On our way back from Banff, I suggested we stop at Crazyweed in Canmore. The last time I ate there was probably around 2010. Back then, having moved from Vancouver, I found Calgary’s restaurant scene underwhelming. Chew Steel insisted I simply wasn’t going to the right places. Early in our relationship, he introduced me to restaurants like Wa’s Japanese, Petite, and Crazyweed. Let’s listen to Espresso for this post.
I tried to make reservations, but everything between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. was booked, likely because happy hour runs daily from 2-5 p.m., with 50% off drinks and 25% off appetizers. An employee initially asked if we were okay sitting at the bar. I was disappointed, but I said yes. She paused, then offered us a table with a view instead, explaining she would need it back by 3:30 p.m. for another reservation. We assured her we’d be gone within the hour.
I was thrilled with our table. The oversized leather chair overlooked the mountains and was comfortable enough to settle into for the hour. The blue and brown room was filled with large, healthy tropical plants, giving the space a relaxed energy.
On the menu, I noticed bottles priced around $50, with many more in the $60 range, making this a surprisingly affordable place to share wine. I was impressed with the wine program, particularly because the list was written in layman’s terms. I’m not at the point where I can scan a wine list and instantly understand the selections. However, I can read. Below is the menu’s description of the Kir Yianni 2022 Naoussa Cuvée Villages Xinomavro, a wine our server recommended:
Vibrant red + black fruit on the nose w/ aromas of strawberries, cherries + plums. A crisp & forward mouthfeel with delicate notes of sweet spices and tobacco, full body with good acidity and smooth tannins that add structure and lead to a pleasant finish. Distinctions Cold Medal 95 points, the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025!
Photo credit: Anjali Mahendra (2026)
We shared three appetizers: the Pickle Brined Fried Chicken (HH $18, Regular $26), the Burrata (HH $19.50, Regular $26), and the Beef Tartare (HH $20.24, Regular $27).
Photo credit: Anjali Mahendra (2026)
The first dish we tried was the beef tartare, made with Alberta Sterling Silver tenderloin. I enjoyed the cool, creamy richness of the beef and its soft, slightly chewy texture. The tartare was well-balanced, seasoned with curry leaf aioli, crispy capers, and lemon zest. My wine (HH $10, reg. $20) seemed to bring out the dish’s black pepper notes. Crazyweed does one of the better beef tartares I’ve had in a while.
Photo credit: Anjali Mahendra (2026)
Divine Offering’s favourite dish of the afternoon was the pickle-brined fried chicken. The lemon and butterleaf help cut into the richness of the hot, crunchy chicken and the decadence of the garlic aioli. Absolutely scrumptious. I would get the fried chicken again.
Photo credit: Anjali Mahendra (2026)
I find burrata is either a hit or a miss. There are so few ingredients that if anything is off, the whole dish fails. This version was a winner. The grilled crostini was toothsome yet crunchy, the ideal backdrop to the cool, clean softness of the white cheese and fresh tomato. I loved the occasional pop of salt. Everything turned luscious once the bread was dredged through the green oil.
The food was so good we ate in silence, chewing slowly to stretch out the meal for as long as possible. I made a mental note to return to Canmore for Crazyweed alone. Hitting the Sauce gives Crazyweed two phat thumbs up.
After 16 years in Calgary, Banff remains my favourite place to disappear for a weekend. Last Halloween, Divine Offering and I had planned a stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs, but I had to cancel at the last minute. We finally made it out in late April. For this travel post, let’s listen to I Ain’t Worried by OneRepublic.
My sister-in-law suggested booking Fairmont Gold, the hotel-within-a-hotel upgrade. It gives you access to a dedicated lounge for breakfast, snacks, and evening canapés. There’s also a separate entrance and a team to help you with your stay.
Photo credit: Anjali Mahendra (2026)
With shoulder-season pricing, rooms were at their lowest of the year. A double queen-size Gold room was around $700 (Alberta resident rate) while a basic non-Gold room hovered around $400. In peak season, those rates easily triple. Daily charges also included the Resort Experience Fee ($65), the Room Tourism Fee ($15.29), valet parking ($60), and the Alberta Tourism Levy ($31.18).
Photo credit: Anjali Mahendra (2026)
The day before we left, a windstorm rolled into Calgary. The snow hadn’t started up yet, so we headed out early to stay ahead of it. If you’re driving to Banff, remember to pick up a Banff Pass ($49 for 2 days). You’ll need a pass even if your car stays parked at the hotel.
Photo credit: Anjali Mahendra (2026)
We arrived super early. The Fairmont Gold concierge team, Georgine and Katie, welcomed us and assured us they’d handle the luggage. Katie promised to text once the room was ready. When Georgine asked about our plans for the morning, I admitted I needed a moment to regroup before heading into town. She pointed us toward the Gold lounge and encouraged us to settle in with a bite to eat.
The Gold lounge is larger than I expected. A central kitchen anchors a table full of hot breakfast items. Separate stations offer coffee, tea, smoothies, and cold drinks. Breakfast spread across the central table includes eggs benny, hash browns, scrambled eggs, sausages, yogurt, oatmeal, bacon, baked goods, fruit, and smoked salmon. On the other side of the reception area, there’s an honour bar and more rooms to relax.
Just as we were about to leave, Katie texted to let us know they’d prioritized our room so I could rest before heading into town. She’d also moved us to a quieter section of the hotel for a better night’s sleep. It was a thoughtful touch that set the tone for the rest of the weekend.
Photo credit: Anjali Mahendra (2026)
Part of the appeal of staying at the Fairmont Banff Springs is getting to explore the historic castle itself. We started our morning with a wilderness walk alongside Lily, the hotel dog. She led us to Bow Falls, occasionally glancing back while I rested on a bench trying to catch my breath. I’ve never felt so judged by a dog. She was clearly unimpressed with my pace. After returning Lily, we headed into town for lunch.
Photo credit: Anjali Mahendra (2026)
I wanted to try Yama Onigiri, a small Japanese cafe. There are only two tables and a few stools to eat in. The majority of customers take out. I ordered the soup and onigiri combo ($14.99), which included apremium pork miso, a Hokkaido scallop onigiri, and a strawberry matcha with oat milk ($7.80). Divine Offering ordered the classic tuna onigiri ($7.50) and a mochi matcha tiramisu ($6.50).
The strawberry matcha is a must-order. The cool, jelly-like strawberry compote tasted like fresh, sweet strawberries. The matcha oat milk was grassy, clean and creamy. How good was this strawberry matcha? Better than a glass of wine. Coming from me, that’s high praise indeed.
The miso soup was served steaming hot. Though not large, it’s a hearty bowl, generously filled with firm white onions, bright orange carrots, and slices of stewed pork. I would order the soup again.
The warm rice in the Hokkaido scallop onigiri was perfectly chewy and buttery. The filling of dried scallops and bonito flakes was salty and deeply savoury. Despite its baseball size, I was still hungry and ordered a second one. I should have ordered a dessert instead. The rice in the second onigiri was noticeably mushier.
Photo credit: Anjali Mahendra (2026)
We spent the walk back browsing the shops along Banff Avenue, picking up small gifts for my parents, in-laws, nieces, and nephews. By the time we got back to the hotel, I was ready for a nap.
Photo credit: Anjali Mahendra (2026)
Our room was comfortable and, while not especially large, still felt spacious enough. I accidentally turned on the secondary shower spray and flooded part of the bathroom floor. One text from the Fairmont Gold team solved the problem almost immediately. Adam sent up a technician right away, and by the time we returned, the bathroom was spotless, stocked with fresh towels, and set up with a new bath mat.
That evening, we joined a history tour of the hotel led by Ben, a British expat. He walked us through the grand staircases, ballroom, and other historic spaces while explaining the hotel’s Scottish-inspired architecture. One of the most interesting parts of the tour was learning about the Canadian Pacific Railway and how the hotel was originally built to lure wealthy travellers west. There’s so much history tucked into the Banff Springs, and I liked that the hotel offered so many ways to experience it.
Photo credit: Anjali Mahendra (2026)
After our tour, we stopped by the Gold lounge for evening canapés. The spread included chicken wings, steak bites, salads, cheeses, and vegetables. The next evening featured pork ribs, shrimp skewers, and perogies with all the fixings. I also noticed my pinot noir ($14) from the honour bar cost two dollars less than the same glass at Rundle Bar, where we headed later for cocktails.
Photo credit: Anjali Mahendra (2026)
On Saturday, we signed up for a cocktail class ($60) on the second floor of Rundle Bar, led by Vincente. He taught us how to make three cocktails and shared practical techniques we could realistically use at home. At the end of the class, we were encouraged to sit back and finish our drinks beside the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Bow Valley and Mount Rundle. The views alone made the experience feel worth it.
Photo credit: Anjali Mahendra (2026)
Later that evening, we walked down the hill to Fire & Falls: Stories Around the Campfire, held outside the Waldhaus Pub. What a highlight. Ben was our guide again. While he took the other guests on a short wildlife walk, I stayed behind by the fire, wrapped in the smell of smoke, heat and cold mountain air. That’s when I spoke with Shawayne Dunston, an author and poet who kept me company beside the flames. At one point, he improvised a poem on the spot before recommending a stack of books he thought I’d enjoy reading.
Photo credit: Anjali Mahendra (2026)
When the group returned, we gathered around the crackling fire to roast marshmallows while Ben shared stories about wildlife in Banff. Long after the others drifted off for the evening, Divine Offering and I stayed behind beside the glowing embers and ended up in conversation with the CEO of Top Dish Inc. We had an interesting discussion on data, consumer behaviour, and customer service.
No stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs is complete without a visit to the hotel spa’s mineral pools ($125 for three hours). I could have booked a massage ($420 for 90 minutes), which would have included access to the pools, but since I already had one scheduled for the following Monday, I settled on the day pass instead.
Photo credit: Anjali Mahendra (2026)
Divine Offering and I spent Sunday morning moving between the indoor mineral pool, outdoor heated pool, whirlpools, sauna, and steam room. We finished the experience in the spa lounge, sipping tea and enjoying another sweeping view of the mountains. By the time we checked out, we both felt relaxed.
During the off-season, I think Fairmont Gold at the Fairmont Banff Springs is absolutely worth it. Between the lounge access, thoughtful service, and the chance to slow down and appreciate the history, architecture, and atmosphere of the iconic castle-like hotel, the experience felt restorative. A special thank you to Georgine, Katie, Adam, Ben, Shawayne, Vincente, and the rest of the Fairmont Gold team for making the weekend feel so welcoming from start to finish.
Want more travel recommendations? I keep a running collection of travel and restaurant guides organized by city.
Disclaimer: I paid for all my expenses at Fairmont Banff Springs.
On Sunday, Chew Steel and I met up with Captain M and Dr. V to their favourite Greek spot, Calypso’s Greek Taverna, just north of downtown Calgary. When we arrived, we noticed the restaurant’s sign now reads: Brunch Glory & Calypso’s Greek Taverna. It’s the same room, split across two services: brunch from 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., dinner from 4:00. p.m. –9:00 p.m. It’s a model I’m seeing more often in Calgary. Let’s listen to Opalite for this post.
Captain M booked us a booth near the back, facing the blue and white room. Jennifer, our server, set the tone early and set it high. She’d pause at our table with dishes on the way out, showcasing the bounty before it landed elsewhere. At one point, she floated by with a cinnamon dessert, letting the warm scent drift toward us.
We started with a bottle of Greek red wine ($44) and an order of dolmades ($16.95). For mains, Chew Steel chose the Surf and Turf Beef Tenderloin ($30.95), while Dr. V and I opted for the Lamb Souvlaki ($29.95). Captain M originally ordered the Chicken Souvlaki ($23.95), but at the last minute, he changed his mind and wanted the surf and turf.
Jennifer informed us the dolmades are house made, simmered in beef stock, and finished with a creamy sauce. The still steaming grape leaves gave easily under a knife, revealing plump, cigar-like parcels of ground beef and rice. The lemony sauce stayed light, while the garlic was extra pungent. This is a version worth ordering.
Our entrees came with a salad, and we all went with the Caesar. The dressing was cool and thick, smooth like whipped cream. The salad was built from the best parts of the romaine head: baby leaves with pale green ribs rather than the watery white cores. The ridged edges held onto the dressing, while the mini croutons delivered a dry crunch before dissolving on the tongue. This salad leans hard on garlic, so much that it lingered the next day.
The souvlaki arrived next, four white plates, each with a mound of rice, potatoes, and glistening vegetables, all built around a skewer. There was a small hiccup. When Captain M switched from chicken to surf and turf, Dr. V’s lamb came out as chicken instead. Chew Steel offered to take it, Captain M said he’d share, and Dr. V stated she was fine keeping it. I was the only one who didn’t offer a solution that involved giving up my lamb. Jennifer stepped in with a fix: Dr. V would eat the chicken, and a lamb skewer would follow shortly after.
The lamb kebabs slid easily off the skewer. The exterior had a light, slightly grassy edge while the center was cooked to medium rare. I liked how the silky centre was still pink and buttery smooth. I tried a piece of Chew Steel’s shrimp and sirloin. Compared to the lamb, the beef was tighter with a leaner chew. I prefer the tenderness and juiciness of lamb over beef. I would order the lamb again.
At the end of the meal, Jennifer sent over a large dessert to make up for the mix-up. It wasn’t necessary as Dr. V ended up with both lamb and chicken, plus lunch for the next day. But once the warm fragrance hit us, we weren’t about to refuse. The galaktoboureko, a phyllo-encased custard, finished our meal with restrained sweetness.
The food is worth returning, but it’s the way you’re looked after that stays with you days later. Our server, Jennifer, runs the room with a level of generosity and hospitality that changes the entire experience. If you’re thinking about what to do for Mother’s Day, Calpyso is hosting belly dancing and live music on May 15. Check it out. You won’t regret it.
I’d just finished my appointment when L floated the idea of lunch. I wasn’t in the mood to sit down anywhere, so I suggested takeout. There’s a new spot that opened up in Altadore, Banh Mi Boy. I’ve been creeping on their Google reviews for months. I’m skeptical of Google reviews, but seeing John Manzo and Chung Niem gave me pause. That was enough to seal the deal for me! Let’s listen to Fight for Your Right by the Beastie Boys.
Banh Mi Boy is a small, tidy shop, brightened by a colourful mural and hanging paper lanterns. It’s mostly takeout, though there are two small tables and a standing counter if you want to eat in. Street parking out front makes it easy to pull up and grab your food.
The woman taking my order had the vibe of an owner, clarifying, double-checking, and writing everything down. She pointed me to the Crackling Pork Belly Sub ($13.50), which John and Chung both flagged on Google, but I’ve been told to avoid fatty foods. I settled on an Assorted Cold Cut ($12.50) and a Beef Sate Sub ($12.50 + $1.50 for cheese) for Chew Steel. Five minutes, and I was out the door.
The beef satay sub came warm, a touch smaller than mine, likely from being toasted. Chew Steel picked up on the slow creep of spicy heat in the beef, set against light, crumbly bread. He doesn’t usually comment on my banh mi orders, but this time he said he’d come back, and that it beat Bake Chef’s sate beef sub.
My sub had three layers of cold cuts. It had a more natural texture than Thai Tai’s, though not as thick and rough as Saigon Deli’s. A stack of crunchy carrots, spicy jalapeños, and chunky cucumbers cut through the generous smear of rich brown pâté. The cucumbers tasted especially fresh. I would get this again.
Size-wise, these subs are bigger than Trung Nguyen and Kim Anh but not as heavy as My Tho BBQ. For the area, it’s priced well, and the owners are certainly generous when it comes to filling up the subs. Banh Mi Boy deserves bonus points for its mixed pickled vegetables, something you still see more consistently in Forest Lawn than this far southwest.
It took me a while to try Banh Mi Boy. Being in Altadore, I assumed the flavours might be dialled back, but I stand corrected. The shop is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, making it an easy late-night stop after a night out.
Update (June 2026): Added notes from a return visit to reassess the cold cut combo after my taste buds recovered.
I went back to try the cold cut combo again because my taste buds were still a little off on my previous visit. This time, I could better appreciate the pâté. Its dark brown colour and smooth texture are distinctive, though its savoury flavour remains a bit of a mystery to me. It’s familiar, rich, and hard to pin down. The generous spread was nicely balanced against a pile of ultra-crunchy carrots, cucumbers, and jalapeños. My only qualm is that I couldn’t tell whether the homemade mayonnaise was added. If it was, its flavour got lost among the other ingredients.
At $12.50 for a sandwich that’s nearly a foot long, it’s one of the best values in Altadore. Banh Mi Boy has earned a spot on my list of Calgary’s top bánh mì destinations.
Photo note: If the bánh mì in the photo above appears to be floating in mid-air, that’s because I edited out my hand. The original shot wasn’t particularly flattering, but the sandwich looked great.
My father is back in town! To celebrate this joyous news, Chew Steel and I brought takeout to my parents’ house. I thought long and hard about where to order from and decided on Padmanadi, a vegan restaurant in Calgary’s Heritage / Kingsland area. Let’s listen to If You Leave by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark for this post.
I’ve eaten from Padmanadi Restaurant and Eatery at work events. I still remember how shockingly delicious their faux chicken drumettes and satay skewers were in 2024. This was the first time Chew Steel and Boss Lady had ever eaten at a vegan restaurant.
I ordered noodles, the Kwetiau Goren ($19), Ginger Beef ($21), Curry Chicken ($22), Coconut Rice (four orders, $12), Mushroom Tofu ($18), Spicy and Savoury Eggplant ($18) and the Fried Enoki Mushrooms ($16). The prices were reasonable for the quantity and quality.
The employee on the phone recommended adding fried enoki mushrooms for texture. When probed, he responded that the mushrooms hold up really well in takeout containers. He’s correct. This dish did add a contrast to the softness of the curry and rice. Boss Lady stated she liked all the dishes, though she nibbled the most on the enoki mushrooms.
Chew Steel’s favourite dish was the ginger beef, made from soy beef strips. Ludwig noticed a meaty chew to the ginger soy, with strands that mimicked the toughness of flank steak. I reassured him it was not meat.
The flat rice noodles were slick and smooth, thick and chewy. There was a generous amount of mock meat, and crunchy strands of carrots and bok choy. Ludwig thought the noodles were superb. We all appreciated the spicy heat. The noodles are a winner.
I was especially impressed with the heavy coconut curry. The faux chicken even had ridges that reminded me of chicken breast texture. The vegetables still retained their freshness and shape. The rich sauce was beautifully absorbed by the fluffy coconut rice. I would get this again.
For me, the standouts were the noodles and the curry chicken. I also liked how the vegetables in all the dishes still had a clean bite. It’s no small feat to time them so precisely, especially for takeout. Even the snow peas snapped lightly, with a touch of sweetness.
Chew Steel remarked that all the dishes tasted distinct from each other. Neither he nor Boss Lady missed eating meat. Ludwig was overjoyed that he could eat everything, as he’s normally restricted by his diet. He went back for three rounds.
We’re already looking forward to our next meal. I’m thinking of adding soy beef redang, roti, and the sweet-and-sour ‘shrimp’ to our order. Thanks, Padmanadi you were a parental success! Hitting the Sauce gives Padmanadi two phat thumbs up.
Hitting the Sauce 