Wellingtons of Calgary

Restaurants that are still thriving after more than three decades in business are rare. Tom Grigoriou, Nick Georgoulis and Larry Adam, co-owners and operators of Wellington’s Steak House, make it look easy. Opened in 1979, the award-winning dining institution has long been a favourite of patrons and food critics alike. Pretty impressive, considering the dining industry sees food trends come and go, and restaurants open and close like a chef’s oven door during dinner hour.

Its subdued lighting and country club decor give the restaurant an ambiance that’s hard to find in the restaurant scene. While patrons dine, they can watch chef Nick sear fine cuts of beef in the glass-enclosed grilling area in the centre of the dining room.

Wellington’s magic combo of fine food and warm atmosphere has attracted some big-name patrons, too. These include Stephen Harper (before he became prime minister), the late Alberta Premier Ralph Klein, many members of the Calgary Flames hockey club and Canadian Olympic equestrian star Eric Lamaze, who’s a fixture at Spruce Meadows competitions.