FOOD |Â Contemporary Canadian cuisine.
VIBE |Â Relaxed fine dining.
DECOR |Â Rustic elegance with a sense of history.
DISH |Â Red-fife sourdough (whatever you order, do not miss out on your side of bread).
TIP |Â Try the weekend brunch for a more affordable way to experience the restaurant.
The Deane House, a historical home that sits at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers in Inglewood, has been a Calgary landmark for well over a century, but it wasn’t until proprietor Sal Howell (who also owns River Caf) took it over in 2016 that the property realized its full potential as a fine-dining restaurant. Howell worked her magic and transformed the historic red house (originally the residence of Captain Richard Deane, superintendent of the Northwest Mounted Police at Fort Calgary) into an elegant-yet-homey eatery with a menu that pays homage to the building’s place in Canadian history.
Since it is literally in a house, Deane House‘s dining area is broken up into several rooms, creating intimate areas ideal for larger groups and a more standard layout of tables for two and four on the house’s veranda. The bar in the middle of the house offers a more casual space – with more casual prices – for those who indulge in the afternoon happy hour (speaking of afternoons, the restaurant also does a fine lunch).
Yet, fine dining is undeniably Deane House’s forte and food enthusiasts should make a point of coming in specifically for dinner. Chef Jamie Harling’s tasting menu offers the epitome of seasonal location-appropriate cuisine, as does his ever-evolving la carte menu, with offerings like braised TK Ranch brisket and juniper-and-beet-cured trout. An avid fermenter, Harling pulls the best out of Deane House’s backyard garden to create a pantry of preserves and spreads that often accompany his carefully prepared and exquisitely plated proteins and seasonal veg.
Howell’s impeccable eye for design, insistence on exceptional service and dedication to superior wines also serve to raise the bar at Deane House. Expect nothing less than a full sensory experience when you walk through the doors – it is indeed a restaurant worthy of its home’s lofty pedigree.
806 9 Ave. S.E., 403-264-0595, deanehouse.com
