Chose tonight's restaurant primarily on the wine list, though a free table at my first choice could have changed the evening.
Restaurant makes something of their focus on local suppliers and when handed the menu I was asked if I'd tried bison before (I have),...though it was limited to ribs or Bolognese I believe.
Despite the menu being tightly controlled I'd describe the Bison as lacking in direction/conviction and trying to appeal to the broader audience ... Which in Banff means those who love basic piles of meat with a couple of kilos of fries.
I started with a corn and jalapeno pancake. Must admit I was picturing the more traditional Asian variant rather than it being literally pancake mix with added corn and potentially (couldn't taste any) jalapenos.
Next up was duck with crispy rice (i.e the way that rice can get if left to cook too long) and a red Thai sauce. The duck itself was a pleasant change from most of the options in Banff and was nicely cooked, however the Thai sauce was largely lacking in flavour. I could have cooked a better sauce myself and my Thai ex would have been horrified at the lack of flavour/spice.
Despite sitting at the bar (a theme for this trip), service was at times lacking, so my exploration of the extensive wine list was limited largely to a Small Lots Sandhills wine (I've enjoyed their wines before).
Would I return? Hmm... Maybe. Was nice to visit a restaurant I've not been to in Banff in the last 20 years, but I'd likely only go if in the mood for the local staples and a desire to try more of the wine listMore