SUMMER DINING GUIDE
Where to eat beyond city limits
BIG SKY BBQ
Opened last fall on Highway 2A north of Okotoks, Big Sky serves bang-on southern barbecue with slow-smoked brisket, pork shoulder and ribs with fine cornbread. With hefty communal tables, a blues soundtrack, a long list of whisky and a huge patio, Big Sky exudes a lively roadhouse tone. 306016 15th St. E., Okotoks, 403-938-0701 bigskybbq.ca
BLAKE
Norm and Blake Flan roll out a contemporary mountain menu of tuna poke, crispy beets, sous vide lamb, shrimp bao and curried cauliflower in a revitalized body shop. Blake has kept the huge roll-up doors of the shop, added a great patio and provides a friendly, casual tone. (Hint: you can walk in right off the trail and no one blinks an eye.)
810 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, 403-675-3663 blakecanmore.com
THE BOOT
Cochrane’s the Boot presents a modern take on classic Italian pastas and pizzas in a simple, comfortable setting. (Read: not much for decor.) Both red-sauced and white-sauced pizzas are included on the menu along with 14 pastas and Italian dishes all expertly prepared.
205 1st Street E., Cochrane, 403-981-3044 thebootrestaurant.ca
CAMP COOKHOUSE
There are not many places to eat in Cypress Hills, but fortunately, Camp more than fits the bill. ( We ate there four times in three days last summer.) Becky Ross and Alex Bruveris bring their talents to the park with stellar burgers, brown-butter cornbread, robust salads and daily creations.
44 Lakeview Dr., Elkwater, 403-893-3930 campcookhouseandgeneralstore.com
CRAZYWEED
Still crazy after all these years, Crazyweed offers outstanding contemporary cuisine in a sleek, stylish setting. Tenderloin tartare, cod-and-prawn cakes with lemon grass-turmeric picada and grilled lamb sirloin are just a few of the treats on Crazyweed’s menu. There’s a fine wine list, too.
1600 Railway Ave., Canmore, 403-609-2530 crazyweed.ca
HAYLOFT
James Hoan Nguyen convinced chef Jason Barton-Browne to leave his comfy job at Teatro, and together they created a contemporary agrarian restaurant in Airdrie. Hayloft is modern and forward-looking but rooted in the farming history of the area with braised beef tortellini, tempura cod and daily dishes featuring local producers.
5101 403 MacKenzie Way, Airdrie, 403-980-8123 haylofton8th.com
IL FORNO
It’s in a unique setting on the second floor of an industrial strip mall, but Il Forno is a hideaway worth finding. Sal and Ana Maria Monna bring over 30 years of experience in Italian restaurants to Airdrie with classic pasta, veal and antipasti dishes and fine service. 209 2914 Kingsview Blvd. S.E., Airdrie, 403-945-4444 ilfornoroserosse.com
JUNIPER BISTRO
The restaurant in Banff’s Juniper Hotel has had a strong makeover under general manager Chris Irving. The menu includes Brome Lake duck chop with confit fennel, braised pork ribs with smoked pineapple and mussels with harissa. And, you can’t beat the view from the patio.
1 Juniper Way, Banff, 403-763-6219 thejuniper.com
MOUNT ENGADINE LODGE
There had to be at least one mountain lodge on this list, didn’t there? Mount Engadine’s gorgeous setting is enhanced by a short — and abundant — menu of freshly prepared foods. Afternoon tea is a pleasure here; baked goods, fresh fruit, charcuterie, cheeses and coffee or tea make a great break from the hiking trails.
Smith Dorrien Trail (Highway 742), Spray Lakes Provincial Park, 403-678-4080 mountengadine.com
PARK DISTILLERY
Spilling out onto Banff Avenue, Park Distillery is an energetic, two-storey option that pumps out campfire-inspired cuisine. There are dishes such as trail mix hummus, a rotisserie chicken sandwich, wood-fired trout and baked beans. They make a fine gin and a tasty rye whisky in the distillery section, too.
219 Banff Ave., Banff, 403-762-5114 parkdistillery.com
THE POST HOTEL
Still the standard for fine dining in the Rockies after almost 40 years, the Post Hotel showcases the talents of executive chef Hans Sauter. From the torchon of foie gras and the cream of Chardonnay soup to the caribou strip loin and the maple tiramisu, the food is sublime. (Pricey, but sublime.) And, it includes a superb, unmatched wine list.
200 Pipestone Road, Lake Louise, 403-522-3989 posthotel.com
SIROCCO
Many golf courses serve great food. Many do not. At Sirocco, just south of Spruce Meadows, they go the extra mile with pulled chicken tacos, steelhead in a chili beurre blanc and some of the best burgers in the area — all with a view that reaches from the Prairies to the Rockies.
210178 64th St. W, Foothills, 403-201-5505 sirocco.ca
SWEET CAPONE’S
Cannoli in Lacombe? Why not? Fresh cannoli stuffed with vanilla custard cream or toasted coconut cream or salted caramel cream makes for some of the best cannoli I’ve ever had. There are loads of other great Italian baked goods, too.
4912 50th Ave., Lacombe, 403-789-7778 sweetcapones.com
TASTY THAI
Excellent Thai food is available at Tasty Thai in Olds. All the familiar Thai dishes are here — tom yum soup, pad Thai noodles, papaya salad, curries — red, yellow, green masaman, panang— and more. 5019 50th Ave., Olds, 403-556-8850
THAI ONZON
Longing for Thai but heading west? Thai Onzon has it in spades — but without meat. It’s gluten free, vegetarian, lacto-ovo and vegan and all-around tasty, with some of the best Thai food anywhere. Note: Thai Onzon is closed for vacation through July 31.
115 5th Ave., Cochrane, 403-981-1499 thati-onzonveggie.com
VALBELLA GOURMET FOODS
You’ll find Valbella products on many menus throughout Calgary and the Bow Valley. But why not drop into Valbella’s shop and cafe for a soup-and-sandwich lunch? Hearty and substantial, Valbella’s menu is short and meaty and super fresh.
104 Elk Run Blvd., Canmore, 403-678-4109 valbellagourmetfoods.ca escurial@telus.net 403-235-7532 on Twitter @GilchristJohn