The Orchard Restaurant Review
Have you ever been transported to a place where everything in it is the epitome of magic? Well, there is a place in the middle of downtown Calgary, Alberta that is guaranteed to enchant you in all the ways a person can dream of. Whether it is lunch, brunch, or dinner, the Orchard is a charming place to go for a meal and a libation. There are several reasons why that is. So, lets look at them, shall we?
Crystals and Plant-life!
Atmosphere
Think glittering chandeliers that glistens down from the ceiling accompanied by long lively ivy to complement the warm golden accents that are everywhere. The place itself gives a person a hint of old-world luxury with their vintage bric-a-brac yet keeps up with the times with their trendy furniture. There is also a mixture of both metal and wood to give the place a balance between history and modern times. It is like living in two worlds at once.
What really steals the show here are the plants. It isn’t just they ivy from various heights but many exotic indoor plants placed in seemingly random spots that give a person a sense of nature without any danger. Although I did think a gnome or a fairy might jump out at any minute. The tiny candles on the table bring on a gentle feeling of romance but I will say that I wish there were small bouquets of flowers because I believe it would really tie things all together (even if it isn’t so practical). Never-the-less, the ambiance in this restaurant takes the breath away in all of the best ways.
Great Starters!
Service
The best service anyone could ever ask for. We came in a bit early for our reservation but that was just fine with them. Our table was already ready and waiting for us. You can call that sheer luck but it still makes a person feel welcome when you walk in. Our host (who was also the bartender) brought us to our table posthaste and told us that our server would be with us quickly and that ,“she was the best.” He did not lie about this. Our server was a lovely young lady who looked like a pixie with her bright eyes and sweet smile. Not only was she speedy but she was friendly, bubbly, and just the kind of person you know would excel even with the most difficult of customers. She happily answered all of our questions and had some great suggestions for us.
Now when it came to our host/bartender, I have to say that this guy was a genius when it comes to mixology. Feeling adventurous, my companion and I decided to “roll the dice” to try the dealer’s choice on the menu. After a couple of easy questions, we were not disappointed in the least. This man created our own unique concoctions that were nothing short of fantastic. If you have even seen that Netflix show called, “Drink Masters.” This young guy needs to be on it. He would win!
The Main Course
Food
Nothing short of perfect! Everything we had eaten at this place was heavenly. For our starter we ordered the Cheese Stuffed Garlic Bread and Marinated Octopus. This bread has ruined me because I don’t think I can go back to homemade garlic bread and feel the same as this dish has made. It was so filled with creamy, zesty cheese and the garlic was very present yet you tasted it more in the end. One can just melt with this. Now I didn’t eat the octopus (I’m a vegetarian) but the gentleman with me said that he has not had a good octopus like this anywhere else in the city. He wanted more.
For the vegetable dish, it was a tough choice but we ordered the Eggplant and Artichoke on Hummus. Oh, we have no regrets with that. The eggplant had ricotta cheese, tahini, and arugula. That is quite an interesting mix of ingredients but each one not only stood out but created a balance that made every bite taste so much better. That is the same with the Artichoke on Hummus. We are given bread and yes there is hummus, however there is an olive tapenade mixed with feta nestled on top of it. It was so fresh and savoury that my mouth still waters just thinking about it.
Our main course, was the Rougie Duck and the Vegetarian Pasta. Once again, I did not have the duck but I do not deny that the presentation of it was a work of art. My partner once again had to repeat himself in saying that, “This is the best roast duck, I have ever had in the city.” I have to say by the look of the duck, with its potatoes, and sides of vegetables, he would be right. Now for the pasta. I have been on the search for a great pasta and I have surely found it here. It had a wonderful tomato sauce with the right zip and zest to tickle the tongue. It also have gorgeous fresh seasonal vegetables and noodles that they have made in house that was cooked absolutely flawlessly.
Our beverages (as mentioned above) were dealer’s choice and the cocktails our bartender made specifically for us goes above and beyond all expectations. We were very open to any creation so long as it did not taste like licorice. And yes, both drinks were unique and both drinks were absolutely amazing. Mine was bubbly with sweet citrus notes and edible glitter while my companions were with his favourite spirit of amaretto and yet had nice fruity foamy finish that brings a smile.
The Perfect Book
Book
The book that would go the best with this restaurant is, “The Enchanted Greenhouse” written by Sarah Beth Durst. The reason for this is, the whole ambiance of this place is that of a magical sanctuary filled with plants. Well, that, and the fact that the owner of the greenhouse in this book and the executive chef of the Orchard are both exceptional cooks. Like this book, this restaurant is romantic and inspires others to believe that magic truly exists. The restaurant looks like an enchanted greenhouse and you can taste the magic in everything that you have. On top of that, the cocktails that you can have here are just like magic potions. So, what else could you need?
This story is about a woman named Terlu, who was so lonely that she broke the law of never to use magic. Of course, she did to make a spider plant come to life and keep her company. Found guilty, she is turned into stone for a few years and soon finds herself on a deserted icy island where there are greenhouses in need of a special touch. The handsome owner of these greenhouses is named Yarrow, who is doing everything he can to keep the greenhouses going but that is not enough. He needs help in a big way and here is a woman who is so unsure of herself that he wonders if all hope is lost. But is it? All it might take is just a little love.
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Final Thoughts/Ratings
10/10
This is a restaurant I recommend highly to all folks of all walks of life. This is not just a place to eat but a whole captivating experience that a person would want to experience again and again. If you don’t believe in magic, this place will change your mind. So, what are you waiting for? The tale begins when you step inside…
Where to Find them:
620 10 Ave SW #134, Calgary, AB T2R 1C3
