Local Foods and Unique Lodging at Klondike Kate's in Dawson City, Yukon

Klondike Kate's success proves that obtaining fresh ingredients in the Yukon is not only possible, but feasible to create a unique menu that honors local traditions while blending global influences. The same concern for the environment is evident in the log cabins that are available for guest rental.

My early experiences with food in the North (Alaska and the Yukon Territory) were disappointing. Overpriced and uninspired, the bounty of the area was mired down in tired cooking methods, lackluster preparation and unimaginative combinations of ingredients.

In recent years the food scene has improved greatly as exemplified by Klondike Kate's, a golden nugget in Dawson City, the area that kicked off the Klondike Gold Rush in 1896. The restaurant is located in a historic 1904 building, with log cabins adjacent to the restaurant. Dawson City is located in the far north at latitude 64 (64° 03' 45" N) in the Yukon Territory (Canada). Klondike Kate's is the antithesis of the anonymous dining and lodging of the past, and is the perfect outpost for the independent traveler passing through Dawson City on Northern adventures.

Josee Savard and her husband, Philippe Lamarche, have carved a culinary wonder from the wilds of the North. Back in 1985 Larmarche visited Dawson City and saw his future in a run down, boarded up building. He and Savard opened for business in 1989 after renovating the building from the foundation to the roof, and have continued to make innovative improvements to the property.

Dining

The menu is eclectic, featuring locally sourced products as much as possible, blending ethnic and international flavors to tickle the palate of patrons. Lamarche, who runs the kitchen, and Savard, who handles the cabin rentals, are committed to using local products as much as possible. This "slow-food" approach puts Klondike Kate's in good company, consistent with the tenets of sourcing local products, supporting regional food traditions and enhancing interest in food. Klondike Kate's was honored this year with an invitation to take part in Canada's Food Day, a celebration of Canada's culinary heritage, an invitation-only event where restaurants across Canada showcase use of local ingredients.

Lamarche and Savard serve beer from the Yukon Brewing Company, wine from British Columbia vintners, vodka distilled in Dawson, berries and produce from farmers down the river. Fresh herbs and edible flowers come from Savard's garden. Lamarche loves to roam the nearby forests to harvest mushrooms, spruce tips, berries and wild herbs.

The menu at Klondike Kate's features hearty Cowboy Platters with caribou and bison smokies, warm beans, tangy cole slaw and fine-grained corn bread. Fresh, wild Yukon king salmon is served with a Yukon birch syrup glaze, a unique syrup produced from paper birch sap, the rich spicy-sweet liquid reminiscent of honey. International touches include spanikopita, Thai or Bayou prawns, Mexican mole chicken wings and muhammara, a Middle-Eastern dip.

Lamarche and Savard's concern for the environment extends beyond the food they serve. They recycle diligently and compost food scraps and disposable cutlery.

The atmosphere is casual and in the warm weather of summer the outdoor patio is popular with patrons. Entrees run from $22-29, starters $12-13.

Cabins

Savard runs the lodging end of the operation, with a cluster of 15 cabins arranged around two sides of the restaurant. The cabins are cheerful and cozy with baskets of flowers hanging on the porch and the log cabin construction giving the rustic appeal many are seeking on their Northern adventure. However, inside the cabins are all about modern conveniences and comfort, with memory-foam mattresses, bathtub, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and TV.

Savard is proud of the many "green" changes they have made over the years, including replacing the window blinds with bamboo, installing soap and shampoo dispensers, providing ceramic cups, using 100% cotton linens, bamboo pillows, utilizing energy efficient lighting and more. The soaps and shampoos are Yukon-made using organic ingredients. The cleaning products and laundry detergents have been replaced with eco-friendly products.

There is a handicap accessible suite and the property is pet-friendly.

Room rates are a reasonable $100-$160 depending on the type of room and number of guests per room.

Klondike Kate's takes advantage of the best of the North to provide comfort and healthy nourishment to the adventurous traveler.

Information:

Klondike Kate's Cabins and Restaurant

Open seasonally from April to September

3rd Avenue & King Street
Box 417
Dawson City, YT, Y0B 1G0

Phone (867) 993-6527
Fax (867) 993-6044
www.klondikekates.ca

Getting there:

Travelers to Dawson City arrive in a multitude of ways, including, but not limited to:

RV or other vehicle: Road-trippers often take a long detour from the Alaska-Canada (ALCAN) Highway by traveling on the Klondike Highway north from Whitehorse (333 miles). By continuing on the unpaved Top of the World Highway motorists can connect back to the ALCAN Highway at Tok, AK. The truly adventurous continue from Dawson City on the unpaved Dempster Highway 457 miles to Inuvik, Northwest Territories, crossing the Arctic Circle as the road follows an old dog-sled trail.

Canoe: A popular activity is to take a multi-day canoe trip from Whitehorse (12-15 days) or Carmacks (6-8 days) to Dawson City, following the path of the Klondike Gold Rush on the Yukon River. Canoe rentals are available from Up North and Kanoe People in Whitehorse.

Tours: A number of package tours, including Holland America/Carnival, include Dawson on Alaska/Yukon itineraries that often feature Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks, Dawson City, Whitehorse and Skagway, some connecting to Inside Passage cruises.

Air: Air North provides regularly scheduled air service from Vancouver, BC through Whitehorse, YT, and Fairbanks, AK)