Elsie Hui

I’ve been hearing nothing but good things about BeaverTails in Banff. Weirdly, every time I’ve made it to Banff, something happens – one thing or another, and I haven’t tried BeaverTails… until now! This little store front is located right on Banff Avenue and it’s easy to find as it’s often the one with a huge line up!

This little place offers tons of options that all sound good – from ice cream/gelato/sorbets to french fries/poutines and much much more! Of course, with the name being BeaverTails, I knew that was what I wanted! I decided to try an Apple Cinnamon BeaverTail which was a deep fried dough with butter brushed on it… dipped in their cinnamon sugar mixture then topped with Apples and their apple sauce (kind of like a warm jam).

If you love apple pie and cinnamon bread… then, this is your snack! It’s like a fast food apple pie kicked up a few notches and it’s fresh! There’s nothing you wouldn’t like about this! It’s not over sweet, it’s not too messy (if you keep it horizontal like a pizza). If you’re not into treats like this, then I think you will enjoy their frozen treats (it’s the next thing I’m going to try!)

As mentioned, I really love this place. I think it’s perfect for any season. When it’s cold out, you can enjoy a BeaverTail and when it’s hot out, you can enjoy a frozen treat… and everything in between! So, believe me, I will be back every time I go to Banff!

BeaverTails

120 Banff Avenue
Banff, AB
(403) 760-0606

I’m not sure why or even how I even ended up at Bumpy’s Cafe but it’s like it’s hidden gem! Parking wasn’t too bad as we arrived early on a Sunday morning so there was street parking! It’s not too hard to find as there are 2 entrances to the cafe.

Once we got inside, it’s a cute little place with lots of people coming and going – and a lot less customers sitting down and enjoying their morning. We sat down as it was going to be a slow paced Sunday for me.

I ordered to start, a cup of Hot Chocolate and it comes in a large cup – which I loved! It’s really creamy but it doesn’t feel thick and heavy. Plus, it’s not overly sweet, so it was just right for me!

We also figured they’d do latte art, so we also ordered a latte, and we were right – there was beautiful latte art!!

When I use to work at the hotel, one of my favourite breakfasts was their Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Bacon so, that’s what I decided to order from here.

We also ordered their Ham and Cheese Quiche which was in a pretty big slice, melty and ooey gooey making the cheese and egg really delicious!

Overall, the drinks were really delicious and the food wasn’t bad either. It’s simple foods and a tad greasy – but it tasted really good! I eat anywhere that offers good food and this place is no exception! If I was in the area again for breakfast, I’m sure I will be back!

Bumpy’s Cafe

1004 8 St SW
Calgary, AB
(403) 265-0244

It was a late evening, and I haven’t eaten dinner, so my husband took me to San Remo, and it was really nice they didn’t kick us out as it was getting close to their closing time. We went in and was seated in a booth which was really comfortable. the restaurant and lounge still had a few tables, so I didn’t feel as bad that I was there.

Not long after we were seated, we ordered and a delicious bread basket came to the table. The bread was really nice, and the flavoured butter was a nice touch!

We started the late dinner with their Antipasto Platter which not only looked fantastic, it tasted pretty good too! This platter had assorted cheese and sliced prosciutto & salami. There were also some oven roasted pepepers, marinated olives and button mushrooms & artichokes. It was a fun platter to eat and great for sharing!

For the actual dinner, I ordered their Hawaiian Pizza which was made in the stone oven. This was the best pizza was probably one of the best pizzas I’ve had in a very long time! This pizza is made of Double smoked applewood bacon, fresh pineapple! The best part of this pizza was that it was finished with maple syrup which is excellent as it’s sweet and salty balance of flavour, it’s what makes it my favourite pizza so far!

We also ordered a bowl of Spaghetti Bolognese with tons of noodles and just enough yummy sauce. There were a few large meatballs, jammed pack with flavour. The portions are quite large, and it’s quite delicious! We were able to take some home too!

Overall, I really enjoyed the experience and atmosphere from this restaurant. The food was really delicious and I just had such a great time that I know I will be back!

San Remo Ristorante

26 McKenzie Towne Gate SE #500
Calgary, AB
(403) 251-0998

I never really make reservations while I’m in Banff as I never know where and when I am going to be anywhere. We stumbled into the Clock Tower Mall right on Banff Ave and found this Thai food place called Pad Thai. There were tables inside and outside of the restaurant (all indoors of the clock tower mall) which is kind of dingy, but that’s okay with me!

We were one of the first tables to arrive and we were allowed to sit anywhere. We chose a corner inside and by the window and it was nice! You are still “in” the restaurant and you can watch people go by and other customers! We started our lunch with a plate of their Thai Dumplings which they call “Saw Moing”. It came on a plate with 4 purple flowers. It tasted a lot like some other Vietnamese “snacks” I’ve had as it has minced pork inside and you dip it in a sauce which is kind of a mix of plum sauce and Nước chấm.

In Las Vegas, I fell in love with a dish of curry with BBQ Duck, so to my excitement, they had Red Curry with BBQ Duck and I knew immediately that it was what I wanted, with coconut rice! The portions was quite large for a lunch but it was jammed pack with thinly sliced BBQ duck in this great Thai curry sauce. Over the coconut rice, I was really satisfied.

To top everything off, I ordered one of my favourite fried dishes, which is Pad Sa Hew which has tons of different spelling for. I commonly see it spelled as “Pad Si Ew”, but regardless, it’s the same thing – my favourite thing! Basically it’s fried rice noodles with soy sauce and they make it exceptionally good here. They use nice high heat in a wok – you can taste it (there’s actually a Chinese term to describe this) but it’s one of the reasons why I love this dish from here. Tons of smoke flavour, tons of seasoning flavour, tons of goodness and the noodles weren’t all broken into little pieces.

Thai food has always had a special place in my heart as it’s food I just love as regular daily food. This little place make it quite accessible and it’s delicious! The portions are huge and the price is a tad on the high side but it sure is delicious. This make it totally worth it in my books! I’m sure I will be back sometime soon!

Pad Thai

110 banff av
Banff, AB
(403) 762-4911

I had the lovely opportunity to stay at night at the famous Rimrock Resort in Banff. It’s a beautiful resort that is tucked away from the tourist of Main Street Banff. I love how the resort is built into the side of the mountain and offers spectacular views all around! We stayed in their regular Standard Guest Rooms which was still spectacular! The room was quite large and spacious complete with working desk space, seating area, and mini fridge.

My favourite part about the room was the seating area, as it’s right by the windows – which where punched out so you can lots, close and in the distance! We didn’t have too much view as we were quite low at floor 3. The neat thing about this resort, the hotel lobby was on the 7th floor and it sometimes confuses me to go “UP” to the lobby!

I love hotels that offer king size beds, so I loved this bed! It was quite comfortable as well, and the blankets was the perfect thickness for the season. The thermostat was a little weird as you had to push the “up” or “down” button for awhile before it changes. If you set it higher than 22C, the heat stays on constantly and it’s a tad noisy so I had to turn it down a bit and grab the extra blanket as I like to be really warm.

The bathroom was nice, it was huge and had toilet paper on both sides of the toilet, so I guess it can please all guests! I’m not sure, it was honestly a little weird! I love the huge counter top for me to put stuff on – and I don’t even have lots, but it’s just nice to spread out. Our room had the standard tub with a shower head. The tub is quite strange as it curves at the bottom, so there wasn’t too much “flat” standing space, but we made do with what we had.

This resort did use nice bathroom amenities, as they offered Pharmacopia amenities and they smelled really nice! They used their Verbena product line which lightly scented and it’s an all natural and organic product!

Overall, we loved our stay here at the Rimrock and glad we made a weekend trip with a stay here! Check out below for my room walk-through to see it all!

Diners, still something I love seeking out, and this one is pretty special! Located in Inglewood, it’s was a tad challenging for me to find for some VERY ODD reason… but, regardless, I found it and I’m glad I did! It’s called The Fine Diner! I wasn’t expecting too much from here, and they offered pretty good food and service. The place was quite busy when we got here, and it wasn’t late either, so that’s always a good sign!

I started with ordering Apple Juice, which isn’t anything special at all. But, for my breakfast, I tried something I have never tried before, and it’s called Duck Benny which is like your typical eggs benedict but with duck instead of ham or tomato! What a delicious combination! The duck was tender and delicious, juicy and everything! The hash browns were on the cold side, but it tasted so good, I ate all of it up regardless!

My special husband I guess was hungry, but he ordered their Steak & Eggs which in his defense is something he really enjoys, so he does get it often! The picture is upside-down, but you get the idea! A large (6oz) piece of steak with eggs and potatoes (hash brown)! It looks delicious eh!? It certainly was!

This place is quite fine indeed! First visit to here, and probably not my last!! Everything seemed quite perfect and the staff was super friendly! I would say to stop here for breakfast to start your day off to the right beat!

The Fine Diner

4 1420 9th ave SE
Calgary, AB
(403) 234-8885

Little cafes with a bakery? I’m in! It’s my favourite! These are the most memorable times I had when I travelled through Eastern Europe – cafes and bakeries! I found this one in Woodbine in the South West and it’s called Patisserie Du Soleil Bakery and Cafe located in a strip plaza and it offers a large seating area with a large display of goodies that they bake from scratch!

I sat down and ordered from both the fridges with their baked goodies as well as from their menu. I ordered a nice hot drink to go with the pastries so I decided to have Chocolate Truffle Mochaccino which was a nice chocolatey drink – which was delicious!

Our hot food from the menu, we tried their Belgium Waffles with Strawberries and this was fantastic! The waffles were light and fluffy with fresh whipped cream and delicious strawberries. I know, waffles aren’t anything “special”, but at least it was really good here!

As many of you know, I love cinnamon treats such as cinnamon buns… so it’s no surprise I would try their Cinnamon Twist which was more “bread-like” that was more dense, instead of being light and fluffy. It was really good and not overly sweet!

Now, I am not going anywhere without trying pastries! So, I ordered 2 of them! We got their Cream Horn which was a light and airy treat that was filled with a light custard cream that was just perfect in texture and taste! The other treat was the Neapolitan Pastry with layers and layers of flaky pastry and a delicious custard cream filling, same as in the cream horn. This was by far my favourite treat from here! The custard is just amazing, a must try for sure! Probably everything with this custard is amazing, so be sure to pick something up with it! It’s not too sweet at all, which is something I love!

Overall, this is a place I could see myself going back to – over and over again! One of the best things about this cafe is the hours, it’s opened from Mon-Sat 7am – 8pm and Sunday 7am – 5pm! I can think about going here any when I’m in the area! Just a great little place to enjoy a snack or a “light” lunch or something! It’s quiet here, so it’s nice in that manner! A hidden gem for sure!

Patisserie Du Soleil Bakery and Cafe

2525 Woodview Dr SW
Calgary, AB
(403) 452-8833

Warm weather spell hits Calgary a few days a year – and when it does, I crave a patio setting. This time, I found myself on the roof top patio of Brewsters Brewing Company and Restaurant in McKenzie Towne. It’s located just off High Street, on the North side. The restaurant is large, but parking is quite limited, unless you’re willing to walk. On nice days, walk!

I ordered a Virgin Chi Chi as I was already feeling dehydrated from being outside all day soaking up the sun rays! It’s really just a blend of juices, but it’s delicious! I actually think it’s more a virgin Mai Tai, but what do I know!

We went during their “Appy Hour” and so we enjoyed some snacks too! We ordered their super delicious Spicy Honey Garlic Prawns which was as the name suggests sweet and spicy. The prawns were quite large and fresh – so the texture was really nice. Tons of sauce and flavour, but not so much where it overwhelms the prawns!

Then, the last thing we ordered was the 1/2 Nachos which really is the perfect size for 2 people! I can see the regular order being great for larger crowds – but this was excellent in all aspects (not just the portion size). The cheese was all melted, ooey and gooey with tons of topping of tex mex cheese, tomatoes, black olives, banana peppers, jalapenos, green onions and creme fraiche all on top of thin and crispy white corn tortillas – served with salsa and sour cream!

Overall, this has been one of my favourite roof top experiences in the city and I can’t wait for my next opportunity to return! Appy hour was a complete success in my books and I should return for a regular meal too!

Brewsters Brewing Company & Restaurant

11 McKenzie Towne Ave SE
Calgary, AB
(403) 243-2739

I was in a celebrating mood this one afternoon, and I thought “what better way to celebrate than a nice sushi place!?” so I found myself at Sho Sushi Bar & Kitchen as it looks super fancy, and high end from the outside. The parking lot is a little tricky as it’s not really marked one way – but it all works out at the end. This restaurant is in the deep south, on the East side of Macleod Trial.

We were first greeted by nobody for the longest time, and then the hostess came to stand at the podium at the front folding napkins. “It’s alright!” we thought to ourselves as we were in no hurry… until it got ridiculous, we had to go up and say hi first. When we finally got seated, it took forever for any sort of service. It actually was tough getting service throughout the dinner and we watched other customers suffer a bit. We were alright, as we kept the mentality of “we’ve got nothing better to do!” The menus come out on laminated copies and you mark what you want on it with a dry erase pen! It’s pretty neat! We started with some Gyozas as it’s always something I love. They were alright, nothing great, but not nasty – mediocre!

The other starter we had was their Miso Soup which again wasn’t anything special. So far, this celebration night just seemed like a normal night… so, we hoped the sushi was at least great! The miso soup was very bland with a few pieces of tofu in the bottle and one shredded piece of seaweed floating in the soup.

Then, we ordered some sashimi, and we ordered the Salmon Sashimi and the Tuna Sashimi which the tuna was kind of the “wrong” texture. The salmon was really good, but something was funny with the tuna. We ate it anyway without a word, and I must add, our bellies were fine the following day – so it’s all good! The portions were quite generous, and that kept us quite happy.

Then came our plate of sushi, we ordered Smoked Duck Sushi, Smoked Salmon Sushi and Spicy Tuna Roll, and these came out very good! We were very pleased with the duck sushi as it was a nice piece of tasty duck with some rice! The smoked salmon was one of my favourites all night and there wasn’t anything to complain about with this tuna roll. So, things took a turn – and we were satisfied!

The last thing we ordered was what they called Ocean Surprise and it was described as “spicy prawn with mayo and avocado topped with seaweed salad and gold tobiko” on the menu. It was an odd ball, but not gross! It had a good balance of flavours and textures making it unique and special. It was pretty good!

Since things turned out better at the end, we figured it’d be fine to order some dessert. We asked for the Creme Brulee Cheesecake and this cheesecake took forever – as I think it was thawing in the kitchen or something. The top of the cake wasn’t actually bruleed so it was cold and didn’t have the nice topping. The cheesecake itself tasted like the ones you could get from the frozen isle at the grocery stores… so, we wished we never ordered it – since it wasn’t made by them. It’s just not what we were expecting for some odd reason (they’re not a bakery!)

Overall, the dining experience was a decent one. It had it’s moments of ups and downs. It’s average food quality with a higher price tag. Service is kind of lacking, but not a place I would avoid… nor a place I would go to celebrate with again though… you decide whether or not you’d like to try. For their benefit of a doubt though, we went when they were just opened, so maybe it was wrinkles they needed to iron out at that time!

Sho Sushi Bar & Kitchen

7212 Macleod Trail S
Calgary, AB
(403) 252-5199

Nothing beats a breakfast on the weekend, diner style! We found ourselves at Blue Vinny Diner one weekend morning, and we walked in and thought the place must be new, as the waitress was running around like mad, they ran out of tons of things on the menu, and it almost appeared they didn’t know the menus yet. I guess they’ve been opened for a bit, but it just didn’t feel like it! This restaurant is located right on Stephens Avenue, so foot traffic is at an ideal place.

Once we got seated and what not, we ordered some tea, and we were ready to order. I ordered their Perogy Bowl which was exactly as it sounded, a bowl of perogies with bacon and sour cream. They had quite a few pieces in the bowl and the toppings didn’t overwhelm the perogies either. I enjoyed my perogies and I ate the entire thing! The bacon was nice and smoked and it was perfect, tasty and crunchy!

The other item we ordered from the menu was the Vinny’s Breakfast which was 6oz of Rib Eye steak, 2 sunny side eggs with hashbrown and toast! This was a big and filling breakfast, and best of all, it was super tasty!

We really enjoyed the modern diner experience here! The people were friendly and the food was tasty! So, there’s no complaints from me here!

Blue Vinny Diner

105 – 8th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB
(403) 263-3880