Fairmont Banff Springs - Calgary

Not my kind of place. The bar / tavern had screaming, loud customers on a day when there was no one around. Really a tasting menu, teen plate, teen servings, bad value for money. The waitress told me that the green peppers in my clam chowder were mild - they weren't and had to spit out with a burning mouth. Really embarrassing when I was treated. Instead, they gave me asparagus. Your only vegetable. They didn't notice that my water glass was empty and I had to request it. Backless benches to sit in the tavern / bar, but you can request an uncomfortable chair. Not a place where you, like me, eat a lot of healthy protein and vegetables. I don't like leaving a restaurant where I feel bloated with too much food, but I don't want to go hungry either. The coffee was good after the meal.

Shared 4 plates. Scallops perfectly cooked, sauce not very flavorful, chased the small amount of peas around the plate. Beet plate was good. Tuna Poke had strings of supposedly seaweed salad, chips were sparse and weren't wasabi powdered. When requested more chips, answer was "not sure, but will check." Returned with 4 chips. Seemed pretty peculiar that the smoked bluefish and avocado toast was served with bluefish on one toast and avocado on the other.

Amazing experience from the staff, ambiance, and the food was thoughtful, fresh, inventive and I want to go back immediately for the vegetable gnocchi.

Flavor of food was between ok and good, nothing special. I had higher expectations after seeing reviews. I ordered a pasta dish with sausage. I appreciate the pasta, sauce and sausage all being homemade, but I was disappointed when the dish arrived with 3 small bites of sausage. I ordered a cocktail that arrived weak and mostly ice in the equivalent of a juice glass. When the waitress observed I drank it in a few sips, I asked for another, but without ice. What I got was an 8oz glass of milk with a shot of Kahlua in it. Not a way to impress. I just wanted a good drink.

I like the atmosphere. Very noise yon a Saturday night. Food portions were small. I had the cod. It was very tasty but small. After dinner we sat outside bye the fire pit. Very cozy and relaxing.