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Blink Restaurant & Bar
Category: Restaurants Canadian (New) Canadian (New) [Edit]
111 8 Ave SWCalgary, AB T2P 1B4
(403) 263-5330
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 3 pm
Mon-Fri 5 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 10 pm - 11 pm
Sat 4 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy, Trendy, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
37 reviews for Blink Restaurant & Bar
Review Highlights
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"We both shared the sticky toffee pudding, which was a bit..." In 2 reviews -
"The mushroom soup was perfect, so creamy and smooth." In 3 reviews -
"They have a great wine list." In 4 reviews
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37 reviews in English
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Review from Chelsea W.
Calgary, AB
5/13/2012
Top notch restaurant that definitely defines the experience of "fine dining"!
It was the time of year where it was my boyfriends birthday where I wanted to take him to a nice restaurant. After taking into consideration places like Charcut and Notable which were rather high in price, I settled my decision on Blink Restaurant based on its reputation of fine dining with an intimate atmosphere and its rather reasonably priced menu. Boy am I ever glad I choose this place!
Located on Stephen's Avenue and 1st Street, Blink looks extremely tiny from the outside however looks can be extremely deceiving, because as you walk in the room is actually quite large. Shaped like a long room, the tables were nicely spaced apart from one another allowing diners to have an intimate dinner and not have to listen in on other people's gossip. The mixture of new and old pieces of decor complimented the dark brown and white hue of the restaurant allowing for a nice open atmosphere of comfort. Upon walking in we were warmly greeted by the hostess who promptly seated us in a comfy booth. Blink's menu is of European style dishes with a contemporary twist on the garnishes, spices and oils used in the cooking. While most of the dishes for seafood, chicken, or beef are priced around the $25 to $35 dollar range, vegetarian dishes are priced at a reasonable $20 per dish. Although it sounds pricey, do take into perspective the dishes that you are ordering and compare them to other restaurants where they are all actually very reasonably priced. My boyfriend ordered the special for the night which was a ribeye steak while I ordered a vegetarian gnocchi dish along with wine to accompany our dishes. As we waited for our meal to come, our server was highly attentive in refilling our glasses of water.
The wait for our meals was a little lengthy - however I can't complain as my boyfriend and I who are rather light eaters never get appetizers...which also applied to this dining experience. However the wait for the food was definitely worth it as the food that was beautifully prepared was equally delicious. The steak that my boyfriend ordered was cooked to precision as what a medium rare steak should be. My gnocchi dish was a little small in size for the average eater - however the flavours of the dish where the mix of garnishes and spices excused the small portions as the dish was quite tasty.
In the end the dinner came out to around $100 dollars (tip included) - although it was a rather pricey dinner, I had no issues footing the bill as my boyfriend and I had a great experience not just in food, but as well as service.
All in all, I definitely recommend dinners to try Blink restaurant out where its wonderful for intimate dinners with your loved ones. If you want exceptional service and food, along with a restaurant that doesn't have attitude and isn't jammed packed busy, then Blink may be for you.
Dinner recommendations:
Based on boyfriend's recommendation - the 9" ribeye steak -
Review from Rebecca C.
Vancouver, BC
5/10/2012
Came here for lunch - had no freaking clue the room was so lovely - the only word that comes to mind is serene. I felt comfortable and relaxed and ready to enjoy lunch with a glass of wine but once again I discovered (as many of the places in Calgary do) they carry Strongbow, yipee !!
They use alot of local ingredients - presentation was second to none - I would absolutely go back for dinner on a date because the lunch was divine and I only had the daily soup which happened to be roasted red pepper.
The server was knowledgable and just a bit fun, which I love in a server so overall a fabulous experience ! -
Review from Melissa L.
Calgary, AB
3/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've only been during "The Big Taste", so my experience may not represent a normal night at Blink.
We liked the decor- simple, modern and sleek, but still warm. We were seated near the back with a view of the (bright) kitchen and the bar. We noticed a cute-looking booth at the front with a great view of the street outside- worth reserving for a small group in the future!
For dinner I ordered from the Big Taste menu. My starter was a salad of endive, pears, parmesan and walnut. It was delicious. My entree was the ricotta gnocchi (with black chanterelles); it was also very good, but not a filling portion. I don't know if they serve a larger portion outside the Big Taste season. Dessert was an ice cream sandwich with homemade ginger cookies and caramel ice cream- again, really good.
Overall service was friendly and attentive, although after our meal while I was in the washroom my friend overheard the staff complaining about getting a small tip from another table. Definitely unprofessional. Another small complaint is that similar to other 8th Ave restaurants the basement washrooms smell a bit like sewers. I know it's (probably) not their fault, but if I'd been paying full price for that meal I'd be expecting top food, service AND facilities. -
Review from Jay T.
Edmonton, AB
5/22/2012
Went with a group on the long weekend. The server was very friendly and attentive. The cheese soufflé was my favourite appetizer and I ordered the halibut, which was fantastic. The best part of the dinner was the desserts. We ordered pretty much every dessert and passed them around the table. We ended up ordering several extra of the raspberry dessert (I forget what it was called). I will definitely go again the next time I am in Calgary!
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Review from Stephanie S.
Calgary, AB
5/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Dinner with the girls brought us to Blink. I was initially really annoyed because I could NOT find the place for the life of me, and downtown parking is super frustrating. Once I arrived (and promptly smashed a glass of my girlfriends red wine...yes it was one of those days!) I allowed myself to relax and was pleasantly surprised. The restaurant is small, but it's cozy and intimate. Since I was late, I didn't get a chance to try any appetizers, but the remaining scallops and cheese on our table looked wonderful. I ordered a Lychee Martini and it was delicious! For dinner I had the Beef Tenderloin, which I debated on since it seemed to be one of the most expensive items on the list. But I thought, I'm having a bad day so screw it! I'm going to order what I want. I was so glad I did because it was fabulous. We ordered a few more drinks and eventually the Earl Grey Creme Brulee for dessert (DELICIOUS). I was really impressed with the food, as well as the service. They graciously comped the wine that I spilled which I thought was very nice of them. It was a pretty pricey meal, but a really nice experience all together.
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Review from Charles S.
3/4/2012
If you're within 100 km (70 miles to my paisanos) of Calgary , don't miss this foodie experience. It was worth going out on a -8 Celsius night.
I was there on a cold winter night with a colleague, but as soon as we entered the door the gloom faded away. The hostess enveloped us in her warmth as she took out coats and showed us to our table.
Michael, the server, actually made recommendations. And they were all terrific.
Appetizer: scallops that were like velvet. "Roast sea scallops, chick pea puree, black olive & espelette spiced canola oil." (Anyone know what "espelette" means?)
Main courses:
1. Organic rabbit from Lethbridge, which I take it is a small town south of Calgary. (I think the organic bunny was a regular at Lethbridge Bikram.) It came with "rainbow carrots" that were sweet and lovely. This dish was extraordinary.
2. Short ribs of beef. The meat was falling off the bone and luscious. Thank you colleague for sharing a bite or two.
Dessert: English-style sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce. Pudding means dessert in Brit speak. This was a fabulous rectangle of a gingery, molasses cake soaked in butterscotch sauce. It is way better than it sounds.
Great food, great meal, beautiful restaurant. Extraordinary service without an attitude. Don't miss it.Listed in: Five Star Nation
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Review from Chris C.
5/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Had an excellent beef short rib entree. I don't have much else to say because we were here for a super late dinner where we ate and left. I will be back to try a more complete set of dishes off the menu and update my review accordingly.
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Review from Chris P.
12/24/2011
I came here last night with a friend for a Christmas friend date. From beginning to end the service was impeccable.
The menu is small but there's excellent choices on it. Appetizers will run you from $9 soups up to around $13 for things like tataki. The mains are $28 to $38 but average at about $33. I had the tenderloin of beef ($38) and my friend went with the Sable fish ($33). The beef was so tender I almost didn't need a knife to cut it. It just melted in my mouth. The side's were earthy vegetables which included beets and turnips. Also there was a tasty red cabbage compote. The veggies were nicely braised so they stayed crunchy and firm.
The wine list here is almost endless. You can order by the glass ($8-20), by half bottle, or full bottles ($45-240+). It was hard to choose but eventually decided on a bottle of Twenty Rows from Napa Valley ($75). It was a little fruitier than what I like out of a Cabernet Savignon but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
For desert my friend and I shared a sticky toffee pudding ($10). It was warm and moist and thoroughly soaked through with sauce. It was the perfect way to end the meal.
To finish the night I had a glass of Merlot, of which the brand escapes me at the moment, and my friend had a Riesling.
The total bill including tax and tip came to just shy of $300. A great value for the quality of ingedients and service you'll get here.Listed in: December 2011, The best of YYC
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Review from Nyssa R.
11/2/2011 ROTD 1/26/2012
This is definitely as good as it gets!
My cousin goes here often because it's his favourite restaurant, and I definitely know why now. Not only were we treated really well but we got to sample a lot of the tasty menu items. The chef and Leslie even came out to speak with us throughout the night. They offered to hang our coats and there was great attention to details throughout the restaurant. What a wonderful evening!!!
We started with the foie gras. If you haven't tried it... you really are missing out. It's unbelievable. It melts in your mouth and doesn't have a strong pate flavour but just enough to make it the best foie gras I've ever had. Hands down! It went well with the Fog Dog pinot noir. Next we ordered a side order of their risotto gnocci and their special - hamachi. It was served sashimi style and it had great texture and flavour. I don't know how to describe the risotto it was creamy and just the right amount of seasoning.
I was surprised at the selection of meals. A lot of very different entrees with twists. I had never tried rabbit, so I was excited to sample a little from someone else who ordered. It was good though, very... meaty. I don't know how to describe it but rabbit has little to no fat, but they managed to make it not tough at all. Also tried the roast halibut done with a Japanese twist. I love when people use mushrooms with fish :) And for me, I chose the crispy pork. It wasn't pork in the conventional cut, it was the pork belly, which I've only tried at Japanese restaurants before. The soft texture of the pork and buttery flavour went well with the crispy, spicy and strong flavour of the chorizo. Last but not least, they brought us out a cooked hamachi collar. It's not on the menu but it's definitely a delicacy and something you must try if you have a chance. -
Review from Paula M.
Banff, AB
1/30/2012
YUMMY!!!!!
had the surf and turf a while back.... craving it right now..
good service, good food, good atmosphere! -
Review from Arc P.
11/25/2011
I have heard really good things about Blink, so I was really excited when I dragged my date here. It has a beautiful atmosphere with modern decor integrated perfectly with the exposed brick. The tables had these large chairs that were very comfortable. Being a bigger guy I did appreciate larger chairs to rest my large posterior.
For drinks we had 2 glasses of Big Fire Pinot Noir ($12/glass). This was the highlight of the meal for me. It was just good stuff, perfect to loosen one up before a great meal.
We had the mushroom soup ($9) and as starters Squash soup ($9). The mushroom soup was perfect, so creamy and smooth. The squash soup was surprising thin and light. Not like a butter nut squash.
For a main course we had the Beet Salad ($13.50). It was light and refreshing. Almost tasted like a spring type dish. We also had the Rabbit ($33). This guy was from Lethbridge. It's always good to eat a local little one of these guys. I like the fact that most of the ingredients are from Alberta or BC. They go out of there way to let you know about it. Service was good. Pricey.
24/30 Yelp 30 Day Challenge -
Review from Merry K.
12/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
This year I decided that Christmas lunches were going to include visits to new restaurants that I've always wanted to try but never got too. Blink was quickly added to the list. We were lucky and got to sit in the front window table. Great people viewing! It's seems a bit chilly at first but if you put one of the lovely pillows behind your back, it warms you up immediately.
Our waiter was very attentive and had a great sense of humor. He was a great help with choosing our meals. We started with the albacore tuna on toast to share. it was tasty but a bit salty. We chose 3 different entrees (the fried chicken, the sea bream and the duck) but we traded a bite of each so that everyone could try a bit of each. All were very good but I would have to say the duck won hands down. Unfortunately that's not what I ordered. I had the fried chicken and it was awesome as well. I'll have to go back for the duck! We shared the creme brulee and the sticky toffee pudding for dessert.
Overall a great meal and great service. -
Review from Kaeleigh E.
Calgary, AB
12/5/2011
How have I not reviewed Blink??? It was a while ago that I came here, and I was very impressed. I really love how it looks tiny on the outside but it is really very big on the inside. Way to fool us all, Blink!
So I had the squash soup for starers. It was fantastic! I really love a good squash soup, and the chefs at Blink really knocked it out of the park. And it was the perfect size serving, too. For my main I don't even remember exactly what I had but it was the beef dish they were serving with potatoes and greens. I polished off the plate, everything was perfect. Dessert was pavlova with berries. Again, a flawless dish.
Our server was really nice, but the restaurant was packed so he wasn't too up in our faces either. The ladies at the hostess table and coat check were nice too!
My experience here was in a word, perfect. And I can't wait to go back! -
Review from Happybadfish S.
Toronto, ON
9/15/2011
I ate here this past weekend on Friday night for my wedding anniversary. Every single thing we ordered was delicious. The waitress we had seemed to be very busy, even though it wasn't that full, but there was a host or manager person that was very attentive and picked up any slack in service we had. He even brought us a complimentary starter since we were there for a celebration.
We ordered the Soufflé, Scallops, and the Albacore tataki. I'd probably skip the Tataki, it was a bit bland. Three starters might be a bit much, but I usually enjoy small plates better than a large entrée. The waiter brought us the Beets because it was our anniversary, and we really enjoyed it. The Scallops were my favourite of the starters we had.
For mains we had the Tenderloin and the Halibut. Both were delicious and we could not finish either of them. This meant we were much to full to sample any deserts.
We drank the Alex Gambal Chardonnay and it was fantastic. Incredibly hard to find to purchase, so have a glass or two while you are there and think of me! -
Review from Emma G.
4/19/2011
The first thing that happened when I got to Blink was that they had lost our reservation. I'm not sure how, but they did. That was kind of a bummer but the hostesses immediately found us a table so thank goodness for that.
Our server was very professional and friendly. We were there for the Big Taste menu so we ordered pretty quickly.
The first thing I had was a cheese souffle. I'd never had souffle before but man, it was good! Light and fluffy and cheesey and fantastic.
For a main I had salmon - also delicious! Perfectly cooked.
Dessert was pavlova...also delicious! It was topped with fresh berries, and was all creamy-crunchy-cold-awesome.
At some point the server disappeared and then later spilled water on me...not sure what that was about, but whatever. The food was too tasty for me to care.
I will absolutely be going back sometime.Listed in: Calgary Five Stars
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Review from Danelle W.
Calgary, AB
Went to Blink with a group of ladies and we had an awesome experience. While the menu is fairly small, there's quite a variety and there should be something for anyone. Including, as it turns out, vegans - the server was quick to point out dishes that one of the attendees could eat with little to no modifications to ingredients.
While on the higher end price-wise, the food quality is definitely worth it. Everything we had was exquisite. We stuck with appetizers mainly (cheese plate, gyoza, beet tart, scallops), but those who ordered mains were also impressed with their meals.
The server was attentive, kept filling water glasses and made sure we had everything we needed. The staff were very friendly overall.
I'd love to come back and try the cocktails, mains & dessert. Definitely a must-visit!Listed in: Downtown places, Five Star places, Cocktail places
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Review from Mike C.
Calgary, AB
1/17/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Tasty rich food with lots of veggie options. Portions a wee bit small though
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Review from Michael L.
Calgary, AB
11/26/2011
Really nice food expertly prepared with good quality ingredients. We found the service to be really good. Everyone was friendly and quick to serve us but stayed out of the way so that we could enjoy a nice quiet meal. We had the cheese soufflet and the crispy duck to start and they were both amazing followed by the tenderloin and the sable fish which were again, delicious. For dessert we had the iced nougat and the sorbet which were both really nice.
Very exceptional restaurant. My only (small) complaint was that I found the wines by the glass list to be a little weak. I drink red and my wife drinks white so a bottle, of which they have some great choices, wasn't an option. I started with a glass of the pinot noir but found it really weak and flavourless. Again, not a huge issue but when you're paying over $200 for a dinner for 2 you expect a certain quality, even from wines by the glass.
Having said that, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this restaurant. -
Review from Wendy P.
2/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Blink looks narrow and long from the outside. From the inside, though it is still much longer than it is wide, it's not as small as I initially thought.
Blink has impressed me from the get go. I made a reservation through Open Table. The day of, Blink called to confirm the reservation. When I arrived, our table was ready and waiting. My coat was hung in the coat room with care and I had hopes that my tablemates would all soon be there.
We were a table of 8 and ordered drinks and shared a few appys. We settled on the golden and chioggia beet tart, British Columbia spot prawn gyoza, and a plate of cheese from the charcuterie menu. I also ordered green hubbard squash with sage and potato gnocchi. Blink is one of the many restaurants that sources all ingredients locally. I think it shows in the flavour and freshness of the food. My favourites from our meal were the beet tart and the gnocchi. The first time I ever tried gnocchi was in Italy, so I'm always a little weary of eating it in Canada. Blink did this dish justice.
It may have helped that the restaurant was not all that busy during our visit, but our experience was nothing short of immaculate. As Danelle W mentioned, one of our dishes was modified easily to include goat cheese on the side and with no fuss from our server to accommodate one of our guests. -
Review from Matt R.
Updated - 11/28/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Came back a year later, and still, heavenly. Happy Birthday to me.
This time, we started with mushroom soup and a beet salad. The beets, while something I usually hate, were prepared so well that I was willing to negotiate. The mushroom soup, a perfect earthy and creamy prelude to dinner. We went with three amazing dishes for mains. First, a chanterelle gnocchi hit all the marks, with the right texture of dumpling supporting the amazing local fungi. Local "Peking" duck was presented in thin, rare slices, lightly sauced, and convinced a skeptical Russian duck fan that this high-end cuisine was indeed worth the effort. Since it was my birthday, I went with the tenderloin, medium rare, with a lovely risotto side. I rarely order pure steak at restaurants, but this had the quality, saucing, and presentation that exceeded what I could do at home. The desserts were heavy on the nuts so I could only taste the sauces and icing, but my companions were extremely happy with everything.
The wine list was great, selection was good, and the pairings were well-advised. Service was friendly and accommodating (we showed up 30 minutes early due to the difficulties of coordinating three people from three hotels, yet our table was already waiting for us).
This place is indeed a destination. Every trip to Calgary demands a visit.Listed in: The Places I Go
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/11/2010
A little bit of the Bay Area up in the frozen tundra. The influence of Alice Waters goes far and… Read more »
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Review from S W.
Calgary, AB
11/3/2011
I have been here on a few occasions and have always had a mediocre experience. I don't find anything there to be extraordinarily great. The portions are tiny and the price is not.
I just recently had the braised short ribs which consisted of: 1 boneless rib, 3 parsnip fries & 3 button mushrooms in a small bowl. It was barely a meal and I could taste no seasonings at all. I don't think that I will be giving it another try.
I will say that it is not quite as loud as many of the other restaurants on Stephen Avenue and the service was decent. -
Review from Cathy D.
Calgary, AB
3/15/2011
I've been to Blink for lunch and dinner and was fairly impressed both times. Atmosphere wise Blink has nailed it, cozy chic without being overbearing or stark.
The menu is interesting, I can't say I was over the top in love with the food. My pasta tasted...plain, and the Cod Brandade doesn't hold a candle to the one at Una. My lunch dining companion raved about the rabbit and my dinner dining companion loved the fish.
That said, I have to rave about the side dishes. The mac and cheese (oh yes I am huge M&C fan) was excellent, as was everything else I tried. The wine list is interesting, bigger than some and fairly diverse.
I found the service to be attentive without being suffocating or lacking, it struck exactly the right balance.
Absolutely a go to for me again. Blink is one of those rare cases that can can serve both as a business lunch spot or a special night out destination. -
Review from Ferlyn C.
Calgary, AB
12/22/2011
This is one of my favs. I can't say enough about the menu and wine list.
The duck is the best in Calgary, one of the best in Canada.
I like the atmosphere so I tend to show up for a bottle of wine and the cheese plate to spend an evening. The cheese plate comes with an offering of raw honeycomb which is great.
If you sit at the front and look out at the heritage buildings it feels like France or Italy in the evening, which helps pass the time in Calgary.
Definitely recommend Blink -
Review from Kate B.
11/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
I really loved every minute of my night out at Blink. Came in after a symphony show for dinner, a bit on the later side. I have to agree with the other reviewers, they really go over top with the service here - and it is the attention to details that make all of the difference. The food was excellent, our server was very knowledgable and helpful, and the ambience was perfect. All in all, this one stays in the pocket for when I want a gauranteed fantastic dining experience.
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Review from Denni P.
Vancouver, BC
9/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Eating here made my Calgary business trip bearable and now I wanna go back! Although I found it a bit pricey I understand that most Calgary restaurants are pricier compared to Vancouver. The rabbit was superb, probably the best I've ever tasted. The cheese souffle (appetizer) was just the right amount since it was a very rich treat. I had dessert envy, since I ordered the sorbet assortment I should have known I would have had dessert envy. The frozen nougat dessert was a favorite amongst the people at the table. I'll be back.
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Review from gilles P.
Calgary, AB
3/29/2011 2 Check-ins Here
When: Friday 25 of March 2011.
Vibe: the place was busy and happening
Where; At the Bar.
Bartender: Daisy. Great service.
Food : The souflé and the beef chick braised. 9 on a 10..
Great service and food. One of the best restaurant in Calgary..
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Review from Adrian B.
Calgary, AB
7/19/2011
Visited Blink for the first time this evening for a wine pairing with NZ producer Forrest Wine. I won't get into the details of the dining room but can be described as simple elegance. We started with appetizers of beef carpaccio, tuna tartare and arancini. The beef and tuna were splendid but I found the arancini to be on the salty side. This paired well however with the Cava paired to it which redeemed it. First course was a beautifully presented beet, radish and goat cheese salad. The texture of the wafer thin sliced vegetables paired with the creaminess of the goat cheese was a smashing success. The second course of gazpacho and chilled tomato soup was ok however the prawn and pea spring roll was dynamite. The 3rd course was a duck confit with gnocchi and morel mushrooms. This was literally plate licking good and reminds me that I should always order duck. Dessert was a lemon cream with strawberries. Each course was expertly paired and the service of the kitchen and wait staff was impeccable. This is a special dining experience that was worth every penny. I'd go back and think that due to the seasonal nature of their menu should be revisited.
A worthy splurge!Listed in: The Best of Calgary IMHO
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Review from Janelle B.
Calgary, AB
6/21/2009
We celebrated our 12 yr anni here on a Friday night. I thought it would be packed but it wasnt , which wa a welcome change. The food was great. The Foes Grais Parfait on breoasch is AMAZING! I had the special salmon , it was wonderfu! My husband had the duck and it was good, not really any thing special. They have a great wine list. dessert was great as well. The crem brulee and the choclate cake was devine!
Service was good. She was very attentive, although she seemed as if she was a bit scared.. Maybe ishe just started working there.?
I will def be back.
So far one of the best places Ive been to in Calgary!! -
Review from Sapna G.
Calgary, AB
6/24/2010
A couple of nights ago a close friend and I headed over to blink for a quiet meal before heading out dancing.
I found the atmosphere to be quite cozy and welcoming. I loved the fact that we were greeted as we came in and I thought the 'Chef's Table' featuring the daily specials was a very nice touch.
Our server was nothing short of professional and I was impressed by the menu as it offered its own vegetarian section. I opted to order the 'Saute of Polenta' which was excellent and my date ordered the halibut which he thoroughly enjoyed. The prices were steep ($17 for my meal, $33 for his) however I was happy to find out that Blink uses only the freshest ingredients, which all happen to be locally-grown. So not only were we enjoying a meal, but we were supporting the local market as well - win/win situation!
Blink is definitely the kind of place you'd head to for a romantic evening out, or somewhere you'd go to have sparkling conversation with a good friend. it's the kind of place where intimate conversation is possible and it is the perfect prelude dinner spot before going off elsewhere to dance the night away. -
Review from Mike M.
Calgary, AB
9/17/2010 1 photo
My friend and I love anything to do with goat cheese, so almost immediately we order the tomatoe and goat cheese salad ($13.50). Almost as quickly as we had ordered it, we had devoured the perfectly tasty salad. We tried to be patient and enjoy it, but it was just too good.
I can absolutely never turn down lamb, especially when I know it was going to be good. And Blink is one of those places where you just know that it is going to be good. I ordered the grilled leg of lamb for $32. As I had suspected, it was mouth-watering. The whole meal had been perfect.
The service was also really great and they were very well informed. They helped us picked a perfect bottle of wine for our meal.
The day I went, we got a private table right by the window. It was snowing outside, but the atmosphere couldn't have been more warm.
They also hold cooking classes the last Sunday of every month. I actually haven't gone to these classes yet, but if they can make me cook food as tasty as what is on the menu, I'm going to register ASAP. -
Review from Natalie S.
Calgary, AB
11/24/2011
After reading so many excellent reviews for this place, Hubby and I were really excited to try it for ourselves. Maybe I was simply too excited for it, but overall, we weren't impressed. The room is beautiful. Nice high ceiling, beautiful exposed brick walls. Absolutely lovely. The food was also lovely.
So, now you're probably thinking, what's the problem then?
Well, in our case there were a couple of problems. 1) the portion sizes. Neither my husband nor myself are big eaters, but the entrees were small! We were both still hungry after our main dish. 2) the service. There was nothing completely wrong with our server, but he certainly didn't go above and beyond for us. Nothing stood out about the service as being particularly warm, thoughtful or skilled. The server hadn't even drawn our attention to the fact side dishes are separate from the main courses. As a result, we ordered our mains, they arrived, we saw there were no sides on our plates, we ordered sides and they arrived after we were done our entrees. Overall the pacing in general was just off. We wanted to enjoy a leisurely dinner, we ordered a bottle of wine, etc., etc. but our appetizers came out very quickly and our mains weren't far behind. The other issue we had with the server was that I explained, when we first got the menu, that I'm gluten-free. I asked for advice about what items I could order...he said everything was an option for me as they're good about tweaking things as needed to accommodate dietary restrictions. I settled on the duck confit salad as my appetizer and then the server tells me it can't be tweaked as there's soya sauce in it. Wish I had known that before getting my heart set on it.
Would I go back? Probably not. It was an expensive meal and though the food was tasty, there just wasn't enough of it and the service wasn't polished enough to justify such an expensive night out. -
Review from Ray Z.
Excellent dining experience in Calgary. Had the salmon special with a great Chardonnay. Great service.
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Review from Aymie R.
Calgary, AB
7/24/2011
A great spot for a classy business lunch! I have hated peas since I was a kid, but their pea risotto is fabulous. Nice to know there is a spot downtown where I can have lunch with clients and not feel guilty after!
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Review from Madam X.
Calgary, AB
11/14/2009
We had a lovely meal at Blink a few weeks ago. It was one of those places I kept hearing about, but we just never found the time to go, which we regret now.
We had the salumi cheese appetizer, plus the wild mushroom soup. Both were fantastic and we were literally licking the pesto sauce for the salumi off the plate. They have beautiful, crusty bread, which of course is a secret where they get it from *darn*
My husband had Moroccan chicken, which is a bit disappointing; I thought it tasted fairly bland, but it was well prepared. My rabbit with gnocchi was amazing and I had to hide it from my husband who kept stealing bits off my plate. We both shared the sticky toffee pudding, which was a bit of delicous, suprisingly very light, sweetness to end the evening. The room was modern but had a slight romantic feel to it with warm grey tones and candles in the evening. We sat near the window in an alcove. Fine for summer, but a bit chilly for fall weather.
Service was very good, but slightly fake at the beginning, and our server seemed to warm up to us in the end; other staff were very warm and friendly. This place is a winner and our new "to go" place when dining after work downtown. -
Review from bobby t.
Calgary, AB
11/12/2011
The service you get from Lesley and the food Chef Richard creates is a unbeatable combination in Calgary. Other restaurants can learn from Blink that a simple elegant decor, well trained staff, reasonable prices, and the best food can exist in Calgary. This restaurant success is portable..it can match with some of the best restaurants in NYC, San Fran or Vegas. I hope they find the energy to open another Calgary Restaurant.
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Review from Stephanie H.
Vancouver, BC
12/5/2010 3 photos
Go between 5 and 6:30 for the special prix fixe menu! It's fresh farm ingredients brought to the table. I had the rabbit rillette (very good), the flat iron steak (can't go wrong) with descent risotto and the sticky toffee pudding is worth it. Anyway price, ambiance, service and wine list make this a must try.
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Review from J A.
8/20/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Great food in Calgary. Salmon was perfect, mac-n-cheese was also delicious! During our Stampede visit to Calgary we were walk-ins for dinner at Blink one night. We ate outside so I cannot speak to the inside setting. Service was great from start to finish and the food was excellent. There was no kids menu but my kids loved the mac-n-cheese and so did I.
