Best Steak place in Calgary?

[Zee]

Guys wanting to have a good Beef Wellington...

http://wellingtonsofcalgary.com/imag...inner_menu.pdf

Just had it earlier this month, it was exceptional.

I'm surprised not more steakhouses make it.

I recall another place, maybe Hy's... I can't remember though. It wasn't that great. Apparently it's quite a challenge to get right.

[You Need a Thneed]

My last couple trips to the Keg haven't really impressed me. I've had some great steaks there, but some that haven't been as good.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

My last couple trips to the Keg haven't really impressed me. I've had some great steaks there, but some that haven't been as good.

I think that's the issue with a place like the Keg....the quality standards can be all over the place as I'm sure there's a higher turnaround of staff and less quality control. One day it's fantastic, the day it's overcooked and mediocre.

I've always found the Stadium Keg to be the best one myself. But that might just be luck.

[Zee]

Saddest steak house story has to be Quincy's, how far they have fallen. From being one of the best places 15 years ago, to one of the worst. I always wonder what happened with them...

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by Zee

Guys wanting to have a good Beef Wellington...

http://wellingtonsofcalgary.com/imag...inner_menu.pdf

Just had it earlier this month, it was exceptional.

I'm surprised not more steakhouses make it.

I recall another place, maybe Hy's... I can't remember though. It wasn't that great. Apparently it's quite a challenge to get right.

Good god no. No.

I've never understood the draw to Beef Wellington. It's a step above chicken fried steak, but not much. As for cooking, it's all timing. It's why Gordon Ramsay has it on his menu on Hell's Kitchen. The process is simple, but you have to trust the clock and the other people in the kitchen to get their order up when they say it will be up.

Best places I've had steak in Calgary:

• Vintage Chophouse
• Metropolitan Grill
• Chicago Chophouse
• Mercato

Caesar's and Hy's were also good, but it's been so long since I've been there.

[flamesfever]

Caesar's downtown gets my vote, although I haven't tried may others. If in the past, I would have said Hy's Steakhouse.

I don't know what your price range is, but if you don't get too many extras (expensive wine, etc.) I think it's reasonable. Good service and nice atmosphere.

Also, valet parking. Handy to just drive up to the front door and hand the guy your keys. I usually just drop him five bucks on the way out.

Saw Mark (something or other who travels around the country and sometimes anchors the National) there a while ago...must have been directed as a good place to go.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I think that's the issue with a place like the Keg....the quality standards can be all over the place as I'm sure there's a higher turnaround of staff and less quality control. One day it's fantastic, the day it's overcooked and mediocre.

I've always found the Stadium Keg to be the best one myself. But that might just be luck.

I think it must be, I had two very poor service experiences at Stadium Keg in a row. (once we actually left before ordering, which I've never done anywhere else in my life)

I've found the McLeod Trail location to be more consistent, although I've also had better experiences at the Stadium location.

YMMV. I actually like the keg as a "casual dining" type restaurant, but it's less consistent than a truly great steakhouse would be.

For that, I love Caesars downtown and it's "old world" feel.

[Bigtime]

How about the Bears Den? Ate there a few times, I thought it was good. Didn't blow me away though, however I did love the look of the place.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by J epworth kendal

The Ranche is suburb. They call it Rocky Mountain cuisine, so they always have wild game on the menu, and bison items and caribou and such. It's in a 100 year old house that was owned by William Hull.

I used to work there and can vouch for the quality of meats. When your paying $60+ for an entry, it better be the best food ever. And it truely is. The restaurant is also supposedly haunted, which makes the meat taste even more delicious. Just be prepared to drop at least $150 for 2 people.

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

How about the Bears Den? Ate there a few times, I thought it was good. Didn't blow me away though, however I did love the look of the place.

I've been there quite a few times, I'd recommend it overall, though not necessarily as the "best steak place in Calgary".

[Flacker]

Great:
The Ranche - I have had some of my best dining experiences here. As stated before bank on about $75/head.
Chicago Chophouse - pricey, but worth it.

Good:
Smugs - seems less impressive than it once was.
Wellingtons - Blue Hair central, but good food, and exceptional service.
Ceasar's - downtown location is consistently good.

Avoid:
Trib - can't get temps right on a steak, at a steakhouse? Expensive.

[ComixZone]

Caesar's downtown would have had my vote...until my corporate event this past Monday. Was really unimpressed - and I LOVED my previous experiences there. Everything from the service to the cut of meat got two emphatic thumbs down from me on Monday night.

Real shame, because it was my favourite steak in town.

[Zee]

Originally Posted by squiggs96

Good god no. No.

I've never understood the draw to Beef Wellington. It's a step above chicken fried steak, but not much. As for cooking, it's all timing. It's why Gordon Ramsay has it on his menu on Hell's Kitchen. The process is simple, but you have to trust the clock and the other people in the kitchen to get their order up when they say it will be up.

Best places I've had steak in Calgary:

• Vintage Chophouse
• Metropolitan Grill
• Chicago Chophouse
• Mercato

Caesar's and Hy's were also good, but it's been so long since I've been there.

You can say this about all steak. The difference between a well cooked steak or a ruined one is all about timing.
Just because you don't like something, doesn't mean others shouldn't either. It's called taste for a reason.
For me, it's the buttery taste of foie gras compined with a perfect tenderloin, with a good puff pastry. I happen to like it.

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Caesar's downtown would have had my vote...until my corporate event this past Monday. Was really unimpressed - and I LOVED my previous experiences there. Everything from the service to the cut of meat got two emphatic thumbs down from me on Monday night.

Real shame, because it was my favourite steak in town.

This...
Caesar's is not what it used to be, they are riding their reputation right now. Service, quality of steaks, and the menu no longer compare to most of the other places mentioned in this thread.

[flamesfever]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Caesar's downtown would have had my vote...until my corporate event this past Monday. Was really unimpressed - and I LOVED my previous experiences there. Everything from the service to the cut of meat got two emphatic thumbs down from me on Monday night.

Real shame, because it was my favourite steak in town.

Sorry to hear that. Did you voice a complaint?

[moncton golden flames]

i'm a sucker for vintage chop house. but, i'm a little biased, the executive chef is a friend of mine.

[ricoFlame]

Carver's is wicked...love that place, and the tableside caesar salad is unreal.

[Jbo]

Originally Posted by ricoFlame

Carver's is wicked...love that place, and the tableside caesar salad is unreal.

I agree. Carver's is unreal...pretty pricey though

[TheyCallMeBruce]

I've been to vintage 3 times. I have never been disappointed. I went to chicago probably more than a dozen times (when I was working downtown, taking clients to lunch), and I can say it still doesn't compare to vintage.

[AR_Six]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Vintage is the best steak I've had anywhere at anytime.

+100000
Seriously, why not have the best.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

When some of you guys say pricey can you define that?

A cheap steak IMO is like $10-20.

What I'd consider standard would be $25-40.

So when someone says a place is expensive that all depends. $45? $60? $75? $100? And I mean just the entree. Counting drinks is silly because that throws everything out of whack.