Good restaurants in Calgary

[moncton golden flames]

the first thing i always do when i go out for dinner, is order a caesar to get the taste buds running. it was tasty and spicy, but the pickled celery as a garnish was to stringy to bite thru, without making a mess. overall: 7.5/10

we started the meal by sharing 2 starters. first was garam masala grilled lamb lollipops with apple, tomato, mint chutney. the lollipop is basically a single piece of rack lamb. there were 3 pieces, all grilled perfectly. the chutney was simple and clean tasting. a very nice compliment to the lamb. overall: 8/10

the second starter was chick pea battered coconut curried calamari with a mango lentil salad. a very nice dish. the calamari was cooked perfectly, so soft and tender. the batter was not thick or overwhelming and the mango lentil salad helped cut thru the richness of the coconut curry. overall: 8/10

for the first main, we had their tandoor roasted butter chicken served with masala roasted vegetables and toasted almonds. i know, not very adventurous, but it's still one of our favourites. the sauce was more tomato than other butter chicken sauces we have had, which helped keep the dish relatively light. we didn't even have the veg, but the carrots, peas and beets looked tasty. overall: 8/10

the second main was a turmeric and cumin sauteed cauliflower with a tomato sauce and some vegetable fritters was a nice contrast the the chicken heavy butter chicken. unfortunately, we didn't finish the dish, we were just too full. but a leftover lunch today is looking mighty tasty! overall: 7.5/10

with dinner, we had the allegrini valpolicella classic. a great pairing that held up very well the the strong aromatics of indian food. every sip brought a nice spicy bit to the tongue that kept me wanting to guzzle and gorge on it. thankfully we were c-training, so the booze consumption was a fun priority to maintain. overall: 8.5/10

while mango shiva is not your traditional indian food restaurant, it is certainly a good dining experience with a nice atmosphere and good service. overall: 8/10

[OldDutch]

Went to Model Milk with the wife this weekend.

Ordered Oysters, and Foie Gras to start. I would say the Oysters were disappointing, were quite small for West Coast, but the flavour was good. Foie Gras was really good, but then again, I haven't met a Foie Gras I didn't like.

My wife went with the Lamb, and I went with the Duck Pot Pie (para phrasing dish names). Hers was really good, and mine was just pretty good. Like a 7.5 and 8/10 respectively.

Overall, I thought it was a good place, we said we would try again. I wasn't wow'd though, and given you have to be there by 6 sharp to not wait for a table (EDIT: you have to still wait, but only 20 mins), it is a bit over hyped IMO.

However, given all the new places in Calgary, we probably won't be back before it closes. Taste, Boxwood, Jar o Blue (yes, we haven't made it there in 5 years of wanting) are on deck.

The one big disappointment was lunch that day. Big Cheese poutine. Just was not good at all. The BBQ pork dishes were way too tangy, and the fries not that good. 6/10 tops.

[troutman]

Raw Bar, Chef's tasting menu:

http://www.hotelarts.ca/assets/files...%20to%2018.pdf

[rd_aaron]

Originally Posted by troutman

Raw Bar, Chef's tasting menu:

http://www.hotelarts.ca/assets/files...%20to%2018.pdf

I heard Raw Bar poolside is pretty cool. I have a couple friends coming into Calgary for Stampede and was thinking this would be a good place to hit up lunch one day. Anyone have opinions on the food?

[rd_aaron]

Originally Posted by fotze

Ya, the hotel arts stampede party is to die for.

Interesting. I didn't realize that incident was at the Hotel Arts tent. I believe my company (different company than the employee who died) had their Stampede Party that year at the same place (I was still a student at the time).

I know they're also infamous for the "check your ring at the door" thing, but I heard poolside at Raw Bar has a cool vibe to it.

[calgaryrocks]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

Tu Tierra is great - 4 out of my 5 visits have been excellent. One time I feel like I got microwaved food but... what can you do?

Los Compadres is good for tacos but when is the last time they've been out? Can't eat there if they are never open. Also they are pretentious about their food being real Mexican and don't take to constructive criticism well.

BUMP
re: Tu Tierra
thinking of trying this place out, though originally we were going to try out el sombrero on 17ave - how would tu tierra compare to the two places on 17ave? the reviews for all 3 have bad and good, but what are CP experiences
also this should be moved to the food subforum

[tete]

I'd go to Tu Tierra over El Sombrero - I don't mind El Sombrero (their takeout dinner for two feeds about four people), but Tu Tierra is much better.

My husband and I went to Muse last week and had the tasting menu paired with wine. Divine. Everything was just so wonderful. Our sommelier used to be at Rouge - he had served us a few times there - and he paired the food so well. I think we'll be back to Muse again.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by calgaryrocks

BUMP
re: Tu Tierra
thinking of trying this place out, though originally we were going to try out el sombrero on 17ave - how would tu tierra compare to the two places on 17ave? the reviews for all 3 have bad and good, but what are CP experiences
also this should be moved to the food subforum

I think Tu Tierra is definitely better than El Sombero. I've asked my friend (former owner of a Mexican deli) for her recommendation for best Calgary Mexican restaurant.

All these places should be packed Saturday for Cinco de Mayo.

[LChoy]

Originally Posted by tete

I'd go to Tu Tierra over El Sombrero - I don't mind El Sombrero (their takeout dinner for two feeds about four people), but Tu Tierra is much better.

My husband and I went to Muse last week and had the tasting menu paired with wine. Divine. Everything was just so wonderful. Our sommelier used to be at Rouge - he had served us a few times there - and he paired the food so well. I think we'll be back to Muse again.

Very cool. I'm rooting for Xavier (Exec Chef at Muse) on the current Top Chef Canada.

[troutman]

My friend says Los Mariachis is the best (most authentic). She used to live in Guadalajara.

http://216.23.136.135/Mariachis/main.aspx

[VladtheImpaler]

BUMP.
Going to Rush on Saturday for our anniversary and will write a review.
This should probably move to the new forum...

[troutman]

Tilted Grill (4th st and 18th ave) has a great patio. Don't know about the food, as we had brunch, and the regular menu ("street food") was not available.

[Flabbibulin]

Fergus & Bix is possibly the best "pub" food in the city while Local 002 in Lincoln Park is possibly the worst food in the western hemisphere.

[VladtheImpaler]

Alright, as promised, here is my review of Rush...

First of all, the decor, etc in the modern style are superb. Definitely a restaurant to impress a date. Anyhow, I toyed with getting the chef's tasting menu (6 courses - $75), but decided to pass - perhaps, next time. Mrs. Impaler and I each decided to get a salad, soup, main course and dessert, along with a bottle of wine. The cost of said meal was $220 (including tip).

I had the goat cheese salad to start...



Pickled beets, beat sponge. It was very good; nothing spectacular, but very good.
Mrs Impaler had the caesar with proscioutto...



I did not try it, but she said it was excellent...

Next, the soups... Mrs Impaler got the lobster bisque...



I tried this, and it just didn't do it for me - tasted too fishy and was too watery for my liking. She liked it well enough, but just not my thing.
I had the roasted cauliflower veloute...



It was flavoured with truffle, garlic chips and ricotta dumpling... and it was spectacular! The flavours and textures blended wonderfully - I could have just had a bucket of this for dinner. Will definitely have to come back to have again! Mrs Impaler tried it and wished she had ordered it instead of the bisque.

On to the mains... we kept ordering different things for tasting variety... I had the ahi tuna, garnished with root vegetables...



I have to say I'm not a raw fish fan, but decided to try it (to a large extent because Mrs Impaler was considering it and wanted a taste). It was very good, but... unspectacular. One of those things, where I am pleased, but have no desire to order it again. The vegetables/potatoes were savoury, but, on the whole, I probably would have preferred a rib-eye or pork to the tuna...

Mrs Impaler had the gnocchi parisienne...



It was actually quite a large portion and I wound up eating about a 1/3 of it... It was olive, dried tomatoe and goat cheese pesto. It was very good, but really, really heavy - word of advice - if you are not a glutton and want to try this dish, you skip the soup and salad. Again, would classify it as very good, but no reason to order again.

Finally, dessert, and I apologize profusely, but I forgot to snap a photo before we dug in, and decided not to photograph a "ruined" plate. We both had the triple creme brule - three flavours (espresso, vanilla, and amaretti, with the appropriate cookie and berry garnish). This was superb, the vanilla being the best of the three, but all were fabulous. Definitely worth returning for.

In terms of intangibles, the service was impeccable - our water and wine glasses never got empty, and everything was done quickly and politely. The complimentary valet parking was nice too.

Overall, a very good experience. I was hoping for a bit more of a "wow" factor from the food, though the soup and dessert were indeed special. We will definitely go back and try something else...

[moncton golden flames]

was your server named james per chance?

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Alright, as promised, here is my review of Rush...

First of all, the decor, etc in the modern style are superb. Definitely a restaurant to impress a date. Anyhow, I toyed with getting the chef's tasting menu (6 courses - $75), but decided to pass - perhaps, next time. Mrs. Impaler and I each decided to get a salad, soup, main course and dessert, along with a bottle of wine. The cost of said meal was $220 (including tip).

I had the goat cheese salad to start...



Pickled beets, beat sponge. It was very good; nothing spectacular, but very good.
Mrs Impaler had the caesar with proscioutto...



I did not try it, but she said it was excellent...

Next, the soups... Mrs Impaler got the lobster bisque...



I tried this, and it just didn't do it for me - tasted too fishy and was too watery for my liking. She liked it well enough, but just not my thing.
I had the roasted cauliflower veloute...



It was flavoured with truffle, garlic chips and ricotta dumpling... and it was spectacular! The flavours and textures blended wonderfully - I could have just had a bucket of this for dinner. Will definitely have to come back to have again! Mrs Impaler tried it and wished she had ordered it instead of the bisque.

On to the mains... we kept ordering different things for tasting variety... I had the ahi tuna, garnished with root vegetables...



I have to say I'm not a raw fish fan, but decided to try it (to a large extent because Mrs Impaler was considering it and wanted a taste). It was very good, but... unspectacular. One of those things, where I am pleased, but have no desire to order it again. The vegetables/potatoes were savoury, but, on the whole, I probably would have preferred a rib-eye or pork to the tuna...

Mrs Impaler had the gnocchi parisienne...



It was actually quite a large portion and I wound up eating about a 1/3 of it... It was olive, dried tomatoe and goat cheese pesto. It was very good, but really, really heavy - word of advice - if you are not a glutton and want to try this dish, you skip the soup and salad. Again, would classify it as very good, but no reason to order again.

Finally, dessert, and I apologize profusely, but I forgot to snap a photo before we dug in, and decided not to photograph a "ruined" plate. We both had the triple creme brule - three flavours (espresso, vanilla, and amaretti, with the appropriate cookie and berry garnish). This was superb, the vanilla being the best of the three, but all were fabulous. Definitely worth returning for.

In terms of intangibles, the service was impeccable - our water and wine glasses never got empty, and everything was done quickly and politely. The complimentary valet parking was nice too.

Overall, a very good experience. I was hoping for a bit more of a "wow" factor from the food, though the soup and dessert were indeed special. We will definitely go back and try something else...

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by moncton golden flames

was your server named james per chance?

I honestly can't remember - could have been - it was a fairly young man (~late twenties) with short dark hair.

[Flabbibulin]

Not in Calgary, but just finished dinner at Lanny McDonald's brewery (Tamarack) in Lakeside, Montana- pretty darn good

[kdogg]

I would like to thank CalgaryPuck for the recommendation of Open Range. Fantastic restaurant.... well thought out and great food. The little details matter, and they seemed to be on top of it all.

Highly recommended.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Alright, as promised, here is my review of Rush...

I'd be starving after those child portions.

[Pizza]

BUMP

so it looks like the exec chef from Rouge is now the exec chef in Muse as well as Rouge's staff transitioning over to Muse.

still a nice meal at Muse, but whatever made Muse better than Rouge is now a thing of the past