When visiting Banff, Alberta, one of the must-see attractions is Sulphur Mountain. Part of the experience is embarking on the Banff Gondola to the top of the mountain and taking in the awe-inspiring views of the Canadian Rockies. What awaits you at the top is the newly transformed, state-of-the-art summit facility new restaurants, interactive interpretive exhibits, a multi-sensory theatre and a breathtaking 360-degree rooftop observation deck. For the ultimate mountain top dining experience 2,900 ft above Banff, there is Sky Bistro which offers a Canadian menu featuring unique flavours of Canada with regionally-sourced local meats, produce and ingredients. Visitors can take advantage of Brewster Travel’s Sky Experience Package which includes Banff Gondola admission and your choice of appetizer and entrée from the dinner menu starting from $109 (available daily after 5:00 PM). Last month, I had the opportunity to visit Sulphur Mountain and dine at Sky Bistro for dinner.
Rustic and Cozy
The interior of Sky Bistro is just stunning and not just because of the mountain views. I love the warm, cozy atmosphere from the rustic design which is fitting for its location in the Canadian Rockies. I really liked the vintage antler chandeliers.
The majestic floor-to-ceiling windows offer majestic mountain views of the Bow Valley. The highly coveted tables along the windows are designed for two only. Larger parties are accommodated in the middle of the restaurant.
What We Tried
Our dinner at Sky Bistro included the following:
- Alberta Lamb Chops
- Whiskey Maple Scallops
- Carmen Creek Bison Tenderloin
- Seafood Medley
- Kid’s cheeseburger (off the kid’s menu)
- Kid’s orange juice
To start, the Alberta Lamb Chops were very tasty with tender meat that fell off the bone easily and a nice smoky flavour. The lamb chops came with fried leek, candied carrot, crispy celeriac and cauliflower puree, and rosemary oil.
The Whiskey Maple Scallops featured Atlantic coast scallop with a green pea puree, blistered tomato, Quebec maple whiskey glaze, candied bacon, and micro greens. The scallops were seared perfectly and I like the very Canadian elements incorporated into the dish (Quebec maple whiskey glaze and candied bacon). I though the green pea puree balanced out the sweetness of the maple glaze and candied bacon as well as the butteriness of the scallops.
We also received some bread, balsamic vinegar and butter at the beginning of the meal.
Moving on to mains, the Carmen Creek Bison Tenderloin was certainly a hearty entree. The bison tenderloin was wonderfully flavourful with a subtle sweet taste. It did not taste gamey at all. The tenderloin came wrapped in bacon with a red currant glaze and carrot and potato puree underneath. I particularly liked the braised leek which added a crispy texture to the dish.
The Seafood Medley had Atlantic lobster, P.E.I mussels, East Coast Scallops, crushed purple potato, and Swiss chard. I quite liked how this dish allowed me to sample East Coast flavours (as I am on the West Coast). The purple potato added a bit of sweetness and I thought the Swiss chard was very flavourful.
Sky Bistro is very family-friendly and they have a kid’s menu. My son quite enjoyed the cheeseburger and orange juice.
Overall Impression
Sky Bistro offers a unique experience to dine above the clouds in Banff. While some may be wary of restaurants in touristy locations, I can attest to the fact that the food at Sky Bistro is top notch. For locals and tourists alike, Sky Bistro allows diners to sample some of the wonderful culinary flavours that Canada has to offer.
Sky Bistro
Address: 1 Mountain Ave, Banff
Website: Sky Bistro