Chorney-Sales space: Basecamp Resorts enters Canmore’s restaurant sport with new Rhythm and Howl

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It’s straightforward to overlook if you’re extra fixated on views of the Three Sisters and roaming wildlife than the eating places on the principle drag, however over the previous few years, Canmore has quietly been remodeling itself right into a eating hotspot. The mountain neighborhood has all the time been house to some nice eateries (notably Crazyweed Kitchen and Sage Bistro) but it surely has additionally seen some really spectacular new openings over the previous few years with the likes of Sauvage, 4296, and Ankor. There’s even a Bridgette Bar outpost in Canmore now, which is why it is sensible for Basecamp Resorts, the hip resort model that has been making its mark within the Rockies because it opened its first property in Canmore in 2017, to enter the native culinary scene.

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Basecamp presently has 11 resort holdings in Alberta and B.C., however its new MTN Home by Basecamp is just not solely branded as its first “luxurious” resort — it’s additionally the primary to incorporate a restaurant. Positioned on the north facet of the freeway within the previous Vacation Inn, MTN Home is a big standalone property that may finally embody a splashy Nordic spa. With such an formidable mission, Basecamp proprietor and CEO Sky McLean knew it was time for her model to broaden into meals companies by means of a brand new restaurant referred to as Rhythm and Howl.

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“There was already a restaurant within the constructing so it was a no brainer,” McLean says. “Beforehand, it was a Vacation Inn restaurant and nobody who wasn’t staying on the resort actually went there, however we knew the house had potential. We additionally felt that Canmore at giant wants some extra meals and beverage choices, so the choice was clear.”

Whereas Rhythm and Howl is, by necessity very a lot a resort restaurant — you may see the foyer from the bar and eating room and provides requisite breakfast and lunch companies in addition to dinner — it stays in keeping with Basecamp’s basic refined vibe with a touch of mountain lodge coziness coupled with cool mid-century modern-inspired furnishings and modern picket accents. McLean needed it to fall within the hole between Canmore’s assortment of higher-end eating places and plentiful pubs, in an analogous class as Calgary favourites like Mannequin Milk or Ten Foot Henry to enchantment to food-minded Canmore locals and resort company.

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Basecamp employed chef Jason Leizert, greatest often called the proprietor of the unique Salted Brick (which finally morphed into Salt and Brick) in Kelowna, who brings a terrific command of flavour and a penchant for fascinating mixtures to the desk. Leizert makes probably the most of “mountain” components, with gadgets like an elk carpaccio appetizer with pickled grapes, brussels sprouts and harissa dressing ($18) and a bison burger in a milk bun with aged cheddar ($24). It’s additionally price delving into the extra shocking creations just like the vegan cucumber and carrot lox salad with pumpkin crumble and tamarind dressing ($16), steelhead trout with sunchokes and lemon and pumpkin brown butter ($38) or the duck leg crepe with juniper jus and squash ($46). There’s additionally a full bar with a superb wine record and a collection of artistic cocktails together with a protracted record of zero-proof choices for non-drinkers or drivers planning to go again to the town after dinner.

Rhythm and Howl is positioned inside MTN Home by Basecamp at 1 Silvertip Path in Canmore. The restaurant could be reached at 403-609-4422 or by means of rhythmandhowl.com.

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Again right here in Calgary, earlier this 12 months, Shokunin quietly launched a yakitori omakase menu that’s presently accessible by reservation on Wednesday by means of Sunday nights. Omakase (basically a Japanese model of a chef’s tasting menu, although sometimes with a number of nuances) has been a rising development right here in Calgary since Shokunin’s sister restaurant Nupo launched its glorious omakase sushi choice in early 2020. This model of omakase includes sitting straight in entrance of Shokunin’s yakitori grill as cooks prepare dinner up skewer after scrumptious skewer in a dramatic cloud of white smoke.

For $95, company get about two hours of leisure and course after course of what Shokunin does greatest. Along with a few appetizers, the meal consists of 5 yakitori skewers together with the restaurant’s signature rooster “ass” and oysters. Shokunin solely butchers 25 to 30 chickens a day, which implies loads of breast and thigh meat, however a particularly restricted quantity of these smaller bits, with a number of chickens wanted for a single skewer. Reserving the omakase ensures a style of those skewers — and whilst you might not suppose consuming a rooster’s rear finish is the important thing to non-public happiness, on this planet of yakitori, it’s a delightfully tender deal with. The dinner wraps up with a cup of ultra-rich rooster broth and a light-weight dessert.

There are two yakitori omakase seating occasions every evening and prospects have the choice of including drink pairings and, in case you’re seeking to actually splurge, items of 45-day beeswax-aged wagyu at market worth. For extra info or to e-book a seat (the $95 expertise have to be paid for upfront), go to shokuninyyc.ca. Shokunin is positioned at 2016 4th St. S.W.

Elizabeth Chorney-Sales space could be reached at [email protected]. Comply with her on Instagram at @elizabooth.

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