I found myself feeling like a blissed out zombie after adventuring through several spa treatments and cocktail sips at Rimrock Resort. With a smug mug I hopped in a taxi bound for Buffalo Mountain Lodge in Banff.
A bison as bust welcomes guests at they arrive and a booming fire by the bar offers weary travelers the relaxation and restoration they require. The properties fine dining concept Sleeping Buffalo Restaurant offers an intimate dining room wrapped by windows with views of the properties lush gardens and coniferous giants. The interior has a cozy lodge feel featuring square timber, post and beam construction and high open ceilings. The aesthetic pays tribute to old world craftsmanship with custom-made cherry, pine and bent-willow furnishings and copper-glass light fixtures.
Their wine list was awarded a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for featuring an outstanding collection of the world’s finest wines including a stellar selection of Canadian VQA. After plopping myself into my seat I spent the next three hours nibbling my way through Sleeping Buffalo Restaurant’s signature dishes which had been thoughtfully paired with their sommeliers favourite bottles.
Buffalo Mountain Lodge is owned by Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts which operate their own ranch just outside of Calgary. The CRMR ranch raises a herd of elk, buffalo and caribou which appear on menus across all of their properties. Be sure to sample some of these game centric dishes during your visit and tip your hat to the company’s farm to fork initiative. It is here that you can sample your way through true Rocky Mountain cuisine.
Highlights of my meal included: a game-centric charcuterie board, quail and pear terrine, CRMR Game Ranch Duo featuring perfectly cooked bison striploin and elk chorizo sausage and seared northern caribous medallions joined on the plate by confit potato, shallot puree and red berry gastrique.
The Feast:
Mionetto Prosecco, Veneto Italy
Main Divide Sauvignon Blanc, Waipara Valley New Zealand
William Fevre Chardonnay Espino, Maipo Valley Chile
Meyer Pinot Noir, Okanagan BC
When We Dance Sangiovese Chianti, Tuscany Italy
Dandellron, Barossa Australia
Charcuterie Board
elk salami, smoked buffalo, valbella prosciutto, smoked peppered duck breast, wild boar pate, aged sylvan star gouda, mustard melons, olives, pickles
Baby Spinach and Arugula Salad
warm almond crusted goat cheese, poppy seeds, lemon raspberry vinaigrette
Quail and Pear Terrine
pistachio oil croutons, okanagan fruit chutney, mustard sprouts
CRMR Game Ranch Duo
bison striploin, housemade elk chorizo sausage, israeli couscous, artichokes, grilled peppers, summer squash, salsa verde
Northern Caribou
seared medallions, confit potato, shallot puree, red berry gastrique
Creme Brulee Trilogy
lime, waffle, chocolate raspberry
