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| - Ok, I'd like to give this place a better review. Hell, for awhile, this WAS my go-impress-the-gal resto that I would bring a first date to as my way of impressing her. One of my co-workers actually created the memorable ad campaign that River Cafe has used for the last 8 years. It's still one of the better places to go for wild game cuisine, and it's well rated for the food. Boar and Bison figure highly in the menu, and it's imaginative and unique. The wine selection is absolutely wonderful and various, but more importantly, the decor and atmosphere is absolutely romantic and intimate.
But... while I can see why most people would rate this all as a 4 and 5 star, I just can't. Food that is supposed to not only wow, shock and awe. But somehow, it just doesn't have that especial touch that I experienced at Rouge or Charcut. I'm just not wowed at all as the flavour is decent, but just not dreamy and stunning.
So I would say this is more of a 3.5 rating, for the place itself, but as I am not overly impressed despite the game meat elements, it's worth it for an good impression I suppose, but not necessarily a stunning one. The only other resto in town I would say the same about where the environment trumps the food would probably be Sky360 on top of the Calgary Tower.
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