Revelstoke’s newest licensed restaurant is the Highmark Lounge, which opened its doors in late November in the location of the former Great White North restaurant, just west of town on the Trans-Canada.
Owner Sue Walton has lots of Revelstoke connections, but spent the past nearly three decades in Lake Louise, where she was the general manager at the famous Station fine dining restaurant.
Walton got help establishing in Revelstoke from old snowboarding friends on the Trapper pro team, who helped her clean and renovate the restaurant, which had sat closed for a few months.
The Highmark Lounge features western classics in huge portions, sourcing its ingredients from B.C. and Alberta, (including a B.C. wine list.) The feature Mt. Begbie Brewing Co., Cariboos and others on tap.
“When you come you have to be hungry,” Walton says. “I love to feed people – that’s what I do.”
We tried the brined BBQ Half Chicken ($26) and the Mountain Man Burger ($17) and huge portions are right!
The Highmark Lounge mains include elk and bison burgers, and braised pork and beef ribs. Walton recommends their starter Grilled Caesar Salad, which is two Romaine hearts split down the middle, grilled and topped with homemade aioli, and parmesan crisps.
Revelstoke snowboarder Al Clark earned a spot on the menu (and his Trapper board on the wall). His Al-A-Penos are roasted fresh jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese, buffalo mozzarella and wrapped in double-smoked bacon.
Walton, who is enjoying the switch from wearing a tie to wearing jeans to work, explained herself and her staff are dedicated and committed to the restaurant. (In fact, three colleagues from Lake Louise have followed her here.)
“My food is really, really good,” Walton said. “I am really fussy about it.”
Management changes and the shutdown at the former restaurant hurt business at the slightly off-the-beaten track location.
Walton’s re-building plan is focused on bringing back Revelstoke customers.
She said it’ll take “time and patience and proving myself daily.”
She’s circulating a 10% discount card, and is offering a $16 roast beef and Yorkshire pudding buffet on Sundays.
The Highmark Lounge (near the Smokey Bear statue on the Trans-Canada Highway) is a great bet if you’re hungry, looking for a licensed restaurant and want to take in a game.