Critical Mass Brewing - St. Albert

Both times we went here the place was pretty much empty. I don't think they've changed the décor from when it was Rick's, then Blue Rare and now Critical Mass. It doesn't seem enough like a bar, more like a restaurant, still. For us it just seems cold. No atmosphere and I think that's what we don't like about it.My husband likes their craft beers and the prices are on par with other places. We tried the hamburgers one time and they were pretty good. Tried an appetizer another and it was waaaay too salty. We couldn't even finish it.

Have been a couple times since they reopened under this name.A few beers on tap and pretty standard menu for the type of place it is.Service is very slow. Even when not overly busy seems like they forget about you after a first stop by the table and first round of drinks, which is odd for a bar type business. Had finger foods and all were average, standard pub fare. Would I return, very possibly, but might not be my first choice.

The first time my co-worker and I tried this new eatery was on St. Patrick's day when we put the lack of proper service down to start up issues. We gave it another try this past Saturday and, although we again arrived well ahead of the usual dinner hour, the service (or lack of) can only be described as poor. My guest's caesar salad arrived covered in bacon bits despite her telling the server she is a vegetarian. Why did nothing accompany her salad ordered as a meal from the dinner menu? (Some bread would have been nice.) Our server disappeared once we had our food - not even a followup enquiry as to whether we would like another drink. We gave up on the idea of coffee and dessert and had our coats on waiting for the bill before she stopped again at our table. We did a quick count of the occupied tables on the way out and it was hardly busy. We work downtown and were hoping for a decent new lunch venue for clients. It's too bad this won't be it.

My wife and I recently visited this new restaurant that used to be Rick's in St.

After taking a brief break from Yelp, I decided to treat myself to a meal at a restaurant to celebrate the start of the school year and surviving the summer.