fancy classy nice restaurants for me to go to?

[troutman]

Mrs. troutman and me highly recommend the Raw Bar at Hotel Arts.

Friday/Saturday nights they have a chef's special menu. For $60 each you get five courses. For an extra $30, you can have a special wine or champagne to match each course. Fantastic food, and a great cocktail menu.

A funky decor, and they even have a DJ on the weekends.

St. Germain, across the hall, is one of the top french restaurants in town.

http://www.vcrossing.com/whats_happe...df/raw_bar.pdf

http://www.hotelarts.ca/amenities.php

Noted restaurant critic, John Gilchrist listed Raw Bar and Saint Germain as tied for first for Calgary's best new restaurants in 2006.

Raw Bar at the Arts
Experience innovative cuisine in one of Calgary's most cosmopolitan settings at Raw Bar at Hotel Arts. Award-winning Executive Chef Duncan Ly and his team of trailbreaking chefs look forward to showcasing their Pacific-rim influenced menu. Start your culinary journey with some signature appetizers like Tuna Tataki or the Crab and Mango Rolls before exploring a rich array of entrees infused with a myriad of tantalizing flavours. Witness first-hand why the National Post named Raw Bar one of Alberta's Ten Best Restaurants.

Saint Germain
Owned and operated by some of Calgary's best restaurateurs, Saint Germain provides diners with a sumptuous array of bistro-inspired cuisine. Specializing in regional offerings with a French twist, this experienced team will tantalize the palates of food and wine lovers. Open for lunch and dinner.

[DFO]

I'd hit up Il Sogno in Bridgeland - its an Italian inspired place. Been there a couple times for special dinners and think its great. Probably looking at $200-250 for two depending on what you drink. They also have a chef's menu that sounds cool - something like 4 courses with wine pairings I think.

http://www.ilsogno.org/

[looooob]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Capo
River Cafe
Rouge

Capo is bar none the best Italian restaurant in Calgary. River Cafe and Rouge for contemporary Canadian. Rouge gets extra points for serving stuff from their backyard (literally).

San Remo's is disgusting. Sorry.

just clarifying on san remo did you go to the Oakridge one (which is better than Marda Loop)?

either way certainly its not in a league with the other restaurants being discussed or on your short list

[burn_baby_burn]

I second the Raw Bar at the Hotel Arts. Attended a wedding there recently. The food was excellent as well as the service.

[Slava]

I'm a little shocked at all of the love for Capo. I ate there and thought it was good, but not as amazing as I had hoped for. I think that the place you ought to try is Da Guido on Centre and 20th...great food and the prices are not out of this world.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

I suggest that you get out of town and go to Infusion in Bragg Creek...amazing food and reasonable prices, you will likely spend $100 with appy's, drinks and an entree but not much more.

[Claeren]

Originally Posted by Rhetts_the_Best

www.bravabistro.com

Extremely nice restaurant!
probably around 25+ for Entree's

If that is to expensive, than "The Broken Plate" it has excellent food and incredible atmosphere.


And if you choose Brava, i highly recommend the Lamb

Argh!!!

Don't go telling everyone!

Where else can i go right on 17th Ave and get a patio seat at primetime on a summer weekend evening, get fantastic food, great service, an interesting wine menu, lots of good eye candy (the hottest girls eat there, i swear!) and a certain irreverence for snobbiness that makes the few extra dollars it costs me over some cheaper choices more than worth while?!

Keep the secret damnit!!

(Oh, yeah, the motorcycles! They are loud on 17th ave along there so people should totally not go there.... yeah, avoid Brava for sure!! )


Claeren.


PS - The Pasta entrees are priced below $20, the better stuff is from there to the mid-$30s.

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by Slava

I'm a little shocked at all of the love for Capo. I ate there and thought it was good, but not as amazing as I had hoped for. I think that the place you ought to try is Da Guido on Centre and 20th...great food and the prices are not out of this world.

Yeah I love the food at Da Guido also. I ran into Lanny there one evening not too long ago. I'd still say Capo at #1 but Da Guido might be 1a.

[fredr123]

http://www.bonterra.ca/

Good atmosphere, good food, in your price range. If we ever get something resembling spring around here, you can sit in their patio with the fireplace and stuff.

[Frequitude]

Originally Posted by MonsieurFish

Hey... so I'm thinkin of takin my gf for our one year to some real fancy restaurant to eat in a few weeks, and since basically the only restaurant I go to is earls... I need some help from cp.

I'm thinkin of takin her to the calgary tower restaurant. Any thoughts? I've heard its maybe not worth the money but I think it'd be pretty nice. Anyone have any better ideas or recommendations since I don't really have a clue when it comes to this stuff.

Thanks

No offense, but I would never go to the Calgary Tower restaurant. It is vastly overpriced because of the location, and in general I find it hokey touristy fancy, not good dining experience fancy.

Originally Posted by Number 39

If you are prepared to spend the $ one of the best resturants in the region is Eden in the Rimrock Hotel in Banff. Full course meals with optional flights of wine. Their menu is available here:

http://www.rimrockresort.com/pdf/EdenMenu.pdf

I took my wife (who is a foodie) there for an anniversary and she loved it. The wine cellar is award winning and the experience was amazing. I don't know your situation with the GF but the Rimrock Resort usually has a overnight stay package bundled with meals.

Number 39

I ate there last week. Best dining experience of my life. Be prepared for a $300+ tab though, so it's likely out of the question.

Originally Posted by Rhetts_the_Best

www.bravabistro.com
And if you choose Brava, i highly recommend the Lamb

I think Brava is actually a little overrated, but it is still pretty good and actually a good call if you want to stick close to $100. And then you're right on 17th for a night out. I recommend instead the Crispy Chicken.




In general though, my recommendations tend to be
Rouge - an excellent dining experience. It's actually an old Inglewood house so its got a warm feel.
River Cafe - good food and a great place to eat on a nice summer's evening.

The bill will be closer to $200 than $100 though, depending on your drink selections.

[Frequitude]

Originally Posted by Claeren

Argh!!!

Don't go telling everyone!

Where else can i go right on 17th Ave and get a patio seat at primetime on a summer weekend evening, get fantastic food, great service, an interesting wine menu, lots of good eye candy (the hottest girls eat there, i swear!) and a certain irreverence for snobbiness that makes the few extra dollars it costs me over some cheaper choices more than worth while?!

Keep the secret damnit!!

(Oh, yeah, the motorcycles! They are loud on 17th ave along there so people should totally not go there.... yeah, avoid Brava for sure!! )


Claeren.


PS - The Pasta entrees are priced below $20, the better stuff is from there to the mid-$30s.

Claeren, I respect your opinions on Calgary dining. Do you actually rate Brava that high? I find everything about the interior a little plain - from the dishes to the decor. Take the Crispy Chicken for example. The chicken itself is delicious, but you only get some mashed potatoes and a carrot with it.

But yes, if you can get a patio spot it's a great summer spot.

[Claeren]

Originally Posted by Frequitude

Claeren, I respect your opinions on Calgary dining. Do you actually rate Brava that high? I find everything about the interior a little plain - from the dishes to the decor. Take the Crispy Chicken for example. The chicken itself is delicious, but you only get some mashed potatoes and a carrot with it.

But yes, if you can get a patio spot it's a great summer spot.

No, i do not by any means rank it with the top tier of places in the city. But when i think of all the other places on 17th ave specifically with a large'ish patio it is certianly near the top?

I also like the fact that it doesn't take itself too seriously either. As a younger guy i don't like when places are too stuffy. It has a time and place but not on a nice summer evening when i am more interested in my company and good laughs with friends than i am acting snooty and pretending (or not pretending) i have money to burn?

If it was a busy place i totally would not go there though! The very fact i get a table there easily is why i love it!


I like River Cafe a lot for a date too, Rouge and Capo are both really good but i find something is missing for the money they charge... I like Divino's too! hmm...

Muse in Kensington can be a nice place to mix it up a bit as well.

For little family places I always liked Il Pascatorra(sp!?) on 11th Ave before they tore it down and started building Oslo Condos, but i hear they will be re-opening in that same spot when the tower is finished...


hmm...

Raw Bar was alright, but when i am there i feel like i am in some dark corner of an old Holiday Inn... ?

Mango Shiva was another good place to mix a night up, when do they open their new location?

Oh, and no love for Ruth's Chris Steakhouse eh? I have not been to the Calgary one but thought other locations i had been to were not nearly as great as they should be for the price!




Claeren.

[looooob]

Originally Posted by Claeren

Oh, and no love for Ruth's Chris Steakhouse eh? I have not been to the Calgary one but thought other locations i had been to were not nearly as great as they should be for the price!




Claeren.

I've not heard good things about the one in Calgary, but I'd be glad to hear otherwise

when I"ve gone in the States, I find it to be ok. expensive sure, but sometimes I'm in the mood for that type of place

[GoinAllTheWay]

Ceasers steak house in Willow Park Village. Honestly, if you like a good steak, THIS is the place to go. I wouldn't steer you wrong on this one. For about $120 including tip you get an nice salad, soup, the most amazing cheese bread and a steak that will blow your hair back.

This place is amazing.

[Ruttiger]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

Ceasers steak house in Willow Park Village. Honestly, if you like a good steak, THIS is the place to go. I wouldn't steer you wrong on this one. For about $120 including tip you get an nice salad, soup, the most amazing cheese bread and a steak that will blow your hair back.

This place is amazing.

Might be just me, but for the difference in price from The Keg I didn't find it was any better. I find the The keg to be a pretty decent place to go for a steak, especially when the price of some other places is factored in.

[Boblobla]

I have had a steak or two at Ceasers that The Keg could not reproduce, but I have also had steaks where I wonder why it was 45 bucks. A restaurant that nice should not be hit or miss imo. I also find that they mark their wine up too much.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

I also find that they mark their wine up too much.

Had dinner at a small-town family restaurant in Turner Valley last week. A decent bottle of wine was only $20. In the city, you would expect to pay $35-$40+ for that same bottle.

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

Ceasers steak house in Willow Park Village. Honestly, if you like a good steak, THIS is the place to go. I wouldn't steer you wrong on this one. For about $120 including tip you get an nice salad, soup, the most amazing cheese bread and a steak that will blow your hair back.

This place is amazing.

x2. My fave steakhouse in the city for sure. I have also been lucky at Vintage for good steaks.

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by troutman

Had dinner at a small-town family restaurant in Turner Valley last week. A decent bottle of wine was only $20. In the city, you would expect to pay $35-$40+ for that same bottle.

What was the Restaurant? I golf in Turner Valley quite often and I would like to try out somewhere different to eat. I normally just head to Okotoks.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

What was the Restaurant? I golf in Turner Valley quite often and I would like to try out somewhere different to eat. I normally just head to Okotoks.

Nothing fancy. Turner Inn Family Restaurant. The locals call it "Tom's". They serve everything - steaks, pizza, pasta, chinese food, and it is all decent quality. I could not believe how inexpensive the wine was compared to the big city.

Also in Turner Valley, there is Coyote Moon (tex-mex I think). There is a 50's diner in Black Diamond, and another family/chinese restaurant.