Local Restaurant Thread

[malcolmk14]

Not true. They take $100 for a large party reservation (more than 4 I believe) and hand you a gift card when you walk in the door. I have reserved there multiple times with a party of fewer than four at no charge, and twice for a large party with the aforementioned practice. I have no problem with it, as they only have one large table.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Amethyst

It was a few years ago. I tried to make a reservation and they wanted me to pay $200. Not a credit card to save it, but actually pay ahead of time.

I've been there a few times on very busy nights (valentine's etc) and haven't had this happen when our reservation. Odd.

[Amethyst]

I really think it was $200, although it was a few years ago. We had 5 or 6 people going, so I guess that's considered a large group. I just got the feeling that they didn't really want us and the idea of paying up front was annoying when no other restaurant had ever asked for that, so we went somewhere else.

A few times, friends have mentioned it and I always just remember it as the grumpy place that wanted me to pre-pay, so I try and steer them elsewhere (if I'm going).

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Amethyst

Notable also charges for making a reservation. They have a number of practices I don't like, so I don't go there, despite hearing the food is good.

Originally Posted by Ducay

Wait, they do that? I've never seen anyone threaten to charge for resos, let alone actually doing it. That's pretty brutal.

Originally Posted by Amethyst

It was a few years ago. I tried to make a reservation and they wanted me to pay $200. Not a credit card to save it, but actually pay ahead of time.

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

Not true. They take $100 for a large party reservation (more than 4 I believe) and hand you a gift card when you walk in the door. I have reserved there multiple times with a party of fewer than four at no charge, and twice for a large party with the aforementioned practice. I have no problem with it, as they only have one large table.

I've followed Michael Noble (head chef and owner) on twitter for quite a few years. He's tweeted quite a few times in the busy seasons for them about reservations cancelling last minute or no showing, and how that affects quite a lot for them (staffing, meal prep, etc.). I'm assuming that is why they now implement this pre-charge sometimes.

He's never come across as really grumpy when he talks about it, but showing those of us not in the business the effects of late cancellations and no shows on their industry.

[Amethyst]

It wasn't the owner I spoke with, just whoever answers the phone / takes reservations. At the time, I was organizing dinners at nicer restaurants for a group of friends (never more than 6). We went to a lot of other places that had no issues with us, but it seemed like Notable didn't really want us to come and if we did, they wanted to be paid up front.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Amethyst

It wasn't the owner I spoke with, just whoever answers the phone / takes reservations. At the time, I was organizing dinners at nicer restaurants for a group of friends (never more than 6). We went to a lot of other places that had no issues with us, but it seemed like Notable didn't really want us to come and if we did, they wanted to be paid up front.

I think you're looking at it the wrong way.

Every time I have gone there the place is packed, so when people don't show up it sucks for them and then the people who couldn't get a reservation.

I'm not too sure why you are against the deposit as a deterrent for people skipping their reservation? You're going to pay your bill at the end, which is just smaller since your deposit is basically a credit on the bill. It's not like that $100 is the cost to rent a table and that's it.

Do yourself a favour and go in a group of 4 or less (then you don't have to put a deposit) and give it a shot, their food is great. The charcuterie board is great or the crispy potato rolls, rack of pork night or prime rib night, finished up with the warm chocolate pudding. Yum.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

so yesterday, we were in the NW and the wife had been wanting to go to Notable's for a long time - so we went. food and service was fine and at expected levels.

on the way out the wife comments on how we were charged $3 for water. We did not ordered any bottled water, or sparkling water. the only water we had was what was presumably good old Calgary tap water in a fancy beaker type jug.

is this some new trend? or can I somehow blame the NDP?

Usually they tell you about it, I think it's their still water but they charge for it and donate it to charity.

http://notabletherestaurant.ca/community/

We couldn’t be a part of this community without giving back to it. In 2013, we offered meals to families from the local community who were displaced during the flood. We also support Ronald McDonald House in many ways, including hosting families who are staying at the House who just need a break. We also support many other charitable causes through our Q-Water program, of which we donate every penny of profit to people in need

[Northendzone]

ok, that is cool then - it was only $3, but I was thinking it might be the start of a new trend

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Has anyone been to Plowshare Artisan Diner? I have a friend who constantly raves about that place on Facebook but I don't recall it being mentioned in this thread yet. Is it really as good as she claims it is?

Sorry for the belated reply, but we had a staycation at the Palliser a few weeks ago, and randomly selected Plowshare for lunch. It was a bit too hipster, but the clubhouse was good. Good service. Decent enough place I suppose, but not sure if I'd ever make it a point to go there.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Went back to The Daily today for lunch and was really disappointed. Seems like a few months after a lot of places open, the consistency and quality suffers.
Just not good enough.
I had the grilled cheese which is hard to screw up.
But they put too much of the tomato chutney on (which i had asked to hold altogether) which made the toast soggy. And in the middle there was just a massive brick of half melted cheese.

Nope. Not good enough.

Originally Posted by Weitz

Damn. Been meaning to get there as it's only a block or so away but havent had the chance.

Think it's still worth going for brunch?

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Tough call. I went for brunch there when it first opened and it was slightly above average.
Since then my wife has had two bad meals there and I've had one.
And the couple next to us refused to pay their bill (though I don't know why - not sure if it was food quality, slow service, or something else).
I think you can do better.

I've been there several times and it sorry to say that it seems that Jiri or his friends have had some tough luck.

This doesn't line up with my experience at all. The food is good, prices are fair and the service is fantastic.

The anecdotes about the table next aren't helpful or factual.

I live in the area, and have no affiliation with the restaurant in any way, shape or form. It is a welcome option. Weitz, if you are close, you should try it.

[JiriHrdina]

What do you mean the anecdote isn't factual?

[I-Hate-Hulse]

I finally gave Cluck and Cleaver a try - fried chicken is a weakness and I try and limit myself to it every 3 months or so. Chicken on the Way is my usual haunt, so I had a specific goal of benchmarking against that to see if I have a new and improved place to go to.

Chicken was good. Good crunch - a more thick batter than COTW. More juicy than greasy, thought it still had enough of the latter to make you reach for the Lipitor. Spicing was good, not too salty. Overall I would have to give a slight edge in the Chicken to C&C. (like a 8.5 vs an 8)

Fries were excellent, crisp and salted well. Advantage C&C. (8.0 vs 7.0) Gravy was a little bland to me, could have used a little more spice or salt.

Overall one noticable improvement over CoC is that fries are in a separate uncovered container so the steam from them does not soggify the chicken. That and the larger box at C&C conspire to make for a less soggy chicken after a 15 minute car ride home. No small detail considering both places are take-out driven.

But here's where C&C fails miserably - value. My ordering at C&C was meant to replicate a favorite of mine at COTW - the Hungryman Dinner (5 pcs, 2 fritters, fries, gravy). Price of this at COTW - $12.50

Price at C&C
5 pcs - $12
Med Fries $3.5
1 butternilk biscuit - $2.25
Sm Gravy $1.75
Tip $2.00 (they were rather obvious about this...)

Total = $21.50

So was C&C better? Yes. Was it 70% better? No. It'll be a fun alternative once in a while but I'll probably stick with COTW. That and my lounge pass to the basement...

[Puppet Guy]

Don't know if this place has been mentioned yet, but we went to Hearts Choices Thai Vegan in the SW last night (Brick Plaza) while doing some running around. WOW! I'm not a vegan or even a vegetarian, but we had a fantastic dinner.

[calgarywinning]

Friends told me about Hearts Choices and even sent the menu. Forgot, but this is on the list for this week. Affordable, healthy and hope it tastes awesome.

[Pizza]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

I finally gave Cluck and Cleaver a try - fried chicken is a weakness and I try and limit myself to it every 3 months or so. Chicken on the Way is my usual haunt, so I had a specific goal of benchmarking against that to see if I have a new and improved place to go to.

Chicken was good. Good crunch - a more thick batter than COTW. More juicy than greasy, thought it still had enough of the latter to make you reach for the Lipitor. Spicing was good, not too salty. Overall I would have to give a slight edge in the Chicken to C&C. (like a 8.5 vs an 8)

Fries were excellent, crisp and salted well. Advantage C&C. (8.0 vs 7.0) Gravy was a little bland to me, could have used a little more spice or salt.

Overall one noticable improvement over CoC is that fries are in a separate uncovered container so the steam from them does not soggify the chicken. That and the larger box at C&C conspire to make for a less soggy chicken after a 15 minute car ride home. No small detail considering both places are take-out driven.

But here's where C&C fails miserably - value. My ordering at C&C was meant to replicate a favorite of mine at COTW - the Hungryman Dinner (5 pcs, 2 fritters, fries, gravy). Price of this at COTW - $12.50

Price at C&C
5 pcs - $12
Med Fries $3.5
1 butternilk biscuit - $2.25
Sm Gravy $1.75
Tip $2.00 (they were rather obvious about this...)

Total = $21.50

So was C&C better? Yes. Was it 70% better? No. It'll be a fun alternative once in a while but I'll probably stick with COTW. That and my lounge pass to the basement...

This sort of comparison bugs me a bit because, not only the obvious tip you included in your calculation, but there's a difference in the chicken.

Cluck and Cleaver uses fresh, local, hormone free chicken and when you compare that to your typical cramped caged chicken which were pumped full of growth hormones and treated inhumanely , there's going to be a very significant price difference in the chicken itself.

Personally, I can't taste the difference between the two chickens but if responsibly raised poultry is your thing, you may feel better going with the CnC's chicken

Also, it's known that the further up you go on the taste scale with restaurants, the more you pay exponentially

[OldDutch]

From the review my take away was they were very close taste wise but not double good. I would agree that maybe a 50% price difference is reasonable but double is another ball park. I would also say if they expect a tip (biggest pet peave is fast food that does it on the interact/visa...looking at you Chachis) then that is factored in. You feel shameful skipping tip in those situations vs. a COTW place. Inclusion is fair IMO.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Pizza

This sort of comparison bugs me a bit because, not only the obvious tip you included in your calculation, but there's a difference in the chicken.

Cluck and Cleaver uses fresh, local, hormone free chicken and when you compare that to your typical cramped caged chicken which were pumped full of growth hormones and treated inhumanely , there's going to be a very significant price difference in the chicken itself.

Personally, I can't taste the difference between the two chickens but if responsibly raised poultry is your thing, you may feel better going with the CnC's chicken

Also, it's known that the further up you go on the taste scale with restaurants, the more you pay exponentially

There is no growth hormone used in Canadian poultry

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by Pizza

not only the obvious tip you included in your calculation,

Given the person at the counter made a big show about smacking the tip jar down on the counter right in front of me in an obvious request for a tip - I'm going to factor it in. Besides, even without it, it's still a large price differential.

Originally Posted by Pizza

Cluck and Cleaver uses fresh, local, hormone free chicken and when you compare that to your typical cramped caged chicken which were pumped full of growth hormones and treated inhumanely , there's going to be a very significant price difference in the chicken itself.

The Dunn family that owns COTW has their own local farm that supplies them in Okotoks. All the responsibly raised things you mention are in their chicken I would assume.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/life/Ch...801/story.html

Originally Posted by Pizza

Also, it's known that the further up you go on the taste scale with restaurants, the more you pay exponentially

This was the point of my story. The taste scale wasn't that much higher to justify the price differential. I had COTW a week after I posted this and stand by my take. I even caught COTW on a day when legs were $1 each and thighs were $2.50 each.

[boogerz]

Today is Cerezo's last day. I'm curious to see what they replace it with

[Diemenz]

Originally Posted by Pizza

Cluck and Cleaver uses fresh, local, hormone free chicken and when you compare that to your typical cramped caged chicken which were pumped full of growth hormones and treated inhumanely , there's going to be a very significant price difference in the chicken itself.

Maybe I am wrong here but i was informed Chicken on the Way uses fresh, local, hormone free chicken.