Embarcadero Wine & Oyster Bar — Restaurant in Calgary

This is a tough one because hands down their oysters are fabulous. 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Id always recommend. Ill have to try other main meals to give full assesment but for me its been my oyster fix spot..

They Give Rodney's a run any day as far as oysters and quality. Sadly just Not as much in ambiance.

As well as this is one of the FEW ...very few places that do real handcut fries ..not frozen... real ones. Though the price for the portion I found a smidge high. I pay it because it's hard to find real fries..

I give a 3....Only because of the vibe Is older ....super dark decor and lighting..and maybe have a cult following that loves it?? I get that.I feel it steals from their potential. Rivaling other new fresh places that could really attract some fab ppl and money/bigger spenders to there if it had a few changes. Maybe sentimental reasons to keep it as such? l don't know. And that's okay... But to me it just doesn't do it justice.

Sadly the curb appeal walking up outside takes away from the nicer privacy vines. Trash and weeds outfront.... And faded menu sign? Its giving "I wouldnt trust seafood there" when thats not the case at all!

I just wish for them -- let alone me, there was a bit more care there Or welcoming.

The entire bar you aren't allowed to sit at. Which sucked because then I either take up a whole booth or high top to myself. And I couldn't enjoy watching the guy shuck the oysters the way they do elsewhere.

The bar is the almost staff office station for staff to sit at and do work? One time sitting on laptops and working away. Between service...I found odd or unprofessional... Littered with so much random stuff. And limits customers.

Nicole was amazing. So shout out to her and her kind bubbly energy ! She did great.

A younger fella at the bar was in a super grump or something at the door. Was a bit rude to me and asked me if I had a reservation for 1?? And With 4 open tables proceeded to say ..."maybe well have to see"..... for 1 ?? I dont know what i did lol.

Even the first time ever going, I waited at the front. Then walked in a bit and waited. Staff at the bar didn't acknowledge me at all? Then an older guy walks in a few moments later ..staff jumped up walked passed me and greeted this guy was diabolical.

I ended up spending $120 that night by MYSELF so not sure if showing up in casual clothes? others were in tshirts shorts? so again. I don't know why the dismissal of ignoring of me is. Or a bit rude implying there might not be room. Im wearing all lululemon and arcteryx or Rab so sport casual but quality items? And I Tip 20% too..so the judgement/ignoring didn't feel suoer nice

So back to this second time with the being unsure if there was room for me ... I sat at a high top. Was pointed at a few times and then left to be greeted or order for almost 10 mins without saying hi.. Just strange. Honestly I ate way less this time and didn't even have wine. Perhaps maybe could work on that factor...

Especially when someone comes in smiling and asks if there is room for 1. I had checkd fb and saw a post for fresh that day so I was excited. And just felt like unwelcomed trash after.

Although i usually have wine. Please consider getting local beers on tap. The odd time ill do beer. Support local. Good to keep the commercial brands too! Ppl love those. But for the younger yyc crowd it would be awesome to see an Annex Pale ale. Or ANY local IPA..88.. Cabin.. Establishment... Dandy..Tailgunner..Last Best their Tokyo Drift ...and more!

Mussels were great and really good size! Was sad there wasn't even cilantro or something on the green curry sauce. But straight forward no presentation works too. Still delicious and recommend !

House hot sauce is amazing. Love it, I put it on my fries too! So good

Overall I recommend and will share the word about how great the oysters are, and wish more success for many more decades to come.

I'll take a photo of the oysters next time! I have a new problem lately is being too excited to eat them I see them. I forget to take a photo and they...

**Updated August 31, 2021 Embarcadero cancelled my reservation because of previous Google review.

I wanted to celebrate my fourth year anniversary with my boyfriend and made a reservation at Embarcadero two weeks ago as the restaurant was participating in the Alberta On The Plate food festival happening that same week, and indicated on Bookenda that it was for my fourth year anniversary. I received an email from Bookenda indicating that my reservation was confirmed for that day. However the morning after I made the reservation, I received the following message from Embarcadero and an email indicating my reservation has been cancelled (however I did NOT cancel the reservation). See uploaded screenshots of the emails.

"You shouldnt come here for your anniversary we are nothing special according to your google review and due to COVID we are still short staffed these days".

I could not believe that Embarcadero cancelled my reservation because of my previous Google review which I had done 1.5 years ago and rated the restaurant 3/5 (see review below). The Google review was based on my experience and observation at that time, and even though in my opinion was not a 4/5 or 5/5 experience, I was still willing to come here with my boyfriend to celebrate our anniversary (which is a pretty big deal) because of the good things my coworkers have said about this restaurant, and that we wanted to try the menu that was offered during the food festival.

Does Embarcadero keep a list of all the people who has given average Google review ratings and blacklist them, and ensure that those people cannot make a reservation at the restaurant? I have never seen a restaurant do this before, and typically I don't make reviews but I was very disappointed in the message that was sent, and that the restaurant decided to cancel my reservation.

I am never coming here ever again, given that the restaurant doesn't seem to like feedback. I have revised my rating from 3/5 to 1/5.

**Original Review - 3/5

Went to Embarcadero for the YYC food experience. It was $40 for 3 courses - haven’t been here for 2 years decided to check out the menu since it had seafood and steak options.

We came on a Friday and it was pretty busy but I feel like they are short staffed. It took long for our food to come and even for a glass of water too. Seemed like the server always forgot about us but they seemed friendly.

The seared scallops with crispy pork belly with maple glaze was decent, taste was good but it was a bit cold.

The bacon wrapped 4oz filet with lobster tail and jumbo prawn was ok, nothing special.

Double chocolate brownie with poached pear was ok as well, pretty average.

I think the decors of the restaurant can be renovated a bit but it’s in a central location beside the Stampede grounds if you are looking for a more...

Terrible Experience: Embarcadero Wine & Oyster Bar Treats Families with Contempt

We have dined at over 30 restaurants in the last 2 weeks stay in Calgary and this was the only one that we experienced this level of disappointment. I strongly advise parents to avoid Embarcadero Wine & Oyster Bar if you plan to dine with children.

As a former Yelp Elite with extensive experience in the restaurant industry, I've witnessed firsthand the power that reviews hold. While I've chosen to use this influence responsibly, I feel compelled to share my family's negative experience at Embarcadero Wine & Oyster Bar in Calgary.

We arrived as a family of four: two adults, a toddler, and an infant. Despite being informed about the potential noise and crowds, we felt welcomed by the host and decided to dine there. The server was also very gracious and professional. However, our experience quickly soured. Midway through our meal, our infant began to express discomfort. Instead of offering assistance or understanding, a staff member (likely the manager or owner) appeared and made discriminatory comments like "I'm glad you got it to stop crying" and "some places allow certain types of people, but maybe this is not the place."

It was clear that we were being pressured to leave due to our child's behavior. The staff's subsequent online behavior only reinforced our negative impression. Their history of dismissing customer complaints and defending their actions demonstrates a lack of accountability and a disregard for customer satisfaction.

Embarcadero Wine & Oyster Bar is clearly not equipped to handle the occasional noise or disruption that may occur with young children. Instead of offering assistance or understanding, they choose to blame families and make them feel unwelcome. The restaurant's initial warning about the noise level was misleading, as the establishment was neither loud nor crowded. This suggests a deliberate attempt to discourage families with children from visiting.

To improve their experience, Embarcadero Wine & Oyster Bar should consider implementing a clear policy regarding children. Instead of relying on passive-aggressive tactics, they could simply post a sign stating that "children who make noise are not allowed." This would provide transparency and avoid any misunderstandings. Leaving parents to define "misbehaved" when it comes to young children is highly subjective.

I wish the Embarcadero Wine & Oyster Bar team well and hope they can improve their practices to create a more welcoming environment for the customers they...