Recent Notes from Far and Near
Hi all
Dennis was sent to do some work in Invermere a couple of weeks ago and I tagged along. Never spent much time there and was looking forward to exploring the art scene (which is pretty interesting) and checking out the food and beverage opportunities.
We stopped for dinner on the way down at our favourite (well, only!) pub in Radium, and, it being Sunday night, stopped in at their little off-sales store for a beverage to take to the hotel. Rather depressing little place with not much good wine, unfortunately: a real contrast to the BCL store across the highway, which, although small, has a respectable selection of BC wines.
Invermere has really grown since I was there as a kid, primarily because Panorama has undergone substantial development: there's now a golf course next to the ski hill and a considerable number of condos. So I expected great things, but was somewhat disappointed. There are some interesting little cafés and I highly recommend Quality Bakery for sweet treats, but we weren't there long enough to check out some of the nifty pubs I discovered while walking around town.
From Station Pub in the south, near Pynelogs Cultural Centre, to Angus McToogles near our hotel, and Lakeside Pub on the floodplain in the north, there are certainly some other options, as well as the lovely (and high-end) Eagle Ranch Golf Course on the way into town off Highway 93. I was quite impressed with their dining room, and they had some lovely dark Fernie microbrew on tap. Oh, well, I guess that means I'll have to go back in the name of "research."
I did get to the BCL store in Invermere, however, and that was a major disappointment, as it had a very small selection of BC wines, even though the store is physically twice the size of the one in Radium. There is an off-sales shop at the Best Western hotel, and I will check it out next time.
Last weekend, we took advantage of some unexpected vehicle access to visit the year-round farmer's market that is now part of the old Currie Barracks/Garrison Woods complex in SW Calgary. Apart from some exquisite foods (particularly Sylvan Star cheeses), Janet Webb has opened up a branch store from her small but brilliant selection in Glenmore Landing.
Her Canadian (almost all BC) choices are quite brilliant: lots of Poplar Grove and Kettle Valley, the only place in town you can buy the fine wines of Blue Mountain, and some other scattered bottles (Blasted Church, Stag's Leap). Not cheap, but some wonderful selections. Bring your credit card!
Dennis was sent to do some work in Invermere a couple of weeks ago and I tagged along. Never spent much time there and was looking forward to exploring the art scene (which is pretty interesting) and checking out the food and beverage opportunities.
We stopped for dinner on the way down at our favourite (well, only!) pub in Radium, and, it being Sunday night, stopped in at their little off-sales store for a beverage to take to the hotel. Rather depressing little place with not much good wine, unfortunately: a real contrast to the BCL store across the highway, which, although small, has a respectable selection of BC wines.
Invermere has really grown since I was there as a kid, primarily because Panorama has undergone substantial development: there's now a golf course next to the ski hill and a considerable number of condos. So I expected great things, but was somewhat disappointed. There are some interesting little cafés and I highly recommend Quality Bakery for sweet treats, but we weren't there long enough to check out some of the nifty pubs I discovered while walking around town.
From Station Pub in the south, near Pynelogs Cultural Centre, to Angus McToogles near our hotel, and Lakeside Pub on the floodplain in the north, there are certainly some other options, as well as the lovely (and high-end) Eagle Ranch Golf Course on the way into town off Highway 93. I was quite impressed with their dining room, and they had some lovely dark Fernie microbrew on tap. Oh, well, I guess that means I'll have to go back in the name of "research."
I did get to the BCL store in Invermere, however, and that was a major disappointment, as it had a very small selection of BC wines, even though the store is physically twice the size of the one in Radium. There is an off-sales shop at the Best Western hotel, and I will check it out next time.
Last weekend, we took advantage of some unexpected vehicle access to visit the year-round farmer's market that is now part of the old Currie Barracks/Garrison Woods complex in SW Calgary. Apart from some exquisite foods (particularly Sylvan Star cheeses), Janet Webb has opened up a branch store from her small but brilliant selection in Glenmore Landing.
Her Canadian (almost all BC) choices are quite brilliant: lots of Poplar Grove and Kettle Valley, the only place in town you can buy the fine wines of Blue Mountain, and some other scattered bottles (Blasted Church, Stag's Leap). Not cheap, but some wonderful selections. Bring your credit card!
posted by Linda | 9:18 a.m.
|
0 comments
