alloy

if you're looking for a posh place in calgary, check alloy . located in the middle of nowhere (220 42 avenue southeast, calgary), this restaurant is nothing like its surroundings. once inside, you're up for a big surprise: a white/ black design, with pink

no luck at alloy. i have been to alloy 3 times and i'm still not convinced it a good choice. we had lunch a few days ago and upon entering the restaurant i was knocked over by the smell of stale fish. seafood does not smell if it does it's probably bad. the noise level is also a major issue. the ceiling is solid wood and reflects audio very well. this is not a place for a quiet dining experience. my dish was adequate but a little bland. i don't think i will be going back a 4th time.

a nice night out. really quite perfect.. the service was not rushed, the server helpful and friendly but not overbearing. the appetizers were not minuscule overpriced nothings but tasty multilayer treats. the mains were a reasonable size with awesome veg. the care taken in choosing seasonal specials and veg was a welcome thought. a very nice night and very reasonably priced.

i went to alloy with friends and found it quite good, but just shy of fabulous.

this wasn’t the first time i’ve been to alloy and it has been a while since the last time i visited, which was an interesting experience to say the least, so i figured it was time to go back and seeing what has changed i’m happy to say that i was pleasant

one of the best meals of my life at alloy. we just enjoyed a fantastic meal at alloy. every moment of the experience was memorable, in a very good way. the resto itself is gorgeous despite its odd industrial-lite location, really unique and very much a chic, coastal vibe. the food was exquisite and the service impeccable. we had the amuse, the most generous one i've ever seen, of hummous and soft pita triangles with an assortment of olives- all free- and then enjoyed a too-abundant two apps each and one main. we had seared scallops, spicy tuna tataki, duck "potstickers," lobster tempura, and mains of the day's special of grilled char and a magnificent roast chicken with gnocchi. one desert each of a brownie with banana creme and chocolate gelato, and pineapple-coconut bread pudding with a rum gelato. two martinis, bottle of still water and one glass of wine- we really ate too much but every bit was superb. the total damage with tax and tip was $200, and the money was very much on the plate.

i think i have a new favourite resto in calgary!

yummo!. i had the ribs and the chocolate brownie. it was absolutely delicious. husband had surf and turf and creme brulee. we also had a german riesling that was awesome. next time will try and get the round table/booth, it looked very nice. our table was by the window and it was fine. our waiter was average but the food was so excellent. it was not cheap but we found it was good value.

date night. from top to bottom a great dinning experience. the decor is funky and cool and the food is fantastic. it's always fresh and flavours work well together in every dish. personal favs are the beef short rib and the roast duck. for dessert the banana bread pudding great way to finish.

the staff is always knowledgeable and polite. great place to take your date/gf/wife.

certainly a precious metal.. alloy impresses you from the time you walk in. the decor is very chic but not intimidating. the service is typical of new york restaurants...prompt,friendly,professional. it is one of the few places in the city that lives to its hype as a restaurant destination. bonus that they have their own parking. its too bad calgary restaurants do not get michelin stars because it certainly deserves one.

a few of us ladies decided to go out for dinner at alloy last night, and we were all very pleased with the food and the wonderful service we recieved. the very elegant and chic design of the restaurant set the perfect mood for us, the food was outstanding, along with our server laurenne who was ready to answer any questions you may have. overall i would recommend this restaurant to anybody and i will for sure be coming back. great place!

i am neutral on this one. while the interior design is eye catching and unique, the food doesn't match the decor. i ate lunch at alloy and opted for the bison burger with sweet potato fries. it was good, but not unique or exceptional in any way. i had the mango tiramisu for dessert...it was okay, but not worth the money.

second time i've been here and i must say stay away from the fish. it was too salty the first time i had the fish special and i ordered halibut that was not tasty at all. i love the ambience but for what it was, it was not one of the restaurants i would go back to. the hummus is awesome which i do reccomend but that's about it.


-----14 sep, 2009-----

went there last month and inside is very fancy. we had hummus to start which was very creamy and yummy and it was given to us as a bread to start my girlfriend and i also ordered the scallops and was cooked perfectly. our only complaint was that the meals we both ordered the fish special was overly salty and she had to order another in replace her meal. so if u try this place which u should get them to be light with the salt. i didn't think that the meal was too ba since this is fine dining

fabulous food, fabulous ambiance. highly recommend it.

overhyped but decent. the food at alloy was exactly what you'd expected for the price, i wasn't disappointed but i wasn't amazed. everything was prepared and presented nicely, as it should be at a fine dining establishment but the menu was pretty standard fare. the most pleasant surprise of my meal was the martini the bartender (mixologist) recommended.

the surrounding hype and implied sense of bourgeois indulgence is alloy's biggest weakness. absolutely no humbleness to be found here, even among the patrons. i was put off by the almost condescending way i was made to feel by the over-patronizing staff that yes, this is what it feels like to dine in a "high end" restaurant, just like in the movies! i don't know how many people in there were more into the vicarious sex and the city vibe than the food but unfortunately that doesn't work on everyone. nice decor and a very posh, polished and high end (though cookie cutter) menu might impress the "stampede crowd" or diners unfamiliar with establishments that have opened this century. for now alloy may have an advantage in calgary with its monopoly on placating the snobbish but this kind of place is dime a dozen in every other big city.

fantastic food. great atmosphere. great suggestions from the staff. excellent night out.