Review Cilantro - Calgary

We came to Cilantro for a ladies night. Our server was wonderful and took such great care of us. I've been here several times over the years and it is one of my favourite restaurants in Calgary. The food is always amazing and they keep the menu fresh, changing it frequently. The atmosphere is lovely. Great place for date night!

Fantastic restaurant. The food, ambiance, and customer service experience. This place has been in business for over 30 years and when you step in is obvious why. Let's start with a very well thought out menu, from classics to some innovative dishes. The drink list rivals that of a liquor store, which means you will find at least 2-3 things to pick from regardless of your taste. Additionally the attention to the smallest details is what made the experience amazing. They have in house carbonated water, and probably the best cutlery in the city. Again, such a small detail but that makes dinner into something special. Some places in Calgary are not worth the awards and are quite simple overrated. Make no mistake that cilantro is not one of them. One small thing would be that parking is free but not advertised in the back. I would recomend putting a sign saying that parking is included and ample.

Service was very good. Waitress put our coats up to hang for us and was attentive throughout the meal. The elk gnocchi was the best dish we got, but the bison short ribs were also very good.

One of the most authentic restaurants with big flavors and great wine selection. Absolutely an amazing experience, service was great too. Best place in Calgary to take a date or treat yourself to a great lunch or dinner, thank for for the experience.

Great value on the wine. 9oz for price of 6oz on Wednesday. Had a fantastic appi of Eggplant. Perfect. I’ll be back for dinner soon. Service was well above par.

The floor plan and the atmosphere is great but the food was not up to par with what was hoped for! The Boar Pizza had way to much goat cheese it was very over powering...... But the beers were good also the mussels were way over cooked and old! To much salt.

First off - the lady upfront needs some help. She was kind but she was busy and a bit dismissive. What I had : board + wine + good service by the waiter upstairs Who served me : super fun , great multitasker gentleman

We sat on the patio, which had lovely decor and a nice ambiance. Our server was extremely friendly, polite, and checked in on us often. We ordered cocktails to start. I got the Aviation and my friend got the Peach Vodka Sour. They were good, but not outstanding. Pricey at $14 each for the size of the drink.

I was quite disappointed with this restaurant. The ratings are deceiving. I eat out maybe 2x a week in Calgary and this place was sub-par. (1) too hot upstairs near the oven I could barely stay upright (2) the food was quite bland and dissinteresting, the bread smelt and tasted like dog food and the quesadilla I could have made at home myself (3) the service was crap the waitress barely made recommendations, didn't ask us any questions and it was my birthday, and just overall seemed disinterested. Oh and (4) they charge for water and didn't ask us if we wanted tap - this isn't europe. Thanks but no thanks.

My husband had gone here recently and was impressed so we took a couple of clients(friends). The waiter was friendly , he said the rack of suckling pig was very hearty. We were all shocked when our food came, first of all the rack of suckling pig was very little meat and not much with it, I would say more like an appetizer. I was able to give him some of my cannelloni which was overdone. The flavor ok but nothing special. Our other guest had quesadilla which was burnt with black edges. I guess that is why no one asked "how is everything " instead " do you need anything". We didn't feel like complaining but if we would have been asked I would have said" uhh our food is burnt !. The creme brule was plain, one of the worst I've had. We have many choices in Calgary so we will not be going back.

Man those pizzas and pastas are so dann good and the features never disappoint cant wait to go back!

Staff very friendly and attentive. Food lived up to the reviews from appies to deserts. It was an Anniversary night and the staff and food made it special Thank you

Our party of 6 had an awesome experience at Cilantro a few days ago. The food was amazing and the service was absolutely exceptional! We had an amazing night out! We will be returning! Thank you for such a great night!

So delicious, so beautifully, so artistically presented meals. A feast for the eyes and palate! The best ever service; excellent, knowledgeable staff, rated as 5 star and more! Come and stay for a heavenly afternoon and dinner experience.

Great restaurant with top notch service. Really comprehensive wine list too.

The service was awesome, the food was amazing and the outdoor atmosphere was beautiful!

SAd to see it closed, looking forward to the new location opening soon. . .please!!<br/><br/> Was walking by and noted that Wednesday is a 9oz glass for the price of a 6oz. Why not??<br/><br/>Called a couple of friends and we enjoyed a few appi’s and wine 🍷. I’m definitely going back to enjoy the most private and inviting patio on 17th. <br/><br/>Had the eggplant appi’s and a pizza. Great on both accounts. <br/><br/>They had a private party in the lower level but treated us as if we were the only guests. Can’t wait to go back

Had lunch there today with a colleague. Had not been there before but heard good things about it. Rather sparse seating environment but relatively quiet environment so nice for discussing issues. My colleague had a spinach salad which she found rather tasteless and I had the beef appetizer which was tough and very chewy. Won’t be back anytime soon.

High marks for atmosphere; average marks for food; low marks for value. most things tasted exactly what you expected them to taste like. imagine a coconut curry soup. how does it taste in your mind? That's exactly how the soup tastes here. the outdoor patio is beautiful and romantic. pricey for what you get food wise.

We met friends here to try out the Big Taste menu. It was a first time visit for all four of us. Its a smaller room and was packed, making for a lively atmosphere. Our server was great; knowledgable, organized and personable, helping us navigate the extensive wine list. The five course meal was fantastic. The soup course was a take on Posole with charred Octopus, Avocado and Radish. Delicious. The second course was Bison Tongue on Saffron Risotto and English Peas. Excellent. Loved those peas. The pasta course was a Scallion Strascinati with a Suckling Pig Ragu and Red Cabbage, Smoked Apple and Manchego. This one totally grabbed our attention. We all wanted seconds but there was another course on the way. It was a Five Spice & Coffee Rubbed Duck Breast with a Cherry Cola Glaze, Asiago Pommes Purée, Cipolline, White Stilton and Roasted Pear. Another winner. The stilton added creamy and salty notes to the fragrant duck. Awesome. We finished up with a couple of perfect chocolate tarts. We were happy to meet and thank our chef at the end of the meal. Two and half hours with friends over great food made for a memorable Saturday evening, thanks to the attentions of team Cilantro. Cheers.

One of the best casual dining experiences for summer dining. Food quality is one of the top 3 in the city right now, if you had to do one "event dinner" per year, I'd allocate that to Cilantro.

This is the causal place for the rich crowd.  It does not fit me.  The waiter is a bit snooty and pushy.  The pizza and pasta were good but not extraordinary.  Very expensive for the portion size and what it is.  Overall, I don't find it good value and the atmosphere is too socialite for me.  They seem to have a good following but I won't return, sorry.

Picked this place on a whim. Actually spotted it the week before, when getting a dessert waffle, and playing connect four. It was great! Had the mussels, lamb, both were fantastic. And, got to sit in the back tiki hut! Would go again. Didn't get any weird vibes / attitude. Everyone was fine.<br/><br/>

The food was really good. Portion size was kind of small for the price. The wine list was awesome! Lots of organic wine to pick from. Our server was very knowledgable and helpful. They even have stuff for people who are picky eaters.

I give it 4/5 for entertainment and 2/5 for food. I sat in the center runway of what seemed like an awkward dance from the waiters and in-house sommelier operating a food fashion show. Enter only from the left, exit only from the right. Can't imagine what a wrong turn would do to their performance. The food was inflated in both price and ego. Under seasoned proteins with wilted greens wasn't exactly haute.

If you eat here try to get a table in the upstairs part. Nothing beats a romantic meal in the same room as a beautiful wood burning clay oven, as they make the food right in front of you. In winter it's toasty warm, and in the summer they open the large windows to make you feel like you are outside (without worrying about getting rained on).<br/><br/>The service is impeccable, the wine list is good and the flatbreads are some of the best in the city.<br/>We will always recommend Cilantro to everyone!

Had lunch here today with a friend, the restaurant is warm, cozy and inviting. The mussels are a must for an appetizer, the sauce is layered with taste. I had the bison gnocchi, lots of shredded bison with excellent gnocchi. My friend had steak, ordered as medium rare, but came out as medium. Cheers to the waiter as they did the right thing. Usually not a big deal, but for a $40 steak, it should be right.

Wow. This place is fancy, cozy, romantic... The food was exactly what I would expect for the prices. I had the pasta with the chorizo, lobster and scallops in it. I can't remember the name but it had a lemon sauce. The server made us feel very comfortable and when we couldn't decide on a dish, he was able to recommend. He also offered us coffee after and we had a cappuccino which was equally good. I felt like I was on vacation in Banff that lunch hour. Maybe it was the interior style, the service and food reminded me of our experiences at the Banff springs hotel. 😋

I really liked the dimly lit atmosphere; it was really romantic. And the waiter was funny and very pleasant. The food was great as well. Prices were a little on the higher side. My biggest complaint though would have to be the bathrooms, both size and decor. Other than that, I would probably go again for a more special occasion

I missed out on YYC Burger Week this year, so when YYC Pizza Week came around, I wasn’t about to miss it too! For 10 days participating Restaurants listed on YYCPizzaWeek.com create a unique pizza for $20, with $3 from the sale of every pizza going towards Calgary Meals on Wheels. Lisa (Lemon Lime Lisa), Jenny (Her Modern Canvas) and I decided to try the Braised Bison Lengua Pizza from Cilantro. I hadn’t been to Cilantro before and had heard great things. Cilantro is located right between Bar C and Buttermilk Waffles. The restaurant has two levels and we were seated upstairs. The bottom level is a bit brighter; the second level was a bit dimmer and felt a lot cozier and romantic haha. We sat at the table right in front of the Pizza-making station and the brick pizza oven, which radiated a lot of heat. We ordered three dishes to share and they came out one at a time, giving us time to try each dish on its own.

My first visit to Cilantro was during YYC Pizza week. Cilantro is such a beautiful restaurant with two different environments that blend in so well. They have two floors that allow for a lot more intimate dining upstairs. Staff are friendly and welcoming as well.  Although we went there for the pizza, the pizza was the least liked among the dishes. The lemon conchigilette pasta was the best of all with the hint of lemon flavour which was not too strong and the pasta was cooked al dente. The cornbread panzella salad was different than what I usually order since I typically don't have meat with my salads but this felt more like an entree for me. <br/><br/>Hope to see a new menu coming up to make another visit.

Came here for pizza week with Lisa Nguyen & Jenny !!! We were intrigued by the braised bison Lengua pizza they created. This is my first time at cilantro and I liked the rustic and home feel of the restaurant. <br/>We sat right in front of where they made the pizza <br/>We ordered the pizza, cornbread panzella salad and lemon conchigliette pasta. My favourite dish was the pasta. It was creamy and the lobster, chorizo, scallops went perfectly with the dish. The pizza was my least favourite. I had high hopes for it but it didn't leave me wowed. The crust was a bit too thin and maybe too saucy for me. Overall I did enjoy my experience here.

My fiance and I went to Cilantro for a date night. I had heard pretty good things of the place, so I had some expectations. Anyway, right off the bat it didn't start off well - there were 2 hostesses and part of their job is to take my coat as there was no room at our table...they just stood there and didn't ask me. I didn't mean to be annoyed, but I got up and hung it myself. It's not that hard...just do your job for customer service sakes! Anyway - moving on...in all service was ridiculously slow, our server was nice and pleasant but took forever to come take our order or even bring our wine. Service took so long that we had to slow down with our wine (we ordered a bottle), just so we could have it with our meal. Wine list is pretty decent though. Atmosphere was comfy and nice. Our appetizer (buffalo mozza) was ok, tomatoes were fresh and the mozza - well I've had better for the price we paid. I ordered the feature entree of steelhead trout with tomato relish, roast potatoes and brussel sprouts - the fish was cooked perfectly but I was really put off with the rest of the dish, the potatoes were ok (little mushy), but the brussel sprouts were so overcooked it was gross and shriveled up. I was just glad the main part of the dish was good! My fiance had the herb pasta and that was actually really fresh and tasty, so I was a little envious of his choice. We didn't get dessert or anything afterwards because we would have been there forever with the slow service! Overall, Cilantro is just OK - we likely won't come back here again with so many other better choices in Calgary. Slightly overrated and overpriced for some items.

Pretty pretentious (OK very pretentious) and food was underwhelming. There are better options at this price point. <br/><br/>I found my dish to be very bland and not very well thought out. Nice looking place and interesting lay out but the final product was dissapointing.

The food at Cilantro was fairly good however 3/4 members of our group had symptoms of food poisoning within 12-24 hours after attending the restaurant. We all live in separate households so it was hard to imagine it could be any other food that caused the incident. I decided to call the restaurant because I thought they should know that our party had become ill after eating. The manager who answered the call told me that he had ate the item we all shared and was "completely fine" so he couldn't understand how we could possibly be sick. He said it was 'impossible' for us to be sick and that we must have 'all shared something else, at some other restaurant around the same time we attended Cilantro." Pretty unlikely you think? Overall his tone was offensive and patronizing and to top it off, he said the GM would give me a call to discuss (which never happened). I am disappointed as I understand that food poisoning can (but ideally shouldn't) happen but there are no excuses for bad service. Will never come back or recommend Cilantro.

The name Cilantro might throw you for a loop if you’ve never heard of them before. I’m sure most people would guess Vietnamese or something Asian right? WRONG. Not even close! Cilantro is higher end restaurant that fall under something like contemporary, modern fusion food. Located on trendy 17th Ave, you can’t miss it as it’s near Anju and right next door to one of it’s sister restaurant’s, Bar C. It actually makes sense to me now why you can see into Bar C’s patio from one of Cilantro’s kitchen windows. The CRMR group owns them along with Divino Wine & Cheese Bistro and the Lake House.

This is our favorite place for romantic dates. Quiet, intimate, great atmosphere. We loved its pasta. Every time we went, it never disappointed us.

Delicious pizza!. My boyfriend and I went here on date night and it were very pleased. We made a reservation and good thing we did cause it got busy fast (Friday evening). The service was still good and waiting time for food was minimal.<br/>I ordered the tomato and basil pizza and he got ribs. The pizza was perfect from the crust to the ratio of sauce, cheese and toppings. Very enjoyable and not greasy. Didn't leave me with that disgusted bloated feeling pizza usually does (most likely a chick thing). My boyfriend said his ribs were really good. He ordered half rack but gave him full by mistake. Only charged for half. <br/>Worth the price in my opinion.

Horrible. I was here last night for Valentines Day and boy am I never ever coming back to this restaurant again... <br/>The Vday menu was overpriced, the food was average at best and the service was absolutely the worst. Our reservations were at 8pm and we didn't get out of there till 11:10. Waiter never apologized, others around the room got the same treatment.. It's unfortunate because I heard this restaurant was great at one point..

Top 10 restaurant in calgary. The food, service, wine, coffee, and dessert was great.

Great night!. Came here for a date night and didn't want to leave. Such a cozy place for a winter meal! Food was tasty, as was the wine. Our server Chris really made it an enjoyable experience and was so helpful. The wine descriptions were lots of fun to read. Thanks so much guys, keep up the great work!

Excellent food, service, and wine list.<br/>I have been here many times and it is always superb. The staff is knowledgable, helpful, and kind. The food is spectacular, especially the mussels. the drinks are creative and delicious. The atmosphere is relaxing and elegant. Tony the manager is a boss. Very nice place to have dinner.

Not impressed. Went here for my birthday celebration: I had a high expectations, given that there were so many positive reviews. However, the food was mediocre at best. The appetizer we had was a chorizo clam broth and it was the only good part of the meal, and even that was fairly salty. My main dish was the steak and it was way too sweet! The pasta that my partner had was nothing special either. I was very disappointed that the quality and taste of the food did not match the pricing. I will not be returning.

The food is always good here. Every time I have been to this restaurant the service is great and the food is consistently good. Great atmosphere and wine list.

That was disgusting. Cilantro was one of my parents' favourite restaurants years ago, but we just went there tonight ... And the food was atrocious. My soup had absolutely no flavour, and my duck confit was horrendously dry and again, flavourless. My mom felt the spinach in her BLT tasted rotten. Both my parents agree that the food is nothing like what they recall.

Good food but TERRIBLE server. No etiquette or manners!!. Our server was Victoria. She was rude, unaware, disrespectful and needed help with her 4 table section from a hostess with worse manners than her. Our wine and mains were very tasty but dessert was worse than what you would get at a boston pizza. I probably won't go back for awhile and if and when we do I pray that we get another server or that they go through an etiquette seminar. <br/><br/><br/><br/>Longer version... Me and a friend were out for a nice causal dinner to get nice wine, great food and good service. However we ended up with a server who had limited knowledge of the the items listed on the menu and did not like us. She must have decided from the beginning that we didn't look like we needed bread or wanted bread because everyone else in the restaurant got to indulge but us. When our pasta shows up with a hand full of onions throughout I was a bit annoyed but began to pick them out because I was starving and she was no where to be found. When she came back to quality check, my friend was close to finished and I was still digging for onions. , She asked how everything was and I informed her that though not listed on the menu there are onions in the dish. Her response was "Oh really? Well you can just pick around them". I was shocked. She walked away no solution other than that, and no apology whatsoever. So I eventually got to eat my food and it was delicious :)<br/><br/>Seeing no managers around just an improperly dressed hostesses with bra-straps and no manners, we decided to carry on and ordered the amazing tenderloin slices! Tender, juicy and overall delightful! However, at the odd chance that one of them came to our table to clear, pour wine or check on us my friend and I would always say thank you to then hear nothing back. I just don't understand why they were treating us so rudely. She had 3 other tables who had finished eating when we arrived and were just lounging and drinking wine so there was no excuse for her to be ignoring us, she wasn't busy. <br/><br/>Then my favorite part of the night happened... On my way to the ladies room I caught our server talking about us with two other servers at the server station which is across from the washroom. When I make eye contact they all come to a complete silence. When I come out of the ladies room our server almost attacks me as soon as I get out of the door with smiles and asks me if I needed coffee or cappuccino with my dessert. I don't know if its just me but I find that to be extremely rude and inappropriate. Is she so busy that she couldn't meet me at our table to ask this? <br/><br/>Our dessert arrives and sadly its less than mediocre. The teaspoon of ice cream that came with the hard, dry, tasteless brownies was good though.<br/><br/>After that if we hadn't already treated badly it seemed to go from bad to worse. So we flagged her down for the bill so we could pay and finish our wine in peace. My friend and I are servers and respect that the tip doesn't just go to her but reflects the kitchen and other staff as well so we tip her a very none deserving 20%. She eventually grabs the signed copy (old school swipe machine was a bit strange) and walks away. Again no thank you. The first hostess who greeted us was great on the way in and on the way out and thanked us.<br/><br/>Sadly we won't be going back there for awhile which is a shame because the food was great. So good luck with what server you get!

Food has gone downhill. During our last two visits here the food quality, taste, and flavour were so mediocre that I felt compelled to write this review. Cilantro used to be very very good, unfortunately something has changed in the last two-three months. Our mussels were not as fresh as they should have been. The chicken was dry and over cooked. Our ribs were flavourless. The pizza barely had toppings, particularly a lack of meat. The wine list is exceptional. That seems to be the one positive for Cilantro they serve excellent wine.

Great night out. We quite enjoyed this restaurant, and made good use of about 2 1/2 hours. We started the night off with two cocktails from their cocktail menu, and they were strong and quite a bit of flavor. We ordered the chorizo mussels, and while they were good they were by no means the best mussels I've had in Calgary.. although mussels are not my favorite dish so I can be quite particular about how I like them done. When we ordered our appetizer we had also ordered a bottle of a delicious Spanish red, as well as our meals, and they did a fantastic job of timing everything perfectly. I must mention that their wine 'novel' is crazy! Tons of wines to choose from, would have liked to see more Canadian wines, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading some of the interesting descriptions. Our wine was brought out just before our meals came out, and nothing was hurried. We had the specials for the night, the pistachio encrusted lamb and ricotta with amazingly seasoned potatoes, asparagus and carrots, as well as an order of the beef tenderloin. The flavors went very well together and it was a pleasure to eat. For dessert, the special for the night was a dark, rich, quinoa cake type something or other that was equally as delicious, then we finished off with a perfect digestif consisting of iced espresso, milk and kahlua. Would definitely recommend this place!

Lunch. Just had Cilantro for lunch today, we were heading to Market but so hungry we decided to try this place and boy did it not disappoint! I absolutely loved the lemon conchigliette which with out a doubt is the best pasta I have ever had. The fresh snap peas, a very generous amount of lobster, sausage and scallops paired with the sauce was melt in my mouth delicious. My boyfriend had the elk pizza which also so good, we also liked that you could see the pizza being made in front of you! The server was excellent. We will be back for sure

Great time. I really enjoyed this spot. the food was delicious. the service was slow but it didnt bother my table too much. the food made up for it,

Pretty good. Great food. Didn't have the cocktail we wanted and had a fly in my drink but pizza and pasta was fantastic!.

Everything from service to food is excellent. This place is at the top of my choices. Warm and inviting atmosphere with a lively buzz. Incredible wine list!

Relaxed dining in an upscale atmosphere. After reading reviews here I thought I would try a new spot in Calgary, Cilantro has turned out to be one of my new favorites. The atmosphere is upscale, the patio is relaxing should you be able to sit out on a good day. Thus far the service has been friendly and fast and on my son's birthday they brought the sparklers adding a little something special to an important day. The food has been fabulous (we have now tried some of the pasta dishes and the BLT) and the deserts are fantastic! I normally don't like peanut butter but their peanut butter mousse/cake thingy was really great as was the cream brulee. I look forward to some more great food, deserts, and service (which really helps make the dining experience that much better) in the months to come.

Yummy!. Had a great dinner with excellent food and amazing service tonight.

Off Night?. My wife and I tyoically go once or twice a year for special occasions, and unfortunately our last visit was not memorable. Quality of the food and service have both dipped compared to our previous visits - which, looking at the review below, may be a reoccuring theme.<br/><br/>The scallops were cold, dry and rubbery. The chicken breast and risotto were dry as well. Our waitress was subpar - it took a long time for her to check on us, clear plates, and to get our bill. When she did stop by, we couldn't get in a word edge wise as she kept cutting us off, weird.<br/><br/>Sorry Cilantro - It may be awhile before we come back.

We have been going to Cilantro for years now. It has always been one of our favourite dining spots, we have also had several corporate parties there. I feel as if I have to say this though. Something has changed, and unfortunately not for the better. Since Christmas we have been in 3-4 times just on a casual whim. I must say that the change in service has been less than impressive. The last time that I recieved good service at Cilantro was at our Christmas party when we had 2 fantastic servers working our function. They were both professional and took care of every need, we even celebrated them at the end of our function by giving them each a gift of our appreciation. Neither of these servers did I see this weekend (1 male, 1 female).<br/><br/>So the point I am getting at is that they seem to be doing something different with their service and I do not know why. It was not what the server did this weekend, it was what she didnt do. If I am going to pay upwards of $200 for my meal, I would hope that I get service that would match that price. <br/><br/>Please bring back the professional mature servers that belong in this establishment. Us more mature diners prefer to have the experienced servers that know what they are doing. If we wanted to go for Earls type service, we would have gone to Earls. Dissapointed Cilantro.

Pizza was gross... but the soup delicious!!. We were a group of 4 and decided to eat out at Cilantro. The service was very good and the decor / atmosphere was really nice. I ordered the wild mushroom soup to start... it was delicious!! It's a little pricey for soup ($9??) but I thought it was tasty. I ordered the pear and gorganzola pizza.... big mistake!! The pizza was soggy in the middle and the pears, I'm pretty sure, were just canned pears. It was really gross. The only reason I am giving this place a good review is because everyone else enjoyed their meals and the service was excellent. I did enjoy my night here and, like I said, the soup was delicious. Will probably be back... but won't be ordering that soggy, gross pizza again.

Disappointing! Heard great reviews and decided too try Cilantro, it definitely doesn't live up to the hype! Ordered the specials, one was ok but way too much food for a high end restaurant, plate was covered in potatoes and garnishes. Boring. My dining partners special was overcooked so it was sent back, only to come out overcooked yet again, server really didn't seem to care or offer any alternative while I practically ate my entite meal alone waiting for my partners food. Totally unacceptable. Wouldn't bother trying this place again, there are way better restaurants out there to spend good money.

Great atmosphere, good service and the food tasted great. My issue was the portion size. I had a pasta for $24 it was very small and I found myself leaving very hungry. We attended with another couple and both guys had the 'diet' pasta while our wives had the much larger snapper entree.

One of my favorite spots in the city. Love this place. The food and service is always great. A very romantic spot. The peanut butter cream pie is amazing.

Nice but $$$$$$$$$. $213 lunch for 3 adults and a child. <br/>Two of us had salads, child had a pizza, one had a plate of pasta., one dessert.<br/>Now the 4 beers and 4 glasses of wine at a total of $80 certainly added to the bill. But overall I felt just slightly ripped off here. Maybe I just don't eat in the circles of the rich and famous enough.<br/>Average for mega bucks

Mobile Review. My partner and I went to cilantro on a whim. We were under-whelmed. We ordered the black bean and cream sauce mussels as an appetizer, and shared a seared tuna sandwich and a pear and gorgonzola pizza.<br/>Not even good.

Not Good. Food was very disappointing. For the price you pay, the food is not up to par. Pear pizza was soggy and covered in canned pears. Will not be going back.

Below Par. My partner and I went to cilantro on a whim. We were under-whelmed. We ordered the black bean and cream sauce mussels as an appetizer, and shared a seared tuna sandwich and a pear and gorgonzola pizza. <br/><br/>The mussels were good but the sauce was extremely salty. Half the salt would have been nice.<br/><br/>The tuna sandwich was a huge portion with a few grapes and a strawberry as a side. I would have preferred less sandwich and a more interesting side.<br/><br/>The pizza was nice. <br/><br/>I wasn't impressed by the atmosphere - it is very bland. I don't think I will return here, but if I were to go back I would skip the appetizer and order a pizza.<br/><br/>On a positive note, the service was friendly and fairly attentive.

One word "Scrumptious". So short and sweet, the Beef Wellington with Portobello Frites is the best I've ever had, the beef fell apart in my mouth and the Portobello frites were a tasty change. The service was quick and professional. Great little restaurant with loads of atmosphere. I'll give it a 8/10.

Enjoyable. Tried Cilantro started with the Lobster Bisque, Salad, individual pizza, and something chocolate for desert cant remember what it was....Food was good, service was very friendly had a enjoyable time!

Very disappointing. The food was spotty, some dishes were excellent like the goat cheese salad and others were not well prepared or tasteful, the lamb and tenderloin in particular. The service was among the worst for a high priced restaurant, sorry Tony this was definitely not your night. The ambience was terrible, could have been in an old shed and felt the same. The pricing was extremely high for the product. We will not be returning. I have eaten in most of the better places in Calgary and this was among if not the worst.

Very disappointing. We have been to Cilantro's before and had a nice meal, nice enough that we were willing to brave the ridiculously difficult (like none) local parking situation, however our most recent experience was very disappointing.<br/><br/>Four of us had dinner, all different pasta dishes one of which was the daily chef's special plus two desserts.<br/><br/>The pasta dishes were were simply bad. Boring, bland, absolutely nothing going for them at all. In fact we all cross-tasted each others to determine the "least boring" dish (the special, Fettuccine Bolognese won, for what it's worth), and the Lasagne was "not bad".<br/><br/>The desserts were fine, but with the addition of a $51.00 bottle of Malbec and two glasses of beer, the bill was almost $200.00.<br/><br/>Not worth it.

Great Atmosphere, Poor Food. The Cilantro patio is one of the most beautiful in the city. It is quaint, romantic, and relaxed. If its ambiance your looking for then this is the place. However, if your looking for a good meal as well you might want to reconsider. The last 2 times I have been to Cilantro the food has been mediocre at best. This Friday I ordered the Beef Tenderloin. We waited about an hour for our meals and when it arrived it was cold. it is served with mashed potatoes and veggies. The entire meal was heavily salted and lacked flavor. Not what I would expect for a $40 price tag. My Husband had the Arctic Char and had the same complaints. For the quality of food and service I am surprised Cilantro is so busy. I can only imagine it is for the atmosphere. If you do go to Cilantro stick to the pizza or pasta which will cost you $28-30.

Great food! I was thoroughly impressed with the service, wine selection, and divine food! I'd go back again and again!!

Awesome!. I am a big fan of Cilantro. While it is a little too expensive to frequent regularily, for special occasions it is wonderful. The cheese selection is great, the food is to die for and the wine list is excellent! Service is also very good, and their patio in summer a must!

Great Pizza. Pear and gorgonzola was excellent.

Nice Experience. My date and I walked in on a Wednesday night and it was packed in there. We were greeted promptly, and sat at a mediocre table; but the server was really pleasant and knowledgeable about food and wines, suddenly it didn't matter that we had the last sell table. We started off with seared tenderloin slices with cherry chutney which you assemble atop a perfectly toasted crostini; it was delicious, the deep cherry flavour was the perfect companion for the seared beef, I did experience a bit of connective tissue in a couple of the pieces but nonetheless it was really quite amazing, paired with a Spanish Rioja it was truly exquisite!<br/>The use of pine nuts in their goat cheese crust was also a hit, and the shrimp appetizer is one of the most flavourful shrimp appys in the city.<br/><br/>We didn't get to eat any entrees as we filled up on too many appys and flatbread. However this guarantees my return to try more of Cilantros exquisite food...

Yum. I don't branch out much when I come here, because the pear and gorgonzola pizza is just too good to pass up. I'm glad it's one of the consistent menu items, since I don't see pear and gorgonzola pizzas many other places. I've had the mushroom soup a few times as well and it is also fantastic.

Patio. Love the patio here. Cilantro is the perfect summer restaurant for me. Relaxed, great patio, and great food.

Cosy. We have been to Cilantro in the past and always enjoyed the food but it never really struck a chord in me and after a few days Cilantro would slip out of my memory and off my restaurant radar. We were expecting visitors and my husband suggested we try Cilantro again. <br/><br/>The room is very cosy on a cool autumn evening and the red walls and warm pale yellow light from the Tiffany style lamp shades is lovely. We arrived a few minutes early and were informed that our table was not ready. The friendly hostess lead us to a small area at the back of the dinning room and offered us some wine. She poured us a solid Canadian Pinot Noir. Already, I was impressed by the friendly and professional service. Our table was ready right on time and we were seated and greeted by our server. The service from start to finish was professional and attentive. The menu is extensive and intriguing and we all had a hard time deciding on what to order. I had the Buffalo Mozzerella with tomatoes to start. This has to be one of my most favorite things in the world. I have longed for the flavors of this simple dish ever since my trip to Italy many years ago. This version was adequate and I especially enjoyed the delicious balsalmic reduction that was drizzled on the plate. I also had a substantial sample of the smoked salmon appetizer. This was delicious and the pumpernickel crustini was a revelation. I chose the tenderloin lasgna for my main course. I usually do not go for pasta in a restaurant but the description of this dish intrigued me. This lasagna featured smoked gouda, ricotta, and feta cheeses. However, it was not just crammed with so much cheese as to drown out anything else that might be happening in the dish. The other ingredients included Anaheim peppers, spinach and of course beef tenderloin. The pasta was fresh, toothsome and packed flavor. The flavors in this dish were in harmony, and I was able to taste each part. The lasagna was the perfect texture. I hate oversauced pasta but I also hate it when the pasta dries out. This was well executed. Sometimes dishes that boast a lot of bold flavors and ingredients can become muddled and confused. This was not the case with this lasagna. I saved the perfectly cooked beef tenderloin which was resting on top of my pasta for last. The pale green sauce of marscapone and roasted green chili was a subtle marvel. <br/><br/>This was relaxed and cosy dining from start to finish. We drank our wine and savoured our thoughtful meals in a friendly and relaxed dining room. The combination of professional service and well executed dishes will definatly keep Cilantro on my restaurant radar for months to come!

Awesome restaurant! Really good food and a gorgeous patio!!

I wish my wife and I went down the street to the ship for a ship burger on our anniversary instead of cilantro. Although the terribleness of each upcoming course did make is laugh hysterically by the bitter end

On a Friday summer night. The first Friday night of the summer was well served, taking in dinner at Cilantro. We had an appetizer dinner, of flatbreat, goat cheese w/pistacio, smoked salmon (beautiful creme freche) and caprese salad, followed by a chocolate souffle. Servied with a sauvignon blanc, and a port to follow, the meal was fun and tasty. I like the little patio, and we'd go back again. The only complaint was not the service, which I see lots of comments on, but the traffic noise of 17th, and really, what do you expect? <br/>I'm looking forward to the entree courses!

Just okay. Service was a little cold, and although this may sound like an odd complaint, the food was served too quickly (we hadn't finished our appetizer yet). This coupled with the fact that it took the waiter a very long time to bring the dessert menu and the check made for somewhat unbalanced service. The salad was great, but the pasta was slightly overdone, and the sauce was too soupy. Wine list was impressive, albeit most items were a bit overpriced.<br/><br/>Also, a relatively minor complaint has to do with their washrooms: they're located in an unusual place (almost in the kitchen), and the experience of finding them can be a little awkward and confusing.

It was okay.... The food was pretty decent, but as a lot of people have mentioned already, the service is mediocre at best. The waiter didn't seem like he enjoyed being there and not really being attentive to some of our requests. <br/><br/>Will more than likely never go back unless invited.

Not going back. The menu was excellent and it was hard to choose., The chowder was excellent, the caprese salad was good too. My curried prawn salad was tasty though the maple/pear dressing did not co-ordinate with the spiciness of the prawns - and, only four small prawns on a main course salad? The halibut was substantial but arrived almost cold.<br/>The creme brulee won approval but the napolean? I thought a napoiean had light, flaky layers of pastry. The dessert I was served was a rich confection of mousse and thick, crispy, overly sweet toffee. Good, but not what I expected.<br/>So, the food was very good but not exceptional. However, I found the room too dark to be able to read the menu without a flashlight; and the music too loud for us to chat easily with our friends. Most disappointing though was the service which was careless despite a dining room only half full. We had to remind the waiter to bring the wine, the dessert order was botched, the service was unfriendly. <br/>On balance then, good food, but not good enough to outweigh too high prices, poor service and a badly thought out dining room. We won't be going back.

Bad Service, Ok food. Ate here on Friday night because we had a gift certificate we could use at any of the CRMR owned restaurants. Having really enjoyed Divino, we decided to try out Cilantro this time. Unfortunately we were stuck with a bad server. He totally innatentive such as not asking how our food was, forgetting to bring out a requested glass of hot water and just not being around. Other servers in the restaurant seemed better. As for the food, the cheese appetizer was quite good but it's not like the chef has anything to do with that. Our main entrees of pasta were ok but seemed to be missing something. They were a little bland. Overall the prices did not justify the food or service and we will not be going back.

A Was Place. Cilantro was one of my favourite places to just stop by. My experience this weekend will make me rethink that. I do not mind paying for good wine but the house wine was awful and expensive. My thin crust pizza was loaded with tiny pieces of pineapple that seemed to have emerged from a tin. A couple of shrimp hid among the pineapple. It was mundane at best but may have been acceptable if it had not arrived cold. My companions meal was a little better but the general consensus is that this is a "was" restaurant. <br/>Service was very slow as there was only one waiter in the upper area - a nice guy but not superman.<br/>A pity as this used to be a great place.

Great Food. This place is quaint, and wonderful in all aspects. The atmostphere is light, comfy, and inviting. From the menu alone, you can get a sense of how fine tuned the food is. Everything sounds amazing, its difficult to choose really. I had the smoked salmon appetizer, which went above and beyond expectations. It came with this vanilla infused creme fresche-like cream, and some pickled onions and capers, along with a pimpernickel baguette to assemble yourself. It was so delicious, I only wish it were never ending. I continued with a yellowfin tuna flatbread sandwich, and the meal was instantly taken to the next level. The texture of the tuna, and all the wonderful flavours were perfect. Just the right amount of spices. I had such a great experience eating here. The menu changes occasionally, and although they are constantly raising the bar in newer and more exciting menus, I really do miss that tuna dish. Perhaps I shall see it again one day. Enjoy! Perfect for dates.

Privacy on 17th Ave???. Looking for a patio on 17th Ave that offers great atmosphere but without the hassle of the onlookers? Head to Cilantro. Amazingly enough the restaurant offers a bit of an oasis to sit with friends and enjoy good food and conversation thanks to the sound proof wall erected. Sure you'll hear sirens and any noise with double digit dB's, but take solace in the fact that you'll enjoy your meal in peace especially at the busiest portion of 17th Ave.<br/>And what of you food? The menu offers a wide selection of mouth watering entree's. I have had the joy of going to this location on several occasions and have been impressed each and every time. The pizza's alone are enough to satisfy and the staff are eager and welcoming to any face.<br/>If you've spent an afternoon walking down 17th Ave shopping, definitely stop by Cilantro to rest your weary legs. Order a bottle of red, a pizza, and just relax. It's definitely worth it.

Had a reservation for 7:30 pm. Hostess maid us wait in the back by the kitchen nearly 45 minutes for our table. Food quality was very good but the service (waitress) was rude. We gave her the benifit of the doubt and still tiped her 15%. When my Mastercard statement came the tip was increased by $16.00. Not impressed.

OMG what a delicious lunch... not the chepeast to be sure but yummy!!!! I have to remember Cilantro located at 338 17th Avenue SW for future lunch adventures since it is so close and the food was mouthwatering. I had originally booked a tapas place but dining with a vegetarian and a gluten free diet doesn't make it easy to share anything but salad. Here is what we had:

As for the food, I had the tuna sandwich, which was absolutely phenomenal. It was also massive, but I devoured it. That’s how good it was. I appreciated that it was served in a flatbread/pita because it made for more room for all the amazing filler (grilled rare tune, goat cheese, portabello mushrooms, YUM).

A staple in Calgary is the black pepper linguine. If you don’t know what i am talking about then call right now and make a reservation. Seriously!

I was pretty excited to hear that Cliantro has created a list of cocktails they’ve referred to as ‘Negronis’ which uses gin for the base flavour profile...