On Sunday, Chew Steel and I met up with Captain M and Dr. V to their favourite Greek spot, Calypso’s Greek Taverna, just north of downtown Calgary. When we arrived, we noticed the restaurant’s sign now reads: Brunch Glory & Calypso’s Greek Taverna. It’s the same room, split across two services: brunch from 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., dinner from 4:00. p.m. –9:00 p.m. It’s a model I’m seeing more often in Calgary. Let’s listen to Opalite for this post. 

Captain M booked us a booth near the back, facing the blue and white room. Jennifer, our server, set the tone early and set it high. She’d pause at our table with dishes on the way out, showcasing the bounty before it landed elsewhere. At one point, she floated by with a cinnamon dessert, letting the warm scent drift toward us.

We started with a bottle of Greek red wine ($44) and an order of dolmades ($16.95). For mains, Chew Steel chose the Surf and Turf Beef Tenderloin ($30.95), while Dr. V and I opted for the Lamb Souvlaki ($29.95). Captain M originally ordered the Chicken Souvlaki ($23.95), but at the last minute, he changed his mind and wanted the surf and turf. 

Jennifer informed us the dolmades are house made, simmered in beef stock, and finished with a creamy sauce. The still steaming grape leaves gave easily under a knife, revealing plump, cigar-like parcels of ground beef and rice. The lemony sauce stayed light, while the garlic was extra pungent. This is a version worth ordering.

Our entrees came with a salad, and we all went with the Caesar. The dressing was cool and thick, smooth like whipped cream. The salad was built from the best parts of the romaine head: baby leaves with pale green ribs rather than the watery white cores. The ridged edges held onto the dressing, while the mini croutons delivered a dry crunch before dissolving on the tongue. This salad leans hard on garlic, so much that it lingered the next day. 

The souvlaki arrived next, four white plates, each with a mound of rice, potatoes, and glistening vegetables, all built around a skewer. There was a small hiccup. When Captain M switched from chicken to surf and turf, Dr. V’s lamb came out as chicken instead. Chew Steel offered to take it, Captain M said he’d share, and Dr. V stated she was fine keeping it. I was the only one who didn’t offer a solution that involved giving up my lamb. Jennifer stepped in with a fix: Dr. V would eat the chicken, and a lamb skewer would follow shortly after. 

The lamb kebabs slid easily off the skewer. The exterior had a light, slightly grassy edge while the center was cooked to medium rare. I liked how the silky centre was still pink and buttery smooth. I tried a piece of Chew Steel’s shrimp and sirloin. Compared to the lamb, the beef was tighter with a leaner chew. I prefer the tenderness and juiciness of lamb over beef. I would order the lamb again.

At the end of the meal, Jennifer sent over a large dessert to make up for the mix-up. It wasn’t necessary as Dr. V ended up with both lamb and chicken, plus lunch for the next day. But once the warm fragrance hit us, we weren’t about to refuse. The galaktoboureko, a phyllo-encased custard, finished our meal with restrained sweetness. 

The food is worth returning, but it’s the way you’re looked after that stays with you days later. Our server, Jennifer, runs the room with a level of generosity and hospitality that changes the entire experience. If you’re thinking about what to do for Mother’s Day, Calpyso is hosting belly dancing and live music on May 15. Check it out. You won’t regret it.

For more date night options in Calgary, check out my list of where to book.