Robbie Stewart’s Sports Pub
102-10th St. N.W., Calgary
Rating: ** 1/2
Signature dish: Haggis balls
Dinner & drinks for 2: $38
The corner of 10th Street and Memorial Drive may be cursed. In the last three years alone, three different restaurants have come and gone.
It appears this hex does not discriminate. The Verve restaurant and martini bar was fancy, high price points; Ten Scene Cuisine was international fusion plates in a glossy lounge; latest victim Robbie Stewarts was a sports pub.
Opened just months ago in May, the pub seemed to prosper this summer with a regularly full Memorial-facing patio. Its menu, featuring Scottish items, seemed unique enough to stand out from all the other Kensington pubs.
A clan platter ($24.95) was piled high with goodies, including chicken marinated in an Indian tikka sauce then deep fried, salted cod fish mixed with Scotch bonnet peppers then deep fried, and haggis rolled into balls then deep fried. Scottish burger pockets, stuffed with seasoned ground beef, were dry and bland, and not deep fried. Wings, dry ribs and burgers meanwhile were pretty standard pub quality.
As we say goodbye to Robbie Stewarts and 2009, my best to the people who gave it a go.
Dining out
Ring in the new year at Rush (207-9th Ave. S.W.), named one of Canada’s top new restaurants. Two seatings ($75/$120) followed by the house DJ in the lounge.
The Selkirk Grille at Heritage Park (403-268-8500) also has two seatings on Dec. 31 for a five-course dinner ($85) with optional wine pairings ($45).
