Banff Archives - Eat Your Broccoli!

November 2, 2016November 3, 2016

Cliffhouse Bistro

I was up on Mount Norquay to try their via ferrata a month ago. A via ferrata is a hike, but a harness is used and clipped to a cable on steeper sections. Ladders are used for the vertical sections and it has elements of rock climbing. Also a very narrow suspension bridge. What fun!

We were looking for lunch after our experience and decided to try the Cliffhouse Bistro before we went back down the chairlift. This is a restaurant with a view. It offers the same menu as their day lodge cafe. It wasn’t super busy, but it’s obvious that it also attracts tourists just for the view. It’s located at the top of the chairlift on Mount Norquay.

We started with the butternut and feta dip. I found that it was quite salty, but that’s kind of what a need for a hike in the mountains. Hubby had the prime rib sandwich with a side of beet chips. He loved the beet chips and the sandwich was also tasty. I enjoyed the Cobb salad with grilled pork belly. Mmm… pork belly.

I thought that the lunch was fairly elegant for being up on a mountain. The service was good and the views are even better. The cafe is open seasonally, so check before you go.

Butternut and Feta Drip Finished with Lemon Olive Oil and Sea Salt. Served with Croutes — Butternut and Feta Drip
Finished with Lemon Olive Oil and Sea Salt. Served with Croutes

Shaved Prime Rib Sandwich Roasted Roma Tomatoes - Arugula Horseradish and Honey Marscapone - Beet Chips — Shaved Prime Rib Sandwich
Roasted Roma Tomatoes – Arugula
Horseradish and Honey Marscapone – Beet Chips

Cobb Salad Baby Iceberg Lettuce - Duck Egg Avocado - Pork Belly Beefsteak Tomato Blue Cheese Dressing - Herb & GarlicToast — Cobb Salad
Baby Iceberg Lettuce – Duck Egg
Avocado – Pork Belly
Beefsteak Tomato
Blue Cheese Dressing – Herb & Garlic Toast

November 21, 2014

Nourish Bistro

Continuing my search for unique food in Banff, I stumbled upon Nourish, which serves vegetarian food. I ordered the nourishment bowl, which was packed with textures and flavours. It was surprisingly substantial.

I tried their vegan cheesecake for dessert. It was pretty good, made with coconut milk. A warning though, the dessert is a bit on the expensive side. If you like good quality vegetarian food, Nourish is for you.

Nourishment Bowl A quinoa, rice blend, hemp, flax and chia infused rice blend, sauteed with onion, red pepper, garden greens, seeds and nuts — Nourishment Bowl
A quinoa, rice blend, hemp, flax and chia infused rice blend, sauteed with onion, red pepper, garden greens, seeds and nuts

November 21, 2014

Tooloulou’s

Hubby had a conference in Banff last month. We arrived on a Thursday night, hungry and looking for dinner. Looking for something completely different, we decided to try Tooloulou’s, a Cajun and Creole restaurant. It was nice to go to a place in Banff and avoid the crazy weekend crowds.

We shared the Boudin balls to start, which was a tasty mixture of meat, veg and rice deep fried. I ordered the seafood and sausage gumbo. It was flavorful with a medium spicy heat. The cornbread was pretty good too. It was a good sized portion. Hubby had the Creole jambalaya which he thoroughly enjoyed. It was nice that the chilies were served on the side, so you could control the additional heat.

We shared an ice cream sundae for dessert which hit the spot as it served to cool down our spiced taste buds.

Their menu is quite extensive, including many breakfast options. I will have to come back and try their breakfast someday.

Boudin Balls Blend of beef, pork, onion, rice, peppers and seasonings served with Creole mustard — Boudin Balls
Blend of beef, pork, onion, rice, peppers and seasonings served with Creole mustard

January 28, 2014

The Bison

If there is one restaurant in Banff that I will come back to, time and time again; it’s The Bison. Well crafted, rustic and hearty food. Suitable for an après-ski dinner.

I was in the mood for some hot soup. The oxtail was fall-off-the-bone and flavorful. The crispy bacon hit the spot. The broth tasted like it was cooking for days.

BRAISED OXTAIL SOUP poached egg, grilled focaccia, root vegetables, bacon — BRAISED OXTAIL SOUP
poached egg, grilled focaccia, root
vegetables, bacon

The bison ribs also tasted like they were stewed for days with the same fall-off-the-bone tenderness. The dish stayed hot throughout the meal thanks to the cast iron. The portion sizes are definitely on the larger size, considering we were hungry skiers and split dessert. I had enough for lunch the next day.

CARMEN CREEK BISON SHORT RIBS baby potatoes, carrots, turnips, mushrooms, bacon — CARMEN CREEK BISON SHORT RIBS
baby potatoes, carrots, turnips, mushrooms, bacon

The crème brûlée was heavenly. There were chunks of apple underneath the caramelized topping. The gingersnap twirl was a nice touch.

CREME BRULEE apple cinnamon spiced, gingersnap palmiers — CREME BRULEE
apple cinnamon spiced, gingersnap palmiers

Service was good, although slower towards the end of the meal. Reservations highly recommended, especially on a Saturday night.

January 27, 2013

Brunch at the Banff Springs Hotel

Ahhh…. Sunday brunch at the Banff Springs Hotel. An institution in Banff. I have partaken a few times over the years, the last being several years ago. The first time was memorable. It was held upstairs in Rundle Hall, not in the Bow Valley Grill as it is today. I also remember at least six types of smoked salmon. I’ve also seen the price start at twenty eight dollars and grow to it’s current fifty something per person. The last time I visited, there was a noticeable decrease in food quality.

Today, reminded me of my early visits. The food is exceptional and so is the variety. I really enjoyed the cooked vegetables, especially the asparagus wrapped with bacon. I dislike brussels sprouts, but these roasted ones were delicious. I also sampled some roast lamb and veal. The baked brie with accompanying compote was a delight. Also loved the large dessert selection. For a buffet, everything was presented on family style platters and arranged beautifully. For a special occasion, well worth a visit.

January 27, 2013

Sleeping Buffalo Restaurant and Lounge

We stayed at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge this weekend. That is one of my favorite places to stay in Banff and the Sleeping Buffalo one of my favorite places to eat. We had the breakfast buffet before our ski. I certainly ate nineteen dollars worth of food. There was eggs benny, thick cut french toast, bacon, pork sausage, fried keilbasa, roaated potatoes and all sorts of other delights. We went back for dinner. The portions were just right, not oversized. Even for a couple of hungry skiers. I love Rocky Mountain cuisine, especially with wild game. CRMR also owns properties and restaurants in Emerald Lake, Lake Louise, and of course The Ranche in Calgary, where we had our wedding reception.

They were booked full for dinner, so we went early to the lounge. It was not crowded at all, and ordered from the restaurant menu.

Carpaccio Ranch Elk Tenderloin, Preserved Wild Mushrooms, Sicilian Olives, Padano, Rosemary Honey — Carpaccio
Ranch Elk Tenderloin, Preserved Wild Mushrooms, Sicilian Olives, Padano, Rosemary Honey

ravioli — CRMR Ranch Elk Shank Ravioli
Wild Mushrooms, Madeira Braised Pearl Onions, Dill Creme Fraiche

apple tart tatin — Warm Apple Tarte Tatin
Candied Walnuts, Cider Coulis, Cinnamom Ice Cream

chocolate dessert — Chocolate Hazelnut Mocha Cake
Vanilla Hazelnut Toffee Ice Cream

January 27, 2013

Coyotes Southwestern Grill

This would be the second time that I’ve visited Coyotes. Their food is really good. We got into Banff late and I was looking for lighter dinner options. I started with the sweet potato and corn chowder. It reminded me of butternut squash soup. I like the way it was served; with the sauce in a pattern. Hubby had the Southwest smoked salmon sushi roll. I ordered an appetizer for my main, the oven baked quesadilla. It was delicious. Hubby had the grilled AAA Alberta beef tenderloin. He enjoyed his dish, but thought they were a little heavy handed with the bearnaise sauce. I really like their food; it tastes fresh and healthy.

Grilled AAA Alberta Beef TenderloinTopped with a green chile bearnaise sauce — Grilled AAA Alberta Beef Tenderloin
Topped with a green chile bearnaise sauce

Sweet Potato and Corn Chowder
Garnished with chile paint and sour cream

Oven baked quesadilla
With cilantro pesto, goat cheese, grilled shrimp and mango salsa

The only downside was that we’re pretty sure the diners a table away from us had body odour problems. It became apparent, the change in the air quality when they left. Fortunately, the nice aromas from our meals masked it.