Dining Out At Murrieta's: Connecting Over Great Food 

There’s grabbing a bite to eat and then there’s making some time to sit, talk and listen; while sharing great food at a window table, connecting - that’s dining out!

With the end of summer on our heels, I wanted to have a lunch date with my daughter, Truly, before the school year is to start.

“Lunch date?” I asked. “Let’s go to Murrieta’s, where I know the food is good, but let’s not order our “usuals”. Let’s explore the menu and order something different. Let’s go on a food adventure.”

Murrieta's Restaurant is a popular dining spot located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, on Main St. in the town of Canmore, Alberta. Known for its beautiful views and upscale yet relaxed atmosphere, the restaurant offers a diverse menu featuring a blend of contemporary Canadian cuisine with international influences.

As we walk up the stairs, I hear my daughter let out a sigh of awe as we reach the dining room and lounge at the top. The room is big, the ceiling is high, the large windows that wrap two walls provide stunning views of the surrounding mountains and; on this warm day, they were swung open to allow for the fresh mountain air and sounds of the young busker outside to fill the room.

We were welcomed by the lovely Hope Basma, manager, server, event planner extraordinaire of Murrieta’s, and as she shares about some new items on the menu with us, our lunch adventure begins!

Cheers to Lunch Together!

Summer days in Canmore should be celebrated and one way to elevate the mood is with a cocktail, or in my daughter’s case, a mocktail.

Murrieta’s has a beautiful bar and lounge area with a creative cocktail menu and an extensive wine collection that is showcased prominently in its wine chest.

The bartender had sent over a summer libation for us both.

Truly received the Blackberry Mojito, a gorgeous mocktail that tastes as good as it looks! With lightly muddled blackberries and mint, lime, and soda this was refreshing, lightly sweet, with a little tart.

The Hugo Spritz is made from elderberry flower, mint, and sparkling wine. It was smooth, no bite, light, and fresh- lovely for a summer afternoon.

As we perused the menu, some classic items that we usually share jumped off the menu at us. We called out the Fried Calamari, Cobb Salad, a Margherita Pizza, Lamb Meatball Spaghetti, but remembered we were going to try something different. We ordered the Beef Tartar as a starter and the Duck Confit for our main.

Murrieta’s Beef tartar is a French dish of raw beef minced with capers and gherkin and topped with a layer of crispy fried onions. It is served is toasted crostini and a grainy mustard aioli.

Every part of this came together to make a wonderful dish. The salted zing of the pickled baby cucumber was balanced by the mustard and the tender minced meat was met with the crunch of fried onions and toasted baquette. The portion was large for such a delicacy but the need for more crostini was noted and met without ever asking our server- a testament to the great service you will experience here.

Confit is a French word that refers to the process of storing and slow cooking food in fat, resulting in tender, silky, meat. The Duck Confit at Murrieta’s is a chef’s testatment of this cooking method.

Every part of this dish delivered. The roasted potatoes had a light smash that made them crisp on the outside but warm and soft in the middle. The green beans were thin, firm but tender, and tasted fresh from a garden. The duck fell apart with the poke of a fork and slight slide of the knife. The meat was buttery. The skin was crispy. The warm sour cherries, chili maple glaze, and mixed greens were all complimentary touches to this succulent dish. The Confit is a new menu item! Reserve a table to give it a try!

Save Room for Dessert!

The selection of desserts included a Brown Butter Maple Tart, and an Orange & White Chocolate Bar that sounded amazing but it was Truly’s choice, (since I chose the tartar!) and she picked the Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake.

This flourless, gluten-free, chocolate cake is layered with spiced chocolate mousse, and adorned with sponge toffee pieces, oreo ornaments, and gold dust. It’s dark, rich, and perfect for chocolate lovers.

An Extra Indugence!

As if cocktails, tartar, duck confit, and cake were not enough, I indulged a little further and ordered the Raspberry & Irish Cream Milk Hot Chocolate! Whether you need a nightcap or warm-up, or just a treat, I highly recommend you indulge yourself and order this!

Murrieta's in Canmore is a great choice for both locals and visitors looking to enjoy a memorable dining experience with breathtaking views of the Rockies. It is a fabulous place to enjoy a lunch or a dinner. The menu offerings are all so good you can't go wrong with anything you try.

Have your own food adventure and try something you haven't ordered before!