"Value" fine dining in Calgary-Urgent

[felix the hound]

I am looking for a reasonably priced good restaurant (aren't we all?) to take 5 colleagues for dinner tonight. I am considering Divino, Tribune, Sugo and Saltlik ( although the latter's website menu does not have prices). I would have considered Catch (downstairs) but I found their new menu a bit limited when I ate there on Monday.

My impression ( after a bit of research) is that the following are above my price range for tonight : Dolce Vita, Da Guido, Osteria de Medici, River Cafe, Il Sogno, Capo, Rouge, Fleur de Sel, Centini, Teatro, Belvedere.

By the way, two of my guests consider themselves knowledgeable about italian food and one has already poo pooed Olives.

I urgently need help with this decision

[felix the hound]

Thank you for all your suggestion and information.
We ended up at Divino and had a good dinner, more or less within budget (bill before tip was a bit over $60 per person including two $55 bottles of wine ). We started with green beans for sharing , soups as first course, two pastas, one pork roast, one flat iron steak, one salmon , and one striped bass. we did not order dessert or cheese. Everyone enjoyed their meal except one diner who thought the chicken in the black pepper linguini was overdone) Service was inconsistent throughout the evening

I would go back, but plan to try Alloy before I do. And probably Tribune and Saltlik after that.

[foodosopher]

Blink.

[SpudMurphy]

I second the Cilantro recommendation. There's a reason they've been in business for 20+ years.

[John Manzo]

In a similar vein and IMHO very reasonably priced "fine dining" is Brava Bistro.

Also as price point goes, I wonder if Laurier Lounge would be up your alley.

[ChrisA]

Bonterra.

I like Alloy, but I think it is comparably expensive to several of the restaurants in the OP's "too expensive" list.

[felix the hound]

You are like likely right. The problem is the wide range of prices both on the appetizer and entree menu.

[Merry113]

If you are willing to leave downtown, I would take them to Alloy. It is my favorite restaurant currently & I believe it offers great value for the money. If you go, get the shortribs, they are divine!

[felix the hound]

Unfortunately they do not have a table for six until Saturday night... Is alloy more expensive than Divino's?

[sirdinealot]

Cilantro.

[Merry113]

I'm really not sure. You can see their menu at http://www.alloydining.com/.