Having recently moved to the Alberta area, I was pleased to find a bar that reminds me of my East Coast city roots. It was actually a World Affairs Council social gathering that brought me in for the first time. We had the opportunity to nosh on tasty mezza platters (hummus, tabouleh, laban, meatballs and assorted olives) and meet the owner who gave an informal presentation about her life growing up in Iraq, England and America. I stop by often now (it seems to be THE place during Alberta's "Last Thursday" fair) and am still trying to decipher the code of Baba's Burger--is that cinnamon in the recipe? The bartenders are always friendly and the atmosphere distinctly inviting. Sometimes the service can slow down on busy nights, and I get the feeling that Zaytoon is still trying to find it's groove with a diverse clientele, but overall the classy, upscale (yet affordable) bar shines nicely on a street flooded with casual watering holes and pubs.
Pros: ambience, friendly bartenders, signature cocktails, happy hour specials, great food
Cons: service can sometimes be slow on busy nights
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