With so much surrounding natural splendour, dining out in Whistler is extra tasty

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      Everything seems to taste better when you’re surrounded by natural beauty. In Whistler, there’s deliciousness to be had amid the gorgeousness of the Coast Mountains.

      To increase outdoor-dining seating this summer in light of COVID-19 public-health requirements, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has introduced a streamlined process for temporary patio extensions. To stay up to date, check out Tourism Whistler's Doors Open Directory. (It includes the latest in dining options as well as activities, lodging, and more.)

      Food trucks are rolling lakeside at Lost Lake Park and Rainbow Park. Folie Crêpes (with sweet and savoury options), Lucia Gelato, Teriyaki Boys, the Turmeric Trailer (which is run by a U.K.-born chef who trained at Michelin-starred restaurants and who specializes in vegan and vegetarian cuisine), Carte Diem (“seize the souvlaki”), and Mountain Squeeze, with its cold-pressed juice, are among this year’s offerings. Locals’ tip: Lost Lake Road may be closed from late July to early August or later due to the annual western toad migration—a sight worth seeing in itself. Every year, thousands of the tiny toads make their way from the lakeshores to the nearby forest. Food trucks may or may not be operating there during those dates; check the schedule for updates at the RMOW website.

      Fairmont Chateau Whistler, meanwhile, is launching its new Woodlands Rooftop pop-up restaurant for weekend family-style barbecue service on July 1, complete with live music. The backdrop couldn’t be more beautiful, with the resort being situated at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, and the hotel’s executive chef, Isabel Chung, crafts creative seasonal dishes that are equally impressive. Watermelon salad with local tomatoes in lime dressing, warm baby-potato salad with grainy mustard–and-egg dressing, and zesty summer coleslaw with dried fruit get things started. On the grill are signature-spiced striploin, smoked pork ribs, rotisserie chicken, and summer veg (including pesto-basted zucchini, eggplant, portobello, and onion). The cost is $49 per person, with an optional $15 add-on including Lois Lake steelhead, white-prawn skewer, and scallop skewer. Sangria, slushies, sparkling wine, beer, coolers, and more are on the drinks list. Reservations are recommended, and more information is at www.chateau-whistler.com/.

      Cure Lounge and Patio at Nita Lake Lodge overlooks the hotel’s pretty namesake. A customer favourite on the menu is braised short-ribs linguine with sautéed mushrooms, pine nuts, Grana Padano, and café au lait sauce; so is the house-made vegan falafel wrap, which comes with cucumber salad, spiced hummus, marinated cabbage, and banana peppers. You’ll also find share plates like Rossdown chicken wings and poutine. Kick back with a gin-and-tonic flight, sip a Strawberry Rose Spritz, or try a special mocktail.

      If you’re looking for a livelier setting with prime people-watching, head on over to Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub in the Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside Hotel. Here—in the heart of the action near the Whistler and Blackcomb gondolas looking out to the village stroll—you can dine on classic dishes from the Emerald Isle like steak-and-Guinness pie or bangers and mash. There’s also jerk-chicken chili, pretzels and a crock of baked-ale cheese, vegetable pakoras, New Orleans shrimp po’ boy, and more. Live music and happy hour both happen seven days a week.

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