Where's the beef?

This is cow country—there are 5.5 million beef cattle in Alberta and only 3 million people—and the beef here is damn good. In fact, I went on a steady filet mignon-buffalo steak diet here. You can get good beef at many restaurants throughout the province, from the swanky city spots to small-town burger joints.

One of the best steakhouse in town is the Vintage Chophouse, where I had an unbelievably decadent five-course wine pairing. The meal included lamb Carpaccio, boar-bacon wrapped prawns, blue cheese and tomato salad, AAA Alberta tenderloin, and lobster mashed potatoes. Dessert was a good old fashioned root beer float with a bit of tequila to spice it up. Entrees range from $16 for the butternut squash ravioli to $60 for a 16-oz. filet mignon.

For a more affordable option and one with a lot of cowboy flare, try Buzzards where you can get a free-range buffalo or lamb burger for $12, a rib eye beef steak for $24, and, if you're really brave, prairie oysters (these are definitely not the kind that come in shell) for $9.

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