Hawthorn Dining Room and Bar

Review summary

1. C

   Chris

   VIP

   Calgary

   9 reviews

   3.0

   9 reviews

   Dined today

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   Looked better than it tasted. Not to be harsh but unfortunate reality. Plenty better places to spend your money.
   

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2. R

   Robert

   VIP

   Toronto

   6 reviews

   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   A wonderful experience all around. Brought my mother for the Hawthorne’s NYE set menu dinner, and it did not disappoint. Our server, Peter, was very friendly, and laughed and joked with us all night. The food was great, but it’s the service that stood out.
   

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3. R

   Rayto

   VIP

   Calgary

   3 reviews

   1.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   We had a very disappointing experience at Hawthorn on New Year's Eve and will not be returning. From the start, the requirement to pay $162.50 per person (with an automatic 20% gratuity) upfront upon making reservation felt like a rip-off, especially since we were only a party of three—not a large group where such charges are more common. Paying gratuity upfront before experiencing the food or service feels unfair and presumptuous. Our reservation was for 7 PM, but we weren’t seated until 8 PM—an unacceptable one-hour wait. The service was equally frustrating. We had to ask twice for bread and extra butter, which shouldn’t have been an issue at a place charging such high prices. The entree options were poorly communicated. The server only mentioned beef or cauliflower initially. As someone who doesn’t eat beef, I asked if there was another meat or seafood option, and only then did the server mention trout. Why wasn’t that offered upfront? If I hadn’t asked, I’d have been stuck with a vegetarian option, which is fine for some but not what I wanted. Drinks were another issue—there was a long delay, and I had to follow up with the bartender myself to get our wine. To top it off, the restaurant also charged a 20% gratuity on drinks as well, which felt excessive given the poor service. While the food itself wasn’t bad, our overall experience was soured by the terrible service and lack of value. It’s clear the restaurant is overcharging and understaffed. We finished our meal as quickly as possible and left. Definitely not worth the hype or the cost.
   

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4. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Calgary

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   The portions were extremely small, even for a post-covid issue at all restaurants. For example the tuna slice as the first course was a 1 inch square and nearly paper thin. The second course has a volume of 1 soup-spoon. The beef tenderloin main course was very good but overly marinated to the point of mush. Moreover the paired wine service involved a lack of understanding of the particular wine and why chosen, and we HAD to ask to see the bottle to understand what was being served. We should not have to do this. For nearly a $500 meal for two, I would have expected more. Not acceptable overall. Sincerely, Dr. P.B.
   

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5. S

   Steve

   Calgary

   32 reviews

   5.0

   32 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We totally enjoyed the ambience and service. Our waitress was outstanding looking after our needs. The food was superb and the valet service is also much appreciated. Hawthorne Palliser is an excellent place for celebrating special occasions.
   

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6. T

   Tanya

   VIP

   Calgary

   38 reviews

   5.0

   38 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   My fourth time dining here and it continues to impress on all fronts. Was out for a girls night with a friend and our daughters - the kids menu was great, and our entree and experience was superb. Kids had spaghetti, salmon, and chicken fingers off the menu, we had the beef tartare, the chateau Briand with Brussels sprouts and risotto. The beef was exceptional. Great service and environment altogether. Can’t say enough good things about this restaurant and the hotel as a whole. 10/10!
   

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7. R

   Rachelle

   Calgary

   7 reviews

   3.0

   7 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   While the food was good, the portion was much smaller than I expected for the price.
   

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8. C

   Colleen

   Calgary

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 5

   Server was rude and dismissive. Otherwise food was good and entertainer was excellent.
   

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9. C

   Candy

   VIP

   Calgary

   7 reviews

   3.0

   7 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   When we got there we were informed only the bar menu and the 3-course Yuletide menu ($70 per person) was available. I wish I was told this beforehand
   

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10. M

    Matt

    VIP

    Calgary

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on December 26, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Very nice price fixe meal on Boxing Day and great service.
    

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