On your mountain excursion you have to stop and indulge at some of the best spots to fill your belly with goodness. For breakfast I LOVE The Rocky Mountain Bagel Co. in Canmore. Everything is made from scratch and they have gluten free options as well. They serve all day breakfast bagels and delicious lunch choices as well. Plus great coffee, wonderful chill atmosphere and a cute patio.
Crazyweed Kitchen in Canmore is a eclectic eatery with fresh lunch menu - try the big shrimp salad this is a favorite of a great friend of mine who is a local in Canmore. For dinner try the Vietnamese pork meatballs, a pizza and either the sablefish + pork belly, red seafood curry or mushroom truffle gnocci. The food does not disappoint!
The Trough a ten table restaurant with a cozy ambiance . Their menu has a light "Laurel" side and a "Hardy" side, from the Asian pear salad to the AAA Alberta beef tenderloin, you will please your tummy how ever hungry it is. Not to mention they have a serious wine list.
Tapas a quaint Spanish restaurant was voted most romantic in the Rockies but also a great place to go with friends. Obviously a small sharing plate style of eating with dishes like marinated manchego cheese to beef carpaccio to chorizo with figs to delight your palate. You must try a jug of sangria to go with.
For breakfast in Banff, you've got to go to Melissa's they have family restaurant/diner style service with delicious breakfast from pancakes, to steak and eggs, to benny's. Plus they have one of the largest road races that supports a bunch of local business and programs!
Eden at the Rimrock Hotel in Banff is a AAA Five Diamond dinning experience with majestic view of the Rockies. Let their sommeliers pair perfect wines with your multi-course dinner. A exquisite formal dining worth the price of admission.
The Grizzly House is a famous fondue restaurant that looks more like a 70's ski chalet but don't be fooled by the disco music and table to table telephones. Start with a cheese or vegetable fondue then move to the hot rock dinner. Where you personally sear everything from chicken to shark to venison and then dip in a selection of tantalising sauces. Finish it of with a melted Toblerone chocolate fondue with fresh fruit!
The Mukamuk Bistro at The Juniper Hotel in Banff National Park - "muk a muk" is Chinook for "feast", in which you will partake at this off-the-beaten-track boutique style hotel's bistro. Enjoy the menu's crossroads cuisine theme of water to land with dishes including salt spring mussels, seared sockeye salmon, and Alberta rib eye while taking in the unobstructed views of the Rundle Mountain Range.
Baker Creek Bistro in Lake Louise is the Winner of Avenue's Best Restaurants 2012 - Best of the Mountains relax in this cozy intimate bistro situated in a casual mountain resort. A timeless log-cabin structure with wood burning fire places sets the scene to enjoy home style fish chowder, roasted squash gnocci, locally sourced elk tartare or a lamb burger. You can also indulge in their famous "back door" pizza and ice cream sold from June - September.
"How do you dress for dinner at one of these hideaways?" you ask... I like to call the look "casual mountain chic". You can never really be too under dressed for most of the places you will dine at in the rockies but it's nice to add some easy trendy pieces to your effortless look.
Happy dining in style, in the mountains!
~xoB
