While the Olympics are in full swing in Beijing, folks in Whistler and Vancouver, British Columbia, are equally busy prepping for their 2010 Winter Games. Transportation routes are in construction, sports facilities are nearly complete, and even though its two years away, the Olympic vibe is everywhere.

However, another vibe I also noticed around both towns is the passion for good food and wine, especially locally-produced. A level of respect for organic, responsibly-produced wining and dining is something I’ve experiences in other world-class cities, but not with this much fervor and never at this level of seriousness.

Raincity Grill in Vancouver, situated in the city’s west end, with ocean views of English Bay, was the best example I saw of this belief in food as a social responsibility. Their 100 Mile Tasting Menu says it all: every ingredient of this multi-course meal had been sourced from within 100 miles. It’s a concept I have not seen before and regardless of where or how the food was grown, it was just plain delicious. It was a meal I won’t soon forget for its meaning, and its flavors. Some of their favorite local vendors are Organic Oceans for seafood, North Arm Farms for produce and Farm House cheeses.
www.raincitygrill.com

Up in Whistler, the RimRock Café, a favorite of locals and visitors, also does a great job with local foods, coining itself as “Whistler’s place for fish and game.” With dishes like Northern Caribou and Venison Tenderloin, it’s easy to see why. But one of the best things about dining in this cozy cabin-inspired dining room is all the delicious wine to go with your meal. The wine cellars are stocked with more than 320 labels, with many of these from Canadian wineries, most from British Columbia. The region makes excellent wine, so when in Rome, I would suggest trying some out. Ask the very knowledgeable servers for some Canadian pairings and they will be pleased with the task: and you will be pleased with the result. Personally, I was a fan of Cedar Creek Estate’s chardonnay reserve from the Okanagan Valley and Blue Mountain Vineyard’s pinot noir reserve, also from the Okanagan.
www.rimrockwhistler.com

Happy sipping!

-Hayley Gudat, Director of Estates West and Custom Publications

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