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Redwater Rustic Grille
Categories: Restaurants Steakhouses Restaurants Seafood Steakhouses, Seafood [Edit]
1935 Uxbridge Dr NWCalgary, AB T2N 2V2
(403) 220-0222
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
15 reviews for Redwater Rustic Grille
15 reviews in English
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Review from Kate B.
11/25/2011
Had a business lunch here, and have to say is was pretty near perfect. Great atmosphere and excellent service. The food was plated with care, I had a salmon dish (can't remember what it was exactly) with a side salad. Nice greens but the salmon stole the show. I agree with Erin D., the dishes here are perfectly portioned.
This is a great place for a business lunch, the volume level was just right for conversing. it's busy during the lunch hour so reservations are recommended. -
Review from Sarah C.
1/30/2012
Having gone to the location on MacLeod Trail and really enjoying it, I had expectations for the one up in the NW to be just as good.
It was quite busy, which isn't a problem, but there were kids screaming and playing hide and seek. When you are paying a lot for an an entree, part of that comes with a certain dining experience. If I'd wanted to hear children I'd have gone to a FAMILY restaurant and eaten there for a fraction of the cost.
Our waiter was overworked and very odd. His first visit to our table, and he proposed waters, and didn't ask us for a drink order. I was fully wanting to order an alcoholic drink but he didn't even give us the chance to ask. With it being super busy, our water arrived quite a lot later, and then we had to ask for our drinks.. again he didn't ask us if we wanted appetizers. I guess he couldn't multi-task..
After we got our alcohol we ordered, he did know the menu quite well. My appetizer was the salad greens, which were very delicious. I ordered the salmon with broccolini and beets. The vegetables were delicious, but my salmon was cooked just barely enough. I'd prefer it to have some crispy outside, and not a majorly soggy inside.
Parking was also a nightmare, its a large complex, with not enough spaces. We had to park in the Wendy's lot. -
Review from Stefan W.
Calgary, AB
1/30/2012
Not sure what's going at this place, but for $40+ entrees, you sort of expect a bit of a departure from the norm. What I mean by this is, the management should be asking families to remove themselves when their children are acting up in the restaurant. Honestly, there were kids running around and screaming. This is something I expect from Jack Astors or Kelseys or the such. It was beyond annoying (to everyone in there).
My 8oz striploin was overdone, but the sides were pretty good (had broccolini and mushrooms).
Normally I don't worry too much about the atmosphere. But with prices as steep as they were, the place felt like a low budget family diner. -
Review from Audrey C.
The atmosphere is very nice and elegant. The lighting is dimmed and wine glasses and silverware is all organized neatly on the table. The waitress was extremely courteous even though we came about 20/30 minutes before they were about to close. We took FOREVER to decide what we wanted to order but all the waiters were still very helpful and nice.
We basically ordered every appetizer and a lot of steaks. Since we were new to this area we took recommendations from the hotel clerk and she definitley steered us in the right way! The food was delicious and it was a good dining experience. -
Review from David W.
Calgary, AB
2/19/2011
Ah, where to start..
Our first real date out since having our little girl (4.5 months old now) and we were super excited to be heading to Redwater with gift card in hand. A near-free evening of wining and dining and enjoying what we heard was a great food experience! If only you could see the disappointment in our faces as we left the restaurant.
To begin with, a reservation was made via Open Table for two people for 6:30 pm on a Friday night. Brilliant, right? Well, after dropping my wife off and finding a parking spot, I was surprised and dumbfounded to find her sitting at a 19th Century stage-coach-sized table for four complete with captains chairs that, honestly, made me, a 6 foot tall guy, feel like a Lilliputian.
So, the next time our server stopped by I told her I wasn't too keen on sitting at the four-person table and if there was a table for two available, we would greatly appreciate it. That didn't go over very well. Apparently, a customer's request for a different table, a table more suited to the actual number of people in the party, is grossly overstepping the boundaries of the server's willingness to make a customer feel welcome. "You want a different table"? she asks with a furrowed brow. "I'll have to go see."
Just as she turned to walk away I exclaimed that "it's only if there's another table available" and that "in the mean time, I'd like to order our drinks." Her response was, "well there's no point in getting your drinks if you're just going to move tables." Right, well, I had a feeling we were in for a good night.
Next thing we know, a front house staff member shows up at our table. "Is it you who wants a new table"? she asks.
I had just started to explain again that "only if there's another table available," when I was rudely cut off with a roll of the eyes and the response: "just come with me."
Wow, at this point I'm starting to wonder whether I've been completely out of line, but remember that I too was once a server and this was why I was asking in the way that I was - with polite candor. But enough was said and our new table was perfect for us and we weren't going to let it ruin the evening.
Our expectations of the food were relatively high. But let's face it, when one is paying $10 per glass of wine, $33 for a steak and $29 for a seafood medley, one would expect very good quality.
If I may...
The wine was free hand poured and barely touched the middle of the roundest part of the wine glass. Now I fully understand portion control, but for $10 per glass that thing better be at mid point or, better yet, just over. You can't tell me the 150% margin on each bottle is going to get sucked up by adding an extra ounce per glass. Poor form in my opinion.
My $33 New York sirloin was cooked perfectly, and it would have tasted perfectly had it not been dry, leathery and not the melt-in-your-mouth steak one usually gets for $33. The veggies were fine.
My wife's prawn and scallop medley was probably the best part of our evening. It was cooked perfectly, tasted great and portioned to the point of being satisfyingly full. All good here. Also great was our bison meatball appetizer.
Total bill by the way, with an appetizer, three glasses of wine, two entrees and a shared dessert, was $114.
The ultimate question is whether the experience we had at the Redwater will make us go back. That answer is easy. No. It's just not worth it. Especially since The Keg is right across the street. -
Review from Erin D.
1/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
I ate at the Stadium location and am happy to say our meals were delicious and the service was exceptional. It was attentive but not intrusive and our food was creatively cooked, perfectly portioned and something I would recommend with ease to others.
The reason I am giving Redwater only three stars is due to something that would absolutely keep me from returning again. The music streaming through the restaurant was atrocious. There used to be a television channel (channel 2 I believe) that would run news and weather information on it and I am 100% certain they would play the same obnoxious music there. They do a disservice to the beautiful food and decor by playing it. I will not be back because I couldn't sit through it again. I couldn't wait to get out of there to escape the depressing, soulless feeling the music was leaving me with. I felt like I was in the movie Anchorman. It was really, really ,really bad.
I even contacted the restaurant and let them know. They responded but they didn't seem concerned. Music is clearly not important to some people, maybe Redwater's regular clientele fit into that category as they certainly don't seem interested in changing anything. -
Review from Chelsea W.
Calgary, AB
5/14/2011 ROTD 9/27/2011
Red Water is an absolutely beautiful restaurant where I definitely recommend people to check it out. After I walked and drove past a number of Red Water locations, I have been wanting to go to it for sometime. The only thing that held me back in going was the apprehension that it would be like so many other restaurant franchises (*cough cough* Metropolitan, Moxies, Earls), who cater to the public through the use of atmosphere and decor rather than through the avenue of creating good food.
It just happened so that my boyfriend's birthday was fast approaching. Being in the position where I had no idea what to get him and didn't have the time to buy presents, it was a perfect opportunity to take him out to Red Water and get that stupid steak dinner that he would so jokingly hint about. The northwest location in Calgary is like a hidden gem amongst a pile of rocks; with it's fanciness it looks a little out of place in a shopping plaza of older businesses. Walking in, you'll notice right away Red Water's open layout, where tables are nicely spaced apart on the floor as u-shaped booths line the wall. With a darker colour scheme, splashes of red and off-whites colour the room to give an intimate and comfortable feeling. Although I wouldn't say Red Water is an upscale restaurant, it definitely caters to a dressier and more mature crowd (when I mean mature, I mean not being annoying idiots in a restaurant). Although it isn't necessary to get dressed up, it is within the stated dress code.
Unlike other restaurant chains, Red Water executed in giving great service as well as great food. The waitress we got that night was extremely professional and knowledgeable of the menu. My boyfriend and I both ordered wine, and upon it being poured, the waitress did ask if we wanted a taste test to ensure that it was right to our palette. With dinner, I was not disappointed where Red Water lives up to its "rustic grille" and "steakhouse" title; I ordered a scallop and shrimp dish while the birthday boy ordered a steak...both dishes were cooked to perfection with great tasting sides and sauces. Unlike most steakhouses like the Keg where they serve a dish 90% meat and 10% sides, Red Water served a good balance of portions with beautiful presentation. Like what other people have said, the menu offers great choices in mixing traditional classic dishes with a modern and inventive twist in flavour. For those that are vegetarian or have a gluten-free diet, don't shy away from this restaurant where they have a few choices to choose from. The cost of items is quite reasonable, but not exactly cheap - ranging from the $14 to $40 mark of the main course meals, do be prepared to spend a little more. The bill for the two of us was around $88.00, however it was definitely worth the price in both service and food. Although this won't become my go-to place, I will definitely be back in the near future. -
Review from Whoop K.
Calgary, AB
4/20/2011
I've been to Redwater in the south and twice to the NW one, and every time I have had an enjoyable experience. The contemporary decor and dim lights really make for a relaxing dinner and put you at ease. The servers are often very professional and knowledgeable about the menu, which always helps.
The only thing that bugged me though: On my last visit to the NW Redwater I was with one other person and we were seated in the middle of the restaurant where they have a few sets of really large red chairs. First of all, these chairs look nice from a distance, but once you sit down you feel like Alice in Wonderland who just drank the little bottle that shrunk her down to size. These chairs are absolutely uncomfortable and make you feel 10 times smaller than you are. They are also too low for the tables they are seated at, which makes eating or drinking anything really quite uncomfortable and you feel like you're sitting on the edge of the seat trying to reach up. I did ask to be moved, explaining that the chairs were uncomfortable. The server promptly moved us to a 'normal' table. I wish they would get rid of those chairs.
The food was delicious. My duck breast was perfectly cooked, and the veggies on the side were great. No complaints about the food. Really great restaurant overall. Would go back. -
Review from Victor P.
I'll cut to the chase and explain why this Redwater is one of my favorites. From my most recent OpenTable review: had a bowl of the mushroom and barley cream soup to start this time - very rich and flavourful (loved the thyme). My entree was the pan seared scallop and warm spinach salad - delicious as usual, and pleasantly filling. Service was attentive and upbeat. Always a pleasure to dine here.
Update from 25 Oct 2010: Dinner - our son started with the roast corn and tomato soup, we had the ahi tuna carpaccio. For mains, our son had the bison meatball spaghetti, I had the duck breast, my wife had the oven fired salmon. For dessert, our son had the almond creme brulee, my wife and I shared the cheesecake. Pairing: Paul Zinck Gewurztraminer 2008, which has a strong hint of lychee in the top notes, as this varietal should. All good.Listed in: Dining Out
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Review from George L.
Stony Plain, AB
8/6/2011
Awsome food and very clean decor. Caution parking can be hard to find when Stampeders are playing
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Review from Lindsay K.
Halifax, NS
9/23/2009 1 photo
Slobber, slobber! Redwater Rustic Grille fed me the best steak I've ever eaten! It was such a juicy cut of meat and cooked to perfection. They certainly lived up to their reputation as a great steakhouse.
The thing I loved about Redwater was the fact that I got to choose my sides, as well as the type of sauce used on my meat. They had many sides to choose from including roasted mushrooms, mashed potatoes and a delectable risotto. The sauces included chili garlic butter, passion fruit dressing, maple ancho bbq sauce, as well as a couple others.
This restaurant really understood what I meant when I said I wanted my steak rare, and what my boyfriend meant when he said 'blue rare.' Both of our steaks were just what we wanted; not over or undercooked. The meals are a little pricey, but are definitely worth it because they are so delicious! Remember, you pay for quality!
The service is attentive, but not badgering, and the staff are very knowledgeable about their menu items. Redwater makes a nice date restaurant since it's quite formal and has excellent ambiance. -
Review from lyn c.
Calgary, AB
2/19/2011
Contemporary upscale decor and really fine food. I chose the chimichurra as the sauce for salmon and it was delicious. The salmon was cooked perfectly. With two choices of sides, I had the broccolini and the squash - they don't take potatoes for granted - yay. My dinner companion had a steak with brandy peppercorn sauce and one of his sides was an elegant scalloped potato dish. This is a restaurant with imagination. Classics done well and lots of twists - perhaps most exemplified in the dessert menu: Maple Pumpkin Crème Brulé, Dupre Chocolate Cake (Vegan) w strawberry sorbet, Amaretto White Chocolate Cheesecake w dark chocolate swirl, Warm Caramel Banana Bread Pudding. Nice wine list, helpful but unobtrusive staff. We're going back again soon - to this Stadium location even though it's out of the way.
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Review from Rob O.
Calgary, AB
9/29/2011
The food was great and the service was awesome. They have gluten free pasta and are willing to make any substitution to accommodate (in my case) a son with a gluten free diet.
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Review from M S.
7/3/2010
We had a very nice dinner, although we kept it fairly light due to a long day traveling. We agreed that the mushroom risotto with garlic shrimp was the best. The tomato-corn chowder was flavorful, but was served luke warm. Would've been better if a little hotter. The salad with scallops was very good, with large, nicely cooked scallops that had a lot of flavor. The spicy chicken parpardelle noodle entrée was enjoyable and large. For dessert we shared a lemon bar with raspberries. Delicious. A very enjoyable meal.
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Review from David H.
Calgary, AB
12/5/2009
A - List. Highly Recommended. I'm giving this one a 5 and for a variety of great reasons. But only if you can get one of the King and Queen seating arrangements in the middle of the room. Those seats are likely some of the most comfortable and intimate seating arrangements you will ever find inside a restaurant in Calgary (there are 2 four seat and 1 two seat arrangements). The food is superb (no, that is an understatement - the food is world-class and some of the best you will find anywhere) and you can choose your own sides and sauces. The wine selection is extensive and excellent. The service is attentive and smart. The ambiance is first class, with well selected background music, lower light levels augmented by pin-point lighting, and fine decor. If you are not looking for the full 3 hour treatment, consider sitting at the bar at the back of the restaurant. You do not need reservations, usually can be seated in just a few minutes. There are 2 draft selections, the beer is very reasonable for an establishment of this calibre, you can order from the entire menu, you get an excellent view of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Wes, the super friendly and knowlegable bartender, is one of the best in the business. Should you have friends coming in from out-of-town, a special occasion to make merry or if planning of a romantic dinner date, this place will impress and please all. Bravo to Redwater Grill! You still get what you pay for. Expen$$$ive.
