Local Restaurant Thread

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by Cappy

Eight.

Eight is at least $1000-1200/couple?

They just did a chef tour series and the tickets were almost $1000/person.

I had tickets to Eight in 2020 for the opening, but COVID hit and it was delayed. I refunded them. Since then I am not sure if I did the right thing, but if I did go it would have been more expensive than the other places I have eaten that are true top 50 restaurants.

I really like the idea, but when I saw the ticket prices especially as of late, I spit out my coffee.

[NuclearFart]

Originally Posted by OldDutch

Eight is at least $1000-1200/couple?

They just did a chef tour series and the tickets were almost $1000/person.

I had tickets to Eight in 2020 for the opening, but COVID hit and it was delayed. I refunded them. Since then I am not sure if I did the right thing, but if I did go it would have been more expensive than the other places I have eaten that are true top 50 restaurants.

I really like the idea, but when I saw the ticket prices especially as of late, I spit out my coffee.

With the full wine pairing it gets up there, and its gone up recently because Darren did away with the cheaper wine option.

Eight would have the distinction of most expensive "restaurant" in the province, however, are there any other true Chefs Table experiences in Alberta? It's literally 3-4 chefs including Darren + 2 waiters serving only eight customers for an entire evening. The technique and ingredients are top notch, and Darren does try and push the creative envelope beyond the higher end local cuisine. It's certainly up for debate whether the price scales linear with the meal, but the reality is that you arent going to find anything close to it locally, let alone anywhere in the prairies.

I too have eaten in multiple Michelin starred restaurants, and I would rank this as comparable to some of the 1 stars, both in terms of price and experience.

I think you made a mistake in cancelling. No exaggeration, the next 3 months of Eight were booked up in less than a minute of going available. Plus Darren has his sights set on London, so he's probably only here for another year or two. Enjoy it while it lasts.

[I_H8_Crawford]

Originally Posted by NuclearFart

With the full wine pairing it gets up there, and its gone up recently because Darren did away with the cheaper wine option.

Eight would have the distinction of most expensive "restaurant" in the province, however, are there any other true Chefs Table experiences in Alberta? It's literally 3-4 chefs including Darren + 2 waiters serving only eight customers for an entire evening. The technique and ingredients are top notch, and Darren does try and push the creative envelope beyond the higher end local cuisine. It's certainly up for debate whether the price scales linear with the meal, but the reality is that you arent going to find anything close to it locally, let alone anywhere in the prairies.

I too have eaten in multiple Michelin starred restaurants, and I would rank this as comparable to some of the 1 stars, both in terms of price and experience.

I think you made a mistake in cancelling. No exaggeration, the next 3 months of Eight were booked up in less than a minute of going available. Plus Darren has his sights set on London, so he's probably only here for another year or two. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Took the wife back in February I believe... I had wine pairing, she had mocktail pairing.

Total bill I think was around $800 - she wouldn't do the mocktail pairing again, I will do the wine again. Want to go again, issue is I want to take my family to it, but its impossible to get a table for 8 there lol.

JMO but it was worth it - food was great, and the experience/conversation was top notch as you are interacting with a top chef for 3 hours.

[NuclearFart]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

Took the wife back in February I believe... I had wine pairing, she had mocktail pairing.

Total bill I think was around $800 - she wouldn't do the mocktail pairing again, I will do the wine again. Want to go again, issue is I want to take my family to it, but its impossible to get a table for 8 there lol.

JMO but it was worth it - food was great, and the experience/conversation was top notch as you are interacting with a top chef for 3 hours.

I've done this once before, but had to speak directly with Darren's operations manager - I'll PM you the contact.

Agree on the Mocktails btw. They don't have a high caliber 'mixologist' so its not their forte.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Puppet Guy

I'm looking for an unusual recommendation.

I've been informed that I'm being taken out and I have to pick the destination. If I have to leave the house it oughta be memorable, therefore I want to hear about Calgary and area's strangest dining - weird dishes, uncommon ethnic cuisine, odd decor...whatever you got as long as it's unusual. Price isn't an issue - I want to hear about the whole spectrum from high-end to greasy spoon.

http://darktable.ca/indexc.html

Eat in complete darkness only your remaining senses left to enjoy what you are eating. The servers are all blind but the chefs are not! I had a great time. Much more social than normal restaurant trips.

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by NuclearFart

With the full wine pairing it gets up there, and its gone up recently because Darren did away with the cheaper wine option.

Eight would have the distinction of most expensive "restaurant" in the province, however, are there any other true Chefs Table experiences in Alberta? It's literally 3-4 chefs including Darren + 2 waiters serving only eight customers for an entire evening. The technique and ingredients are top notch, and Darren does try and push the creative envelope beyond the higher end local cuisine. It's certainly up for debate whether the price scales linear with the meal, but the reality is that you arent going to find anything close to it locally, let alone anywhere in the prairies.

I too have eaten in multiple Michelin starred restaurants, and I would rank this as comparable to some of the 1 stars, both in terms of price and experience.

I think you made a mistake in cancelling. No exaggeration, the next 3 months of Eight were booked up in less than a minute of going available. Plus Darren has his sights set on London, so he's probably only here for another year or two. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Cool good to know. Still seems pricy, but agree its a cool idea. Glad its getting support.

For reference, when I went to El Ideas in Chicago it was a 1 star, amazing experience as well, you go in the kitchen and watch and talk to chefs as they prep, and you BYOB. The total bill was around $300/couple.

The other one for reference I went to was Manresa which is about the same at $400/person, but that is 3 stars and about as good as it gets in West Coast North America.

I get it though, its Calgary, no competition vs those places, but I am still thinking of saving my money for when I travel. Each his own.

[NuclearFart]

Neither of those are Chefs table though which always carries a premium. Plus I assume your quoted prices are US dollars, and also without wine pairing? Also, food is always going to be more expensive in Canada compared to the US, and more so in the landlocked cities. Just like cellular data, its not fair to compare pricing across the border.

Alinea w/ pairing cost us significantly more than your experience at Manresa & El ideas. Love the Chicago food scene though, so underated under the shadow of NYC.

[undercoverbrother]

I need to make reservations for Thursday around 6 for two big clients.

They are staying in the Palliser so somewhere walkable would be great and the one dude is a big foodie.

Recommendations please.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I need to make reservations for Thursday around 6 for two big clients.

They are staying in the Palliser so somewhere walkable would be great and the one dude is a big foodie.

Recommendations please.

The Guild, Teatro, Vintage or maybe even Murrieta's.

[darockwilder]

We went to The Wednesday Room on Stephen Avenue on Saturday, I thought it was pretty good. Definitely walkable.

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I need to make reservations for Thursday around 6 for two big clients.

They are staying in the Palliser so somewhere walkable would be great and the one dude is a big foodie.

Recommendations please.

I went to Fortunas Row when it opened and got the chef menu. It was reasonable and food was fantastic. My wife went last week and had less stellar experience. From other reviews it seems her experience was outlier. I would consider that one walkable.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by darockwilder

We went to The Wednesday Room on Stephen Avenue on Saturday, I thought it was pretty good. Definitely walkable.

Thanks just booked there.

[me_dennis]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Thanks just booked there.

Major Tom would be a good place too. The views of Calgary are great, especially at night, and the steaks and cocktails are top notch too.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by me_dennis

Major Tom would be a good place too. The views of Calgary are great, especially at night, and the steaks and cocktails are top notch too.

agreed, but getting a reservation this short notice was the issue.

When he comes back out at the end of the year I'll take him

[you&me]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

agreed, but getting a reservation this short notice was the issue.

When he comes back out at the end of the year I'll take him

I've made reservations as Major Tom, but I've actually been more times without and never had a problem getting a table as a "walk up". I've been told by staff that they only take reservations on about half of their tables...

Though I realize this isn't something you can rely on when entertaining clients, it's something I wanted to share for anyone that's been discouraged by not being able to get a reservation.

[Amethyst]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Thanks just booked there.

Love The Wednesday Room. One of my favourites.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by you&me

I've made reservations as Major Tom, but I've actually been more times without and never had a problem getting a table as a "walk up". I've been told by staff that they only take reservations on about half of their tables...

Though I realize this isn't something you can rely on when entertaining clients, it's something I wanted to share for anyone that's been discouraged by not being able to get a reservation.

Yeah I've heard that before.

Thanks, but as you mentioned I can't roll up with a VP of a major Canadian banking hoping for a seat, dude would go nuts

[DownInFlames]

You couldn’t pay me enough to do your job, ucb.

[you&me]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Yeah I've heard that before.

Of course, I completely understand.

Just mentioning for anyone else in the same position I was in - I didn't go to MT for about 6 months because I couldn't get a reservation. It's a great spot, so wanted to share.

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Thanks, but as you mentioned I can't roll up with a VP of a major Canadian banking hoping for a seat, dude would go nuts

Originally Posted by DownInFlames

You couldn’t pay me enough to do your job, ucb.

I understand UCB has a military background, but this has me curious...

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by you&me

I understand UCB has a military background, but this has me curious...

Yeah don't be, it is not glamourous and has nothing to do with my previous life.