What We Love Now
Stories by Dee Raffo / Images By Joern Rohde
Whistler has you covered for tasty food & drink and unique gifts. Fuel-up with a delicious and nutritious smoothie at Hundo-P The Smoothie Bar; whatever the time of day, check out the menu at RMU Blackcomb, and while you are waiting for your coffee or wrap, browse their selection of high-quality craft skis; enjoy a Bow & Arrows third wave coffee and indulge in a slice of local bread, toasted and topped with your choice of sweet or savoury or savour a freshly made Liége waffle, and browse their selection of thoughtful retail items from ethical producers with aligned environmental values.
RMU Blackcomb
above. A relatively new addition to the foodie scene in Whistler’s Upper Village, RMU Blackcomb is a hip and welcoming joint that does a bit of everything. Owned and operated by self-professed ski bums, you’ll find high-quality, craft skis, craft cocktails and craft beers — need we say more?
One of only two cafès open early in the Upper Village, it’s the perfect place to grab a coffee and a breakfast wrap with a made-in-house hash patty. Or a chicken Caesar, prosciutto or veggie wrap to go for your adventure outdoors or on the mountain. Or you can turn that wrap into a bowl and savour it with a Caesar crafted with house-made clamato juice, as you people-watch from their spacious patio. And with the sunniest après locations in the Upper Village, you can refuel after a busy day with wedges, salads, flatbreads (gluten-free cauliflower crust available) and their deliciously different “I can’t believe they aren’t fries.”
Their craft cocktails are as meticulously made as their skis, and rumour has it that their Old Fashioned is the one to order on a chilly fall day with its high-end, Italian vermouth for a classy kick. The food is upscale pub fare with vegan and dairy-free options sourced locally. Look out for community events and live music nights; those ski bums know how to party (with appropriate spacing)!
604-938-1159 | rmuoutdoors.com/pages/rmu-whistler
Hundo-P The Smoothie Bar
There’s nothing like a Bohemian Rhapsody to start the day, especially when it’s packed with cold brew coffee, organic walnuts, coconut, chia and cacao nibs; banana, cinnamon and protein. In the fall and winter, when the chillier weather arrives and the snow starts to fall, we often tend to put healthy eating on the back burner, focusing more on getting the laps in over the spinach. However, Hundo-P makes it quick, easy, and, of course, yummy. Why not try their Tropical Green Ninja — a blend of pineapple, organic coconut and chia, orange juice, almond milk, protein… and spinach!
All smoothies are made fresh to order, with a whole whack of additional add-ons, including Canadian made FATSO high performance peanut butter, for personalization. This small but mighty smoothie bar is located in the Hearthstone Lodge, opposite Whistler Grocery Store in Village Square. Their smoothies are not only delicious but nutritious and filling, so you could consider them as a meal replacement, a healthy snack, or even a sweet treat (their Nutz & Bolts is a fan fave) — perfect for those carb-burning days adventuring outdoors and on the mountain. They also carry a range of supplements, so you can even restock your home health supplies as well. Magnifico-o-o-o-o!
Ecologyst Cafe
Thoughtful is the word that springs to mind when we think of the philosophy at Ecologyst, both in the retail and café components of their store, which sits opposite Whistler Olympic Plaza along the Village Stroll. You can tell a great deal of thought has gone into each decision, from where their coffee beans are sourced to what you might want to have as your sweet treat accompaniment. The focus is on ethical producers with aligned environmental values.
This season, the café will serve Liège waffles embedded with pearls of sugar, making them rich and intense, with a delightful crunch. They’re the perfect accompaniment to Bows & Arrows Coffee Roasters’ on-trend, third wave coffee offerings, which produce a lighter colour and fruitier hint than your favourite caffeine fix. They also serve toast, freshly made by local bakery 200 Degrees, generously topped with your choice of smashed avocado, hummus, East Van Jam options or Nutella with sea salt (or choose locally made Noizette — a vegan hazelnut chocolate spread). We dare you to try and resist the aroma of freshly made waffles when you visit!
604-962-7873 | ecologyst.com
Woodlands Rooftop
Fairmont Chateau Whistler launched a new pop-up restaurant this summer, using its stunning terrace space on the fourth floor. Because of its popularity, the Fairmont has extended the concept into the fall with a timely Oktoberfest-inspired twist.
Executive Chef Isabel Chung and her team will channel their inner Bavarian with this three-course, family-style BBQ menu, featuring soft pretzels, a selection of fresh salads, a trio of sausages and more from the grill, with braised red cabbage, sauerkraut, and sides. Those delights are followed by choice of traditional mouth-watering desserts, served every Friday and Saturday starting at 5 p.m., from Sept. 18 through Oct. 11.
With views of the mountains to admire and glowing Edison lights overhead, the covered and heated terrace is the perfect place to watch the sunset, especially when the live music starts to play and the steins of Paulaner Hefe-Weissbier and Hacker Pschorr Munich Gold Lager are flowing. The three-course menu is $49 per adult, $29 (plus taxes) for ages 6 to 12, and children 5 and under are free, offering a unique location for a memorable autumn meal. Reservations are highly recommended, as space is limited. Prost!