River Café — Restaurant in Calgary

Update - Management provided the actual 5 course tasting menu on the house. We were provided a much better table and exceptional service from our server, Eric. The food was delicious and the wine pairings were excellent. This was absolutely the experience we were hoping for on our wedding night.

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Had the most disappointing experience here tonight. My husband and I got married this morning and we were generously gifted a $400 gift certificate from my mother in law to enjoy the 5 course chef’s tasting menu with wine pairings. We did something similar at another restaurant in Canmore on the night of our engagement and absolutely loved it, so we thought this would be perfect.

When we arrived at the restaurant we confirmed with the hostess that we were eating the tasting menu. The atmosphere of the restaurant was beautiful, although we were seated at a table directly in the centre of the room with servers walking past on either side of us, and our server was lovely. Unfortunately, it was after the second course of our meal when we realized there was a mistake. We were handed two gelatin cubes and our bill after only 2 courses and 2 glasses of wine. We brought it to our servers attention that there was a mistake—we apparently had been served the taste of YYC menu (that is only $45 a person) instead of the tasting menu we wanted. I let our server know that it was our wedding night and we were hoping to have a special night, and this was disappointing. We even showed her our reservation on open table which shows that we had booked the 5 course meal.

Our server apologized and seemed super uncomfortable, but didn’t offer any solution. I had to ask to see a desert menu because we certainly were not finished our experience. A solid 15 minutes went by until she brought a desert and desert wine to our table. It was on the house which was nice, but the desert was disgusting (oat milk ice cream—yuck) and the smallest portion imaginable. She apologized again and apparently felt as if that was adequate after ruining our wedding night dinner.

Eventually the manager approached our table, but only to give us the machine to pay the bill. He didn’t mention anything about the mistake and didn’t make eye contact with either of us. When we let him know we were paying by gift card he said “Oh, I didn’t know it was a gift card” and walked off. Our server came back a few minutes later and took our payment. She tried to make small talk about my wedding but at that point I was so upset I was near tears.

And yes—we still tipped our sever 20%. It wasn’t her fault and we are not cheap.

On our way out, a hostess handed us our coats and congratulated us on our wedding. Apparently all of the staff were talking about us (we never told this hostess we had gotten married) but no one could be bothered to make things right.

Unfortunately I will not be back to River Cafe after the way my husband and I were treated tonight, and I’m stuck with a half used gift card that is not enough to purchase the 5 course tasting menu that I originally wanted. The food was amazing so it’s really sad that I simply have to refuse to spend any of my own money at this place after this experience. The staff at River Cafe certainly does not care about...

When researching venues for our wedding, my husband and I only had two major criteria - we wanted to be married in nature (with a reliable rain plan!) and we wanted the food to be tasty. When I googled “get married in Princes Island Park”, River Café Weddings popped up as the first result and the rest, as they say, is history. Jessica was our initial point of contact who turned into our event planner, and she patiently communicated the deposit and booking procedure, the function order, and the details pertaining to how weddings usually run on the day itself. My husband and I (and the majority of our family and friends) travelled from out of town for the wedding so it was really important to have a calm and competent event planner coordinating the details for the day itself. It was nice because there was enough structure to make decisions easy, but with enough freedom to personalize our day and make it unique. We made a trip about a month before the wedding to make some final decisions and although Jessica was taking some well-deserved time off between event-filled weekends, she stopped in to introduce herself and say a quick hello while we were having dinner at the restaurant. We genuinely appreciated this kind gesture and commitment to service and can’t thank her enough for contributing to our special day.

Having our wedding at the River Café also meant that we didn’t have to make as many decisions (HOORAY!), as much of the décor, tableware, and seating arrangements are part of the restaurant and overall package. The wedding package details some amazing vendors which helped us a lot, and we couldn’t be happier with the selections we made from their recommendations (Kendal and Kevin Photography, Flowers by Janie, Pie Junkie for wedding pies). The food and drink were INCREDIBLE – everything was delicious, but the charcuterie/cheese boards, late-night sliders and poutine bar, Arctic char, and beef tenderloin really stood out. The staff were very accommodating in kids’ meals and were very attentive to allergens. We had our wedding on the lawn and our guest count was around 70 people, which fit comfortably into the space provided. The only consideration I would make for this venue is the fact that it is in a park which is pedestrian access only, however the event planner provided permits and instruction for driving onto the island and our family generously helped to escort drivers to the venue and ask pedestrians to make way (we gave them high vis vests, which I like to think helped). Overall we had an amazing day filled with good food shared with the people we love most. We highly recommend the River Café to anyone planning a wedding or large event, and hope that someone we know will get married at the River Café so that we can...

My recent dining experience at River Café, ranked 23rd in Canada's Top 100 Restaurants, was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we stepped in, the ambiance was warm and inviting, setting the stage for an unforgettable culinary journey.

Starting with the Kyuquot Sound Smoked Sablefish, the delicate flavours of the perfectly smoked fish were a testament to the chef's skill. The balance of smokiness and tenderness left me craving for more. Paired with Amiable Organics Salt Baked Celery Root, the dish achieved a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, elevating it to a true work of culinary art.

The Fairwinds Farm Goat Halloumi Salad is an absolute delight. The grilled halloumi's creamy richness, paired with sweet Sudo Farms Beets, crisp Frisée, and a hint of smoky Charcoal, creates a delightful medley of flavours and textures.

The Fish & Game Board at River Café is a culinary triumph. A divine selection of Cured Meats, Seasonal Potted Seafood, and Smoked Salmon promises an exquisite journey for the taste buds. Paired with River Café's Pickles, Preserves & Crackers, each element complements the others, creating a harmonious balance of flavours and textures. A must-try for those seeking a charcuterie experience that effortlessly combines sophistication and indulgence.

The mains were nothing short of spectacular. The Top Grass Beef Ribeye was amazing, cooked to perfection and served with Forno Roasted Leffers Farm Carrot, Charred Shallot, and Poplar Bluff Agria Potato Fondant. Each element on the plate showcased the chef's dedication to quality ingredients and culinary precision.

Equally impressive was the Rangeland Bison Striploin (Way more flavour), accompanied by Poplar Bluff Hasselback Potato, Wise Eats King Oyster Mushrooms, and Southern Skies Swiss Chard. The Brassica Jus tied the components together, creating a symphony of flavours that left a lasting impression.

To conclude our culinary adventure, we indulged in the dessert offerings. The Vital Green Farms Yogurt Mousse with macerated strawberries and fennel crumble was a refreshing and delightful conclusion to our meal. The Haskap Sorbet, featuring Smoked Gosford maple and meringue, showcased the chef's creativity with a perfect balance of sweetness and smokiness. Smoke was very subtle and did not over power at all.

The impeccable service, combined with the picturesque setting of the restaurant, made our dining experience at River Café truly exceptional. Highly...