karin, Author at Small Barrels Magazine

Review of The Cloudveil Luxury Hotel, Jackson, WY

July 4, 2023 By karin

We hit the open road last May to explore several National Parks of the United States. Our journey included an exploration of Yellowstone (WY, MT, ID) and Theodore Roosevelt Parks(ND), as well as the absolutely stunning Grand Teton National Park (WY) pictured above and throughout. This park offered breathtaking vistas blending open fields and mountain ranges, vast lakes and river valleys, and a rich and intriguing history.

Friendly and welcoming Jackson, Wyoming – located a mere 5 miles from the town – became our home base for a few nights. We stayed at The Cloudveil hotel (by Marriott) – new, gorgeously designed and appointed, and conveniently located from the park and other amenities. We were a short ~10 minute drive to Grand Teton and everything it offered. In town, the hotel is located in the heart of Jackson, adjacent to its town square, with plenty of restaurants, shopping and lovely walks to enjoy.

Comfortable, Contemporary Decor and Fireplace

We chose The Cloudveil mainly for its proximity to Grand Teton, but staying there was a luxury unto itself. Our king room was comfortable and quiet, with welcoming reading and sitting nooks as well as a gas fireplace. The decor has an understated, contemporary sensibility. Though luxurious, the aesthetic of the rooms and throughout the hotel is aptly described with words like “raw”, “natural” or “Western” with an upscale touch – calm, contemporary and relaxing spaces all around.

The bathroom was spacious, with a beautiful tiled shower. After stopping at a a few more ‘serviceable’ hotels on our road trip, the Cloudveil was a place to truly unwind and enjoy some luxury.

Other thoughtful touches around the hotel include a snack-and-water station where you can fill up water bottles with filtered water, prepare yourself a mug of hot tea or hot chocolate, pack up a bag of trail mix to take along to the park, and fetch yourself bags of ice. The lobby is spacious with lots of nooks to relax, as well as tables set up for chatting or pulling out a laptop and getting some work done.

The Cloudveil's Rooftop Patio — The Cloudveil’s Rooftop Patio

The top floor of the hotel opens onto a spacious patio overlooking the town, complete with comfortable sofas and gas fire pits.

The hotel houses The Bistro, a restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner – a great place to grab your morning coffee, and a lively spot for drinks and appetizers at the end of the day. We stopped in for a quick drink and ended up staying for dinner when we checked out the appealing bistro-style dinner menu and wine list. Great atmosphere, too.

You’re a short walk from other nice dining and drink options, too. We greatly enjoyed Bin 22, a lively tapas restaurant and bar set within a wine boutique. We also had a good (if busy/noisy) meal at nearby Local Restaurant and Bar

Local - Upscale Dining Options Near The Cloudveil — Local – Upscale Dining Options Near The Cloudveil

Shopping – from a range of souvenir stops to art shops, outdoor gear stores to finer clothing boutiques – is also right outside the Cloudveil’s door. Coffee shops, bakeries and bars abound as well, including the famous and lively Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.

The Famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar Adjacent to Jackson's Town Square — The Famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar Adjacent to Jackson’s Town Square

We enjoyed our stay in Jackson with its easy-going mood, and found plenty to do just by walking out The Cloudveil’s front doors. But truly, it was the incredible vistas, hikes, and sites of Grand Teton – The Cloudveil’s ‘backyard’ – that take this luxurious hotel to another level. Highly recommended!

Spectacular Vista at Grand Teton National Park

The Cloudveil Hotel is located at 112 Center Street, Jackson, WY 83001. For reservations or more information, call 307-699-6100.

2017 Sine Qua Non – The Hated Hunter

May 9, 2023 By karin

2017 Sine Qua Non Syrah - The Hated Hunter — 2017 Sine Qua Non Syrah – The Hated Hunter

More than a wine, this is a transportive experience. The deep colour first draws you in, leaving a kiss of near-black on the cork. Silky sips of dark fruit await. While the taste of this ‘mostly-Syrah’ is full and robust, it is also incredibly smooth, making each taste a true pleasure. If you can, sip slowly and savour.

The Hated Hunter continues the Sine Qua Non tradition – not only of phenomenal wine – but of intriguing names and captivating labels that won’t soon be forgotten.

After enjoying this stellar bottle, we cleaned it up to save for posterity, displaying it in our private cellar along with a handful of other special bottles.

Highly recommended!

Hidden Gems Series – Cacao 70 Eatery in Canmore, Alberta

March 7, 2023 By karin

Small Barrels loves to bring you stories about stellar wines, fine dining, and luxury accommodations. But the good life is not exclusively about the ‘grand’. Quite often it’s the hidden gems – the unexpected stops, the extra touches, the tucked away places – that add magic to the journey…

Hiking through the scenic town of Canmore

Canmore, Alberta, Canada is itself a hidden gem. A scenic mountain town minutes away from world famous Banff National Park, Canmore offers stunning views, a huge variety of trails to explore, shopping, dining, and more. And within the town of Canmore is a hidden gem, Cacao 70 Eatery.

The Bow River from the historic Canmore Engine Bridge

Begun in Montreal, Cacao 70 has expanded from a ‘chocolate drinking bar’ to include an array of cafe-style eateries, sweets shops, and products found throughout Canada and beyond. All centered around – you guessed it – heavenly chocolate.

American Style Hot Chocolate — “American Style” Hot Chocolate

Located among a complex of shops, restaurants and services on Old Canmore Road, Cacao 70 in Canmore is a worthy stop whether you arrive by foot, bike or other vehicle. An absolute must when temperatures drop, Cacao 70 is a lovely place for a gourmet hot chocolate experience post (or mid) hike. In fact, mountain air can be crisp no matter the time of year, making any time a good time to stop by for an indulgent sip.

“Cacao70 Factory” – Melted chocolate with hot chocolate on the side

We sampled the American Style Hot Chocolate with jumbo marshmallows (picture above), a gorgeous milk chocolate based beverage and the perfect treat after a mountain-town hike or stroll.

The next item pictured – the ‘Cacao70 Factory’ – was as tasty as it was beautiful to look at. With melted chocolate presented in a brandy glass, and hot chocolate and ice cream served on the side, this deserves an enthusiastic chef’s kiss. The hot chocolate base comes in your choice of either milk or dark chocolate (we went with dark). Pour it over the melted chocolate, and enjoy a smooth, ‘truffle-like’ chocolatey beverage…yummm…

Hot chocolate beverages are not the only items on the menu. Coffee, espresso-based drinks and teas are also available, and so is a full menu of tasty looking items to eat like waffles, crepes, sandwiches, omelettes and more. We limited ourselves to the chocolate beverages this time, but would certainly consider a stop in for brunch or lunch.

And so….with tastebuds still tingling with chocolate delight, and warmed to your toes deep in your hiking boots, you can head back to home base taking in the stunning views available at every turn.

We highly recommend Cacao 70, a hidden gem for chocolate lovers in Canmore, Alberta.

Cacao 70 Eatery (Canmore) is located at Unit109, 302 Old Canmore Rd, Canmore, Alberta For more information, call (403) 675-7669 or visit [email protected]

Rundle Bar at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

September 13, 2022 By karin

The Rundle Bar at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is a welcoming, stylish place to share some drinks and good food. Whether it be for a pause in the afternoon or for late night cocktails, the art deco-inspired decor and stunning views make it memorable.

Clean, contemporary decor and great views

We recall the days when this space was the hotel’s old lobby. It’s certainly been refreshed and re-imagined since then – gone are the dark tones and medieval-style tapestries. But, even with its much more contemporary vibe, the tasteful new Rundle Bar manages to fit in beautifully with the grandeur of the rest of ‘the castle’.

Of course, when you offer views like the Bow Valley (pictured below), ‘grandeur’ is somewhat baked-in.

We stopped in for an afternoon cocktail after checking in. The Rundle Bar is large space – two levels, in fact – offering a comfortable mix of tables, chairs, and sofas to relax in. We had no trouble finding a table. But even at this time of day, the popular bar was hopping.

Rundle Bar's Signature Cocktail List — Rundle Bar’s Signature Cocktail List

In addition to all the usual lovely wines, craft beers, and spirits, the Rundle Bar offers a creative craft cocktail menu. I very much enjoyed my intriguingly herby Royal Cosmo de Provence.

The Boulevardier was also excellent.

The menu goes beyond cocktails if you’re looking for a snack, or something heartier. We had big plans for dinner and so didn’t order food, but plates and platters were sailing around us everywhere. An all-day menu focuses on upscale appetizer fare, like smoked salmon, vegetable crudités and hummus, and oyster plates. A lunch menu is also offered, with bistro selections like poke bowls, soups, salads, and gourmet sandwiches.

An outdoor patio opens up in the warmer times of the year. The weather wasn’t ready during our visit, but the views of the valley and the fresh mountain air would certainly ‘elevate’ the food and drink even further.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stop at the Rundle Bar, and suggest popping in if you’re a guest at the Banff Springs!

For more information, visit www.fairmont.com/banff-springs

Fairview Bar and Restaurant Review

July 26, 2022 By karin

With its art-deco inspired decor and a view of one of North America’s most famous alpine lakes, the Fairview Bar and Restaurant is a stylish place to dine while at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The menu is heavily inspired by local and “Rocky Mountain wild” fare (and is thus changeable, as seasons and availability dictate). Let’s take a look…

Fairview Bar and Restaurant Starter Menu

For starters, we had the Brant Lake Steal Tartare pictured at the top. It was fresh, tasty and everything you’d hope for – dusted with delicate asiago ‘snow’ that melted on the tongue.

Gem Lettuce Salad with Wild Orange Oil and Pickled Vegetable

The Gem Lettuce Salad really was a gem – one of the meal’s highlights. In the photo it looks deceptively simple. The ingredients were as fresh, bright, tender and crisp as they look (already a good start). But what you can’t see is what made it magic; an absolutely scrumptious dressing of Wild Orange Oil with zingy pickled vegetables tying it all together. Really noteworthy in my books.

And oh yes – note this utterly lovely (and ridiculously large) loaf of bread was also brought to the table. (That is NOT a tiny plate, my friends.)

Fairview Bar and Restaurant Mains and Sides

For main courses, the selection wasn’t extensive but it was nicely balanced with choices of fish, steak, and “wild” mains. (Think elk, venison, boar chop for that last category.) We were in a less-than-wild mood I suppose, but the local Alberta beef suited us just fine.

Black Label 6oz. Tenderloin with Chimichurri

The frothy, delectably-green chimichurri and charred green onion were welcome tastes and textures that complemented the beef. The drizzle of veal jus added another layer of richness to the already buttery steak. Fine touches, and something different than what you get at a typical steakhouse.

Sides were made to share. We added wild sautéed mushrooms to our meals as well as an order of harissa seared asparagus. The mushrooms were earthy and good, and the hot chilli pepper flavour of the harissa once again worked so well with everything we ordered. Honestly, it’s the unusual but expertly-chosen sauces, dressings and enhancements that makes this meal stand out in our memories.

We enjoyed a bottle of the Continuum 2016 (Napa) – a Bordeaux blend that was at once rich-tasting with a deep, beautiful colour and deliciously floral scented. The showy decanter pictured above perfectly suited the wine and the art-deco decor of the dining room. All-around gorgeous wine and presentation.

This was a final meal for us after a long and wonderful stay in the mountains. We opted for port-for-dessert to finish off the meal and toast the trip.

Our wonderful server, noting our love of wine and port, generously treated us to a taste of the outstanding 1964 Messias port.

In addition to the tasty and memorable meal, the service was terrific and, as mentioned, very generous with the surprise gift of such a special port. Dietary concerns/allergies were also handled with the utmost attention to detail, which is always appreciated.

The Fairview Bar and Restaurant is a must for a romantic, tasty dinner while staying at the Chateau and we highly recommend it.

Visit www.fairmont.com for more information or to make reservations.