What We Love Now

Story by Nikki Bayley | Images by Joern Rohde

Something exciting is happening in Creekside. Opening July 1, Mekong will be an authentic Thai restaurant with a menu from award-winning chef Angus An, whose Vancouver restaurants include the Michelin Guide-recommended Maenam.

Experience what we love this winter with some local Whistler favourites. Ski-down or take the short drive to visit Creekside Village and indulge in a treat of locally made gelato or sorbet, pick-and-mix candy, healthful smoothies, warming oatmeal bowls and Italian coffees at Confetti Gelato; fulfill your passion for patties at Splitz Grill on Main Street — the local’s favourite casual place with serious burgers, with fresh patties made daily and more than 40 homemade toppings; try some locally made gin or vodka from Whistler’s first local distillery Montis Distilling in Function Junction.

Whistler’s restaurants have you covered for tasty food & drink. Dine on Spanish tapas and more at the recently re-opened Bar Oso; visit the new Alpha Café for signature sandwiches, freshly baked treats, and velvety coffee.

Bar Oso — A Taste of Spain

For fans of Bar Oso’s pitch-perfect take on Spanish cuisine, the 18-month closure — first through the pandemic, then an extensive refurbishment and expansion — felt awfully long. Chef Jorge Muñoz-Santos agrees, “The tiles [are] from Portugal and the stools from Italy… everything took a while!” But looking around the newly expanded space with its stunning, amber-lit room, mesmerizing onyx bar and covetable tile work, it feels like it was all worth it.

On the menu, you can expect the same tasty tapas, house-made terrines, and silky pâtés, as before. “We didn’t change much; we know what works,” Muñoz-Santos says with a laugh. “I love being behind the counter and talking to the guests again, seeing what they’re in the mood for, maybe fresh charcuterie from Italy and Spain or assorted Spanish cheeses!” One addition (aside from the welcome increase in capacity) is a deep fryer, and the crisp patatas bravas generously striped with punchy aioli and salsa brava look set to be an après favourite.

For the sweet-toothed, there’s also a new milk-and-cookies-inspired dessert. “I used to go to Araxi and ask them for milk and cookies,” confesses Muñoz-Santos. “So, I wanted to make something like that for the new menu. It’s a jumbo chocolate chip cookie with smoked salt and ice-cold vanilla milk. It’s simple but fantastic!” And over at the bar, don’t worry: The ever-popular Oso Sour with its to-die-for candied bacon garnish is still on the menu too (“we couldn’t take it off!”) along with Oso’s signature gin-tonics, creative cocktails and sangria — not so simple, but definitely absolutely fantastic!

baroso.ca | 604-962-4540

Alpha Café — New Eatery on the Block

ver deliciously chewy dried apricot, coconut, amaretti treats and velvety coffee, the newly opened Alpha Café’s executive chef, Nicole Drake, raves about her role,“What an opportunity! To open something up in Whistler, I just didn’t think it was possible, but now it’s here!” The Alpha Café is the new addition to the acclaimed Alta Bistro family, which Chef Drake has been part of since arriving in Whistler from Australia seven years ago. “To be around creative culinary and business mentorship for so long has been a perfect combo,” she says. “I’m so lucky to have that.”

And Whistler is lucky to have this new breakfast, brunch and lunch spot already attracting a loyal crowd of regulars for their freshly baked, flaky, savoury pastries, creative sweet croissants, signature Jerry Bun with Drake’s house-made bacon and more. “I’ve always been behind the scenes and been a little scared of talking to the customers,” Drake shares. “But being front and centre, I’ve found this little bit of confidence I didn’t know I had before. I love meeting people and seeing them enjoy our bakes; that instant feedback is amazing, and I’m already feeling so much more part of the community.”

Even if you’re just in town for a few days, you can join the Alpha Café community with their loyalty card, which offers a free coffee after you buy 10. And don’t forget to snap a #JerryBunOfTheDay selfie! Located in the Pinnacle Hotel and open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Plus, every Monday and Friday evening this season, an authentic French raclette dinner by French’eese Whistler at Alpha Café, will be available from 6 to 9 p.m. Follow them on Instagram @alphacafewhistler and @frencheesewhistler for updates.

alphacafewhistler.com | 604-962-3300