An honest detailed review (tldr at bottom) Service - Our server was very poor, had very poor energy and was very dismissive, she wasn’t very keen on serving. Asked for recommended wine pairing for the steak I had got and she basically told me to get what I like. I also had asked about the butchers cut (which I got) and she didn’t bother to tell me the ounces or provide me with any information other than a flat “it’s a ribeye.” My wife and I were celebrating our first anniversary and tried not to pay too much attention to the lack of service and hospitality from our server from the initial reaction but the overall vibe we got from her was extremely poor throughout the whole night, barely coming by to check on our tables, etc. server 1/5
However the hosts and food runners were great, happy, energetic and were very kind. 5/5
Food - Steak tartare (8/10) was great, started off well great mix of flavours and acidity, the bread served with it could’ve been better but overall best dish of the night. Butchers cut ribeye 14oz (1/5) probably the worst dish of the night, for a frequent steak eater it was awful. The chef did a great job of cooking the steak to the temperature I like (which is why it’s a 1/5) but it was served on a COLD PLATE. For a $95 steak I was absolutely shocked for the lack of care and preparation that went into this steak. For a ribeye which I almost exclusively only eat the cut was sub par. Wasn’t seasoned but again our server didn’t really advise us on getting sauce for the steak but either way I was happy with just salt and pepper(which our server did not get for us). However the cold plate was my biggest issue as I’ve had $40 steaks that come on a hot plate, completely baffled me that a “high end” restaurant wouldn’t be able to provide something as simple as a hot plate, specifically the plate was colder than room temperature probably just below refrigerator temp which was pretty cold considering the plate should be HOT. Glazed king crab (3/5) crab was cooked perfectly however was too salty. Scallops (4/5) great dish cooked perfectly sauce provided felt like it was missing something but was solid and we’d order again.
Overall the for all the food each dish was cooked very well, and most of the staff were amazing contributing to the 2 points awarded. Server was awful -1 points, steak was horrendous -1 point, atmosphere 2 points. Side dishes were inconsistently seasoned (too salty or too bland) 0 points. Wouldn’t recommend this restaurant and wouldn’t been keen on returning. I enjoy good food and steaks and would be willing to pay hundreds of dollars for a good steak, however at major toms paying a I wouldn’t even pay $30 for the subpar cut of steak served on an...
Read moreI dined at Major Tom in Calgary, during a business trip for a conference. The restaurant was easy to find and conveniently within walking distance from the Hyatt where I was staying. We went on a Friday night and were glad to have reservations for our party of three, as it was really busy. The moment we stepped into the restaurant, I was struck by its beauty. The décor and ambiance reminded me a lot of Canoe in Toronto, which immediately gave me a sense of familiarity and comfort.
The view from the restaurant is simply amazing, overlooking the stunning Calgary skyline. It set the perfect backdrop for our evening. The atmosphere was sophisticated and cool, with a vibrant crowd that added to the overall experience. The standouts of the evening were definitely the service, food, and cocktails. Our server was exceptionally nice and made our experience special. She talked to us like old friends, which made the evening even more enjoyable. Her warmth and attentiveness were genuinely appreciated, and she added a personal touch that elevated our dining experience.
We were fortunate to get a seat by the window, enhancing our dining experience with a fantastic view. The cocktails were impressive, particularly the peach old fashioned, which was flamed tableside and absolutely delicious. The presentation was captivating and added a theatrical flair to our meal. For appetizers, we had the foie gras and tuna tartare, both of which had complex, delightful flavors. The foie gras was rich and decadent, while the tuna tartare was fresh and bursting with intricate tastes that delighted our palates.
For our main course, we all ordered steak. I had the NY prime rib with broccolini sides, and it was mouthwatering. The steak was perfectly cooked to my preference, tender and flavorful, making it one of the best I’ve had in a long time. The broccolini was a perfect complement, adding a fresh, crisp balance to the rich meat.
For dessert, I enjoyed the carrot cake and coffee, both of which were delicious. The carrot cake was moist and flavorful, with a perfect blend of spices and a creamy frosting that wasn’t too sweet. It was a delightful way to end the meal. The only downside was the coffee service. They served my coffee in a glass cup without handles and my colleague’s espresso in a similar glass cup, making them too hot to handle. It didn’t make sense to serve hot beverages in such glassware, and we found it quite inconvenient.
Despite this minor issue, it was a memorable evening. The total bill for the three of us came to around $500, which was very reasonable given the quality of the food, service, and views. The experience at Major Tom was worth every penny, and I left feeling...
Read moreThe experience at Major Tom was extremely disappointing - not just for the price (which I'll get into shortly) but there was an overall lack of quality and a lack of refinement. This wasn't a top 100 in my opinion (or the 4 others with me).
Let's start with the price - 5 ppl came up to $954 after taxes and tip. I just can't believe tipping a server (even at the 16% I input) was still around a $140 tip out of my pocket to pay for major mistakes.
The food. The beef tartare was the same beef tartare you get anywhere you go. Nothing to write home about, a good beef tartare but I've had equally good for half the price. The salmon crudo was 6 pieces of sliced salmon on a saucy bed of what tasted like a sauce vierje. Again, unimaginative and lacking creativity.
The cheese toast was just OK. It wasn't any better than a well made grilled cheese. The potato puffs though were fantastic.
From the mains side, the cod was the best dish of the evening, and the Cavatelli was also very good (and substantial). The market priced Rib Eye special was so disappointing. Cooked perfectly to our requested MR, it was just completely under seasoned and when there's no seasoning to the stea, it's just a steak.
The side scallops were well prepared and the side charred brocollini was delicious.
When it comes to the desserts - they were all good. There was an early grey mousse-like dish, a millefeuille and a classic Baked Alaska. They are quite large portions actually.
Where some of the other big disappointments of the evening comes in is starting with caviar service. We ordered the 110$ tin of caviar and were immediately told they didn't have it so we'd have to buy the $210 tin. Obviously we weren't forced to, but come on. So we splurged. Then we received our cocktails and one was missing. Once it did arrive, one of those cocktails didn't receive the spritzing flame garnish so the server had to run back to the bar and we had to wait again for them to come back and spritz-flame two glasses. It was just very sloppy. Not to mention our wait time post-ordering our mains was over 40 minutes, for only 4 dishes.
I know this place will continue to receive accolades, and it's an absolutely incredible view inside at any time of day or night, but I just cannot endorse it after I've been to more than half the restaurants on the top 100 list and Major Tom just didn't stack up.
I hope it was just an off-night that came to the tune of an almost $1000 bill to me - you can do so much...
Read more