In land-locked Calgary, getting fresh seafood isn’t as easy as going down to the docks. But chefs throughout the city are bringing in fresh-as-possible lobster that will leave you believing you can smell the ocean breeze as you soak up that last bit of hot butter drizzle on some juicy coastal claws. Here are some places where you can get your lobster fix.
Who says lobster can only be enjoyed at lunch and dinner? A diner-style restaurant open morning until night, visit The Beltliner to dive into some tasty lobster at breakfast time. The lobster eggs Benedict is served with two poached eggs on English muffins, lobster, cream cheese, tobiko and house-made hollandaise. The place also makes a mean lobster mac and cheese. Pair either dish with a glass of brunch punch on Saturdays and Sundays.
The dark-wood interior and low-hanging lights at this restaurant and lounge give it a sophisticated business-or-pleasure vibe. Its comfortably upscale menu features the drool-worthy lobster mac and cheese with truffle oil and cheddar. As well, make any Vintage entree a lobster feast with the optional addition of an Atlantic lobster tail. Pair with one of more than 300 wines featured on the vino menu, and enjoy live music every Friday through Sunday.
Located in the historic Imperial Bank of Canada Building on Stephen Avenue Walk, Catch is known for its fresh, Ocean Wise-approved sustainable seafood. The main floor is a laid-back oyster bar done up in nautical decor, while upstairs you’ll find an upscale, contemporary-seafood restaurant. Go big with a seafood tower with whole chilled lobster or taste the purity of the Naked Lobster – one entire crustacean shelled and drizzled in butter and served with seasonal veggies.
Lobster poutine. Need I say more? This neighbourhood restaurant in Beltline serves a heaping dish of P.E.I. lobster chunks atop double-blanched fries and Quebec cheese curds covered in lobster gravy. A dreamy dish, it’s available on the lunch and dinner menus on weekdays. I suggest you make stretchy pants and an afternoon nap part of your Laurier-lobster meal plan.
The recently renovated Silver Dragon is a family-friendly Chinese restaurant located in Chinatown. Here, lobster is choose-your-own, served fresh from the seafood tank. It’s served steamed with garlic, or as a delicious spicy, Szechuan-style stir-fry as well as with black bean sauce and green peppers and onions. Also enjoy your lobster served with a simple, creamy butter sauce.
On Thursday evenings, head to the Grey Eagle Resort & Casino for its value-priced, sprawling seafood-dinner buffet. Arrive early to get a jump on the lineup for fresh, chilled dishes from the sea that include juicy lobster tails and claws. Afterward, treat yourself to a dip in the chocolate fountain – not literally, of course.
In the Telus Convention Centre on Stephen Avenue Walk, step into Centini Restaurant & Lounge for contemporary Italian cuisine. Impress your date with the seafood double whammy of lobster and crab ravioli in a rich, creamy saffron sauce that’s almost too pretty to eat. Almost.
This cozy restaurant on Edmonton Trail in Renfrew serves sustainable-seafood dishes and much more. Served at lunch time on weekends, Big Fish’s lobster brioche comes with smoked oyster sage aioli. If you’re feeling up to the challenge, order the impressive lamb-and-lobster burger with cheese, guacamole and mango salsa for dinner. Wednesdays are free corkage, so bring your own bottle to pair.
Located in a refurbished redbrick manor in Victoria Park, this Beltline restaurant is named for the Embarcadero district along the San Francisco wharf. With the feel of an old seaside pub, its cuisine is contemporary. In the upstairs dining room and patio, lobster dishes include seafood linguine and lobster tail pasta, both served in a creamy lobster sauce. Also available is the surf ’n’ turf classic Alberta filet mignon with lobster tail and lemon-herb butter.