The two-course lunch at Banff’s Bamboo Garden is a great deal at $12. This special menu offers a choice of appetizers and Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese dishes. You can add beef, chicken or tofu to your main; shrimp is available for an extra charge. For my first course I ordered spring rolls. They arrived piping hot; the... View Article
While Chili’s may not be in the heart of town (it’s located in the Fox Hotel in Banff Avenue’s accommodation district), this Mexican restaurant offers a comfortable dining experience and delicious eats – exactly what I was craving after a busy Saturday at the ski hill. My dining companions and I were seated upon arrival, and made the... View Article
A recent meal at the Bear Street Tavern confirmed my belief that pizza should in fact be a food group. A couple of friends and I headed to the Tavern after a day full of fresh mountain air. We were quickly seated in the busy restaurant, and a friendly server immediately brought us water and informed us of the... View Article
In my books, girls weekends mean three things: lots of shopping, lots of giggles, and of course – lots of brunch. My best friend Kassidy was recently visiting Banff for the weekend, so I had to take her to my favourite breakfast spot, Tooloulous. Tooloulous is that perfect kind of cozy, with red check tablecloths... View Article
I had never eaten at Silver Dragon before, and everything about my first visit to this Chinese restaurant was impressive. Silver Dragon is just outside downtown Banff across the Bow River Bridge (and has parking, a plus in Banff!). I was greeted at the door when I walked in, and seated and brought a glass... View Article
Block Kitchen + Bar is aptly named. Presiding over the kitchen is Stéphane Prévost, an accomplished Banff chef with a personal website subtitled “Passion for Food – Appetite for Life.” The chalkboard announces his specials—today, lingcod with root vegetables, Royal Miyagi oysters and Butter Pig curry with vegetables (the latter dish reflecting Prévost’s love of Asian... View Article
There’s something rather enchanting about walking up the drive to The Fairmont Banff Springs, even for a Bow Valley local who’s been inside the hotel numerous times. Guests and staff flow in and out of the castle’s doors with a rhythm and excitement that reminds you Banff is a true world travel destination. When I... View Article
One of my favourite ways to toast to success (or just survival) after a wintry ski day or summer backpacking trek is to indulge in a refreshing brew and a juicy burger. With perfectly crisp fries. And don’t forget chipotle mayo. My go-to? Banff Ave Brewing Co., or as locals call it, the Brew Pub.... View Article
There’s something wonderfully inviting about a wood interior and crackling fire on a winter’s eve, and St James’s Gate offers just that. I ducked into the pub recently for a farewell dinner and felt quite cozy in a dark wooden booth poring over a menu of traditional Irish fare. The particular draw for this evening’s guest... View Article
It was a crisp clear night when I picked up a friend, parked at the Bow Falls off Spray Avenue and walked up the snow covered road to the Waldhaus Pub (or “House in the Forest”) at the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel. The restaurant is situated in a secluded spot by the Spray River, and the moonlit... View Article
