Ricardo's Hideaway — Restaurant in Calgary

This post has nothing to do with this bar's food or drinks but sadly about their horrible customer service and possibly racial profiling my friend and I. I was utterly disgusted by their staff. I am a 22yrs old who went to the bar with my friend who is 26yrs old, the minute we walk in, I sensed the hostile behavior by the waiter, I wish I knew his name. He was a lean skinny boy, with brown hair working on the 18th September, Saturday night. We politely ask for a table for two. We were about to order, my friend drinks alcohol while I do not, and so I asked for a non-alcoholic drink suggestion, right away he asks us for an ID. Firstly I do not know why he was asking an ID from me, because I wasn't ordering an alcoholic drink. Regardless we gave our IDs, i presented my Canadian issued driver's license, my friend presented her home country's government issued ID which he said was okay to present. In my Bangladeshi passport I do not have a first name so it was only normal that my Canadian ID wouldn't either this uncultured and uneducated waiter went on saying I cannot serve you guys and because "You don't have a first name on your ID" And I told him even being at the University of Calgary, I follow the name on my passport. Rather than asking for further clarifications he takes his mask off, out of anger (which he shouldn't in the first place) and just leaves without saying anything. I have been to much higher end bars and NEVER had an issue with it because they actually had knowledge about IDs and know how to deal with customers. I honestly should have asked for a manager but I was to surprised by his behavior and felt so disrespected that I could not stand being in that place. I honestly felt the person was racist, I hate using that term but from the way he was treating us, I can only describe it that way. Please educate and culture the staff, this man was terrible. I am glad I did not spend dollars at this bar, and will not be returning ever and will tell other to...

We really enjoyed ricardo's! the drinks were super tasty and the bartenders were great! We sat at the bar and really enjoyed the vibe. The only thing we did'y like was that we felt like we were being pushed out by the host.... He was super friendly, got us a drink while we waited for a spot to open up and was quite chatty but when we were on drink 2 he came up to us at the bar and asked how we were doing and kept checking in on us which was weird and annoying because the bar tender was already doing that and he was;t checking in or any of the other patrons. It was pretty obvious that he was wanting to get rid of us and get the next people in to our spots as there was a couple waiting at the door. Halfway through drink 3 he checked in on us again. He basically had the machine out ready to take our payment. We would have stayed for a couple more drinks but honestly felt too awkward. It's not like we were milking our drinks either... between the two of us we had 6 drinks in less than 2 hours while the couple beside us had one cocktail and 1 beer and they were there well before us. We just did't understand why we were being pushed out when other people had been there for much longer than us. We actually still really enjoyed ourselves and will probably be back, we will just be ready to be a bit more aggressive...

I struggle a bit with this review. There are many redeeming qualities of Ricardo's such as the vibe, but for whatever reason it has never been a place I have wanted to stay for an extended period of time. To start, the drinks here are pretty great. Tons of variety and many different flavors. There will easily be something to please every palate. The food has been both good and mediocre. The Maui short rib plate is to die for. The meat was insanely tender and flavorful. The chicken however was pretty overcooked on this night which made for a chewy bite. The sauce is killer though. I think the main thing that really made us want to leave was a combination of the subpar service (bar was half empty and our waitress rarely checked on us. We had to flag her down every time we wanted new drinks) and the very uncomfortable chairs at the tables. I think I would probably come back for the drinks and to try some other food like the empanadas or beef patties knowing I would only be there for...