what can you say about a restaurant that has been successful since it opened some 13 years ago? just go. but having eaten all around calgary, we've somehow never made it out to this popular hot-spot until just recently. short version: overall very enjoyable and we would go again. we'd also recommend it to friends who've never been.
long version: let's start with the picky. their timings seemed a little off throughout the evening. we were warmly greeted and seated very quickly upon arrival, even given a choice of two tables (we had a reservation). however it was a little while before our drink orders were taken, long enough we were also ready to order long before our drink order arrived. but then appetizers arrived very quickly. however...my wife's soup was served warm, not hot, as if it'd sat a while after being plated (the bowl was not hot either). although the soup was otherwise quite good, it just felt weird being served a bowl of "warm soup" in a restaurant. my appetizer, the squid in white wine a tomato sauce, was very tasty and well portioned, but i'd likely choose a different appetizer the next time. it's land locked calgary after all-- the squid had really seemed it'd been served from frozen.
after the appetizers had arrived in very short order, there was quite a lag until the entrees arrived. but when they did come, they were worth the wait. my wife enjoyed the lamb kabob platter. the funny part was, she remarked the best thing on the plate was the tabbouli salad more than the lamb. that likely speaks more to the high quality of the tabbouli salad, however, as the lamb was quite excellent on its own accord.
i enjoyed the lamb marinated in yoghurt with couscous. we both agreed, regardless of what entrees we would order again, go with the couscous on the side. it's a mediterranean restaurant after all- their couscous is very flavorful and complimented my lamb well.
after the entrees, we reviewed the dessert menu chose the creme caramel and chocolate torte along with an order of the arabic coffee. both of these items arrived very quickly and were agreatclose to our meals. however, my coffee was so long in arriving, despite nursing my torte as long as i could stand it, i was finished it before my coffee arrived. again, the timing of the whole evening seemed a little off, a detail i rarely pay attention to. (p.s. the coffee was great!).
all and all, we were impressed with aida's. the entire atmosphere of the completely packed restaurant (people arriving without reservations were being politely turned away) was one of diners at every table enjoying agreatnight out. so we're glad we finally made it out to aida's after so long and can now claim to no longer be aida virgins.