Heartland Cafe & Restaurant — Restaurant in Alberta

WARNING - Long Review To start off, I, being a forgiving imperfect human myself, have eaten at many different establishments. Whether it be “high class” or “whole in the wall” types of places. I’ve worked in the foods & service industry for many years. Only reason why I gave this a two stars, is for the fact that I am showing compassion to our server, who seemed to be either inexperienced or very overwhelmed. I was not aware of where our dinner reservations were going to be (definitely was not dressed to impress, and don’t tend to really dress to show my status anyway. My skin colour tends to do that for me before I even have a chance to speak, to show those who make judgements/presumptions otherwise… ~ would dressing prettier or more put together made a difference to how everything transpired… highly unlikely!) When I walked up and saw the sign, I was excited to experience what all the hubbub was about. Our group walked in and we were in very happy spirits, very excited to be uniting to celebrate my sister-in-laws 70th spin around the sun. We were greeted by a person that didn’t seem too impressed with the volume of our joy and promptly asked us if we had a reservation. It took him a few seconds to find the name and then directed us to follow towards our table. Reservation was for ten people. Set very nicely, in the middle of the room. We were respectful with timing and were not late for our reservation either… we arrived at approximately 6:20pm, the reservation was for 6:30pm. As we all settled and found our seats, we all noticed that our server wasn’t present. (Which we all agreed was a fair bit odd, as we are all accustomed to have someone either offer to bring water for the entire table, promptly after being seated, or offer a moment to decide on drinks. After about 5 minutes the server finally took the order. Not sure why it took 10 to 15 minutes for the bartender to pour five or six glasses of wine into the mini carafes, along with preparing a couple of glasses of draft, and pouring ginger ale into a glass, but even the water hadn’t been brought to the table yet. At this point, it was not busy. There were about 8 tables with customers already seated, and possibly had given their order. Can’t say for sure… After there were a few mixups with which wine belonged to whom and a glass of wine, with what seemed like, to be missing for a good 20 minutes, we were finally able to put our meal orders in. At this point we’d been sitting for just over 30 minutes… At about 7:15pm (give or take, it may have been later) the server brings a few plates of a sliced baguette with a creamy cucumber butter. For those who could eat it, it went down fairly quick, all voracious by that point, thinking we would be close to finally seeing the light of our meals. Sadly, we were all sorely mistaken. (Personally, I have a severe gluten/dairy intolerance and was not able to enjoy the bread and butter). One good thing out of all that waiting, our server was able to replenish our water & beverages, when she wasn’t too busy. At about 7:48pm, still no meals. My husband, sadly, cannot eat after a certain time and he had to ask for his meal to be cancelled. The server seemed a little indignant as to why he was cancelling the order (as some of our group also wanted to do, including myself) and I found it quite ignorant that she would respond in such a way and make it sound like it was inconsiderate of HIM to even make such a request. It was after 8pm when we finally received our food! Over an hour wait! When the food finally arrived, the GF/DF seafood Penne (there is not a GF Tagliatelle option, and had we known that, we wouldn’t have ordered it), other plates arrived lukewarm also. My sister-in-law and I both sent our plates to get properly heated. It had three cherry tomatoes cut in half, shrimp was tough and the DF sauce was a watery/oily mess at the bottom of the plate. The dish had a kick to it, but no actual flavour. There was zero compensation for the long delay or poor quality of the meal. Would...

An Unforgettable Day We’ve been to Heartland a few times before, but today was something truly special. My husband and I decided to go out for brunch, and from start to finish, the experience was extraordinary. Our server, Kitti, made us feel so welcome and added such a warm touch to our visit. The food and service were impeccable, and while the ambiance is undeniably gorgeous, it’s the dishes and the care behind them that make Heartland shine.

Brunch set the tone for the day. The coffee—an espresso for him and a cappuccino for me—was a revelation. It’s comforting to know where to find great coffee in Okotoks! My husband had the chicken sandwich, served on a crispy baguette filled with baked chicken, smoky bacon, crisp lettuce, and fresh tomatoes. It was hearty, satisfying, and packed with classic flavors done just right. I opted for the eggs benedict, which came with a perfectly rich, homemade hollandaise sauce that made each bite feel luxurious. The creamy green bean soup was hearty and homey, like something straight from a grandmother’s kitchen. For dessert, we indulged in the strawberry champagne cheesecake. It was creamy, delicately sweet, and the perfect finish. Kitti recommended the mulled wine, which was incredible—a lovely medley of red wine, brandy, cloves, and nutmeg that felt like a cozy hug in a glass.

What made the day even better? Kitti inviting us back for dinner. We couldn’t resist, so we returned for round two—and we’re so glad we did.

Dinner began with a basket of fresh baguette, paired with herb garlic butter and parsley oil—a small but thoughtful touch that set the stage for what was to come. We ventured slightly out of our comfort zone with the bison tartare, (we usually very much enjoy classic beef tartare), initially hesitant about the gamey flavor, but it was perfection. The tartare was tender and well-balanced, complemented by truffle mayo and crisp parsnip chips.

Another highlight was the vegetable zacusca, which Kitti introduced with a smile, saying it often surprises people expecting something entirely different when it arrives at the table. A blend of roasted eggplant, red bell peppers, juicy tomatoes, onions, garlic, bay leaves, and smoked paprika is finely blended into a slightly rough paste, bringing out a symphony of smoky, tangy, and sweet flavors. Served with crispy baguette, it felt like a rustic yet elevated version of a vegan tartare, full of depth and character.

For the main course, I left the decision in Kitti’s capable hands. She chose the spinach gnocchi with butternut squash sauce, smoked duck breast, and goat cheese, and I couldn’t have been happier. The gnocchi were soft and buttery, not a hint of sponginess, and the browned butter added a depth of flavor that was both comforting and indulgent. The sauce was silky smooth, reminding me of a dish my mom used to make, and the smoked duck breast brought a perfect balance of richness and smokiness. Topped with perfectly diced butternut squash and tangy goat cheese, the dish was as visually stunning as it was delicious.

My husband’s plate—the daily special of barramundi with mussel sauce, green pea purée, and butternut squash gnocchi—was equally flawless. The fish was light and flaky with a subtle sweetness, complemented by a delicate, lemony sauce that tied everything together.

Dessert was a showstopper. The whipped lemon lavender cheesecake and orange blackberry panna cotta were light, refreshing, and the ideal ending to an unforgettable meal. Paired with an espresso martini for him and a virgin espresso daiquiri for me, it was a true chef’s kiss.

We weren’t celebrating anything specific, but this day will forever stand out in our memories as one big celebration of flavor and hospitality. The ambiance, the exceptional dishes, and Kitti’s friendly, thoughtful service made it all feel effortlessly special. Thank you, Heartland, for giving us a day we’ll be talking about for years to come! P.S. How do I really know we truly enjoyed food and service? I forgot to take pictures! I only remembered...

Absolutely, NOT a good experience this visit. I was VERY, VERY disappointed!!!!

Prices EXTREMELY HIGH in this restaurant ($29 for a burger, wow!!! ).

Ordered Soup (Cup Size) extremely small portion (high price of $10) and soup came out considered it to be cold to very lukewarm …told the Waitress when she asked, so, she asked if I want another bowl, I told her NO, as I had ordered a high priced $29 Hamburger. OMG !!!!

However, another (call her the 2nd Waitress) Waitress brought me another cup of soup, which I didn’t ask for. Had NO choice but to have it.

Hamburger arrived finally and I could absolutely taste the high Salt in that burger. Didn’t complain (should have) tired of complaining!!!!

Actually, I left a portion of my burger on the plate as couldn’t finish it due to the high salt content.

Believe it or not, I asked for A1 Sauce or HP Sauce and was told “No, didn’t have”. She said, I could bring you Barbecue Sauce, so, I said, okay, I’ll try that.

However, when the bill came priced at $43, with the extremely high priced restaurant they are already, they / she (the Waitress) still charged me $1.50 EXTRA for the Barbecue Sauce. Rip off !!!!

I chose NOT to give a TIP as, for one, with the already high priced restaurant they are, I do NOT have to give a TIP.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND????

NOTE: YOU, the employer, NEED to teach your STAFF, what duties are expected from them on their job and what is NOT expected and that TIPS are NOT / absolutely NOT MANDATORY!!!!

It’s, absolutely, my choice NOT, YOU nor YOUR WAITERS / WAITRESSES choice if I and/or will/ should be required to give a tip or NOT !!!!

DO YOU UNDERSTAND that ….NOT everybody can afford TIPS on the already high price of goods and services !!! I simply can’t afford TIPS to ADD to the already extremely high price in Restaurants!!!

You, the employer, need to teach your STAFF what is expected of them in their job and what they should NOT expect from the public !!!!!!!

Reasons why this visit alone ….two (2) Waitresses bit one …looking after my table; wasn’t till at the end before I was leaving , I, actually, had to ask for more water (neither Waitress never ever offered me); initially, cold soup brought to my table ie imagine, yet, the cup of soup hardly covered the bottom of the bowl (ridiculous!!); etc.

Upon leaving, I asked for a receipt when paid with my Debit Card from this whatever ?? first blond Waitress with a ponytail ie wasn’t the friendliest Waitress either that I’ve ever been served by, for sure!! ie the one who had walked up to my table to first serve me, and,

……upon paying with my Debit Card, she ignored my request for a RECEIPT and walked away WITHOUT giving me a receipt ..she was only a few steps away as I was gathering my jacket / bag to leave ….

I absolutely knew she was talking about me to the other 2nd Waitress ….

(NOT a GREAT FEELING as I continue to struggle alone after loosing my husband suddenly 3/4 hour prior to his heart surgery ie we would have been married 53 years this year) …

ie call her the 2nd Waitress, who, also, brought me the 2nd Bowl of Soup (as while this ignorant blond Waitress was telling the 2nd Waitress who served me (dark hair), the 2nd so-called Waitress looked my way so that was clearly obvious, this ignorant blond Waitress was talking about me to the other Waitress !!!!!

This so-called blond (?dyed hair) didn’t do her job !!!!!

Sadly, TERRIBLE WAITRESS, terrible service, not so great food...