Quality and comfort at the Wolf’s Den

Former country singer Curt Thorne is the owner/manager of Wolf’s Den Rustic Mountain Restaurant

Wolf's Den Rustic Mountain Restaurant is a popular gathering place in Golden, B.C. — Photo courtesy Curt Thorne

Wolf’s Den Rustic Mountain Restaurant in Golden, B.C. is housed in a 43-year-old log building that was originally the Mad Trapper pub, a blue-collar hangout that everybody loved. Curt Thorne, the owner of Wolf's Den, was told that the first successful Canadian Mount Everest expedition was planned at the Mad Trapper about 35 years ago. The Mad Trapper became the Kicking Horse Grill, and after that business closed in 2012, Thorne bought the building.

“Owning my own restaurant and being my own creative boss was something I didn’t expect, and it makes me very happy,” Thorne said.

Wolf's Den was a winner in the 2014 Kootenay Business Best Places to Eat & Drink Awards, and we had a chance recently to ask Thorne a few questions.

How would you describe your restaurant’s style?

We call our style unrefined dining at its finest. It’s fine-dining-quality food served in a comfortable, laid-back atmosphere. Our chef, Dominic Chabot, has worked at five-star restaurants across Western Canada, and his talents have created an amazing gourmet burger menu. The burgers are works of art. We also have fine-dining dishes that may surprise you, given our casual atmosphere.

Dominic and I work well together. Because I have restaurant experience, we understand each other. My creativity is in knowing what my clientele likes and what kind of atmosphere I want to create, and I rely on Dominic’s food expertise and creativity quite a lot. We seem to be doing something right—it’s like Dominic comes up with the large piece of clay and we sculpt it together.

What’s the restaurant’s signature dish?

Dominic’s signature dish has to be our rock lobster burger—it’s unbelievable. Our elk rib-eye is one of our top sellers as well.

How do you keep yourself motivated and fresh?

I have two young kids of my own, and children seem to be in my mind a lot when I make decisions for my business. I have a background in country music, and I wanted to offer music opportunities to young people. We have live music and an open jam session on Sunday nights where we get high school students coming in and playing. It’s an opportunity they don’t often get, in a pub setting. I like being involved with kids. I volunteer as coach of two hockey teams and I’m president of both our junior team and our minor hockey.

What are your favourite places to eat, locally and away?

I like Eleven22 and the Whitetooth Mountain Bistro in Golden, for their good food and comfortable atmosphere. Recently I was in San Francisco, at a place called the Franciscan Crab Restaurant, right on Fisherman’s Wharf. It has amazing, perfect service with amazing seafood and steak dishes and great wines, and an atmosphere where I feel comfortable.