Cavell's Restaurant & Terrace, Jasper, Alberta

Cavell's is one of the many restaurants at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, soo many yummy menus to choose from, but this one won us over.
Wonderful view overlooking the lake and the mountains, although our server thought we were strange for sitting with our backs slightly to the window....it was just an awkward moment...haha so after the server told us we could sit however we liked we ordered some drinks! I got a delicious California Chardonnay.
So for apps we had Nova Scotia Lobster Ravioli with lobster bisque sauce, wilted spinach, sauteed wild mushrooms, Himalayan Truffle..I know right sounds amazing! well it wasnt, it was luke-warm, had been sitting a bit before coming out, sauce was bland, could not taste the truffle at all, the lobster meat was pretty tasty and generous though. We also started with Green Eggs & Ham Farm Duck Confit with house brined duck, sweet potato blinis, braised endive, quail egg & sun dried cherry chutney...I know right! this time it was so delicious but the appetizer came with only one piece.....and too much chutney, great combination though.
For mains i had the Slow Roasted Alberta Prime Rib with horseradish potato puree, local garden vegetables, Okanagan merlot jus.  So heres the thing, as a chef i do know about cardinal rules and sins chefs should never do, one very important rule is...ehehmmm, do not, ever...EVER overcook prime rib.....It broke my heart, it was almost well done, i asked for medium. Sigh...the potato's were delicious, and the portion of fresh vegetables was great, not overcooked.
Joe had Braised Alberta Lamb Shank with Ponderosa wild mushroom ragout, fresh fettuccine, sweet garlic puree. He enjoyed it.  I however found the lamb dry, the sauce and pasta tasteless, zero salt on the pasta, and there was no sweet garlic puree which could have saved this dish.....
So final answer: would not rush back ,for example the next morning we were wanting breakfast, Cavell's were serving a hot breakfast, we thought about it and decided not to go back after having such a mediocre dinner.
They have the right idea, i just think that the execution and care of each item should be taken into serious consideration......

P.S. Jasper Park Lodge is awesome, i suggest a room with a wood fireplace and a patio facing the lake:)

Natasha:)

http://www.fairmont.com/jasper/GuestServices/Restaurants/cavellsrestaurant.htm

Cardero's, Vancouver, B.C.

This great place is located in Coal Harbor, next to the Westin Bayshore hotel.  We were greeted very nicely when we walked in, they let us choose our own seat, so we went outside, over looking the marina. Perfectly shaded so you don't cook yourself for lunch :) teehee
So we had fried oysters, which i found out that i do not like, i prefer fresh shucked, they were well prepared though, hot crispy not greasy. We also had seared Ahi tuna, which was so fresh and delicious, crusted with sesame seeds, and served with fresh wasabi and soy sauce.
 I had a margarita pizza,cooked in their huge open stone oven. Roma toamato sauce, lotsa mozza and chiffonade basil. Yum! and a side of grilled scallops which were a bit small....  Joe had the salmon burger, he said it was good, nothing crazy but still good.
Great service, nice view which helped us decided which boat we may want to buy one day......I would go back....

Natasha:)

http://vancouverdine.com/carderos0experience.aspx

Seawall Bar&Grill, Vancouver B.C.

A nice casual yet conservative pub style restaurant, located at the Westin Bayshore hotel.  We got dressed up and just went down for a cozy meal, which is just what we got. Such friendly and accommodating service.
We both had a their cheddar bacon burger. They were so delicious, perfectly grilled and juicy patties,topped with smokey bacon, lettuce, tomato onion and a pickle spear, very simple but done so right. Nice hot fries with skin on, my fave.  We also had a plate of hot wings to start, they were crispy hot and delicious!  Next time i want to try the fish and chips, or halibut or steak sandwich......
They also have a lot of gluten free options, which can be hard to find at most restaurants, but the industry is really starting to create more unique options for special diets....

Natasha:)

http://www.westinbayshore.com/dining

Atwater Market, Montreal, Quebec

Take the morning to walk down to Atwater market, take in the aroma of fresh produce including blueberries freshly picked, corn, lettuce, cabbage and tomatoes to name a few. Fresh local maple syrup in every form like tart au sucre (sugar tart) yum!
Check out all the fresh meats and cheeses, so much local product, and all so fresh and generous.
The main destination though is their bakery Premiere Moisson. Get your number and get in line, and try to decide between all the fresh baked delights, danish, tarts galore, turnovers, tirimisu, creme brulee and mountains of croissants. Fresh espresso goes perfectly with your treat. Sit and enjoy as you watch the bakers bring out all the just baked yummies, and decide what to get next!

Natasha:)

http://www.marchespublics-mtl.com/English/Atwater/
http://www.premieremoisson.com/Home/

Garde Manger, Montreal, Quebec

Located in Old Montreal, this cozy hole in the wall is magical. Owned by Chef Chuck Hughes, his focus is simple fresh good food, which by the way is what i live by!
You should make a reservation because they are only a few a night. Its a small restaurant, but that's what i like, it makes it cozy and manageable. The staff are friendly and love their jobs, the guys are busy cooking away in the open kitchen.
Starting with complimentary delicious local bread and a salmon cream cheese spread, we look over the menu written on the wall, which changes daily. Overwhelmed we got a few different items, deep fried octopus which came on a warm salad of broccolini, arugula, peas, and tiny berries that look like grapes. Tomato, avocado salad with deep fried cubes of aged cheddar tossed in salt, so delicious. Lobster poutine, with home cut skinny fries, rich homemade beef gravy, cheese curds and chunks of lobster. Fresh shucked oysters of course...
For mains i had braised short rib, with caramelized onions, cabbage and potatoes, it was so delicious, hot fresh and so tender and moist. Joe had the Halibut pan fried to crisp the skin, such a thick portion, so flaky and white, served with these unique crispy perogies, very good.  The only problem is that we only made one reservation for our trip, next time we will make two so that we can try everything!
We will definitely be back......

Natasha:)
http://crownsalts.com/gardemanger/index_en.html

Whimsical Cake Studio, Edmonton, Alberta

Whimsical is owned and run by a husband and wife team.
Um YUM! I have been on the search for the perfect cupcakes, and today they were found! When you walk in you are wafted with this warm delicious smell of cakes. The selection is wonderful however overwhelming, especially when its my mum and i trying to choose which ones to get without buying out the store....
I got Nostalgia which is my fave, simply vanilla cupcake with vanilla sugar frosting and chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting. Raspberry Lemonade which is a lemon zest cupcake and raspberry buttercream. Peanut Butter Bliss, chocolate cupcake with peanut butter chips topped with peanut butter buttercream!!, Also a Ruby, red velvet cupcake with chocolate chips filled with creamcheese icing, topped with buttercream and white chocolate chips, and Smore's, a chocolate cupcake filled with a marshmallow topped with vanilla buttercream and graham cracker and milk chocolate squares.
Very delicious, you can tell that the ingredients are sooo fresh and baked daily. The flavor combinations go so well together and none of them are too sweet, the cake is nice an fluffy. They also do cakes, wedding cakes and cookies, and they offer classes if your wanting to learn some baking tips.
I will definitely be back...

Natasha:)

http://www.whimsicalcakestudio.com/

Transcend Coffee, Garneau location in Edmonton, Alberta

Coffee beans from around the world, roasted in small batches daily. I had a chai latte, mum had a cappuccino, both very tasty and had lovely designs in the foam. Could have been a tad hotter, however we still enjoyed them.  Nice place to stop by for a cup of joe, very fresh tasting, nice atmosphere, good location.
I will be back fore sure...

Natasha:)

http://transcendcoffee.com/