Farm & Fire, Banff’s newest restaurant at Pursuit’s Elk + Avenue Hotel, features wood-fired and slow-roasted goodness in a bright and stylish dining room with mountain views.
“Opening a restaurant is challenging at the best of times, but during a pandemic is something else…. Everyone pulled together to make it work,” Colette Marshall, Farm & Fire food and beverage manager shares. It’s hard to believe the restaurant has only been open since June 4th; the dining room and patio are full (or as full as possible given social distancing requirements)! From our table by the window, we gaze upon Mount Rundle and watch deer graze out front while we figure out what to order.
Classy comfort foods made with local ingredients are at the heart of the menu designed by Executive Chef Scott Hergott (a name you may recognize from Banff Gondola’s acclaimed Sky Bistro). Whether you fancy a wood-fired pizza, delectable rotisserie chicken, or the most unique poutine you’ve ever had (think deep fried mashed potato with tempura cheese curds and gravy), there is something for everyone – even kids! There are also gluten free, nut free, dairy free, vegetarian, and vegan options.
Locals will recognize Alberta’s best micro-distilleries on the cocktail list. Delectable drinks are made with spirits from Park Distillery, Wild Life Distillery, and Eau Claire Distillery. Since it’s that time of year, I order a Solstice cocktail made with Eau Claire Equinox Vodka, Luxardo Maraschino Cherry, Lime & Grapefruit. Just like the name promises, it tastes like summer.
After much debate (everything looks good), we start with homestyle cornbread with cultured butter, and brassicas with beet hummus and crispy chickpeas. The cornbread reminds me of camping and is even baked in a cute cast-iron pan. As the girls fight over the crumbs, I demolish the brassicas. Broccoli and cauliflower florets are roasted to perfection – enough to bring out the flavor, but still crisp to pair with the creamy, magenta hummus.
For the main course, the girls have gone with mac & cheese from the kids’ menu, while I have grilled flank steak with Tomato & Kalamata Olive Tapenade (highly recommended by the server) and roast baby potatoes. My kids are half-done before they come up for air to exclaim “So good!” Meanwhile I am savoring my steak which is almost too pretty to eat. There’s just enough savory tapenade for every bite of seared Angus beef.
Grilled pears with balsamic reduction top off a delicious meal. My daughters’ meals come with ice cream sandwiches and they’re happily surprised to see they’re homemade. M&M cookies and vanilla ice cream for the win!
As much as I would love another cocktail, I’m too full! We look forward to dining at Farm & Fire again and can’t wait to try the woodfired pizza and rotisserie chicken next time.
Images courtesy of Farm & Fire Restaurant
Farm & Fire is located in the Elk + Avenue Hotel at 333 Banff Avenue, Banff. It is open for breakfast from 7 am to 11:30 am, lunch from 12 pm – 3 pm, and dinner from 5 pm – 9 pm (until 10 pm from Friday to Sunday). Enjoy cocktails in the lounge from 3 pm to 5 pm (happy hour).
For more information, visit Pursuit | Banff Jasper Collection | Farm & Fire Restaurant.
Disclosure: Farm & Fire restaurant hosted us, but all words and opinions are my own.
