Oxbow in Calgary

Service was 10/10. This is a cute place for a spontaneous date night! We tried the Brie en brioche, Asparagus and tempura egg salad and the brioche crusted halibut. Polished it all off with a perfect decaf cappuccino. Food : 5/5

5 course Spanish themed dinner with wine pairing, so yummy, will come back for the next event or just the regular menu. Always have a good time here.

Nice place, good cocktails. The brie en brioche was very tasty. The oysters were not bad, but not exceptional either.

About 6 months ago, we booked our dinner in advance, and were seated at the passageway right outside the open kitchen. The tables were closely packed within a small dining room, resulted in a very noisy dinner experience with servers walking right pass our table many times, literally touching our shoulders, our chairs or table when they had to squeeze through. Being able to look towards the open kitchen was not a bad idea at first. However, appetite was immediately lost after seeing the chefs hold everything (frying pans, raw food, cooked salmon, etc.) with their bare hands. There was also a piece of cloth, which was used to wipe the pans, the counter, and the plates (before they place the cooked food onto). This was quite shocking for a supposingly high-end experience. Hopefully this was just an one-off oddity (but we have no intention to find out).

We tried their Afternoon Tea for the first time today. The ambiance and presentation were fantastic, the service was exceptional, and everything was delicious.

Ate dinner with friends last night and it was amazing. Our server skye was perfect. Best key lime pie ever. Very friendly staff. Highly recommend trying it out

The chef was excellent, and very open to amending dishes to accommodate allergies, of which we had 2 in our group. Wait staff was excellent - flexible and friendly. We wanted the patio but were wary of being cold. They had blankets ready. Excellent food and service!

Incredible experience. Best meal I ve ever had in Calgary thanks to Chef Junell. 10/10 would recommend.

Truly one of the best restaurants in Calgary. Thank you Chef Junell for the amazing meal!!

Greasy and oily

Sunday afternoon, my wife myself and a good friend decided to try the new happy hours at Oxbow. Believe it or not most appetizers are half price so are all the wine by the bottle crazy , I know. They have one of the nicest patio in the area , but due to the weather we sat in the Lounge. A beautiful wooden fireplace and comfortable couch give you the feeling that you could be in Vermont . The menu is amazing, just enough variety and options to satisfy your tastebuds. We started with a generous portion of duck wings, spotted prawns crudo , the endives which came with crabs and dips and we also tried the sausage rolls ( delicious ) For the main my wife had the Halibut I had the burger and our friend had the pork chop , all three were mouth watering . We ended with a couple of desserts, key lime pie and blueberry mousse . We all had coffee and shared a bottle of Petit Chablis with dinner, all this for around $75 a head. The service was top notch ( Sky, Ava and Kit )are super knowledgeable and attentive. This is definitely the Hot Spot to go in Kensington. Executive chef Junell and sous chef Fernando will amaze you . Happy hours goes from 3 to 6 Wednesday to Sunday . Reservations recommended.

It was the first time we had dined at Oxbow, and we were there to celebrate a big occasion for my husband. We could not have been more thrilled with how beautiful the whole experience was! My review is going to sound like its littered with embellishments, but truly, it was that lovely of an experience. We had the chefs daily whim - it was possibly the best dining experience either of us have ever had! Everything was made to perfection and we were introduced to enchanting flavour combinations we did not even know existed! With a few dietary concerns, it can be a bit tricky to find a restaurant with an inclusive menu or that will respect any revisions you might need, but they were very careful and ensured we got exactly what we needed! The staff were also wonderful! Very attentive, professional, friendly, and accommodating. When my husband entered the restaurant, they came out to congratulate him! They made us BOTH feel so special the entire night, even though it was my husbands celebration. Beautiful people - please leave them generous tips!! The restaurant was pristine, and the atmosphere quiet and cozy. We now recommend this restaurant at every opportunity we get. :)

Very nice restaurant in Kensington. We had the place to ourselves as it didnt seem like a St. Pattys hotspot. Staff was very friendly and attentive. Food was excellent. Dietary restrictions: Really, just thet they asked if we had any. Parking: Paid parking lots around. Free street parking if you can find it Wheelchair accessibility: They appeared to have a ramp

WOW! Nothing could have made the food or experience better. Absolute must try! We were a party of 3 and decided to share 3 mains (burger, steak, pork belly) and the Caesar salad. The Chef plated each split meal separately which was such a nice touch! The food was all seasoned perfectly. The flavours stood out and complimented each other so well. Cinnamon ketchup paired nicely with our wine, its a new favorite! Pricing was very reasonable, especially for a meal of such good quality.

A great place near the heart of Kensington. The restaurant is small which makes a better experience in my opinion and the service is top notch. The food was great but not memorable.

I was here recently for a wedding and the entire experience was excellent. I want to call particular praise to Morgan, the manager of Oxbow. She was attentive to the needs of the guests (often knowing their needs before the guests knew themselves), managed her team effortless and generated a perfect atmosphere for the ceremony, which was in the lobby of the hotel, as well as the dinner which was held in the restaurant. Overall the experience was exceptional and I would happily recommend any event to be hosted here.

Food was good, ribeye burger was tasty. Server was very patient and knew the whole menu. Overall great place for good meal

NYE Dinner, smashing experience

Never disappointed at a meal here, everyone is always so lovely and the chefs crafted such an amazing menu.

NYE dinner was really good. The 2nd and 3rd courses were quite small but delicious. The beef wellington was amazing, like perfect. The first 3 wine pairings were underwhelming, but the last 2 were very good. Lovely night, thank you.

Staff did not bring out our wine pairings on time. Our whole table had the 3 course meal with the wine pairing, and all 3 of us thought our chicken was undercooked and the dessert bland. This is the first disappointing experience Ive had at Oxbow, unfortunately, as I often recommend this restaurant to friends but probably wouldnt after this experience. Hopefully it was just a bad night!

The food was good, our server was not the best. Overall it was a good experience.

Great atmosphere, service, and food! Dessert was amazing and wine choices were great. Duck breast was tender and yummy but could use a bit more seasoning. Ragu lasagna was amazing. Everything was great! Good spot for date night or business event.

Had dinner here with my family a couple of times, and the food was phenomenal! The servers were attentive and kind, which made us feel right at home. The food was delicious, portions are very filling and have lots of flavor. Will visit again!

I had one of the best YYC food and drink experiences at Oxbow tonight. The 3 courses menu was delectable. Each dish was executed perfectly from seasoning to cooking. The wine pairing was spot on. The service was impeccable and everyone, from the hotel to the dining room staff, was attentive throughout the evening. Atmosphere: cozy and classy.

I was planning an outing to Kensington, and I really wanted to try a new place to eat for our supper. Weeks ahead of time I sent messages to so many restaurants in the area, to ask about accessibility and allergens. The only place that replied to me was Oxbow, at Kensington Hotel Arts. And they were so wonderful! Specifically Morgan and the chef Junelle, were so wonderful. They replied with how accessible it is, that the lounge would be the roomiest area for a wheelchair, and that there s a ramp etc. They told me which food options I could have that would need no changes or simply need the jus omitted, or another small thing omitted. I was so excited and so grateful they responded to me. My excitement was merited! We were greeted by a hostess who knew my name before I said it. She took us to a beautiful, spacious table in the lounge that was set up for us. Then Morgan came, said she was who I d been conversing with online. She was great. Assured me my food would be allergy free. That she had printed up my list and put it in the kitchen, and she s got me. All taken care of. Food would be safe and we d have a great night. Took our orders. The ambiance was really nice. Cozy. Welcoming. Quiet background music. Starters: I had the bacon and egg salad with no alterations. What a surprising flavour profile!! Once you have a bite, with all the flavours combined, it s like an explosion in your mouth of sweet and savoury, with soft and hard textures that all work so well together. The crispy egg was so good! I don t even love eggs, but I loved that egg. It had mushrooms, large bacon bits, tasty greens, egg, I think some onions and a sweet dressing. It was so nice to eat something with unexpected flavours that I couldn t completely place. A real, new food experience for me. My husband had the Caesar Steak Tartare. He really enjoyed it. He said it was more garlicky than he s used to, and, although it was excellent, he d probably get my salad next time, just due to personal preference. For mains: I had the striploin steak dinner, medium rare. Omitting the Jus. Another true surprise! I was expecting a basic steak dinner, but the basics were elevated. There was a creamy corn section on the bottom which was sooooo good!!! (And I had been worried I wouldn t like it, as I don t typically love creamy things) and on top of that there were delicious crispy Brussels sprouts and perfect potatoes, with steak on top and to the side, along with some pickled tomatoes along the edge. The steak was tender and flavourful, even without the jus. Everything was so equally tasty that I had to alternate every bite with a different item, because I couldn t just stick to one. My husband had the Pork chop meal. No alterations. He DEVOURED every item on his plate. It was all gone. He had no regrets with his choice. He was even like, is it ok if I eat the meat off the bone? I was like go for it! Enjoy to the fullest! It had leeks, crispy Brussels sprouts, another veggie I m not sure of/maybe turnip? Something orange haha. He couldn t tell me what it was, but he liked it. Lol. For Dessert: We shared the espresso crème brûlée. Omg so good!! Morgan and the other servers and the hostess were all so friendly. Junelle is an incredible chef! The entrance was easily accessible. The bathroom was beautiful and fully accessible, including having a toilet seat high enough, a hand bar in a good spot, room under the sink for the chair, reachable touchable tap. The only problem I had was getting out of the bathroom area. The door was too heavy for me to keep it open and wheel out. It was easier to get in. It would be awesome if it had an automatic door/button to the bathroom, but staff came to help me. Overall an amazing experience that exceeded my expectations! Dietary restrictions: They were amazing with my allergies and sensitivities. Helped me choose safe meals. Printed a list out of my allergens for the kitchen. Let me converse online with the chef to ensure I d order food that is safe for me. I put my trust in them and they earned it. Wheelchair accessibility: Excellent accessibility. A ramp to the entrance with an automatic door and button. Plenty of room for a wheelchair in the lounge area. The bathroom was wonderfully accessible! High toilet seat. Hand bar in logical place. Room under sink for wheelchair. Tap is touch based as well as manual, touch makes it easier for wheelchair user to use. Plenty of room to safely stand and pivot.

This is a hotel restaurant. What I mean by this is, imagine there is a secondary lobby by the back door entrance where they had the afterthought to put less than 10 tables and serve very overpriced food upon small tables. There is no ambiance. The wait staff were nice enough but seemed almost kind of nervous to be serving - perhaps inexperienced? An odd vibe overall.

A real gem! Everyone enjoyed the variety of dishes. This place should be way busier! Consistently delicious food, nicely executed along with attentive service in a lovely, intimate atmosphere.

Had such a great meal here. We tried the chefs 3 course menu of the day. Not things we would normally order, but loved everything. Was a very fun night out and would highly recommend.

Excellent well organized and delicious Mothers Day Brunch. Free mimosas for the moms was perfect!

Great food, wonderful service. Nice place to go for dinner with a nice relaxed atmosphere.

Loved the experience! Open kitchen so you get to smell the delicious food cooking. The servers are nice as well. Loved the food and service!

We came to Oxbow on Saturday night for a special occasion dinner. We were treated to the best service and meal ever! Morgan, our server, should probably be the next Prime Minister of Canada! She made sure that everything went so smoothly, and everyone was looked after so well The highest standard of service probably we ve had in ages! Chef Fernando looked after one of our guests exceptionally well, who had special dietary needs. He was so well accommodated That I would highly recommend Oxbow to anyone who has specific dietary needs. It was a gorgeous night to sit on the patio, be looked after, and enjoy sharing a special location with friends. Thank you so much Oxbow for such a perfect evening!

The food was amazing! Ordered the Arancini and bacon egg salad of Appies and they were delish, right amount of crab to risotto ratio and a salad was fresh and citrusy. For mains we did the smoked sirloin, duck and bc salmon. We finished the plates! They were absolutely mouthwatering! Everything was cooked to the right temperature. Nothing under or overcooked. Meat and fish was tender and juicy, the sauces paired well with each other. Would like to have more broccolini tho hahah I like that veggie and meat ratio to be equal. Ordered the baked Alaska to share for dessert. Personally I don t eat anything overly sweet. I really liked the flavours tho and it was really good. Of course I only had a couple bites as it was sweet for me. All in all, glad we chose to try Oxbow . They did not disappoint . Definitely recommend!

We went there last night after booking a reservation last minute. We were treated to excellent service and food. Layla greeted us at the door and was very kind and attentive. Baha our server made us feel right at home, and had great suggestions from the menu. We tried the duck wings, the meatloaf and the Salmon, all of which exceeded expectations. Baha specifically recommended the baked Alaska for dessert, which was exquisite - probably the best dessert we ve had in a long time. Overall, would highly recommend Oxbow to anyone who wants to enjoy an evening of amazing food, excellent service and great atmosphere.

One of my favourites places to spend an evening with friends.

This place is fantastic! Staff is always so friendly and the food is consistently good, highly recommend this to everyone!

Everything was decent but no more. Duck confit wings were best. Burger was overcooked too basically well done. Food was slow to come out. Nothing stood out.

A very nice restaurant! The food was good, the service amazing and very cozy! Highly recommend! Food : 5/5

Great view of the city, good was good and lots to do or go out after dinner walking distance

Still dreaming about the dessert

Pretty disappointing. The atmosphere and service are fine. Nothing stellar, but fine. The food was...not what I expected. And who doesnt have green tea? Only herbal, apparently. We had the beef tartare and confit duck wings to start and that really let us know what to expect. The tartare was unlike anything Ive seen before (not necessarily bad), but you couldnt tell what was meat as everything was dark brown or black (as it was layered with potatoes bravas) aside from some shallots on top. Flavour was a little too salty, but otherwise just couldnt tell what was in it. The confit duck wings were deep fried too long, you could tell there were some tender parts, but overall it was dry and hard. The mains we had were the prime rib and the seared halibut. The halibut was nice and enjoyable (per my wife), the piece I had tasted too salty. The prime rib was lukewarm and looked like it was just thrown into a pile on my plate, though it was pretty tender, but where was the horseradish? The potato pave with the halibut was bland with little to offer and the brussel sprouts with the prime rib were heavily overseasoned on the outer leaves that fell off, so better just to not eat those if they fall off. The dessert was where I was very disheartened. I believe it was a rose and hibiscus creme brulee, where the creme in the dish was about as thick as the layer of sugar. It also didnt help that the creme looked like it broke. You could press on the sugar and it looked like oil was seeping through. Tasted fine though, as long as you got rid of a bunch of the caramelized sugar so it wasnt overpowering. Overall, not a bad experience (just not a good one either), but shouldve spent my money elsewhere.

This restaurant is excellent. The chef is talented, and everything we ordered was great. The food was beautifully presented, had balanced flavor profiles, and was creatively implemented. The staff were welcoming, professional, and provided attentive service. Will definitely return!

First brunch date in forever! The serving crew were so sweet and really helpful. The food was so great! Nice flavour combos and the scotch egg was on point!!! 10/10 amazing!

If quality service means the most to you, this is your place. Thanks Morgan and team for taking so such care on making our experience amazing . Mt husband and I had dinner here on a Saturday night, it was quiet and beautifully layout. We had good meal (there was a missed with dessert but, they recovered from there, they had substitute chef that night, all turnedout well) and the team make us feel like royalty. I recommend the wine pairing, it is very good deal.

Ambience was great, servers and hosts were great. Food was not so good. We went for brunch to celebrate my partners birthday with my mother who was visiting. I chose this place based on the reviews. The classic breakfast was fine, nothing special. The one good meal was the salmon eggs Benedict. I had the scotch egg that I had been really looking forward to but the greens underneath absolutely ruined it. They were burnt and so over powerfully seasoned. I can t remember the last time I didn t finish a meal. Not to mention when the bill came everything was one dollar more than advertised on the paper menu.

Lovely food and service!

Great service and fantastic brunch experience. The food and atmosphere were lovely. I highly suggest if you re looking for a quaint Sunday brunch.

First time experience at oxbow the menu was to die for. The restaurant had a lot of room on a midweek evening. Accommodations were made for my partner to have flowers and a note placed at our table and our server was pleasant. The food far exceeded our expectations. Suggestions would be the vol au vent for appetizer, and Alberta ribeye as well as seared duck breast. Cocktails were phenomenal as well as the Spanish coffee with dessert. We can t wait to come back.

Food and service was amazing. Miles the chef is a true artist. Best dinner I have had in years.

We went here for Mothers Day and I had made the reservation for the wrong day. The staff were so kind and fit us in anyways. They were so cheerful and gave us yummy drinks. The brunch was so delicious and I loved the open concept with the kitchen in the room we were in. I hope to return and sample their dinner menu. Thank you for taking us in!!

First time guests. The staff were incredible. Extremely friendly. Very attentive. Everyone checked in on us. Then the food was top quality. Will be back again. 5 stars hands down.

Wonderful food and great atmosphere. Very friendly, and straight forward staff. Enjoyed our meal very much. And it wasnt noisy, so we could enjoy our own conversation as well as the ambiance of being here.

We had a reallt great brunch here. Beautiful patio, hidden gem!

Enjoyed my birthday dinner here with my husband, my sister and her husband. We sat in the lounge, a cozy booth. I appreciate the casual elegance of the restaurant, both lounge and dining room. We ordered the chefs menu for $50/person. This includes appetizer, entree and dessert. I was satisfied with the serving sizes of each course. Appetizer and entree was delicious and carefully prepared. Was disappointed with the peach crumble with gelato dessert. I didnt like the fine course crumble. Felt like sand in the mouth. The service was attentive and very courteous. Overall, a lovely meal. Recommend for a special occasion.

Everything the four of us had was delicious!! Eggs Benedict, lemon curd pancake, hamburger, the Caesar cocktail, all wonderful, do-overs!!

We cannot say enough great thing about the Oxbow and the staff at the hotel. The food is delicious - thank you chef Miles - and our server May was the highlight of our trip. The cocktails were well balanced, the service was personal. Thank you and we will definitely be back the next time we are in Calgary.

Quaint area! Wonderful establishment! Great server named Emily!

One of the worst meals I have ever had. I asked for a medium burger, it was so over done I couldn t chew it. The fries were so full of spice and salt it was uneatable. Although I had one bite from the burger, the waitress did not bother to wonder.

Nice ambience. Great staff. Love the vol au vent, apple whiskey soaked with gelato. However very very much disappointed with the beef strip loin. It doesnt have natural taste as all and tastes so earthy. The sauce doesnt improve the taste of the meat either. Sept 24.2022 @ 7:00 pm.

Absolutely devine! Great presentation and so savory! We had the encrusted baked brie appetizer and the Tenderloin Steak. Amazing flavors!

Just perfect

Came here for brunch and it was so good! They have a small curated brunch menu and each of the items looked absolutely delicious.

The food was delicious and the service was very attentive. Meals were beautifully plated, and well timed. Drinks were great, and everything was well priced. Definitely one of my favourite spots to go for dinner.

I came here for a special occasion and the food did not disappoint. Presentation was beautiful and everything was cooked perfectly. The food was so good I cleaned off my plate and my dates too.

One of the best restaurants in Calgary and Chef Miles is incredible. He made a custom menu for our wedding and our guests cleaned their plates! He made sure there was something for everyone and the service was exceptional. Holly helped us plan every detail of our evening and dinner- she was so organized, knowledgeable and easy to work with. She truly went above and beyond to make sure all the details were taken care of- things we didnt even think of! Thank you so much! Words cannot describe how thankful we are for you guys!

Thanks for ruining my 10 year anniversary. Worst ever

My wife and I were super excited to have dinner here for a 10 year wedding anniversary. We booked a reservation online in advance. The day of we were running a few minutes late. We called to let the hostess know and she said it would be no problem (over the phone.) We showed up 12 minutes after our reservation time. The hostess told us that we were 35 minutes late and that she gave our table away (which wasn t true). We had actually proof in our email, she didn t care. When we asked her about the conversation we had just had with her on the phone letting her know we were running late she gave us a snarky remark. We told her this this was a very special night for us, our 10 year wedding anniversary. We were again given a snarky remark. Needless to say we had nowhere to eat for our anniversary. Super disappointed with how we were handled as new customers. I ve been a customer service business for almost 20 years, never been made to feel more little especially on one of the most important night of our lives together.

Had my birthday dinner here with 6 people and it was the best birthday in years! All my friends raved about the food after! 2 are vegeterians and the accommodated them perfectly. Awesome cocktails. Awesome kitchen staff and servers !

My partner says this is the best meal he has had in Calgary in the 3 years he has lived here. The service was enthusiastic (especially Morgan) and the food we ordered was delicious. Chef Miles and Ross make art on the plate for both the eyes and mouth. We will definitely be back to try the rest of the Menu!

Good food and friendly staff!

A beautiful evening! May has taken very good care of us! The mushrooms stuffed with lobster and the salmon rillette were an excellent start followed by an excellent halibut accompanied by a delicious risotto. Pork belly is the other main dish and it is always delicious at Oxbow! And of course on Friday with wine at 50% off on Friday evening...who can resist!

Delicious food, knowledgeable and friendly staff, perfect patio. Highly recommended this restaurant!

We had our wedding dinner here and it was absolutely phenomenal! Morgan was so easy to communicate with and so attentive to make sure we had a seamless and enjoyable time. The food was incredible and so so tasty! The room, table, chairs, etc was so elegant and made for an absolutely gorgeous evening! I m so grateful we decided to come here for our special day!

This place has such a nice ambience. The staff is incredible and friendly and the food was perfect. I look forward to coming back.

Great service, burger was very good!

I give one star for service. One star for ambience. 0 stars for menu and food. It was terrible. French onion soup tasted burnt, shredded chicken at the bottom. Peach crisp was sub par. This restaurant does not live up to the hype. Expensive. Bad food. I won t return.

5 stars is not enough to give this exceptional place! It the je ne sais quoi the sets them apart! Staff and especially chef Myles is amazing!

My husband and I won a dining experience at Oxbow through Alberta Food Tours. We called ahead regarding the gift certificate we received and the staff answered all our questions and booked our reservation. We ended up having brunch at the Oxbow and it was absolutely amazing. The hostess and server were courteous and professional. The food was delicious and the presentation was beautiful. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and will be back again! If you are looking for a great brunch experience, I definitely recommend Oxbow.

Great salad

I often go for brunch just down the street, but wanted to switch it up and am VERY glad that I did. Mimosas were on special (delicious!), and I had the Scotch egg (yum!) breakfast. Everything was delightful, and the dining room was well spaced (especially compared to a lot of breakfast places), which I appreciated. My two other friends had the eggs bene and loved them. The server was very friendly and attentive. All around: great experience and we will be back!

Excellent food and such a nice vibe.

A quiet spot with friendly service, a lovely atmosphere, and wonderful food. The dinner menu isn t extensive, but the flavours are great. We split the kale salad and duck wings as our main and really enjoyed both.

Jordan gave us a phenomenal brunch experience! He has a great approach to customer service by being very attentive to his customers needs. He is also very professional. I will ask to be seated in his section every time I visit going forward. Highly recommend visitors do the same! He will not disappoint.

This was by far the best restaurant expirence Ive had. Our server May was absolutely incredible, she was able to accomadate everyones dietary restrictions and suggested perfect wine pairings that flattered every course. May ALSO heard us talking about the specfic wine she had paired and brought the bottle over to show us and exlain the orgins of it! PS: it was Protea Chenin Blanc a must have. The Chef I believe his name was Levi, also came by the table to further explain our main course which was phenomenal. Not only did every employee exceed our expectation of amazing customer service but everyone was genuinely having a good time with one another! The manager was so witty, May was so attentive all in all 10/10 expirence and will HIGHLY recomend to everyone! Thank you Nate, May and Levi for making an amazing evening that much more memorable.

Good vibes, awesome brunch. Could have had more food for the buffet so that ppl werent waiting for too long.

Food was well prepared and tasty. Nice assortment. Our waiter a kind gentleman was great just the right amount of service.

Not sure if we caught them on a bad day, they might not have expected that many people. Our main course took 45 mins to arrive after they took our appetizers plates away. We saw a bit of confusion in their open kitchen, at one point all the waitress and waiters were in the kitchen trying to sort out the orders. The waitress did not explain our food at all when it arrived, she just placed it on our table and walked away. Both the fish and beef were dry and a bit salty lacking any other flavor. Our dessert was terrible and the brownie was dry and powdery. We noticed another table experienced the same thing and only ate a couple bites out of their dessert. Upon leaving, we didnt know where the coat check was and stood there and waited for a bit and tried to get someones attention so we can get our jackets. Fyi, for anyone wanting to find their coats, theres a closet on the left before you turn right into the dining area.

Had a fantastic brunch there last weekend. Lovely lounge area, very quiet, great food, attentive service from everyone. Like others have said, theres not a huge selection of food but the quality was high. Only complaint would be that having the brunch buffet so high up makes it hard for short people to see and serve themselves.

This is a beautiful, albeit small, space. Like others have said, the menu here is short, but what it lacks in length it makes up for in quality. Food is presented well and appropriately portioned. Meats are cooked to order and the accompaniments were done very well. Service was a bit on the slow side, but given the night we attended and the weather, that wasnt a surprise. The staff were still great. Well be back.

Thanks to the charming and efficient staff at the Oxbow for a delightful meal. Special shout out to Jenna our waiter who treated us like family - despite being swamped with tables. The menu at this cozy restaurant is not elaborate, yet provides enough diversity to entice most palates. The kitchen, open to view from the dining room, is small. However the two chefs managed to prep and plate promptly for a full house - and no-one seemed to be waiting for meals. The dishes are tasty and prepared with care. I found the room got a bit noisy with every table occupied. Maybe not the right place for an intimate conversation, unless you dine later after the hotel guests have been fed and watered. Overall, one of the better dining experiences in Calgary at a fair price for the quality. The restaurant accepts BYOB for corkage.

After months of isolation due to Covid, we were excited to venture out and enjoy an evening at Oxbow, Hotel Arts Kensington. We were not disappointed... Greeted cheerfully we had a terrific server (Jordan) who was very personable and pleasant. The menu is short, well planned and excellently prepared. We had to try the scallop appetizer and it was a winner, for our entrées my wife had the salmon on a green pea risotto and I had the lamb shank shepherds pie...Wow! Both were very well prepared and presented...and watching the process in the open kitchen I can appreciate the Chef and his team. Terrific food, great atmosphere, and a top notch team made for a super pleasant evening. Next time, were going to enjoy the patio that is perfectly situated across the Bow River overlooking Memorial Dr.

Excellent food & service.

Beautiful fall brunch in a quaint space! The menu Is small but the flavour big. Offering a four course brunch for $35 is a great choice but their plated dishes are well worth it. The Fried Egg Biscuit Sandwich is a good bite with a perfectly cooked egg, prosciutto & mushrooms (I asked for both and they were happy to accommodate). Paired with their fried baby potatoes & smoked chive sour cream, that sour cream was worth every drop!

Quite a nice place. Great food, unpretentious.and reasonably priced.

Having seen the pop ups on my Facebook page, I was intrigued to give it a go. Despite being a blustery winter day (and my hate for going downtown), I decided to brave the conditions and make the trip. It was SO worth it!! Every element of my visit was a total delight! The staff and management have meticulously attended to every possible detail; everything about this place is out of the box; in the best possible way! I had the brunch. While I didnt actually count, I think there were about 10 items; 10 absolutely splendid items! In addition to the items on display, I ordered multigrain toast and Earl Grey tea. The toast was a really good quality bread and the tea was a marvellous creamy earl gray dispensed from a teapot that didnt dribble! The cooks are absolutely masters of flavour combinations that I would have never dreamt of. The eggs Benny had a beet-based hollandaise topping that was remarkably delicious!! There were chunks of Belgian waffle with the syrup cooked into the batter; so perfect that no additional topping was needed. A salad of spring greens and halved cherry tomatoes with some sort of berry vinaigrette and topped with crispy fried onion bits. Two-bite breakfast bangers; yee-UMM!!! I asked for jam for my toast and they brought me a small bowl of strawberry-grapefruit-basil preserve that sent my mouth to heaven and back! I could continue writing about the other items but these were the highlights for me. And the staff were every bit as delightful as the ambiance and the food. I normally only tip on the drinks when I attend a buffet style meal. But was absolutely compelled to tip on the entire bill! Im looking forward to trying their dinner menu sometime but in the meantime will definitely be back for the brunch. What an absolutely perfect culinary experience!!

Truffle scrambled eggs, eggs benny with pork belly, the service, and cozy atmosphere were all great.

Food at Easter Sunday brunch was delicious. Service was excellent, especially after the initial mix-up with our reservations, the staff pulled everything together in short order and we ended up with a great time on the patio.

Succulent food. Nice Atmosphere. Great stop to celebrate Mothers Day.

Great decor - trendy, modern and comfortable. We had the brunch buffet. Lots of creative items but nothing stands out. The mango banana bread pudding was my favorite. Everything else was standard fare you see at a brunch buffet. Probably less items in general than other places but quality was good. Was expecting more items. Service is good. Next time I should try the a la carte menu.

Had an amazing anniversary dinner. The food was fantastic. The duck wings for an appetizer and the strip loin were top notch. We didn t have room for dessert. The atmosphere is very relaxing and casual. The restaurant is modern and very beautiful. The server, Crystal, was very attentive and extremely pleasant and professional. She was a real star. We will be back.

Great spot for brunch! Nice patio, delicious food and reasonably priced.

Stuff is great and knowledgeable. Food was amazing. Atmosphere is awesome.

Bennies on demand at the weekend brunch!! Also choccy fountain. 10/10

Good breakfasts, and very nice dinners!

Good location. Lovely eating area and terrace. Parking fills up fast.

Loved it. Small and cozy, its the perfect place for Sunday brunch with the whole family. The buffet is definitely a must with everything high quality. Not your typical buffet with 50 000 choices but tasteless. They really put the emphasis on quality over quantity!

Had a very good experience in this spot. The food came fast and the service was very professional.

The food here is incredible. I almost cried over a meal once because it was so good. They offer a 3 course chef chosen meal with an optional wine pairing - do it. It is worth it. Also catch their breakfast buffet on the weekends. Its not your typical breakfast buffet. When I was there they offered eggs benedict, charcuterie, bread pudding, parfaits and a chocolate fountain! And the staff! Everyone was so kind, interesting to talk to, and quick with recommendations. I absolutely loved it and I will be back when I come back to Calgary.

Had a great experience here just wish the service was quicker. We waited a long time for the food. The food was a great blend of flavours.

Food was great, but our server Jenna made it so fun!! A great night had by all!

Nice and peaceful

Had prix fixe menu. Its all really nice, just nothing thats blowing you away with unique or exceptional experience. Brutal to find parking.

Well cooked food at a reasonable price

Great after work classy patio that has the feel of sitting on your porch at home. A place to sit and sip a glass of vino over an originally created charcuterie board with a friend or two

Amazing experience, had the best steak here. Friendly customer service. Parking can be difficult, please do come early.

Great presentation and execution on dishes.

food very food just seat A bit crowded.

Oxbow is located inside the Kensington Riverside Inn right across from Julios. First off I came in here with low expectations and was presently surprised. The restaurant was quiet which is nice for a change with a modern decor inside. I ordered the Alberta Hangar Steak which was beautifully done (medium rare - recommended by the server). The steak had a nice crust on the outside (well seasoned) and flavorful. The came with a side of Brussels sprouts and potatoes (smoky taste) which complimented the dish. We sat from across the kitchen where we could see a couple chefs cooking out meal to perfection (amazing job!). For dessert I indulged myself with their carrot cake which was topped off with caramel popcorn and a cheesecake dipping sauce. I would recommend giving this place a try.

Amazing staff, pleasant atmosphere

This place is owned by hotel arts, so the food quality is definitely there. A bit on the pricey side, but it attracts the older crowd that enjoy good service and ample space without blaring music and having to shout to your friends across the table. We enjoyed the creativity on the tasting menu.

I made a reservation for my anniversary, we were hoping to have the chefs choice option. However, the waitress let us know that the main course ran out during the weekend. She mentioned the chef might be able to provide us with a different option for the main course, but that she would have to ask. When she described the appetizer and dessert these included foods that me and my boyfriend were allergic to. We asked if this could be modified, but when she asked the chef he apparently believed that our allergies and the changed main course would be too much to ask. We were not being picky, the allergies are not our fault and neither is the fact that they were not prepared and had no more main courses. We were also the only ones in the entire restaurant, the chef was literally just standing around! Not sure how our requests were so hard to accommodate, so we decided to just leave and go to a restaurant that would be more understanding and prepared.

Very good food and service at a reasonable cost. One of Calgarys best restaurants.

Quiet & cozy atmosphere. Perfect date night location. Excellent service, good quality wine and top notch food but we needed more! Small portions for huge price. Went home hungry.

Good breakfast and service. We ll go again

Popped in on a Sunday for the breakfast buffet. Absolutely delicious and the service was fantastic! Great location on Memorial and just off Kensington road. Highly recommended.

The 5 course dinner prepared by chef Sean Cutler is a 9.5/10. Seans personal touch, on some old favourites, includes a perfect blend of texture, fragrance, and flavour. The $100+/person for dinner and drinks might give you pause but, if you enjoy really good food, please do not miss this little Calgary secret. This is surely one of Canadas best restaurants.

Great food, huge wine list and everything prepared perfectly , our second visit and its even better this time round. Craft cocktails and good beer selection. Nothing beats the service or ambience at The Kensington Riverside Inn.

Absolute worst service experience Ive ever had in a restaurant, if I could post with zero stars I would. We had a local newscaster seated next to us, theyre party was served all courses with staff and chef falling all over them. We were given 2 menus for 4 people, yup we had to share menus until we could get the wait staffs attention. We watched as our neighbours dined on their fresh bread, breadsticks and appetizers while staff just walked by our table over and over as though we werent in the room. We waited forever to get our meals ordered, they forgot our appetizer, a request for gluten free bread took so long we were finished with appetizers before it arrived, and it turned out to be 1 measly slice of mediocre bread, really, why bother? We had to repeatedly ask for water and coffee, and cream and when our meals finally arrived after waiting over an hour, they brought the wrong meal to one of us. It took nearly 3 hours to finish this nightmare dining experience, but our celebrity friend who arrived at same time was finished, paid and long gone! We complained to waitress who fully admitted our neighbours got preferential treatment and said, Id like to buy you dessert. Three of the four of us ordered a dessert assuming they were treating all of us only to have the waitress come back and say so I agreed paid for 1 dessert, who would you like the other 2 charged to? Are you kidding me? You want to nickle and dime over 2 desserts? Unbelievable, that was the last straw. We called over the Manager and went through the long, long, long list of problems, he agreed to not charge us. It was the only thing they did right all night! What an absolute mess. Unprofessional, unpleasant, awful. Food was good when it finally arrived, but at that point, who cares, the entire night was blown. With all of the choices in Calgary, and entrées running on average $35.00, Oxbow better get its act together and fast or they wont last. I saw Oxbow on the morning news so was excited to try it, ironically, it was the same station the newscaster that got all of attention happens to be on, hmmm interesting. Oxbow was an epic fail for this diner!

Awesome flavors! Smaller but adequate portions. Loved the tequila cucumber jalapeno cocktail and the carmelized white chocolate mousse with GF brownie was amazing!

Enjoyed the express lunch. Choice of soup or salad - we both ordered salad and it was full of delicious veggies and had a grainy mustard dressing. I had the crab and shrimp roll - light herb dressing and served on a white bread roll. My partner had the confit chicken club and he really enjoyed it. The chocolate cookies to go were tasty, too. All for $16 pp. We passed on the $5 glass of wine offer, but there was a choice of white or red. Sadly we had the place to ourselves. Hope business picks up.

We have tried oxbow a few times over the last month. The location is amazing, love the al fresco dining experience and the servers are very professional. Unfortunately the food does not measure up to the hype. Maybe I am to used to the amazing Chefs table dishes that were at this location previously, but I wanted more. For the appetizers we tried, most were very good. For the mains we tried the flank steak (was tough and not prepared the best), the striploin (overcooked and was not happy with the African spices), the lamb (was very good), and the chorizo pasta (lacking flavor, boring and bland). We have it a few tries since we love the location, but we wont be back. If the review was based only on the food, was only 1.5 stars. But the location and server quality brings it up to at least a two star. The creativity of the chefs is lacking. The potential is there for a great restaurant but food needs to be the star.

I had the express lunch and it had great flavors with fresh ingredients! The cookie was warm and had a texture similar to a brownie.

Went for dinner and a cocktail while in town on business and enjoyed my meal. Staff were friendly and inviting and service was prompt.

Good surprise..not bad for lunch when traffic is less

I cannot believe the quality of the food here. This is one of best brunches in Western Canada. If I could give it another star I would.

Fantastic food, great service and reasonable prices.

A good place for a fancy dinner. We had the lamb, and salmon. Both were cooked to perfection. An excellent selection of cocktails and beer, although we just stuck with the wine. We got a dessert similar to an apple pie, I forget exactly what it was called, and it came with cream cheese ice cream. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Great food, great service!

Yep foodies will love it. Prices are sky high, portions are tiny. Kinda like what you see some rich guy in a rich guy restaurant in the movies. The food does taste good but no food is worth that price. Its a case of its expensive so it tastes better syndrome here.

Great place for foodies. Stop in on weds for 1/2 price wine. Best deal in town.

A nice place to go for a romantic quiet dinner, the food was great as well as the service, very expensive though. I would definitely go back again (when I find a way to save the money for it)