Every now and then you sit down to a meal that combines flavours, colours, textures and aromas to create an experience not soon forgotten. The king’s table chef’s choice tasting menu at the Stirling Grill in Canmore’s Malcolm Hotel is one such meal.
As one of Canmore’s only true fine-dining experiences, the Stirling Grill marries an elegant dining room, with the extraordinary talent of Chef Graham Smith and knowledgeable service staff who facilitate an exceptional experience.
With more than 20 years with luxury hotels on the West Coast, Chef Graham jumped at the chance to open a new hotel at the Malcolm four years ago. His discerning menu brings the wild ingredients and flavours of the region into a gorgeous dining environment that highlights the best of the Bow Valley.
The beauty of a tasting menu is that it gives the chef the opportunity to shine with his own favourite dishes bringing the best of his craft to your table in five courses. Add sommelier-selected wine pairings and all you have to do is enjoy your company and the adventure.
While our sommeliers would select the wine for our meal, we didn’t want to miss out on the mixology team’s creative cocktails and very much enjoyed the blueberry bourbon and a black cherry espresso martini to begin.
After a delicious Caesar salad to start, za'atar-crusted lamb popsicles arrived at our table served with sauteed spinach, butternut squash puree and demi-glace. The lamb was paired with Sandhill’s 2016 small-lot sangiovese that offered juicy red fruit notes and a friendly acidity that stood up to the spice of the dish without overpowering it.
The main event was head-turning northern gold Alberta-raised tomahawk steak accompanied by a Boursin mashed potato with pickled chanterelle mushrooms, seasonal vegetables, Maldon salt and pickled cranberries. The pairing was a real treat with a creamy, chocolatey 2019 cabernet sauvignon from Caymus Vinyards in the Napa Valley. Bold vanilla and licorice notes were the perfect compliment to a perfect steak.
This tasting menu is an excellent choice for parties who love food, wine and the surprise and delight of each course arriving at your table. The menu also features a variety of starters and mains that appeal to any as well as a generous choice of enticing desserts.
For a truly memorable culinary experience, make your reservation at the Stirling Grill Friday and Saturday evenings 5:30-9:00 p.m.
