Vancouver, Whistler & Vancouver Island - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 782

Mexican Corner MEXICAN$$$
( www.themexicancorner.ca ; 4340 Lorimer Rd; mains $14-22; 11am-9:30pm) Bringing authent-
ic Mexican dishes to Whistler for the first time, this chatty little corner spot (an addition-
al larger location was being eyed during our visit) is the real deal for fans of perfect,
freshly made taco, enchilada and quesadilla dishes. Go for the four-taco pastor plate
(roast-pork tacos topped with a pineapple sliver), coupled with a pleasingly sour tamar-
ind margarita.

Crêpe Montagne FRENCH$$$
( www.crepemontagne.com ; 4368 Main St; mains $8-24; 8am-10:30pm) This small, authentic
and highly cozy creperie - hence the French accents percolating among the staff - offers
a bewildering array of sweet and savory buckwheat crepes with fillings including ham,
brie, asparagus, banana, strawberries and more (fondues are also available). Good break-
fast spot: go the waffle route and you'll be perfectly set up for an energetic day's skiing
or snowboarding.

Christine's Mountain Top Dining WEST COAST$$$
( 604-938-7437; Rendezvous Lodge, Blackcomb Mountain; mains $12-22) The best of the
handful of places to eat while you're enjoying a summertime summit stroll or winter ski
day on the slopes at Blackcomb Mountain. Try for a view-tastic patio table and tuck into
a seasonal seafood grill or a lovely applewood smoked cheddar grilled-cheese sandwich.
Reservations recommended.

Araxi Restaurant & Bar WEST COAST$$$ $$$

( 604-932-4540; www.araxi.com ; 4222 Village Sq; mains $24-41; 5-11pm daily, plus brunch
10am-2pm Sat & Sun) Whistler's best splurge restaurant, Araxi chefs up an inventive and
exquisite Pacific Northwest menu plus charming and courteous service. Try the BC
halibut and drain the 15,000-bottle wine selection, but save room for dessert: a regional
cheese plate or the amazing Okanagan apple cheesecake…or both.

Drinking & Nightlife

Merlin's Bar & Grill PUB
(4553 Blackcomb Way; 11am-1am) The best of Whistler's cavernous ski pubs, this Upper
Village local also looks the part: log-lined walls, ceiling-mounted lift cars, bra-draped
moose head and a large slope-facing patio. Menus (mounted on snowboard tips) cover
the pub-grub classics and, although the beer is mostly of the generic Kokanee-like vari-