La Vienna in Kensington, as mentioned by somebody else in this thread, has about the best bang for your buck of anywhere I know of.

[Circa89]

Originally Posted by IHATEOILERS

I think you're referring to Buon Giorno. Haven't actually been to that one, but La Vienna in Kensington, as mentioned by somebody else in this thread, has about the best bang for your buck of anywhere I know of.

Buon Giorno is one of the best authentic Italian restaurants in town.
I might suggest a nice dining experience with relatively reasonable pricing:
Murietta's for a fine west coast fusion. Chris Grafton is an amazing chef (River Cafe, Fusion) I may also suggest Alloy Dining. A funky location but an amazing place.

[Draug]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

Steak Pit in Bragg Creek.

Never heard of it... I've been to most places in this thread though.

What is the Steak Pit like?

[Kjesse]

Steak Pit: Cool place with older wood decor, almost rustic. Very good food, this is a good suggestion, and I forgot about it, now that I've been reminded I plan to take a trip! The short road trip almost makes it feel like a holiday Good "date" place because its out of the way. And you can also spend some time hanging out in Bragg Creek, great place to be at this time of year, especially once May long weekend is over.

The Steak Pit is not as expensive as some of the Calgary restaurants suggested, including Capo, the one I suggested. At the same time, if you go to a place like Capo (or a few others suggested in this thread) you'll really get to experience top of the line entrees, whereas the Steak Pit is just really good... but not the best.

Still, the comparisons are very different. Capo (like for example, Teatro's) is a modern "chic" kind of place whereas the Steak Pit is more "old school". You can't go wrong with either, I find the Steak Pit to be more relaxing, Capo to be more romantic, and Teatro to be more for a group with their wide open space.

Lots of great restaurants have been mentioned in this thread, good suggestions all around. But stay away from Burger King.

[Draug]

Sounds like the Steak Pit is sort of like Nick's Steakhouse on Crowchild.

I like Nick's quite a bit ... I'm going to have to try out the Steak Pit. Plus, I live in Glamorgan, so Bragg Creek isnt that far at all.

[llama64]

Originally Posted by TheyCallMeBruce

The Rouge

http://www.rougecalgary.com/main/index.php

Just recently went to Rouge, bout 2 weeks ago.

At first the prices bothered me, as they do at the River Cafe (both are ~36-43$ an entree). Thing is, at Rouge, I didn't feel like I was getting ripped off. The food was absolutely fantastic.

The evening ended up costing my wife and I about 150$ for appetizers, entree's and dessert. We didn't do the wine thing since neither of us would appreciate the difference between a 10$ glass of wine and a 10$ bottle of wine, but their selection seemed pretty good.

If you're looking to impress, this is a better deal then spending money on the more gimmicky places like the Panorama Room.

Also recommend Divino's down on Stephen Avenue. Good food, decently priced with a great atmosphere.

[The Ditch]

I enjoy the Muse and Rouge but I think my favourite restaurant is La Dolce Vita, just a great atmosphere and great pasta and the menus is less expensive than the other two I mentioned.

[Bingo]

Pulcinella
Find a taste of Naples, Italy at this restaurant, located in Kensington in the old Stromboli's building. Specialties include authentic Napolitana pizza, made with classic ingredients including extra virgin olive oil, basil and fior-di-latte mozzarella.
Address: 1147 Kensington Crescent NW Calgary AB Canada T2N 1X7

very cool restaurant but won't take reservations. Best pizza I've had in a while and their calamari is insane

and another off the beaten path ... is Buchanan's

Buchanan's Chophouse and Whisky Bar
738 - 3 Avenue SW
T2P 0G7
Business Phone: (403) 261-4646
Fax : (403) 294-1080
http://www.buchanans.ca

Buchanan’s looks like an old fashioned San Francisco neighbourhood Chop House. A delightful modern definition of an American classic, this restaurant is famous for Alberta Beef, yet they always serve an excellent daily fresh fish.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by Draug

Sounds like the Steak Pit is sort of like Nick's Steakhouse on Crowchild.

I like Nick's quite a bit ... I'm going to have to try out the Steak Pit. Plus, I live in Glamorgan, so Bragg Creek isnt that far at all.

Except that in recent years the Steak Pit hasn't decreased it's portion sizes and general food quality. After 3 very disappointing meals in a row at Nick's we've stopped going altogether. Very sad, we used to LOVE that place. Sorry, I'm bitter.

The Steak Pit rules. Top notch in my opinion.

[Claeren]

Originally Posted by TheyCallMeBruce

For a fancy restaurant, that is actually average, or slightly above average in this city. Downtown restaurants are a lot more expensive than the Rouge.

I am well versed in pricing of Calgary restaurants.

Last time i was at Capo it cost me $260 (for 2), including one of the cheaper bottles of wine.

Last time i was at Rouge it cost me $160 (for 2), not sure what i drank though (not a bottle though).


I just don't see those as 'relatively affordable'? To me those are major indulgences? Of course as mentioned, it is odd to say one wants affordable and then say ones first choice was the Panaromic where i can only imagine prices are (or rather, 'will be') even more inflated than normal due to being up in the tower (which is why places up in the tower always go under), but regardless, if price is at all a concern i would not be sending people to Capo or Rouge (or a number of others of those listed).

I guess that is easy since i have not listed my own choice?


For 'cheap but fancy' dates i would lean to somewhere like Moti Mohal (14th St, just south of 17th Ave SW). It has its flaws (slow service especially - but that is okay for a long date), but it does have a pretty fancy-feeling aesthetic, good food and good prices if you resist the urge to order too much and to share what you do get (which is how most of it is served). Plus it is kind of ' Indian LITE' for those new to Indian food, which makes it less intimidating. I imagine one could have a couple Lassi drinks instead of wine, and get out of there for under $50 pretty easily (and walk over to the Chocolate Bar for a shared sundae!). I usually spend about $40 (knowing the menu) and am full and no less well served date wise than if i had spent 2 or 3 times that much.

Iginla (with his Wife) has been known to come here frequently as well. Although there is also Newab now....




Claeren.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Infusion in Bragg Creek is a solid choice as well...good anniversary/date atmosphere.

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Rob Feenie is now working with Cactus Club. If the menu is anything like Lumiere in Vancouver then the food should be awesome

x2. Feenie does great work.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Originally Posted by Claeren

I am well versed in pricing of Calgary restaurants.

Last time i was at Capo it cost me $260 (for 2), including one of the cheaper bottles of wine.

Last time i was at Rouge it cost me $160 (for 2), not sure what i drank though (not a bottle though).


I just don't see those as 'relatively affordable'? To me those are major indulgences? Of course as mentioned, it is odd to say one wants affordable and then say ones first choice was the Panaromic where i can only imagine prices are (or rather, 'will be') even more inflated than normal due to being up in the tower (which is why places up in the tower always go under), but regardless, if price is at all a concern i would not be sending people to Capo or Rouge (or a number of others of those listed).

I can say I've been to 90% of fine dining restaurants in Calgary (taking clients to dinners, dates, etc), one of the benefits when I worked in oil and gas. So I'm well versed in the pricing as well.

The OP mentions the Panorama, which to me signifies that he is looking at that price range. I agree with you it is a rather odd request for affordability when at the next line he mentions the panorama, but I assumed his "affordability ceiling" is what the Panorama offers. I gave him a better choice, which had better food, a view that is just as nice (by the river), and a unique atmosphere. Taking all these things into account, the Rouge is a great choice. So I have no idea why you wouldn't send people there.