Hotel Reviews Archives - Small Barrels Magazine

Review of Wynn Las Vegas Hotel and Resort – Las Vegas, Nevada

January 18, 2019 By karin Leave a Comment

We spent four nights at Wynn Las Vegas Hotel and Resort this past December (early in the month – a sort of pre-Christmas Christmas vacation). Located on the north side of the strip, pretty much at the edge of things, you’ll find a bit more ‘calm and space’ at this luxury hotel property. Bordered by man-made lakes, water features, and lush greenery, it’s a lovely space and more serene than many of the other Vegas properties. All this is not to say that you’re out of the action – you’re right beside the Palazzo and Venetian complex and their restaurants, shows, and myriad attractions and right across from the sprawling Fashion Show Mall for all your high and low end shopping needs. But you can find a bit of peace when you need it, both inside and out. It was one of the reasons we chose to stay here in the first place.

We arrived early on a Sunday evening, greeted by gorgeous Christmas decorations in the hotel lobby – indoor landscaping, really.

Luscious Golden Poinsettias, grown exclusively for the Wynn Hotel, were everywhere.

In our opinion, it is by far the prettiest lobby on the strip, with lots of natural light, greenery, and this past December, a magical holiday feel – not something you’d necessarily expect from a casino.

The casino itself is also very inviting, not so cavernous as compared to those at the other hotels. Rich red carpets with bright, bold designs, highly polished marble floors, and lots of warm overhead lighting enhance the casino experience – or even just your walk to restaurants and other activities.

Upon arrival, we were upgraded from our basic king room to a higher floor (24th) and a corner location with two floor-to-ceiling window views of the strip. We’d stayed here before, and this earlier time in December was clearly a slow time in Vegas – certainly worked out for us!

As you can see, the room itself was very spacious – lots of breathing room. Minimal but very tasteful decor, and everything seemed fresh and new and in tip top shape.

We had a huge luxury bathroom complete with gorgeous marble tile, his-and-her sinks, water closet, a massive soaker tub, and separate glass-enclosed shower. Plenty of room to spread out and relax.

We pre-arranged to have a fruit and cheese plate and bottle of wine delivered upon arrival, one of several optional add-ons when booking the room. A very nice touch – recommended!

Our room was fantastic, and Wynn has so much to do within its own massive walls there’s little need to venture elsewhere. In fact, if we’d been staying elsewhere, we would have surely ended up at the Wynn anyway many times for dinners, lunches, and shopping. Fine dining highlights include Lakeside Seafood, with views of the Lake of Dreams and its wonderfully quirky light shows, and the positively phenomenal Costa di Mare, an award-winning Italian and Mediterranean restaurant featuring mind-blowing tasting menus and impeccable service. A new shopping wing is also opening up in stages, featuring high end shops and designers we haven’t yet seen elsewhere on the strip. When it’s in full swing, it will be certainly be a a luxury shopping destination. And of course, there’s Le Reve, the Wynn’s stunning fantasy show featuring breathtaking acrobatics on dry land and water.

For a relaxing, luxurious Las Vegas trip still minutes from all the action, we definitely recommend choosing Wynn Las Vegas.

For more information about Wynn Las Vegas, visit www.wynnlasvegas.com

Review of 2013 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stardust Heaven- at the Post Hotel, Lake Louise, Alberta

January 16, 2019 By karin Leave a Comment

We wanted a wine with a massive personality, and maximum impact. Can’t go wrong then choosing a California Cabernet Sauvignon with a name inspired by “Ziggy Stardust” and “Stairway to Heaven”.

Selected from the Post Hotel’s renowned wine cellar, this bottle of 2013 Stardust Heaven was a great way to toast the last evening of our Rocky Mountain holiday, and a great (if sometimes quirky) companion for the Tasting Menu in which we decided to indulge. If you’re not going to do a wine pairing experience, there will always be moments when food and wine clash just a little – so you might as well do as we did and make it a standout wine in its own right.

The 2013 Cliff Lede Stardust Heaven is just that – a standout characterized by an inky purple colour (for rock royalty?), bold blackberry and dark berry flavors, as well as earthy licorice notes. And you’ve just got to love the spirit and the story behind it, and all the Cliff Lede “Rock Blocks” wines – the various vineyard blocks are named after class rock tunes by The Who, Pink Floyd, and in the case of our bottle here, Bowie and Zeppelin.

We enjoyed every morsel of the tasting menu, described below, but we don’t apologize for letting Stardust Heaven strut its stuff across the stage and literally steal the show…

Here’s a run down of the fabulous menu (even if it did play back up at times as we sipped our wine…):

Last day of vacation, so we went out with a bang, knowing we were in for the Post’s generous portions and intriguing flavors. We’ve sampled several tasting menus crafted by Chef Hans Sauter in the past – this was one of our favourites.

Duck Breast with Maple Whiskey Ice Cream

Delicate slices of smoked duck breast served with a whiskey ice cream began the feast. It looked gorgeous and the duck was perfect. The ice cream was not perhaps my favourite, but I could appreciate the composition of flavors with the whiskey being a nice match for the smoked meat.

The prawns on the other hand look fairly simple, but the dish was a standout – really, really delicious. Tender and meaty, the prawns’ terrific flavor was beautifully enhanced by the thyme vinaigrette. And the tender, toasty quesadilla with creamy avocado made the dish complete. Easily our favourite course!

The main course was the pork tenderloin and tagliatelle with a rich and creamy porcini mushroom sauce. This is a plate to satisfy a cold-weather craving. I consider this dish “vintage Post Hotel” with its hearty sauce and tender, buttery homemade noodles. While this particular pork tenderloin and tagliatelle dish doesn’t generally appear on the menu, if you’re looking for something similar choose either the veal tenderloin with creamy morel sauce on homemade Spinach fettuccini, or the beef tenderloin “stroganoff” with homemade egg tagliatelle (both dishes have been regular features at the Post for years – with good cause).

Another view of a scrumptious take on a cheese course! — Goat Cheese Mousseline with Plum Compote

This dish – the Goat Cheese Mousseline with Plum Compote – was an unexpected treat. A tangy, creamy, savory dollop of cheese mixed and melded gorgeously with a deeply-flavored plum compote. If I hadn’t been so full, and if there wasn’t an actual dessert course to come, I would have had two. Delish!

Yes, there was dessert – a rich, moist carrot cake thickly laden with cream cheese icing (the reason to eat carrot cake?) – and this is the second time in recent posts that I’ve neglected to grab a photo. My reason is a pretty good one, I think. It was basically the last evening the Post Hotel’s dining room would be open before the five-week closure between Canadian Thanksgiving and ski season. We noticed another couple- fellow port aficionados- nearby. It seemed natural to pull our chairs together, and toast a beautiful meal in a beautiful place together. So, no photo, but great conversation.

A massive wine, a tasty, multi-course feast and lovely new friends – great end to a great vacation!

For more information on dining at the Post Hotel or to view a dinner menu, please visit www.posthotel.com

Review of Thanksgiving Dinner at the Post Hotel – Lake Louise, Alberta

January 9, 2019 By karin Leave a Comment

Bountiful Thanksgiving decor in the dining room lobby

The Post Hotel is a lovely place to spend and celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving. The holiday falls on the second Monday in October, but many families celebrate with a bountiful Turkey Dinner on the Sunday. This tradition is upheld beautifully in the dining room at the Post for all of their guests, which on that evening swelled to include many Calgary and Banff-area residents gathering in large, multi-generational family groups and for a delicious dinner.

While the full menu is still available, a luscious, multi-course Thanksgiving meal, crowned of course by a golden roast turkey, was the star of our recent visit this past October. Pop the champagne with us (make it an elegant, sparkling Billecart-Salmon for this special occasion…)

…and first feast your eyes on the menu:

Thanksgiving Dinner Menu at the Post Hotel, Sunday October 7, 2018

The wine lovers’ dilemma with almost any tasting or multi-course meal is what to pair with all the variety. Glancing at the menu you’ll see that we had a trout tartar, strudel, and turkey- with-gravy riddle to solve. The Billecart-Salmon completed the first piece of the puzzle, complementing the amazingly luscious tartar which was matched perfectly with a sharp-sweet-creamy honey mustard coulis. The photo doesn’t lie – the portion was very generous.

The second course was also a fine partner for the champagne. The strudel filling was a blend of finely-chopped rich and earthy mushrooms wrapped in delicate, buttery phyllo pastry. The red cabbage foam didn’t photograph particularly well (looks a bit like blueberry yogurt) but it was prettier in person and very good with the strudel. The shiny golden ball on the left is the apple jelly – delicate, tart and sweet, and refreshing.

At this point in the meal, our wine was poured – a 2012 Patz Hall Pinot Noir. It had a clear red, purple colour characteristic of the grape, and a smooth, elegant taste. The only red to match roast turkey in my experience. (The wine went well with my last few bites of strudel as well…good timing!)

And here it is – Happy Thanksgiving, Turkey dinner is served!

Turkey Dinner, like nowhere else... — Turkey Dinner, like nowhere else…

I have had wonderful homemade turkey meals over the years always prepared by loving hands, and nothing can quite replace the ambience of that special family gathering. But I must say that this meal was outstanding. The white and dark meat morsels of turkey were moist, tender and…just what turkey should always be. The cornucopia of ingredients in the stuffing – chicken, bison, fuji apple, chestnuts, sourdough pretzel bread, to name a few – made for an impressive accompaniment. The turkey port wine sauce was a rich pool of gravy, the kind you encourage everything on your plate to touch and sop up. (And while I admit to eating and enjoying the canned stuff, the spiced cranberry chutney was out-of-this-world – so good!). Even the brussel sprouts and carmelized cubes of sweet potato were perfect.

Apologies – we don’t have a shot of the lovely dessert (must be that Turkey/Tryptophan effect). It was a Pumpkin Mousse with Ginger-Pecan cookie, maple whipped cream and orange/cranberry compote – but like all Post desserts, it was delicious and generous.

The meal may not have been ‘homemade’, but it was certainly made with loving care. The many families surrounding us, clearly engaged in a yearly tradition, confirmed that this is a wonderful place to celebrate the holiday.

While I’m sure we now have you dreaming of visiting the Post Hotel in October, it should be noted that the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend in October is also the last weekend the hotel and dining room is open before a five-week closure as staff prepares for the busy winter ski season. So, our suggestion is to aim to spend a few crisp, early-October days in the Rockies at the Post, ending a great stay with a spectacular Thanksgiving dinner you won’t soon forget.

For more information on dining at the Post Hotel or to view a dinner menu, please visit www.posthotel.com

A Stellar Sine Qua Non and a Fine Meal at the Post Hotel – Lake Louise, Alberta

November 15, 2018 By karin Leave a Comment

The Post Hotel Dining Room offers a tempting and ever-changing Tasting Menu daily. We knew that during our four day stay we’d go there at least once or twice. But on some evenings, it’s nice to let the wine steal the show. So, for the first dinner of our four day stay, that’s what we did selecting a rare bottle indeed – the 2012 Sine Qua Non Rattrapante.

Before the big wine event, we kicked things off with a cocktail and the chef’s terrine for the evening, featuring venison mousse, tarragon and pork.

Let's begin in style... — Let’s begin in style…

Presentation is always beautifully done at the Post, and without fail, portions are generous (even when it comes to their tasting menus.) This terrine was delicious, surprising, and filling. We shared it – difficult to imagine this as an appetizer for one…

Terrine - Venison mousse, tarragon pork — Terrine – Venison mousse, tarragon pork

We moved on to soups for a second course, Lobster Bisque for him, and for me the featured soup – a cheerful, smooth and pleasantly spicy blend of Carrot and Ginger.

In terms of quantity, it wasn’t necessary to have a soup course, but enjoyable (and we did split the terrine, after all). We also quite literally did not have anywhere to rush off to tucked away in this tiny mountain village…might as well enjoy a great meal!

Now back to the wine. Boasting a collection of over 25,000 bottles and 2300 selections, the Post’s wine cellar is reason enough to make the trip. In recent years, it seems that the inventory has been diminishing somewhat. But nevertheless, there always something special to be found. The phone book sized wine list is still fun to sift through, and the sommelier can provide further guidance. On this evening, we narrowed our choice to an intriguing California Grenache, the 2012 Sine Qua Non Rattrapante.

Sine Qua Non wines are hard to find and always interesting and memorable. This particular wine was big and beautiful with a lovely color (decanting was necessary, no surprise there). The quirky label adds to the impression that this is a rather eccentric one-of-a-kind wine, one you’ll not soon see again.

The wine paired very well with our main courses (although we would have sipped it anyway). For him – Roasted Alberta “Valley Ridge Farms” Free Range Chicken Breast and risotto with chanterelles. We were surprised at the ‘bite’ on the risotto – a bit underdone this evening when it’s usually outstanding. We’ve dined here often enough to declare this to be an outlier (I wouldn’t hesitate to order it again).

Chicken Breast, Risotto with Chanterelles — Chicken Breast with with Chanterelles

For me, I wanted something that I knew would let the wine shine, no contest. I played it very safe and went with the Beef Tenderloin with Port Wine Sauce and Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes. It was everything I’d hoped, more than I needed, and yes – went great with the wine.

To satisfy a sweet tooth, we ordered the famous Coupe Danemark, a glorified and glorious hot fudge sundae with a fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie.

Finally, to cap off a great meal we ordered a bottle of 1994 Dow’s Vintage Port. It was spectacular, and after enjoying a glass we had our wonderful server put it aside in the cellar so that we could revisit it after our following meals.

Dow's 1994 Vintage Port — Dow’s 1994 Vintage Port

For more information on dining at the Post Hotel or to view a dinner menu, please visit www.posthotel.com

In and Around the Castle – Fairmont Banff Springs Review (Part 2)

November 12, 2018 By karin Leave a Comment

While there’s plenty to do in and just outside of the town of Banff, exploring the historic Fairmont Banff Springs hotel itself as well as its stunning surroundings outside gave us plenty to do.

Below are a few outdoor shots taken on a leisurely afternoon stroll just outside the castle doors.

Here, we’ve just left the ‘new’ lobby entrance and are heading in the direction of town.

A great shot of the hotel nestled in the valley, with the famous pointed peak of Mount Rundle rising just behind it:

Fairmont Banff Springs - The Castle in the Mountain — Fairmont Banff Springs – The Castle in the Mountain

This should give you an idea of the ‘unseasonable’ early October snow fall we experienced – notice how the snow is on the ground but meanwhile the leaves have yet to fully drop:

Venturing just behind the hotel, you’ll find the gorgeous Bow Valley. (Just out of view of this shot to the right is the famous Banff Springs golf course):

"In the Valley Below" — “In the Valley Below”

In the summer months, you can exit to the rear of the hotel (as though heading toward the Waldhaus Restaurant), take an outdoor staircase, and then a picturesque footpath through the woods right down to the Bow Valley and its famous falls. It was too snowy for this route this time, and the other foot-friendly trails were slippery and snow-packed. We managed to get there on foot as we know the area pretty well, but grabbing your car and taking the short drive to the Valley and Falls would be the best option on a slippery, snowy day.

In the hotel's "backyard" — In the hotel’s “backyard”

Here we are walking along the ‘back patio’ of the hotel. (In summer, just on the other side of the canopied space pictured below, the Rundle Lounge opens up onto a patio space with stunning views overlooking the Bow Valley…)

Walking around the Banff Springs hotel — The Hotel’s Back ‘Patio’

Exploring the inside the hotel is just as fun as heading outside. Certainly, there are boutiques and galleries on the lower level of the hotel to check out. But quite honestly my favourite activity is to simply stroll the old corridors and grand halls and let them speak to you.

We spent an afternoon doing this, simply admiring the grandeur and subtleties in the hotel’s careful interior designs, drinking in its storied history, maybe even sensing the genteel ‘ghosts’ of yesteryear as we passed from room after room.

Here is a shot of the old lobby and reception area of the hotel:

Pausing to wonder at the stories behind the antique furnishings and paintings lining corridors like the one below was quite fun. There are so many careful details to fascinate no matter which way you look, from intricate carvings in the stonework to large and impressive vaulted windows. We saw plenty, but who knows what we missed?

And we ourselves didn’t try it, you can opt to join a guided tour. No doubt it would be be full of fascinating facts about the hotel (arrange with the concierge desk):

Castle corridor Banff Springs — Castle corridor

Here is the stunning Mount Stephen Hall being set up for a banquet that evening:

Mount Stephen Hall - Banff Springs — Mount Stephen Hall

And the Cascade Ballroom standing empty that day, but still gorgeous, elegant and grand:

Sadly (for us) both the Alberta and Alhambra Dining Rooms are no more having been re-imagined into very functional conference meeting spaces. We have fond memories dining in both places. Particularly we recall the live music and dancing that lit up the Alberta Dining Room nightly some twenty years ago, and of course for decades before that. Of course, even on our first trips, it felt somewhat out-of-time and you could feel that the era of dining and dancing was already coming to an end. (Better that the rooms are being put to new uses than simply locked away, right? But...sigh...)

Do make the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel one of your next destinations, and be sure while you’re there to enjoy the living history within its doors, and the most glorious sights nature has to offer just beyond…

For more information or to book a holiday at the “Castle in the Mountains”, visit www.fairmont.com