Grizzly House - Banff

Overall

Food

Services

Atmosphere

Cleanliness

Price: $$$$ 35-50 per person      Would I go Back: Yes      Reservation: Highly Recommended

This is a restaurant that you cannot just drop in as you will never get in until about 2-3 hours later if you're lucky.

Everytime I go to this restaurant I'm always afraid that the place will burn down with me in it but I can't get enough of the food. It is a very quaint log cabin feel that used to be a disco club and rumour has it - a swingers club. Everything is made of wood and it's quite dark in there. There are speakers hanging from the ceiling that sometimes produce sparks and almost every table that have candles and flamable oil on the table. Thank god that the table tops are not made of wood. I'm not sure if they're still working but there are telephones at every table if you want to call another table (swingers club?).

The service is good sometimes you get the one off waiters or waitress that is not so great. Also keep in mind this is not an in and out restaurant. A meal usually takes about 2 hrs. The establishment is famous for it's fondue with amazing dipping sauces.

You can get exotic meat for your fondue for the more adventurous souls and beef and chicken for those that want to keep it safe. Appetizers consists of a cheese and bread fondue, a vegetarian fodue among the choices. For customers that thinks oil fondue for the main course is fattening they can choose to cook their food on a hot rock. I personally like the oil fondue as they have flavoured the oil adding another layer of flavour to your meat. If you're not sure how the cook your meat. Your server will give you pointers.

We can't forget dessert! We always have the chocolate Toblerone fruit fondue. I'm not sure what other desserts there are as I never check. :)

I would say this is the best fondue place I've ever been to.

WARNING: Do not where you favourite sweater. This is another establishment that everything you wear into will come out smelling like smoke.

The Waldhaus - Banff

Overall

Food

Service

Atmosphere

Cleanliness

Price: between $$$$ 35- 45 per person and $$$$$ 45-55 per person    Would I go Back: Yes    
Fine Dining    Reservations: Highly Recommended
 

The Waldhaus is situated on the Banff Springs Hotel compound but is not attached to the hotel itself. The restaurant calls itself a “House in the Forest”.  It is Swiss and German fine dining at it's best. I've had other German cuisines that have more variety of selections but this restaurant defines fine dining.

As mentioned above do make a reservation as this is a very popular restaurant. It's also a good idea to call ahead because even though their website says open daily it does have seasonal closings.  If you are planning to go do try to book as early as possible. Like the Grizzly House it does get booked up weeks in advance. Also allow yourself time to relax and eat as most German cuisine goes it's not a quick bite affair, let alone this is a fine dining restaurant so everything is going to be paced.

The Waldhaus is built in 1927 and was used as a club house. It's on the hill right next to the golf course and Spray River. The atmosphere of the place is of an old hunting cottage with dark, rich wood paneling and a large fireplace. With the fireplace it has a cozy cottage feel if you go during the winter. This building is full of atmosphere with wood paneling, candles on the tables, dim lit dining area, and a big cozy fireplace it's sure to transport you to a more rustic time.

The service here is excellent. It is a prime example of fine dining service at it's best. When you arrive you are met promptly by the maitre d' confirming your reservation and takes you to your table. He/she also pulls out your chairs and sits you down. They also put your napkin on your lap, give you a run down of the menu and specials are suggested. A soummellier (wine steward) will come around as well to give you a run through of the wine selections and suggestions of wines to pair with your dinner.

The food is well presented and flavourful. The menu has a fondue section (Swiss cuisine) and a a la carte menu. I usually go to the Grizzly House for fondue and tend to go for the German selection of the menu at this restaurant. I like the Rocky Mountain Smoked Meat platter which has game meat and cheese pairing. The menu also changes along with their specialties. All of their selections are really delicious. You can see what their most recent menu by going online along with their wine selections. They also have a yummy dessert menu that is not available to view online though. :(


Aftermath: Really full, satisfied, and happy as it was a very stress free environment. That's how good the service is.