Today I got back from a quick 36-hour work trip to Calgary, with a little side trip to Banff.

I flew in late Wednesday night, crashed at the Calgary airport Marriott, then early Thursday morning drove out to Banff to speak at a partner’s event. It was my first time out to the mountains in a lot of years, and the mountains made me feel as calm and peaceful as ever, even if I was only there for a couple of hours. This was the view from the Rimrock, where the event was held:

Later that day, after another work event back in Calgary, I had dinner at The Wednesday Room. The upstairs had a Shining theme; the downstairs was like eating in a 1970s basement rumpus room. The food & drink was pretty solid though:

• cocktail: Fall Fashioned (pecan-infused bourbon blend, corn syrup, orange twist, 5 spice bitter)
• starter: tuna tartare (albacore tuna, avocado, plantain, ancho aioli, sesame, tajin toasted nori)
  • Trimbach Pinot Blanc, Alsace
• main: grilled ribeye (14oz cold smoked all-natural Alberta beef, jus gras, fried onions, stewed tomato, spanish olive oil)
• side: jerk broccoli (w/ refried beans, puffed rice, chillies)
  • Chateau de Ferrand St. Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux
• dessert: 20 year old Port