Alberta Hotel Bar and Kitchen

I haven't had the food here but I was treated to some amazing drinks. The bar staff are wizards behind the bar, mixing cocktails like scientists. Loved the care and effort they put into each drink.

There were eleven at the table for a lunch just before Christmas. While it was bitterly cold outside, the inside was warm and pleasant. First built in 1902, the original building was demolished in the 80s to make way for a large office building. Much of the exterior stonework, cornices as well as the long bar and some other fixtures were salvaged, put into storage and everything was put back together a few years ago. The result is a new building with the exterior looking as it did a century ago, and the dining room and bar with the original atmosphere is elegant, cozy, and pleasantly peaceful. Spencer Thompson is the chef and he is serious about the food he prepares with fresh ingredients coming from his farm.The lunch menu is not extensive but no one in our party was complaining because the selections were both creative and intriguing. I ordered the braised pork cheeks with mushrooms served on delicious polenta (the creamiest I have ever had and so flavorful). A friend ordered the Manila clams, which she declared to be superb. Another ordered the flank steak - he finished the frites before attacking his steak and declared his meal delicious. Service was decent, though with a relatively large group it took a while. We weren't in a hurry so it was very comfortable. All things considered, it was a wonderful lunch with colleagues.I highly recommend this downtown gem for any occasion. I will definitely be back.

The hostess greeted us warmly on a cold winter night and waited patiently for us to shed our several outer layers, all the while chatting and friendly. A good start. But the menu is limited - when asked later by a friend what kind of food, I was unable to answer, almost like a rudderless ship. Only one salad. My companion started with it and I had it with chicken as my main meal. Beet salad, a little light on beets and a little heavy on cheese, but very tasty either way. My companion ordered the fish tacos for the main course which were (he said) tasty, but looked so beige that they did not appeal to me. Some red pepper and cilantro would have boosted the curb appeal quite a bit. The server served but seemed totally uninterested in either us or the job. The place was less than half full on a Saturday night in December - maybe a sign of the economic times. To me, though, more a sign of not enough of an effort to make it a better restaurant.

Love the location and the design/decor. They've done a great job in there but the seats weren't overly comfortable. The Aviation French cocktail was delicious and went really well with the baked brie - which was perfectly prepared. I ordered the pork cheeks and my husband ordered the duck breast. While the pork was cooked perfectly, the duck was quite a bit overdone. The wine glasses are huge and the recommended wine pairings were pretty good. Overall it was a great dining experience.

Recommended by my guests, and right across from my hotel. Very convenient. Limited lunchtime selection, but good choices. I had the tacos which were tasty, Service good, but the restaurant was not busy. Ambiance cool with a retro touch. The owners have tried to keep the features from eh past with modern update. I worry that there was more conversation at the end of the lunch about the men's washroom than the food, but all good. Will go back.