Restaurant Review: The Block Kitchen and Lounge

Not sure if it’s possible but traffic seems to have gotten worse in Calgary lately. Especially because I’m one that is quick to anger on the road, I’m glad that 1) I live close to downtown and 2) I don’t have to drive too often and leave it to my husband. I still remember a time when I loved cruising in my car, but now I avoid it like the plague, which is why it’s great to have so many delicious food options close to our house. One of them being The Block which recently opened up earlier this year and we decided to stop in one day after work to check it out.

Atmosphere: Large dining area with a simple rustic charm fused with a modern day feel, a nice place to meet friends for a drink in the lounge or grab a bite outside the craziness of downtown.

Price Range: Mid $10s - $20+

 

Food: We were ravenous and couldn’t wait for dinner, so we found ourselves at the restaurant quite early (I guess work tends to drain both our minds and stomachs). To our surprise, there was a happy hour special and we decided to order a couple dishes to sample. We were amazed at how large their portion sizes were when they arrived. Being priced at 5 dollars a plate we figured they would be smaller plates of the original but they were full orders! Definitely a great deal for those that are hungry and happen to be in the area. Not to mention that they were delicious as well.

The Calamari was crunchy and addicting. Served with pickled red onions and a garlicky aioli, it was something you can pick at all night. We also ordered some Parmesan Fries off the same menu. I’ve found there are too camps when it comes to French fries, soft or extra crispy, I’m part of the latter group and if you are too then you’ll enjoy these! They come with a side of ketchup and a side of aioli, to satisfy all parties, plus you can never go wrong with more dips for fries.

 

We were craving appetizers that evening so we also ordered the Spinach Artichoke Dip off their regular menu. Normally I find we always need to ask for additional crostinis for all the dip that is served, but not in this case. The dip was served with more than enough crostinis, each being the perfect bite sized portion. The dip itself was velvety with lots of chunky spinach and topped with a layer of gooey cheese. Again it was a good portion size and perfect for sharing amongst several people.

For the entrée, we had the Pork shoulder with a celery root white bean hash and green beans. I really liked the hash, which enhanced the smokiness of the pork. The meat itself was flavourful and the green beans were cooked perfectly. The dish came together nicely and made for a hearty plate.

Since we were overzealous with all the appetizers we unfortunately didn’t save room for dessert, which means we’ll need to make another trip back to sample some of the delectable sounding desserts they have on their menu.

My Picks: Pork Shoulder

Overall: Not only is closer to our house but couple that with delicious food and generous portion sizes, it’s a great alternative to driving downtown and searching for parking! Looking forward to visiting again to sample different seasonal items and features.

The Block Kitchen and Lounge
2411 4 Street NW
Calgary, AB
(403) 282-1339
Website: eatdrinkblock.com