Monday, August 29, 2011

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

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