Dine Out Calgary starts this Friday, March 5th and runs until Sunday, March 14th. There’s over 90 restaurants participating this year and that means a lot of great dining choices. To help you with your decision our blog writers have chosen their top picks for the 10 days. Next up Lisa Murphy-Lamb
Here is our problem: My husband is away on business travel a lot. This means most of his meals are eaten out while I am at home cooking for the family. When we are together in the same city at the same time, he looks forward to some home cooking and I look forward to him taking me out. Unless I’m prepared with a solid suggestion for a restaurant that is enticing and easy to get to, his business-travel weariness takes over and he begs to stay in and nosh on something homemade and healthy.
Here is one solution: Dine out Calgary which begins Friday, March 5 and runs until Sunday, March 14. During Dine out Calgary, participating restaurants offer a 3-course menu at a set price point especially for the event. This is a great enticement to come and try out some local restaurants, but better than that for me is the website which lists the restaurants and what they are serving. With access to menus, location and price I am well prepared for when my husband returns from Rio and Buenos Aires (I know, right?) next week.
So with a little research by way of my computer perched on top of my cookbooks, here are my top three picks for Dine out Calgary week. Fingers crossed I talk him into at least joining me at one of them.
The Belvedere used to be the placed we’d go into for a drink when we were dressed up for a company party or a wedding. We loved what the Belvedere refers to as the New York atmosphere, with high backed chairs and deep bench seating. Scotch, martinis and then, cigars, were what we stayed for. In all the times we went into drink, I only ate in the dining room once. I am aware of The Belvedere’s reputation for superb cuisine. It has been considered one of Calgary’s best restaurants for many years boasting fresh ingredients and impeccable service. During Dine Out Calgary week there is only one dining option: gourmet with wine pairings ($85) and I think with The Belvedere that is all they need to offer. The menu is both exotic (truffles) and local (Alberta beef tenderloin). This applies to the wine pairings as well.
Bistro Piq Niq offers two dining choices in this intimate downtown restaurant. Lunch is offered for $25 and dinner for $35. Both are three course meals but unlike The Belvedere where the menu is set, Bistro Piq Niq’s chef Andrew Trinier offers a small choice for entrees both at lunch and dinner. Both dining experiences begin with the chef’s soup and end with Callebaut Mousse au Chocolat. Check out their website to see what the chef has in mind for entrees.
Rush is a restaurant I know nothing about which is truly the best kind of restaurant, in my opinion, to try out during Dine Out Calgary week. Having moved out of the country for two years, Rush is one of the many talked about restaurants which opened up while we were gone. I know very little about this place except by what my friends have said, and all reports have been favourable. Having only driven past it once, I was struck by the glass exterior and am personally drawn to contemporary places, both in architecture and food. Rush fits the bill. Executive Chef Justin Leboe creates an innovative contemporary North American menu. The set lunch menu is not up yet for perusing but the gourmet dinner menu ($85) is. I took a look, and not completely understanding all the ingredients on the menu, having it set and served without me having to order will suit me, and my travel wearied husband just fine.
Please leave a comment if you have a recommendation to add or you want to share your Dine Out experience. You can also fill out the Dine Out Calgary survey for a chance to win a gift certificate to one of the amazing Dine Out Calgary restaurants.
