| Whistler, BC, is known for having the highest | | | | love Italian food, the Trattoria di Umberto, or The Trat |
| concentration of top-class restaurants in any ski resort | | | | as it is universally known, is the place to be. The food |
| in North America. If you planned a fortnight's visit you | | | | is good but the warmth of your welcome is better and |
| could eat extremely well at least 7 times and very well | | | | it is almost always party time in the evening. For a |
| indeed the rest of the time without ever patronizing the | | | | more subdued, formal-dining kind of Italian, go for |
| same restaurant twice. But which is the very best | | | | Quattro where linen tablecloths and a hushed |
| restaurant in Whistler? | | | | atmosphere accompany the excellent cuisine. The |
| As always, it depends on what you want. The priciest | | | | other Italians worth visiting are Il Caminetto di Umberto |
| restaurant in town is the Bear Foot Bistro, which also | | | | and La Rua. |
| sports one of the world's most extensive and | | | | If steak is what you are after, Hy's Steakhouse is |
| exclusive wine lists. Fancy sampling the legendary | | | | unquestionably the place to be. Prime grain-fed Alberta |
| Chateau Cheval Blanc 1947, or a vertical tasting of | | | | beef finds its ideal counterpart in the subtly flavoured |
| Chateau Le Pin (the miniscule vineyard which | | | | sauces conjured up by the Hy's kitchen. |
| commands a price premium over Pétrus in | | | | New in town, but by no means happy to acknowledge |
| some years)? The Bear Foot is the place to go. The | | | | the superiority of more established Whistler venues, is |
| food is extremely good, but it is not quite up to the | | | | Fifty Two Eighty (the name refers to the vertical mile |
| standards of the wine list, and it is also exceedingly | | | | of skiing available on Blackcomb Mountain) in the Four |
| pricey. | | | | Seasons Hotel. Praise has been rained on this |
| Long-time favourite of well-heeled locals is the Rim | | | | restaurant since it opened 2 years ago. |
| Rock Café, a little way out of the centre, | | | | Which is the best? Try them all and decide for |
| where seafood and game top the menu. The | | | | yourself. But if you are planning to come during the |
| ambience here is unmatched, with post and beam | | | | Olympics of 2010, book early: now would not be too |
| construction, a couple of log fires, discreet service and | | | | soon to secure a table at any of these establishments. |
| consistently excellent preparation. | | | | The top tables, like the top Olympic accommodation, |
| If you prefer a more raucous atmosphere and if you | | | | will be at a decided premium. |