We asked my old mate Joern for dinner recommendations in Whistler. His first answer was Araxi.
Normally not in my budget, but right now they are offering a set menu to celebrate their 30th anniversary. A five course meal for $30.00. Yes please.
Even on a Sunday night in the middle of dead season, Araxi was packed. At 7pm the next table wasn't available until 10pm. Unless we were okay sitting at the bar. Umm hello, we ain't fussy, we'll sit at the bar.
First course - a bowl of local corn and basil soup. I inhaled mine. Even Kath who doesn't do soup ate all hers.
Second course was a choice of BC Albacore Tuna Tataki or or Quebec Fois Gras Parfait or Roasted North Arm Farm Beet Salad. All three of us went for the Beet Salad. It had me at blue cheese. Not to mention spiced pecans. More please.
Third course was my least favourite. Hand Rolled Ricotta Gnocchi. I'm surprised I didn't like this dish. Ricotta, I like. Gnocchi, I like. Tomato sauce, I like. Parmiggiano-Reggiano, I like. But not tonight. Ah well 2 out of 3 ain't bad.
Moving on to course #4. We had a choice of Yarrow Farm Duck Breast, Beef Tenderloin Steak, Lois Lake Steelhead or Crisp Parmesan Polenta. I had the duck. Nom, nom, nom. God, it was good. I literally licked my plate clean. There was not a crumb left.
What would dinner be without dessert? Two choices, Valrhona Chocolate Fondant or Okanagan Poached Pears. Which one did I choose? The chocolate? Nah, wrong. Me, the chocoholic, I ordered the poached pears. Brandy poached pears, sour cream ice-cream, vanilla mascarpone cheesecake and almond streusel...Shazza and Kath assure me the chocolate was good, but so were the pears.
Finished the evening with a special hot chocolate. We were so very full. Nothing left to do other than roll home.
(excuse the bad no flash iPhone photos, it's all I got).