The quality of food and presentation was incredible. The interior was well-decorated, appropriately lit, and roomy, with comfortable seating for seniors. We went as a large group of 9, and had decent service throughout the meal. Prices seemed a little steep for the amount of food we got. I'm noticing in recent years, some ingredients that used to be cheap are getting expensive because they're becoming popular with health trends or foodies. An example of this is the bone broth trend. For this meal, it was the bone marrow appetizer. Delicious and well-presented nonetheless. I'd come back if I had people visiting out of town who wanted to eat more upscale dishes.
Looked for a restaurant for us to honour with friends. The Block was highly recommended - and did not disappoint.
Food was exceptional! Waitress was helpful, pleasant and non intrusive.
My wife ordered a grilled to perfection steak. I ordered the Fish Feature - rainbow trout with risotto and mixed veggies. Both were exceptional!
Wine was reasonably priced and were paired well. Meal was completed with a Saskatoon Berry Creme Brûlée and an Americano.
Will be back!
Went for breakfast this morning after being disappointed when the restaurant first opened. Had the eggs benedict and it was really good. All the ingredients were fresh and the service was really good.
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Tried it the first time after a night of driving around the city and I was impressed! The bar is cozy, perfect lighting, the music is not so loud that I can still carry a conversation with my husband. Good selection of beers and cocktails. I loved the beef carpaccio! I went back the 2nd time with my son and husband. It was almost 10 pm. Seated in the restaurant- my son is a minor. We ordered kalamari- crispy and tender. My boys lived their lamb osso bucco! I loved the eggplants. OMG it was so good! And of course the creme brûlée. Did I tell you the service was superb! The price is just right and the place is very nice and cozy. The decor is well thought of - that barn door on one wall, the pantry/cabinet for their serving dishes, that window/divider - all those details - oh and that old stove by the entrance of the restaurant. I highly recommend The Block and will definitely go back there again and again. Did I tell you i was ther for breakfast yesterday and that roasted tomato and avocado eggs benny is the best! ❤️❤️❤️😍😍😍
This was our first time visiting since the reopening and we were disappointed. I had the brisket and it was really lacking flavor, it needed a demi-glacé or sauce for flavor. My husband had the schnitzel and also thought it needed more flavor. The service was great and I appreciate that you can now bring kids but the food isn't as good as before.
Only been once for lunch but would love to go back again. This place is well decorated, the menu is creative, service was awesome, and the quality of food was really good.
I have been here with friends twice in the last week. Myself along with both groups I was with were really impressed. The food was delicious and we loved the atmosphere (we sat on the dinning side). We had onion rings (very crispy without the extra breading you have some places), cheese stuffed arancini, beef carpaccio (delicious with the arugula!!), schnitzel ($9 on Mondays), pizza and arctic char. All dishes were tasty and our service was amazing. We will definitely be back!
I live nearby so I come here often. I usually sit on the lounge side where it's a bit more casual. The service is always lovely. For food I like the schnitzel and fries (which also comes with salad and is only $9 on Monday) and anything with their amazing pickled red onions (calamari and couscous salad). They made awesome tacos for cinco de mayo and I wish those were always on the menu. Happy to have this place and 4th spot in the neighbourhood.
Had a great experience at The Block last week. This friendly neighborhood pub is perfect for getting a bite to eat or a drink. The server we had (Monika) was very friendly and outgoing. It made the experience fun and very enjoyable. I would defiantly go back. Customer service and the relationship between the staff and the customers is the most important thing. Good job! I will be back and tell my friends.
1st time checking out this newly renovated little gem. Very pleased with the updated fresh look and totally impressed with the deliciously prepared food we were served! The highlight of the evening was the spitfire server named Tori who seemed very happy to be assisting us! She appeared very genuine and competent. Thank you we will definitely be back!!
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Block offers one of the best casual dining experiences north of downtown. It's a neighbourhood kitchen and lounge, so the food is a little higher end and there's a great drink selection to choose from.
My favourite dish on the menu is the tuna appetizer which is basically a thick disc of sweet tuna poke paired with some salty fried crackers. The sweetness mixed with saltiness and the soft textures of the tuna and crunchy crackers is pretty amazing.
There are a number of good concept dishes as well, like the halifax donair which is a thicker cut beef donair in a simple pita wrap. A little more gourmet than you'd get at a donair shop, so prepare for it to have different texture than the mainstream stuff. The lobster pot pie is also a nice flaky pastry, but I felt that there wasn't as much lobster as I was expecting. With a great selection of meats and cheeses on the Block charcuterie board, it's very difficult to be disappointed with the spread provided for this shareable dish.
The Block is a nice place to hang out and really easy to get into with a reservation. In the summer they have a patio looking onto the south side of the street so it's a great place for open air and lots of sun. With the robust drink selection, it's a nice place to chill for an afternoon and evening.
Looking for dinner one night, hubby, MIL and I went to The Block Kitchen and Lounge. It’s located on a section of 4th St. NW somewhat known for its turnover in restaurants. I would say it has the potential to become a nice neighborhood restaurant. We went early on a Sunday night, as expected the place was just about empty.
Fabulous place in an underserved area of NW Calgary (Mt. Pleasant; close-in northwest on 4th St NW by the McDonald's). The menu is small, but I can say everything on it is great, as I have been back enough times to try everything. They have a great wine selection and diverse menu of bottled and draft beers, always with a couple of extra "rotational" beers on tap. The lounge area looks like it has a good neighbourhood bar feel. The décor is nice, and the staff is extremely friendly and welcoming. It is a go-to place in the area.
Looking for dinner one night, hubby, MIL and I went to The Block Kitchen and Lounge. It’s located on a section of 4th St. NW somewhat known for its turnover in restaurants. I would say it has the potential to become a nice neighborhood restaurant. We went early on a Sunday night, as expected the place was just about empty.
I had a fabulous time at the Block last night. I had looked at the menu before going but they changed it that night and did not have time to changed it on the web. At first the waiter was kind of cold but he warmed out nicely throughout. there was about 5 tables with people so no rush at 630pm on a Wednesday.The food...OMG! We share the asparagus that were cooked to perfection with very light cheese on top and egg perfectly done. Then we had another appetizer, the cauliflower, a mixed of flavors, curry, light and fluffy...delicious!Main for had the lamb and the haddock. Lamb was tasty, juicy, pink like I like it with a puree of some kind, so good! The haddock , for once, wasn't overcooked like at other restaurant, with a nice crispy crust and moist in the inside. A great dinner at a great place. I will come back for sure.
First off, the people who work here are very nice and do their job well. I loved the decor and everything in the restaurant, minus the drunk fool in the lounge area ruining the ambience. Food was good, but not stellar. For a wagyu steak, I felt there wasn't enough flavour, I have had better. My husband enjoyed his burger but felt it was a little to greasy but the fries were awesome! Over all I would come back, I'll just try something different on the menu.
Just Okay. Was here awhile back with some friends. The food was okay but didn't leave a great impression. It wasn't very busy and our server was nowhere to be seen most of the time. Our experience wasn't horrible but it wasn't awesome either. I would give it another chance though seeing as its fairly new still. The booze was great!
Overall, good.. Attended a going away party here for my partners co-worker. First impressions were not good - the hostess (or whomever answered the phone) booked our reservation for 5pm instead of the 7pm requested. When no one showed up at 5pm they cancelled the reservation. When 20 people showed up at 7pm, they scrambled to get everyone accommodated. We had one booth and two hi-tops and still had people standing - very unfortunate.
Food was pretty good. Multiple people at our table got the burger and were impressed with it. It looked juicy and very tasty! I got the duck, which was cooked perfectly. I'm not a huge fan of parsnips, but it did include a parsnip puree and parsnip chips. We also ordered dessert - creme brulee and butterscotch pie - both delicious!
If I was in the area again I would return, but wouldn't seek it out. Do confirm your reservations a day ahead of time though.
I can not say enough great things about the Block. Hostess was wonderful, wait staff were super attentive and very knowledgeable about wine pairings. The menu is unique and well worth the visit. The sweet potato perogies were amazing, as were the cauliflower couquettes. I had the artic char for my entree and it did not disappoint. It was perfectly cooked. I highly recommend trying this place out.
Had a fantastic meal at the Block Kitchen. Sweet potatoe perogies and cauliflower appy (not like your mamma makes) were delicious and great service.
Edited Feb 21 2016:
Found out from word of mouth that since they reopened it is kid friendly and also serves breakfast. So headed there for breakfast with the family and some friends. While services was a bit slow despite not being busy, the food was pretty good. I will make a point to go to try lunch or dinner there next now that I can go with the family.
Original Post:
Never got a chance to try. Walked over the few blocks to finally try this place. No kids allowed so never got the chance. I have nothing against a restaurant that doesn't allow kids, just seems an odd location for one. I know Rembrandt's, which previously occupied the space was a bar, but to invest in a new restaurant that is not in a high-traffic high-density area and then exclude a lot of the neigbourhood doesn't make sense to me.
AMAZING EXPERIENCE. My fav beau and I dined at The Block on Friday night - Jan 9th. The food was absolutely great! The cauliflower frittes as an appetizer was divine. The Lobster pot pie and Artic Char we had for our mains were spectacular. The wine was great as well. This is definitely a place we will return to...
Delicious new place!. I went here recently for a lunch with five. Service was extremely friendly, food was delicious, and it was quite busy for a cold day. I was very impressed with the menu selection, and will definitely be back!
Great place for lunch. Probably the best Steak Sandwich I have ever had.
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Worth a second look. After visiting several times shortly after their opening, encountering both great and mediocre food and then taking a break, we went back to check out the new menu. There are some interesting additions. We shared the Roasted Cauliflower Croquettes, hard to NOT have, they are so good, The accompanying curry dip goes perfectly. We just wish there were more than four, not enough if you are sharing! We tried the Shrimp Club (1/2) and Crispy Chicken Burger, along with the Beet and Goat Cheese Salad to share. Since we were starving and couldn't wait, we asked for some bread - a warm, crusty and varied selection with a side of honey pepper butter-yum. The Shrimp Club is available as a half or whole sandwich, always a sign of a good restaurant to us - sometimes you only want a half. Sandwiches/burgers come with a choice of salad, soup or fries. Unfortunately, the day's soup (Seafood Chowder) was sold out. The shrimp came mixed with an excellent Marie Rose sauce that had a slight kick to it, along with the requisite tomatoes, lettuce and well-cooked bacon on 2 slices of toast - club sandwiches do not need that extra piece of bread! Would love to see the shrimp as a salad, it was very good. The Crispy Chicken Burger can be dipped in hot sauce if you prefer. Chicken was tender and juicy, and on a wonderful soft, buttery brioche bun - all burgers should be on these buns! It is rare to have a chicken burger exceed your expectation, this one certainly did! The Beet salad had orange roasted beets and purple pickled beets with goat cheese, sitting on a nice mix of lettuces, including purple butter lettuce that had a nice crunch, all dressed in a tangy vinaigrette. It would benefit with the added crunch of walnuts or pecans. To us, a measure of a restaurant's greatness and attention to detail is based on how they present tea - ours came in a proper teapot, with a pitcher of milk, and a good brand of tea - a good sign! Wish we had time and room for dessert - next time - maple creme brulee is on our list! We have high expectations when it comes to restaurant food, and feel we can usually make better and healthier at home. But we will definitely be back to the Block for more!
The Block. Amazing service even better food friendly environment great staff !!!!! A+++
Tuna Melt is amazing. We finally had a chance to organize a group of friends and try out The Block.
The first thing that hit me was the space! What a beautiful face lift to a local pub I used to frequent when I lived in the neighbourhood. The staff are friendly and welcoming.
I was feeling a bit under the weather and so was drawn to the comfort dishes. I chose the Tuna Melt and was so glad I did. The little fennel slaw on top added the right amount of crunch and spicey undertones.
Judging from the comments around the table, all of us thoroughly enjoyed our dishes. We parted ways as we were plotting the next time we could come and visit!
Really good food, good wine list and enjoy the wait. There were some delays between courses, but the wait was worth it. Great food, friendly service and the electric, chaotic feel of a new restaurant. We enjoyed our experience. Keep up the good work (maybe just a little bit faster). But as my mum used to say, good food takes time.
I think this place is great. It's a sexy inviting room with a great menu to boot. Dining on a Friday anywhere at a Calgary hot spot will no doubt take a while for food but it's Friday! It's the weekend, it's time to unwind. Enjoy a beautiful cocktail,( I had the new vitis which was a treat), and just relax. Lots of beautiful staff and patrons to enjoy, so take a chill pill, eat and be merry. The block is a great place to do all of this and I can't wait to try the duck. Quack!
Service was good! Strange to have a lounge with tvs and vlts beside the nice dining room. Huge calamari dish was good. Deep fried pickles were a hit a different. We went with waiters suggestion on pork shoulder, lamb and artic char. Great dishes and their veg sides were equally impressive.
Block Kitchen. Four us.........late lunch. Best caesar drink I've had in a long time. A real twist on my favourite cocktail. All of us enjoyed our meals. Server was very knowledgeable and keen to please. It was a late lunch (3 pm) so there were few people in the dining area. Service was good. Try it out as I'm sure you won't be disappointed. Loved the tuna melt.......not anything like a home version!
The restaurant is very attractive...........modern, really cool. The volume on the music went up at some point during our lunch and that was annoying. The dining room was sparse but the bar was full. That is typical of most restaurant/bars, but that would only be our pet peave. When you have to start shouting over the music, it takes away from the experience of socializing. We would come back again & ask for them to adjust the volume. You can't expect any changes if you don't discuss your issue with the manager.
North West Delight !. Positives: Décor was pleasing. Food was amazing. We started with appetizers: calamari and cauliflower croquettes which were cooked to perfection and accompanied with dipping sauce that only added to the taste rather than overwhelming it. For the main plate we had the cod and the lamb which were cooked to perfection. The vegetables were excellent, not overcooked, and we could enjoy their flavor without being overpowered by the meat or light sauce. The chocolate tort for desert was to die for with a strawberry sauce, a dab of whipped cream and a thin sugary wafer. 5 Stars as far as eating out in Calgary.
Negatives: The waitress was either not on her game or new. No salt or pepper offered with the main plate (it wasn’t needed however ) and no offer for an after dinner drink, coffee or tea , which was surprising.
Will we go again. Most definitely. A great addition to North West dining.
Place looks way better in there now, food was fresh, well done and well presented. I felt like the calamari needed some more acid notes, maybe just another lemon or a few more pickled onions would've been enough for me. Croquettes were nice change to see on a neighbourhood joint's menu and they were good, but for me I just wanted some acid somewhere. Burger was pretty tasty too. Will be back
Impressed in the NW!. As a diner who very rarely leaves the inner city, I was completely impressed with what the Block had to offer. The space is gorgeous, the service was amazing, and the food was outstanding! I'm surprised at the negative comments below, everyone has had an 'off' dining experience at some point in time - don't let their off-sided views taint yours! We had some lamb meatballs that were being featured, pickle chip and cauliflower croquettes, between the 4 of us we devoured them in no time. We all had a mixture of sandwiches, two had the burger, one had the prawn po boy and I had the BLT. There were absolutely no complaints, other than that we didn't leave room for dessert! But you always have room for another cocktail - and the peach old fashioned is a must! I`m looking forward to going back and trying something from their fantastic wine list. If you want a great meal, in an adult environment - I`d highly recommend The Block!
My husband and I went to the Block last night for our Anniversary. While it was not what we were expecting at first, we had a wonderful experience. First, the service was excellent and went beyond our expectations. Our server made our dinner so special with extra touches. Second, the food was unbelievably good. All of it. This is beautiful farm to table dining but in a casual, relaxed setting where all feel welcome. It is exciting to see restaurants of this caliber in this up and coming neighbourhood. This gem won't be a secret for long.
Went in for lunch today with some friends and honestly, couldn't have been happier with our experience. We shared the salmon grav lax and the cauliflower croquettes (which were amazing!) and then finished with the butterscotch pie (also amazing!!). The wine was great, the service was friendly and overall a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. We will be back!
Great Lunch. I had the tuna melt and soup for lunch. Portions were too large and I could not finish it all. Good service, great atmosphere and very polite staff.
Delicious appetizers and wonderful atmosphere!. We dined at the Block on Saturday night.We ordered the spinach dip and 'The Block' to start, both were excellent...
DInner was a steak sandwich that was a bit rare for the medium rare I ordered, but still tasty.
The only complaint I have was that the restaurant is too cold, so bring a sweater. Everyone, myself included was wearing their jackets or had a sweater over their shoulder.
We will definitely go back.
You get what you pay for. My wife and I have recently moved from downtown Calgary into the area of this restaurant, love love love the food and atmosphere. some people comment on the price if you want cheap Mcdonalds is close, the service was great and we have never had a bad experience. We take all our friends there instead of going into the over priced downtown area. Just recently we went to a beer pairing there it was awesome and the food was fantastic. Great Job to everyone.
-----24 Aug, 2014-----
2nd Visit. We live downtown and will be moving to Mount Pleasant two months from now and have visited The Block twice. Our first drive by was not sure if we are going in then we did and absolutely love it. The wine list is crazy good the food is yummy and the service was fantastic. The interior is very classy and we can't wait to do many more nights here with friends. Love love love it.
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I was not a fan of the previous establishment at this address and was happy to see a change. It took awhile before we ventured in as we were totaly unaware what Block was...pub, nightclub etc. Four of us decided to go one night after soccer since the website was up and the place seemed approachable. When we walked in with our jerseys I think we all felt a little out of place. The decor is wonderful and warm. Definitely not an after soccer wings hot spot! The only thing that seemed out of place were the VLT's in the back. A little brash for the friendly atmosphere.
The server was prompt to take our order. They had about 5 craft brews on draft and a lot of offerings in cans and bottles. Our table had the lobster ravioli which was good (with one person disagreeing because they found it sweet), hot chicken wings which were pretty straightforward. I ordered the pita sandwich and the server recommended I add lamb which I was certainly glad I did. It was delicious and side salad it came was massive. I had enough greens to last me a week. My only complaint with the sandwich was the pita itself. The bread was dry and broke almost immediately. It's pretty common with whole wheat pitas so I wouldn't fault them. My partner had the burger and thoroughly enjoyed it. Not a word of complaint. The fries on the side were also super tasty.
All in all I will go back again but perhaps on a more special occasion. It's definitely too upscale for hitting up after games
Brunch Menu needs more. Despite having a brunch menus advertised, the Block Kirchen and Lounge needs more than three items to fill out a "brunch" destination and designation. It also needs to have its doors unlocked at 11 AM or a bit earlier on Sundays. We almost ended up leaving because doors were locked at 10:58 AM for our 11 AM reservation. Kudos to our waiter who was accomodating and pleasant and who unlocked the doors for us!
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I drive by the Block everyday and I finally got a chance to try it out. I hesitated to come here at first because of the previous pub, the name 'Block' is not appealing at all and also the design of the logo and exterior signage. I didn't look sophisticated or friendly. Actually it reminds me of some cheesy nightclub in the early 2000s. I took my wife and she felt the same way. As we walked in we were presently surprised as the interior looked like it was on par with other hipper places like BRIGGS, NATIONAL, and MIDTOWN. The staff were friendly and very helpful. The design of the menus were disappointing much like the logo and the signage, looks like it was done in word and also cheaply laminated. As far as the design goes there's definitely a lack of continuity and based on the price I expect a lot more. The ambiance was comfortable. Music wasn't so loud that you can't hear the other person across the table from you. It was still pretty bright out so I wouldn't know what the place looks like when it's dark out.
Demographic: Most people came as couples and probably in their 40s-50s. This might be different based on the day and time and also which side you were on. We sat on the restaurant side and it was around 530-6p on a Saturday night.
Food: We ordered Shrimp & Fennel Salad and Dill Pickle Chips to start. The salad tasted fresh and the flavours were amazing. It was just slightly over oiled but we told the waitress and she was very happy to hear our feedback. The Dill Pickle Chips were great, not your typical Old Dutch chips. And then we ordered the Tuna Melt and the Lobster Pot Pie. Both were really good and portions were generous.
Conclusion: I'll definitely come again. It's nice to have a nicer, downtown quality type of restaurant/lounge so close to home.
To the restaurant owners: Invest a bit more on design and I'm sure you'll get a lot more business.
Tuna Melt. A mayonnaise-rich, herbaceous tuna salad with great, gooey cheese dressed with a fennel and hot chili slaw. Inventive yet familiar comfort food!
Wow!. Did my homework, read all the reviews and came to try The Block. Only went there by chance because the Vietnamese restaurant we had planned on going to was closed early. The Block is only minutes down the street from our house and we thought why not its close.
So to sum in up in a word, ok 2 words: HOLY S#!T!! What an amazing restaurant; the atmosphere was great the decor was so cool and the staff was very attentive and cool and nice. I read a review about the bad service and I have to say that our server, Julia, was awesome!
The calamari was to die for as was the pork shoulder and the rustic vegetable soup. BUT the standout amongst the whole meal was the steak sandwich. OMG!!! You just have to try it seriously do yourself a favour and try it. You won't be disappointed.
Enjoy.
Yum. We all really enjoyed the food, everything was delicious & very high quality from appetizers to dessert. Service was a little inconsistent, ok initially, and then really not so great after entrees (almost non-existent despite it not being very busy.)
I'll definitely go back since the food was so good, hopefully just an off night with respect to the service.
Just great. There was nothing our family did not like about this restaurant. Did not have to choose from a menu that offered the same old choices. Everything we ordered was delicious! Great selection of wine and beer. Our servers, Julia and Paul, were fabulous. The restaurant itself is modern and inviting. Loads of free parking. Definitely going back!
This place was amazing! The Arctic char was so Great! Very fresh and delicious! Everyone enjoyed dinner the desserts were fantastic! Finally nice to have a good restaurant in the NW!! Must go again!
Amazing food and service. GO GO GO!. Located just outside of downtown, this restaurant is great for a date, casual drinks, and comfort food. Their Salmon Grav Lox had my palette jumping for joy. Their cauliflower croquettes were crunchy, savory, and the curry aioli was a great pairing. TRY THE LOBSTER POT PIE!! Savory, warm, and comforting. I felt like I was eating lobster that was caught that day. Their butterscotch pie isn't a typical type of pie. It's a piece of sweet sweet heaven. Almost feels like you're eating maple candy.
Perhaps I should stop describing everything.. go try it for yourself. GO GO GO!!
Also, Julia was the best server I had in a long time. Never pushed me to order something I didn't want. And suggested an amazing wine.
I know I'll be going back.
Finally checked out Block. Delicious! Great wine and beer selection. Great decor. Tasty food. We enjoyed a caesar, blueberry ale, tuna melt and chicken salad sandwich served with their delicious French fries. Server was attentive and personable. Will definitely be a repeat customer.
Wow! Delicious food, wonderful staff.. We enjoyed our first visit so much, we have been back 3 times! Unfortunately we have been raving about it to all the neighbours, so it won't be 'quiet' much longer! Food so fresh and uniquely prepared. Amazing. Very knowledgeable, perfectly attentive staff. We love it!
Excellent! You must make this your "go to" spot!
Had a lovely experience today at The Block, I ordered the Spinach salad and my husband ordered the Pork shoulder, both amazing dishes! Not only was the food amazing but our waitress Alicia was attentive and wonderful which always makes the experience that much better. We finished with the Lemon Curd dessert, it was tasty and refreshing, a perfect way to finish the meal. Thank you for a wonderful experience!
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