Tuesday, 17 June 2008

• Maple Leaf Grill & Spirits

  137 Banff Ave.
  Banff, Alberta
  403-760-7680
  http://www.banffmapleleaf.com

  Banff is a beautiful little town surrounded by amazing mountains and clear serene bodies of water.  Banff hosts thousands of visitors each year all 'round the year and features some unique gift shops and some great dining.  One of Banff's outstanding restaurants standing by the busy Banff Street is Maple Leaf Grill & Spirits:

  

  The restaurant was very busy but we still got a table within half an hour on a Friday:

  

  A nicely decorated second floor that is a little cozy:

  

  International guests unfamiliar with Canadian tipping customs get a surprise:

  

  That seems a bit rude to mention and 15% is a lot if the service isn't really good.

  Complimentary bread:

  

  Very warm, soft, and fresh.  They all look different but generally tasted the same.  I was worried about eating too much bread and filling myself.

  Sautéed Jumbo Shrimp:

  

  Tastes like shrimps my mom makes.  Nothing special and not even super big.  A little on the expensive side for $9.

  Alberta's Carmen Creek Bison Tenderloin - bacon-wrapped, Benedicton blue cheese, dauphinoise potatoes, shallot jus:

  

  A look inside the Bison Tenderloin:

  

  Very soft and moist.  I didn't even a steak knife to cut it.  It just melted under my knife.  It tasted a lot like the bison I had at North 44.  The mashed potato was buttered well.  It's also priced similarily to North 44 around $40.

  Lobster & Chorizo Tagliatelle - sun dried tomatoes, fennel, white beans, tossed in a lobster consommé:

  

  Look at the amount of lobster and italian sausage in that plate of pasta!  Outside of the lobster, the pasta didn't standout from something you might be able to make at home or eat elsewhere.  For high 20s, it's an OK dish.

  The food was good overall matching its status as one of the finest restaurants in Banff.  Service was friendly but we didn't get much service as he spent most of his time with a larger table.  The price was comparable with fancy restaurants in Toronto.  Our bill came out to around $100 with taxes and a glass of wine.

  Eric Tummy Points: 4 out of 5

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