| Restaurant | Rating | Type of Food | Style | Description | Information | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carver's Steakhouse www | Steak in Calgary | Formal | The setting is pleasant and comfortable. They have avoided the dark wood that so many seem to think must go with steak, but looks rather like the remnants of a 1950's rumpus room. The prices are high; that is true, but the portions are of equally high quality and large, so be careful not to over-order. Dorothy especially liked the fact that the servers weren't afraid to give their own preferences rather than sticking with the everything-on-the-menu-is-good routine. Reservations recommended. | Sheraton Cavalier Hotel 32 Ave. & Barlow Tr. NE 403 291-0107 | Su 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. M to Sa 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Closed on statutory holidays | |||||||
| Infusion Contemporary Cuisine | Gourmet | Informal | Bragg Creek is more than waterfalls and trees and pottery emporiums. It also houses exquisite food. Infusion gives you the prefect excuse to get away from the city (about half an hour from downtown) and relax with a fusion of food experiences from Thai to Japanese to good old Alberta beef. The staff is friendly with a truly personal touch. Unlike many places, the superb lunch menu is not a tiny-portion version of dinner, but full and filling. Reservations recommended on weekends. Good vegetarian selection on the lunch menu. There are even some soups that come with a vegan base. | 23 Balsam Ave. Bragg Creek, AB 403-949-3898 www | ||||||||
| muse restaurant & lounge | Gourmet | Business Casual (though depending on your business, that could vary quite a bit) | There are two kinds of gourmet chefs. One pushed the envelope of flavour and ends up with a hit and miss menu; the other has the knack of finding unique, pleasing flavour almost every time. The muse staff fall into the successful part of that equation. From Oven Toasted Brussel Sprouts to Yukon Potato Lobster Lasagna there are pleasant surprises here for everyone. And the multi–level eye–pleasing setting adds visual flavour to the food savour. Reservations Recommended. Just ask for even more vegetarian selections. | 107 - 10A Street NW 670-6873 www | ||||||||
| Phil & Sebastian Coffee Company www | Coffee | Informal | P and S have it right. The drink is smooth, with creamy artwork in the cup if that impresses you. Coffee is all they serve, but as the lines will testify, that is all they need to serve. Of course there is good vegetarian selection. That is unless you count milk products as animals. | Calgary Farmers' Market (at the old Currie Barracks) Office number: 403 612-2266 | ||||||||
| Rouge www | Gourmet | Banquet | Sit in the old A. E. Cross house, and imagine how life there must have been when downtown Calgary was Inglewood and its leading citizens were building fine homes near the river. Then taste a wonderful array of food that pushes the boundaries without the many misses and near missed that so many other restaurants of this kind seem to have in their choices. And remember too that in the summer there is even a wonderful garden that has formed the backdrop of many classic Calgary gatherings. Reservations necessary. Good vegetarian selection if you ask for it. | 1240 - 8 Ave. SE 403 531-2767 | ||||||||
| Anpurna Curry Pot | East Indian | Informal | For quality, service and vegetarian dishes at reasonable prices, this restaurant is hard to beat. Reservations recommended. Of course, there's a good vegetarian selection; this is a vegetarian restaurant. | SW corner of Memorial Dr. & 52 St. SE 235-6028 www | Tu to Su 11:00 a.m - 9:00 p.m. | |||||||
| Antonio's Garlic Clove | Rating for Vampires: 0 | Gourmet | Informal | Don't make that face! Garlic can be cooked and eaten in many ways, and Tony has mastered them all, including fried bananas with garlic topping and chocolate covered roasted garlic buds for dessert. The setting is comfy bistro. The service is friendly, and the servings are large. What more could one want? Breath mints! And if you are worried about what others may say, just order a half portion or ask for less garlic. Reservations recommended. | 2206 - 4 St. SW 228-0866 | Open daily at 5:00 p.m. | ||||||
| Avenue Deli/ Palace of Eats | Deli | Informal | We have included two restaurants in this listing as they have the same management and almost the same menu. And they both follow three cardinal rules of good restauranting: Keep it small; have a speciality. and do it well. Here the centre of attention is Montreal smoked meat either in a traditional sandwich or a Reuben, with bagels and lox included for a bit of variety. The meat is neither too cheap which makes it rubbery, too lean which makes it dry or too fatty which makes it greasy. It is just right. | Avenue Deli 33 Ave. & 19 St. SW Su 1:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. M - Sa 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Palace of Eats 1411 - 11th St. SW 244-6602 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. www | |||||||
| Brava Bistro | Gourmet | Informal | With a motto of "Dine like you mean it." this restaurant really means it. They begin with a Mediterranean base and run with creativity from there. The sauces are subtle, but made to bring out the true nature of whatever is underneath, unlike so many restaurants with the barbeque mentality which seeks to mask the meat flavour altogether. The setting is modern bistro, but without the cramped confusion that often surrounds that word. The service is knowledgeable and friendly. The servings are plenteous. Reservations are recommended. According to the menu: Fresh vegetarian dishes can be created on request. | 723 - 17 Ave. SW 228-1854 www | Su 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. M to Sa 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. M to W 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Th to Sa 5:00 p.m. - midnight | |||||||
| Calgary Sweet House & Restaurant | Indian | Informal | It is tiny and very informal, hidden in the corner of a strip mall. As the name implies, it is a "sweet house" with delights like jalebi and burfi first and a restaurant second. But do drop by for one of the small, simple traditional meals, and then be sure to take home some other delights for later. The samosas are among the best in Calgary. Good vegetarian selection. | #7 5320 - 8 Avenue SE 272-7234 | W to M 10:00 a.m - 8:00 p.m. | |||||||
| Cedars Deli & Restaurant | Middle Eastern | Deli | "A Taste of Lebanon" sums up what this deli–style restaurant offers, and at the counter you can pick up goodies to take home and make your own Mediterranean meals. And if you are getting tired of the same old sandwiches or pizza at meetings, The Cedars can provide some exciting falafel and shwarma sandwich trays with great sweets for dessert. Good vegetarian selection. | Edmonton Tr. & 30 Ave. NE | Eau Claire Market (Lower Level) 263-5232 | 225 - 8 Ave. SW 263-0285 | ||||||
| La Chaumière | French | Formal | Wonderful gourmet food and friendly service. Reservations recommended. | 139 - 17 Ave SW 228-5690 www | ||||||||
| Le Chien Chaud | Hot Dogs | Informal | It's bright and cheery with a fine selection of hot dogs from beef to vegetarian and numerous house specials with everything from guacamole to gruyere, and then condiments you can add from pineapple chutney to cranberry sauce. Coleslaw or potato salad and a drink top of a perfect hot dog meal. Good vegetarian selection. | #3 2015 - 4 St. SW 229-DOG1 (CUTE) www | ||||||||
| Ciao Baby's Italian Gourmet | Italian | Informal | The "Italian" in the name tells you that you are going to have a good selection of Italian dishes, while the "Gourmet" allows the restaurant to add a few specialities with an Italian accent but no real Mediterranean pedigree such as steak and stir fried selections for those in your party who need the variety. Good vegetarian selection. Note: The owner believes in properly pased tranquil dining even at noon hour, so don't rush in expecting some fast–service pasta thrown on your plate. | 5920 Macleod Tr. SW 403 258-0051 | ||||||||
| Da Guido Ristorante | Italian | Informal | The extensive menu gives you an excellent choice of fine Italian dishes. Although now in a relatively new location, this eatery has been at the forefront of Italian food in Calgary for many years. The menu has some vegetarian selections, but Guido will make a dish just for you. Reservations are recommended. | 2001 Centre Steet N 276-1365 | Su Closed M to F 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. from 5:00 p.m. Sa from 5:00 p.m. | |||||||
| The Deane House | Brunch (Menu) | Informal | The house is historic, 1906; the setting is ideal, across from Fort Calgary on the river, and the location as a brunch/lunch stop makes it an ideal starting point for a walk through the small shops of Inglewood. The menu is limited but diverse and interesting (e.g. steak under eggs benedict); the portions are generous and the friendly service makes this one of the must-see restaurants for visitors to the city. | 806 - 9 Ave. SE 269-7747 www | Sa, Su 11: a.m. - 3:00 p.m. M to F 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | |||||||
| Diner Deluxe | Diner | Informal | The emphasis is on the "Deluxe" here with top quality ingredients, and little special additions, like yam bits in the hash browns. Do be prepared for a wait at peak hours, but there's plenty of good coffee available and just watching the activity in the place is a show in itself. After 11 the menu expands beyond the usual breakfast specials to include salads, sandwiches, and old favourites like macaroni and cheese and meatloaf. Good vegetarian selection. | 804 Edmonton Trail NE 263-3445 | Su and most holidays 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. M to F 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Sa 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. www | |||||||
| Fiasco Gelato | Ice Cream | Informal | For good flavour and wholesomeness, try gelato with about 75% less fat than regular ice cream or sorbetto which is fat free. Fiasco is one bright and friendly place to get both of these—as well as sandwiches, soups, drinks and even gelato cakes. Good vegetarian selection, of course. | 207 - 10 St. NW 736 - 17 Ave. SW 807 - 1 St. SW www | ||||||||
| Fleur de Sel | French | Informal | Delightfully unusual, hot and filling French dishes, served by a friendly and knowledgeable staff. Yes, the tables are close but in an appropriately bistro setting. Yes, it is wheelchair accessible, but it will be crowded. | #2 - 2015 4 St. SW 228-9764 www | ||||||||
| Higher Ground | Coffee | Informal | Our bias shows here. We prefer the locally owned shops to the large there's-one-on-every-corner kind. Higher Ground is an old Calgary tradition with good coffee, snacks and now a wine bar as well. It is made even more desirable by the 2-for-one offer on coffee with a ticket stub from the Plaza Theatre across the street. They also usually have water in a dish outside in the summer if your dog accompanies you on Kensington outings or if you're too cheap to buy a coffee. Good vegetarian selection; coffee and wine don't contain many meat products. | #1 1126 Kensington Rd. NW 270-3780 | Su to Th 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. F, Sa 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | |||||||
| The hot dog stand at the southeast corner of 3 St. & 7 Ave. SW | Hot Dogs | Take Out | You get exactly what you would expect with an excellent price and product: hot, large hot dogs of various kinds, a few basic condiments, even including sauerkraut and a cold drink if you wish. Good vegetarian selection. | Ok, stop for a moment and guess where this place is and whether they have a phone or not. | Good weather only | |||||||
| Il Sogno | Italian | Informal | This is not your usual spaghetti hut, but an upscale home for what is probably best described as Italian-gourmet-trendy. The ceiling and floor are 1910, but the things in between are simple and bright and stylishly inviting. There is a menu, but you don't need to use it. Just let the chef take care of you with a meal prepared with your likes and dislikes in mind. Reservations recommended. Good vegetarian selection. However, do mention the fact that you want a wheelchair accessible table when you make your reservations as part of the restaurant is elevated. | 24 - 4 St. NE
(between the branches of Edmonton Trail) 232-8901 www | ||||||||
| Juan's Mexican Restaurante | Mexican | Informal | There are no maracas or sombreros nailed to the wall or burros painted on the door, but with friendly right-from-Mexico staff and good food, the atmosphere is far more authentic here than in many places that put more emphasis on the decor than the dishes. Good vegetarian selection. | In the basement of Scotia Centre Entrance off Stephen Avenue 266-0051 www | Su closed M to F 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Sa 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. | |||||||
| Jugo Juice | Juice | Informal | The staff is friendly and have a good knowledge of what they are making—especially those strange extra ingredients. If you just want a quick, wholesome drink, or even a complete meal with one of their wraps or sandwiches do drop by. Good vegetarian selection—of course. www | See Location. | ||||||||
| KFC | Chicken | Fast Food | Some foods are difficult to rate because their taste is unique and can't be compared to anything but have imitated them. Yes, we know we can't call it "Kentucky Fired Chicken" anymore, because someone might think about the fat content, even though now it is vegetable oil. The gravy and coleslaw have changed from the good old days when the Colonel was alive, but still the taste is addictive, and you get what you expect. | You can walk to one from where you live. See by Location. | Home delivery: 296-0000. www | |||||||
| The King and I Thai Cuisine | Thai | Informal | The setting is strikingly modern, in a Thai-ish sort of way, but the food meets the highest standards of traditional Thai cuisine with a few fusion twists like banana-filled spring rolls with coconut ice cream. Yes, the prices are higher than at some other places, but the servings are proportionately larger and the quality is excellent. Reservations recommended. Good vegetarian selection. | 820 - 11 Ave. SW 264-7241 www | Su 4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. M - Th 11:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. F 11:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. Sa 4:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. Su 4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. | |||||||
| Leavitt's Ice Cream Shop (LICS) | Ice Cream | Informal | Here we found everything from cones to milkshakes, from sundaes to fracés--if you have to ask, try one. And for a summer snack or during those winter months when most ice cream parlours go dormant, there are hot dogs, sandwiches, subs, and even donairs. Good vegetarian selection. | 3410 - 3 Ave. NW (just off Memorial below Foothills Hospital) 383-3578 | Weekends 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Weekdays 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. | |||||||
| The Living Room | Gourmet | Informal | Officially the food here is "Contemporary Interactive Cuisine". For those who need a translation, that means: appealing platters, perfectly prepared and pleasantly presented with delightful "interactive" extras like fondues for two (if you happen to be piggy Dawsons) or more (if you are mere mortals). The vegetarian selection is not large but is sufficient to give a tempting choice while avoiding the usual Caesar salad or a plate of stir fried bland vegetables and pasta. | 514 - 17 Ave. SW 228-9830 www | Lunch Tu to F 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Dinner Daily 5:00 p.m. - midnight | |||||||
| The Metropolitan Grill | General | Informal | The "General" category is becoming crowded, especially in the downtown area, with "business" restaurants—places with an upscale feel catering to the oilpatch crowd with everything from gourmet burgers to AAA steak. The Metropolitan Grill leads these with a crisp businesslike décore and highquality dishes. One thing to note is that the lunch menu has a lot of quite reasonablypriced choices in the main section—things like hamburgers and sandwiches. However for some reason the chef forgets how to prepare these after 4 o'clock and that part of the menu is replaced by more expensive dishes, though the salad and pasta sections continue to give you delicious but more economical items for dinner. | 880 - 16 Ave. SW (Mount Royal Village) 802-2393 | 318 - 8 Ave. SW 263-5432 | |||||||
| Mimo Restaurant & Lounge | Portuguese | Informal | Excellent, inexpensive, filling Portuguese food with friendly service. | #203 4904 - 17 Ave SE 235-3377 www | ||||||||
| Orchid Room | Vietnamese Fusion | Informal | The basics are Vietnamese but these are elegantly combined with Thai, East Indian and any other cuisine that has subtle spicing and delicate nuances of flavour. The setting is upscale as befits Bankers' Hall. The portions are generous as befits the Dawsons. Good vegetarian selection. | #244 315 - 8 Ave. SW 263-4457 | M to Sa 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. | |||||||
| Oriental Phoenix Vietnamese Restaurant | Vietnamese | Informal | For excellent Vietnamese food in a pleasing, friendly setting, this is the place. It is always a happy day when you can find an economical meal that leaves you truly satisfied. Good vegetarian selection. | Gulf Canada Square 9 Avenue SW 262-3633 Reservations at noon are advisable. | #80 104 - 58 Ave. SE 253-8383 | 2493 - 27 Ave. NE (Barlow Tr.) 250-8813 | ||||||
| Palace of Eats/ Avenue Deli | Deli | Informal | We have included two restaurants in this listing as they have the same management and almost the same menu. And they both follow three cardinal rules of good restauranting: Keep it small; have a speciality. and do it well. Here the centre of attention is Montreal smoked meat either in a traditional sandwich or a Reuben, with bagels and lox included for a bit of variety. The meat is neither too cheap which makes it rubbery, too lean which makes it dry or too fatty which makes it greasy. It is just right. | Avenue Deli 33 Ave. & 19 St. SW Su 1:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. M - Sa 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Palace of Eats 1411 - 11th St. SW 244-6602 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. www | |||||||
| Pfanntastic Pannenkoek Haus | Dutch | Informal | If the word "Pannenkoek" doesn't ring a bell in your mind, think of pancake. Then throw out that idea, as Dutch pancakes bear little resemblance to the tiny sweet things we enjoy for breakfast. They're large and thin and covered with goodies like potatoes and onions and bacon and cheese, or for dessert ice cream and toppings. We're talking somewhere between a crêpe and a thin crust pizza, but different. Anyway they're good and economical, so how could you go wrong? Good vegetarian selection. | 2439 - 54 Ave. SW (South of Central High School on Crowchild) 243-7757 www | Sunday 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. M and Tu Closed W to F 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. | |||||||
| Quizno's Subs | Sandwiches | Informal | They're toasty hot with just enough bread. For a fast sub, they are hard to beat. But don't feel you have to pick the large size unless you want two meals worth or have a Dawson–sized appetite. Good vegetarian selection. The name does vary slightly from one store to another, but let the business people worry about that. www | see Locations. | ||||||||
| Route 40 Soup Company | Gourmet | Informal | Don't be fooled. This restaurant is about more than soup, though their soups are superb. There are salads and wraps and pastas, and excellent desserts as well, all at reasonable prices. The setting is a classic piece of Albertan architecture, having been almost everything from a Chinese laundry to a doctor's office. Now it is a bright and friendly stop to be included on any trip southwest of Calgary. We suggest ordering a combination platter with a half wrap, some soup and a salad or, Grant's favourite, the road chips. Reservations are taken for the evenings and recommended for weekends especially. Good vegetarian selection. | Main Street (Highway 22) 403-933-7676 Turner Valley, AB www | Su
closed M to Tu 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. W to Th 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. F to Sa 11:00 .m. - 3:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. to last seating at 8:00 p.m. | |||||||
| The Siding Café | General | Informal | The only problem we faced with this restaurant was determining its category. With its decor and the large breakfast and burger menu, it might be a diner. The sandwich take–out counter made it a deli. Then noticing the ribs and pastas, we thought it could very well be a gourmet bistro. But no, it is just itself, and does that well, becoming a delightful diner, a deluxe deli and a superb bistro all in one. Give it a try. Good vegetarian selection. www | #111 100 - 7 Ave. SW 262-0282 | Su 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. M to Th 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. F to Sa 11:00 a.m. - midnight | |||||||
| Silver Dragon Restaurant | Chinese | Informal | Who remembers Calgary without the Silver Dragon? Indeed it has been rumoured that when Laozi fled China in the Third Century BCE, he may have been heading here to establish this eatery. Nevertheless, the food remains delicious with generous portions and the setting old–style but not worn. Reservations suggested. Good vegetarian selection. | 106 - 3 Ave. SE 264-5326 | 3 Floor, 211 Banff Ave.
Banff, AB (403) 762-3939 | |||||||
| Sophie's | Pizza | Take out | If you loved the pizza at the former Spiros on 17th prior to October 2004, then here is the answer to your cravings. Same pizza, but now you pick it up yourself and save 10%, or enjoy free delivery in the area around the store. A good vegetarian selection. | Richmond Rd. & 48 St. SW (Near the Richmond Rd. Co-op) 242-1141 | Su & Hol 3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. M to Th 4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. F & Sa 3:00 p.m. - 12:00 p.m. | |||||||
| Sultan's Tent | Moroccan | Informal | Here is where you go for that slightly different dining experience. Be prepared to eat with your hands and spend the evening taking in the ambiance in your own private tent". Reservations recommended. | #107 4 - 14 St. NW (off Kensington Rd. and 14 St.) 244-2333 | Sa, Su 5:00 p.m. -10:30 p.m. M to F 5:30 p.m. -10:30 p.m. | |||||||
| Teatro | Italian | Informal | This restaurant remains a popular choice for pre-theatre dining. The setting is an old bank building decorated in simple but effective modern decor. Perhaps it is this backdrop that inspires the food which has a traditional Italian base embellished with the subtle touches of the best of current cuisine. Good vegetarian selection. Reservations recommended. | 208 - 8 Ave. SE 290-1012 www | Su 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. M to Th 11:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. F 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Sa 5:00 p.m. - 12:00 p.m.. Valet Parking Nightly | |||||||
| Tiki Ming | Chinese | Fast Food | Amy Quon and company moved from Shan Tung to this new location in a downtown fast food court. At first, I must admit we were rather sceptical because the quality at such places is usually limited to steam table mediocre. But to our surprise many of our favourites from times past appeared before us freshly prepared and still delicious. At fast food prices, you can't beat this kind of meal. They will also cater to any size of party, so keep that in mind. Good vegetarian selection. | 270D 5 Ave. SW 263-8778 Note: There are other Tiki Mings but this rating is for this location only. | M to F 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | |||||||
| Towa Sushi | Japanese | Informal | If you want to know what it feels like to be in a Tokyo restaurant, then the ambiance of this Fourth Street establishment is the place to be. The surroundings are sparse, but pleasing. The batter is light,. The sushi is good-sized. The service is friendly. Sit back, and enjoy the food. Good vegetarian selection. | 2116 - 4 St. SW 245-8585 www | Dinner Daily Closed Mondays | |||||||
| Vintage Chophouse and Tavern | Steak | Informal | The setting is comfortably modern. By that we mean that wisely placed spot lighting and plenty of warm wood manage to add a definite contemporary flair without leaving you feeling as if you are sitting in a minimalist museum. The tavern end of things does send some smoke and commotion into the dining area, but neither of these spoiled the meal, even for Dorothy who is allergic to smoke. The steak is excellent, but a variety of other dishes should please every member of the group including vegetarians. But beware. The portions are large. The stuffed potato almost defeated Grant. | 322 - 11 Ave. SW 262-7262 www | Su 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. M to W 11:00 a.m. - Midnight Th & Fr 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m. Sa 5:00 p.m. - 2:00 a,m. | |||||||
| A Touch of Ginger Delight | Vietnamese | Informal | This has been a popular lunch stop for many who work in the Sunridge Mall area for years. Dorothy likes it for the low prices, and Grant says the food is tasty, so both sides of the equation are met. They specialize in both Vietnamese and Thai food, though the majority of dishes are Vietnamese. Good vegetarian selection. www | 318 - 10 St. NW 270-3816 | 3449A - 26 Ave. NE
291-1171 just south of Peter Lougheed Hospital | 227 - 7 St. SW 693-8778 | ||||||
| Aida's Mediterranean Lebanese Specialties | Middle Eastern | Informal | For good Middle Eastern food and excellent service on the Fourth Street strip, this is the place. Good vegetarian selection. | 2208 - 4 St SW 541-1189 | ||||||||
| Baskin Robbins | Ice Cream | Informal | The fine details of the name of this 31 flavour ice cream parlour vary from the northwest to southeast, but the quality and choice of the ice cream are the same. And there is frozen yoghurt too if you are not of the true faith. (That is an ice cream freak.) Needless to say, there is a good vegetarian selection, until they come up with flavours like beef vanilla or chocolate with deep fried pork. | Bay 106 - 4625 Varsity Dr. NW at Shaganappi 288-8790 | 516 10816 Macleod Tr. S in Willow Park 278-6611 | www | ||||||
| The Belvedere | Gourmet | Informal | The setting is a blend of the beams and bricks of an old Stephen Avenue establishment covered tastefully with the tiles and trappings of a first class restaurant. The food is also a pleasing blend of the traditional and the trendy. If you wish, you can have a meal in the bar or eat there choosing from a separate menu of smaller items. Reservations recommended. | 107 8 Ave. SW 265-9595 | M to F 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. M to Sa 5:00 p.m. - somewhere around10:30 p.m. | www | ||||||
| Big T's BBQ and Smokehouse | Grill | Informal | Here is barbecuing right from the deep south, slow cooked over applewood coals. The secret for economy and pleasure is to go with friends, order one of the big platters that include a taste of everything and pig out. | 2138 Crowchild Tr. NW (across from McMahon Stadium) 284-5959 | ||||||||
| Booster Juice: Juice and Smoothier Bar | Juice | Fast Food | Juice is the new panacea for those who want healthy food in a hurry. Here you find it. From yogurt to mango, from soy to açaí, they will whip the ingredients to your taste's desire. And with every drink you get a free booster. From protein to echinacea and from calcium to ginseng, they will do their best to keep your body alive and well. Good vegetarian selection. www | Kensington 314A - 10th St. NW 270-2704 | Sunridge Mall 590-8770 | Glenmore Landing 252-1333 Garrison Woods 3542 Garrison Gate S. W. 240-3289 Westhills Town Center 131 Stewart Green SW 685-4745 634 - 17th Ave. SW 802-0889 | South Trail Crossing
4703 - 130 Avenue SE 726-0483 | |||||
| Bow Valley Grill | General | Buffet | Eating in Banff amidst the multitude of fast food and often over–priced restaurants is a problem. But especially if you have guests with you and want to show them the best of the town, the Banff Springs Hotel holds both history and good food. The Bow Valley Grill provides a fine menu, but we would recommend the buffet. It is reasonably priced for the selection and should give everyone an excellent meal. And the tour of the hotel leaves regularly from just outside the door.Good vegetarian selection. | Banff Srings Hotel 405 Spray Ave. Banff, Alberta (403) 762-2211 | Daily 6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. But watch for seasonal variations. | |||||||
| Burger Inn | Hamburger | Fast Food | This local chain of hamburger outlets wins for the most unusual kinds of burgers made from such interesting ingredients as pork, lamb, turkey, buffalo, venison and ostrich. They also offer cholesterol–free fries, real fruit-flavoured milkshakes, and the convenience of being able to order your burger ahead of time so it will be ready when you arrive. Now that's really fast food. Good vegetarian selection. | 920 - 36 Street NE 235-5860 | 9669 MacLeod Tr. S. Brick Plaza 252-4840 | 2020 - 4 Street SW 244-9293 3829 Bow Tr. SW 685-0825 | 128 Edmonton Tr., Airdrie 912-0369 | |||||
| Café Metro | Deli | Informal | Good Montreal smoked meat sandwiches. Watch for specials on Monday. And here's a surprise for a restaurant that specializes in meat; there is a good vegetarian selection. | 7400 MacLeod Tr. 255-6537 | Su to Th 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. F 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Sa 11 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. | |||||||
| Caffee Beano | Coffee | Informal | For those looking for independent coffee houses, this is a long–time standard in the 17 Avenue area. And for Grant they have milkshakes too. But beware all you card carters; this is cash only. Good vegetarian selection. | 1613 - 9 St. SW just north of 17 Ave. | M to Fr 6:00 a.m. - midnight Sa, Su 7:00 a.m. - midnight | |||||||
| Casa D'Italia Ristorante | Italian | Informal | A long–time staple of the Calgary Italian eating scene, Casa D'Italia still serves great classic dishes in Dawson sized portions. | 2820 Centre St. SE 403 277-7556 | ||||||||
| Chicken on the Way | Chicken | Take Out | This is one long–time Calgary tradition that lives up to its reputation. The chicken isn't fancy, and it's not from Kentucky, but the pieces are larger than they seem to serve down south. In fact, what you find here is just good fried chicken like you used to get at home. (That is, if you got good food at home.) You will find the usuals—coleslaw, potato salad and fries, as well as fritters. There are picnic tables outside right by 14 Street, but you will have to wait until you get home to use the washroom. P.S. They do have delivery service by taxi. Yes, it is good cold the next day. Hint: The chicken is not as good in off hours when not being freshly cooked, so do put up with the long lines. This explains why our rating has tended to wobble a little. | 1443 Kensington Rd. NW 283-5545 | ||||||||
| Chili Club Thai Restaurant | Thai | Informal | This is the elegant side of Thai dining with subdued lighting and friendly, informed staff. The non–smoking atmosphere added to the pleasure for us. But the restaurant is quite small, so reservations are a good idea. Good vegetarian selection. | #125 555 - 11 Ave. SW 237-8828 | Su 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. M 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Tu to Th 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. F 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Sa 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. | |||||||
| Country Cousins Restaurant | General | Informal | Now you are in Mennonite country, so this is what you expect—simple, wholesome, inexpensive food in generous portions. At Country Cousins Restaurant, this is exactly what you get. Step back in time to home cooking as it once was. You can even buy some of the delicious sausage or a homemade pie on your way out. A "4" designation usually means a "destination" restaurant. Well, if you are in Linden this certainly is a place to seek out, and if you are from Calgary out drving, this is a good place to stop. We recommend the menu, though there is a buffet—all you can eat or single plate, large or small—at noon and night daily. | 1 St. NW (just off Centre Ave.) Linden, AB (403) 546-4444 | M to Sa 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. | |||||||
| The Coup | Gourmet | Informal | The food in this comfy little bistro is not ethnic vegetarian or let's–pretend–this–is–meat vegetarian, but actual original dishes made to be delicious and well worth trying whether you are vegetarian or not. | 924B - 17 Ave. SW 541-1041 www | Lunch and Dinner Tu to Su | |||||||
| Drum & Monkey Public House | Bar | Informal | Bars fall into three categories. Some are just the extension of restaurants with more smoke and noise. Others—usually in hotels—are quiet meeting places for business people. Then there are real pubs—local gathering places for people who just like getting together for drinks, with food usually thrown in as an extra. The Drum & Monkey, introduced to us by our son, Scott, belongs to the last category. This kind of eatery, however, is hard to judge. The factors that draw people to places like this are mysterious. They centre more on atmosphere and community than food or drink. The D & M has a traditional front room with the obligatory brick walls and beer posters. Then there is a louder and darker back room with everything from plastic Tiki gods to a velvet Elvis. So what about the food? The variety is surprisingly wide from the all day English breakfast to Lasagna, and from fish and chips to meatloaf. And it was quite good. Don't go here alone. Take a group of rowdy friends and prepare for some smoke and noise, and if the ambiance fits, as Scott and his friends discovered, you'll be there on a regular basis. Good vegetarian selection. | 1201 - 1 St. SW 261-6674 | ||||||||
| Fairmont Palliser Hotel | Brunch (Buffet) | Smart Casual | Set in the traditional Rimrock Room and with a selection ranging from waffles to roast beef and omelettes to eggs Benedict, there isn't much this buffet lacks. Reservations Recommended. Good vegetarian selection. | 133 - 9 Ave. SW If you don't know where the Palliser is, you should probably lose your Calgary walking licence. 260-1219 | Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. www | |||||||
| Globefish Sushi & Izakaya | Japanese | Informal | The menu is extensive with lots of pictures for the uninitiated. There are many traditional favourites along with some of the more trendy recent concoctions like California rolls and even some local specialities such as Flames and Alberta rolls. The portions are smaller than at some other restaurants, BUT they are also less expensive. So just order a bit more. The food was well prepared and presented with an emphasis on milder flavours. Good vegetarian selection. Reservations are not taken so do get there early. www | 326 14 St. NW 521-0222 Lunch Sa, Su, Holidays 12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. M, W, Th, F 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Dinner 5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Closed on Tuesday | #1 2009 33 Ave. SW 249-8866 Lunch Sa, Su, Holidays 12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Tu to F 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Dinner 5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Closed on Monday | |||||||
| Green Olive Italian Restaurant | Italian | Informal | This is another hidden strip mall delight. The pizza is thin crust. The ingredients are fresh. The staff is friendly. AND daily specials give you extremely good dining value for your dollar. | #105 2220 - 68 Street NE (just north of 16 Ave.) 590-9838 | Su noon - 10:00 p.m. M to F 11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Sa 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. | |||||||
| Grizzly House Restaurant | Swiss | Informal | Yes, there is fondue and hot rocks cooking, which is their own version of the traditional Swiss raclette. Then these more traditional elements are mixed with buffalo and caribou and alligator and Alberta beef to provide a wide variety of food experiences. This all takes place in a setting that is somewhere between an idealized Swiss chalet and a hand-hewn mountain cabin. Smoking is encouraged, but the ventilation system seems to carry away the stench quite well. Reservations appreciated. | 207 Banff Avenue (on the main strip on the right hand side as you enter the townsite) Banff, AB 403-762-4055 www | 11:30 a.m. - midnight | |||||||
| Highwood | Gourmet | Buffet | SAIT houses one of the world's great schools for chefs as shown by the number of Olympic medals our cooking teams have won. The Highwood gives these students a change to show their strength. The buffet is one of the largest we have seen. Some of the dishes do try to hard to be new and different, but the overall impression is one of elegance and good taste. Good vegetarian selection. Reservations recommended. |
at SAIT 1302 - 16 Ave. NW Enter off 16 Avenue; use the short-term parking lot. The Highwood is in the John Ware Building to the south of the lot. 284-8615 Ext. 2 www | M to F 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Buffet Th 11:00 a.m. Dinner M to Th from 6:00 p.m. F, Sa Catering 210-4492 | |||||||
| Jonas' Restaurant | Hungarian | Informal | The speciality here is Hungarian homestyle cuisine. That means hearty dishes with rich sauces and plenty of home–made dumplings or potatoes at a reasonable prices. The dessert crepes are also delicious, but you may have to come back another day to try them as the main courses are quite filling. Good vegetarian selection. Reservations recommended, especially at noon. | 937 - 6 Ave. SW 262-3302 www | ||||||||
| The Keg Steakhouse & Bar www | Steak | Informal | A good medium-priced steak house. Note: They do not take reservations—for reasons we do not understand—so expect long waits at key times. | Stadium Shopping Centre 1928 Uxbridge Drive NW 403 282-0020 | 425 - 36 St. NE 403 235-5858 | #100 4600 - 130 Ave. SE 403 726-1022 | 1101 - 5 St. SW 403 266-1036 320-4th Avenue SW (Westin Hotel) 403 699-9843 7104 Macleod Tr. SW 403 253-2534 | 521 Banff Avenue Banff, AB 403 762-4442 117 Banff Avenue Banff, AB 403 760-3030 | ||||
| Leo Fu's Szechwan & Mandarin Restaurant | Chinese | Informal | A family–run restaurant with well–prepared food and friendly service. There is a buffet Monday to Friday at noon. Good vegetarian selection. | 511 70 Ave SW (just off MacLeod Tr.) 255-2528 | S 4:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. M to Th 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. F 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. Sa 4:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. | |||||||
| Mercato | Italian | Informal | Most people are eager to take advantage of the deli part of Mercato with its wide variety of Italian food from pasta to olives, from sandwiches to cheese. But don't forget the restaurant. The bread is made on site. The soups are hearty and tasty. The sauces are light but rich. In short, for not much more than you would pay for a heavy pasta special elsewhere in the area, you can come here and enjoy what you get thoroughly. Grant, however, is a little disturbed by the fact that there are no free coffee refills. The excuse is that this is slow drip coffee. "So?" Grant asks. Good vegetarian selection. | 2224 - 4 St. SW 263-5535 | ||||||||
| Mmmarvelous Mmmuffins | Coffee | Informal | Good, fresh muffins and coffee at reasonable prices served with great friendliness. This is really a place that remembers your name and preferences. Good vegetarian selection. Note: This is a site–specific review. The friendliness that surrounds this establishment is largely due to proprietor, Mike. | 751 - 3 St SW 403 233-7003 | ||||||||
| Mongolie Grill | Mongolian | Buffet | A choose–;what–you–like–and–they–cook–it–for–you restaurant with a good selection of meats, vegetables, noodles, sauces/condiments and friendly service. Soup, rice and wraps are included as a part of the meal; the cost is based on the weight of what you pick up. There is a 20% discount if you choose vegetarian. They do tend to be a little understaffed. Good vegetarian selection. | 1108 - 4 St. SW (SE corner of 11 Ave.) 262-7773 | 405 - 5005 Dalhousie Dr. NW 286-7779 | Su & Holidays 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. M to Th 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Fr, Sa 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. | ||||||
| Nick's Steakhouse and Pizza | Steak | Informal | An old Calgary stand by in the traditional steak house mold. | 2430 Crowchild Tr. NW (across from the stadium) 282-9278 Delivery 282-9278 Catering 263-2377 www | ||||||||
| ON Bar & Grill | Gourmet | Informal | When Grant came here for a job interview in 1977, this is where he was taken for lunch, so he still has a soft spot for the place. This is a long-time Calgary site recently got a new name, changing from the "Owl's Nest" to the more ambiguous "O.N." (pronounced "on"). The menu is limited, but the selections are well prepared, served and presented. Reservations are suggested. | The Westin Hotel 4 Ave. & 3 St. SW 266-1611 www | M to F 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m. Sa 5:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. | |||||||
| Ouzo Greek Taverna | Greek | Informal | A well–lit blue and white interior give this eatery a refreshing feel with an almost Mediterranean sense of light. Tablecloths add a sense of informal formality. The food is good with large portions, especially with the mousaka, so don't overdo the appetizers. | 2005B - 14 St. SW 229-1400 | Daily Lunch and Dinner | |||||||
| Prego Cucina Italiana | Italian | Lunch | Good Italian food. | Second Level Eau Claire Market SW 233-7885 | M to F 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. M to Sa 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. | |||||||
| Rajdoot Restaurant | East Indian | Informal | A relaxing atmosphere with friendly service and good food have established the Rajdoot a long–time Calgary favourite. And a number of combination specials make trying a variety of new dishes easy. Good vegetarian selection. | 2424 - 4 St. SW 245-0181 | Lunch Su to F 11:30 a..m. - 2:00 p.m. Dinner Su to F 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Sa 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. | |||||||
| Regency Palace | Chinese | Informal | We like ordering from the menu better than going to the buffet. This restaurant is well supported by the local Chinese community, who make good use of their excellent banquet service. | 4 Ave. & Centre St. S 777-2288 | Dim sum daily Lunch buffet wkdys and wknds | |||||||
| Ric's Grill | Steak | Informal | The menu is extensive; the setting, pleasantly subdued and refreshingly modern. The steak is excellent. Some of the side dishes, however, are rather ordinary, and the service is not quite as polished as at some higher–rated steakhouses. But all in all this is a good choice for a bit less money. | 1436 - 8 St. SW 269-2477 | Su - Th 11:00 a.m. - midnight F - Sa 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | |||||||
| Saigon | Vietnamese | Informal | More Formal than Vietnam Restaurant" and with less clutter, but the food is not quite as good. So you have to make a choice between atmosphere and taste. | 1221 - 12 Ave. SW 228-4200 | Su noon - 9 p.m. M to Th 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., 5 - 10 p.m. F 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Sa 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. | |||||||
| Saint Germain | French | Informal | A quiet haven of French cuisine in the heart of downtown Calgary. Reservations suggested as this is a popular spot for group functions, and it is best to check ahead for availability. Good vegetarian selection. | 115 12th Avenue SW (in the Hotel Arts) 290-1322 www | Su Closed Lunch M to F 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Dinner M to Th 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. F, Sa 5:00 p.m. - 11: 00 p.m. | |||||||
| Samosa Garden | East Indian | Informal | The cuisine here is predominantly East Indian but with a touch of East African and some interesting mutations like Tandoori Caesar Salad as well. The second floor setting is a bright combination of eastern and western artefacts with lots of plants and a view. (OK, it's a view of Sunridge Mall, but there's a lot of fine sky beyond it.) The service is friendly delivering well-presented and tasty dishes. One of our complaints about East Indian food has been small portions, but here we even had some left over. There is no wheelchair entrance, but you can order from the Coffee Culture downstairs if you wish. | #210 3393 - 26 Ave. NE (just south of Peter Lougheed Hospital) 250-2515 | Lunch Buffet: Su noon - 4:00 p.m. M to Th 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. F, Sa 11: 30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Dinner: Su 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. M to Th 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. F, Sa 5:00 p.m. - midnight | |||||||
| San Remo | Italian | Informal | San Remo began as a delightful neighbourhood restaurant in its Oakridge location. Now it has added Garrison Woods, still providing Italian food with that distinctly more delicate northern flavour. | Oak Bay Plaza 2515 - 90 Ave. SW 281-2482 | 3574 Garrison Gate SW across from Safeway 685-5727 | |||||||
| Sunterra www | General | Informal | Most Calgarians have shopped at the high–end produce market, Sunterra. Many have tried their take–out dishes. But some have certainly mused, "Wouldn't it be wonderful to have them make an omelette right here for me or a burger or a sandwich or a salad or even a main course,, especially if that could be done for a reasonable price." Well, dreams have come true with the larger eat–in area in the West Market Square store. The dishes are simple but tasty and wholesome and economical. Give it a try. Good vegetarian selection. | West Market Square 1851 Sirocco Dr. SW 403 266-3049 Britannia Shopping Plaza 803-49 Avenue SW (Elbow Dr. & 49 Ave. SW) 403 287-0553 | Bankers Hall +15 level, 855-2 St. SW 403 269-3610 TransCanada Tower +15 level, 450- 1 St. SW 403 262-8240 Gulf Canada Square +15 level, 401-9 Ave. SW 403 263-9756 | |||||||
| Ticino | Swiss | Informal | Banff has become home to a number of Swiss natives who have made this the fondue capital of Canada. This is an up-scale restaurant with a Swiss Italian emphasis. This adds pastas to fondue, and then complements this whole mix with local meats and flavours to make it more Banffish. Reservations recommended. | 415 Banff Avenue (on the main strip, just before you reach the "tourist district" in the High Country Inn.) Banff, AB 403-762-3838, www | Swiss Breakfast 7:30 a.m. - 10: 30 a.m. Dinner 5:30 p.m. - last reservation10:30 | |||||||
| Trawlers Seafood Kitchen | Seafood | Informal | Great fish and chips and chowder. | 1515 - 14 St. SW 245-6311 www | ||||||||
| Vietnam Restaurant | Vietnamese | Informal | Our base Vietnamese restaurant. Wonderful food served in a casual and maybe even a bit messy atmosphere. | 2 Floor 227 - 12 Ave. SE 263-0995 | Su to Th 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. F, Sa 11 a.m. - midnight | |||||||
| Alexis Bistro & Lounge | Gourmet | Informal | Don't be fooled by the Altadore location, This is an upscale bistro, starting from a French cuisine base and moving outward wherever it wishes. The setting is contemporary with excellent service. They even manage to give you ample butter to spread on the appetizer bread. This is always appreciated. There are many excellent dishes, but a few of the fusions just didn't work for our group, and it is for this reason, and this reason alone, that Alexis doesn't get an outstanding rating. Reservations recommended on weekends. | 4824 - 16 St. SW 214-3616 | M to Sa 5:00 p.m. - close | |||||||
| Avenue Diner | Diner | Informal | Here we have upscale dinering on the downtown restaurant strip. The prices. however, remain in the diner bracket, and the portions are as they should be—truck-driver breakfast size. Though the food quality seems to have dropped a little recently. Good vegetarian selection. | 105A - 8 Ave. SW 263-2673 | M to W 7:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Th to F 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Sa, Su 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | |||||||
| Boyd's Seafood Restaurant | Seafood | Informal | Good fish, but all cooked with a sameness in presentation. | 5211 MacLeod Tr. S 253-7575. | ||||||||
| Broken Plate Kitchen & Bar | Greek | Informal | Large, tasty portions of good Greek food. Good vegetarian selection. www | 302 - 10 Streeet NW 283-6300 | #590 10816 Macleod Tr. SE (in Willow Park) 225-9650 | 159-1829 Ranchlands Boulevard NW 239-8887 | ||||||
| Buchanan's | Steak | Informal | This is a good steak place for the west end of downtown crowd. Their burgers have been rated by others as the best in town. We would say they are very good ground steak sandwiches, but for real burgers we would go elsewhere. | 738 - 3 Ave. SW 261-4646 | Su Closed M to F 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Sa 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. | |||||||
| Chianti Café and Restaurant | Italian | Informal | Remember that we judge restaurants by what they are supposed to be. So with that in mind, we went to Chianti expecting a "reasonably priced" basic meal. And that is just what we got. The service was friendly. The bread was warm and tasty, and the food was good no-frills Italian fare. Watch for their specials, and you can make the experience even more reasonable. Good vegetarian selection. | #444 - 10816 Macleod Tr. S. (Willow Park Village) 225-0010 | 1438 - 17 Ave. SW 229-1600 | #300 20 Crowfoot Cr. NW (Crowfoot Crossing) 547-5020 | 2805 - 32 Ave. NE 291-2707 | |||||
| Chop Chow lnn | Chinese | Informal | A delightful, friendly find for Chinese food in Woodbine. | #311 - 2525 Woodview Dr. SW 238-5757 | ||||||||
| cilantro | Gourmet | Informal | Like Dr. Who's TARDIS, this original store building on 17 Avenue is larger inside than out, but retains a friendly hominess as it surrounds you with warm wood on all sides. The staff are FEK—friendly, efficient, knowledgeable. The food, however, while quite creative in its combinations and certainly tasty in general was lukewarm, and no one dish that anyone ordered cried out to be tried again. Reservations are recommended, at noon especially. | 338 - 17 Ave. SW 229-1177 | ||||||||
| Crete Souvlaki | Greek | Fast Food | This rates among the most unusual locations for a restaurant, situated as it is in a gas station, convenience store complex. This is simple Greek food in a Styrofoam box, but on a return for cost basis what you get is a good value. There are a couple of tables, but we found the confusion and gas fumes make this an ideal take out place. Good vegetarian selection. | 2623 - 17 Ave. SW 246-4777 | Take Out Hours Sa, Su , Holidays 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. M to F 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. | |||||||
| Da Paolo Ristorante | Italian | Formal | The food here is excellent, but the service has never left us fully satisfied. Reservations are recommended. | 121 17 Ave SE 228-5556 | M to F 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. M to Sa 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Closed Su | |||||||
| Dragon Pearl Restaurant | Chinese | Informal | This restaurant has been in Inglewood for about a billion years and is well-known throughout the city. Here is a truly friendly old-style Calgary Chinese restaurant with chrome chairs next to traditional oriental paintings and the red, electrically-lit altar just across from the crimson Coca-Cola clock. The food is good, and over the years we have noticed that they have spiced it up as the general population has grown more accustomed to hotter dishes. Good vegetarian selection. | 1223a 9 Ave. SW 233-8810 | Su 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. M to Th 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Fr 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. - 10: 30 p.m. Sa 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., 4:30 pm. - 10:00 p.m. | |||||||
| Earl's | General | Informal | Earl's serves good food at reasonable prices, but among the good dishes are some very ordinary ones, and some of the small details, like homemade fries are missing, and the hamburger buns don't seem strong enough to support the hamburgers. Good vegetarian selection. | #600 5005 Dalhousie Dr. NW 547-5723 1110 - 16Ave. NW 289-2556 | 3030 - 23 St. NE 291-6700 | 2401 4 St. SW 228-4141 Westhills Shopping Centre 246-7171 315 - 8 Ave. SW (Banker's Hall) 265-3275 10640 Macleod Tr. S. 278-7860 | 3012 - 17 Ave. SE 271-3275 | 201 Wolfe St. Banff (403) 762-4414 | ||||
| Eddy's Nest Pizza, Pasta & Steak | Pizza | Take Out/ Delivery | We are judging this one only on the "pizza" part. Take out steak seems a little sacrilegious. But the pizza is full–bodied though a little on the un-spicy side. There is free delivery for those within a 5 km. radius. Good vegetarian selection. | 735 - 12 Ave. SW 403 244-3838 | ||||||||
| 1886 Café | General | Informal | This small café is set in one of the last original wooden buildings in the Prince's Island area, right in the middle of the Eau Claire Market complex. They specialize in breakfast, and the food is good, but the service rather unfriendly. | 187 Barclay Parade SW (Eau Claire Market) 269-9255 | Open 7 days a week at 7 a.m. | |||||||
| Falafel King www | Middle Eastern | Informal | Good falafels served with a why-are-you-bothering-us attitude. Good vegetarian selection. | 1610 - 10 St. SW 403 802-5464 | 225 - 8 Ave. SW | |||||||
| Galaxie Diner | Diner | Informal | Here was a restaurant that saw a split in the vote between Grant and Dorothy. Dorothy thought the hashbrowns were a bit salty and found the coffee strong. Grant downed the coffee and had helping after helping of the hashbrown refills. Then there was a debate as to whether it was on the 17 Ave. strip--It is just south of 17th.-- or whether it should be under the downtown listings. So here is the final decision: This downtown, breakfast-all-day type diner provides just what it promises-- good old-fashioned breakfasts, burgers, sandwiches and home made milkshakes. Some will like it more than others, but that is always the case. Give it a try and decide for yourself, but take cash as they do not accept credit cards. | 1414 - 11 St. SW 228-0001 www | Sa, Su, Hol 7:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. M to F 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | |||||||
| Gee Gong | Chinese | Noodle House | This is a local Chinese fast food eatery, so don't expect anything fancy in service or on the menu, but the food is good and the place is packed especially at lunch time. It's also a good place to buy barbecued pork to take home. | 206c Centre St. S 264-1533 | Su 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. M to Th 10:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. F 10:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sa 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. | |||||||
| Harvey's | Hamburger | Fast Food | Our favourite we-put-on-it-what-you-want hamburger outlet. Watch though; the rating can fluctuate a little between outlets, but this usually stems from the service, not the food.Good vegetarian selection. | Brentwood Village Mall 282-2230 400 Country Hills Dr. NW 226-9546 (Home Depot) | Calgary International Airport 250-9177 Northgate Village Mall 272-9641 2520 - 52 St. NE 280-9448 | 5658 Signal Hill Ctr SW 240-0006 6500 MacLeod Tr. S. 255-0563 (Home Depot) | #500 3619 - 61 Ave. SE 720-0252 7218 Macleod Tr. S 258-0132 390 Shawville Blvd. SE 201-2505 www | |||||
| Hawkwood Palace Restaurant | Chinese | Informal | Friendly staff in a pleasant setting make this a sure destination for those in the area. Our decision was split on the food, however. There are some very good dishes, but these are balanced by some quite ordinary ones. So we're sitting on the fence with a 4 rating. You can come to your own conclusions. Good vegetarian selection. |
555 Hawkwood Blvd. NW 241-1888 | ||||||||
| Il Giardino | Italian | Informal | The setting is pleasantly country Italian with a relaxed staff to make you feel right at home. The selection is broad with choices for every taste and palette. Overall we enjoyed out meal, but found that as with many other restaurants the vegetables are the weak point, as if all the time and effort has been spent on the meat and pasta dishes. but note that the advantages of wheelchair accessibility are somewhat offset by the fact that some of the restaurant is up a few steps. | 344 - 17 Ave. SW (sw corner of 4 St. & 17 Ave.; parking off 15 Ave.) 541-0088 | Su 4:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. M to Th 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. F, Sa 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. | |||||||
| Joey Tomato's Mediterranean Grill | Italian | Informal | The food is filling, trendy "Mediterranean", but the service can be slow. | #50 Crowfoot Way NW 547-5639 | 3026 23rd Street NE 219-8465 | 208 Barclay Parade SW (Eau Claire Market) 263-6336 | 100A 6455 MacLeod Trail SW (Chinook Centre) 692-6626 | |||||
| Jo Jo Bistro Parisien | French | Informal | The food is provençal; the space is small and cozy. We enjoyed our meal, though found the soup bowls were hot, but the contents not as warm, and the coffee refills seemed always to be just half a cup. Reservations recommended. | 2215 - 33 Ave. SW 245-2382 | Spring/Summer Hours Tu to F Lunch & Dinner Sa Dinner only | |||||||
| The Lazy Loaf & Kettle | Bakery | Informal | Let's begin with the good stuff. This bakery provides excellent breads and cakes, cookies and squares, and situated just off Memorial Drive below Foothills Hospital, it affords an easy opportunity to take something yummy home for dinner. Some evenings there is live music, and works for sale by local artists hang on the walls. The coffee, however, can dip into the ordinary and the tables tend to be a bit crummy---literally. Sadly on our first visit as sit down customers, two staff members chatted while a line up formed at the till, but we shall continue to drop by, so watch for further developments. Good vegetarian selection. | 8 Parkdale Cres. NW 270-7810 | Su, Holidays 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. M to F 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Sa 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. | |||||||
| The Main Dish | General | Takeout | The is a high–quality take out establishment with everything from soup and sandwiches to salads and main courses. Here is the perfect place to stop to pick up the lunch you were too rushed to make or the dinner you are to exhausted to prepare. There is also plenty of room to eat in. And keep in mind their brunches on weekends and full service fine dining on Saturday nights. Good vegetarian selection. | 903 General Ave. NE (1 Ave. NE and 8A St.) 266-DISH (3474) www | Daily 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. | |||||||
| Marathon Ethiopian Restaurant | Ethiopian | Informal | The food here is quite tasty, reminiscent of Indian cuisine but with its own particular blend of spices. The meal is usually eaten with one's hands from a large common serving dish using barley bread that looks, but thank goodness doesn't taste, like thin foam rubber. The staff were freindly, but seemed to disappear once the meal began. And the washrooms could use a little more attention. Good vegetarian selection. but note that males in the group will have to use the women's bathroom on the main floor. | 130 - 10 St. NW 283-6796 924- 17 Ave. SW 802-1580 | Tu to Su 11:00 a.m. - midnight M noon - midnight | |||||||
| Margarita's Dishes | Eastern European | Informal | This is a part of our great project of eating our way through the Calgary Farmer's Market. The food at this particular stand is a mixture of Ukrainian and German home cooking. (We always worry about home cooking as we have been in some homes where the cooking wasn't that enticing.) Here we got a split verdict. The cabbage rolls and sauerkraut were average; the schnitzel and latka's good. So we split at a 4. Good vegetarian selection. | Calgary' Farmers' Market (the old Currie Barracks) | ||||||||
| Matador Pizza & Steak House | Pizza / Steak | Informal | This is another of those restaurants that seem to have been around forever, and in this case, the longevity appears to be deserved. The setting is fresh and bright. The service is friendly, and the thin crust pizza is made with the freshest and tastiest of ingredients. The steak side of the menu we found rather ordinary, so the compromise was a "4" right on the category cusp. | 4625 Varsity Dr. NW (just north of Market Mall) 286-3133 | Su & Holidays 4:00 p.m. - 10 p.m. M 4:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. Tu to Sa 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 a.m. | |||||||
| Milestone's Grill & Bar | General | Informal | What we have here is an upscale Earl's with everything from hamburgers to pasta and steak to nachos—all with a certain sense of style and friendly service. Again though in this mix there are some hits and some misses. Reservations are recommended at peak times. Good vegetarian selection. www | 107 - 8 Ave. SE 410-9521 | Milestones South Centre 225-1150 | |||||||
| Moroccan Castle | Moroccan | Informal | The atmosphere of a Moroccan hideaway surrounds you in your private eating space, but this restaurant doesn't do the details as well as The Sultan's Tent. For example, the water for hand washing isn't scented, and there is no bread provided, making eating properly with one's hands more difficult. We also found the dessert rather heavy. But we did appreciate the separate dining area for smokers. Good vegetarian selection. But stairs will limit your access to certain parts of the restaurant. | 217 - 19 Street NW 283-5452 www | ||||||||
| Moti Mahal Restaurant | East Indian | Informal | This bright, spacious restaurant offers a wide selection of well-prepared Kashmiri food, avoiding the bland spicing of hot dished that some other eateries use to pamper the western pallet. As with many East Indian restaurants, however, we do have some concern with the dish size vs. price ratio, and free fill ups on the coffee might be a good idea. Reservations Recommended. Good vegetarian selection. www | #201 1805 - 14 Street SW 228-9990 | Midnapore Mall (Macleod Tr & Midlake Blvd. S 201-7336 | |||||||
| Moxie's | General | Informal | With everything from burgers and sandwiches to pasta and pizza on the menu, restaurants like Moxie's are difficult to grade. Often one or two superb items are dragged down by numerous bland ones, or "home style" can mean you should just have stayed at home and made the sandwich yourself. However, we believe the Moxie's does do things well, and deserves a try if you want a wide variety of items from which to choose at reasonable prices. Good vegetarian selection. www | #13 3625 Shaganappi Tr. NW 288-2663 | Sandman Hotel Barlow & McKnight NE 291-4636 | West Hills 120 Stewart Gr. SW 246-0366 888- 7 Ave. SW 234-7507 1331 - 17 Ave. SW 228-1447 | Chinook Centre 6455 Macleod Tr. S 259-5742 10606 Southport Road. SW 225-9598 41 Shawville Blvd. SE 254-5100 | |||||
| Murrieta's West Coast Bar & Grill | Grill | Informal | The old stone walls of the former Alberta Hotel site mixed with dark wood and a spectacular skylight give their Calgary location a feel of the old west. The food, however, is a bit more difficult to define. "West Coast" says sea food, and it is plentiful. The name has a ring of the old American southwest, and the appropriate spices are present. Although everything was well prepared, there was nothing we tried that really grabbed us. Reservations Recommended | #200 808 - 1 St. SW 269-7707 | 2nd Floor, 737 Main St. Canmore | |||||||
| Original Joe's Restaurant and Bar | Bar | Informal | The usual neighbourhood drinkery type of dishes with some hits, like the hamburgers, and some misses, like the Caesar salad. Also, as with many such establishments, the background mood music made conversation diffiuclt. | 2047 - 34 Ave. SW one block south of the centre of Marda Loop 242-4040 | 2118 4 St. SW 802-3800 | 1220 Kensington Rd. NW 670-5637 www | ||||||
| Osteria de Medici | Italian | Informal | Excellent, but overpriced. | 210 10 St. NW 283-5553 | Su 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. M to Sa 11:30 a.m. - midnight | |||||||
| Pegasus Restaurant Ltd. | Greek | Informal | Great Greek food, but with small portions. | 1101 14 St. SW | 229-1231 | M to Th 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., 5 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. F, Sa 5 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. | ||||||
| Pho Xuan | Vietnamese | Informal | The decor is minimal, though in a rather authentic way. The portions are large, making this an excellent spoonful/dollar place to eat, though the largess of the portions is balanced out by a sight downturn in the quality of some ingredients, like the barbecued pork.. | 920 - 36 St. NE (across from T & T) 403 204-1299 | ||||||||
| Red Devil Barbecue & Grill | Grill | Informal | This is one of those restaurants that stands right on the cusp between two categories. Would we return or wouldn't we? The ribs and other meat dishes were excellent. However, on the other hand, the extras were weak: buns not quite sure if they were warm or not, potatoes that were ordinary and beans right from the can. Reservation are taken on weekdays | 131 Crowfoot Terrace NW Crowfoot Crossing 208-0303 | ||||||||
| Red Lobster | Seafood | Informal | Sea food, but as with many such Calgary restaurants, deep frying and pan frying seem to be the most creative they can get. | #100 6100 Macleod Tr. SW (across from Chinook) 252-818 | 312 - 35 St. NE 248-8111 | 2316 - 16 Ave. NW 282-0952 | Su to Th 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. F, Sa 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. | www | ||||
| River Café | Gourmet | Informal | Go here to see Calgary at its best: a pleasant island setting in the middle of the downtown. Go here to marvel at what can be done with an old hotdog outlet. Go here for good service. The food? Some excellent dishes, but many ordinary ones dressed up in expensive trappings. Yes, it is worth a visit, but the taste bud titillation for dollar ration is better elsewhere. Reservations recommended. |
Prince's Island Park 261-7670 | Lunch Dinner Weekend Brunch | www | ||||||
| Ruan Thai Restaurant | Thai | Buffet |
The lunch buffet doesn't reflect the best of the regular menu, and the usually quite extensive vegetarian selection is sadly missing. | 1324 11 Ave. SW 262-7066 | M to F 11:30 a.m. Holidays Closed | |||||||
| Ruan Thai Restaurant | Thai | Informal | With a large menu of excellent dishes, the Ruan Thai has been one of our traditional choices for Thai food in the west end of the Beltline. Dorothy particularly appreciated the menu which showed which dished were ordered most often by customers. However, although the food is still well-prepared, the rating has dropped recently as the service has become slow and far less friendly.Good vegetarian selection. | 1324 11 Ave. SW 262-7066 | M to F 11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Sa, Su Summer 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Winter 4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Su, Holidays Closed | |||||||
| SAIT 4 Nines Cafeteria | General | Fast Food | Having enjoyed the haute cuisine of the Highwood at SAIT, we decided to see how the common people eat, so joined the students and staff at the cafeteria around the corner. OK, it is campus fast food, but it squeaked into the 4 rating with a good variety of dishes including the unusual at prices even students can afford. | SAIT 1302 - 16 Ave. NW The cafeteria is in the basement of the John Ware Building. www | M to F 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | |||||||
| Sam's Bar & Grill | Bar | Informal | Friendly service, a good variety of regular bar dishes like burgers and nachos, plus a number of interesting extras like steak and eggs, omelettes and perogies make this a good choice for a watering hole if you are headed to Kensington. Good vegetarian selection. | 1167 Kensington Crescent NW 270-3880 | Daily, with a buffet brunch on Sundays | |||||||
| Spicy Hut | Thai | Informal | Good southeast Asian food. | 203b 4 St. NE 237-0830 | Su 4:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. M to Th 11 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. F, Sa 11 a.m. - midnight | |||||||
| Spicy Hut | Thai | Lunch Special | A good variety of southeast Asian dishes, with good lunch specials. (See the separate of their regular menu.) | 203b 4 St. NE 237-0830 | Su 4:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. M to Th 11 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. F, Sa 11 a.m. - midnight | |||||||
| Spolumbo's Fine Foods and Deli | Deli | Informal | On your way through Inglewood, stop here to build your own sandwich or try one of the house compositions. There is good value for fresh, wholesome food in a no smoking environment, and on the way out remember to stop at the deli and pick up some of the sausages for which Spolumbo's is renowned. The only ingredient missing was a touch of the "special" or the "different" and Grant, being rather slow, wished they would list all the cold meats and sausages at the sandwich counter so he could tell exactly what the choices were. | 1308 - 9 Ave. SE 264-6452 | Su & Holidays Closed M to Sa 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. www | |||||||
| Starbucks Coffee Comapny Ltd. | Coffee | Informal | For a good cardboard cup of standardized coffee from a limited menu, this is the place to go. Good vegetarian selection. | Multitudinous locations. Check by Location. | ||||||||
| Steeps | Tea | Informal | A mixture of mismatched wooden tables and chairs gives this teahouse a rustic at home atmosphere. The knowledgeable staff help you explore the world of tea, encouraging you to test the aroma of various kinds before making your selection The snacks are top quality as well. Of course, there is a good vegetarian selection. |
880 - 16 Ave. SW (in Mount Royal Village) 209-0076 | ||||||||
| Sushi Kawa | Japanese | Informal | The décore is simple ecclectic with a touch of Japanese, but the food is Japanese all the way. And you may even get to watch sumo wrestling on TV as you eat. This help you keep the calories in mind. We visited Sushi Kawa when it first opened, then again recently, and unfortunately the service has slipped a little, but we hope will be back on track soon. Good vegetarian selection. | 2204 - 4 St. SW 802-0058 | Dinner Su 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. M to Th 5 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. F, Sa 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Lunch M to Sa 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. | |||||||
| T & T Gourmet www | Chinese | Fast Food | After shopping at T & T, one of the largest oriental supermarkets in Calgary, you should remember that this is also the place to find a good, inexpensive, fast meal at their deli. But beware as Dorothy couldn't finish her three-choice meal, it was so large. There is a good variety of Chinese dishes, though we did feel a little more spice would have added to the meal. | Pacific Place # 800 999 - 36 St NE 569-6888 M to Th 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. F to Su 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. | Harvest Hills Crossing #1000 - 9650 Harvest Hills Blvd. NE 237-6608 M to Th 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. F -toSu 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. | |||||||
| Taj Mahal | Indian | Informal | This restaurant has a long history in Calgary and still serves a fine selection of Indian dishes done to your desired degree of hotness. The buffet is excellent. In fact, the only problem we have had here is the service where there is often an unfortunate forgetfulness on the part of the staff. The food, however, makes up for these short-comings. Good vegetarian selection. | 4816 Macleod Tr. SW 243-6362 | Su 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. M to Th 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.; 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. F, Sa 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.; 5 p.m. - midnight www | |||||||
| Thai Sai-On | Thai | Informal | This one of Calgary's oldest Thai restaurants, established even before Thai food became trendy. Its continuing popularity is well-deserved with good-sized, well-spiced portions; however, the service has slowed down a bit the last couple of times we have dropped in. Remember too that with Thai food you can use a fork and throw away those chop sticks. Good vegetarian selection. | 351 - 10 Ave. SW 264-3526 | Su Closed M to F Lunch 11:30 a.m.; Dinner 5:00 p.m. Sa Dinner 5:00 p.m. | |||||||
| Tommy Burger Bar | Hamburgers | Informal | Tommy's prompted a long discussion in our group even after we left the premises. On one side, there were those who appreciated the fact that this was a real restaurant with servers, soups, salads, milkshakes and desserts. On the other side were those who thought that paying a dollar or more for every topping on what they called a "restaurant burger" was a little much. You decide. We ended up on the cusp between the 3 and 4 categories. Good vegetarian selection. | 9629 Macleod Tr. S. 258-0668 | Su to Th 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. F, Sa 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. | |||||||
| Tony Roma's www | Ribs | Informal | Great ribs and other grilled things. What more can one say? | 131 Crowfoot Terrace NW 403 264-7427 | 3010 - 23 St. NE 403 242-7427 | 6712 MacLeod Tr. S 403 301-7427 #600 - 16061 Macleod Tr. S 403 873-7427 #31 4307 - 130 Ave. SE 403 244-7427 | 138 Banff Ave. (in the Mt. Royal Hotel) Banff, AB 403 760-8540 | |||||
| The Verve | Gourmet | Informal | The menu begins with a strong Italian base and then moves all over the culinary map from Thai to hamburgers. The food is enjoyable. There are some excellent dishes, like the soups, and some other ordinary ones. We shall probably give it another try just to see if perhaps this was an off day. Good vegetarian selection. | 512 - 23 Ave. SW 229-9366 | M to Sa 5:00 p.m. - close | |||||||
| Vicious Circle | Bar | Informal | Martinis is the key word here with a vast variety available. Some may push the definition of the drink, but who cares? They have some wonderful flavours. The menu includes lounge usuals like nachos and some less current items like perogies. The entrées fall into three categories: flat bread pizzas, melts and pastas. Generally we found the main dishes quite good, but some of munchies like the nachos quite ordinary. While there, watch for the artist of the month. You may find a new local favourite. Also if the sun is not shining, there may be a low light warning for those with poorer eyesight. | 1011 - 1 St. SW 269-3951 www | Sa, Su 6:00 p.m. 2:00 a.m. M to Th 11:30 a.m. 1:00 a.m. F 11:30 a.m. 2:00 a.m. | |||||||
| Villa Firenze | Italian | Informal | Tucked away between the forks of Edmonton Trail, this is one of Calgary's long-standing Italian restaurants. The converted house setting provides a bright and airy place for the enjoyment of classical Italian dishes. The sauces are wonderful, but we do feel that a little more emphasis could go on what lies beneath the toppings and subtleties like coffee refills. | 610 1 Ave. NE 264-4297 | Su Closed M to F 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Sa 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. |
