Calgary's Hidden Fine Dining Gem | The Highwood Kitchen + Bar👨‍🍳🌟

When my culinary student friend invited me to try their training restaurant, I expected decent student meals - but got a Michelin-level surprise! 📍 Highwood Restaurant (Inside SAIT Campus) 💰 $40/person (Unbelievable for this quality) 🍽️ Tasting Menu Highlights 🥬 Artichoke Dip (Small Plate) First time trying fresh artichokes! Melted with four cheeses + spinach + lemon basil, served with house-made flatbread. "Why isn't this comfort food everywhere?" 🥩 Alberta Steak Tartare Silky beef with Parmesan + fried capers + anchovy Dijon on toasted bread. The capers? Genius crunch. 🐠 Pan-Roasted Salmon (Large Plate) Crispy skin, buttery flesh, with beurre blanc sauce + sweet corn ragout - summer on a plate! 🍤 Surf & Turf 7oz sirloin (perfect medium-rare) + sugar-snap tiger prawns. The béarnaise sauce? Chef's kiss. 🐑 Hazelnut-Crusted Lamb Rack Herb-crusted with Madeira sauce + potato mille-feuille. Each bite = layers of texture. 🦆 Duck Two Ways Confit roll + rosy breast with orange aioli + cherry red wine glaze. Duck done right. ✨ The Experience ✅ Shockingly Good: SAIT students cook like pros ✅ Ingredients Matter: Alberta beef, Atlantic salmon - zero shortcuts ✅ Fire-Oven Magic: The wood-fired pizza aroma haunts you (next time!) ⚠️ Charming Inexperience: Servers are earnest students (bring patience) #CalgaryFineDining #SAITHiddenGem #FoodieFinds