Whistler Dining
 Whistler Dining, Randy Lincks photo
Gordon Ramsay and Hell's Kitchen in WhistlerHow internationally acclaimed is Whistler? How about earning the attention of Michelin-starred celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay?
Hot on the heels of The Bachelorette series, Whistler and British Columbia will be featured again in another huge reality show hit - FOX's Hell's Kitchen, starring Chef Gordon Ramsay.  16 aspiring chefs will be heating things up in the kitchen and will be put through some serious culinary challenges by Ramsay. The grand prize? A Head Chef position at Araxi restaurant in Whistler, joining Executive Chef James Walt in welcoming the world during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
The diversity of Whistler's dining options is most impressive:
- Many of Whistler's extraordinarily talented chefs take advantage of their proximity to the Pemberton Valley farming community to create regionally inspired West Coast cuisine
- Whistler's après-ski scene was named the best in North America by Skiing Magazine in 2008
- Choose between myriad local favourites or opt for elegant fine dining
- There is no better place to enjoy fabulous food while admiring a stunning view
Whistler Dining Tours and EventsCan't decide? Whistler Tasting Tours offer a range of culinary adventure tours that allow guests to experience as many as five of Whistler's best restaurants in a single evening or afternoon.
Visit in June to take part in the Dine in Whistler event. For a limited time enjoy three-course meals at some of Whistler's finest restaurants for a low, fixed price. Or come in November to experience Cornucopia, Whistler's not-to-be-missed celebration of gourmet food and fine wine.
West Coast CuisineWhistler's restaurants cater to all discerning palates. UK Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay recently declared Araxi to be the top restaurant in Canada. Executive Chef James Walt is widely regarded as one of the country's best.
Bearfoot Bistro is home to Executive Chef Melissa Craig, 2008 winner of the Gold Metal Plates' Canadian Culinary Championships. The Bearfoot also boasts the unique opportunity of sabering a bottle champagne with the restaurant's proprietor, who also happens to be the Guinness World Record holder for champagne sabering!
At The Mountain Club, all seafood items on the menu are approved by the Vancouver Aquarium's Ocean Wise program as being eco-friendly, sustainable choices. And the menu at Fifty Two 80 Bistro at the Four Seasons Resort emphasizes seasonal, local ingredients.
All are located within Whistler Village.
Whistler Après-SkiWhistler's après scene is thriving. At the top of the list is the Garibaldi Lift Co. (or GLC), named by UK-based Hardy's Skiing and Snowboarding Guide as the best après-ski venue on the continent for 2009. Check out their renowned live music shows.
Dusty's Bar & BBQ, established in 1965, is the one that started it all and is home to Whistler's sunniest patio. Indulge in a little craziness at Merlins, where the staff encourage bar-top dancing, or join the party at Longhorn Saloon & Grill, hosting the Whistler après crowd for over 25 years.
Local FavouritesEnjoy fabulous people watching from the patio at Citta' Bistro, a favourite local hangout in the heart of Whistler Village. Another local institution, Sushi Village, has been described by the New York Times as having “some of the best Japanese artistry east of Tokyo.” Try their famous sake margaritas and check out their "Wall of Fame" - a huge wall with drawings and autographs from all the famous people who've dined here!
Elements Urban Tapas Parlour is as well-known for its incredible breakfasts as it is for its creative tapas menu. Zagat-rated Splitz Grill offers nearly a dozen different gourmet burger options. Splitz has become so popular, it has opened up a second location in Vancouver.
Fine DiningThe Rimrock Café is consistently rated as one of Whistler's top restaurants. Best known for its fresh seafood and tenderly prepared game meats. Il Caminetto has graced the Whistler dining scene with its fine Tuscan cuisine for almost 30 years. Owner Umberto Menghi is one of Vancouver's original celebrity chefs.
The menu at La Rua Restaurante offers many Ocean Wise seafood options, while the elegant Quattro at Whistler tempts the palate with its mouth-watering Italian dishes.
Dining with a ViewWant to have the best of both worlds? Jordan's Crossing at Nita Lake Lodge (a few minutes' drive from Whistler Village) offers a refined dining experience highlighted by gorgeous views out over the lake.
Spectacular Edgewater Lodge sits on a peninsula jutting out into Green Lake, just north of Whistler Village. Floor to ceiling windows in the much-lauded restaurant allow diners to fully appreciate the incredible water and mountain scenery.
On Blackcomb Mountain try the famous all-day waffles at Crystal Hut, a cozy log cabin perched on the mountainside. Steep's Grill in the Roundhouse Lodge at the top of Whistler Mountain offers breathtaking views of the Whistler Valley coupled with a West-Coast-inspired menu. All this at an elevation of over 1800 m (6000 ft)!
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