Good restaurants in Calgary

[Table 5]

Definitely intrigued by the marrow (my family used to eat it all the time on bread back in the day), so I think I will have to try that one out. Doing some quick image searches, I saw some cheese fondue pot that looked pretty tasty too..

Staying away from turkey sausage seems like a no brainer no matter where you are.

[zuluking]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Definitely intrigued by the marrow (my family used to eat it all the time on bread back in the day), so I think I will have to try that one out. Doing some quick image searches, I saw some cheese fondue pot that looked pretty tasty too..

Staying away from turkey sausage seems like a no brainer no matter where you are.

The poutine. If the duck fat didn't do it, the truffle oil seals the deal!

[red sky]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Going to Charcut tonight. Any recommendations?

Roasted beet, goat cheese and arugula salad.

[malcolmk14]

Beet, cheese, arugula salad is awesome - definitely my favourite appetizer. The beets are gigantic and fresh, the goat cheese is creamy and mild, and the arugula is fresh and peppery. They put arugula on everything at Charcut, so if you don't like it make sure to let your server know.

The "cheese fondue" pot you saw was likely the Quebec Raclette cheese, I've had it twice and it's pretty delicious, it's served with warm fluffy pan bread. It's not really a fondue, though. It's just cheese melted in a warm cast-iron pan that you can spread nicely on the accompanying bread.

A friend at the table had the bone marrow last time I was there, but I was on the opposite end and didn't try it. You can also get marrow on brioche as a side with your main sometimes, depending on the iteration of the menu you get tonight. Good opportunity to try it in a small dose and decide if it's something you'd like to order next time.

The Pig's Head Mortadella stuffed with pistachios and truffles is delicious, served with a nice grainy mustard.

As far as mains go, my favourite is the Spring Creek Prime Rib, it's served with creamy horseradish and, yep, you guessed it, arugula.

Butcher steak is usually good depending on the cut, I liked the sirloin and wasn't a huge fan of the skirt.

The chicken is fantastic, I usually don't order chicken at restaurants but this is moist and the skin is cooked perfectly. Really fantastic.

Was not a fan of the lamb leg on shelling beans that I tried, and usually I loooooove lamb.

I don't particularly like poutine but my girlfriend swears that Charcut's is the best thing she's ever eaten. I've tried it and it's rich and flavourful but I'd prefer to spend my stomach space somewhere else.

The Broccolini is hit or miss, brussels sprouts are quite good.

As far as dessert goes, the Valhrona chocolate semifreddo is delicious if they have it on the menu - they didn't a couple of weeks ago.

The chocolate pudding is the best pudding I've ever had, and the peach cheesecake in a jar is pretty good as well.

If you're not a wine drinker they have a great beer selection, and if you're not an alcohol drinker in general they have a few types of Grizzly Paw sodas from Canmore that make a good complement to the meal.

Enjoy!

[malcolmk14]

I noticed moncton golden flames never reviewed Rush like he said he would at the top of this page, I see you reading this thread, get on it!

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by jar_e

This thread ends with Rouge. Its obviously a niche restaurant and pricey, but there is no better food in Calgary than Rouge.

I took my Fiancée there for Valentines Day a few yrs back and the presentation was nice and it was unique stuff I would never normally order like moose and duck and other Canadian animals but the food was all cold. It didn't taste that great for a 300 dollar meal either. I am more into places like Bolero, you can't beat all you can eat flame grilled meat. I live in BC now so maybe Rouge is better now but I wasn't impressed.

[Lt.Spears]

Anyone been to Bonterra? I met the owner on my way back from Mexico and he invited us over, seems to be well reviewed.

[East Coast Flame]

Originally Posted by Lt.Spears

Anyone been to Bonterra? I met the owner on my way back from Mexico and he invited us over, seems to be well reviewed.

Bonterra is probably my favorite place in town. Fantastic food, great atmosphere and reasonably priced. I have been many times and have never been disappointed.

[FLAMESRULE]

Had lunch at Escoba downtown. Had the duck breast...pretty damn good if I do say. Nothing like the duck for two we had at the Tribune, but still very tasty.

[SeeBass]

^^^and one of the best patios for summer dining in the city

[SeeBass]

Originally Posted by East Coast Flame

I am going tonight as well and was just about to ask this!

My friends recommend the marrow and to stay away from the turkey sausage.

You must have the marrow it is incredible!!!

[moncton golden flames]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

I noticed moncton golden flames never reviewed Rush like he said he would at the top of this page, I see you reading this thread, get on it!

haha, i was waiting for a call out!

we were in a 'rush' to get to the flames game and didn't get to eat. we made it there after the game for a few bevies. the place is very nice inside. the lounge is very large and the main dining room has a very cool atmosphere. they are already talking of tearing out the bar and reconfiguring the lounge area, as the bar is not a good set up.

i know a few people who work there, so i do need to get in there and eat sometime. when i do, i will review it!

tonight, the wife and i are going to mango shiva on stephen ave.....

[malcolmk14]

I had the best steak tartare of my life at Escoba a couple years ago. Been back a couple of times since and it wasn't nearly as good. Don't know what happened.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

The chocolate pudding is the best pudding I've ever had, and the peach cheesecake in a jar is pretty good as well.

Aeneas's famous quote from the I'm Off To Roma thread:

I remember reading in some guidebook or other that Europeans in general view eating chocolate pudding as the province of the very young, or of imbeciles.

[Table 5]

Holy crap, I'm gonna puke I'm so full. While it's still fresh in my mind, my non scientific review of of my dinner tonight at Charcut:

Beet Salad - Really awesome...I'm a big beet fan, but the goat cheese was a nice surprise (it was soft, almost like ricotta). If you're going to have a meat-heavy meal, this is a great way to cut the fat with some refreshing vegetables. Wife's favorite of the night.

Pretzels with cheese sauce - Nothing too fancy, but really nice soft pretzels, and some delicious cheese sauce. Came with more pickled beets, carrots, and pickels...good times.

Prime Rib - I'v had varying experiences with prime rib, but this was one of the better ones I've had for sure. Nice and tender, and the au jus and horseradish sauces worked great with it.

Charcut Burger - Wife had this one, so I can't comment on anything other than it was huge. It had a giant egg on it, and looked extremely hard to handle. Can't say how it tastes, but personally, I like my burgers simple, so I'm not sure I would've liked it myself. The one bite I seemed like it had promise though.

Poutine with duck fat and truffle oil - To be honest, we were stuffed pigs by the time this hit the table, so we only had a few bites and packed it up for later. But it tastes exactly like it sounds....fatty, cheesy, and full of disgusting goodness.

Broccolini - We didn't order this, but they mistakenly brought it instead of the poutine, and then said it was on the house. Was pretty good, but by this time we were starting to get pretty full so I wasn't paying attention.

Glazed Carrots - Glazed carrots are glazed carrots. Good, but whatever.

So that was it.

Except for dessert. There's always room for dessert.

Peaches and Cream cheesecake in a Jar - Quite good. Nice and cool, and not too heavy. Great way to end the night.

Chocolate pudding - Delicious. Made me want to slip my shorts on and run around like a ######ed imbecile.

All in all, great restaurant experience. The only disappointment of the night was that they didn't have the bone marrow on the menu.

[East Coast Flame]

Our meal at charcut was fantastic as well. I went with the Prime Rib and I wholly agree with your assessment, it was excellent. My date had the Pork Belly and she really enjoyed it.

We went with Oysters to start...and they were a little disappointing. The poutine was fantastic, and the Broccolini was a nice side.

And yes, wish I was able to have marrow, but I'm sure I'll be back so hopefully it will be back on there when I return!

[red sky]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Holy crap, I'm gonna puke I'm so full. While it's still fresh in my mind, my non scientific review of of my dinner tonight at Charcut:

Beet Salad - Really awesome...I'm a big beet fan, but the goat cheese was a nice surprise (it was soft, almost like ricotta). If you're going to have a meat-heavy meal, this is a great way to cut the fat with some refreshing vegetables. Wife's favorite of the night.

Pretzels with cheese sauce - Nothing too fancy, but really nice soft pretzels, and some delicious cheese sauce. Came with more pickled beets, carrots, and pickels...good times.

Prime Rib - I'v had varying experiences with prime rib, but this was one of the better ones I've had for sure. Nice and tender, and the au jus and horseradish sauces worked great with it.

Charcut Burger - Wife had this one, so I can't comment on anything other than it was huge. It had a giant egg on it, and looked extremely hard to handle. Can't say how it tastes, but personally, I like my burgers simple, so I'm not sure I would've liked it myself. The one bite I seemed like it had promise though.

Poutine with duck fat and truffle oil - To be honest, we were stuffed pigs by the time this hit the table, so we only had a few bites and packed it up for later. But it tastes exactly like it sounds....fatty, cheesy, and full of disgusting goodness.

Broccolini - We didn't order this, but they mistakenly brought it instead of the poutine, and then said it was on the house. Was pretty good, but by this time we were starting to get pretty full so I wasn't paying attention.

Glazed Carrots - Glazed carrots are glazed carrots. Good, but whatever.

So that was it.

Except for dessert. There's always room for dessert.

Peaches and Cream cheesecake in a Jar - Quite good. Nice and cool, and not too heavy. Great way to end the night.

Chocolate pudding - Delicious. Made me want to slip my shorts on and run around like a ######ed imbecile.

All in all, great restaurant experience. The only disappointment of the night was that they didn't have the bone marrow on the menu.

Wow, that is a huge meal.

[red sky]

My recommendation is for a new menu item at Earl's... yes, Earl's.

Their Poke nachos are amazing. I recommend trying them if you enjoy raw fish.

[troutman]

Big Fish is good. I had better oysters, but the mussels and crab cake were excellent. Nice wine list.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by red sky

Wow, that is a huge meal.

Yeah, we totally misjudged the portion size. Luckily for us, we were parked downhill from the restaurant.