Mysterious Foodie

The Place:

Quattro
4319 Main Street (in the Pinnacle Hotel)
Whistler, British Columbia
604 905 4844
A cloth napkin establishment

Blurb:

Honestly, I was trying to get a reservation at Trattoria but they were booked so I decided to try Quattro because it was close and they could seat us immediately. It didn’t take me long to find out why they could seat us immediately. When you walk into a nice Italian restaurant on a Monday evening in Whistler and there are only three occupied tables out of, say, 25, just turn around and walk out. But seeing as I was hungry and with two guests I went against my instinct and sat down.

There’s a reason the Trattoria was booked, it is because it is delicious. I was hoping to get in there and give you a detailed list of my recommendations but alas, I am stuck at Quattro advising you never to dine here. But it wasn’t all bad, ok, I’m being honest, the service was good, but I don’t pay $150 for good service, I pay for good food.

My Recommendations:

Caesar salad is really good, but then, it’s hard to screw up a Caesar salad, right?*

*Actually, it is possible to screw up a Caesar salad, see my post on Kiantis.

We got the Pasta Sampler, which is $25 per person, minimum of two diners required. The Sampler includes five different pasta, we all thought this was a great idea because then we get a taste of everything but I must say I was very disappointed with the portions. I expected five platters with a pile of pasta, instead, we are given one platter with five little lumps of pasta. For two full size men and one starving woman this was not enough and I was bummed. Aside from that it goes against tradition, Italian food comes in buckets, not lumps, and you should walk away from an Italian meal wishing for a wheelchair, am I right? Ok, I’m done ranting about the portions, how did these pastas taste? Bleh. I could’ve made everyone one of these in my own kitchen and I am no great cook. They all tasted out of the box. Ya know, good but not great.

We didn’t get desert, I’m put off by this place. I really wanted to say something to our server about the portions but my guests asked me not to. Chickens, afraid of a little confrontation.

Service:

It took about 12 minutes after sitting for someone to come by and take our drink order, which is way too long for a nearly empty restaurant. And about 16 minutes after sitting we finally saw some bread, again, way too long for a hungry femail to sit in an Italian restaurant without some food in front of her.
Our server was this place’s saving grace. He was responsive to my taunting right away. When I asked for no anchovies on my Caesar salad he mumbled to himself and pretended to write, “extra anchovies for the lady.” I told him he was fired and he laughed and said, “Yes! I hate my job!”

All in good fun. He was attentive and nice, although there were a few times when my friend’s gin and tonic sat empty, could’ve been a bit quicker on the drinks.

Tab:

Three guests and cocktails $150 CAN

Ambiance:

Beautiful room with moody lighting and great art. Don’t touch the glass around the fireplace, it’s freaking hot!

What To Wear:

If you’re going to wear jeans, dress it up a bit with a nice shirt and shoes. Otherwise I’d recommend slacks.

Who’s There:

Hoity, toities in their fifties.

Wait For Table:

Zero, but call ahead for a reservation, there may be a wait on a Friday or Saturday night but I doubt it. Cruel, aren’t I?

Rating:

Service – 3 Napkins
Food – 2 Napkins

The Place:

Gone Village Eatery
4205 Village Sq
Whistler, British Columbia
604 938 1957
A paper napkin establishment

Blurb:

Looking for a quick, no hassle, and tasty morsel? Go to Gone. Breakfast, sandwiches, soup, it’s all fast and fabulous. And it feels like someone’s hippy living room. The comfy padded benches and pillows are very welcoming and cozy on a Sunday morning. And it’s connected to a bookstore, which is nice to wander around in after your meal. Enjoy!

My Recommendations:

Turkey and Swiss on honey oat with minestrone or chili. The bread is fresh as it gets. Oh and don’t forget to try a muffin because in addition to being the size of a child’s head, they are pretty darn good, you can’t go wrong with blueberry.

Service:

Nice service but the girls put off a bit of a sense of being rushed. I wouldn’t go so far as to call them soup Nazis but they are soup Canadians who get you in and out of the line with efficiency. Once you’ve ordered take a seat and chill, it’s your time.

Tab:

$15 CAN per person, no alcohol

Ambiance:

Lounge music beating away softly in the background, bright and sunny from big windows. A few tables and chairs for outdoor seating as well.

What To Wear:

Wear a chicken suit if you want to, it really doesn’t matter

Who’s There:

All locals, try to blend as best you can foreigner!

Wait For Table:

On a Sunday afternoon it took about 10 minutes in line to get food, sit down and chow down

Rating:

Service – 3 Napkins
Food – 4 Napkins

The Place:

Mongolie Grill
201-4295 Blackcomb Way
Whistler, British Columbia
604 938 9416
A cloth napkin establishment

Blurb:

Holy Noodle! All I can say is take it easy, this place charges $3.50 per gram and when you are faced with every veggie known to man, six types of meat, four types of seafood and the most delicious sauces to smother it all with it is very easy to get way out of control. All three times I’ve been here my basic instinct is to fill the bowl to the top but this literally ends up costing more than $60 and there’s no way in hell you can finish it in one sitting, and if you’re traveling, reheating doggy bags is not always an option. Take it easy and aim for half a bowl. Rice and your choice of miso or hot and sour soup are included in the cost of your meal.

My Recommendations:

Pick your favorite meats and veggies, don’t throw in a little of everything just because you can. It’ll pile up before you can say “bean sprouts.”

Service:

Once we were seated we gave the server our drink and soup orders and then ran to the counter to build our own bowls of noodly-veggie-meaty-saucy heaven. After you’ve prepared your concoction, hand it over to one of the many talented stir-fry guys and they throw it on the medieval-looking searing surface for about ten minutes. The time moves quickly while watching these tricksters throw spatulas and vegetables into the air, be nice and set a few bucks on the windowsill when they hand you your personalized, perfectly cooked stir-fry.

Tab:

Three guests (absolutely stuffed) and cocktails $120 CAN

Ambiance:

Dark and industrial, very vague music in the background

What To Wear:

Anything goes

Who’s There:

Hungry people. It’s a young crowd, only a few over middle-aged couples.

Wait For Table:

35 minutes, Saturday 7PM
You have to go there in person to put your name on the waiting list.

Rating:

Food – 4 Napkins
Service – 4 Napkins

The Place:

Earls Whistler Restaurant
220/221-4295 Blackcomb Way
Whistler, British Columbia
604 935 3222
A cloth napkin establishment

Blurb:

Located in the Upper Village, Earls is centrally located and easy to find. Conveniently, there’s a Guess right downstairs so I can shop while I wait for my table.

My Recommendations:

Start with the calamari, it is so fresh and seared quickly with very little breading so you get a lot squid and not a lot of filler. The taste is so big you hardly need the “Earl’s own tzatziki sauce” that comes with it, I don’t even want know what Earl puts in that sauce, but yum. Even if you’re not a fan of onions the finely chopped sweet red onions sprinkled on top really bring out the flavor.

Santa Fe Chicken Salad, go light on the peanut lime vinaigrette dressing if you want to save some calories. It’s flavorful enough, you don’t need a full dose. This mixed lettuce salad is topped with Cajun chicken, avocado, feta cheese, sweet dates, corn, black beans, and crispy tortillas. It is refreshing and savory and a guilt-free dish. I had this salad split with my friend and it was plenty for both of us.

Jeera Chicken Curry with Jasmine Rice, oooooh, spicy-yumminess in a bowl. In an attempt to weed out the weak at heart our server warned, “This dish is very authentic.” She was right, I’ve been to India and this is a traditional curry, but I dare say a bit better than anything I had in India. Spicy, but not overwhelming, even my white bread family could handle it and probably love it. It is served with steamed jasmine rice and warm naan. The portion is plenty big to fill up my manly man sized friend.

Blackberry Mojito is amazing. Get it “Earl Sized”, which is a double for only 50% more cost.

Service:

Fast and Friendly, but let’s be clear people, we are in Canada! I have never met nicer people in my life, especially the wait staff. Considering it’s a Friday night and every table is booked the wait was definitely bearable. The calamari was out within 10 minutes of ordering, the rest, about 25.

Tab:

Three guests with cocktails $100 CAN

Ambiance:

Dark walls, dark furniture, glossy tables and chairs. The techno beats in the background can feel a little rave-ish at times but it is not overwhelming, it becomes a nice droning heartbeat after a couple cocktails. Three large flat screens broadcasting hi def sports face the dining room so sports enthusiasts will be pleased. Amazing chandeliers too.

What To Wear:

Upon entering you’ll see staggering model types ready for the after dinner party and snowboarder chicks in jeans and beanies, go with whatever you want and it’ll be fine. I felt good in my jeans, converse, and grey long-sleeve blouse.

Who’s There:

Aside from the model types and their beaus there are also families. I see a few moms and dads dragging angry teenagers around and people like us, snow bums looking for a great room and great food.

Wait For Table:

30 minutes, Friday 7PM
You have to go there in person to put your name on the waiting list.

Rating:

Food – 4 Napkins
Service – 5 Napkins

The Place:

Howe Sound Brewery
Squamish, British Columbia
800 919 ALES
A paper napkin establishment

Blurb:

Off the beaten path?  Uh, yeah.  If you’ve ever driven up the majestic Sea-to-Sky highway from Vancouver to Whistler and you haven’t stopped in Squamish, well, you have been missing out my friends.  About 4 minutes off the highway you will find the Howe Sound Brewery, a gem.

My Recommendations:

Yippie-i-yay Crispy Chicken Sandwich – breaded, juicy chicken breast topped with cheese, barbeque sauce, lettuce, tomato and onion.  I think the first words out of my mouth were, “Oh, wow,” or something to that effect.  Even my hamburger-loving friend who was with me admitted it was tastier than its equally deserving cousin.  It’s spicy and sweet and has a goes-down-easy style about it that makes you wonder where did it go?

To accompany your sandwich don’t pass up the Yam Fries served with chipotle dipping sauce.  Even if you don’t like your mother’s candied yams at Thanksgiving dinner I guarantee you will love these little guys.

You think I’ve forgotten the most important part, right?  This place is a brewery!  How fortunate for you beer lovers.  Howe Sound has some great micro brews, my favorite being the Garibaldi Honey Pale Ale.  It’s almost as good as the Granville Island Honey Lager (sorry!).  It’s light, fresh, and a little sweet, excellent with the chicken sandwich.

Service:

Fast and friendly just the way it should be, about 17 minutes from time of ordering to eating.

Tab:

$70 CAN for three guests and 2 pitchers of beer

Ambiance:

Looks like the inside of an old barn with 30-foot ceilings and old road signs on the walls.  Warm wood tones, lots of big windows letting in sunshine, patio seating available, long bar to perch at, elbow-worn tables.  There are a few couches and a pool table too.

What To Wear:

Anything goes here but I would feel awkward all gussied up in heals and what not, for daytime keep it low key or you’ll look out of place.

Who’s There:

Townsfolk, climbers, a few outdoor enthusiasts

Wait For Table:

Zero, Friday at noon

Rating:

Food – 5 Napkins
Service – 5 Napkins