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Alta Bistro
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 5:30 pm - 12 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
19 reviews for Alta Bistro
Review Highlights
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"...in there), then the goat cheese terrine (creamy smooth..." In 2 reviews -
"The wine list is great and the cocktails are yummy." In 3 reviews -
"...loved the goat cheese salad with smoked duck breast." In 1 review
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19 reviews in English
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Review from Marilyn T.
4/25/2012
According to the menu, in true bistro style, they do ever-changing pre-fixe menus, priced at $29 or $39 for 3 courses during peak season, $25 and $35 during the off-season, and they can be mixed and matched. They're very eco-friendly, from the to-go containers to the house-filtered water ($1 per person, sparkling or flat), and ingredients are local and seasonal.
We opted for the house made bread, which is $2.50 for a small basket, which is large enough for 4-6. The bread is sweet and fresh, and it comes with a unique white bean puree.
I started with the seasonal soup, which was a rutabaga and apple topped with crisp salsify chips. The soup was velvety and thick, very smooth, and slightly tart from the apple, which added a freshness to it. The spring salad was the other option on the $25 menu, which had wonderful textures with sunflower and fennel seeds, house made sheep milk feta, beets, and greens.
For my second course, I chose the buttermilk and goat cheese mousse, since I'm a big goat cheese fan. Though they chose classic accompaniments of beets, honey, and mache, their take on it was much more unique. The lavash was toasted thin, the beets were fresh, and the goat cheese mousse was light yet still tangy. The toasted nuts and honey vinaigrette complemented it perfectly, making for a very well rounded dish. The bresaola was the other 2nd course I tried, with both elk and beef braseaola, endive, and a celeriac with an apple aioli that was done well.
Of the entrees, the more unique one was actually a vegetarian friendly option, which was a soft cooked two-hour egg over a bed of white bean and parsnip cream, topped off with salt and vinegar salsify chips. This meal was very hearty and good enough to satisfy even non-vegetarians.
It appears that pork cheeks are the trendy ingredient lately, and they're done well here - very tender and flavorful. I must admit, the highlight was the black pepper spatzle underneath, with added texture from onions, creamy lightly lemon scented ricotta, and toasted garlic croutons.
There are a few dessert options, as well as a cheese plate, which are good for sharing, so you can add them on to your 3 course. I couldn't resist the pot de creme (lots of toasted nuts, topped with a sherry orange creme), and the apricot and olive oil baba. The baba had a sponge cake soaked in an apricot wheat ale sabayon, with dried honey and topped with a coffee granita - very unique, not too heavy. They also had some nice dessert wine selections, which are poured more generously than 2 oz each.
As for cocktails, they group them by the main alcohol type, and the French 75 was awesome, with some absinthe, not too sweet. They were also able to make my brother's favorite - the Aviator, which was also done pretty well. Wines by the bottle are very reasonably priced, including some French selections even in the $30-40s range.
The setting does remind me of a cute bistro, and you can even see the chalkboard with the daily specials from the outside as you walk by their corner location. Service is very professional, and we loved our French waiter - he was friendly but not trying to kiss up, and he was very honest and attentive. It's a small space, so i feels very intimate, and they come to check on you frequently to ensure you're enjoying your meal (and they seem genuinely pleased when you are).
You should definitely make a reservation since there are so few tables. It's definitely a neighborhood gem that's worth a drive into the village. -
Review from Carmen M.
Vancouver, BC
3/6/2012
I only got yelp to review this place. I don't want any unsuspecting customers coming here and expecting a nice dinner. Service was great and ambiance was decent but the food was horrendous.
This place was extremely disappointing. We saw raving reviews for Alta bistro and I was excited to take my friends visiting from Ontario here. I am was embarrassed that my friends had experienced what was supposed to be fine Whistler cuisine.
I had the soup of the day. Rutabaga and celeriac. It tasted like Campbell's soup... Actually that's an insult to Campbell's soup. It was just sour. For the second course I had the goat cheese mousse with beets. I guess they forgot to put salt in the first course and dumped it all into the second course. It was terrible. Blend goat cheese with cream, mix pistachios win mayo and boil beets and you call that fine dining? Please. I could barely stomach it. I figured the steelhead salmon wouldn't be as bad but it was clear that the salmon was frozen. It was way overdone and the purple potatoes were over cooked and bland. I wish I could uneat this meal.
Ps. They said the bread was freshly baked. It was old and stale and they simply reheated it in the oven.
The best thing I had there? The unlimited sparkling water -
Review from Randy K.
Vancouver, BC
12/14/2011
Hallelujah, this is NOT a child-friendly restaurant. Mike D - perhaps you should take the kiddies to ye Olde Spaghetti Factory.
This is an adult restaurant with adult food. Unlike many other upscale restaurants in the village, the service is very professional (Ozzies that know how to serve, not just how to snowboard). Decor is nice, understated. But the food is what stands out. The Alta chefs worship at the altar of "local/seasonal/sustainable/organic". They understand that small restaurants should focus on a few dishes they can do well - and they do them well. Presentation is nice, flavours are great. And the prices - very reasonable for a resort!
Food service was a bit slow - long waits between courses. But, the food was well worth the wait (and who's in a hurry at dinner after a day on the slopes?) Wine selection was limited and a bit random.
I'm so happy we found this place - we'll be back! -
Review from David S.
4/24/2012
My wife and I ordered from the same set menu and were both impressed with the quality of the food. Our service got off to a very slow start, but the server was attentive once she engaged.
The restaurant is small and the atmosphere is lacking (home kitchen decor). -
Review from Lady B.
3/4/2012
I first went to Alto Bistro the week after it opened last year (in Jan 2011). It was amazing then, so much so we went back a second time during our week-long stay in Whistler. Not surprisingly, we were excited to return during this year's ski trip and naturally, our expectations were high. Sadly, Alta did not deliver. Apparently they have changed chefs since it first opened and it shows. The quality of the ingredients is still quite high - seasonal, locavore food. The main problems are the absence of proper seasoning/flavor, the cocktails, and some aspects of the service.
There are two 3-course prix fixe options: a $29 menu and a $39 menu. We were told you could mix and match for a $5 charge but we did not take advantage. There is also a charcuterie plate available for $16. They also charge for a "basket of fresh artisan bread" but which was in reality a basic sliced baguette.
Food:
My boyfriend had the $29 menu: winter salad (with a tasty, tangy dressing), duck terrine (which he called "a fatty glob of flavorless gelatin") and steelhead salmon (crispy seared skin, nicely cooked and very flavorful).
I had the $39 menu: the pate and charcuterie board (made by Nita Lake Lodge, which was stunningly bland and accompanied by an awful chutney that did not improve matters), an albacore/crab confit thing that's hard to describe (it was fine albeit a bit mushy), and a beef dish (the name of which escapes me but was also very bland and uninspired).
Drinks:
We ordered cocktails to start - a moscow mule (solid) and a Manhattan (way too much vermouth and light on the whiskey) and then a bottle of BC red wine (pricey in my opinion at $44).
Service:
Our server was fine at first, although not very helpful with suggestions ("everything is good"), but it seemed like that was just his (very French) personality. Sadly, the courses weren't timed well - it took forever for each course to arrive. Granted, that's preferable to overly-quick coursing (especially on a Friday night) but there wasn't any acknowledgment from our server, which seemed weird.
I really love this place so our mediocre experience was really disappointing. Hopefully, we were just there on a off-night and it will continue to thrive, but I'm not sure if we'll go back... -
Review from Kelly C.
12/12/2011
Alta Bistro is a neighborhood gem of Whistler. The bistro offers two set menus (which can be mixed and matched) as well as a cheese and charcuterie plate (read: menu is small, but high quality). The set menu is three courses - two starters and a main - which were the perfect size to leave us feel satiated but not gorged.
The setting is intimate and decorated with a variety of local art which was a nice touch. I would recommend this place only for groups up to 6 people, larger groups would overwhelm the space. The staff are very knowledgeable about the menu and can make good recommendations - they have clearly tasted the food themselves and have a good perspective on each dish.
This is the perfect example of a restaurant that has defined a niche and then hit the target with execution. -
Review from Sharon S.
3/11/2012
It's not directly in the village but honestly, not that far of a walk. Though if you're feeling lazy, the Westin (if you're staying there) offers a free shuttle, which we used on our way there. The restaurant is really small so reservations are definitely recommended. We were told the restaurant was pretty unique to the area. The décor was cute and reminded me of a home kitchen. The place uses local ingredients and they run on two pre fixe menus, where you can cross change dishes. The food was delicious as well. I believe I got the soup (delicious), pate, and the salmon dish - though I'm sure the menu changes by season. Food coma and it was back to the hotel. It's a great scroll back to alleviate some of the delicious food just consumed.
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Review from Vivian T.
Vancouver, BC
3/2/2012
Upon arrival (we had a reservation), we were seated very promptly.
The menu is based on two set menus, one at $29 and the other at $39. What I really liked about their menu is that there is flexibility for you to mix and match items from both set menus!
Food was really good, with one exception, as the octopus (from the dish Pan Fried Octopus and White Prawns) was overdone and subsequently too tough. However, everything else was great!
Their herb infused sodas were really good as well! -
Review from Luisa D.
7/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
We went in on Sunday night and this little bistro was hopping. It seems to me that this is exactly the type of place that Whistler needed: a small place with really good food and a decent wine list.
They don't seem to offer a la carte, except for a cheese board or charcuterie so be prepared for that. We all had the $29 selection along with a bottle of Brocard Chablis. I had a salad to start (when I'm eating French cuisine I try to get some greens in there), then the goat cheese terrine (creamy smooth goodness), followed by the ling cod (melt in your mouth om nom nom with black olive tapenade - hellz yeah!). We shared a chocolate something or other (explosion comes to mind but the good kind) and a cherry sorbet (frak I need to make some of that for home).
The service was casual yet professional and friendly - perfect resort combo I figure. You don't need to dress up to go here - there was a mix from jeans to suits. It's centrally located. I'll go back for sure.Listed in: Top of the food chain baby!
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Review from Emily-Anne P.
Vancouver, BC
7/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was overall impressed with the decor, the service and the ambiance of Alta. We stopped by on a Sunday night for dinner after a weekend of camping. Naturally, I was looking for something light. Unfortunately I was also looking for something vegetarian. dd
I had the $29 Peak Menu, with the salad, goat cheese terrine and then the "vegetarian" option. While I have to hand it to them, the salad and the terrine were amazing and the people I was with really enjoyed their cod and lamb, the vegetarian option left much to be desired. Asparagus, mashed sweet potatoes and rice. While it was all very lovely and really well prepared, I have to say, don't offer a vegetarian option if you aren't going to put a protein, something more substantial, or a cut in the price for it.
I do recognize it is my fault for ordering vegetarian, I could have had something else, but I feel like if you are going to offer an option it should at least live up to the power of the other items.
That having been said the cherry sorbet was to die for and the rest of the experience was very good. If you're a vegetarian, don't go here. If you aren't I highly recommend it. -
Review from Christine K.
Vancouver, BC
8/9/2011 8 photos
Had dinner here last night and it was really good! I would certainly return again. The decor was exactly like a bistro should be, relaxing and comfortable.
We both chose the $29 three course menu and alternated the items. There were two choices for each so we each took one and shared tastes. Most of the descriptions for the menu are on their website.
Our server said the soup of the day - Gazpacho was authentic Spanish but I won't know that until I get to Spain. :-) My son absolutely loved the goat cheese salad with smoked duck breast. The smoked duck was sooooo good. Took the salad over the top.
The avocado, lime, olive oil sorbet was quite interesting with the "shrimp cocktail". I enjoyed the twist. The Arctic char was cooked perfectly and had a nice crispy bottom. The star was the lamb ribs! OMG, this dish was decadent! The sweet glaze accented it perfectly. The raita was also nice with it. I was extremely happy I chose this dish.
I've posted pictures of everything we ate. We had to rush at the end as we were going to a movie so we didn't get a chance for dessert. Next time. I hope this place does well. They were very enthusiastic about their local and fresh items. They also had a vegetarian three course menu they were offering that evening. -
Review from Larry R.
3/5/2012
I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this place! Our waitress Brooke was a refreshing, unassuming, and genuine server who really knew the food and made us feel very well taken care of. She represented the place well - comfortable, honest, -- and they really give a damn that you're happy. The food was OUTSTANDING. So much better than the meal we had the night before at Bearfoot Bistro (though my issues with BB had more to do w/ their 'selling' and honesty than anything else). Every single thing we ordered this evening hit the mark - oysters to die for, goat cheese mousse (as the app is called) is a ridiculous understatement -- it was a work of art served on a wooden board. My god. There was also a charcuterie starter that was phenomenal. My lamb entree was perfection -- gourmet comfort food at its best, the true definition of bistro. The sablefish entree with purple potatoes and sunchoke chips was divine. A tab salt-forward, but I generally like that. They have great wines by the glass and all of them are also offered by the half glass, giving a table ample opportunity to sample whatever will work best with their food selections. The finale to this great meal included a sublime grapefruit granitee with mint so fresh and intense it tasted like earthy sage, and the most DELICIOUS deconstructed apple crumble with sour cream ice cream I have ever had. I will think about this dessert for months to come. I highly, highly recommend this place -- was my best meal over the last four days in Whistler by far. Kudos to this team - it is always a pleasure being in the presence of people who you know are doing what they are meant to be doing with their life.
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Review from Kelly K.
12/9/2011
Fun new dining spot in Whistler! The food was great, portions were perfect. The Oyster Creek Cabernet was a fantastic wine recommendation. We sat at the bar, with it's colorful array of herbs and cocktail makings. Fun atmosphere, and the staff were extremely attentive to my gluten/dairy/egg free needs. I especially enjoyed the bison and the squash soup! Will most certainly go again next time I am in whistler!
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Review from Amber T.
Whistler, BC
5/18/2011
What can I say about this great little locally owned gem? The service is excellent, and most importantly knowledgeable. This little bistro focuses on French cuisine. Just about everything on the menu is locally sourced and oh so delicious. The wine list is great and the cocktails are yummy. This isn't a cheapo place, but it's worth the money. Expect a chic, unpretentious dining experience.
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Review from m A n I k.
2/16/2011
I wasn't sure what to expect since this place is new and has few reviews. But I did a little research about the owners and chefs, and checked out the menu, which looked promising. So I gave it a go and am happy I did. It's an intimate bistro setting, and service was very pleasant. Their bread was a fresh, tasty baguette with good quality butter. They had wines by the glass, and gave you the option of different size pours. The pinot noir was a good choice. We shared the split pea mint soup to start, and it was well flavored and balanced. My main dish was the halibut cheeks, which was tender and delicious. And my companion had the rib-eye special of the day, which I sneaked more than a few bites of because it was really tasty.
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Review from R S.
12/21/2011
Amazing food. Great and knowledgeable service. Get the recommended wine pairing. Don't forget dessert. Very accommodating if you want to mix and match, order a la carte, but trust the menu. If you're in Whistler and have any sort of food appreciation, you must eat here.
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Review from Bob G.
8/8/2011
Whistler can be an intimidating place to find a restaurant. When you branch out from the brewpub, pizza and pasta scene, you can pay a lot for a lousy meal (but you can also pay a lot for a very good meal). The Alta , a small, French inspired restaurant in the Pinnacle building, is somewhere in the middle pricewise but is a bargain for the quality of the food. It has a price fixed menu, either $29 or $39 when I ate there, but the choices are plentiful and they are 'into yes' meaning if you want to substitute, no problem. Food is excellent and the service very personnel. Edward, a co-owner, was passionate about the source and freshness of the food and pairings with wine. Wine list has many French wines but select and fine quality wines from BC as well (and some from the US and Italy). Good find.
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Review from Mike D.
6/8/2011
ATTENTION PARENTS!!!! THIS IS NOT I REPEAT NOT A CHILD FRIENDLY RESTAURANT.
As I am writing this it is obvious that they are not kid friendly, because it doesn't even show a "yes" or "no" for kid friendly on the description.
The wife and I arrived in Whistler and on our first night wanted something close by. We walked into this small hole in the wall place and they had at least 10-12 tables open with only 2 couples eating at the time. It was around 6pm. We asked to be seated and the host asked us if we had reservation's looking at how NOT busy they were, you would think he was crazy for asking. After the host and hostess stepped away to discuss how they are deny us service, the host comes back about 2 minutes later and says....."I'm sorry we are completely booked with reservations." and he just walked away.
I would have respected them more if they would have simply stated sorry we are not child friendly and would like our guest to enjoy their meals and not have to worry about loud children etc...(which by the way my 2.5 year old daughter behaves very well).
So we went and ate at another restaurant across the way and it was great!! So when were done eating I walked by there again and not a SINGLE SOUL was eating!!
SO TO YOU ALTA BISTRO-----I REALLY HOPE YOU GO UNDER FOR YOUR SERVICE ALONE....I DON'T CARE WHAT YOUR FOOD TASTES LIKE!!
On a last note----I don't care how fancy you want to make your restraunt and who you want to appeal to, but the fact that someone (anyone) can be so rude to deny service just because you have a child is just wrong. -
Review from Mayumi H.
9/12/2011
I went there with my husband. We ordered $29 course menu (3 dishes), wine, dessert, dessert wine, and coffee. It was absolutely delicious and creative. I have experienced so many good dinner but with bad dessert in the past. But this chef never betrayed my expectation even for dessert. It was best meal in the Canada trip. The lamb rib was so tender and deep taste. The cherry pie dessert was absolutely delicious. I never had such a quality and flavor with a pie.
