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Laurier Lounge
Category: Restaurants Canadian (New) Canadian (New)
1111 7 Street SouthwestCalgary, AB T2R 1A1
(403) 228-3771
- Hours:
Mon 5 pm - 11 pm
Tue-Fri 11 am - 11 pm
Sat-Sun 9 am - 11 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dessert, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
14 reviews for Laurier Lounge
14 reviews in English
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Review from Van B.
11/24/2011 ROTD 12/30/2011
Laurier Lounge can easily be missed if you aren't looking for it hard enough. Kind of tucked behind the Safeway it stands there on its own radiating an old school charm. Although I find it a little odd when you first walk to the steps to hear music that you would probably expect to hear at some Mexican festival be sure to keep moving forward through the front door.
Small in size but large in coziness with a low lit intimate atmosphere that is great for first dates, second dates or just dates in general. Great for when you want to have a quiet gathering with your friends and family to celebrate whatever you feel like making up that day.
Our server was attentive and patient as we had never been there before so we were trying to figure out what to eat, mind you, changing our minds once or twice to make sure we are trying something we really want to have.
We came in a party of 20 something so I really don't remember what everyone had besides what my one friend who sat at the same table as I did and of course what I had as well.
I wasn't hugely hungry but I didn't not want to eat either so I settled for their lounge menu and ordered the Cajun Chicken Burger which Laurier Lounge claims as the second best burger in Calgary with a side of fries. The Cajun Chicken Burger consists of Spicy raspberry chutney, brie, garlic aioli, lettuce and tomato.
This burger was huge, I had to cut it into four pieces and devour it one corner at a time. Not to mention that it comes with a side of fries which are delicious and make you even more full than you previously were trying to munch down the burger.
My friend sitting across the table from me had the Warren Buffet Burger which has onion, emmentaler cheese, horse radish & aioli, lettuce and tomato. Again I think the size of the burger is huge (for me anyway). Beef itself was tasty and delicious. He also ordered poutine instead of friends and it really made me sad when I saw his poutine and even more sad when I tasted it - simply salivating (is that a real word??).
I would definitely come back here for another go at something different on the menu.Listed in: For everything else…
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Review from Stephanie S.
Calgary, AB
3/13/2012
Big Taste & weekly date night landed us at Laurier Lounge on Saturday. I had been here once before for a girlfriends birthday, we had a wonderful private room upstairs and the food was excellent. This time, I was eager to try the fondue since we usually venture up to Banff for that. We were seated upstairs again, which was lovely, however the lighting was so dim that I could NOT see the menu! The waitress must have noted my squinting (and my face about 2 inches from the menu) so she brought over another candle. It didn't help much, but I appreciated the gesture. The dim lighting made for a really romantic setting, so I couldn't complain too much. The ambiance was very warm and cozy, I liked that a lot.
Since we were set on the Big Taste menu, we knew what we were getting right away, which was the 3 course fondue meal. We ordered a bottle of wine to start off, which as usual in these types of restaurants was RIDICULOU$, but it was date night so why not. I could tell the server was busy so I didn't pay too much attention to our wait time, especially since I was in good company, but it seemed that the wine did take a while. She actually spilled a bit on my foot while pouring it - no biggie, just a waste of my wine! Haha. We debated ordering some appies along with our fondue, but our waitress simply stated that it would be "too much food". Now, we like to eat. A LOT. So I found it a little off putting, but we decided to share a soup anyway. Once that was out of the way, we received our first course which was the cheese & bread, and it was heavenly. The second was the meat (ball?) with a variety of sauces. I enjoyed the sauces a lot, but I wasn't a big fan of the broth cooking method as well as the cut of beef (so thin)...I really enjoy Grizzly House in Banff because there is a hot rock method that is much tastier/healthier and the pieces of meat are thick and flavorful. This was one thing that I found Laurier Lounge lacking in, but it's all about personal preference. Finally, we had the chocolate and fruit fondue which as always, was delicious.
Thanks to the wine, our bill was a bit more than I expected, but it was a nice experience. I would like to return here for the poutine, because I've heard it's really tasty. However, the next time I am craving fondue, I will drive out to Banff for that. -
Review from Adrian B.
Calgary, AB
3/11/2012
So, my experience with the Laurier Lounge did not mirror any of the previous reviews at all. Took up their offer of The Big Taste Calgary for lunch and wow, what a disappointment. They served a Cream of Mussel soup whose broth was so watery and tasteless that it would make canned soup from Campbells seem delicious. The braised lamb shank was overdone, the mashed potatoes boring and the ratatouille was a little blah. The restaurant (upstairs) was quite full and got very stuffy, very fast. Also, their menus - look like they have been done by a 14 year old dungeons and dragons geek on his Pentium 4 PC. The club soda was good, it had ice and lime.
Boring wine list, boring desserts that are surprisingly expensive. Perhaps dinner or lounging is a better experience but if you are considering it for lunch, rethink. -
Review from Joney P.
Vancouver, BC
9/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
The poutine is a must try, it's so sinfully good you know it's all worth it after your first bite.
The other dishes were fresh and flavorful.
Service there is wonderful! -
Review from Wendy P.
The Laurier Lounge can be easy to miss if you don't know it's there. Hidden in behind Safeway, the old Stanley House (where George Stanley-from whom the design for the Canadian flag originated-grew up) is now home to a restaurant with a French accent and the Warren Buffett burger.
Having heard many great things over the years about a burger at the Laurier Lounge, this was my chance to finally try one. The lounge remains on the first floor, but up on the second floor, the original rooms of the house divvy up the space. Tables and chairs are arranged rather cozily. It's crowded on a busy day, but today, we had a room to ourselves.
Our server was friendly and attentive. Our food made fresh and without delay. I chose a side of soup with my burger. It was split pea and ham. "It looks kind of gross because of the colour, but it tastes really good!" the server promised as she took my order.
After a few bites, I understood why friends had been talking about the burger at the Laurier Lounge for so long. I savoured the last few bites and sat back, satisfied. I don't dare yet declare this the best burger I've had in Calgary, as I have many burgers left to try... but I do say, it's currently the front runner. -
Review from Toni S.
Calgary, AB
4/17/2011
Meh..Fondue quite pricey. $112.00 for the couples fondue. It was about $30.00 worth of seafood and $5.00 of veggies. Our bill for fondue for two, two bottles of wine $250.00. We are not cheap diners. But for $250.00 of our heard-earned money at least put some effort into it.
The first floor is quaint, cozy. The bar area was a comfortable, yummy morsel in itself. The bartender was friendly, prompt and full of smiles. Not sure if I would go back for dinner....maybe for a drink in the bar or on the patio in the summer.
Overall dinner presentation was bland. The baked potato completely soaked in butter like something you would get from Wendy's. The house salad was nothing special. Looked and tasted rubbery like it came from a bag. No culinary expression attempted.
Table service completey scattered. We had two to three servers for our table of eight. No smiles, no conversation. Forgotten drinks, forgotten plates of seafood for the fondue. Fondue pots looked dirty. One of the fondue pots caught on fire at the table. A bottle of Coors Lite $7.00....really?! If upcharging an astronomical amount for bottles of wine at least compromise on the beer.
Overall...really nothing to write home about or refer someone to.... -
Review from Sarah B.
7/21/2010 ROTD 10/2/2010
Dear Yelpers,
I'm letting you in on a little secret. Laurier Lounge does brunch and it's amazing. I'm not one to tell secrets without being able to back it up, so here's why:
Excellent coffee. Both espresso based drinks and the coffee press are the perfect pick-me-up on a weekend morning.
Great eggs. The omelettes come open-faced, with a good meat/cheese/other toppings ratio.
Interesting potatoes. How often are you surprised by hash browns? Me either. I swear there is something sweet about these potatoes and I sometimes dream about them at night.
Crepes and croissants - the sweet smell of home made baked goods hits you first. One look at the buttery croissant could possibly make a grown man cry...or at least a girl who can't eat wheat while everyone else at the table raves about how good they taste.
A sunny, quiet patio. If you've been to the Laurier Lounge for dinner and sat out on the patio, you already know how perfect it is. Imagine that when the sun is shining.
Good staff, friendly owner, easy parking...lest you think I'm going on with nothing bad to say, I'm not a fan of their awkwardly placed bathroom, but I guess there isn't much choice given the location.
I feel like everything at Laurier Lounge is well thought through. Hope you enjoy this gem as much as I do.Listed in: Brunch in Calgary, yo!
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Review from Sarah T.
Updated - 6/30/2011
I have an update on this place already, yes, I like it that much.
This time around, I went for lighter fare, and chose something that's much easier to eat while trying to converse on a date. I had the pear salad, and my date the caeser salad. Let me start with my salad. The food presentation is something that sets the Laurier Lounge apart. My pear was poached, and serves in what looked like a star, to the left of my plate. It was drizzled with a balsamic vinegar that complimented the sweetness of the pears. Then to the right, was a huge standard green salad. The caesar salad came as a large full lettuce head (romaine) that had been put on the bbq, it came with pancetta bacon bits and a light caesar dressing. A bit hard to cut, because bacon flew everywhere, but still tasty. Dessert was a molten lava cake with vanilla ice cream served beside in, on a spun sugar shell. A few bites did me in - but really yummy without being too heavy.
The service was amazing as usual, and the food came out in a timely manner. Again, I'm going to need to hit up the brunch sometime soon, and in reality it'll probably be in the next month, so look for that update to come!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/10/2011
Why have I never been here before?! Laurier Lounge is a small restaurant located in an old house on… Read more »
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Review from Trace F.
Calgary, AB
11/12/2009
Eclectic feel. Small lounge area. Maybe 15 seats, but not comfortably. The upstairs is well thought out with private rooms and nice comfortable banquette seating. I love restaurants in old house conversations as they always have a nice warm atmosphere.
They have large selection of fondue which can get on the pricey side (but I hear it's worth it). Variety of poutines, which were delicious and nice wine list. We had the baked brie for an appetizer and it was great.
I don't have really anything negative to say about this place and I thought haaarrrd.
:) -
Review from David H.
Calgary, AB
Updated - 3/5/2011
Still Awesome. Try the mushroom ravioli, crab cakes and brie ... with a glass a wine - to die for. An awesome way to kick off a weekend. Still one of the best places in town. Fabulous.
Listed in: AWESOME FOOD
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/9/2010
A - List. If Warren Buffett likes this place, it is worth visiting. Cool looking house, comfortable… Read more »
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Review from A N.
Calgary, AB
6/22/2011
They have the best Hamburger in the city ! Great service. Cozy patio. Well
priced food, and great location. Well worth a visit. -
Review from Kelsey K.
Calgary, AB
9/29/2009
The Laurier Lounge had to be one of the MOST rich tasting experiences.
They have a nice wine menu and a great food menu. We started with the pomme frites with mayonnaise duo (which was very tasty), I had the Chicken Pizza (which had Artichokes, Caramelized onions, BBQ sauce, Blue and swiss cheese as well as chicken ) and the chocolate fondue for dessert (Bernard Callebaut) . They do specialize in Fondue so you can have a 3 course fondue meal.
When you walk in there is the Lounge area and upstairs in a loft like setting there is dim lighting and big lush drapery that makes you feel like your in a very trendy place in Paris.
All in all it was a delightful experience which i would try again and again!! -
Review from Adam G.
Calgary, AB
3/7/2009
Great fondue and a unique ambiance in the historical house. A not bad patio/bar for the summer too.
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Review from Bart E.
Vancouver, BC
9/2/2009 1 photo
This is a very nice patio/bar with a French flavour. Shrimp cocktail was very good, cheese plate abundant but no more than serviceable. My pasta was good, but no better (still, what do you expect when you order spaghetti with meat balls?). My friend's burger which is the self-proclaimed "best burger in calgary" looked very good but not up to its own billing. Interesting selection of beers. Good atmosphere. Harried servers who are nevertheless pleasant.
