U nlike Toronto, Calgary is not known for it high-falooting, up-turned nose eateries, so when an upscale joint pops into Cowtown it's quite a scene. Now, when I say upscale, I mean a Calgary restaurant that does not fall under that yawn-worthy category, chain: a certified swanky spot cannot be the Keg, no way is it Earl's, and sorry people, not Joey's either. We Calgarians need to learn the difference between chi chi and, well, sh##***tty.

To figure out this crucial dividing line, check out Calgary's latest hotspot, Flatiron. Marketing itself as the city's "cure to the same old thing," this Calgary restaurant might be located right down the street from Joey's, but in quality, it's worlds apart. Unlike the strict confines of a chain's menu, Flatiron commits itself to market fresh ingredients, which means not every dish will be exactly the same every time you order it. In other words, a dish might, on one visit, contain a pepper that's in season and another time be paired with a roasted beet or fennel. Get it? If you don't, then you're probably the unfortunate owner of an non-experimental, mundane pallet and you shouldn't be dining at Flatiron.

For those of you interested in eating food that slightly wavers from the chain habitual, then the menu at Flatiron, including items like "prawn cigarillos" - black tiger prawns wrapped in crispy springroll paper and served with ponzu dipping sauce, cheese Fondue with aged white cheddar, fontina, gruyere, chardonnay and choice of prawns, seasonal vegetables, or prosciutto, a variety of steaks, including of course the flat iron with housemade Bearnaise, creamy peppercorn, Cabernet thyme, or Grainy mustard sauce, is definitely up your alley. The menu also features a number of "not steaks" like bison short ribs, and arctic char.

As for the look of the spot; picture an upscale restaurant, without the requisite snobbery, crossed with an ultra-sexy lounge, without the requisite cheez. The space is quite stunning in its sleek espresso woods, creamy leathers, funky cowhides, chic, sheer draperies, ambient crimson under lighting, and flatscreen fireplace. But the focal point of this deluxe joint is definitely the room dividing wine display.

The fact that the restaurant's centerpiece is a kind of newfangled wine cabinet is not a surprise since there is definitely a heavy booze focus to the loungey spot – come on folks, we are in Calgary after all. The roster includes a notably long martini list and a grouping of signature cocktails that does not leave you wanting. I'm a sucker for the Raspberry Blueberry Mojito prepared with Van Gogh Blueberry vodka, simple syrup, lime juice, soda water, mint leaves, and fresh muddled raspberries. But, believe me it will not be hard for you to find a gem in this treasure trove of potables.