Riding the rails in style on the Rocky Mountaineer includes wild life spotting, historical landmarks and great food and wine.
I recently took the Rocky Mountaineer train from Vancouver to Banff with an overnight in Kamloops. We were in Gold Leaf Service with a glass domed passenger car above Gold Leaf dining car. They also offer Silver Leaf service which gives you a hot meals in your passenger seat or Red Leaf which is a cold meals in your seat. But Gold Leaf is the way to go.
Shortly after we leaving Vancouver we were invited down to the dining car which was set with white linen and china. Fresh fruit,juice, coffee and hot croissants were served immediately.
I liked the scrambled eggs with salmon and lemon chive creme fraiche. Perfectly prepared and well presented.
The Benedict on Montreal Smoked Meat was the most popular dish and was getting rave reviews. It's hard to believe the meals they can prepare in the tiny galley.
Lunch included wines and similar elegant food. Salmon, chicken and pasta were most popular. The menus are a little different both days.
We overnighted at the Hotel 540 in Kamloops, an older hotel with newly and very nicely renovated rooms. For dinner we strolled down the street to the Fireside Steakhouse and Bar in The Plaza Hotel. They are very proud of their locally raised premium beef but they did a fine job with my baked halibut too.
I loved going through the spiral tunnels, an engineering curiosity that winds the tracks in a spiral through 2 mountains to manage the grade at that point.
I saw big horn sheep, elk, mule deer and a grizzly beer mother and cub. Impressive.
Our last night was spent at the Fairmont Banff Springs. Although in pictures the hotel looks big and out of place when you are actually there is it charming. The Swiss decor is lovely and the hotel is warm and welcoming. You can book a sunrise wake up call so you can open your curtains and watch the sun hit the mountains or get up and go down to the lake for an even more impressive start to your day. I'd recommend trying a fondue for dinner.
Shortly after we leaving Vancouver we were invited down to the dining car which was set with white linen and china. Fresh fruit,juice, coffee and hot croissants were served immediately.
The Benedict on Montreal Smoked Meat was the most popular dish and was getting rave reviews. It's hard to believe the meals they can prepare in the tiny galley.
Lunch included wines and similar elegant food. Salmon, chicken and pasta were most popular. The menus are a little different both days.
We overnighted at the Hotel 540 in Kamloops, an older hotel with newly and very nicely renovated rooms. For dinner we strolled down the street to the Fireside Steakhouse and Bar in The Plaza Hotel. They are very proud of their locally raised premium beef but they did a fine job with my baked halibut too.
I saw big horn sheep, elk, mule deer and a grizzly beer mother and cub. Impressive.
Our last night was spent at the Fairmont Banff Springs. Although in pictures the hotel looks big and out of place when you are actually there is it charming. The Swiss decor is lovely and the hotel is warm and welcoming. You can book a sunrise wake up call so you can open your curtains and watch the sun hit the mountains or get up and go down to the lake for an even more impressive start to your day. I'd recommend trying a fondue for dinner.
Comments
Post a Comment