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The Maple Leaf – Banff, Alberta

We took kind of a family trip out to Banff during the Canada Day long weekend. It was hard to find places to eat, so I made a reservation for The Maple Leaf for dinner. It was really nice, as we got to sit in the dining room which was on the second story looking out onto Banff Avenue. The atmosphere was really nice, our waitress was really good, and very well mannered & polite. It was a perfect place to end our evening out in Banff.

We sat down, and before long, our waitress came by with really good bread, with a Balsamic and Olive Oil dip. It was really good olive oil and balsamic!! One of the few that wasn’t too strong or too mild! So, immediately, I was already satisfied.

We started the evening with Pan Seared Calamari which was plated really lovely. I must say the portions for this appetizer was a lot smaller than I expected, but it tasted good – which is really what matters! The plate had some olives, spinach, and some toast with tomato bruschetta, chardonnay butter sauce.

we all ordered our own entrees, and we had ordered Braised Lam ShankRoasted root vegetables, olives, harissa, creme fraiche, almond & apricot gremolata.

The Apple Crusted Pork Tenderloin Apple sauce, hero mashed potatoes, mustard jus

Prime New York Beer battered onion ring, garlic mash potatoes, balsamic jus,

Bison Tenderloin Bacon wrapped, Benedictine blue cheese, potato gratin, cucumberland jus

To end the night, we even ordered a dessert, the Chocolate Torte which was beautiful and tasty.

The Maple Leaf

137 Banff Ave
Banff, AB
(403) 760-7680

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Wild Bill’s Legendary Saloon

We were in search of something different, and we found something different a Wild Bill’s Legendary Saloon! The place was huge, with lots of seating areas! We must’ve went at a quiet time, as there weren’t a lot of customers yet. When we left though, the place was starting to fill up!

I tried the Elk Burger and it was actually a toss up between 2 items that I really wanted to try. I ended up with the elk burger as it’s a little more special. The elk patty was thick, and in the middle of the patty was some smoked gouda. It was really good!

We also ordered the Low n’ Slow Beef Ribs and it was fall off the bone tender! It was really juicy and succulent, and something I would recommend if you’re fine with getting your hands dirty! It is a place for customers over the age of minority (18 years old) as they do serve alcoholic beverages — so, this is not a family restaurant!

Wild Bill’s Legendary Saloon

201 Banff Ave
Banff, AB
(403) 762-0333

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Lakeview Lounge

We started a day with a wonderful breakfast buffet in the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise at the Lakeview Lounge where we had a great table by the window looking at the lake. The atmosphere could not be topped!

The breakfast buffet was high quality food, and great omelette station! For this particular fun, I had smoked salmon in my omelette, and I haven’t had another omelette that has topped the taste of this one!

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - Lakeview Lounge

Lakeview Lounge on Urbanspoon

Lakeview Lounge

Chateau Lake Louise
Lake Louise, AB
(403) 522-3511

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Fairmont Banff Springs

I’ve been really fortunately to have been able to try the luxurious Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, and I have always wanted to return since the first visit. I’ve really liked the style of the resort as it is very historic, yet warm and inviting. Some of the rooms were really small, and crammed, but it is the experience to be able to say you’ve stayed at a Fairmont Resort. I have stayed there about 3 times total, and all times it’s been really different.

The great outdoor heated pool is definitely something to rave about. I remember sitting in the heated pool in the heart of winter with snow falling down, and an elk came by the pool to see what the guests were all about. While all the guests in the pool were so excited to see the elk, of course security for the hotel kept a close watch on the wildlife.

We once got a room that seemed to be tucked in the corner, and everything was really crammed, and the location was noisy — this room was near a walkway where tour groups walk by and it made for a different type of experience. This room is the only pictures I have…

We were lucky once, and got upgraded to a different type of room where we had a great fireplace, great view and great everything! So, it’s hard to say what the actual feeling of the resort is as we seemed to stay in very different room types… so it’s been really challenging for me to say whether or not I like it here… I must say, when I’m given further opportunities, or if it costs the same as other resorts, absolutely, I will be back for the Fairmont Experience. I really do like the valet service they have in the winter as well, as they do take the extra effort and scrap your windows! 🙂 It’s definitely worth the extra for that kind of service!

I do keep an eye out for specials and promotions and try to reason with myself to make a trip out and stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs. Hopefully I’ll be returning soon!

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Giorgio’s Trattoria – Banff, Alberta

Giorgio’s is a really good location for Italian cuisine in Banff, AB. It is located right on Main Street, which makes it really convenient if you’re just walking up and down the street trying to find something really good at a reasonable price. Sure, I haven’t been there for awhile now, but I remember my dinner well — so it was really a positive experience that is memorable.

I love shrimp and I ordered the Seafood Linguine, and as you can tell, it’s quite large in portion as I’ve eaten some before the picture was taken. The shrimp wasn’t bad at all, but it’s not the best either! You can see it as they do camouflage with the tomato sauce!

Very memorable, we had the braised rabbit, which doesn’t seem like they have that item anymore. It was really soft, tender, fall of the bone and juicy!! It was something I would have had again, but now we’ll try to find braised rabbit at other locations.

Giorgio’s Trattoria
219 Banff Avnue
Banff, AB