Fence & Post — Restaurant in Town of Cochrane

Oct 2019- We decided to give Fence and Post a second chance after a very disappointing experience our first time. I'm happy to say that we had a significantly better experience the second time. We shared an entrée and a couple starters. It was much better than the tasting menu we tried last time. The portions were decent and what you'd expect from a higher end restaurant. The server didn't know a lot about the wine, but what she didn't know, she asked. Overall a nice evening. Increased the rating to 4/5.

Feb 2018- My wife and I have 2 kids so we rarely go out because it's so expensive with babysitter etc. We had planned Valentine's Day dinner for some time and wanted to go to a higher end place and have a really nice supper. We chose the Fence and Post as we had heard great things. The night started ok, we were greeted and seated right away. The atmosphere was nice, however, the dollar store battery operated tea lights were a little disappointing. We inquired with our server about the tasting menu ($65/pp plus $25/pp for wine paring). The server really didn't know what the chef had decided to prepare that night. She said she thought there was a ravioli dish, a beef dish, and some sort of chocolate mousse for dessert. She offered to check but we figured it sounded pretty good and decided we would give it a try. I get it's a tasting menu, but for the price, we were sure disappointed with the amount of food and wine. The first course was a cold scallop salad and a single raw oyster. It was tasty. The second course was foie gras which we could barely eat. I'm sure it was prepared correctly, but we just weren't fans. We let our server know this, but no effort was made to substitute it or change it. The third course was a single butternut squash dumpling. It was under cooked and doughy. Again, we mentioned this to our server, but she didn't offer to take it back or remake it. It really didn't seem like she cared. The fourth dish was sliced beef, asparagus, and a truffled mash. It was good! The dessert was also very good. When the bill came, nothing was discounted and no effort was made to correct the things we felt were wrong. At least an offer for a glass of wine on the house or something would have shown us that our concerns were heard and they wanted our business. $200 later, we were still hungry, sober and above all else, disappointed.

Update: I received an email back from them after bringing forward my concerns. They offered a round of drinks and an appetizer on the house. Just wish this had been dealt...

I don’t write posts every time I step out. I only write when an experience truly stands out. As a traveling salesman who began his career in the hotel industry—and as the son of a renowned maître d’hôtel and sommelier in Europe who later emigrated to Canada—I take hospitality, food, and service seriously. So let me be clear: I’m not a “bot” pumping out random reviews. In this digital age where it’s hard to separate the authentic from the artificial, what follows is very real.

Tonight, I walked in without a reservation (it was a Thursday, and there were a few open tables) and was warmly welcomed and seated right away. Already, a good start.

The restaurant embraces the seasons with a rotating menu built around local ingredients, elevating them into what I can only describe as culinary masterpieces. Taste, portion size, presentation, and thoughtful wine pairings are the pillars of the experience here. If you book one day in advance, you can even indulge in a five-course tasting menu featuring the chef’s signature creations—a journey worth taking.

This evening, I chose the Braised Beef Shank. It arrived with grilled zucchini drizzled in vibrant salsa verde, pearl onions, a bed of creamy polenta, and a touch of confit de tomates. The portioning was spot on, the flavors layered and balanced, and the taste—simply transcendent. It’s the kind of dish that makes you pause mid-bite just to savor the moment.

To complement it, I selected a Tempranillo “Coto de Imaz” 2018. It was the perfect pairing, each sip deepening the richness of the dish.

For those seeking something more adventurous, I can’t recommend enough one of their signature cocktails: “Pretty Like the Sun.” It’s an inspired blend of Eau Clair Flourish Gin, Chartreuse Jaune, fresh lime juice, elderflower cordial, and mango. An absolute elixir—bright, balanced, and elegant.

I closed the evening with a classic Affogato alongside their handmade bonbons—an indulgent finale that felt like the perfect exclamation point.

I’m already anticipating my next visit, likely in six to eight months.

So here’s my advice: don’t overthink it. Go. Experience it...

September 23, 2022 OMG!!!! What a way to end a Mother Daughter Getaway. We do not get to Cochrane often so we really had no idea where to eat. We did a Google search and this "Gem of a place" popped up. Because this was a spur of the moment stop we did not make a reservation so grateful they were able to fit us in. I highly recommend reservations are made as it seems like the local population is well aware of how fantastic the food is. Due to the fact we were traveling we did not want to eat anything to heavy so we went decided to share some appetizers. We ordered the Garlic Balloon, Brie Spring Rolls and the Chicken 65. Delicious, scrumptious and unlike anything we have ever had the Garlic Balloon was the highlight of our choices. The Mozzarella Ball was filled with fluffy mozza garlic goodness. This was placed on a pool of Basil Oil and marinated tomatoes with crusty bread on the side. The Brie Spring Rolls were crisp light and so creamy. The Apple Slaw served along side was light and fresh. It was the right pairing. The Chicken 65 was just the perfect bite to accompany our other choices. It was light, just the right amount of heat from the Sichuan sauce.

It is not only the food the makes a dining experience great it is also the staff. As soon as we walked in we were greeted with a smile from the Hostess. She sat us right way. Our server, Stavin, was excellent. He answered any questions we had. He was attentive and very personable young gentleman. We also had either the Owner or Restaurant manager stop by our table a couple times to see how we were making out. This was greatly appreciated as it allowed us to share our thoughts and asks questions about our meal. He answered everything. We are already planning our...