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| - I sure didn't like Catch, but I love NOtaBLE - good job Chef Michael Noble! It is clearly one of Calgary's best restaurants to come along in a long time. It seems like there have been a lot of new restaurants in town lately, but they are often big on flash and low on taste. NOtaBLE hits the mark on both counts. In a truly hip building in a surprising location (in Bowness - seriously, I'm not kidding!), it is clear that NOtaBLE has the potential of becoming one of those iconic Calgary restaurants that you bring friends from out of town to (and there really aren't many of those out there!) NOtaBLE describes itself as having gourmet comfort food - which is a very apropos description.
The decor is urbane, comfortable, and modern -- yet still homey and down to earth. The "ambo" is perfect for either that ultra-romantic first date; a night out without the kids; or even a meal with friends you want to impress with your culinary IQ - and it's hard to nail all of these moods in one shot! Looking around the tables when we were there, there was everything from good looking yuppies, affluent-looking seniors, young hipsters - and again, several couples on dates. (Side note: to the pretty blonde girl sitting beside us on the date with the hairy-chested guy who took a call on his cellphone for a half-hour while leaving you sitting there by yourself - drop the jerk, he's not worth your time!)
Anyway, food is amazing. In my book, the mark of a truly excellent restaurant is doing the simple dishes very well. Although it was hard to decide given the menu that is filled with the usual tried-and-true favourites as well as some creative dishes, I had the Wood-grilled Organic Spring Salmon with risotto (I was tired of Stampede food by then), and it was truly perfect in all respects. Wine list was comprehensive, and the server was knowledgeable. For dessert, I had possibly the funnest dessert I have had in a haute cuisine restaurant in a long time - "Mini Donuts with Creamsicle" (actually, it was a frozen orange panacotta with vanilla mini-donuts) - whimsical, surprising, and delicious!
I can't wait to go back to NOtaBLE and try other things on the menu! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
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