Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey — Restaurant in Calgary

Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey: A Culinary Triumph in Calgary

Ambience & Atmosphere

From the moment one steps foot into Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey, the aromatic allure of slow-smoked meats mingles with the rustic charm of the establishment, immediately setting the stage for an exceptional dining experience. With dim lighting, the ambiance of this eatery is intimate, with subtle nods to classic Texan smokehouses. Whether you’re here for a casual evening out or celebrating a special occasion, the ambiance strikes the perfect balance between laid-back and upscale.

The Culinary Experience

Hayden Block does not merely serve food; it offers a masterclass in the art of barbecue. The brisket, a standout item, boasts a tantalizing smoky crust outside, giving way to a melt-in-the-mouth, tender inside. It's a testament to the hours spent perfecting the art of smoking meat, and the result? A symphony of flavors.

The chopped pork, another highlight, exudes robust flavors, blending harmoniously with Hayden Block's signature sauces. Complementing the main dishes, their cornbread is moist and crumbly, an embodiment of Southern comfort food. And the BBQ corn wrapped in bacon? It's a sinful dance of sweetness, smokiness, and crunch that leaves one craving for more.

Drink Selection

The 'Whiskey' in Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey is not just a namesake; it stands for a meticulously curated list that complements the hearty BBQ fare. Their selection ranges from the smoky peat of Scotch to the caramel notes of a good Bourbon. For those who lean towards brewed refreshments, the array of beers is vast, ensuring that every palate, from the novice drinker to the connoisseur, finds its match.

Service

While the food and drinks are the obvious stars, the impeccable service at Hayden Block cannot go unnoticed. The staff demonstrates a harmonious blend of professionalism with a touch of genuine warmth, ensuring that every diner feels valued. Their knowledge about the menu, from the origins of the meats to the perfect whiskey pairing, adds to the overall gastronomic journey.

Parking

A minor caveat to this otherwise stellar experience is the street parking. The Kensington area can indeed present a challenge for those driving, especially during peak hours. But as any culinary enthusiast will attest, the finest experiences often require a tad bit of effort. And in the grand scheme of things, a small parking hiccup pales in comparison to the culinary delights that await within.

Conclusion

To dine at Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey is to embark on a gastronomic journey that transcends the ordinary. It's a homage to the traditions of barbecue while also bringing a modern flair to each dish. With its perfect melding of food, drink, ambiance, and service, Hayden Block firmly establishes itself as a shining jewel in Calgary's dining scene. And while the Michelin Guide has its criteria, for lovers of authentic BBQ paired with an exceptional drink list, Hayden Block is undoubtedly a star in...

Good food, but one of the worst service we've had in a long time.

The first waitress that placed us was nice and polite, but unfortunately, the waitress that then came to take our orders was quite unpleasant. She didn't know the answers to simple questions we asked (cost of the special, what dressings they had, advice about the beers) and showed attitude every time a simple thing was requested (one set of cutlery missing apparently grants raised eyebrows and sighing, and don't dare asking if they had something for a birthday party). She was also quite clumsy, spilling water twice (no apology, just a "it's okay" the second time). We tried to make a couple of jokes to lighten her mood but she ignored them. The server that brought us the food was nice, polite and pleasant, so that was a nice change, but then she came back, hustled one of our guests when clearing the cable, and brought us the bill without asking us if we were done. Finally, despite asking us 3 times how we'd split the bill (just 2 bills for 8 people, nothing complicated), she still managed to get it wrong. Of course we got attitude when we corrected her (and even more after she came back another time to confirm she understood it correctly), but to be fair, we had enough of her at this point and didn't feel like trying to be nice and pleasant to our waitress anymore. Wait, shouldn't it be the waitress's job to be nice to the guests? Lastly, while we were waiting for our dessert, we saw her by the bar with another server, she was pointing at our table and laughing, we looked at her and she instantly stopped laughing. None of those apparently granted a bill reduction (we didn't ask, and we shouldn't have had to anyways). She seemed unpleased but not surprised that her tip was very minimal. It's too bad a place with such good food has such an unpleasant and unskilled staff member. Again the other two servers we dealt with seemed happy to be there, so we're not sure why that waitress had so much attitude towards us from the get go. It's okay to have a bad day, but being this rude and unapologetic is not acceptable. And if you want to make fun of your guests, do it from a place where they can't see you. Oh and we forgot a hat when we left (fell under the bench and didn't realized until much later). We don't expect to be able to get it back, and honestly, we don't plan to go back...

My friend and I came in for lunch and ordered food and drinks. As expected, our server asked for our IDs at the time of ordering, and we complied without hesitation. Everything was fine until about 30 minutes into our visit when a staff member named Rob approached us. Rob claimed we “looked underage” and insisted on checking our IDs again, despite us already being properly verified by the waitress.

Although we complied and provided the requested identification again, Rob inspected our IDs as if they were fake and spoke to us in a very condescending and accusatory tone. He additionally asked for a secondary piece of ID from both of us, as if in disbelief about the authenticity of our drivers licences. The interaction felt unnecessary, hostile, and frankly, like a power trip rather than a standard ID check. There was no compassion, understanding, or professionalism. For reference, we are 25 and 26 years old — well above the legal drinking age.

After the encounter, we learned from our waitress that Rob confronted her earlier to confirm whether she had already verified our IDs properly. Despite this confirmation, he still felt the need to approach us, question us, and demand multiple additional pieces of ID — indicating a clear mistrust of paying customers. Not to mention, we both ordered a single cocktail.

I fully understand and respect the importance of verifying IDs, and appreciate the responsibility staff have to ensure compliance with liquor laws. However, the way this situation was handled was extremely uncomfortable and inappropriate compared to other experiences I’ve had elsewhere. It stemmed from Rob’s tone, choice of words, and facial expressions. Rather than a simple, professional verification, it felt like we were being interrogated and humiliated in the middle of our meal.

I will also be emailing management directly about...