BANFF NATIONAL PARK - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 103

you can put a call through to your server, the bar, a cab, diners in the private booth, or even
those who spend too long in the bathroom. The food is equally unique, and the service is as
professional as anywhere in town. The menu hasn't changed in decades, and this doesn't
displease anyone. Most dining revolves around traditional Swiss fondues, but with nontra-
ditional dipping meats such as rattlesnake, alligator, shark, ostrich, scallops, elk, and wild
boar. Four-course table d'hôte fondue dinners are $44-64 per person, which includes soup
or salad, followed by a cheese fondue, then a choice of one of six meat and seafood fondue
(or hot rock) choices, and finally a fruity chocolate fondue. The Grizzly House is also open
at lunch, when you can sample Canadian game at reduced prices; wild game meat loaf is
$14, and an Alberta-farmed buffalo burger is $16.
Asian
At the back of the Clock Tower Mall, Pad Thai (110 Banff Ave., 403/762-4911, lunch and
dinner daily, $12-18) is a real find. The namesake pad Thai is $11, curries are all around
the same price, and delicious spring rolls are $4.50. You can eat in or take out.
A couple of doors off Banff Avenue, Sushi House Banff (304 Caribou St., 403/
762-2971, lunch and dinner daily, $16-22) is a tiny space with a dozen stools set around a
moving miniature railway that has diners picking sushi and other delicacies from a train as
it circles the chef, who is loading the carriages as quickly as they empty.
Fairmont Banff Springs
Whether guests or not, most visitors to Banff drop by to see one of the town's biggest tour-
ist attractions, and a meal here might not be as expensive as you think. The hotel itself has
more eateries than most small towns—from a deli serving slices of pizza to the finest of
fine dining in the Banffshire Club.
If you are in the mood for a snack such as chili and bread or sandwiches to go, head to
the lobby level and the Castle Pantry, which is open 24 hours daily.
Impressive buffets are the main draw at the Bow Valley Grill, a pleasantly laid out din-
ing room that seats 275. Each morning from 6:30am an expansive buffet of hot and cold
delicacies, including freshly baked bread and seasonal fruits, is laid out for the masses
($42 per person). Lunch (11:30am-5:30pm daily) offers a wide-ranging menu featuring
everything from salads to seafood. Through the busiest months of summer, a lunch buffet
(11:30am-2pm Mon.-Fri., 11:30am-4pm Sat., $35) is offered. In summer, evening diners
(6pm-9pm) order from a menu that appeals to all tastes, while the rest of the year dinner is
offered as a buffet, with a different theme each night. The Sunday brunch (11am-2:30pm,