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| - Another tough one to fit into a '5 Star' system. It's probably somewhere in between a two and a three but, oddly, I can also see a case for it being a four star (how weird is that??). Belgo tries hard to be an upscale Belgian Beer Bistro... probably one of the first 'gastro pubs/lounges' to give it a go in Calgary but, unfortunately, I think they miss it on a few levels.
It's also a bit weird to sum up a review with 'Headings' but in the case of Belgo they kind of jump out at you when you're there (so to speak). So here are my discussion points that completely sum up Belgo: Nasty Cleavage; Wide Beer Selection; Poncey Food; and WAAAaaaay Overpriced.
Nasty Cleavage - Ok... I get it. Direct from the Paul Vickers school of restaruant management, there's no question the formula works. That said, there's a good side and a bad side to everything. When I get nervous that some poor dear's breast may explode or spontaneously plop into my pint we're clearly on the 'bad' side... when the 'uniform' is 'plunging little black dress' but many have to wear the Addition Elle version - 'bad' side (discussion topic: when a 'mini skirt' gets over a certain size, isn't it more properly a 'maxi skirt'?... but i digress).
Wide Beer Selection - Probably the most interesting selection of beer on tap in downtown Calgary (which on its own would lead many to give Belgo 4 Stars... I mean, if you just HAVE to have a pint of Erdinger Weissbeir and you don't want to fly to Munich, you can get one at Belgo on tap.
Poncey Food - And this is a weird one for me. I generally like 'upscaled' pub food but for whatever reason the fare I've had and seen at Belgo has fallen into the catagory of needlessly poncey; contrived; insincere. Notwithstanding this, I had a very nice simple sandwich at lunch a few days ago that was really quite excellent (and the only 'poncey' part on this occassion was it being listed on the menu as a 'Club Maison').
WAAAAaaaay Overpriced - Another vestige of Calgary's boom. It's softened a bit at Belgo but pricing is still a real problem. A pint of beer ought not to be $10 and lunch specials shouldn't be running $25.
All together, I suppose I understand why some call Belgo home. I'll admit that I'll still go there from time to time. I suppose when it comes right down to it my 2 Stars is really based on 'what might have been'. Belgo could really be something special; I'm just saddly disappointed with what it is.
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