Dining in Whistler #1 – November 2011

Hy’s, mix at Ric’s and 21 Steps
After three days in Whistler we have visited Hy’s, the mix at Ric’s and 21 Steps. While we love the food options in Whistler but even we cannot eat out two meals a day so we have been heading out for one and staying in and cooking for the other. Luckily we are right across the street from the Whistler MarketPlace IGA so the cooking is actually more like heating.

We love Hy’s, both the one in Whistler and the one in Vancouver. We were somewhat regulars at Hy’s Whistler when we lived here and got to know most of the wait staff who were all avid golfers. The Managing Director, Richard, is well known in Whistler and food circles beyond and has always made sure our Hy’s experience was top notch. The setting is dark and cozy like a good steakhouse should be. We dined at Hy’s on the Saturday night of Cornucopia and it was packed, but still the food and service were impeccable. Hy’s cheese toast would be on my list of ‘last meals’ if I had to make one. The Caesar salad is made slightly different by each waiter table-side but it always good. With garlic, anchovy and capers how can you go wrong? Jeff always has ‘the only’ steak and I usually have the fish special which this time was Halibut with a King Crab topping. The topping was a bit too salty which is the only downside I can say about the whole experience. A bottle of Dirty Laundry Pinot Noir topped it off perfectly.

The next day, in-between Cornucopia wine seminars, we had brunch at the mix at Ric’s. Ric’s Grill and it’s lounge ‘the mix’ are located in the Crystal Lodge Hotel in the heart of Whistler Village. Ric’s is off the main lobby of the hotel and is open for dinner only while the mix is located on the second floor, on the village stroll and open from 8am to 1am daily. We have always enjoyed the breakfast menu that is served until noon (but they will usually extend it). The prices are “Whistler-like” for breakfast ranging from $10 – $14 but the food is good and the portions large. The standard breakfast and the Huevos Rancheros are our usual choices. The service is off and on, and this day was no exception.

Tuesday night we took in the movie Tower Heist – average movie but some very funny scenes – then headed to 21 Steps for dinner. We had only ever eaten on the third floor which is called the Attic but never on the second floor which is 21 steps. They share the same kitchen and menu but the Attic is more of a lounge. The menu is substantial and divided into small plates, large plates and dessert. There is currently a 3 course – $35 special but we decided that would be too much food for either of us. We shared the Sambal & Masala Seared Scallops which were cooked well and quite good. The bread basket was typical but the garlic herbed butter was terrific. For a main Jeff ordered the Baby Back Ribs and I the BC Bowl. The rack of ribs was definitely a full rack and provided lunch leftovers. It was served with mashed potatoes. They were slightly dry but had the skin on which gave them more flavour. The BC Bowl was smoked salmon served on penne with peas and a light cream dill sauce. The pasta and sauce were great but the salmon was a bit overdone and slightly chewy. The food presentation was a bit lacking. A bottle of See Ya Later Ranch Pinot Noir magically made its way to the table. It was not very busy and the service was great. The food was good but not great.

 

View the Dining in Whistler #2 blog here!