If I was writing this review based on my first experience at the Libertine, it would likely be a 4 star and glowing review. The service was friendly, the food excellent and my sole nitpick would have been getting charged $1.75 for a small little container of dipping sauce with my pizza. Even Panago doesn't charge for the first one of those!
In 2 subsequent visits however, Libertine has thrown away the good will earned on that first visit. My team and I went down a few weeks ago for lunch, and to say we were disappointed and underwhelmed would be serious understatement. I was honestly embarrassed to have recommended the place. Service was extremely slow, the food lacklustre for the prices charged, and they were out of 3 of their popular draft beers.
My last visit the other night for a friends birthday was a travesty. I joined the festivities already in progress, and after half an hour hadn't even been asked if I wanted a drink. Which might explain why the place seemed half empty when I initially walked up to it! Libertine needs to seriously pull it out of the fire if they want to survive in downtown Calgary. The pizza I had a month ago was both simple and spectacular, the service friendly and attentive. If they can bring that back, they might have a chance.
But slow service is death, and slow service to a business lunch crowd is certain death squared for a restaurant of any stripe.