BY LINDA GARSON AND CARMEL LORIA PHOTOS

Everybody loves the Mountains; being so close to them is one of the reasons we live here, right? And when friends and family come to visit, they’re always high on the list - if not right at the top, of places to take them and show off our ‘back yard’.

Of course we come for sightseeing, skiing, stunning scenic views, and spotting wildlife… but what about dining in the Mountains? Where do you eat and drink? We’ve been watching, and we’re happy to report we’re seeing a culinary renaissance – it’s started, and like a snowball, it’s on a roll and gathering speed!

We all have our favourite places to hang out in Banff, and the classics are still good, still here, and going strong, but we wanted to let you know of a few of the newer options that we haven’t talked about before, and that you may not know about or had the opportunity to try. They’re all worth the drive (although do check out explorethepark.ca for the best ways to get around!).

Good Folk

WHY IT’S COOL: Open for breakfast and dinner in the upscale new Otter hotel, Good Folk lives up to its motto: Good food, Good times, Good folk!

MUST TRY: Breakfast Croque Madame, Rosti Bravas, and Banana Caramel French Toast; and Alberta Bison Tartare, West Coast Sablefish, and Alberta Wild Boar Chop at dinner

Good Folk is Banff’s newest dining destination and one of several restaurants owned and operated by Banff Lodging Company. Dwayne (Corporate Chef) and Alberta Ennest (Food and Beverage Director) are heading up the team; you may recognize them as the creators of Calgary’s iconic Diner Deluxe, Open Range, and Big Fish, and they’re now settled in Banff adding their creative culinary concepts to mountain dining. It may be difficult to choose from these menus, as everything is GOOD! We mean literally, as all their menu selections are named Good - from the Good Morning Breakfast and Good Pours morning menus to the Good Bites and Good Indulgence dinner menus. Choose from the Good Blends cocktail menu, Good Vintage wine list, Good Brews and Good Spirits menus, and of course - Good Clarity zero proof drinks list!

Whether breakfast or dinner, dishes are elevated and inviting in this modern mountain setting, and there’s a wonderful mix of veggie, meat, and dishes from the sea, with local ingredients. Head Chef Victor Bonilla is also incorporating a little of his heritage with the breakfast Huevos Rancheros. Add an orange or grapefruit Good Mimosa and your day is off to a very GOOD start. goodfolkrestaurant.com

GRAPES + ZA

WHY IT’S COOL: New ultra-cheesy pizzas in "the Castle in the Rockies"

MUST TRY: 72 Pep Pizza with San Marzano, fior di latte, and so much pepperoni (count them!)

Fairmont Banff Springs has been attracting visitors since 1888, and is known for its many restaurants and bars, from the acclaimed 1888 Chop House to Castello Italiana, the Bavarian dishes at Waldhaus Restaurant to BBQ in Stanley’s Clubhouse, and of course indulgent afternoon teas and small plates to go with your cocktails in the Rundle Bar.

The Grapes wine bar has stayed under the radar, quietly serving artisan cheeses and meats, along with wines from around the world in this dark wood and stone walled, old-world setting – until now! “Grapes + Za” has emerged in this intimate space with a new menu of antipasti - three salads: Caprese, Caesar, and the vegan Chopped Salad, and ten pizzas!

Executive Chef Atticus Garant spent a lot of time developing the 00 flour, threeday ferment dough to his satisfaction, resulting in a classy, light and elegant, thin and crispy crust. Do try ‘Aria Di Campo’ topped with San Marzano, smoked mozzarella, finocchiona, roasted onion, and arugula; and delightful ‘Bianca’ with vegan fromage blanc, zucchini, potato, artichoke, olives, and rosemary topping! banff-springs-hotel.com/dine/grapes-pizza/

LOUIZA

WHY IT’S COOL: Dine on the patio overlooking the lake

Not too far from Banff, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise has a new dining experience, Louiza – and you don’t need a reservation, walk-ins are welcome for lunch and ‘Tapas Hour’ (4-5:30 pm)!

Louiza is a modern, sleek and elegant space; however it doesn’t get much better on a sunny day, than to sit on the patio with a signature Spritz (try the Rosé with aperitivo, Cointreau, rosé wine, and soda), and your choice from the Mediterranean menu, and be mesmerized by the emerald colour of Lake Louise, and the Victoria Glacier in the background.

Louiza’s lunch menu includes a lovely selection of salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes, to suit all tastes (and there’s a Kid’s Menu too), but the star of the show is undoubtedly the very substantial, and jaw-droppingly impressive, Mediterranean Platter. Temptingly displayed on an enormous wooden board, it serves three to four people, and includes delights such as Ibérico ham crostini and vine ripe tomato bruschetta with whipped ricotta; charcuterie of shaved chorizo, Spanish blue cheese with brandy-soaked apricots, and Manchego cheese; marinated olives with pickled peppers, as well as chilled prawns with garlic & chili aioli and calamares frito with romesco sauce. Magnífico! chateau-lake-louise.com/dine/louiza/

WHY IT’S COOL: The first distillery in a Canadian national park

MUST TRY: Blending your own gin

Utilizing local Rocky Mountain glacier water and grain from high altitude Alberta foothills farms, Park Distillery produce in small batches and also hand mill, hand mash, and hand distil. See it for yourself with a 30-minute distillery tour, it’s free (maximum 25 people), and includes a 10% discount at the onsite liquor store, but don’t leave straight away – there’s more!

Add on a guided craft spirit tasting of their most popular spirits. Choose four of the many options of popular spirits, and don’t miss the delicious, limited edition, Strawberry Fields Gin. According to our guide, Jacob, this barrel-aged gin makes the best Strawberry Negroni!

After your educational tasting flight, add on and stay to blend your very own gin. Get creative, smelling, and choosing your botanicals of rose petals, lavender, cardamom, coriander, spruce tips, citrus, berry blends, angelica, and flavour of the month - lavender chai tea! Once you have crafted your gin, customize the label with your spirit’s name and date. Now wait ten days to enjoy your personal Park Gin and share your experience with friends and family. How cool is that! Booking ahead recommended parkdistillery.com

PIZZERIA SOPHIA

WHY IT’S COOL: Eclectic, retro, and modern all at the same time!

MUST TRY: 50-layer Lasagne Bolognese

Banff Hospitality Collective have 16 downtown Banff restaurants within a five-minute walk of each other, and you may already be familiar with Bluebird, The Bison, Lupo, The Balkan, The Maple Leaf, Chuck’s Steak House, and Hello Sunshine – and here’s their latest – Pizzeria Sophia! They've kept it quiet and not shouted the opening from the top of Mount Rundle, so it’s almost a Mountain secret, and you’ll find it warm and comforting like an old friend, and may be ready to believe it’s been on Caribou Street forever!

There’s a fun, modern, yet retro, vibe - as you’ll see from the name sign and menus, and funky interpretations of Italian classics – and it’s a cool place to hang out for lunch and dinner any day of the week. The menu may sound familiar, but you’ll be happily surprised when the dishes arrive: snack and share family style arancini stuffed with bolognese, and meatballs made from mortadella. If you’re here for pizza (of course you are!) we can definitely recommend the Salsiccia & Potato with housemade sausage, and the Fennel Salami with Confit Artichokes – with scissors provided for you to cut them into pieces! And did we mention the cocktails? Try a Park 75 or Chili Mango Marg, and Happy Hour (3-4pm) when pizzas and cocktails are half price! pizzeriasophiabanff.com

WHY IT’S COOL: Pastries are freshly made in their bakery upstairs

MUST TRY: Aussie Meat Pie and Halloumi Caesar Salad with an add on of candied salmon

Another new restaurant from Banff Lodging company, Sudden Sally is located inside the Hotel Canoe and Suites, right next door to the Otter hotel. Designed by Frank Architecture & Interiors, they’ve incorporated the light and airy lake vibe of the hotel, and created a modern café ambience with a pastry counter at the entrance, overflowing with sweet and

savoury baked goods, sandwiches and more, to take away.

We recognize more of Corporate Chef Dwayne Ennest’s creative touch in dishes such as the Halloumi Caesar Salad that comes with oyster mushrooms and pea shoots, and dressed with anchovy and confit egg yolk. The Aussie meat pie too; made with juicy beef tenderloin, it comes with mushy peas, dark ale gravy, and topped with red pepper jelly. It’s a very filling ‘Small Plate’! Add an order of the hand-cut fries and you’ll be more than satisfied. Enjoy breakfast/ brunch or the casual dinner menu, or sip one of the signature cocktails with half price, happy hour small plates on the patio! suddensally.com

THE BOSS KITCHEN AND BAR

WHY IT’S COOL: Named for Banff’s famous 600 lb resident Grizzly

MUST TRY: Duck wings

Family owned and operated, The Boss Kitchen and Bar is the new and exciting dining experience that has taken over the former Earls location. If you were a regular, don’t worry - you can still get your favourite dishes as they’ve kept some of the most popular Earls staples on their menu.

Owner and GM Stephen Sachkiw, is no stranger to this kitchen: he’s been coming to help every summer since the age of 10, learning his trade hands on! Having operated the franchise, Sachkiw is super proud of overseeing and running his own restaurant now, and is really enjoying the freedom it allows, and creativity to grow. Using locally sourced ingredients is high on the list of priorities, as well as working with local companies, such as Cochrane’s Half Hitch Brewery.

Tip: start with the Duck Drumettes: they’re umami and sticky with maple soy sauce, chives and sesame seeds – and totally moreish. And follow with another house favourite - the Banff Burger, where a bison patty is topped with Saskatoon berry chutney, garlic aioli, arugula, caramelized onions, tomato, pickle, and Gouda – all on a brioche bun! Wash it down with the Farmer’s Daughter Pale Ale while taking in the scenic views of Cascade Mountain, and you’ll be a happy camper. thebossbanff.com

THE EDEN GRANDE FINALE DINNER

WHY IT’S COOL: The Eden is still Western Canada’s only Five Diamond dining experience

MUST TRY: Eden's Grande Finale Menu

It’s no secret that the iconic Rimrock Hotel will be closing early October for a substantial and comprehensive refurbishment, and it will be Spring next year before we see the resulting transformation. The good news though, is that you’re still in time for Eden’s special Grande Finale six-course tasting menu (with a veggie option too), celebrating the most well-loved dishes from over the last three decades, available until August 30.

Optional curated wine pairings have been carefully chosen to complement Executive Chef Sebastian Brand’s menu, beautifully executed for our dining experience by Sous Chef Miroslav Halamicek, who has been in the Rimrock kitchen for seven years, with desserts from Executive Pastry Chef Julia Palfrey. At risk of using too many superlatives, there’s no other way to describe this absolutely outstanding, indulgent, culinary journey – it’s first-class, both the meal and service are exemplary, and you’re going to feel very special.

For wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs, you’re also still in time for the bespoke, behind-the-scenes, Eden Cellar Experience before the restaurant opens for service each night, where four rare and exceptional vintages are selected, each perfectly paired with a complementary small bite, for a luxurious personal tasting guided by sommelier Julien Morissette. rimrockresort.com/dine-drink/eden/