Caesar’s Steakhouse
512 Fourth Ave. S.W., Calgary
(403) 264-1222
www.caesarssteakhouse.com
Signature Drink: Caesar
Signature Dish: Chateaubriand for 2
Rating: ***
Dinner & drinks for 2: $100
Steakhouses in Calgary are a dime a dozen. But none have Caesar’s particular combination of dark wood, heavy red leather chairs, mirrored walls, Roman columns and a grill shaped like an Olympic torch.
Caesar’s elegant staff (I’ve never seen waitresses) — some look like they may have started with the restaurant when it opened in 1972 — are also unequalled in tuxedos and white dinner jackets.
Few things change here. But why would they? You don’t mess with success.
Escargot ($12.95), served in shells, and scampi ($13.95), slathered in garlic butter, are worthy starters.
Caesar’s is the place to go for steaks (Sterling Silver and AAA Alberta beef), charbroiled to order over the grill which you can see through a glass wall. My favourite cut, the ribeye, ($35.95 for 10 oz.) is juicy and well-marbled.
Steak Diane ($46.95) is flambéd table-side with a mushroom brandy sauce. Despite being pan-fried, the filet mignon remained tender and rare.
All entrées come with cheese toast and garlic toast, tossed salad, caramelized onion soup (salty!), and a choice of stuffed or baked potato, fries, or rice.
Despite its name, the cocktail was not invented here, but Caesar’s does make a mean Caesar.
Dining out
The Main Dish
Enjoy a four-course gourmet meal with wine pairings ($80/person) at The Main Dish (903 General Ave. N.E.) on Jan. 23.
Colors Cafe
Families and flapjack-lovers can check out the pancake bar (adults $10.95, children $8.95) at Colors Cafe at the Sheraton Cavalier (2620 32nd Ave. N.E.) on weekends.
