The AAA Alberta Sirloin of beef, served with mushroom and goat cheese ragout, scallop potatoes, Vegetable Medley, Rich Chianti Wine Reduction (suggested pairing: Jackson Triggs Proprietor's Edition Cabernet Sauvignon)

We smoothed out the meal with a glass of Tinhorn Creek Cabernet/Merlot ($11.95) and Inniskillin Private Reserve Merlot ($11.75), both from BC. Oddly enough, the wine menu was shorter than you’d expect at a wine-centric restaurant. Featured wines were only five in number and the rest were common brands like Jackson Triggs and Woodbridge.

The desserts were standard, consisting of choices like Ice Cream Pears, Lemon Cheesecake and Chocolate Pecan Nut Pie. The prices were reasonable and my Crème Caramel ($4.25) was my favourite part of the evening.

Tivoli’s isn’t overly bourgeois - it’s merely about the serpentine angle of the wine pairing scenario and the skill with which staff deploys it. Overall, the food and drinks are great, but for a wine-themed restaurant, there was certainly not enough choice. Maybe they save the variety for their wine tours. Either way, it was a quiet evening of pretending to be more sophisticated than I am on a night out on the town. - L.H.