Parkerhouse Grill & Wine Bar
• 131 6 Avenue SW | Calgary, AB | T2P 0P8
Average User Rating:
8.25/10
8.25/10
Recommended by:
75%
75%
Sort Reviews by:
"Decent food, poor service "
Lindsay
September 2010 — "Parkerhouse has a nice atmosphere with classic menu items which seem to be prepared with a more modern and gourmet twist.
However, I found the service to be quite poor from the moment I walked in the door until the moment I left. We had to seek someone out to seat us and waited for about 10 minutes before we were offered menus. Our waitress was quite abrasive and interrupted our conversation rudely more than once.
My food was not what I was expecting as it did not seem to match the description on the menu, so I was definitely disappointed. I thought I was opting for something more healthy and was quite surprised to find the crab in my sandwich was deepfried, although not stated.
My dining partner's meal was quite nice though and we followed our meal with a coffee, which was perfectly brewed and served.
I would say the atmosphere would make this restaurant great for a romantic evening, provided the service was improved. It is also perfect for a corporate lunch as it is located downtown and the food arrived quite quickly. I would say the prices were a bit high in comparison to the value. "
User Rating
6.83/10
6.83/10
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"Beautiful Chandeliers"
Rhonda
December 2009 — "A celebration Christmas lunch took me to The Parker House located in the Old Lougheed Building in downtown Calgary on 6th Avenue and 1st Street S.W. It is a beautiful old restaurant with amazing tile and lighting. The walls are either a dark wood or a small ceramic tile that really enhances the richness of the place. They also have beautiful chandeliers that look to be made of hand-blown glass which I have heard were made locally in Alberta. The bathroom is also quite nice with more of the same ceramic tile but with a fireplace and some black and white mosaic throughout. We ordered an Australian Chardonnay that was full bodied and delicious. We also ordered appetizers of mussels, lobster cakes and hot crab dib. All were good but the lobster cakes were delicious and I would have liked to have more than the 3 that came per order (next time I’ll be sure to order 2 !). For my main meal I had the linguine marinara which I added meatballs to and I quite enjoyed it. I mustn’t forget to mention the Parker House rolls which I believe the restaurant is named for, they were very light and flaky and did not disappoint."
User Rating
8.17/10
8.17/10
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Value for Money
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"Beautiful Tiles and Chandeliers"
December 2009 — "A celebration Christmas lunch took me to The Parker House located in the Old Lougheed Building in downtown Calgary on 6th Avenue and 1st Street S.W. It is a beautiful old restaurant with amazing tile and lighting. The walls are either a dark wood or a small ceramic tile that really enhances the richness of the place. They also have beautiful chandeliers that look to be made of hand-blown glass which I have heard were made locally in Alberta. The bathroom is also quite nice with more of the same ceramic tile but with a fireplace and some black and white mosaic throughout. We ordered an Australian Chardonnay that was full bodied and delicious. We also ordered appetizers of mussels, lobster cakes and hot crab dib. All were good but the lobster cakes were delicious and I would have liked to have more than the 3 that came per order (next time I’ll be sure to order 2 !). For my main meal I had the linguine marinara which I added meatballs to and I quite enjoyed it. I mustn’t forget to mention the Parker House rolls which I believe the restaurant is named for, they were very light and flaky and did not disappoint."
User Rating
8.50/10
8.50/10
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Cleanliness
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Quality of Food
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Value for Money
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"Bravo!"
Patricia
November 2008 — "Upon entering the newly opened Parkerhouse Grill and Wine Bar, I knew immediately the evening would be memorable.
I was greeted by a professional and welcoming hostess who led me to meet my dining companion, who was already settled comfortably at a table in the lounge. Looking around, I noticed multi-colored porcelain columns glowing in the light cast by enormous chandeliers. At the back of the lounge, and a focal point of the room, a server was scaling a vast wall of wines behind spotless glass. A jazz duo was playing at just the right noise level in the corner.
Our server approached immediately, clad in a crisp olive green dress shirt and black pants, she was friendly, but not overly familiar and brought us a wine list and dinner menu post haste.
We shared a bottle of luscious Cotes du Rhone as we perused the menu. We opted to share the oyster platter to start and it arrived in good time, with an excellent presentation. The oyster fritters were crisp, with a zippy dipping sauce, while the Rockefeller version was rich, with some heat provided by a dash of horseradish, the shucked gems were fresh, like a kiss from the faraway ocean.
Given its relative newness in Calgary's competitive restaurant scene, the staff at the Parkerhouse clearly go the extra mile (or kilometre) to provide exemplary service. When my friend informed the server it was my birthday, the beverage manager appeared with a bottle of champagne, compliments of the house. Nice touch, even it if did mean we had our fair share of spirits to consume.
For the main course, I chose the lamb shank and it arrived with a side of herbed risotto and al dente asparagus. The meat was beautifully seasoned and so tender the knife provided was unnecessary. My friend raved about her pasta bolognese, noting the spices were robust, but not overdone.
For those who take note of these things, the ladies' room is one of the best in town, complete with a fireplace, two seating areas for touch ups, and aromatic floral arrangements.
Both pleasantly full, we decided to complete our meal with the baked brownie and ice cream. It takes a while to prepare, but it's well worth the wait. The melted yet slightly crisp fudge is a perfect marriage with the cool ice cream.
I'm told the brunch is delightful, and if dinner is any indication, count me in for some mimosas and waffles very soon.
"
User Rating
9.50/10
9.50/10
Ambience
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Beverages
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Cleanliness
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Quality of Food
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Staff Service
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Value for Money
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DescriptionTaking its name from the famed Parkerhouse in Boston, this posh dining room and lounge in Calgary's downtown core features elegantly contemporary decor. The menu lists classics such as New York strip steaks and lamb, alongside innovative creations including a decadently rich lobster macaroni and cheese. The climate controlled wine cellar holds over 1,000 different vintages and there is an impressive cocktail list, ideal for sipping at the regal cherry wood bar.
Location Information131 6 Avenue SW
Calgary
AB
T2P 0P8
