Wild Ginger, Calgary

Martiniboys
MBO Calgary :: Calgary Restaurants & Dining Guide
  • Wild Ginger, Calgary

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    When attending Penny Lane venues, you are greeted with two options, much like the choice between chocolate or vanilla. Either it will be a full-on nightclub in disguise as a restaurant or it will be visa versa. The latest PLE endeavor, Wild Ginger, is very much the former, and is highly satisfying in every way. The downer - it's unbelievably expensive for no apparent reason (other than a blatant attempt to capitalize on the up and coming oil heirs).

    Upon entry, the bar is dim and the saketinis are flowing. Outfitted with dark, saturated reds and browns, the massive space, with seating for 450, is no mere neighbourhood nook. Though it’s far from the “House of Blue Leaves” (Kill Bill’s Crazy 88’s tatami house hang out), the illusion of a downtown Tokyo club - as apposed to the sake bar it was angling to be - is intact.

    Executive chef and managing partner Shaun Desaulniers, the resident Shanghai Cowboy, stays firmly rooted in the core principles of East-meets-West flavours, putting prime ingredients on a sparsely designed plate and allowing them to speak with minimum interference – somewhat of a Feng Shui aesthetic.

    The menu at Wild Ginger hones in on Pan-Asian flavours to appeal to the picky Western palate; a mix of hot and cold appetizers, house specialties, cooked entrées and sushi that can be tough to navigate (much like Columbus’ trade route attempts to China), but aims to hit all bases. The tapas plates are equally scrumptious but more creative.

    While the Wild Ginger schematics and full-on lounge action are both surprisingly (considering the size of the space) and wonderfully executed, the fare is perhaps more ambitious. This can be remedied if you order correctly, so heed my advice accordingly. The sake-miso marinated sea bass, for example, is visually impressive, plated with a tempura fried vegetable roll. This is a big player with a good dose of flavour, but the accompanying cashew cilantro sauce is too potent, and renders the entire dish as a rich mess.

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    AT A GLANCE
    Wild Ginger
    351 4th Avenue South West, Calgary, AB
    403-262-2888
    Pan-Asian
    Eau Claire
    Venue:
    Restaurant, Lounge
    Hours:
    Mon. to Fri.: 11:00am-5:00pm
    Mon. to Wed.: 5:00pm-10:00pm
    Thu. to Sat.: 5:00pm-2:00am
    Price Range:
    $$$$ (expensive)
    Payment:
    Master Card, Visa, American Express, Diners Club
    THE BUZZ

    IN THE AREA

    9 Reader Reviews

    Never again! Went there this week after many many years. I had great memories of this place and was so excited that we were going back. What a disappointment! Most plates were utterly ignorable. There were some items that were not so bad, but still not worth the trip.

    1. Brenda Law's Review :: December 11, 2009
    Brenda Law's Rating: 1 Stars
    Terrible food....tourist spot not in a good way. Our food (special roll) were prepared days in advance...my drink was the best thing...their special drinks seem to be a bunch of artificial flavour and color put together.

    2. Blair G.'s Review :: November 19, 2009
    Blair G.'s Rating: 1 Stars
    Was not impressed by the food or the prices. Decor was interesting and the prettiest waitress there agreed to meet me in my hotel room later that night. I will certainly be back.

    Georges


    3. Georges's Review :: July 28, 2009
    Georges's Rating: 3 Stars
    I was recently in town for business and decided to try Wild Ginger on advice from a friend. Although I thought the atmosphere was nice I couldn't get over the fact that I was paying a small fortune to eat a steak that was under cooked ( I ordered medium well and got medium rare) I mentioned it to my waitress who told me (with attitude) she would speak with the manager who in turn told me he would have it done the way I liked it. "no thanks" once bitten twice shy. I'll stick with the Keg. Nothing wild about Wild Ginger except the prices.

    4. Rob Hodge's Review :: October 06, 2007
    Rob Hodge's Rating: 1 Stars
    Don't go there, you will waste your money and your time. $6 for a tea per person. It's ridiculous. When we went there, at 11:00 PM one of the employees there turned on the lights (it's quite dark in there) and he proceeded to yell out "UGLY LIGHTS ARE ON, EVERYONE IS UGLY NOW". Really professional. Give me a break, that is just brutal. I don't mind paying if the food is good but it was terrible. I received my rolls (no cooking required) about an hour after my wife received her No-Lobster Fried Rice. If I didn't continue to ask, I don't think it would have even come out. There are way better places to spend your money for good food, this was a complete waste, I don't think it deserves even 1 star. Classy establishment as it is, I emailed them regarding my issues there, hoping at least for an apology for the rude behavoir of the employee, however they have not replied and it's been 3 days. Don't waste your time or money.

    5. Alta's Review :: June 28, 2007
    Alta's Rating: 1 Stars
    All flash, no bulb. Food, like waitstaff, was all pretense, no substance. Food was overpriced, underflavoured. Lunch for 3 with NO DRINKS was over $100, left hungry and unsatisfied. Neat atmosphere, but it is all Wild Ginger has.

    6. Anonymous's Review :: June 08, 2007
    All flash, no bulb. Food, like waitstaff, was all pretense, no substance. Food was overpriced, underflavoured. Lunch for 3 with NO DRINKS was over $100, left hungry and unsatisfied. Neat atmosphere, but it is all Wild Ginger has.

    7. EEE's Review :: June 07, 2007
    EEE's Rating: 1 Stars
    Instantly forgettable. Inexplicably pretentious. Menu needs CPR. Pan-Asian cusine is afforadable, but poorly presented. Location would be better suited to something else. Like a carwash.

    8. Anonymous's Review :: May 15, 2007
    Instantly forgettable. Inexplicably pretentious. Menu needs CPR. Pan-Asian cusine is afforadable, but poorly presented. Location would be better suited to something else. Like a carwash.

    9. Finerdiner's Review :: May 15, 2007
    Finerdiner's Rating: 2 Stars

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