Hello,

Can anyone help out with recommendations for places to have dinner in Calgary? Our first night, we'll be at the Stampede. Is there someplace nearby (walking distance) that you'd recommend? How is the restaurant in the casino? Our second night, we're looking for something near the Westin on 4th Avenue downtown. We like steak, seafood, Italian, Asian -- we are not picky. Also, we'd don't want anywhere too pricey -- not more than $35 an entree.

Thanks in advance.

Eau Claire market is within easy walking distance of the Westin, and it has a number of restaurants that would probably be what you're looking for. Also within walking distance is Stephen Avenue Mall which also has restaurants. The concierge at the hotel can probably help you decide.

ShelliDawn has given you good advice.

In the Eau Claire Market complex, I like Joey Tomato's. It claims to be inspired by Mediterranean cuisine, but its menu is quite ecclectic. A couple of the dishes have a Thai flavour. Although Joey's is a moderately priced restaurant, the steak is of a quality that usually is experienced in more expensive restaurants.

If you head up to Stephen Avenue Walk (8th Avenue Mall), Rose Garden serves delicious Thai food for a very moderate price.

PLEASE NOTE: Rose Garden moved relatively recently. It used to be on 8th Avenue Mall, between 1st and 2nd Streets SW. At that time its address was 207 - 8th Avenue SW. It now is located one block further east, between Centre Street and 1st Street SW. Its current address is 112 - 8th Avenue SW. I mention this because, if you do a Google search, you'll find some websites that provide an address that now is out of date.

Close to Stampede Park, I recommend Ed's Restaurant at 202 - 17 Ave SE. If you're there during Stampede you should make reservations because it will be very busy.

You'll want to stay away from the restaurants at Stampede Park (unless you know somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody and can get you in to Ranahan's at the Grandstand - although a meal there will cost you $$$$'s, not $35 an entree).

Since you're here for Stampede, I suggest that you keep with the western spirit and stick with steakhouses. Some of the better ones downtown, which should have some entrees in your price range are Caesar's (two blocks from your hotel), the Chicago Chophouse and Ric's. I've eaten at the first two and highly recommend them (although the interior of Caesar's still looks like it did if you happened to go there for a two martini lunch in 1977). Unfortunately the Westin is in the middle of a big renovation right now, and old faithful, The Owl's Nest Restaurant on its main floor is no more.

The restaurants in Eau Claire are fine, and you will certainly get a decent meal at Joey Tomato's, but it's a chain restaurant and I'm not a huge fan of their food. If you are looking for a downtown menu that covers the spectrum, I like Murietta's.

In terms of seafood, my recommendation would be Catch (located at the Hyatt hotel), although Booker's Crab Shack (if it's still open) is a good choice as well.

In terms of Asian food, the Westin is only a few minutes away from Chinatown, so there are a number of restaurants to choose from down there. My favourite (at least for dim sum) is the Silver Dragon.

For Italian, you can cross the bridge over the river and go into Kensington, where you'll find Osteria de Medici. As with most of the restaurants I have recommended, it's pricy, but you should still be able to find some entrees in the $35 range.

Given that it's Stampede, you'll want to call and make reservations NOW. This city becomes a madhouse during Stampede (albeit a very, very fun madhouse), and most restaurants and bars are packed to the rafters.

Terrence has suggested some good options although they are higher on the price scale and more "gourmet" rather than casual restaurants.

Murrietta's setting is in a wonderful historic building and their food is very good. For dinner, entrees average around $30 (those containing meat or fish) and higher. You can check out their website which lists the menu and an option to make a reservation online - www.murrietas.ca

Catch is an award winning fine dining seafood restaurant - been twice myself and never been back since (I was never that impressed with the food and have equally enjoyed seafood elsewhere for less $$). There is a more casual oyster bar on the main floor and fine dining on the second floor. Again, you'll see prices here approaching the upper end of your $35 budget for entrees. My recommendation would be to skip the seafood and enjoy some Alberta beef. Take a look at their menu at www.catch.ca.

Osteria de Medici in Kensington is a fine dining Italian restaurant. I highly recommend Abruzzo on 4th Ave and 8th st (west of the Westin) for unfussy great tasting Italian food. Nicola is a wonderful chef and the menu is simple traditional Italian - mostly pastas, veal, fish, and chicken. Definitely in your price range and entrees are more reasonably priced. Good housewine, great tomato sauces - my husband and I eat here regularly.

Kensington is an option for dinner - a lovely walk along the river. I can recommend Broken Plate (Greek cuisine) - lively greek restaurant with some traditional fare and more modern dishes.

Enojy Stampede!

Keep in mind that no matter how upscale the restaurant is, during Stampede it is perfectly acceptable to wear western clothing to dine. Like I said, the city goes off its rocker for 10 days...

True story, I'm a corporate lawyer, and during Stampede it is acceptable for me to appear in court wearing jeans and cowboy boots (keeping in mind that the Judges are wearing the same thing).

LOL Terrence - I don't work in the core so I'm not near to all the hoopla that happens every year downtown. Absolutely was aware that cowboy garb is standard office attire but didn't imagine that would extend to the courtroom!

Judy_in_Calgary and anybody else

are those recommendations still up=to=date???

staying at Sandman's near the AP, i've found that next door Moxie's was very very busy so lots of people "vote" for it