Loading...
- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Ox & Angela
Categories: Nightlife Bars Restaurants Canadian (New) Restaurants Spanish Bars, Canadian (New), Spanish
528 17th Avenue SWCalgary, AB T2S 0A9
(403) 457-1432
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 5 pm - 11 pm
Mon-Sun 11:30 pm - 2:30 pm
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Music:
- Background
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
25 reviews for Ox & Angela
Review Highlights
25 reviews in English
-
Review from Erin D.
3/19/2012
I finally had the opportunity to try Ox & Angela. A close friend works for the restaurant and booked us a reservation for five this past weekend. I wasn't sure what to expect because I am not that familiar with Spanish cuisine and was concerned not having a reference might make it difficult for me to review given my inexperience. This wasn't the case, it's easy to praise this exceptional addition to Calgary's restaurant scene!
I was so impressed with the entire experience, from the aesthetic of the restaurant, the high energy clientele, and of course the beautifully presented, DELICIOUS food! We sampled many of the tapas items on the menu and shared a couple of entrees which included the Duck and the Paella Mixta. The duck was probably the most perfectly cooked duck I have eaten in recent memory, the Paella was also delicious though I did feel there wasn't enough protein in the dish. The price is a little high for certain aspects of the meal but in the end I felt that it was money well spent given how lovely our food was.
I would not necessarily recommend Ox & Angela as a place for a quiet, romantic dinner as it is quite loud and made for a bit of a struggle to have a conversation without yelling (good thing I love yelling). I would however recommend it for a night out with friends!
I hope if you haven't paid a visit already you have the pleasure of doing so soon, you won't be disappointed!Listed in: Get What You Pay For!
-
Review from Stephanie C.
Calgary, AB
5/21/2012
I've never been a huge fan of tapas, always felt it was a snack more than a meal and was never really could equate the price of the bill to the fullness in my belly.
Ox & Angela was quite a different experience, one that really emphasizes the importance of family style dining. Tonight I went with a few good friends and we had a grand time. Miles, our waiter was very attentive and helped us pick out wine and suggested dishes. We ordered enough food that we were all full and satisfied and the price was reasonable.
We started with the cod fritters and the scallops and followed up with the steak and paella, this being a restaurant of Spanish cuisine, you gotta try the paella, and it was worth it. But for me, saving the best for last was ordering the churros with chocolate sauce, the only thing that would have put me over the edge is if they served it with dulce de leche.
Next time I'll include the serrano ham. I've heard rumours it melts in your mouth. Good meal, good time. -
Review from Susan L.
Calgary, AB
2/21/2012
My hubby picked this place for date night. I had not heard of them yet and was not that crazy about going....the name kinda threw me. I could not imagine the type of food that could be served there.
The food was really good. I had the duck and my husband had the pork shanks, which was the special of the day. We started with some empanadas. All was very good. We would definitely return. -
Review from Ferlyn C.
Calgary, AB
5/20/2012
This is the place I have been waiting for in Calgary. It carries an attitude and great approach to the menu and wine list. Not overwhelming, just well well done.
I struggled to post this because I want it all for myself and have no desire to see the masses fill the fantastic spot.
If you enjoy a unique approach with tapas, wine and cocktails (try the Ox, addictive) this is your place.
And the staff won't disappoint, fantastic. -
Review from Joel K.
1/14/2012
I haven't had such amazing service in a 17th ave establishment.. well, EVER.
I stopped by here with a large group of friends to celebrate the launch of a good friends' project. We weren't sure how many people would show up, had no idea what we wanted to eat and we were really looking for a chill but swanky venue. This place came highly recommended.
When I arrived, nobody else from my group was there yet. An extremely nice lady who called me sweety asked if she could help me, and I said I was just waiting to see if anyone else had gotten there yet. She invited me to sit at the bar while I waited and said if I needed anything I could tap her on the shoulder.
While I sat at the bar I had a conversation with the bar tender about Russia - traveling there, the Canadians recent loss to the Russian team and so on. He was genuinely interested in conversation - not trying to inflate his tips. I was, once again, impressed. When my group arrived I shook his hand and moved over to the restaurant side of the joint.
I should reiterate - we had no idea how big our group was going to get. That makes a lot of places awfully nervous and annoyed. The staff here accommodated with smiles on their faces and "sweeties" all over the place. I wish I could remember the one lady's name - she was absolutely charming, joking with us, taking drink orders - and even returning my jacket which I had completely forgotten on my bar stool. The best part? She remembered my name from the ONE time I had told it to her over an hour earlier. Go ahead, ask your 1410 waitress your name at the end of the meal. They'll need to check your credit card.
Now, the food! We had tapas. One of the girls suggested we let her order for us. She ordered food in sufficient variety and quantity without breaking the bank! We had fish fritters, almonds, a zucchini salad, a chicken dish and so many more awesome things (more or less everything from the tapas menu).
I tried every dish - favorites including the prawns, a cheese plate and that salad. Everything was great. My glass of water was never empty and I never had to wait to be asked if I wanted anything else.
We were so well taken care of that I told our staff I'd be leaving a great review, to which they responded with sincere thanks and invited us back.
The people here GET IT. They get that people come to your restaurant or bar for an experience and they completely delivered.Listed in: Date Nights that Don't Suck
-
Review from dinah g.
Calgary, AB
1/17/2012
I love this place but most of all I love how amazing the bartender AMY is!
If you watch her carefully you will notice the care and tenderness that she flourishes on every single drink she creates. I have officially partaked in the best mojito of my life here and my friend had the most delightful leechie cocktail with a floating flower!
Ox and Angela sits quaintly on 17th ave SW and is one of the most relaxing and the most pretty atmospheres on the strip. Dark mood lighting and shabby chic decor embrace the restaurant/bar and the food menu is as wonderful experience as what the cocktails have to offer. We had the fish, the scallops and the manchego. All so delightful.
I honestly think Ox and Angela is one of the best additions to the culinary bar scene in Calgary. -
Review from Shawn D.
Calgary, AB
5/9/2012
Went for a special occasion, mistake. Service was slow and unfriendly, which put a damper on the night. The food was average. Will not be returning anytime soon.
-
Review from Angelo T.
I finally got to try Ox and Angelo...err Angela during the Christmas week when I brought my Mom here because she insisted on having Paella.
We started off with their empanadas and ceviches. Their empanadas made with beef was sweet and buttery rich with a pastry that crumbled in tiny wonders inside my mouth. It was a unique style of empanadas and was a pleasure to have (it seems to me that every spanish colonized country has their own version of these tasty treats). The ceviche was fresh and was accompanied with tortilla chips. It seemed a bit too sour at first which made me suspect that they might have been trying to stretch the dish but after washing it down with a Spanish lager (San Miguel), it dawned on me how perfect this item was for Tapas.
My mom ordered their Paella and thought it was very delicious but felt Don quixotes was better because it had lobster. I have to agree that the fixings were a bit scant on the dish but after trying a few bites, Ox and Angela executed the dish well. I ordered the duck confit in mole which was delicious and the fat canard melded well with sweet chocolate sauce. The squatternut baush...errr..butternut squash hash gave a light and refreshing break from the richness of the dish. At the last moment I ordered their polenta which they were kind enough to prepare with haste and offered on the house because they felt that I should have been satisfied, how sweet!
We had the churros and naranja. The churros were wonderfully crisp and light. I didn't know the Spanish had a recipe for frying clouds!! The Naranja was also awesome and tangy sweet
I'd like to come back here to try out a tapas experience.Certainly worth the fine dining experience :DListed in: BECAUSE I SAID SO!!
-
Review from Mike R.
1/12/2012
Finally got a chance to try out Ox and Angela last night, I have to say I'm kind of sad that we hadn't gotten around to trying it sooner. The menu has changed so none of the items previous reviewers talked about were available anymore but everything that we tried was very good. Some of our favorites:
Tapas:
Salt Cod Fritters
Asparagus with soft poached egg and truffles
Manchego with walnuts and Pomegranate molases
Mains:
Chicken
Flat Iron Steak
As others have mentioned it was a bit pricey but the service was stellar and all the food was amazing so it didn't seem unreasonable.
We visited on a wednesday night and the restaurant side was packed with a healthy crowed on the bar side. So I would highly suggest making a reservation especially if you want to sit on the restaurant side. -
Review from Jenn D.
2/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Totally in love with this place right now!! This is the exact kind of restaurant I'd expect to find in Calgary on 17th ave, if not, even a little too good!
Perfect delicious menu with reasonable pricing.
Cozy, elegant, classy decor that makes you want to stay all night
Great, personably service that is easy to work with, ask questions, and be content all night
It's a great vibe all around. -
Review from Sabahat N.
Calgary, AB
1/25/2012 Seated via OpenTable 3 Check-ins Here
Been wanting to try Ox & Angela for a few weeks now, and a special occasion last weekend gave me the perfect excuse!
My dining partner and I were seated promptly in the restaurant side and handed menus. In the spirit of things, I ordered the 'Angela' drink, while my partner ordered the 'Ox'. It was fun, my drink was a beautiful little lychee martini garnished with an edible flower petal. The 'Ox' was a stronger drink deserving of its name.
We ordered the asparagus with soft poached egg, and cod fritters for appetizers. Yum! It was an excellent start to our meal! For the main course, I ordered the duck with mint and pomegranate, and my partner ordered the paella. We ordered the kale and patatas bravas as sides. Yep we decided to go all out and order to our heart's content!
When the food came, everything looked so beautiful! My duck was dainty and colourful on my plate and the paella looked meaty and ready to be devoured. And so we devoured. Holy, my duck was delicious! I tried my partner's paella - mouth-watering! So were the kale and papatas bravas! Everything was SO well executed and expertly prepared, the kitchen staff deserved kudos.
I asked the waiter for a glass of his preferred Zinfandel, and got a very robust red wine which I fell in love with. For dessert, we ordered some churros, after reading Angelo's rave reviews. The raves were justified it seems, because those little fried sugared pieces were addictive!
It is worth mentioning that the service was top-notch as well, nobody ever let our water glass go empty for longer than 10 seconds. There were about 2-3 wait staff servicing the entire dining area, and they were quick, friendly and efficient.
My dining partner and I both had a wonderful time and felt it was a great decision to choose Ox & Angela as the restaurant for our special occasion. Great new restaurant in a great new location with top notch kitchen and wait staff!
P.S. You know a meal is exceptional when you wake up the next morning thinking about it because that's exactly what happened to me! -
Review from Andrew G.
Calgary, AB
2/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
I was once under the impression that having a perfect cocktail in Calgary was nearly impossible...then I went to Ox & Angela. Hands down the best Old Fashioned I've ever had (along with many others!).
With a dynamic cocktail list, a food menu full of adventure and with fun, knowledgeable staff, Ox & Angela has hit the nail on the head. This place is exactly what Calgary has been missing for far too long. The cool, relaxed, easy going atmosphere is synonymous with passing the time alongside friends and family and invites you to stay and enjoy (which isn't a difficult task there).
All of that adds up and make this fine establishment one of my easy favorites and a place to return to many times in the future. 10 thumbs, a toe and two shots up for Ox & Angela!!
Cheers and happy yelping! -
Review from Tara E.
12/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had their braised lamb shank, and it was fantastic! Nice sized portion, and very well prepared. Best of all the dishes I tasted (and let's be honest, I tasted everyone's dish). I was a little disappointed that our group did not get any bread at the table, while other tables did, but I'm sure that was just an oversight. Service was fine, although slow. This was particularly noticeable since one member of our group had to leave early, and found it very difficult and slow process to get their bill and pay.
Their Los Agrios cocktail with bourbon and vanilla was fantastic. I'm so into bourbon recently! Yum! If you like bourbon, give it a try. There are many cocktails to delve into, which is both fun and dangerous. Just like my life.Listed in: Calgary
-
Review from gilles P.
Calgary, AB
12/8/2011 9 Check-ins Here
Good vibe and great tacos on the bar side.. They also have the best cocktail in town.. Great addition in the Calgary food scene....
Go there and enjoy.Listed in: My tips to survive in calgary
-
Review from Luisa D.
2/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
We stopped in here for a drink at the end of the evening. We sat at the bar - they have beautiful comfortable bar stools! I ordered a bottle of Wild Rose Velvet Fog Wheat Ale. Local and delicious. The bartender was whipping up some gorgeous looking cocktails but I was really in the mood for a beer at that point. At the end I had a glass of the Catena Alta Chardonnay. I'll just have to go back for a cocktail!
-
Review from Kent V.
11/5/2011 2 photos
Some of the best, if not the best service I have had in Calgary. Incredibly attentive wait staff, constantly watching over your table. A knife was dropped at one point, and a new one was brought over a short moment later. And water was replenished in your cup before you would decide to fill it up yourself.
Had ceviche to start. It was different from the stuff I had in South America., but it was still good. The chips that came with it were a bit on the salty side, so the lime & jalapeno taste of the marinade didn't show through. And maybe the fish could have been softer, as I was expecting more of a sashimi consistency.
The main were chorizo sausages with sides of corn and zucchini. I was more impressed with the sides than the main. Although the sausage was grilled to perfection, it was a lot of one single meat. Maybe I don't consume that much salt in my diet anymore, because I couldn't finish the 3rd chorizo.
The corn was amazing. It was grilled with a citrus butter, and came out hot and slightly charred. It had sweet, buttery, and lemony tastes embedded into every kernel. And the zucchini was just as impressive. The marinade was sort of like a ceviche sauce, really limey, but a mint flavor was also thrown in. And crumbled nuts were sprinkled all over to give it a nice texture.
O&A isn't the cheapest place around. But it probably leans closer to the fine dining end of the spectrum, with incredible service and great food. Not to say you need to dress up to come here, its pretty relaxed and has a hustle & bustle noisy atmosphere. -
Review from Don B.
9/21/2011
I like. I really like. This brand new spot in Calgary on 17th is just the kind of place that makes me feel right at home. I'm not sure if it's the inviting Plantation design of the interior, the delicious and innovative craft-cocktail menu, or the delicious food... okay well it's probably all three that will get me rolling back in as soon as I set foot in Cow-town again. This is about as far from what I'd expect to find in a place like Calgary as you can get. And I would consider it to be all full of win.
I only dined on the bar side of this gorgeous Argentinean joint but I am 100% sold. And all it really took was a couple of tapas and some cocktails. The bar at O&A is open until late, and so is the kitchen (1:45!). They serve up a limited menu of tapas including oxtail empanadas, beef and fish tacos, ceviche, papas fritas and a few other options. Upon the recommendation of the server we got the papas ($9), a downright incredible yet simple dish of smashed yellow potatoes that are then fried and tossed in rosemary, salt, lime and Cholula. This salty, tangy dish is deepened with the rosemary for a complete savory experience. The empanadas ($3 for $12), while a tad on the doughy side, are filled with a fantastic stewed/pulled oxtail meat. Another win. Both of these dishes had me excited to try the tacos (3 for $12) and the ceviche.
On the cocktail front, I had a very creative take on an old fashioned made with aged rum and muddled white grapes. A hint of apple/pear rounded out an off-dry cocktail with a luscious smoothness of an oaked rum. My companion savored her floridita - Hemingway-styled daquiri with an added touch of a grapefruit float. A little more tart than I would normally like but I was impressed nonetheless. Another option on the menu that had me chomping at the bit was the manhattan made with rested tequila. A desire I had to shelve for a future visit. At $12/drink for these carefully hand-made libations made with call spirits, I can say without a doubt value was had.
If O&A's cocktails and food are indicative of what is to come for the food scene in Calgary, I can say that I'm excited to return and do some exploring,Listed in: Alberta On My Mind
-
Review from Wendy P.
What was once the dark wooded Bungalow is now a bright and airy upscale half resto/half bar. I've heard good things about Ox & Angela to date and decided to take Don B to this new spot while he was up visiting from Portland.
The highlights:
The cocktails (oh so many deliciously curated ones! I sipped on the Floridita, yum!)
The bar menu (a handful of sharing plates available, we shared the empenadas and the patatas fritas)
The decor (as I mentioned, very light. The walls are all white and it's a clean and uncluttered feel and scene)
The service (our server had great recommendations and spoke knowledgeably about both the food and the drink selections)
The hours (the selection of sharing plates on the bar side are available until 1:45 am... yes on a weeknight!)
The feedback:
You must try the patatas fritas. They were recommended to us by the host at the door and by our server.
The empanadas are up for debate. They were good, but a little too doughy for my liking.
Also, come on in with the expectation of paying $12 for your cocktail and in the $12-$15 range for your sharing plates. It's a bit on the higher priced side for Calgary, but you're getting what you pay for here.
This was a treat. I've been perusing the full menu on the website. Looking forward to checking it out for dinner sometime! -
Review from Jeff H.
Calgary, AB
3/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
Went in for drinks only. Had a couple blood orange Margaritas and they were amazing. jayme working front of house was perfect. Room was busy and had a great vibe..
-
Review from Scott K.
Calgary, AB
10/27/2011
The food here is terrific. It's an "order to share" kind of menu with a variety that will please any tastes.
Overall the service (particularly on drinks) was slow. But it's easy to forgive that right now as it is a very new venue.
I highly recommend the chorizo as an entree & the olives as an appetizer. -
Review from Mindy T.
Calgary, AB
1/16/2012
Ox & Angela was an amazing experience. I would say it was actually the best service I've ever had at a restaurant. I wish I knew the server's name, but she was unbelievable at her job. Not once did we have to ask for a single drink fill up or anything else, yet they managed to keep us happy without hassling us.
The food was great, and I wish we'd had more of the tapas. We had the manchego cheese, which was very light and delicious (served with pomegranate and mint) and the asparagus with egg, more cheese and truffle. Both delicious. For our mains, I had the tuna and my date had the duck. Both were absolutely fantastic.
I'd absolutely come back here. On the expensive side, but worth every bite. -
Review from N L.
Calgary, AB
11/20/2011
We had to sit in the lounge of this ultra-hip, popular place because the restaurant was full, so I only tried the food from the tapas/taco menu. The ox-tail empanadas were quite delicious, served piping hot, but on the pricey side at $12 for 3 perogy-sized deep fried pockets. Also they didn't contain the cheese promised on the menu. The chips and salsa were ok.
After the server told us it was her favourite, we ordered the fish tacos. The fish was past its prime (strong fish odour), way overcooked, and cold. The tortillas were a soggy mess. The coleslaw and tomatillo salsa were the best part, but overall the dish was an embarrassment. They were also $12 for a miniscule portion of fish, so even if they had been tasty this is a little steep.
Based on this, I'm not keen to try the restaurant, but would come back for a drink as the ambiance is nice, music is good (if a bit confusing - trying to find their sound perhaps?) and service was pleasant. -
Review from josh j.
Calgary, AB
O&A is A-OK - The former Bungalow location's exterior belies what's going on within its confines. With the exception of the aforementioned white washed facade, the place has a nice mood & vibe to it. A group of us dropped in for post din libations. It was busy and had the accompanying energy of a buzzing locale. We were sat on the lounge side, so can't attest to the dining room experience or its food. The service, though, was attentive and efficient and the drink array was diverse. Will certainly return.
-
Review from brennan b.
Edmonton, AB
3/10/2012
nice enough room and had good service at the bar. nicely presented food was edible, even good if the price were lower, but overpricing made me drop my rating a star. predominant flavor was salt- i thought flavors would be a little more dynamic and interesting. typical overhyped calgary restaurant. good for date night i guess, not for foodies.
-
Review from Jenny W.
11/27/2011
love what they did with the place! service was sub par, wine was WAY over priced but the drinks were good. food was good but nothing amazing I would say try it for something different but it might not be able place you frequent.
