- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Bearfoot Bistro
Categories: Restaurants French Restaurants Canadian (New) French, Canadian (New) [Edit]
Best Western Listel Whistler Hotel4121 Village Green
Whistler, BC V0N 1B4
(604) 932-3433
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
35 reviews for Bearfoot Bistro
Review Highlights
-
"We had the Nitro Ice Cream for desert." In 6 reviews -
"...food was excellent, 3 of us had the 3 course tasting menu." In 4 reviews
-
"1) yuzu creme brulee - wow." In 2 reviews
Loading...
35 reviews in English
-
Review from John G.
Vancouver, BC
4/5/2012
Okay. I've said I "never give five stars."
Well, I'm making an exception in this case.
This is an outstanding restaurant. I've been there twice, sampled different dishes and I've never been disappointed - nor has anyone who dined there with me.
The first time I went, I ate some superbly cooked beef tenderloin - a reserve Angus tenderloin, to be precise - served with butternut squash puree. The best tenderloin I've ever had anywhere in B.C. I asked for medium rare, and I got medium rare. Too many high end restaurants in Vancouver do NOT know how to cook a good cut of beef; medium rare often shows up rare or even worse, "blue" rare. Not at the Bearfoot!
I enjoyed it so much, I tried it again, the next time I went, just to see if it would be just as good.
It was.
As an appetizer, that first time, I enjoyed cauliflower soup - with some tempura cauliflower. A bit different from what I expected, but very good.
The first time I at there, I went with a group, and all my fellow gourmands raved about the various dishes they tried.
The second time, I went with the Divine Ms. K., my partner-in-culinary-crime, and she opted for the wild boar wrapped venison - and raved about it. I tried a bite, it practically melted in my mouth.
They offer a wonderful array of desserts - but for my money there is only ONE dessert to eat there.
The Nitro Ice Cream.
It's made right by your table - fresh cream, some vanilla and sugar and a healthy dose of liquid nitrogen are mixed together to create instant ice cream. It's an otherworldly type of experience, watching the mist arise from the bowl as your server mixes it.
Been there twice, had it twice. Next time I go back, I'll be three-for-three.
It comes with a variety of toppings you can add yourself - but it's so good, it doesn't really need them. Without a doubt, the tastiest, creamiest bestest ice cream I've ever eaten, anywhere in the world.
And if all that is not enough - there's the vodka cellar, a.k.a., the Belvedere Ice Room.
There you can bundle up in a supplied parka and sample a flight of two or four different vodkas, served straight up, ice cold. Wonderful experience.
Because it's Whistler, there is no real dress code here. It ranges from semi-formal to casual; I've seen people eating there in three-piece suits next to a table full of diners in jeans and golf shirts (just make sure you're clean!)
Now...
You will pay handsomely for food and drink there. It's probably one of the more expensive restaurants I've been to - but then, like the old adage says, "You get what you pay for."
While that is not always the case, at the Bearfoot, you receive full value for your money.
That's why I've broken my own rule and rated it with five stars.
I don't do that very often. -
Review from Blake H.
4/1/2012
the food was amazing. killer oysters! lobster & pork belly. SICK. also fucking awesome canadian cheese cart that we chose over dessert. best decision ever.
but it was kinda tacky. it felt like vegas. the decoration and the piano music and the gross blue glasses and the belvedere ice room for vodka tasting, and the nasty champagne things. also we didn't realize that it was prix fixe either because my dad doesn't like that and i never would have taken him to one of those places.
so good food but gawdy. i would go back for drinks & oysters from 3 - 6. but thats it.
also, because of its 'feel' the other patrons were disgusting and loud and drunk and gross. -
Review from Larry R.
3/4/2012
While the food is quite good (other than one entree that was horrible - see below), their business practice is particularly concerning and a bit shocking. We had been warned earlier in the day by one of the ski guides that the food is terrific and the place is very popular BUT "beware, they upcharge the wine." I asked what he meant, and he explained that the common practice is for you to order a bottle and then they come back with a different one, explaining that they're out of the one you chose, but have something similar and even better, and you'll be thrilled! Most people then assume that they have kept you in the same price point as what you originally selected, and the bottle is opened, you're given a taste, and once you accept, its yours. Not till the bill arrives do you find out it costs significantly more (like $100 more!). I assumed this was hyperbole and didn't take the warning seriously.
Four of us went to dinner at 800p, and immediately the sell began. There are bottles of Moet lined up along the entryway stairs, such that you can't help but notice it. Then, there's a mural on the wall of a woman opening a bottle of Moet and it spewing everywhere - with the brand splashed across the mural. The famed -30C vodka tasting room is also branded - by Belvedere, and your first of the four vodka tastings you pay $50 for (base price, before you start "adding on" more premium "suggestions") is of course Belvedere. The menu is fantastic - but only two items in each course is offered at the base price - everything else incurs a $10-20 supplement. Usually, you see one or two items per course offered at a supplement - not 80% of the offerings in each course. Amazing. So the base price of $98 for a three course prix fixe is more like $120-130 unless you choose one of two items. Tricky, in my opinion.
We ordered two bottles of wine - the first was available as advertised, but for our second more extravagant choice, we were presented with "something even better, since we're out of the one you chose." We all looked at each other, surprised, and asked the sommelier, "its at the same price point of what we selected, right?" and he replied, "Yes of course! Absolutely."
Fast forward to the end - we ordered all the things other yelpers decry, the idiotic nitro ice cream (which amounts to two tiny scoops of vanilla ice cream in a metal martini glass and a lot of pomp and circumstance) and of course "flat water" meant we were charged $6 per glass of water without a bottle and without anyone aware that they should in fact be drinking their water since they're paying for it. Bill arrives and it comes to $500 per couple, including tip -- ludicrous. Seriously, ludicrous. Its slightly more expensive than the French Laundry, and your money is WAY better spent in the US's most famed and highest rated restaurant. Best part - we reviewed the bill and the "new wine" was upcharged at $85 more than what we had selected!!!!! When we brought this to the sommelier's attention, he immediately said, "Ooops! My mistake!" and took $85 off the bill. Had we not looked, we'd have paid the famed up-charge. Knowing that this is their reputation, I think its inexcusable and terrible business practice that they are not METICULOUS about this.
Yes, the food was good - but not amazing. I had a truffled gnocchi appetizer that came at an additional $20 upcharge. It was VERY bland and rather disappointing. Obviously, that should never be the case for such a showcase dish. I had to ask for salt to bring out the flavor and try to salvage it. I tried hard to be happy w/ it, b/c I didn't want my dining companions to feel bad that I was disappointed, but when they asked to sample it, all had the same reaction. One person ordered the "cauliflower and mushroom souffle" as an entree (fish-eating vegetarian). It was HORRIFIC. The souffle amounted to a big ripped piece of sourdough bread soaked in a custard and half-baked. It didn't taste like anything, certainly not anything good. Again, we tried our best to like it, but ugh - it was terrible and in the end, shocking. The other apps (farm egg and ham), fish were fantastic, and my duck entree was absolutely outstanding. One of the best I've had. But it didn't justify the rest of the meal/experience or expense -- and I have zero reservation saying I would NEVER, ever come back here again and I strongly caution others to consider trying other terrific places in the village that will leave you a lot happier with fantastic food and respect you as a willing paying customer. -
Review from Jason D.
2/22/2012
Ridiculous. Over the top. Overpriced. Totally awesome.
We met Adam the sommelier at another local restaurant the night before. Adam is a wine ninja, and promised to show us the wine cellar at Bearfoot Bistro. Totally awesome - thousands of bottles, a bobsled hanging the from the ceiling, sofas, knives, swords. Adam recommended an awesome Canadian sparkling wine (Sumac Ridge Tribute). He taught me how to saber, gave me the sabering sword, and I successfully cut off the top of a champagne bottle in one masterful swoop.
Back up to our table, with the top of the champagne bottle in a momento jewelry box (with BB embossed). We ordered the chef's tasting menu. Sashimi grade fish, scallops, and venison. Small courses, awesome presentation, great food. And they put together a vegetarian version for my wife (after some convincing / explaining why one might want that). The veggie tasting menu included a beet salad, jerusalem artichoke soup, and gnocchi (the best she's ever had).
Throughout the meal, various carts arrived at our table: a drink cart complete with 4 types of champagne, an assortment of bitters, martini glasses, etc. A cheese cart with 8 different local BC cheeses. We had a sampling of 3 - all were incredible.
Also, other reviewers complained about the water charges - it seems like they've changed their policy and now clearly state their $6 charge on the menu. A pittance compared to the overall bill...
I can't recommend this place highly enough. Sure, the food is great. And, it's totally overpriced. But, the experience is totally totally awesome. From the service to the wine to the wine cellar to the sabering. And we didn't even make it to the vodka room... (next time) -
Review from Shawn K.
1/3/2012
I wish I read the reviews before I dined there and I would have saved $50 on water and scrutinized the bill further. The experience was amazing, and the food was great, but the portions were much too small for the price. By the time the bill came I felt a bit fleeced. The owner took us in the cellar to saber a bottle of champagne at his own request, yet he charged us $150 for the bottle. Great showman, but borderline con artist. I would never go back again. The experience was a scam. Done be fooled.
-
Review from Kelsey F.
3/5/2012
Other reviewers note the up sell, and it is egregious. Bearfoot Bistro is a tourist trap, taking advantage of visitors who just want to enjoy a nice vacation. This place caters to the nouveau crowd... think Real Housewives of (insert suburb name).
I came here with my husband and his parents. I should note that my husband lived in Manhattan for 7 years, and his mother is a travel writer... our entire party loves to dine out, and appreciates a good meal. (Such as Araxi the night before.)
A restaurant that is decorated with advertisements for mass up-market brands should be a warning to diners before they are even seated. Our waiter inquired what kind of water we would like, and we said that we would like tap (or "Whistler's finest")... One of our party happened to ask the cost difference between the water choices. The tap was $6/glass (or $24 for our table). When the waiter began pressing champagne for the table (which isn't a hard sell), we asked for the local sparkling wine ($16/glass). The waiter asked if we wanted it in blanc or rose... we thought, rose - why not? Because the rose is $6 more per glass. Not a big deal, but when it is presented as the same price point it just feels uncomfortable and yucky.
As we began to review the menu, we asked if there was an option to do a la carte ordering as nothing was really jumping out at us (and the thought of slugging through that many courses was disappointing)... the waiter responded yes, anything was. When we pressed for the price points (as they are not in the menu), he replied that they averaged $60 per entree. It is worth noting that nearly every entree has an additional $15-45 fee (in addition to that per entree price). In all, we estimated that with just one bottle of wine (and our bubbles), we would be paying about $500 per couple.
We all felt as though we were being up sold at every turn, and looked at each other as the waiter finished his long winded menu dissertation. All we could say was "can we get out of here?" ... a dinner out is supposed to be relaxing. This was not. My mother in law spoke with the owner, who asked if we might do "$100, all in" or "wine on us" etc... It was as though we were negotiating a condo time share.
We ended up leaving after our champagne (we have never done this!), but were all so relieved to get out of Bearfoot Bistro (and away from our used car salesman of a waiter).
If you are looking to spend the money, go around the corner to Araxi. It has a more interesting and more reasonably priced menu. If you are hoping to spend some serious cash on a disappointing dining experience, by all means make reservations. I think a dinner out should be enjoyable, not stressful... and we were all happy to not have given this establishment our money! I only wish I had read the reviews before stepping foot inside... -
Review from Stephan J.
1/23/2012
We stopped in for the world's coldest ice vodka tasting room. It is a bit of a splurge but worth every dollar. You are outfitted in some crazy hand made goose down jackets that cost $1200 a piece. You are treated to a few tastings you choose from the great selection in the room. I definately learned a great deal about vodka. After the tasting we had an additional drink at the bar with a few appetizers. The pork belly was lovely. The bartender even created a special vodka drink not on the menu from one we sampled in the room. I took a star away for a rude Australian gentleman with a mohawk behind the bar. We almost left the place before our vodka tasting because of him.
-
Review from Cathrine A.
Sechelt, BC
1/27/2012
Bearfoot is a fave of mine and when my husband and I are in Whistler, we always visit. Yes, it's a bit pricey...but the food and service is amazing..Love you, Andre...and your fabulous staff! Was there on Wednesday night - spend $800 including tip and if you ain't got no money, take your broke ass home! Best foie gras in the world!!
-
Review from Pierre B.
Toronto, ON
1/20/2011
Not a fan. Was there a while back during the biggest conference that Whistler experiences and was hosting a dinner for 12 that started at 10 pm.
Suffice it to say that the food was good, creative but unreasonably priced.
My issue was with the service and pricing scheme. Firstly, if you wanted white truffles shaved on top of your risotto there was a significant up charge of perhaps $25. When the server arrived, he started shaving black truffles and when I complained, he said "there is no difference, they're the same". I had to call the Maitre D' over who also needed convincing but eventually agreed that they had made a mistake.
Secondly, when I ordered the wine I ordered 2 Brunellos to start and told them that I would switch to something less extravagant. They opened 4 bottles and when I complained again, I had to have yet another meeting with the Maitre D'. At least this time, he understood.
In the end, the bill was huge and the truffle surcharge was not adjusted as discussed perhaps this was an oversight as they did eventually correct it. All in all the attitude was one of arrogance as we were lumped in with all of the other expense account types visiting the Village for the conference.
I go back to Whistler twice annually and host multiple large dinners each visit. I will never go back. Try the Rimrock, Umberto's, Rua, or Araxi. -
Review from Nori M.
5/17/2011
I thoroughly enjoyed myself at this restaurant. It's first-class service all the way, no matter what race, religion, sex, or class you are, they will not discriminate. They were pulling out my chair, consistently replacing our silverware after each course, and just really giving an amazing fine dining experience fit for a king (or queen, in my case). I really loved the décor. It's fancy and high end, yet still remains cozy and welcoming.
And the food... Awesome presentation! I wish I had tried the nitrogen ice cream the table next to us got because it looked pretty cool. And from what I hear, it tastes as wonderful as it looks! The wagyu beef was cooked perfectly and just melted in my mouth. The salmon tartar amuse bouche was a lovely treat. And the cream of mushroom soup I had was probably the best mushroom soup I've ever had. I'm only giving 4 stars because of the pricing and food wasn't on par with the price. The food was definitely good, but it wasn't by any means spectacular or anything especially for the price you pay. I'd still recommend you stop by, if don't mind dropping a hundred or so for a meal and would like to experience world-class service... -
Review from Cindy H.
Vancouver, BC
1/5/2011
Ate here during high season and the bill for two rang in at $450+ before tip.
I must say the actual food here was dynamite, which is why it gets two stars. The other three were lost due to the service. (With the exception of the sommalier who gave us great service, wish I could review him alone.)
What can I say.. The overall experience was a little.. erm.. rushed and "sell sell sell" sy for my taste. We were asked what sort of water we wanted, we said tap would be fine, yet we were served bottled water that rang in at, gulp, 21 dollars. ( It came in a regular glass! I didnt know it was fancy wanter, and sigh, I didnt even drink any of this precious liquid). Not a big deal but in a place with these prices I expect pretty bang on service. The waiter continually came by to ask us what we wanted next - felt interruptive and his energy was pretty stressed, he did not connect with us well.
Then for desert they have this nitro ice cream thing that is pretty much $50 per itty bitty sundae that they really try to sell you on. When I saw the table next to us get it I had to laugh a little.. I mean really it looks about like a McDonalds Sundae. You get to watch them make it which is cool, but for $50 I'll go buy 10 gallons of Ben and Jerrys thanks :)
But our mains were fantastic.. to die for. Lobster and Duck.. melt in your mouth. The appies, meh, pretty good, probably not worth the cost.
To sum it up, I'd say this place is a lot more hype than substance. You can get a better overall experience for that kind of price tag at Araxi or others. -
Review from Carol L.
1/26/2009 8 photos
Oops, had this review saved for a while, and forgot to publish it! My boyfriend whisked me away from our Whistler ski group to take me here to celebrate a milestone of ours. Bearfoot is located at Whistler's Best Western hotel. Valet parking is complimentary, so you can pull right up to the door, and go inside to ask them to park your care.
The menu does not provide a la carte options. You can create a three-course menu, choosing one appetizer, one entree, and one dessert $98 (Canadian). Certain items on the menu have additional prices to add to the base $98. Alternatively, you can choose the "Chef's Five-Course Tasting Menu" for $148 (Canadian), which is like an omakase of sorts where the chef can choose to make whatever she wants and surprises you. The waiter warned us that the portions for the five-course menu are small, so we shouldn't be intimated by the larger number of courses.
The two of us opted for the three-course menu. I ordered the fresh oysters, the lobster cannelloni, and the brulee. He ordered the Alaskan king crab, lamb, and chocolate souflee. Melissa Craig has been crowned Canada's Best Chef at the Canadian Culinary Championship, and the Alaskan King Crab dish that he had was her winning dish, so it costed $15 more. The appetizer was very tasty, but I was honestly a little disappointed because I expected the best dish in Canada to be something truly amazing. Perhaps I had just gotten my hopes up. I very much enjoyed our meal, with the oysters being my favorite part.
Overall, the food tasted good and was enjoyable. The portions were on the smaller side, but we were so full by the end that we left the restaurant unable to finish dessert. They gave us complimentary starters and palette cleansers between each course. The service was fantastic: personal, friendly, and attentive! I also liked that they had their wine expert go to each table to talk about the guests' meals and what wine-pairings would go well for them. In the end, I gave this place 3 stars because the food was good (but not wow-this-will-knock-your-socks-off good), and it's a wonderful environment to take someone for a special event or to enjoy a fancier meal.
Pictures uploaded. -
Review from Jewelyn T.
4/8/2010
Bonjour to all my fellow yelpers!
Best dining experience in Whistler!
Found BB via yelp.
I had dinner here on my last night in Whistler during Thanksgiving weekend 2009.
From the start to the end, my dining experience was lovely.
(And it should be, because this place is pricey... but worth every Canadian penny!)
Highlight:
My bff and I really enjoyed the ice cream made at side table! Get your cameras ready, for the ice cream show! I enjoyed decorating my ice cream with all the cute toppings! If you're planning on dining here, you must do the ice cream for dessert! Especially if you're a chocolate lover like myself.
They served an icy dish with some sort of spice to clean you palette for the next dish. cool stuff. First for me and I've been to a handful of fine dining places on my travels.
Great customer service. Amazing food.
Hidden in a low key hotel. Hotel isn't fancy but BB is fine dining. Interesting combo.
Merci BB!
I'm a fan.
-Miss Yelp 2010. -
Review from Janice F.
5/24/2010
Hey Mr Quebecois waiter - you should really get some pointers on how to provide some decent service.
Yes, we were here for happy hour - and yes, that means we're probably looking for a deal and don't want to spend more than the $35 for the set course meal (especially when more than half of the options didn't include the supplemental charges that would double the original set menu costs). But we aren't difficult customers and we helped put some bodies in your entirely empty restaurant on an early evening - the least you can do is pretend to care about our experience there.
When asked what the soup of the day was, he had no answer. When asked what the dessert for the fixed menu was, he had no answer beyond "You don't get a choice for the dessert". When asked what flavours their home-made sodas came in, he had no answer.
Anyone see a pattern? You're not winning any brownie points here, buddy.
As the soup and salads arrive, he half-heartedly asks "Fresh pepper?" with the blankest look I've ever seen on anyone's face. Two people in the group say, yes - please. 5 minutes later, no waiter, no pepper. Amazingly, this experience is repeated after our entree's are dropped off - same listless question of "Fresh pepper?", same utter disregard for our answers and same disappearing act - except this time, he's completely booked it outta there - that's the last we see of him.
The only reasons for a second star - the food was not bad - for $35, I had an asparagus soup, a 1 lb lobster served with butter, onion puree and fried gnocchi and an exceptionally good dessert. The panna cotta with coffee jelly, cinnamon whipped cream, and caramel power and flourless chocolate cake was delicious and definitely the highlight of the meal.
Also, the "support" staff were all quite decent - taking the time to explain our dishes as they arrived, and efficiently clearing cutlery and refolding napkins onto the table. However, our water glasses never did get refilled during the whole evening.
This behaviour really bothers me - why does your restaurant offer a deal if you're going to disregard us as real customers? Too utterly turned off from this experience to ever consider going back. You've got bigger & better options on your "real" menu? (Mr Quebecois' exact words, by the way) Well, believe you me I also have bigger & better restaurants out there to spend my dollars on. -
Review from Annie M.
2/11/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Like Cathrine A in her recent review, Bearfoot Bistro is a must for my husband and me every visit to Whistler. It is expensive, but the food is amazing. We have been eating at Bearfoot Bistro for 14 years and have yet to be disappointed with our experience.
If you are interested in fresh raw oysters, the Wine Bar at Bearfoot offers an Apres Ski special most days from 3-4 pm -- 1 dozen oysters for $10. In a town where most oysters are at least $3/oyster, this offer is a dream. Regular "happy hour" at the champagne bar is 4-5 when the oysters are $19.95 for 1 dozen. Trevor is the oyster genius, so be sure to sit where he can share his knowledge of these incredible ocean offerings while you eat them. Chris and his team at the bar make this happy hour experience truly memorable. And, if you don't want to spend the mega-monies to eat Chef Melissa's culinary delights in the main dining room, then you can savor her cooking in the bar area for a bit less cost. My husband has the game burger several times during our stays in Whistler.
Yes, mistakes may be made on any bill at any restaurant, so always read your bill carefully. Just this week there was a mistake on our Bearfoot bill, but it was promptly corrected with appropriate apologies.
Whether you go to Bearfoot for the big splurge in the main dining room or for happy hour at the champagne bar, you are in for a treat. Just give their website a look and decide which experience works best for your wallet. Enjoy! -
Review from Jyoti H.
12/27/2009
So I really did like *almost* everything at this place. The only disappointment was in my trio of lamb, they gave me a lamb tenderloin that was disgusting. Disgusting like, eating a piece of dark turkey meat 4 days after Thanksgiving where you have reheated it in the microwave. Why an upscale restaurant would serve a cut of meat like this is beyond me. But, apart from this, everything else was excellent.
1) Hamachi, yellowtail and watermelon sushi app was tasty
2) White Alba truffle with fettucini was amazing!
3) the Carabou with foie gras on top was delicious
4) Overall our lamb dish was great - save that one disgusting piece of meat
5) the creme brulee was excellent
6) the french vanilla liquid nitro ice cream was excellent (Think lulu and mooky's ice cream in NYC)
I would def go back, though I wasn't impressed with the offerings for the chef's tasting menu of the day maybe on other days there are better offerings. -
Review from Mu W.
10/29/2010
It's brilliant, it's undoubtedly delicious, and it's a steal. For the creativity that accompanies the well-cultivated dishes - $55 (for a 3-course dinner) is well worth it!
I really enjoyed
1) yuzu creme brulee - wow! a pleasant surprise - a fine balance of citrus, sweetness, and creaminess on your tongue!
2) angus beef tenderloin - the grade of the tenderloin itself was ok, but the tiroler bacon (and the mushroom) elevated the whole dish to another level! brilliant!
Kudos to you chef Melissa Craig! -
Review from Sharon V.
1/30/2009
On a recent trip to Whistler, we selected Bearfoot Bistro to dine at to celebrate our 2 year anniversary. The restaurant is pretty dark but it does have a nice ambiance. As expected, the food is exquisite and the service is best in class. The amuse-bouche set the tone for the evening and seriously, it was the best I've ever had. I still try to figure out what was in it...
The sommelier was one of the best we've ever had. He spent so much time with us and was so knowledgeable with their inventory. The food was amazing and we savored every bite. I even caught my husband saying hmmm mmmmm mmmm on occasion which he rarely does when he dines at the pricier restaurants. Although he recognizes a good meal when he has one, he's a realist and will always make statements like, you know this only cost about $10 tops to make...right? This time, he was not only appreciating it, he was enjoying it.
Overall, we were really impressed with this restaurant and we will definitely go back the next time we head back to Whistler. -
Review from John C.
3/21/2009
This was my first visit to the Bearfoot and after hearing so many good things about it from the locals over the past year and a half, it was high time to try it out.
We were basically the first people in the door so we got a little extra attention from the bartender and oyster shucker. We tried their champagne and oyster special and then split a 20 oz ribeye steak dinner (meant for two). Afterwards we tried three different Bruichladdich scotches.
Everything was outstanding from beginning to end. The place is definitely pricey, but the service is as good as you're going to find in Whistler. These people actually care about their jobs, unlike the ski bums that fill many of the service positions around here. The bartender knew his wines and knew scotch well enough to have a good chat about it. The oysters (something I've only had once before) were very good. The ribeye was perfect. It was very tender and cooked to perfection.
You do need to bring your wallet or plan ahead for a big night out as this is not cheap stuff, but you will feel like you got your money's worth at this place. -
Review from Little C.
9/22/2010
I ate here last winter with my family. My brother is friends with one of the staffers so I think we received preferential treatment. We did the 3 course meal. I remember a sushi appetizer, then a steak of some sort (I remember popcorn for some reason) and then the nitro ice cream dessert prepared tableside. What a show. They take cold cream and prepare ice cream with liquid nitrogen in front of you. Then basically they give you toppings to make a sundae. It was pretty tasty.
I've eaten at some really great places and while I did enjoy my food and received good service I don't know if I'd come again. I wasn't blown away. But maybe I'd be back for the dessert. :) -
Review from Kevin H.
12/30/2009
MY friends and I did the whole five course meal with the whole shebang. That means we dropped quite a bit of coin here. Champagne... wine pairing...
Was it good? Sure, the service was great... but come on... we are here for FOOD! I hate to say it, but the whole experience just did not blow me away. I remember that the sushi appetizers were great, but after that.. it got a bit mediocre.
i wish i loved bearfoot more.... Then again, I live less than an hour from the likes of Gary Danko, Thomas Keller, and Hubert Keller... so.... am i too spoiled? -
Review from David B.
3/19/2009
My wife and I were pleasantly surprised to find such a fine restaurant tucked away in a the corner of a Best Western Hotel. In the States usually Best Western hotels do not have restaurants in them let alone a five star restaurant.
A couple we met at the bar while dining at Tojo's recommended that we visit Bearfoot since we were staying at the Fairmont Chateau. We ended up making reservations the following night.
The sommelier was with out a doubt first-rate. There were a few options on the menu but we opted for the 5 course tasting menu along with the wine pairing. The meal was exceptional and the wines were outstanding. Our dinner was worth every $$$$$ spent. The service and food were phenomenal. I salivate like a Pavlovian hound whenever I think about the Bearfoot, especially the oxtail :drool: The Bearfoot makes my top five list of international restaurant I've ever visited!
I am quite surprised that this restaurant has not had more reviews, let alone anything but 5 stars. The Bearfoot is absolutely the best in all of Whistler. I hope to see more reviews during the upcoming winter Olympics. I highly recommend visiting this restaurant! -
Review from Peter B.
9/14/2009
Sometimes you walk into something special and this was it. Dining at the Bearfoot was just perfect from beginning to end. I must note this place is pricey but you must be willing to go the extra mile to truly appreciate the bistro.
Great food served from caring and knowledgeable staff. The white bean salad was to die for. Vast wine list at reasonable prices. I had a 1994 Mondavi Reserve at about double the price not bad at all. This restaurant should be saved for special occasions and cherished.
Have the homemade ice cream at the end you will not regret it. -
Review from Anthony C.
12/11/2010
The food is excellent and the breakfast was among the finest I have ever had. They pretty much had everything you could ever want and the French toast was a knockout. I took my dad there and we were very happy with everything before our afternoon tee time. It is the perfect place if you are traveling and might not have time to do lunch. The service was above average. The adjacent BW hotel is really nice too; BW's can be a big gamble.
-
Review from Janice M.
Vancouver, BC
5/6/2011
I felt like I was at a car dealership...
You know, when you buy the car and then they start trying to shove all those "extras" down your throat. Just create a dish and serve it, don't make half and offer the rest for an extra fee.
Beyond that, service was okay, food was mediocre.
Just seemed very cheap the way they had things organized. -
Review from Tommy G.
Vancouver, BC
8/2/2010
Unfortunately I did not have the experience that I expected at this fine dining establishment. First off, let me say that the food itself was very delicious, but my disappointment lay more with the overall service and attitude.
We had made a reservation for 8pm and when we arrived we were shown into the lounge rather than the actual dining room. This meant we sat in soft-bottomed leather chairs and tables with no table clothes - next to the bar. Still not a bad environment, but not what we were expecting.
Secondly, it took well over 10 minutes for the waiter to come to our table for any sort of drink service. We ordered some Pinot Noir which to us seemed to be quite a lot more full than what we'd expected from a Pinot and tasted more like a Cab Sav. When we mentioned this to the waiter he just said "Yeah, well, it's the Pinot" and walked away. No explanation or offers of alternatives.
The meal itself took some time to arrive and the waiters weren't as attentive as I'm normally used to at such fine-dining establishments.
The food itself was very delicious. The bison tenderloin was cooked perfectly and full of flavour. The artic char was also very delicious.
In terms of pricing - the menu is all listed as set menu ($55 for three courses) but almost half of the items have "supplemental" charges of $5-15.
Overall an experience that was not quite up to par of what I expected from this level of fine dining. -
Review from Carol H.
4/5/2010
Fun, unpretentious fine dining. Overall great experience, food, wine and service, yes it is a little pricey.
The food was excellent, 3 of us had the 3 course tasting menu. First courses were great, main courses, buffalo, kobe beef, scallops. The kobe beef was really excellent, but doubled the price of the meal. We had the Nitro Ice Cream for desert! Delicious.
Service was 5 stars - great wine and table service. Everyone was friendly, attentive and prompt. Drank a bottle of Noble Ridge, some regional wine....very tasty.
The only reason I didn't give it a full 5 stars was because it was a little overpriced....I think. We ate at Umberto's and Araxi the next evenings and the bill was at least 10 -20% less even with 3 courses and 2 bottles of wine!
Worth going.....but also try Araxi... -
Review from Fidela C.
10/27/2010 9 photos
I usually try to go somewhere with no to minimal expectations, even if they have a famous reputation going for them. Though having been open for awhile, Bearfoot's executive chef Melissa Craig of late has really brought them to the food scene, so it was hard to expect anything short of spectacularly delicious.
Came here with two other people, and we each ordered from the minimum prix fixe menu. There are three options for prix fixe: $55 for a three course menu, $98 for a five-course menu, and $78 for a wine pairing a la the sommelier. About half the choices require you to pay a little to a lot extra ($5-35) for gourmet ingredients such as lobster tail, king crab, foie gras, and kobe beef.
We opted for the three-course menu, without paying for extra ingredients. A great surprise was a delightful amuse-bouche (chopped dungeness crab and scallops with lemon and coconut foam) and a palette cleanser after our appies (strawberry vodka granita), both compliments of the chef.
Dishes we ordered:
Appetizers:
1) Braised short rib - served with hand-cut pappardelle, green peas, and wild mushroom veal jus. The short rib was tender and juicy, and was never overpowered by the other flavors. (4.5/5)
2) Smoked golden trout - served with arugula, a poached egg atop a potato pancake (surprisingly amazing!), and garnished with chive creme fraiche and trout roe. This appy had so many great dimensions to it that I literally cleaned the plate til it was white. The trout was perfectly smoked, and the poached egg with crispy potato and roe nearly stole the show as the best part of the dish. I still salivate thinking about this dish. (6/5)
Mains:
1) Atlantic lobster tail - served with mascarpone lobster tortellini, asparagus, and citrus fennel cream. Every ingredient here pointed to the lobster without making you sick of the taste. The tortellini was a-m-a-z-i-n-g. (5/5)
2) Reserve angus beef tenderloin - served with potato puree, tiroler bacon, and a pearl onion + mushroom ragout. The beef wasn't particularly stellar, but the tiroler bacon (from Austria) solved everything. Paired with the mushroom, your mouth kept wanting more. If I were more of a meat person, I'd give this 5/5. (4/5)
Desserts:
1) Heirloom tomato upside down tart - with black olives, pine nuts, sweet cicely and vanilla. Visually stunning, but was a big disappointment. It's quite daring to attempt a dessert from savoury ingredients, so props to the pastry chef, but I don't think I acquired this taste very well. The gelatinized pureed tomato was served with a stale-tasting pastry, and was drizzled with olive oil, pine nuts, and black olives. I couldn't even finish this. (1/5)
2) Coconut snowballs - amaretto infused cherries, hazelnut, and lemon balm. Three scrumptious balls of bursting flavor. Everything was done right here. (4/5)
3) Mascarpone yuzu creme brulee - with strawberries, basil, and cocoa balsamic. You can't go wrong with mascarpone :) Plus the lightness of the Japanese citrus yuzu taste meshed impeccably with the strawberries. The basil and balsamic was hardly there, but subtle enough to intrigue your tongue. (4.5/5)
Next time, I should order the nitro ice cream for the extra $15.
Service: 4/5, even though we were significantly under-dressed for the venue. The servers were all well-versed with each dish, and could sell it well.
Prior to ordering our meal, we also didn't know that Bearfoot boasts a wine cellar carrying 2100+ labels and 20,000+ bottles. It's also famous for its champagne collections, particularly Moet-Chandon. Each table already has champagne flutes because they assume you'll want to sample it.
If that's not enough, Bearfoot also features the Belvedere ice room in their bar section. For $60+, you can try vodka shots from around the world paired with oysters and caviar. Don't worry, the restaurant supplies you with parkas and fur hats so you won't freeze in the -18C room.
If you're ever in the Whistler area, you MUST try Bearfoot. -
Review from Bora K.
1/7/2010 1 photo
There were elements about my dinner at Bearfoot Bistro that really made me ponder about how I should rate the experience. Although the food was fine, the limitations of the menu were off putting and there was a stuffiness about the restaurant that made me feel extremely out of place while dining there. The decor felt dated and the service although polite, was a bit stiff.
The food was good. I don't really have any complaints as far as the quality and presentation. We opted for creating our own three course menu and had the Hamachi & Yellowfin Tuna (Yuzu Watermelon, Fresh Jalapeño, Sesame Ginger Dressing) and Vancouver Island Black Cod (BC Spot Prawn, Tom Yum, Kaffir Lime, Shimiji Mushroom) for appetizers, the Canadian Prime Beef Tenderloin (sweet corn purée, fingerling root vegetable hash, purple mustard marjoram jus) and the White (Wild Spring Salmon, Dill, Asparagus, Pemberton carrots) as our mains, and the Arbequina Olive Oil Three Ways (Madeleine Sponge, Jelly, Ice Cream, White Chocolate Raspberry Chip, Tarragon Snow) and Sous Vide Victoria Pineapple (Gingerbread Savarin, Milk Chocolate Chantilly, Santa Teresa Rum Coconut Ice Cream) respectively.
The appetizers were probably the least impressionable of all we ate. Although the ingredients were fresh, the flavors were very pedestrian. The Black Cod especially, was in a Tom Yum broth but the flavors were very mild and very unlike the traditional Thai soup it was supposed to be channeling. The main courses were well cooked and the flavors were clean.The desserts or at least the Arbequina Olive Oil Three Ways was wonderful. The green taste of olive oil really shined in the forms of jelly and ice cream and the sponge cake had an intense, moist quality I genuinely enjoyed.
Although there wasn't much to complain about the food, I felt extremely put off by the fact that I had only 2 choices in regards to eating in the dining room. I either had to create my own menu of three courses which was $98 (adding insult to injury, half the items on the menu, obviously the more interesting sounding ones, have a supplemental charge if you want to order them for your three course meal) or have the five course chef tasting menu which was $148. I wasn't given the option of dining à la carte and I couldn't cancel my reservations without giving at least 24 hours advance notice otherwise I would be charged $50/person on the credit card I was required to put down in order to secure the reservation. It really wasn't the cost as much as the limitation that really bothered me. I would definitely have preferred to have had the freedom to choose what I wanted off the menu instead of feeling like I was forced to go big or even bigger. But then again I guess that's what the bar menu is for. If you opt to dine at the bar (which we couldn't since we had made reservations for the dining room), there is an à la carte menu that you can order from without restrictions. There's also a happy hour pricing for fresh oysters till 6 p.m. but they wouldn't allow us to take advantage of it since we weren't eating at the bar-such a turn off.
In the end it was my fault really. I should have done more research and checked out their menu before making the reservations but in the end it was a learning experience I can share with others. So how was it? It was OK. Would I recommend it? Not really.
Photos and more can be found here on my favorite blog- http://www.alamodejour...Listed in: Good times in Whistler, BC
-
Review from Chris H.
3/14/2010
Second visit here. The food is pretty good and our table near the open kitchen was fun. But I have two problems with this place. First, there is way too much selling. The waitstaff was really pushing the extras - champaign sabering, mobile cocktails, cheese plates, etc. etc. Always nice to have new and different options but these were pushed to the point where it made folks at the table uncomfortable. Some of these guys should be selling used cars instead of over-priced dinners - which is my second issue with this spot. For the food and experience, the price is too high. "French Laundry" type pricing for a 3 course dinner. The food just doesnt match up to that price level.
-
Review from Sam L.
12/25/2010
I ate here for dinner on Christmas with my girlfriend and her family. As a fine dining experience it was satisfactory, although unspectacular. The reason it deserves only two stars is the deplorably high price. For the high season of ski-tourism, Bearfoot apparently feels justified in jacking up its 3-course prix fixe from $55 to $98 (and its 5-course tasting menu from $98 to $148, with wine pairing an additional $128). That would perhaps be understandable if the 3 courses were comparable to a tasting menu -- or even a meal a la carte -- at an excellent restaurant in New York or San Francisco, but they aren't. Nonetheless, what's really irritating about the Bearfoot menu is that even after the seasonal price markup, the restaurant has the gall to charge very substantial surcharges for the use of "deluxe" ingredients. A torchon of foie gras atop a caribou medallion? That will be $35 please, making the cost of the entree upwards of $75. The surcharge for wagyu is unprintably ridiculous. The wine and champagne selections are certainly substantial, but knowing the meal is going to cost so much, a diner such as myself might be interested in economizing. Unfortunately the by-the-glass options are severely limited and very overpriced ($16 for the cheapest of the 4 choices in each red/white/champagne category). Nor was I given the chance to taste my $20 glass of riesling before it was poured in full.
Granted, the savvy diner will peruse the website of this establishment before making a reservation, like I did, and so be aware of the exorbitant pricing scheme. But on the whole, the experience feels like a rip-off, rather than a luxurious splurge.
All that said, the food was not altogether unpleasant, as I shall now detail. As I mentioned, 5 of us got the 3-course "prix fixe", which is actually just 3 a la carte courses.
Amuse-bouche: yellowfin tartare and waterchestnuts wrapped in cucumber and served in the ubiquitous Chinese soup spoon. This was utterly forgettable and tasted mostly of cucumber.
Apps: I had pata negra (i.e. jamon iberico) and tomato grilled cheese, which was delicious (although a $10 surcharge). Others at my table tried the scallops, the oysters on the half shell, and the yellowfin/hamachi sashimi. All were well-received, but I didn't taste them.
"Palate-cleanser": A very interesting orange and peppermint granite. The mint was surprisingly subtle, mainly apparent on the aftertaste, and the combination very successful. There was no flavor disaster akin to drinking orange juice immediately after brushing one's teeth.
Entrees: I had lobster over mascarpone ravioli with a tasty citrus dressing and salsify puree, and a vapid garnish of snap peas and pearl onions. An unusual take on "lobster ravioli", it suffered mainly from slightly tough, less-than-sweet lobster, which may not have been the kitchen's fault. Actually, now that I think about it, it was Atlantic lobster, and hence it must have been previously frozen, which explains everything, including the lack of a surcharge. (I suppose it never crossed my mind when ordering that there wouldn't be delicious lobsters off the coast of B.C. Why is this?) Anyhow, chalk this one up to bad ordering if you want. My girlfriend had "reserve angus beef tenderloin", which I didn't taste but which she seemed to like. Her brother had lamb ($10 supplement!) which I did try, and which was delicious. Her mother had the (+$35) caribou with foie; when I tasted it, the meat was a blank canvas for the foie, but she said that without its accompaniment the caribou was tasty and basically like venison. My girlfriend's father had duck breast with huckleberries, which I tasted and found perfectly cooked.
Desserts: We had one of everything, except the ($20 supplement!) liquid nitrogen ice cream, made tableside. (Isn't that something everyone experiences in middle school science classes?) In front of me was placed a pear and chocolate dessert with bergamot ice cream, solid but unspectacular. (And shouldn't dessert, of all things, be truly spectacular?) I didn't taste the others carefully enough to comment intelligently upon them.
Chocolate course: I was feeling full and had only a pink macaron. Slightly over-sweet and a bit heavy compared to the best ones I've had, it was nonetheless delicious. Oh alright, I also had a bite of a gold-flecked chocolate, which was filled with ganache and sort of pedestrian. My girlfriend enjoyed the almond-scented home-made marshmallow.
Summary: Go here for a romantic dinner for two after a full day on the ski slopes. Be prepared to spend big. Take the time (perhaps with advance study) to capitalize on the wine cellar, which really means getting an excellent bottle of champagne, as this is what sets Bearfoot apart. If the preceding doesn't describe the dining experience you want, skip this joint, or come back after ski season when the prices are more in line with the quality. -
Review from Kenzie D.
4/18/2009
Friends raved about the raw oyster bar deal from 4-6pm. I wandered around and around that damn walkway until I finally found it, at 6:02.
A very rude bartender let me sit there for another 6 minutes. When I finally did get service, he barked that "happy hour was long over".
The sommelier came to the rescue. He was elegant, understanding, and offered me the dozen oysters at that rate, and poured me a nice glass of champagne to pair with them.
The oysters were some of the best I've ever had, and I've had thousands.
The fellow who procures them is most knowledgeable, and is sourcing some of the best. I ordered another dozen, and savored each bite.
The som swung buy and poured me another half-glass, which I accepted as an apology-gift for the rudesby bartender.
The big rude guy printed up my check. I never would have guessed that this bloke had noticed a single thing about my time at his bar, but he topped that. My first check came in at about $65. I put down my card, a bit sticker-shocked that 1 glass of bubbles, a $10 dozen, and $24 dozen could add up to that....Mr. Big Rudesby returned the check REPRINTED
for $93! He snipped that he had to forgot to add the $26 glass of bubbles
(that half-glass that nice som had poured me as a gift).
RUDE. And lousy service, and snippy, too. I felt like a clueless dude in a Japanese Hostess bar. The old madam watching every nicety that passes to the client. Cha-ching, cha-ching.
I felt very ripped-off, and insulted.
And by the way, $26 for a glass of mediocre bubbly.....come on, canooks.
Get real. Stay nice. Be professional. -
Review from Ricky M.
3/11/2010
Went here about a month ago and had a great dinner. I was on a bender of being awake for 32 hours straight but I was able to make it all night. The dinner is definitely an experience. The service is there is great, very knowledgeable staff who can answer any question. I had the Caribou Rib eye w/ Cippolini onions, green beans w/ pork belly, and a couple of white cheese perogies. We started off with a few plates of local Oysters and ended the night with some Nitro Ice Cream. After dinner we headed down to the basement with Andre and did a little Champagne sabering. All in all a fun dinner out. It gets a star knocked off since they charged us for the Oysters that we thought we were getting for free.
-
Review from Debbie P.
3/17/2010
Wallet alert... this place is not cheap so don't come here without expecting to fork out some major cash for dinner. Our bill came out to $400 without gratuity albeit we did order a kobe steak and $100 bottle of Blue Mountain wine. That being said the food is spectacular and great for a special occasion. The service is exceptional and don't forget to save room for dessert as the souffle is quite decadent.
-
Review from Reena M.
6/23/2010 1 Check-in Here
Came here for a bachelorette party as a part of Whistler Tasting Tours. The appies here were of superb quality. Really, the best of the bunch. Plus, they let our bride-to-be saber a sparkling wine bottle! Awesome attention to detail and to us. I would like to come back for a regular meal here.
