This 100 year old heritage building was the boyhood home of George F.G. Stanley, designer of our Canadian flag. It is a very casual eclectic restaurant where the food is excellent but not pretentious and their standards are extremely high. When you enter the upstairs dining room you can see why it has won awards for best 'romantic' and best 'first date', as well as 'best fondue experience'. This is an establishment, tucked into the heart of urban Calgary, where you can enjoy an intimate meal, just kick back in the comfortable bar, or spend the day on one of the coziest and sunniest patios in town.
"We took my Mom out for Mother’s Day to Laurier Lounge. The space is funky and comfortable. The patio looked very enticing as well. Service was friendly and efficient. My mother’s egg sandwich croissant suited her perfectly . The chef salad had pleasant flavors but could have been a little more substantial, really just three ingredients emmental, strawberries and pancetta in small portions. My husband enjoyed his Warren Buffet burger but it was well, a burger. The mimosas were well priced for Mother’s Day but I was a little gob-smacked by the $13 tab for a six once Kim Crawford sauv blanc. The menu items were restricted given that it was Mother’s Day and I would like to return to see what the kitchen can really do when not in a crunch."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, neighborhood gem
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"It actually took me on memories of previos visits to Montreal. The server was very kind and informative, service was very good. We ordered from the dinner menue, our food was very hot and flavourfull. I was intentionally trying to avoid Italian/Asian /American /Fusion- and although technically in terms of cooking history thats impossible, I feel that goal was acheived and I was satisfied with the restaurant / menue selection. I think on a day off I would try the lunch menue and sit on the patio in the sun. I observed an extensive beverage / wine menue that could keep one busy for years."
Dined on 5/09/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"First off the negatives: parking-not many spots, portions-a bit on the small side, though, I eat more than the average Joe. Now the positives: aside from that, you get a real sense of french cuisine, albeit Paris or Quebec=light and unique flavors not regularly enjoyed by most people. The hungrier I am, the more my taste buds come to life and I felt I could eat myself broke here. It might not be for absolutely everyone, but it's worth a try to see if you fancy this fancy."
Dined on 5/02/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion
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"Really the title says it all. From the beef tartar and the onion tart to the duck poutine to the risotto and beef bourguignon, all were well imagined and well executed. The fact that the restuarant lends itself to conversation was great for us - given that most places in town now like to have sound level so high that conversation is very difficult in a group setting."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, romantic, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion
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"Overall, a good dining experience. I really enjoyed the rustic, old home interior, and food presentation. Menu and food seemed very traditional until the meals actually came to the table…very unique plating, and very interesting flavors given your expectations. We would go back but would rather sit downstairs or outside…up stairs was very warm and tables very close together…but it is worth the visit."
Dined on 26/04/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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"My wife and I went for a later dinner here. Very small and cozy restaurant. There was a large loud group, but when they left it was a nice quiet, romantic environment; we were seated upstairs.
We had the Beef Experience for Two. All three fondues were delicious. Both of us left full and satisfied. The service was very good. Our waitress kept our wine full and the timing of the courses was spot on.
We will be returning to this restaurant!"
Dined on 19/04/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, hot spot
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"The Laurier Lounge is an unpretentious cozy bistro with stellar french country cuisine created by the former executive chef at the Milestone Hotel, the best boutique hotel in London. Ryan O'Flynn's passion is obvious in every flavourful offering on the transformed menu. Everything is made from fresh, meticulously sourced ingredients and you can taste the difference that attention to detail makes. Add to the dining experience a great wine list and a knowledgeable sommelier from France! Truly a taste treat..."
Dined on 14/04/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, great for lunch
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"Looooove This Place...feel like I am away on a vacation when here!! Thankyou!!"
Dined on 01/04/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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"This restaurant was recommended to me by a friend and I decided to go the next day for my sister's birthday. I am from France and I am picky when it comes to French food. The food was amazing!!!! The service was amazing!!!!! I will definitely come back!!!"
Dined on 28/03/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"Food was quintessential French and very tasty. We went on a Sunday night which is wine night - 50% off the reserve list and we ate from the bistro menu. Duck confit was excellent. Reasonable price, would definitely return if I am back in Calgary"
Dined on 24/03/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Perhaps this restaurant would find it beneficial if they focused on the fundamentals of service and realizing the potential they have in a unique little building and menu; instead they seem to have abandoned such simple values and rely solely on an isolated celebrity endorsement. It could be so much more."
Dined on 02/03/2013
2007
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"I've been to the Laurier Lounge on numerous occaisions for the Fondue Experience which starts off with cheese fondue, followed by beef (salad, potatoes and veggies) and finished with a chocolate fondue with fruit and homemade banana bread. It's a highly induldgent meal but worth every calorie! We went during Big Taste and the service was still good despite being a packed house. My only sad note was the consistency of the cheese fondue...runny in some places, super thick in others, tried mixing it up but that didn't help. It still tasted good though. And I think it may have been a one-off as every other time has been good."
Dined on 09/03/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"Good with my allergies but our waitress was unpleasant and kept interrupting our meal because she couldn't remember who ordered what (there was only 5 of us)"
Dined on 10/03/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic
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"Laurier Lounge offers something different in a sea of typical restaurants. Try the fondue! Just beware, dinner could take upwards of 2.5 hours due to courses, the restaurant set-up and slow service."
Dined on 10/03/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion
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"Thoroughly enjoyed our dinner, the food and the service were fantastic but the closeness of the tables to eachother is a bit of a drawback you almost need to make friends with your neighbours so you don't feel like your eavesdropping. Had the 3 course fondue as well as some other appetizers and some great wine. Definitely going back."
Dined on 06/03/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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"Everything was fantastic! There were four of us: Me, my wife, our daughter, and her boyfriend. We were there to celebrate our anniversary.
Both my wife and my daughter are celiac. With a little notice, Martin made a gluten-free bouillabaisse that was second-to-none.
I have eaten in restaurants all over the world in my business life. I can tell you without hesitation that Laurier Lounge IS in my top ten list - a FIVE STAR restaurant if ever there was one.
Thank you Martin (and staff of course) for a completely fabulous dinner!"
Dined on 01/03/2013
2013
Special Features: special occasion
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"Absolutely love this place....3 meals of 4 were fabulous...unfortunately the 4th did not meet expectations but we didn't complain....when the server asked how everything was and discovered the problem , she took it off the final bill which was a nice surprise...will definitely be back"
Dined on 22/02/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"This was our first time at Laurier Lounge and we certainly were not disappointed. we had the beef experience fondue and everything was delicious. Even something as simple as a baked potato was deliciously presented with a bit of butter and fresh thyme. There was definitely more than enough food. Even my husband, who has a really big appetite, was very satisfied at the end of the meal.The service was excellent as well."
Dined on 23/02/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Food Was Not Good. Its so tiny that if you talked, everyone in the restaurant could hear you, so you could hear their conversations too. I Ordered the Steak that was to come with "mashed potatoes, veggies and a chef creation sauce". It came with fries. And that is it! And the steak was nothing great. Our server was sweet, but it was only her second day so she really didn't know what she was doing, or anything about the food, wine or fondue. I don't blame her but as she I would suspect it was her 1st job ever but after we got our appitizer she came back 40 min later to see if we were ready to go, and then was surprised that we wanted to order supper. The cheese fondue did not taste good! My husband says the Lobster ravioli was tasty."
Dined on 17/02/2013
2013
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"Service was good. Although once the server realized we had been there before seemed like she didn't want to pay much attention to us at all. She was pleasant. By no means was she rude in anyway. But forgot my wine when she brought our drinks. And there was only two of us. Was a little slow. And our bill took over 20 mins to get to us. Food is usually always great. The chocolate for the fondue was cold when we received it. This is one of my favorite places to come for a nice romantic dinner."
Dined on 16/02/2013
2012
Special Features: notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"We were there for valentine's day dinner so it was particularly busy. Although we had a reservation, we had to wait almost half an hour for our table. However, the staff were very attentive, offered us space in the lounge and complentary wine while we waited. The food was excellent, and as the space is a converted house it is broken into smaller spaces, which makes it feel a bit more intimate."
Dined on 14/02/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"What a lovely little place :) My girlfriend and I really enjoyed ourselves. The servers were especially nice and bubbly. Food prices a bit high but not too high. Definitely coming back but will not get the wine in our Swiss Fondue."
Dined on 15/02/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"I've been to the Laurier Lounge previously for their Fondue and it was a fabulous experience and absolutely delicious. However on this particular occasion my spouse & I were celebrating an anniversary and were placed in a room a with a large group that was a little on the loud.
He ordered the Mike Holmes burger (Warren Buffet burger with bacon) but received the Warren Buffet - even with the MIA bacon the burger was very good. My main course was the Jumbo Lobster Ravioli, unfortunately it wasn't good at all. There was next to no lobster flavour and the dish didn't taste fresh (previous frozen?). Would not recommended it."
Dined on 16/01/2013
2011
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