Maisie Eatery — Restaurant in Calgary

Maisie Eatery is inside the new SAM center on the Stampede grounds. Maisie doesn't have a set menu. Instead, there is a large counter displaying the options for the day. The display was filled with interesting, delicious looking salads, sandwiches, and pastries. The display reminded me of being in a bakery in France. Everything looked so lovely.

The coconut curry lentil soup was very nice. It was topped to cubes of soft carrot, sweet potato, full fat sour cream (which, of course, makes everything better!). I require (sadly) gluten-free options, so the soup came with a toast gf bun. It was very good and because it was warm, the butter provided melted into it. The cabbage wedge salad was topped with a miso sauce that had a mild taste of dill. The pastries taste as good as they look. Mine was a chocolate almond cake. My guest had a Jalapeno Cream Cheese Cruffin, Moroccan Cauliflower salad and a Sticky Toffee Cake. He was just as please with his meal as I was with mine.

The atmosphere was very comfortable. It wasn't too busy the day we were there, which meant I could hear what my guest was saying. It's pretty rare for most restaurants.

Being part of the SAM Center meant it had a touch of Stampede history included. We sat at, for lack of a better description, a shadow box table that had sections with Stampede memorabilia. They were fun to explore. The high ceilings and space between tables gave it an open feel.

Right beside the Maisie counter is an all gender washroom. If you like iron work art, and I do, check it out. The picture included doesn’t do it justice.

The place is a little hard to find, but it is right by the construction site of the new event center. In front of the main entrance is what I believe are called the Victoria Park, Rundle Ruins.

This place was a treat to visit. We didn't try any, but they have specialty coffees and a selection of wines etc. At this time, I believe it is fairly new. I suggest trying it soon before it becomes...

As a seasoned traveler with a penchant for fine pastries, I can confidently proclaim that Maisie Eatery in the Sam Centre by the Calgary Stampede has redefined my expectations for croissants outside of Quebec City. Nestled conveniently for both locals and tourists, this eatery serves the best croissant I’ve ever tasted, rivalling even the finest bakeries of Montreal and Paris.

From the first bite, it was clear that this croissant was something special. The exterior is delightfully flaky, each layer whispering a delicate crunch as you break into it. Unlike the overly baked imposters found elsewhere, Maisie Eatery‘s croissant maintains the perfect balance: a golden, crisp shell encasing a soft, doughy interior that practically melts in your mouth. This harmony of textures is a testament to the bakery’s mastery of their craft.

For any croissant enthusiast, this is a must-visit. The care taken in each fold of the dough is evident, resulting in a product that is as much a work of art as it is a culinary delight. And serving it warm was an exceptional touch. It’s rare to find a croissant that achieves such a high standard of excellence, and I was thoroughly impressed.

But Maisie Eatery offers more than just its stellar croissants. The array of pastries and sandwiches beckons with promise. I am looking forward to sampling each item, which promises to be a testament to their commitment to quality and flavour. The sandwiches are thoughtfully crafted, and the pastries boast a variety that ensures there’s something to tantalize every palate.

Whether you’re a local or just passing through, Maisie Eatery is a gastronomic gem that should not be missed. Their croissants alone are worth the visit, but the full menu promises even more delights to discover. If you’re a croissant enthusiast like me, prepare to be impressed. This is the best of the best, right...

I visited for their opening breakfast, and sadly, it was a letdown for us. We ordered the Apple Miso Danish and Avocado Toast. The danish was bland and stale. I was expecting a warm, flaky, buttery treat, but it wasn't anything like that. They warmed it in their oven, but somehow it was still room temperature and ‘rock hard’. My gums were struggling as I bit into the danish’s hard shell. The avocado toast was just okay. The bread crust was on the hard side and not warm at all. However, their avocado spread was flavorful and complemented by the delicious salsa on top. As for their hot drinks, there was nothing special about their lattes; the milk-to-caffeine ratio was too high. I noticed the baristas seemed like they were still ‘in training’, so I understand that aspect. The ambiance was beautiful, though. The color palette throughout the cafe was both cool and warm, with lots of natural light coming in from the windows and roof. There were plenty of tables and chairs, as well as an al fresco area outside the building.

I should have been lenient with my ratings because it was their opening day. However, they've been operating for a couple of weeks now, and paying for their expensive pastries did not feel like a great value. I think going for breakfast was bad timing because the pastries looked old and stale. I might try their lunch next time, but overall, it was a bad...