Notable was recommended to us by some friends who now live in Bowness (I [heart] Bowness, word). So as our anniversary was approaching we decided we'd check it out. Ends up, it was a pretty solid decision.
A quick breakdown of Notable:
- Owned by Canadian chef legend, Michael Noble, Notable is quite new on the Calgary restaurant scene.
- Located in dodgy Bowness, you're in for a people-watching treat.
- Go early, go late, make a reservation or be prepared to wait an hour for a table.
- Cool menu offers a select choice of dishes available as "tasters" or "mains"
- No espresso, but serve French-pressed Phil and Sebastians, which is tight.
- Quaint patios with headers offer an awesome "cool-Calgary-night" alternative.
-Serve Canmore's Grizzly Paw sodas
What we had:
Lobster salad "mini buns", chili garlic butter - $24 (main). This dish comprised of five "toasts" with a diced lobster salad mash on top. It was decent. Felt like I was eating lobster SPAM on garlic toast. Honestly, I probably wouldn't have this again.
Ravioli of confit chicken, roast mushrooms and Borsin cheese - $15 (taster). Loved, loved, loved this dish. The ravioli was definitely hand made and, with the accompanying buttery sauce goodness, melted in my mouth.
Pulled rotisserie chicken, cured bacon, Broxburn Farms tomato, lettuce sandwich - $15. What is really a glorified chicken club, this sandwich had me craving more. The mayo offered the perfect condiment and the bun was like the lightest focaccia you've ever had. Side house-cut fries bumped this from a 4.5 to a 5 star dish. I would definitely have this again.
Chinook honey creme brulee - $9. Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. This dessert came with blueberries and an almond nougatine that did a great job putting the finishing touch on a great experience.
What we liked:
- Atmosphere is elegant but comfy, which is on par with their "gourmet comfort food" menu offering.
- Busy. The place was bustling with all types of people not afraid to have a good time enjoying good food and good company.
- Single bathrooms, not communal, which seems to be the new thing.
- Open kitchen
- "Non-stop" sparkling or still water for $1, which goes to charity at the end of the year.
- Staff were totally laid back and seemed to like their job (rare)
What we didn't like:
- Old-style furniture. The tables were cool, but the chairs were right out of my great aunts bridge game room - wooden with flat, brown cushions that brought on numbness before the second dish.
- Slow food service. Not sure if it's because they're still finding they're way, and I get the whole "enjoy your meal" thing, but it seemed slow.