One of the best nights out in our time in Calgary. We received fantastic service and the food was delicious. With a group of 6 we shared all the dishes so tasted a lot of the menu. Wow! Creative and inventive mix of ingredients that all worked well. Not cheap but well worth it! Compared to London, UK restaurants this comes high in my list of fave's���
Desiree Marie Lachance
+5
I throughly enjoyed my experience this evening. From the moment I walked in, to the moment I walked out. My favourite appetizer was the calamari. It was an adventure of flavours and texture, that complimented each other. The Thai sausage and sweet bread special were also delicious. I choose the beef burger with home cut fries. It was a great choice. The beef was very tasty.
Excellent service by Collin our server and everyone who tended our table! Everyone was very informative. Thank you so much for the wonderful dining experience!! What a great atmosphere! I will definitely be back! ��
what an amazing place to eat. So diverse and different. One of the best dinners I have had in a very long time. Very unique and they change the menu all the time which keeps things very exciting. I will be visiting this place every time I am in town for sure
Love it here! A must stop when we come through Calgary. Had exceptional service last night again! Thanks for the amazing meal and dining experience. Our waitress taught us something new about mushrooms, a different cut of beef and gave us a complimentary glass of sparkling wine to celebrate our honeymoon. We will be back �
Every dish was presented with incredible attention to detail and tasted amazing! Our server was JF and his knowledge of the menu was second to none. In fact, all the service staff were highly attentive to their tables. Best item on the menu... baked oysters in the appetizers. So good I indulged in another for dessert! Slow clap
Excellent ambience, incredible food, really original wine list, stunning cocktails and the service was flawless. Couldn't recommend highly enough!
Best 🍎 Apple Pie!!! Better then Southern Apple Pie in the States!!!
Fried Chicken with a glass of Rose it perfection!!! Service was on point!!! Ask for JF!
The restaurant was beautiful and the staff were amazing. We have the king crab grits they were unbelievably good and the lettuce wraps gem.
We will definitely be going back again and again .
Be prepared for a truly unique and creative dining experience. We ordered almost every appetizer and each dish was like nothing I have ever tried. Well worth it and I will return again.
Went there for my birthday meal, shared the chicken and waffles. Simple food, very flavourful. Impressed.
The food is incredible, the decor is great and the service was better than we ever expected!! Absolutely going again.
Been here once and they hit it out of the park! Can’t wait to hit it up again!
My last review was Viewed 12596 times After a hard time with the road closed go support them, great cocktails, great service, and Sunday family dinner is one of the best.
Have been for Sunday dinner a few times, its a flat rate and the regular menu is not available. Pleased to see that they are publishing what the dinner is going to be. Great service on any day and fantastic food. You will not be disappointed.
My favourite dish was the caviar pancakes. I like the sharing idea, it’s fun but it was heavy vegetarian for me. The beers are only craft and even the whiskeys are different. I like different but sometimes you need a fall back.
I am a bit surprised at the low rating of this restaurant so I am writing this review to boost the rating. I rarely give ratings higher than a 4 (go ahead and look through my reviews ;)), but I felt compelled here. The menu and style is similar to Bridgette Bar. The focus is on unique plating, quality ingredients, and an incredibly dynamic menu that changes so fast it will make your head spin; the intention of course to stick to the seasonality of the ingredients. The result is some amazingly creative dishes with beautiful and unique flavor profiles; if you want traditional, go elsewhere. My partner and I always come here for birthdays and special events. The service is amazing and we are never disappointed. My only criticism is that it is a little on the pricey side, but only barely considering the quality..
We came to Model Milk to try some of their regular items on the 2017 Summer Feast prix fixe menu for $35/person. The food was inventive and tasty, but after having had an amazing meal at Pigeonhole (run by the same team) a few nights earlier, we didn't feel blown away by the food and service in quite the same way at Model Milk. I recommend giving it a try as their cocktails, shared plates and ambiance are quite fun, but we left feeling a little hungry and hopeful that our next visit will be better.
Model Milk is easily one of my favourite restaurants in the city. The ambience is cool, I'm a huge fan of sharing small plates in a group to try a little of everything. The food was wonderful and the drinks were great but what set this place apart for me was the amazing service.
We ventured out to Model Milk to celebrate one of my good friend's engagement as kind of an undercover stagette. She's a low key girl and they still managed to deliver and make her feel special without embarrassing her or drawing too much attention. Our server brought us a complimentary round of champagne and an appetizer, and explained the concept Of the restaurant well. He made some stellar recommendations and was extremely attentive without being intrusive. I look forward to returning!
Really love this place. It is a bit pricey but totally worth it. The only thing i would recommend this restaurant is to upsize their meal quantity.
Oh man, it’s been waaaaaaaaaaaay to long since my last trip(s) to Model Milk (here and here). They still offer their $40.00 Sunday Supper’s which I think is one of the best deals in the city! I met up with P during the long weekend to try their Spanish tapas theme (Sunday dinner’s theme changes every weekend). The vibe is chill with sweet tunes, friendly and knowledgeable staff, blah blah blah, let’s get to the smorgasbord of dishes.
This had been a long anticipated restaurant for me! I had heard so many great things and had very high expectations.
The food was good, but nothing that blew my socks off like I expected. It was interesting because I tried dishes that I have never even heard of before. My favourite part of this place was definitely the atmosphere. As I saw workers change out records to play a new song, it brought a smile to my face. It definitely has a more romantic feel, especially sitting in the upper area, the lighting is dim, less hustle and bustle and the lowered ceilings.
I would love to say I'd be back, but the price is too high for the food I received, and have many more amazing restaurants to check off my list first!
Food was really great. Fun options and unique variety. Easy to share with a small group and service was wonderful. Among 3 people we shared 2 small appetizers and one entree and split a bottle of med priced wine we split the bill and I still ended up paying over $85. Eighty isn't that much but when you consider the portion you get when it is split 3 ways. I understand this restaurant is higher end in food quality and well recommended, but the prices could come down slightly, just so more people could enjoy it. I would love to return and sure I will in the future. Thanks for the great experience.
I've heard so many good things this place, I was almost nervous to believe the hype. But believe it!!!
I went for my boyfriend's mom's birthday dinner last night, and I will definitely be back. Some of the ingredients on the menu sound a little intimidating, but we tried the garlic pepper chicken, calamari, sweet potato, tartare, and shrimp and grits. Even the pickiest eater in our group loved it. Everything tasted like the most perfect comfort food, and everyone left more than full!
Currently felt by many to be Alberta’s most important restaurant, British Columbia native and Chef/Owner Justin Leboe’s training taking him from Napa Valley to New York to Copenhagen throughout the years, Model Milk was booked for dinner during my first day in Calgary, an early Saturday seat at the counter providing full-view of the kitchen run by Executive Chef Eric Hendry.
Housed in an old dairy, a quadruple-tiered space with a bar at bottom, seats along a loft as well as the main floor and kitchen built into a former loading dock, Model Milk is best described as modern Canadian cooking with an ingredient-driven focus, the menu changing frequently save for a few signatures and divided into Bar Snacks, Small Plates, Large Plates and Large Format (for two.)
Without doubt a going concern, every seat filled save for a lone walk-in barstool by 7:30pm, it is with pleasantries that patrons are greeted at a hostess podium up a short flight of steps, the white walls decorated in old signage lightly reverberating overhead music often drowned out by the din of clinking cutlery and conversing voices.
Served by a young man with a British accent who proudly proclaimed himself a Sommelier between jokey rehearsed lines, a pleasant shtick that only wore thin when it led to him later omitting part of the order, it was after some perusal and questions bout portion-sizes that a four-course meal was crafted of seven plates, the non-alcoholic “Careful You” an absolute steal at $6CAD for sour Apple Puree thickening brewed Tea, Lemon and mellow Bitters.
Told up front that the assemblage of plates would be “a lot” of food, a truthful statement to some degree but certainly no more volume that most fine-dining tasting menus, it was with a plate of tangy Sourdough alongside a knob of house-cultured butter that the meal got underway, the decision to charge for Bread justified by the Loaf’s robust Crust and springy Crumb while four savory Doughnuts registered somewhere between Gougeres and Cheez-Its beneath an avalanche of finely-grated Cheddar slowly melting over the warm Dough.
Intrigued by the produce-focused small-plates, an expected emphasis on Root Vegetables and Tubers given sub-zero temperatures outside, two roasted Carrots beneath a dusting of crumbled nuts was soon presented in a pool of vibrant orange ‘Harissa,’ the follow-up of charred Sweet Potato topped in shaved Chicken Cracklins’ made equally complex by way of airy Taleggio Cream and savory broth added at the tableside.
Always happy to see Rougie Duck, the Quebec-based purveyor repeatedly outperforming Hudson Valley’s best in the past, it is without hesitation that I can say Chef Hendry’s dry-aged Breast not only out-portions, but also outshines that at Michelin 3* Eleven Madison Park in Manhattan, the crisp Skin and a ribbon of fat around a rosy Breast well paired to sweet Mole while the confit Leg found even more umami in a smear of Black Garlic.
Partaking in an $8CAD Double Espresso before dessert, the combination of a small pastry station and a plate forgotten due to too much chatter seeing the bold brew long-gone before either plate arrived, suffice it say that no meal at Model Milk should end without at least a slice of the signature sweet n’ savory Apple Pie served warm and sloppy, the Baba au Rhum-Gateau Basque hybrid entitled ‘Twice Baked Brioche’ no less delicious with gooey pudding center rich in Booze and Almond paste with Orange Zest playing well off the aromatic Whipped Cream topping.
Model Milk was high on the list for places in Calgary for me to try after hearing the rave reviews and seeing all the media attention. I came in with high expectations and all around was satisfied. The restaurant has a great design and atmosphere. I love the packed feeling and busy clammer of the kitchen. Then the fabulous atmosphere of Model Milk was broken by the rushed "I don't have time for you" servers. After being seated the menu had my full attention. Not sure if it was just the time of year, but the menu seemed to be lacking any appetizing vegetarian dishes. There was a "Porridge with wild mushrooms" but the description was unappetizing. I did order nearly every other vegetarian dish they did have in lieu of a "Large Plate" meal. The food was great no other way about it. Presentation and taste were fabulous.
At the end of the night I had a great meal that for the most part made up for the general attitude of the staff that night. I will gladly be back again soon.
Been here last month. Had the burger, medium rare, and a couple of beers. For apps, the oyster and wings. It was so delicious and flavourful! A nice foodie place. Not very cheap, but so so so worth it. Will go back ! The burger is the best burger I've ever had. Incredibly juicy and tasty. Awesome place, awesome atmosphere.
One of the best meals I have had in a loooong time. I had high expectations, as I have been meaning to come here for quite a while. Wow.
The decor is funky and cool, but it's the food that makes this place incredible.
My fellow diners and I shared the shrimp rolls to start - buttery bread stuffed with creamy warm shrimp. Decadent.
I had the lamb with charred eggplant and kohlrabi. The lamb was melt-in-your-mouth delicious, without being the slightest bit gamey. The eggplant was blackened, smoky and grilled to perfection. The kohlrabi was delicately shaved and tender.
We all devoured our meals. Others at my table had the bacon wrapped rabbit and the duck. Everything was beautifully plated and artistic with interesting textures.
It's not a cheap evening, but this is a special place and worth every cent, in my opinion. The produce and quality of meat are spectacular and the preparation itself is first class.
I can't wait to try more from the menu.
Went for sunday supper. And every meal they serve gets better and better, i was so close to asking for their key lime pie recipe. Staff were also super helpful with menu. 👍👍
Food, ambiance and service was really good. The table situation in the middle was not comfortable along the big beam. You had to listen to the conversations of people on either side of you plus the tables were super tiny. We got the stuffed wings as an appetizer, it was a tiny portion and wasn't as good as others we had before. Also the shrimp and grits, which was really amazing! the flavours were so good. I got the steak and my boyfriend got chicken, both were good. Everything food wise is tasty, I'm not sure if it's worth it for the cost . Maybe just on a special occasion but I will definitely request a better table next time.
Have eaten here many times. Food is always amazing! I love the ever evolving menu as well. The staff seem to love working here, they are all happy and work in a cohesive team. A must visit for any food lover looking for a great night out.
Given its reputation, I was expecting excellent. It was 'very good.' The portion for the main was delicate, and the dessert was experimental and intended to be shared. Fine dining badge confirmed, but my life was not altered after dining here.
Food's great, just not fan of the portions/ratios! Came here for dinner for 4 and got the fondue. We got a nice helping of cheese fondue, but the fixings came in very small amounts. Overall the food is very tasty. It is a little pricey, but hey, if you're going to go for an expensive dinner, might as well have good food!
Model Milk was ranked one of the best restaurants in all of Canada, so I knew I had to give it a shot when I made my way through Calgary. The place is not the overly fancy restaurant where you have to dress up. I loved the atmosphere as it had a pretty modern rustic feel with some kick ass music playing as well (mostly Hendrix with some Zeppelin).
- One of my favourites in Calgary due to the amazing food quality
- Always bring guests from out of town here as they have a reliable experience.
- Great staff and service (at least in the times I visited).
- The apple pie isn't what it use to be.
Fancy fancy fancy. This place is great ! All the meals were beautifully presented and tasted delicious ! We shared the china town oyster (highly recommend!!), calamari (really neat and not breaded), falafel (fresh sauce), and tartare (delicious garlic chips). The mains were also fantastic. Really enjoyed the pork it we'd very juicy and had great flavor. Would love to return!
My husband and I went to Model Milk to celebrate his upcoming birthday on a busy Saturday night. Apart from trying their Big Taste experience, this was the first time we had been into the actual Model Milk restaurant. The bustling restaurant exuded a hip vibe with its interesting decor and bright atmosphere. Our server, J.F., was very attentive, and even though it was very busy and he had a multitude of tables in his section, he spent the time to check on us in a timely fashion and enthusiastically explained menu items to us. The night started off with a couple of drinks which were quite strong, but had smooth taste. Puffed gouda cheezies came next, and I must say, these were fantastic; light, airy and cheesy without any greasiness. There were too many appies that we wanted to try, so we ordered three: the stuffed chicken wings, calamari, and the milk fed veal sweetbreads. The stuffed wings had good flavor and were nice and juicy. The calamari was nicely done, not overcooked, with vibrant colours to the dish. The sweetbreads were interesting, and I particularly enjoyed the fresh peas in the dish. For our main, we shared the Nashville fried chicken and waffles, which was quite an impressive dish, to say the least. The waffles were fluffy, not what I had in mind when I thought of waffles, in terms of picturing a waffle, but were enjoyable. My husband enjoyed the chicken, was was well cooked while maintaining its juiciness, but I found the batter to be slighly salty for my tastes. The accompanying coleslaw side was a welcome contrast to the chicken. Our absolute favorite part of the evening was the dessert (yes, we had to save room for it!). We shared the peanut butter ice cream sandwich and I am STILL thinking about how yummy it was! The cookies were tender and chewy, and the peanut butter ice cream was decadent and packed a whollop of peanut butter flavor, without being too rich. The dark chocolate ganache was chocolatey and smooth. I would highly recommend this dessert to peanut butter lovers and I cannot wait to go back to have this dessert again! Overall, this was a wonderful night for us, and we thank all the staff and management at Model Milk for making it all possible.
A very nice friend of mine wanted to take me out for my birthday. We decided to give Model Milk a try since neither of us has been there yet. We went on a Friday before 6 pm, and it wasn't quite busy yet. This place was easy to spot as there was a cow head above the door. Model Milk is named after the building. The restaurant looked small on the outside, but once we step in towards to back, it opened up. It reminded me of the Tardis - bigger on the inside :) (Yes, I'm a total geek.)
The decor is modern and bright. I like how there is an open kitchen in the back and is between the two floors of the restaurant. The wait staff here are all really nice and have good recommendations. They explained all the dishes as it arrives at the table. All the servers here had a hipster style vibe going. We actually made the mistake of thinking the guy holding the door for us had worked there. He was dressed pretty nice - white shirt and black pants. It was a good thing my friend and I dressed causally.
Delicious food and great service. I had a wonderful time when I was last there. The brisket is absolutely succulent. Great selection of cocktails and beers. The menu has so many good-looking options that I will definitely be returning.
When I first browsed through the events for Big Taste YYC, the event for Model Milk immediately caught my eye. I have never seen Model Milk do an event for Big Taste YYC in the past (…not that I can recall at least), and the word “Gweilo” definitely got my attention. “Gweilo” means ‘white ghost’ in Cantonese Chinese, a slightly derogatory name for a Caucasian. This event was a tribute for Chef Eric Hendry from Model Milk to recall the time that he spent in Hong Kong. This event was held at Model Citizen, which is a space that both the staff at Model Milk and Pigeonhole had collaborated for this event.
Again very, very good service. Above average. Great decor and ambience. We tried the pasta which was good. We had a bit of buyers remorse when we saw the fried chicken plate with waffles. We must go back and try this!
The Pretentious Food Snob
+3.5
We went on a Monday night right after work and the restaurant was understandably empty. The staff were friendly and attentive and smelled of arts majors and new-age spirituality.
When we weren’t ogling their trippy mandala-print leggings and 4 inch gauges, we had the opportunity to check out the rest of the restaurant.
The concept of Model Milk is ingenious. Remodel a historic dairy building on hipster 17th Avenue, source local ingredients and serve creative dishes. It's a winning formula that makes it top the list of best restaurants in Calgary over and over again.
My friend and I decided to drop by to check out what all the fuss was about. The atmosphere inside was very eclectic and we admired the decor of the restaurant. We had a very witty server and it's not very often you get someone who actually enjoys assisting you with the menu. Our server noted that the menu had been revised 185 times since the restaurant opened in 2011. It's neat to know that the owners and chefs are constantly spinning new dishes and trying new things.
We decided to get some smaller plates and split a larger plate so we could try a little bit of everything on the menu. The air-puffed gouda cheezies were delectable! They resembled Chinese shrimp chips but with a light cheesy undertone to them. Very creative. Next up came the bison tartare with seed bread. I thought that the tartare combined with the seed bread provided a good mix of textures and flavours. The tartare was rich and seasoned well. Meanwhile, we also opted for the calamari. Now this isn't your typical batter-coated fried squid. It's simply squid without the batter, edamame, guanciale, pimenton and garlic croutons. It almost felt like we were eating the batter and squid separately since the croutons gave it some crunch. I would say that this dish was a little out of my comfort zone.
For our large plate, we went with The Burger. Now the idea of cheese curds on a burger sounded rather odd to us. But let me tell you that we definitely made the right decision. The melted curds alongside pure beef tasted like heaven! I would definitely rate this as one of the best gourmet burgers I've ever had.
Meanwhile on the dessert end of things, the peanut butter cookie ice cream sandwich sounded too good to be true. This one did not disappoint. The crunchy warm peanut butter cookie served as the perfect contrast with the cool and light ice cream. The size was also perfect for sharing.
I was very fond of my experience at Model Milk. It's not often you find a restaurant that lives up to its online claims! With awesome service, great-tasting dishes and a menu that keeps on changing, you can bet that I'll be back to try their newest creations!
We came here for early valentine's day dinner. Glad we were able to make reservations. We came here once before and we really like it so looked forward another fabulous meal. We started with chickpea falafel and milk fed veal sweetbreads. We had sweetbreads last time and it was so delish and melted in your mouth, we decided to order it again. Both were very yummy and satisfying that I wanted more. Foe the main we ordered the Nashville Hot Chicken when was enough for 2 and shared. It was fried chicken with the most delicious waffles I have ever ate! It was light and fluffy not your usual waffle that I was expecting. It also comes peanut coleslaw. We packed the rest up and had the peanut butter ice cream sandwich for dessert. It was on point and wasn't too sweet and had a great peanut butter taste. The whole dining experience was fantastic and would recommend this place. Always had a fantastic meal!
What I really loved about this place was their fearlessness; yeah, they have standard options every blue-collar Calgarian will go for (calamari, a burger, apple pie,) but they also have the guts to put something as unusual as mushroom porridge on the menu - and it was delicious.
All of their bread is hand-crafted on-site, including the careful nurturing of their sourdough starters (no easy task in a busy kitchen.) Whatever they pay their dessert section, they should double it; easily the best-tasting desserts I've ever had in a restaurant.
It's not cheap, but it's not an everyday restaurant. If I had to pick between this and Charbar/Charcut, I would pick Model Milk every time. There is an honesty to the food here that I really appreciate, and a care for quality and local flavors that comes through really well in their dishes.
Loved this restaurant ,especially since it lived up to it reputation. Great food selections and knowledgeable wait staff.
Really a cool historical building with atmosphere and ambience through the roof. The food and drinks were awesome.
Be sure to make your reservations well in advance as this place is super busy. Excellent contender for romantic valentines date !
Would recommend and will be going back for sure.
I quite like the interior at Model Milk – it’s cozy, comfortable, modern and fresh – all at the same time. It’s got multiple levels so it doesn’t feel too crowded. That being said, looking down at the main floor from our seats in the loft, there were some tables below that seemed way too close together for my comfort. Upstairs, the record player pumps out tunes. Interestingly, when a record stops, someone actually has to come flip it over or put on a new one so that the restaurant isn’t quiet for too long. I’m sure some of their staff are too young to even have listened to a record player back ‘in the good ‘ol days’!
Have enjoyed their themed sunday night family style dinners that vary from week to week. From southern style to jspanese canadian fussion i would highly recommend it. Great cocktail menu too!
Came here for Sunday Supper and the food was amazing! Steak was cooked perfectly. All the food was locally resourced and fresh. There was more than plenty of food to go around and the Sunday Supper price is quite reasonable :)
My husband and I went for dinner last night and the food and service were both amazing. The waitress recommended a few dishes and all were to die for delicious. She knew the menu very throughly which was nice as it was our first time. The food was fresh, very tasty and platted beautifully. We will be back for sure!!!
came here to try out the cocktails and never even ordered off then menu. sat at the bar and the bartender was absolutely amazing!!! i told him to mix up whatever he'd like just no vodka and he gave me the best drink i've ever had. the bartenders are very talented and sociable. unfortunately i didnt get to try the food but it looked amazing on other tables. only downside is how small and crammed the bar area is.. i felt like the lady sitting beside me at the bar was a part of my conversation, it was a little uncomfortable.
On a Wednesday night in downtown Calgary, I would expect restaurants that are offering promotions like Wing Wednesday & Wine Wednesday to attract the large dinner crowds. However, on the inconspicuous Wednesday that I visited Model Milk, there was not an empty seat in the house. This is truly a testament to what Justin Leboe and his partners have created here – a beautifully transformed space that gives diners a comfortable atmosphere with a creative focus on both food and cocktails alike. From the general manager Geoff Lang to Chef Eric Hendry, down to every staff member, each detail is carefully thought out and taken care of, while providing a very hospitable and friendly demeanor.
I’ll confess that I ended up making two trips to Model Milk, on the first visit, I met up with a few friends to enjoy some cocktails, the Fricassee of Calamari and Nashville Fried Chicken – a dish I knew I had to order. On my second visit we ordered the Salt Roasted Beets, Shrimp & Grits, and the Puffed Gouda Cheezies.
Had dinner here on a Friday evening. Booked in advance (advised for weekends place was packed). We were sat immediately. Waiter was unreal probably the most professional service yet in Calgary. Very full flavors meals and great drinks. The experience made my week. Definately return again
Late post but I got the chance to go to model milk for a second time on a work dinner. The atmosphere is young and has this hipster vibe that I love. The tartare and calamari were delicious . For the main, my friend and I shared the large plate duck. It was tender and cooked to perfection with pears and young wheat.
I will be back!
I had heard a lot of good things about model milk in asking people whose opinion I trusted when it came to finding decent places to eat. Then avenue ranked it as the best restaurant in Calgary the right around the time I was thinking about going so I decided to try it out. I went with a friend of mine without a reservation (silly me) and it was packed. Luckily for me we were able to get seats. I ordered the waffles and chicken as well as the Brant lake wagyu siriloin. I shared the waffles and chicken with my friend and has the siriloin to myself. Both meals were delicious and of the quality I expected and heard about. The service was good. The Fat kid cake was the highlight of my entire meal there. I have a sweet tooth but having said that it would still have been excellent even for the casual dessert eater. I thought the portions could have been bigger and before I had the dessert still felt I could have used another meal even with getting the siriloin cap and sharing the chicken and waffles. Overall my experience was really good.
It’s sad to say that we’ve only been to this amazing restaurant twice; once for Kim’s birthday and once for John’s company holiday party. Needless to say, both experiences were amazing. We tried to make our way back for ABC’s of YYC, but the timing just did not work out. We were both ecstatic about our return visit.
Model Milk and Model Citizen should serve as the Model for the new food scene in YYC. From beginning to end, every aspect of the experience feels tailored to fit the environment… now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying it is perfect, but I am saying that all the details have been meticulously chosen to convey an overwhelming feeling of continuity in brand. The waiter’s snappy beard and one liner’s, the foods smoked taste and aesthetically pleasing presentation, and even the rooms dimly lit and brightly colored space built the brand that is Model Milk. This review has been a touch on the serious side for me, so I will also say the “gouda cheese puffs” sparked some interesting conversation on the discrepancies between “Cheese Puffs” and “Cheetos”, which believe me, as a “Cheese Puffs” man myself… the differences are AMPLE.From service, environment, food, and value (our 4 point rating scale) Model Milk managed to meticulously, methodically, and miraculously maintain and match most of many major aspects that help make their restaurant unique.
The best thing about model milk is their changing menu to suit the local produce. It keeps the dining experience exciting.
This time I had menu 171. It was so hard to choose what to order because we loved the sound of all of it. Standouts were the bison tartare and calamari (both melt in the mouth good) but everything we ordered was divine.
Cocktails were amazing - also hard to choose only one. The waitress even allowed us to choose off the menu to blend up some gins we wanted to try out.
Overall the place is fabulous - constantly changing records, good lighting, happy and knowledgable staff who care for the customer.
A must visit in Calgary.
Went there for the Sunday Supper, which is a set menu for $40 per person. A few dishes were ordinary, but overall it was good. Especially loved the mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce, salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, beer battered fish with tar tar sauce, and mac & cheese. Great value for the portion and quality. Good for groups especially that most dishes are served in family style. Will go back to try the small and large plates.
Excellent spot to go for cocktails or a late evening dinner with friends. I've had the buttermilk chicken and gravy as well as the asian-inspired lettuce pork wraps. Both are great sharing plates at a reasonable price.
One of the spots I always recommend for taking out of town guests or up-scale birthday parties.
I have been here a few times. The first time was for the Sunday family style dinner which changes every week. I like that idea, because they always create unique dishes. My friend and I sat on the bar and faced the open kitchen, so we can watch them create the dishes. I always find those to be neat experiences.
The second time i came here with my girlfriend, we ordered plates to share. I really enjoyed the trout dish super moist and tasty. I noticed they do change the dishes they offer, but i don't mind because it gives us some new options.
My man and I ate at Model Milk a few weeks ago. We made a late reservation but they were able to accommodate us, we sat at the kitchen bar- I was worried about being too hot but the restaurant was very comfortable and it was great watching the chefs work.
Our server was wonderful, very attentive without overwhelming us with service, had wonderful recommendations (he recommended the sweet breads which ended up being my favourite dish of the night). I drank 2 cocktails and thoroughly enjoyed both. The only part of my experience I did not love was the quail dish- I enjoyed the sauce but the overall dish wasn't my favourite.
In regards to all the complaints I have read about the small plates- Calgary, welcome to modern dining! My family is European and this is how we are used to eating. Small, delectable, sharing plates means we enjoy quality meals together, and I would take that over an oversized half ass meal at Moxies any day! I am so happy to see so many new, innovative restaurants opening up in Calgary, and can't wait for everyone to realize that eating food is not just about leaving full but about leaving satisfied.
Great atmosphere and an extensive old school cocktail list. Ordered the crab rolls, which were buttery and delicious and the chicken and waffles. Oh ya, cheat day for sure. The chicken was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Waffles were perfectly sweet. Heard a rumor the chicken and waffles have since been removed from the menu? Hope that's not true cause they're delicious!
Only complaint is some of the tables are too close together, but it kind of fits the scene.
We pulled up to the restaurant and it was a little nondescript. Just a plain brick front building with the entrance that had a bust of a cow above it. It was a little chilly that day and the restaurant opens promptly at five. I was happy when we were admitted in as it was so nice and warm. The inside has a nice feeling to it, high ceilings, brick walls, rustic. I was quite excited and the mood of the group was high. We were seated upstairs, let me tell you….the seating is a little cozy (a.k.a tight). The music was set at a good level and it didn’t take long for our server to come over to take our drink order. I had the MM Gin & Tonic (Plymouth Gin, House Made Tonic, Fresh Lime and Agnostura Bitters)…I’ve had a love affair with G&T going on 15 years now and this drink reaffirmed that love. The rest of the party were quite happy with their drinks as well.
Exactly what I want in a resto!. Very impressive! Loved the small plates (although there are a number of large plates and sharing plates as well). So much variety and attention to detail. Every bite had great balance and was full of flavour. Big fan of the lobster devilled eggs, yuzu and cucumber scallops. Actually hard to pick a favourite.
Will absolutely be back!
Great service!. My wife's birthday was celebrated here. The service was top notch! The waiter was attentive, knowledgable and personable. The food was good too! Nothing mind blowing, but a good solid meal with a lot of flavour. We started with the oysters and then shared the chicken and waffles. Again, both were good and provided a unique and enjoyable dinning experience. We will certainly return.
I always love going to Model Milk! Definitely check out the Sunday Supper if you have never gone before and you want to try lots of dishes for $35. The food is always amazing and the service is great too.
Absolutely Amazing. Dined at Model Milk with 2 girlfriends and had an amazing night. Our server was probably the best part although everything else was also phenomenal. She was extremely knowledgeable, helpful, personable, had lots of recommendations, you could tell that she knew her stuff and enjoyed working there. The food, atmosphere, drinks and wine were - almost - equally as good. I would have eaten 5 orders of the calamari all to myself it was so good, and we shared the beef brisket 3 ways and were more than satisfied - although I still caved in and ordered dessert, the 7 layer cake served with paoched pears and caramel sauce, and am I ever glad I did! Portion sizes are great and they managed to develop amazing flavor in each dish, everything was balanced and it felt like every ingredient had been thought through carefully. So happy that I finally got to try this great restaurant that absolutely made my top 3 favorite places in this city.
Love the atmosphere and the appetizers. The sable fish was fantastic. However the burger was lacking in flavor. Very bland. Not enough seasoning.
Best restauraunt in Calgary bar none.. Amazing dining experience. The restaurant itself is beautiful. exposed wood, blacks and brushed aluminium makes the interior beautiful and modern, it's not "classy" or "elegant", it's modern and cute and trendy. You get fine dining food with the experience of a really cool place to hang out. I had the wagu beef and the salmon feature, both were splended, the salmon really stood out as some of the best I've ever had. ever. Drinks are incredible, loved the egg white one.
Seriously the chefs at model milk know what they are doing.
Only complaint I have was the server we got wasn't great. He was pretty rude and dismissive, not terribly so or anything, but not what it could have been.
If I had to tell people one restaurant to go to in Calgary it would be model milk.
To the people complaining about portion size, you should really learn what tapas is, or lose some weight.
Brisket was very nice, great beers on tap, a fun experience
This is probably the first place I've eaten at where I don't have a single complaint. The food was incredible! I highly recommend the elk tartar and the calamari. The wagyu with the gnocchi and chanterelle mushrooms was to die for and the sablefish was cooked beautifully. The fat boy cake was good, but a little too sweet for me. To top things off, we had the best server. He was very attentive, especially when the kitchen became back logged and our food would be 45 mins late. To keep us tied over until the entrees arrived, he gave us cheese puffs to snack on. Further, our dessert was also complimentary. Our server, despite not working in the kitchen, was very knowledgeable about the dishes and how they were prepared. I'm thoroughly impressed with this restaurant and will definitely be returning sometime in the near future.
Absolutely amazing - this is a wonderful restaurant to visit for all food lovers. There is something for all ages and food choices from oysters on the half shell to rainbow trout and for those beef lovers sirloin steak. Fancy some fried chicken this is a definite choice
Purely amazing! From the ambiance, the music, the service and the food…Model Milk is a top choice in Calgary. A well thought out menu with high quality and fresh ingredients. The service was world class and the food was pure bliss. The apple pie might be the best dessert I’ve ever eaten. Amazing
Had an excellent visit to Model Milk this week. I was dining alone as I was in a work trip, and often this means I am mostly ignored. Not at Model Milk! Kate was fantastic ( as was every other server who stopped by to fill my water and check in on me ), even through the restaurant was packed. My radicchio and endive salad with black garlic and sherry vinaigrette was spectacular, as was my hand rolled pumpkin cavatelli with smoked ham hock, sage and buttermilk. Fantastic experience and can’t wait to go back!
This was our first time eating here and we are very impressed. Out server Jamie was the best!! She was very attentive and polite. She made great suggestions, replaced our plates, and wipe the table in between course. Her attention was top notch. Between appy, main and desert, timing was perfect. They were busy but we did not feel rushed at all.
The FOOD: we got 5 appies. First: oyster. Let me tell you, we came from BC where seafood is fresh. But this oyster was so so SO good. They have their home-made sauce which was so so good! Second appy was the carrot - we don’t even know carrots can taste this good! Vegans out there, this is your dish! The third appy: brioche buns with special butter. This homemade bun has rly good texture and a lil sweetness to it. Fourth: wagyu beef tartare; perfect acidity and the crunchy thing came with it compliment the texture and taste. Last appy was the calmari, which we were looking forward when browsing thru the menu from home. We only have room for one entree: bbq alberta pork with brocollini , very yummy!! Last but not least is the apple pie. Never tried apple pie with cheese but this is rly good!
Especially being on Dec 31, everything was so perfect. The team work together here and they look happy working there. We return to BC so this is our last meal in AB, this was very memorable. Put a bow in our trip!
Had the calamari and brisket to share, and the apple pie.
Awesome service and great chill ambiance in the restaurant.
Brisket was the best we've ever had and nice accoutrements. Very savoury and nice incorporation of Ethiopian style. We shared it among 3 people and the portion was fine.
Apple pie was also the best I've had. Big portion. Nice cheddar crispy flaky crust and rich in house ice cream on top.
Great to be back after COVID! Cocktails, Food and Staff ( Kate & Taylor and kitchen staff) were all amazing. Thank you for a wonderful evening out.
Fantastic spot. Interesting tasty dishes. Fun cocktails. Lovely service.
Their pickles are delicious. Squid fricassee was such a complex yummy plate.
Overall a great spot for my husband’s birthday dinner.
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