This fall, as thousands of migrating geese descend upon on the wetlands of FortWhyte Alive, your taste buds can take flight from the comfort of its Buffalo Stone Café.
Wednesday through Sunday, from September 20 to October 22, FortWhyte is giving spectators the chance to savour the sights and sounds of the migration season all while savouring a three-course meal for only $45 ($25 for kids).
The Buffalo Stone Café is already celebrated for its farm-to-table ethos. Throughout the year they often utilize ingredients that have been grown right onsite at FortWhyte Farms while Diversity Foods -- the company that runs the restaurant -- sources locally as much as possible.
Autumn in particular has always been one of the best times to visit this nature centre/wildlife refuge/environmental education centre. During this time, FortWhyte’s Lake Devonian – which the Buffalo Stone Café overlooks – provides a nightly abode for thousands of geese who return to sleep after foraging in the surrounding fields. It’s a true feast for the senses as the honking of the geese, the flapping of their lengthy wings, and the splashing of water as they make contact with its surface fills the sky at dusk.
We swear, not even Gandalf could provide such magic to accompany your meal.
For the menu, there are two different prix fixe sets, one served from September 20 to October 7, and the second running from October 11 to 22.
The first menu starts with a beet and crispy kale salad, followed by a choice of entrees that include arctic char, a duo of pork loin and pork belly, a deconstructed beef bourguignon, or a vegetarian option of Tuscan lentil stew. Dessert is a strawberry and white chocolate mousse served with a dark chocolate salted caramel biscotti.
The later-in-the-autumn menu begins with a salad of roasted carrots, arugula, sweet potato and onion, and follows with mains that can include a New York steak with a rosemary beurre blanc, chicken pot pie, maple glazed salmon, or ratatouille. Dessert is apple pie topped with sharp cheddar (because apple pie without cheese is like a kiss without a squeeze) and cinnamon Chantilly cream.
Of course, there is also vegan and gluten free options available for all the courses.
Tickets for these dinners tend to go faster than a red-breasted merganser (aka the world’s fastest duck. They can fly up to 160 km/h and you just may see a few at FortWhyte; be on the lookout for their trademark stylish fauxhawk hairdo) so book today by calling 204.989.8355 (ex 215) or by booking online here.
