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There are those events that make you just feel lucky to be alive and livin’ in Whistler! In celebration of our hometown vino guru, Araxi pulled out the red carpet for Samantha Rahn who was just named Sommelier of the Year at the Vancouver International Wine Festival.

A virtual who’s who of Whistler swarmed the newly appointed Queen with toasts of fine champagne and delectable canapés in hand. Not only is it rare to see this award presented to someone outside of Vancouver’s hub of prestigious restaurants but it seemed all too ideal to cheers this power house of a lady on International Woman’s Day. The inside scoop is that this is the second time I have been honoured to see Samantha crowned as she took the title of Snow Queen back in her formative years in Banff. You have wonder what is next – the world!?

But in a tiny epicentre like Whistler, there is always another event waiting and this time was no different. I was off to the See Ya Later Ranch Winemaker’s dinner at La Bocca.

After quickly meeting the See Ya Later Ranch winemaker himself, Mason Spink, excitement to take our places at La Bocca’s Winemaker dinner was running high. Each course was exquisitely presented and service was friendly and informative. Great care was given to ensure the SYL Ranch’s nectar balanced the dish it escorted to the table. My favourite was the vegetarian spin Chef graciously gave his smoked beef carpaccio for me – a delicately sliced smoked beet topped with arugula. Its’ Pinot Noir partner hit it out of the ball park in my opinion though. As all good things come to an end, this high caliber Whistler evening wrapped up with a perfectly pleasurable pear galette and and sumptuous helping of La Bocca’s house-made honey thyme gelato-it left me craving summer ice cream dates which I may now have to pair with SYL Ranch’s Huney Late Harvest regularly.

Whistler serves up sweet experiences more regularly than most thanks to all the talented folks that make up our community’s virtual menu. A toast to that is well deserved!

There are few pieces of heaven on earth and even fewer serving extraordinary vino. Yet, tucked away looking over Okanagan Falls, you can find one such place. See Ya Later Ranch is picture perfect from its cascading view of emerald green vineyards to the lake lying below, a slice of heaven on earth but a good trek from Whistler.

Much closer to home is La Bocca’s Winemaker Dinner happening this Friday March 8^th and featuring See Ya Later Ranch’s delectable offering paired with a four course culinary exploration. Their buttery Chardonnay kicks things off with a cauliflower and Brie velouté. The second plate showcases smoked beef carpaccio with the vineyard’s elegant Pinot noir. The third course calls for a short interlude as its Elk Osso Bucco with Puy lentils and red blend ironically takes me back to the moment I fell in love with the Okanagan and its grapes.

My husband and I had gone to scavenge the area and its’ wine for our wedding site and paired libation. On a cold and rainy evening we tucked in to a bottle of See Ya Later Ranch’s Rover and envisioned our following day and how it would lead to the stunning vista of SYL Ranch. Naturally beautiful is the scene, which ironically could be the only description applicable for the final course of Friday’s Dinner. A pear galette with housemade honey thyme gelato and hunny harvest Riesling is guaranteed to whisk you in to the exquisite valley oasis south of Penticton, without demanding the travel expense. The $55 price tag attached to Friday is a steal as a quick escape care of See Ya Later Ranch and La Bocca.

For tickets and event details please follow this link.

My weekends oddly resemble my weekdays lately. I wake at the same horridly early hour to enjoy my oatmeal and venture in to my gym. I spend an hour of quality time with Breakfast Television from Monday to Friday and feel a small aspect of excitement for swapping it for the two handsome twins of Property Brothers on my weekend. Pathetic I know.

The other weekend victory is my time relaxing in a coffee shop before picking up groceries. Dressed in my swanky Lululemon attire I tuck away in a fav locale – note to self, in January short shorts do not blend in. After rave reviews and a product-test excursion to its original Pemberton digs, I felt it time to give Mt. Currie Coffee’s new address in Marketplace. The location is ideal for access in comparison to many of our other options, and it may just be their fresh perspective, but the baristas sure seem Pemberton -friendly. The same crowd seems to seek them out as well, with early morning sledders grabbing roast beef wraps for the road, and sweet treats for the mountain. Survival food that boasts not only fresh berries, but vegan, and gluten free ingredients takes on a new level of health. Their daily soup creation paired with a fresh panini seems like a great coercion for a return visit later in the day.

Now we all know space is something of a challenge to find in Whistler but I would say the use of every nook here is fun and modern. Oh, and the main attraction, the coffee, is regarded as the best in town by many who have sampled the new bean. As the artfully poured espresso scents the room you can’t help but feel cozy and comfy….even in too short shorts in January.

As I was reminded recently, it is apparently bad form to cook on your own birthday. That being said, people generally don’t complain, and we certainly didn’t, when celebrating Araxi’s 31st. Sure, some attempt an entire “birthday week”, but few could pull off an entire birthday season!

I guess when you do so with such flair the guests will just keep coming. In perfect balance we chose our party partners – a friend eager to move to Whistler, and long time Whistler-based family who had ironically worked at the very first of Araxi’s anniversaries.

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We often focus on all of the international cultures that congregate to make up the “Whistler nation.” Visitors are baffled when they encounter someone without an Aussie or Britsh accent, and almost need to be convinced that some people actually come from Canada.

That being said, we don’t seem to acknowledge the ever-growing domestic  transport from Eastern lands.  That’s right, our Quebecois and all the flavour they bring! As I venture through the intricately stunning old world charm of Montreal and the menus it presents, I have to pay tribute to the palates many have imported to our global village. And it’s no wonder with an obvious appreciation and passion  for cuisine  and the food experience.

So come along and  explore with me this sunny -  yet Quebec crisp –  Saturday afternoon.   Admittedly, as those who have travelled with me know, I research to no end when visiting a place which hot spots and hidden gems are awaiting the foodie Sherlock Holmes amongst us.

This is how I was able to straightline to Soupesoup on Rue Wellington as I had dragged my hubby here in a past visit. The beams of light in the warehouse space are warm and inviting just like the  staff. Read more

Like so many do at this time of year, a group of us were coming out of our hibernation and fear of colder, wetter temperatures to reconnect. Loved ones left behind, it was time to catch up, and this meant a celebration of anything remotely worth toasting to.

Of course, locals of Whistler have an amazing way of filling our schedules and so trying to agree to a dinner time is always daunting – there is an answer however and we found it at Mongolie Grill’s buffet of options. As everyone essentially eats independently as their dish is prepared, late comers are up to speed quickly.

Dietary preferences are also made simple, as choosing your own ingredients from the lengthy prep line can be as individual as you are. However, while the friendly and entertaining chefs do offer separate cooking utensils if you are a vegetarian, any allergies of nuts or gluten may want to be wary as the smorgasbord of gems knows no boundary line. The welcoming miso or sweet and sour soup is a great way to come together and leave the chilly exterior behind.

The servers earn their Pique Magazine “Best serving staff” stripes as they coached our team about the strategy of choosing, portion control and sauce suggestions. Still, my eyes and stomach got the better of me and I filled up my bowl with “starter” veggies and regretfully left little room for some of the big ticket items like portobello mushrooms, cashews and zucchini – there is skill required here and I don’t have it yet.

We marveled at the flipper wielding talents of the chefs as they sautéed our individual meals over the grill. Admittedly I also took note of some of the selections others had made like a carefully planned compilation of scallops, asparagus and mushrooms….obviously a master of the Mongolie was in our presence.

All the same, I was pleased with my Sea to Sky and Sesame sauce mixture and enjoyed the idea of leaving a restaurant with a full belly. It is easy to see why this is such a popular choice for hungry winter patrons after a hard day on the mountain, but if you can take advantage of the current 50 per cent off promotion it makes that satisfaction even greater! Load up!

We continuously refer to this time of year as being just a tad “off”. Sure, the PEAK 2 PEAK is closed, as are various restaurant favorites so as to keep costs under control and provide a bit of respite to the hard workers and owners who wield them.

That being said, I am starting to discover this down time has a lot to offer that the high adrenaline seasons do not. Take for example the celebration of Oktoberfest. Everyone seems to be getting in to it. There is the usual host, Bavaria Restaurant, but La Bocca has forged the summer patio enthusiasm with checkered table clothes, cheap beer steins, and some toe-tapping live alpine tunes.

If I am in need of a more relaxed atmosphere, the restaurants that are a little of my league when Whistler is turned on are eagerly welcoming and luring locals in with their promotional deals. Between Bearfoot Bistro’s five-course fall tasting menu for $36, Sushi Village’s dependable $19 menu, and 21 Steps’ “3 for $35″ go-to, I have a hard time edging in a night at home.

Admittedly, I missed out on Araxi’s now famous $30 anniversary celebration menu last year. As if they knew my frustration, the $31 menu celebrating their 31st year in business has given me no choice this autumn. But as I am not a born and bred BC’er, I am still having my eyes and palate opened to some of the other hidden gems of my favorite season. I am a die-hard lover of mushrooms no matter their shape, size or colour. Fungi is a delicacy often taken for granted and I am only now learning of the foraging opportunities abound close by.

Fairmont Chateau Whistler's shows off fall flavours at Waldorf's Annual Soup Competition

Admittedly Whistler, we have been spoiled this year. A fabulous snow season, followed by the longest and sunniest summer I have seen….ok, there was a little rain in-between but get over it. Now, it is as if someone hit the switch at Thanksgiving and sweaters made their debut.

Waldorf's Annual Soup Competition

Waldorf’s Annual Soup Competition, the Fall foliage, and toque-donned heads are not the only tell tale, but in many cases, the literal sign of the season is put out – CLOSED. Yes, while locals await the off period for the incredible dining deals like Nagomi’s All You Can Eat Sushi, or Rimrock’s $49 menu – with an additional 25% off in anniversary celebration – there are a few establishments choosing to close shop for their annual siesta in preparation for another busy winter ahead.

Tom of Kaze Sushi in the Westin joins Tara and friends for Shabu Shabu

But if you are a savvy Whistlerite, you can make the most of this Automn’s abundance all the same. Catch Tom at Kaze in the Westin before he takes a breather and you can indulge in the extravagant and unique Matsusaka Shabu-Shabu experience for 50% off!  The only of its kind in Canada, you will simmer the rich, finely sliced delicacy along with cabbage, shitake and enoki mushrooms, and tofu in a large fondue-like pot before dunking each piece in one of the accompanying sauces. Once all morsels have been eaten, drinking up the broth is an incredible way to end off the night, not to mention the stories and smiles offered almost for free in the intimate space.

If you are looking for a lively vibe regardless of the quiet stroll, there are a few spots that seem to keep it going. Fairmont Friday is still busting with tunes, $5 drinks and free appetizers, drawing out locals and visitors alike. Brewhouse, 21 Steps and Sushi Village also manage to maintain excitement with their fall menus and killer deals. And don’t forget, if you are new to town and handing out sage Wistler-wisdom this winter season to tourists, it is to your advantage to be in the know….and what better way than to do it on a smaller bill!

With such a diverse offering of restaurants in Whistler, it seems somehow daunting to choose one for an extra special occasion, but there are a select few that bear the “exquisite” factor.

Usually grouped by the fine dining category, these locations tend to signify a high price and low quantity of food, in all honesty, but are a once in a lifetime must. For our first anniversary, we decided that a “must” was just that. Past experiences at Fifty-Two 80 and their Backyard BBQ assured me the high praises sung for SideCut at the Four Seasons equated to the investment, even as a vegetarian. Read more

Fall emits various feelings and sensual tokens of comfort. Changing colours to gold and auburn tones, the smell of freshly baked pumpkin pie, high hopes for an epic snowfall and a calm breath before the storm – literally and figuratively for those awaiting Whistler’s global guests.

But it also brings the world to town in the form of celebration if you hit one of the Saturdays in October where Bavaria Restaurant raises a stein to tradition – Oktoberfest is here!

Longtime local and Owner, Angela has locked in her old country roots at the corner of Northlands Blvd and Main St. where friends new and old can share a brew looking out over the lagoon. The festivities will include live accordion music for entertainment, a staff in lederhosen attire, a special menu and even a biergarten to share some laughs and German ale.

Come prepared to stock up for winter as the Schnitzel is known to fall over the edges of your plate in true Bavarian hospitality. Just describing the pork roast cooked all day and dressed in beer sauce, crackling and escorted by homey dumplings, Angela has patrons salivating…. vegetarian or not! Yes, Oktoberfest is about a love of friends, food, lager and all of nature’s bounty so join the comraderie starting October 6th.