Let's chat about exactly how "Eating Calgary" is set up and what you might expect to find and how to find it:
The Ratings
shows a perfect score, and you won't find many of these.
indicates a place to return to time after time;
means drop by if you're in the neighbourhood;
says that you may eat here if you wish, but there are better places, and
begs you to avoid this place like the plague, because you'll probably get it here.
is a plea to join in solidarity with us and make known the scourge that this restaurant is unleashing upon the world.
As you look at the ratings connected with the various number of glasses, please note that these are not percentages. That is, a is not equal to 90%. Rather that means that this particular restaurant stands in the middle of those haunts to which we would return time after time. In other words, the glasses represent restaurant groupings.
Also watch as some groups of restaurants have different ratings for different locations.
And remember that we always judge restaurants by what they are supposed to be, thus a fast food establishment may receive a rating as high as a gourmet dining salon.
You're right; we don't have many low-rated restaurants, because we enjoy eating out, and thus see no reason to torture ourselves while doing so. But if you want to, go ahead.
Signs and Symbols
Vegetarian: Most restaurants have some vegetarian dishes, but those with the "Good vegetarian selection" notation seem to make a special effort in this area.
Double Listings: You will notice that some restaruants are listed twice. That is because we are rating either different parts of the establishment or different aspects of the food. For example, with "The Keg" we rate both the bar and the regular restaurant, while at the "Regency Palace", we judge the buffet and the regular menu meals separately.
Menus: Some restaurant web pages have sample menus for people to peruse. We avoid this, because for us one of the most exciting moments in eating out is opening the menu and being surprised by the contents. That element of the new and unexpected adds to our experience, so we don't want to spoil it for you by revealing too much in our reviews. We would rather that you get out there and share the fun of discovery. However, you will notice that in some places you will see:. This indicates that we have a favourite dish or two that you might want to try.
This sign indicates an attached map. If the restaurant is on a numbered or main street or if it is in a large mall, we don't include a map, because if you can't find it there, you probably shouldn't be out on your own anyway.
Clicking on www will take you to a web page run by the restaurant being reviewed. We don't send you to other review pages, because we wouldn't want you to be misled by misinformation.
shows the number one restaurant in a category. In the case of a tie, you will find more than one #1. Sometime a grouping may lack this designation. This may mean that a leading restaurant has been visited only once, and we are waiting for a second meal to award the accolade; or it may be that no establishment in the category is really worth elevating to splendiferousness.
means that the score of a particular establishment is on the rise. This is a good thing.
means that the chef tries to use locally grown produce as much as possible.
means just what it says: Orgainically grown products are featured in restaurants displaying this symbol.
Some Tiny Things That Make a Big Difference
Dorothy always tastes the coffee, and Grant watches for frequent refills.
Is there enough butter to generously cover the buns or bread offered?
Is the soup hot?
Is as much attention paid to the style and quality of the vegetables served as to the meat selection?
After we show that we have finished, does it take another half hour to get the bill?
If we return to the same restaurant several times over a short span, is there some recognition of our obvious appreciation of the place? (No, we do not want to be recognized as reviews or fawned over like long–lost cousins. But a smile or word of acknowledgment is always appreciated.)
Above All
keep in mind that most of these reviews are based on more than one visit, so we aren't persuaded by the old "The cook is having a bad day." excuse. But also we won't hold it against a place if they are having trouble and admit it. For example, if Milly has just called in sick, and one server is having to do the duties of two people, we just accept that as something that happens and may even be more generous seeing work being done above and beyond the call of duty. But if every time we go, we hear the same excuses for poor food or bad service, we do become a bit suspicious.
All in all, we enjoy eating out and hope you will too.
shows a perfect score, and you won't find many of these.
indicates a place to return to time after time; 
means drop by if you're in the neighbourhood; 
says that you may eat here if you wish, but there are better places, and 
begs you to avoid this place like the plague, because you'll probably get it here.
is a plea to join in solidarity with us and make known the scourge that this restaurant is unleashing upon the world.
is not equal to 90%. Rather that means that this particular restaurant stands in the middle of those haunts to which we would return time after time. In other words, the glasses represent restaurant groupings.
. This indicates that we have a favourite dish or two that you might want to try.
shows the number one restaurant in a category. In the case of a tie, you will find more than one #1. Sometime a grouping may lack this designation. This may mean that a leading restaurant has been visited only once, and we are waiting for a second meal to award the accolade; or it may be that no establishment in the category is really worth elevating to splendiferousness.
means that the score of a particular establishment is on the rise. This is a good thing.
means that the chef tries to use locally grown produce as much as possible.
means just what it says: Orgainically grown products are featured in restaurants displaying this symbol.