Outside the Box - Fresh Starts and Fine Breakfasts in Canmore
Pull up a seat and let’s talk breakfast… (Image: Table Food and Drink - Coast Hotel in Canmore)
Is salad for breakfast a thing? According to the number and variety of very green options on local menus first thing in the morning, I’d have to say yes. Until recently, I might have headed out for breakfast fully expecting I’d wind up with bacon and eggs, or some such fare. I didn’t think I was into veggies for breakfast.
Communitea
1001 6th Avenue
That was before I discovered the amazing breakfast bowls on offer at Communitea. I’ve had lots of chances to sample the offerings over the past months as the Bow Valley Women Entrepreneurs networking group meets at Communitiea every Tuesday morning. The parade of deliciousness that arrives at the table each week goes way beyond what one might expect at a coffee shop (muffins and other baked goods) and moves into the realm of the sublime.
The Big Breakfast Bowl involves farm scrambled eggs, avocado, quinoa, spiced black ben mix, sweet potato, tomato, chipotle and tomato chili sauces on spinach… and, there’s a vegan option (substituting tofu scramble for the eggs). Smoothies garnished with fresh fruit, berry compote with house-made granola, breakfast burritos or paninis with bacon and eggs - it’s all good, healthy, fresh, and delicious.
Bonus for a tea lover like me, you can’t beat the selection of loose-leaf teas lined up in those pleasingly symmetrical canisters.
Green Eggs and Kale at Freshii in Canmore
Freshii
300 Old Canmore Road
Walk into Freshii and you are surrounded by fresh, healthy, nutritious meal options starting with green smoothies (your salad in liquid form). It’s no wonder these guys are fond of their slogan, Eat! Energize! Just looking at the food here makes me feel healthier!
The breakfast menu is reasonably priced and oh, so, tasty - Ranchero Burritos, Steak Egg and Cheese Burritos, Spinach Mushroom and Cheese Pockets - there’s a bit of a Mexican-inspired theme to be sure.
Green Eggs and Kale is a bowl full of power foods and the Cali Smoothie Bowl is just plain yummy! What’s not to love about fresh fruit, yogurt, and shredded coconut?
Looking for a hit of protein? Go straight for the hard-boiled eggs. Or, try the Metaboost plate of spinach, kale and field greens, goat cheese, mango, almonds, carrots, edamame, all drizzled with a hit of balsamic vinaigrette.
For something light and playful, you also have the option of frozen yogurt, various nutrient-loaded smoothies, or Freshii juices. Interested in a juice cleanse? Well, Freshii can you help you out there, too. Pick up a 5-day supply of juices in several varieties and super-charge your body’s nutrient intake.
Table Food and Drink
511 Bow Valley Trail
Table Food and Drink at the Coast Hotel has plenty to offer diners at any time of day, but start things off on a good foot by stopping in for breakfast.
When I was a kid, one of my all-time favourite breakfasts involved silver dollar pancakes. Diminutive hotcakes seem to be enjoying a new incarnation at Table Food and Drink as Loonie Pancakes. Served with syrup and fruit, you’ll find these on the kids’ breakfast menu.
For grown-up appetites, Smoked Salmon Benedict or Steak and Eggs will take care of even the hungriest members of the family. Looking for gluten-free options? Just ask and your server will be happy to let you know what variations are available.
Sage Bistro
1712 Bow Valley Trail
Another great option if you are looking for a delectable weekend brunch in Canmore is Sage Bistro. With its charming log interior, big windows with mountain views and a superb menu, Sage Bistro is all about ambiance, good food and excellent service.
For nearly thirty years, this family-run restaurant has been tickling tastebuds in both the main floor restaurant and upstairs in the wine bar. Quality ingredients from local sources mean you really do get to enjoy a taste of the mountains - both on your plate and by soaking up those mountain views.
Weekend brunch is popular with locals. Sure, you can always go for the tried and true eggy favourites (omelettes, sausages and eggs, and so on), but don’t be afraid of cool alternatives like a Hippie Bowl (warm quinoa, arugula, tomato, corn, organic wild mushrooms, citrus tahini and 2 sunny-side-up eggs) or the Wild Pig Bowl that combines wild boar bacon with potato wedges, Sylvan Star gouda, tomatoes, and red peppers). There are plenty of other options, too - ricotta pancakes, croissants, quiche, banana bread French toast… the list is long!
Come prepared to stay awhile, linger over coffee, and make plans for the rest of your day exploring the Bow Valley.
Weekend Brunch for Late Starters
Aroma Mexican Restaurant
837 Main Street
During the week (Tuesday - Friday), Aroma Mexican Restaurant is only open for dinner (from 5 pm), but Friday, Saturday and Sunday, head on over to Aroma for a late brunch starting at 11:30. This is slow-style, authentic Mexican cooking at its best. Everything is prepared fresh from scratch, so plan to sit, relax, and enjoy some good conversation with your companions.
You’ll find all your favourites here - burritos, enchiladas, and tacos plus salads and treats like garlic prawns, calamari, and ceviche Matzatlan (raw basa fish marinated with fresh lime juice mixed with pico de gallo—tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapeño peppers— served with house-made corn tortilla chips). Wonderful family-cooking and service - you’ll soon feel like you’re part of the family yourself!
Don’t forget to put on one of the sombreros and snap a photo!
For that matter, no matter where you wind up for breakfast, don’t forget to tag us (@tastecanmore or #tastecanmore) in your posts. Yep - we’re paying attention to who is out an about enjoying all the great food and drink this valley has to offer. By joining the conversation, you become one of our Menu Hunters and are eligible for some fun foodie prizes!
Curries in Canmore
Coconut Curry from Spice Hut in Canmore - Just what’s needed to warm up on a cold winter day!
When I was a kid I was scared of curry. I thought every curry dish was tongue-numbingly spicy and I wanted no part of tasting something I thought would make me cry. Boy. Did I miss out!
Curry, a general term that refers to a wide variety of dishes from the Indian subcontinent certainly can be spicy, but heat (from the addition of fresh or dried chilies) is not an essential ingredient.
Mild curries are just as satisfying as their hot counterparts, their delicious flavour coming from spices like coriander, turmeric, and cumin. Curry tree leaves may also be used in certain dishes.
FOODIE FACT: Curries may be wet or dry. Allow most of the liquid to cook away and evaporate and the result is a dry curry where the other ingredients wind up being coated with spices. Wet curries are more saucy and may include ingredients like coconut milk, cream, tomato purée or yogurt.
In terms of what might else might be included in a curry, the list is long. Meat-lovers can enjoy dishes featuring lamb, goat, beef, chicken, or seafood while vegetarians have plenty of options with curry dishes that may feature all kinds of vegetables, lentils, chickpeas, or tofu.
Currie lovers in Canmore have lots of choices when it comes to finding fine-tasting curry dishes. Try these restaurants for starters:
Mad Dog Café
The Shops of Canmore
Famous for authentic curries, during the winter months the Mad Dog Café celebrates the first Friday of each month with a curry night. At $30.00 a person, this is a great deal for the curry-lover. Choose from five different curries (three meat and two vegetarian options) served up with samosas, naan bread, chutneys, and a papadums. Arrive hungry and tuck in!
Want to try preparing fabulous curries at home? Check out the spice kits for sale at the Mad Dog marketplace.
Indian Authentic Cuisine
F-1702 Bow Valley Trail
Walk into Indian Authentic Cuisine and start to salivate - the scent of spices wafting from the kitchen is irresistible!
The word vindaloo is derived from Portuguese words meaning ‘wine’ and ‘garlic’ but has come to be associated with a spicy dish that often features lamb, beef, chicken and potatoes. If you like lamb, try the Lamb Vindaloo at Indian Authentic and savour the hot, sour vinegar gravy flavoured with Goan spices.
Can’t decide what to have? Order a variety of dishes (like this mango chicken option from Spice Hut) and share with friends.
Spice Hut
1310 Bow Valley Trail
Prefer prawns? Try the Coconut Prawn Curry at Spice Hut where your curry options are plentiful. Curious about other Indian dishes? No problem - the extensive menu is perfect for ordering multiple dishes and then sharing family-style.
Coconut Curry at Spice Hut
For more dining options in Canmore, take a browse through our online menus for Canmore restaurants - just click the ‘Explore’ button on the main page. Dining out? Don’t forget to tag us (@tastecanmore) and start earning Menu Hunter points!
You Could Be Our Newest Canmore Menu Hunter: Here’s How
Menu Hunters come in all shapes and sizes…
What’s a Menu Hunter?
If you love exploring food and drink in the Bow Valley, then you’re already a menu hunter! Couldn’t be easier, right?
At Taste Canmore, we’re all about trying new dishes, or discovering fresh takes on old favourites. We love finding new places to eat, drink, and share great times with friends. And, we love sharing what we discover with the big community of foodies here in Canmore.
How to Get Started
All you need to do to officially take part in our Menu Hunter program is to comment on posts like this (start by replying to this post with your favourite place to go out for brunch in Canmore). You can also earn points by tagging us on social media whenever you post your foodie photos. We’ll do the rest. We’re tracking who posts about food and drink (the places, the people, the menu items) on Facebook and Instagram and as long as you tag us (@TasteCanmore or #TasteCanmore), your Menu Hunter score will start adding up. Of course, follow us so you don’t miss any of our posts on Instagram and Facebook - like or respond to those and earn extra points.
Here at tastemagazine.ca you’ll find up-to-date menus (with prices) for local restaurants and that’s another easy way to participate in the menu hunter program. Love the tonkotsu ramen at Ramen Arashi? Drop us a note in the comments under the Ramen Arashi menu. Chose the Sage Bistro as the perfect place to celebrate your 25th anniversary? We love stories stories like: they make our hearts melt!
Each month we’ll announce a featured Menu Hunter and award some fun prizes (stuff like Taste swag and most excellent gift certificates). We have some special promotions up our sleeves, so some months there may be more than one star Menu Hunter. The best part is, you don’t have to do anything particularly difficult. Just let us know you are out there and what you’re chowing down on!
Join Our Dinner Club!
While social media is terrific (we’re big fans), there’s nothing like in-person, face-to-face conversation shared over a great meal. That’s why we’re starting two dinner clubs in the Bow Valley - one in Canmore and one in Banff. Join one, or both - they’re easy to find on Facebook. First LIKE our page (Taste Canmore or Taste Banff) and, from there, join the Dinner Club Group (click the blue button). You’ll be the first to hear about our special evenings out featuring chef’s tastings, great food and beverage pairings, and themed dinner evenings.
At about this time next year (yep, we’re planning our 2021 New Year celebrations already) we’ll be hosting an awards ceremony to feature the best of the best in food and drink in the Bow Valley. Menu Hunters like you should start keeping track of your favourites so when the time comes to vote you don’t forget to give credit where credit is due.
That’s it for now! If you have any questions, ask below (your questions count toward your Menu Hunter points, of course…). Stay tuned, keep reading the blog, and keep an eye on our social media feeds for more details and to see if you might be our next featured Menu Hunter!