From The Fairmont Palliser Best Nearby American (Restaurants) (10 Overall Closest) Metro: Calgary, AB Murrieta's Westcoast Bar and Grill (Restaurants - American) 200808 1st St SW Old Alberta Hotel Building, Calgary  AB  T2P 1M9 • 403-269-7707 Distance: ~85 m User Rating: 8.6 / 10         Description: This stylish venue has attracted quite a following since its inception. Just off Stephen Avenue, Murietta's refurbished building boasts high ceilings, exposed brick, and hip furnishings. The open dining room has an exhibition kitchen, from which come such treats as Australian rack of lamb, roast chicken, osso bucco, bouillabaisse, fresh fish, and a variety of pastas. If you have room after these dishes, make sure to try something from the dessert menu. The Squirrel Nut Tart is fantastic if you love nuts; it combines hazelnuts, pecans, and pistachios and is topped with whiskey-laced cream. Delicious! Adjoining the dining room is a bar area that's incredibly popular in the evenings. It's great on its own or as a before- or after-dinner hangout. Buzzards Cowboy Cuisine (Restaurants - American) 140 10th Ave SW, Calgary  AB  T2R 0A3 • 403-264-6959 Distance: ~101 m User Rating: 7 / 10         Description: Befitting a cowboy-oriented restaurant, the rustic decor features wooden furniture, a wealth of Western artifacts, and woven blankets hung across the windows to subdue the light. The menu features dishes that cowboys would've known, along with updated fare that's more in keeping with contemporary tastes. Steaks are prominent, and their specialty, the sirloin, comes in three sizes. You'll also find filet mignon, T-bones, and burgers of beef, buffalo, chicken and fish. Additional items include meatloaf, salmon, pasta and ribs. Signature dishes include the hearty "Son of a Bitch" stew and the homey saskatoonberry pie. If you're really adventurous, you might want to sample the buffalo tongue appetizer or even the prairie oysters (calves' testicles). Enjoy! Divino Bistro and Wine Bar (Restaurants - American) 113 8th Ave, SW, Calgary  AB  T2P 7N2 • 403-410-5555 Distance: ~143 m User Rating: 8.25 / 10         Description: Simultaneously classy and casual, this bistro tempts Calgarians with its terrific cuisine, intimate charm, and original artwork. The Italian fare is robust and looks to pastas, chicken, and steak for its main courses. Bolstering the menu are items like herb-crusted salmon and grilled lamb. Divino also makes a terrific burger, whether it's crafted of lamb or Alberta beef, and you'll find a selection of soups and sandwiches as well. Given its reputation as a wine bar, Divino carries a host of vintages available by the bottle and glass. Most come from Italy, France, and the States, although you may find a few renegade bottles occasionally. Perfect for dinner, but call for reservations since the place fills up quickly. Dakota (Restaurants - American) 310 8th Ave SW, Calgary  AB  T2P 1C1 • 403-262-4967 Distance: ~295 m User Rating: 4.5 / 10         Description: A mix of textures defines this casual spot, which surrounds patrons with brick walls and wood accents. It's somewhat like a spacious pub, and the layout ensures that you feel comfortable either on your own or as part of a larger group. The food is southwestern in nature, featuring the rustic goodness of ground corn, spicy peppers, and earthy seasonings. You'll find everything from enchiladas and quesadillas to signature dishes like Albuquerque Corn Chowder or Steak Chipolte. If you're searching for diversions while the food is being prepared, you'll find a pool table and a big-screen TV. If the weather's agreeable, head for the outdoor patio, which provides a vista of Stephen Avenue. Tucker's (Restaurants - American) 345 10th Ave SW, Calgary  AB  T2R 0A5 • 403-262-5541 Distance: ~358 m         Description: A downtown location makes this familiar steakhouse an ideal destination for lunch or dinner. Steaks bring the crowds in, as does the prime rib, which is beautifully roasted to be succulent and fork-tender. Ribs and chicken make wonderful entrees too, and you can't go wrong with their seafood dishes. If you don't care for meat at all, the salad bar is your best bet. It has around 60 items, and the staff makes sure that everything is crisp and fresh. It's so good that it's even received numerous awards. At lunchtime, Tucker's can be crowded, but they offer quick options to speed up the wait. A lounge with games, a children's menu, and a Sunday brunch buffet ($22) increase the appeal of this local favorite. Nellie's Breaks the Fast Cafe (Restaurants - American) 516 9th Ave SW, Calgary  AB  T2P 1L4 • 403-265-5071 Distance: ~0.520 km User Rating: 9.5 / 10         Description: Breakfast is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace, an assertion that Nellie's heartily upholds. The cafe serves breakfast all day, allowing patrons to enjoy a variety of classic dishes whenever they choose. If you're in the mood for something sweet, try pancakes or waffles slathered with butter and syrup (or with fresh fruit, if you must). Savory dishes include corned beef hash, omelets, and breakfast burritos. On Sundays, the offerings become a bit more exotic. Representative dishes include a seaside omelet and a selection of heartier dishes. The eatery also offers sandwiches if you arrive around midday and want something more standard. Chicago Chophouse (Restaurants - American) 604 8th Ave SW, Calgary  AB  T2P 1G5 • 403-265-3000 Distance: ~0.677 km User Rating: 8.5 / 10         Description: When your mind fixates on red meat, with its rich flavor, tenderness and sizzle, you'll want to come here to satisfy the craving. The Chophouse features local Canadian beef that's dry-aged, ensuring that you get a terrific cut of meat. Prime rib is the real draw, juicy and succulent, although the pork isn't too shabby either. You can order something manageable, like the 8-oz. filet mignon, or be a complete profligate and opt for the 42-oz. porterhouse (you are supposed to share it with someone else). Chicken, seafood and burgers are also available. Everything is a la carte, so if you want side items, you'll have to order them separately. Wines add an extra note of luxury. Caesar's Steak House Ltd (Restaurants - American) 512 4th Ave SW, Calgary  AB  T2P 0J6 • 403-264-1222 Distance: ~0.793 km User Rating: 10 / 10         Description: This long-established steak house boasts a classical theme, including Ionic columns, gleaming red leather chairs, and dark, polished woodwork. The multi-level restaurant is divided into lounge and dining room areas, depending on your intent. Charcoal-broiled steaks are the primary attraction, although Caesar's does a fine sauteed scampi too. You'll also be pleased by their capable touch with seafood, chicken, chateaubriand and ribs. Many of the options are four-course, so you can expect to eat heartily and well. The restaurant lays claim to having invented the Bloody Caesar, which is essentially a Bloody Mary with clamato juice instead of tomato juice. The cocktail has become a Canadian favorite, and this is the place to sample the original recipe. Cilantro (Restaurants - American) 338 17th Ave SW, Calgary  AB  T2S 0A8 • 403-229-1177 Distance: ~0.795 km         Description: A rustic decor composed of brick, aged woodwork, and wrought iron adds a certain charm to this casual establishment. The menu has a Mediterranean sensibility, although it pulls influences from California and Asia as well. Wood-fired pizzas are extremely popular, crowned with exotic ingredients and flavorful sauces. You'll also find chicken breasts dressed with savory toppings and a wonderful vegetable lasagna. The open kitchen provides a glimpse of the preparation and fills the air with the aroma of pizza baking. If the weather's good, the outdoor patio is a delightful place to dine, adding an extra note of authenticity to the Mediterranean cuisine. Ed's Restaurant (Restaurants - American) 202 17th Ave SE, Calgary  AB  T2G 1H4 • 403-262-3500 Distance: ~0.798 km         Description: Marked by a turret, this Victorian-styled building houses one of the city's favorite places for steaks, buffalo wings, and business lunches. Ed's has five small dining rooms in the circa-1911 home, and all sport lovely furnishings and enjoy great light. A variety of soups and salads is available, as are gourmet burgers and hot and cold sandwiches. You'll also find prime rib, filet mignon, salmon, lobster, and chicken. The house pastas are delicious as well and include penne Creole as well as tortellini Madagascar, which features spinach and mushrooms in a peppercorn sauce. An outdoor patio allows patrons to enjoy the warm weather, and Ed's offers audiovisual equipment for groups who schedule midday meetings. Copyright ©2001 10Best Inc. All rights reserved.