Sitting on a patio in Brighton, awaiting my Spanish tapas smorgasbord, I have to wonder what dishes call out to our Irish, British and Scottish friends while in Whistler. In all honesty over my years of visiting the UK I have come to regard the culinary offering overall as second to few for quality, diversity, and service but I rarely eat “British.”

I could name…or at least point out the area….of my favorite Thai, Italian, Vietnamese and Vegetarian spots all across England and Scotland, but am limited in my pub-fare selections. Ironically, each time I am taken for true British lunch with a friend or colleague here I am amazed with the fresh flavours and priority in utilizing local seasonal produce.

Previous assumptions of greasy Cornish pastries and lack luster bangers and mash with a side of mushy peas are sidelined for fresh savory curry, and a beetroot and courgette salad. This has me considering our Whistler renditions of the British plate and questioning how close to the mark we are. If the busy buzz of Dubh Linn Gate is any indication we aren’t doing too badly – although this is an “Irish” establishment.

The mounding roasted vegetable and goat cheese salad shows like a rainbow of the market’s best. The traditional shepard’s pie, onion soup, Irish stew, and curry highlight the varying influences seen throughout English pub menus. And of course Canadian interpretation of this region’s cuisine would not be complete without the Guiness-affect. Fancy it in your crab bisque or burger do you? Those that danced all night like London’s finest can be rewarded with a hearty breakfast of eggs Benedict or a scramble, sure to cure any indulgences taken the night previous. And just as crucial to the experience is, of course, the taps standing tall at the bar reining from BC, Ireland and beyond.