Santorini Greek Taverna — Restaurant in Calgary

My husband loved Greek food so every year we remember him by going out for Greek food. For the past 14 or so years, we have been going to Calypso Taverna but tonight for some reason, it was closed so we found ourselves at Santorini's. Now being a Calgarian, I definitely know Santorini as it has been a staple in Calgary's restaurant scene for quite some time now. The restaurant is distinctly Greek. And that is a good thing. We had a nice table on the main floor. We didn't have reservations but the place was not that busy when we first arrived shortly after 6. However, around 7 the place started filling up. I would suggest a reso if you want to go around this time. We ordered all appetizers. The hommus was the first to arrive. The first thing my daughter noticed was the presentation. Most hommus she has been served has olive oil on top and often an olive or two, at the minimum, some parsley. This was rather plain looking. However, it was obviously homemade and quite tasty. The pita breads were hot and delish. The next dish to arrive was the Kalamaria. Again, the presentation was lacking. Even just parsley would have made it look like they cared. But once again, it was very tasty. The batter was light and crispy while the squid was very tender. The tazikik sauce was a great addition. We needed another sauce before we finished. The next dish were the ketethes, Greek meatballs. We were expecting meatballs in a tomato sauce, although the description does not say anything about any sauce so this is on us. Take a look at the picture of them. That is a totally unappetizing dish. They did taste better than they looked but the look of them had already turned us off a bit. Next were the prawns in garlic wine & butter sauce. The prawns themselves were big and nicely cooked and the sauce was tasty enough. They did not wow us though. The bright light of the whole meal was our waitress. She was exceptionally upbeat and smiling. We were not the most engaging customers tonight. But I could see from her interactions with other patrons, she really took her time and enjoyed the chat. After each dish was served, she waited until we had tried it and then came and asked if we enjoyed it. She was very sweet. The bill was hefty but I felt it reflects today's insane...

I had the most incredible dining experience at Santorini Greek Taverna, and I can't stop raving about it, all thanks to the exceptional service provided by Rolandos and Luka. My group of 15 friends and I decided to dine at this charming establishment, and from start to finish, our experience was nothing short of outstanding.

First and foremost, I have to commend Rolandos and Luka for their exceptional hospitality. Accommodating a large group can be a daunting task, but they made it look effortless. They greeted us with warm smiles and made sure we were seated comfortably. Even when we had some last-minute changes to our reservation, they handled them with grace and professionalism, ensuring that everyone in our party felt welcome and well taken care of.

The atmosphere at Santorini Greek Taverna was simply enchanting. The soft glow of the candlelit tables created an intimate and inviting ambiance that was perfect for our gathering.

One of the standout features of Santorini Greek Taverna is its ample street parking. Finding parking for a large group can be a hassle, but here, it was a breeze. This convenience was the icing on the cake for our night out.

The vibe in the restaurant was nothing short of festive. The live music, traditional Greek tunes, and the occasional burst of enthusiastic dancing from the staff added to the overall energy of the place. We couldn't help but join in the merriment as we enjoyed our delicious Greek cuisine.

Speaking of the food, it was absolutely delectable. The menu offered a wide range of Greek delicacies, from classic moussaka to perfectly grilled lamb chops. Each dish was bursting with flavor and authenticity, making it a true culinary delight.

In conclusion, I can't recommend Santorini Greek Taverna enough, especially if you have the pleasure of being served by Rolandos and Luka. Their impeccable service, along with the fantastic atmosphere, ample parking, and mouthwatering food, make this restaurant a must-visit. Whether you're planning a special event or simply looking for a delightful dining experience, Santorini Greek Taverna is the place to be. Trust me; you won't be...

Unfortunately a very disappointing experience. We were basically asked to leave!

We called a week ahead to make reservations for the following Sunday at 5:30. It was for our anniversary, but we didn’t mention that when making the reservation as we didn’t think we needed to.

Everything was great at first. The service was good and the food was delicious. But at 7pm, only 2 minutes after our dessert came and JUST AS I WAS OPENING MY GIFT, the waitress came to our table and told us she needed the table as there was someone waiting for the table. What a way to spoil a perfect moment!

After about 5 minutes later, she came back and told us we could stay because the other people left. Not only did we have to rush through a special moment, but now we felt guilty that the other people left.

As we paid the bill, I asked what time the other reservation was. She hesitated and said “um, 7 I think.” I explained that I was disappointed as it was a special occasion and we had only been there an hour and a half. She told me that next time we need to make a reservation. I told her that we did and she said her boss said that we didn’t have one.

She felt bad, but never really apologized and the manager never came over either. She gave us two glasses of Ouzo (my partner doesn’t drink) as an apology and asked us to forget about this incident.

I’m not sure where the problem was, did they forget to write down our reservation and just didn’t want to tell us when we arrived? Did the other couple really have a reservation? Either way, it seems that they need to improve their...