Story by Katherine Fawcett
The Mekong River is a deep part of Thailand’s history, culture, and way of life. One of the longest rivers in the world, it holds a magical allure that captivates hearts, nourishes lands, and connects communities as it meanders through Southeast Asia.
Take some of that magic and transport it to the funky Creekside Village in Whistler. Enlist an award-winning chef, source the best local products — and import the herbs, spices, and other ingredients unavailable here. Spend two years researching Thai cuisine, from street vendor specialties to fine dining. Design a space that will knock your socks off. And finally, you’ve got one of the most exciting new dining experiences to grace Whistler in years.
From the floor tiles (imported from Spain) to the custom-designed wallpaper (different in each of the three washrooms; yes, I checked) to the stunning chandeliers that look like tiny floating balloons in the vaulted ceiling above the bar (I stopped counting at 300 light bulbs), everything in Mekong is engineered to be breathtaking.
But the star of the show is the food. Guests are encouraged to eat “family style,” so our table of three shared multiple dishes, and I experienced an array of flavour profiles and textures that had me on the edge of my seat in rapture.
The superbly crunchy and sweet soft-shell crab papaya salad had a delicate kick of spice. The Tom Kha hot and sour coconut soup was sublime — an exquisite blend of tangy, spicy, and creamy elements that was a burst of pure joy in my mouth. This dish usually features Salt Spring Island mussels, but the kitchen kindly substituted delightfully chewy oyster mushrooms for me. We devoured Pad Bu Sen Chan, a Pad Thai crab dish with a delicious house-made tamarind chili sauce, Pad See Ew Beef with tender hangar steak, fresh tapioca rice sheet noodles, and Chinese broccoli, as well as Pla Goong, a cold starter with Argentinian prawns, crispy banana blossom, lychee, lemongrass, cilantro, served with a chili jam dressing. Oh, and there may have been just a few cocktails enjoyed throughout our meal; that’s a completely separate menu that will have you struggling with which one to try first. Enjoy cocktails and snacks on their 40-seat patio — the hottest new place in Whistler for aprés.
Mekong in Creekside is just a short drive from Whistler Village and well worth a visit this summer for a dining experience like no other in the Sea to Sky.
Follow @mekongwhistler on Instagram for updates. 88mekong.ca
