Creekers Bistro
20 White Ave. Bragg Creek 403-949-3361
The Chinook still reigned and Calgarians were picnicking in the snow near Bragg Creek.
It was a good idea for a weekend outing but we were content to do our eating indoors.
The friendly, family-run Creekers Bistro has been doing its thing for the past two years and would no doubt have been swamped with clientele in the summer.
On a recent Sunday, landing a table was easy enough in the comfy bistro where orders are placed at the front counter but delivered to your table.
We decided to mix in a bit of Creekers’ brunch side with its lunch offerings with a Pacific eggs benny ($17.50).
Its eggs were prepared to nice, soft runniness crowned by flavourful slices of salmon and served with a crispy side of freshly-conjured hash browns.
Its hollandaise gave it just the right balance of tang and savour.
The Creekers salad ($13) was a good share for the three of us, its organic greens and cherry tomatoes, beets, carrots and celery a picture of freshness.
Lightly showered with pumpkin seeds, this was given a tartness by a sprinkling of goat cheese, offset with a slightly sweet honey-lime vinaigrette.
Hina’s Philly steak sandwich daily special ($16.50) served up a hefty bolt of thin-sliced roast beef teamed with melted mozzarella and caramelized onions wedged between grilled focaccia bread.
It was finished with a kosher pickle and French fries and accompanied by the soup du jour – a cream of potato with a flavourful broth and a silky-smooth texture.
My Rocky Mountain bison burger ($13) gave me a succulent patty with full marks for the richness of its slightly wild flavour given a hint of spicy heat by red pepper aioli.
It was already stacked with tomato, red onion and lettuce but I added applewood bacon, sauteed mushrooms and aged cheddar for the full effect.
I opted for the French fries, which were pretty much indistinguishable from the McDonald’s version, which have always been a guilty pleasure of mine.
Creekers purchase their desserts from an independent bakery but judging from the strawberry champagne cheesecake ($7.50), they choose well.
This one had the richness we craved but also a lighter side, topped with fresh fruit and whipped cream.
Creekers was just what a Sunday trek into the Bragg Creek woods ordered.
Three-and-a-half stars (out of five)
North American fare
PRICE: entrees around $16
LICENSED: yes
DRESS: casual
HOURS: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Wed.-Sat.; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues., Sun.
CREDIT CARDS: yes, but not AmEx
WHEELCHAIRS: yes