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The Rim Rock Cafe
Category: Restaurants Seafood Seafood [Edit]
2117 Whistler Rd RR 2Whistler, BC V0N 1B0
(604) 932-5565
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Upscale, Intimate
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
54 reviews for The Rim Rock Cafe
Review Highlights
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"Three heavenly words: sticky toffee pudding." In 8 reviews -
"lobster mashed potatoes (my 2nd "OMG." In 5 reviews -
"Great wine selection, as well (and they're good with their..." In 3 reviews
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54 reviews in English
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Review from Alison S.
5/9/2012
I was in Whistler for a bachelorette weekend and for our "fancy night out" we came here. The food was amazing and on top of that it was Dine Out Whistler, which meant that for $49 you could have not one, not two, but THREE delicious courses!!
I had the oysters, scallop with pork belly, and stuffed/infused salmon. All of them were well done (the oysters were the small, sweet variety), and I was stuffed as were all the other girls in my group. It would have been a travesty to waste any food though so we powered through.
I would definitely come back; even at "regular" prices the food is worth every penny! -
Review from Damien F.
3/1/2012
Where to start - this is possibly one of the best restaurants in Canada!
The bread here is to die for! You could fill up quite quickly on the bread alone...not something you want to do given the quality of the food.
Started with the warm mushroom salad. Great variety of mushrooms, delicious vinaigrette and the shoestrings were not what I had anticipated, but yummy.
It's hard to impress me with a steak (yes, I know this is a fish restaurant, but it was my birthday and I wanted steak - dangnabit). The steak was succulent and cooked to perfection (they err on the rarer side). We had the risotto - absolutely creamy deliciousness....
Our server was Canadian, attentive and personable. I wish I could remember her name (younger, black hair and fiercely attentive on a busy night).
5 stars all the way - we'll be back. -
Review from S D.
OMG! Food heaven!! This place is totally worth it and one of the better restaurants in Whistler!
I stopped by last Friday after a day of skiing in Whistler. I decided to try this place for my fiance's birthday to get off the beaten path and crowds of Whistler Village. (We found this place via Yelp, so thank you fellow Yelpers! Keep up the great work!)
I called ahead to check on their hours and was so glad that I did. They open for dinner at 5:30 PM and can fill up pretty quickly so I made it here by 5:35 from the Village. The drive is really fairly short (about 8 minutes from the Village) and they have a small private lot.
Since we did not have reservations, my party of 3 were seated in their "lounge" area across from the bar. It really is a very small lounge but has a nice, comfy cabin feel to it. Seating is all upstairs and the lounge area does not seat a lot of people/parties but that is ok.
Antoine was our server and he was such a sweet and nice guy. He was a wealth of information and answered all of our questions with patience. We had never been here before so he gladly explained the specials or items on the menu. The restaurant filters their own water and charges $1.50 per person for unlimited water in an effort to be eco friendly.
Dinner:
Seafood antipasto for two
Oyster Sampler-half dozen
Seared scallops and roasted pork belly
Rim Rock Seafood Trio
Rib Eye Steak with herbed butter and veggies
White chocolate raspberry creme brulee
The Seafood antipasto for two was awesome! The presentation was beautiful and the food was so good. Their oysters were very fresh (I can't remember the name of it but its size and shape is similar to Kumamotos) and you are allowed to pick how you would like them (ie creme fraiche, vodka, with a bit of caviar, champagne vinegar & shallots, and chili tomato hot sauce~ my favorite was the vodka, creme fraiche. The creme fraiche worked well with the combo and added a surprising smoothness to the oyster). The seared scallop and roasted pork belly included 2 good sized scallops and a small piece of pork belly over an apple sauce. For my entree, we split the Rim Rock Trio. For a small fee, I had an extra portion of veggies and they were very generous with the portion of the entree itself. It really was enough for two people so I am so glad we were able to split one entree. Then again, it was probably because we had ordered several appetizers. :) The Trio consisted of a piece of porchini crusted arctic char that was phenominal, very fresh rare ahi tuna, and 2 grilled tiger prawns (per person). My picky 12 year old had the rib eye with herbed butter and it must have been good because he finished the entire meal! The creme brulee was $12 CAD , a tad pricey in my book, but like the rest of our meal, it was very good. As a bonafide foodie, I am very impressed with the Rim Rock Cafe. Their food was wonderful, service was top notch, and the atmosphere was very comfortable. I defnitely plan on returning. -
Review from Arnold P.
2/25/2012
One of the best dining experience I ever have. The place reminds me a log cabin, very cozy. I always stop by here every time I go to Whistler.
I had lobster bisque to start and Venison tenderloin as my main. Both were tasty and fresh. I also had foie gras on the side. Best one I've had yet.
I love foie gras! -
Review from David S.
4/24/2012
As with other experiences at Rim Rock, our food and wine were excellent. The atmosphere was also very nice with a cozy cabin feel. Our only complaint is that it was quite loud in the dining room (a table next to us had had too much to drink) and we felt hurried by our server. It felt as if our server was trying to move us out to make room for a second seating (which could have been the case). We were definitely not lingering.
We will be back but hope our service is a little better next time. -
Review from Lauren M.
4/4/2012
What a great find! I had heard good things about this place and was second guessing myself when I saw we'd have to take a cab over there, but it was worth it. Great atmosphere, especially for winter, with the fire going and everything.
We were seated quickly and we had a great, very friendly waiter. I love that you can get sparkling water or regular for the same price (just $1.50pp unlimited). Service and timing were excellent. My salad, which was the one with duck, was outstanding - definitely one of the best things I've eaten recently. My husband got a mushroom salad he really enjoyed.
I got the mixed seafood plate and my husband the mixed grill and then we shared. Every was very good, nothing as amazing as that salad I started with, but all really good. I did like the mushroom crusted fish, and I don't even like mushrooms. We ordered a side of lobster mashed potatoes - apparently not as good as when my husband got them at Maestro's in Vegas, but I thought they were excellent. We did not have dessert.
Highly recommend this place and hope to come back. They're also great about ordering you a taxi while you're still at your table and by the time you get your coat, it's there. -
Review from Jennifer N.
11/12/2011
The restaurant was recommended by a friend, who called it the best she'd ever gone to. I've gone to top restaurants in Paris, New York, San Francisco, Vancouver, and LA.
This restaurant is up there with the best of them. Service was friendly, quick, knowledgeable, etc. Everything was delicious and quite original.
My friend and I each had soup, split a salad, and each had an appetizer plus we split a side order of risotto and each had a glass of wine. Soup was really excellent, and the appetizers were the size of main courses in some restaurants. Free bread (likewise delicious). Frankly, we were stuffed and couldn't have dessert even though we would have liked to try one. Total $142.80 including tax and tip.
Also: the restaurant offered us a half glass of wine if we wanted to buy one and a free shuttle ride to our hotel if we needed it but didn't take advantage of it. It's a little unique if you ask me. -
Review from Lauren F.
3/15/2012
A great place to have a reasonably priced dinner, super romantic and great food! This is traditional Whistler food with amazing gourmet touches! It is truly one of my favorite restaurant experiences ever and it is a lot easier to relate to than places like Bearfoot Bistro because it is not such a high price tag and you are getting great food and ambiance!
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Review from Todd L.
1/30/2012
Hard to say anything that hasn't been said already expect that our dinner at RRC was one of the highlights of our trip to Whistler. Everything was exquisite and we will recommend and return as often as we're in Whistler. Simply can't go wrong here.
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Review from Rose C.
Whistler, BC
8/10/2011
This is possibly one of the best restaurants I've ever been to!!! The service was phenomenal and of course the food was amaaazzzzing!
When you drive by this place on the highway its a little hidden and you really don't expect a place called Rim Rock Cafe to be a place of fine dining and an excellent one I might add!
For every course, our server did a wonderful job of presenting and explaining the food on our plates.
I went with my boyfriend to this restaurant during the Dine in Whistler month. We couldn't decide between two other restaurants, but after comparing all the Dine in Whistler menus we decided that Rim Rock had the best since it was identical to their regular menu.
First course:
Seafood Antipasto - this dish had a great variety! Absolutely amazing - salmon tartare, ahi poke (my fave), seared ahi tuna, halibut, soft shell crab, albacore
Duck Terrine - bf had this and it was sooo good
Second Course
Beef Carpaccio - with the shaved parmesan this was delish!
Oysters - I can't remember all the oysters on the plate but I remember Rockerfeller braised with spinach and hollandaise / TOMATO horseradish / CHAMPAGNE vinagrette / RASPUTIN - vodka, crème fraiche & caviar/ spicy salsa. All so very good. 3 cooked and 3 raw.
Main Course
Both of us had the mixed grill and all 3 were just amazing. Venison, Lamb, and Beef Tenderloin cooked medium and very tender. It just melts in your mouth and the flavor of the meat was really good!
Dessert Medley - definitely worth it for the price
I know this place can be out of the way from Whistler Village, but it is well worth it :D. -
Review from Sang H.
2/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
Best restaurant in whistler.
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Review from Karah K.
2/24/2012
This restaurant lives up to its expectations! Food is incredible. No complaints from me. Definitely go for the fish. We started with the chevre appetizer and had a porcini crusted white fish with roasted vegetables for dinner. Both were phenomenal. The wine list was very diverse as well. We had made reservations (which is HIGHLY recommended) and were seated promptly.
Of my three times to Whistler, this was the best dining experience I have had thus far.
My ONE complaint. Our waiter was very inattentive to us. Maybe it's because we are 20 something's and he didn't think he was going to get a good tip (which was not the case). I wish I could say it was because he was overly busy but that was not the case. We ordered a glass of bubbly right when we sat down and then he took the wine list away. I had wanted to order a bottle of wine while we were eating our appetizer. Unfortunately, our waiter never stopped to check in with us and I attempted to get his attention for 20 minutes. Again, he wasn't overly busy and his section was rather small. Let's just say our empty glasses were more than noticeable. After finally flagging him down and ordering a bottle, we received out bottle after our entree's came out. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt but its not common practice for us to try to down a whole bottle of wine with our entree.
Like I said, I will give my waiter the benefit of the doubt as his lack of attention did not decrease my overall opinion of the restaurant. Definitely check it out if you are in the Whistler area! -
Review from Jasmine L.
Port Moody, BC
6/18/2011
This place is amazing.
I've heard before that Rim Rock was great, but what finally motivated us to make a reservation was a Groupon. However, when we got there, we learned that the $49 three course menu special was on (not available with Groupon). Our server encouraged us to take advantage of the limited time special, and to return and use our Groupon for appies and drinks some other time. Despite our game-plan going in, we caved and began our amazing dining experience.
First Course: Sauteed Mushroom Salad. Delicious. It was a perfect balance of textures (crunchy shoestring potatoes, soft, squishy mushrooms, fresh, slightly wilted greens), and there were a LOT of fresh, wild mushrooms. I ate that salad like someone was trying to take it away from me. Salads rarely excite me like this one did. Wow, it was good.
Second Course: Buffalo Mozzarella. See, here's the thing - this isn't listed on the menu as "caprese salad" or "tomatoes with buffalo mozzarella" - it's listed as "Buffallo Mozzarella", with tomatoes as part of the description. The portion was really large - no wimpy little tomato and mozza napoleon here. Huge, torn chunks of soft, fresh buffalo mozzarella with a scattering of gorgeous heirloom tomatoes and greens. I'm a huge sucker for fresh buffalo mozzarella, and this was some of the best I've ever had.
Third Course: Venison. Oh my GAH. The medium-rare venison portion is crusted with porcini mushrooms (YUM), topped with a coin of truffle butter (gaaaah!), and served with spatzle. It's like the chef went into my brain to make a dish just for me. The venison wasn't as gamey as I often find it to be, and it was melt-in-your-mouth tender. The spatzle was PERFECT. I sometimes find that spatzle is under cooked (way too chewy), or bland, or otherwise done incorrectly. This was amazing, and after learning that the chef was trained in the Black Forest region, this isn't surprising.
Dessert (not included in the 3-course): brownie with salted caramel and homemade macadamia nut ice cream and macadamia nut brittle. AHHH. I was certain that by this point there would be SOMETHING to disappoint me, even a little. But, no. This brownie was soft and oozy inside, and crunchy on the outside. the plate had been sprinked with flaked salt, which added to the sweet-saltyness of the dish and the texture. The brittle and ice cream were SO good.
I'm running out of positive adjectives here. I can't tell you how great this experience was. My expectations these days are unreasonably high, and I'm often at least a little disappointed by restaurants with a lot of hype. This wasn't the case here. The service was impeccable, and everything I ate eclipsed the last. This place surpasses all of the hype. I am a believer.
Thanks to my Groupon, we'll be back very soon! -
Review from Tammie E.
1/2/2012 14 photos
Best (Dinner) Restaurant in Whistler
This place is my far, my absolute, most favorite restaurant in Whistler. I wish I could eat every meal here, it's that delish. Nommy in my tummy. Every time we visit Whistler, we now ALWAYS go to the Rim Rock Cafe.
FOOD: They usually have a pre-fixe menu for 3-4 courses for a fixed amount (I can't recall), but we always go with that option as it's the most cost efficient and gives us a nice sampling of what we want on their menu. They had caribou the first time we visited, and I can't say that I'm too keen on the game meats, but the way they prepared this caribou, it was like a tender piece of filet mignon, it was so tasty and tender. We've ordered their duck before, and we LAVA duck, and it was very tasty and very, very good. Their lobster bisque is delish, not too fishy, and a touch of tomato, it's nom nom. Their food is of the best quality, and it's totally worth the price. You HAFTA go to the Rim Rock Cafe if you go out anywhere nice in Whistler. Anything else, just doesn't compare. The only gripe I have is they don't uncork any wine for you, it's some sort of Canadian law, but thankfully, they had plenty of Argentinean and Chilean wines by the glass, it kept me satisfied!
SERVICE: Perfection! Not too pushy, not too snooty, not too nice, just right. Like Goldilocks, perfect.
AMBIANCE: It's like a wood lodge with a big fireplace, it's cozy, romantic, comfortable, and well, perfect. :)
OVERALL: Make this one of your restaurants to visit when you're in the area; you won't regret it. -
Review from H.S. S.
12/2/2011
This restaurant absolutely lives up to it's reviews. Don't let the menu intimidate you! You don't want to miss out on this amazing place. The duck spinach salad was absolutely to die for. The filet mignon was perfect....and of course, I have to mention the sticky toffee pudding. YUM! Everything seemed to perfectly melt in my mouth!
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Review from Sydney L.
4/7/2011
My husband and I went here on the last night of our honeymoon at the recommendation of my ski lesson instructor. Excellent advice!
The ambiance was wonderful - rustic, homey, comfortable, romantic
The service was impeccable - attentive but not overly so, provided great suggestions when asked
The wine list was overwhelmingly long
The food was delicious!
We started with the seafood antipasto for two. The California roll was the best I have EVER eaten and, being from California, I've eaten a lot of them. The smoked salmon was delicious. The salmon tartar was good but had some spice in it that I wasn't in love with. The prawns + cocktail sauce were blah. The ahi poke was delicious and the smoked albacore (?) was to die for. The scallop ceviche was perhaps the best scallop I've ever eaten
I had the ahi poke and ahi tuna (appetizer) for my main dish and it was really good.
My husband had a special which was a halibut which literally melted in your mouth!!
We split the sticky toffee pudding for dessert which was TO DIE FOR
It's not an inexpensive place, but if you are looking to splurge, it's worth it! -
Review from Thomas B.
6/6/2011
Wow......
This place blew us away. One of the best dining experiences anywhere. Every single item was out of control awesome. It started with the unique drinks. They have polish "bison" vodka which they mixed perfectly with kiwi and blue agave syrup. My wife was thrilled with it, especially after the disappointment that the four seasons bar was.
The seafood/sushi appetizer had 6 samples of incredibly fresh fish. A big portion too. The salmon first with somba noodles that my wife had could have been the entree, cooked to perfection. I won't bore you with more but just to say that my scallops on a pork belly bed were sublime.
We will be back many times. -
Review from Diana L.
12/5/2011
I'll add another 5-star review of Rimrock Cafe. Excellent food, with some serious artistry with the flavors that were brought out. Made reservations online for 7pm, noting it was for a birthday dinner. Parking was already tight when we got there, so be prepared!
The building was so nondescript! Save for the neon sign that faces highway 99 as you make your way to Whistler Village. We were seated upstairs (another thing to note if you've spent the day on the slopes learning a new sport and your knees and leg muscles have not quite recovered yet), in a secluded little nook next to the fireplace. We had the happiest waitress ever, Kelly, who didn't mind that we took about 20 minutes trying to figure out what to order. We opted for the $49 3-course special, deciding on the seafood antipasto and lobster bisque for starters; beef carpaccio and seared scallop for seconds; and the mixed grill and sturgeon special for entrees. Every dish was excellent, cooked just right, every bite filled with strong and unexpected flavors that lingered. We had opted to go without alcohol, but the seafood antipasto practically begged to be paired with a white wine.
We unfortunately passed on the legendary sticky toffee pudding, being way too full after the second course, let alone how we felt after the last course. Next time, sticky toffee pudding!
One odd thing about the restaurant was the washrooms - totally bland and almost below average! I mean, they were perfectly clean and functional, but I would expect that with the amount of attention paid to the food and the dining area, that the washrooms would be a little more updated or posh, just to match the experience.
Rimrock Cafe definitely deserves its reputation, for the food and service was up there with some of the finest restaurants I have experienced. Look forward to going here again! -
Review from Andy P.
3/9/2012
good food, excellent service. interesting local brews available. i had the venison.
great way to end the day. -
Review from Bettina S.
Vancouver, BC
11/21/2011
Everyone sees the sign for the Rim Rock Cafe on their drive up to the Whistler village but always drive right on by. A friend recommended this place and we were pleasantly surprised to find a cozy, warm, fabulous restaurant. It's definitely on the nicer end of Whistler restaurants and perfect for a romantic dinner or dinner with friends. All the food was great - especially the lobster bisque!
Will definitely be returning. -
Review from Stephen K.
1/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
They once won an award entitled "Best restaurant when someone else is paying." That says it all, but I guess I should write a little more
I have driven past this place a hundred times and always assumed it was a sports bar. The neon sign outside does not do them justice. This is a top notch restaurant, not just in decor and victuals, but also in service. Few restaurants manage to create such an honest welcome. Couples, I recommend asking for the table by the fireplace. I don't know whether they would accommodate, but it's worth a shot.
PS, the bill wasn't as bad I had heard. You could do much more damage at a mediocre restaurant in the village. -
Review from Deb J.
7/14/2011
We wanted a fancy night out and this place provided it. Definitely expensive but it was a fun indulgence.
We ordered several appetizers based on yelp reviews and shared them
- Sauteed Mushroom Salad - delicious. The mushrooms had a wonderful smoky flavor;
- Buffalo Mozzarella- a nice salad but nothing extraordinary;
- Seafood Antipasto for one - which had a great combination of seafood - thoroughly delicious. It's a bit expensive at $16 so we didn't order it for two but it gave us a good sampling that we were able to share well and get enough of each item to taste and enjoy. Going back, I would order it for two - it was tied with the lobster bisque for amazing!
The lobster bisque was phenomenal - we only ordered one and the waitress split it for us (she just did it, without us asking) and we should have ordered one each - totally delicious, rich, creamy and WOW! Definite star of the show.
I ordered the venison appetizer for my dinner (which was just right for me) and he ordered the steak which he loved. We got the Lobster mashed potatoes (one serving) to share and it was rich and delicious - definitely an indulgence to partake in. He ordered a Canadian white wine which he really enjoyed.
If we were going to do it again, we would order some different appetizers that were not as much "salad" so we could explore more of what they do so well. But you can only eat so much!
And now for dessert - so many desserts looked so good so we ordered the dessert sampler. We had the english toffee pudding (it was OK but doesn't get my rave reviews like others. There was extra sauce for it that we used for other things which was nice. There was a mini-brownie w/ ice cream (very nice), creme brulee w/ raspberry (very nice - one of my favorites - too bad it was so small), two truffles (omigod! amazing!), chocolate nut chunk pieces stuck in whipped cream. A very nice way to sample their desserts, although their special of the night - pecan pie - was very tempting too.
He ordered one of the coffee dessert drinks - wish I could remember the name of it - fun name - I think it was 2nd or 3rd down on the menu- it had kahlua, grand marnier, and more, with a cinnamon sugar rim - great contrast with the sweet dessert! Definitely a must-have with dessert!
The service was excellent. We opted to be seated in a booth which gave us more privacy and quiet than in some of the other areas of the restaurant. But the decor was a bit dark. Still a very nice place to go.
I give it 4.5 stars - some room for improvement but all-in-all we'd go back for another delightful dinner celebration when we can afford it! Over $200 which isn't bad for their quality/quantity but is still in the indulgent expensive range for us. -
Review from MITCHELL S.
1/26/2012
Four of us went this week. Awesome. Arctic char. Venison, elk, all cooked correctly with sauces. Started with oysters cold fresh topped with cavier . Warm spinach salad. Ended with blueberry cheesecake and warm date pudding with toffee Carmel sauce cocktails and glass of wine 100.00 per person with tip all good
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Review from Janice F.
Updated - 1/10/2011
Salt Spring Honey Mussels - "They're in season.." smiles the waiter.
Omigod, ahmaaaazing! Now I know what I've been missing out on my whole life - actual fresh, and I mean, really fresh mussels!!
They were hugely plump and so sweet. Still firm to the bite and just perfect. Classically served with a white wine garlic sauce. Really great value for $15. By far the best mussels I've had, beating out Chambar.. Stella's.. anything else in recent memory.
They didn't have the caribou steak available though, which was very sad - apparently they're having supplier issues with the one guy who hunts them out in Nunavut. Instead, they serve it exactly the same with an almost just-as-tender venison. They're hoping for the caribou to be available by spring.
Also tried a buffalo entree with reduced red wine sauce, topped with seared foie. The buffalo was also tender, medium rare, but not nearly as flavourful as the caribou. This place is definitely worth the drive from the village.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/17/2010
Hard to spot from the highway! Especially at night, it's just north of Creekside if that helps.… Read more »
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Review from Dave D.
Victoria, BC
9/4/2010 1 photo
I suppose this review would be more helpful if I could find fault but this was perhaps one of the best dinners I've ever had - definitely in the top 5.
I had an appy of muscles in a wonderful sauce and a dinner of Atlantic lobster and scallops. My wife had the rib eye steak an it made me regret my choice. Not that I didn't want mine - it was arguably the best lobster I've had but my regret was that I couldn't eat both.
And the service? Friendly but not too friendly. There with a smile when you née them to be and then gone, letting you enjoy your meal with the company you came with.
Will I go back? Definitely. -
Review from Jasmyn M.
1/21/2010
Heard many great things about this place prior to going - friends of friends, the driver who take us to Whistler from the airport, the hotel concierge, the ski lift guy, the taxi driver taking us to the restaurant - didn't want to let all the hype get to my head but all rumors were confirmed when I took my first bite of Lobster Bisque. Great wine selection...tried some Bordeaux-ish blend from the BC area and loved it. Complimented all the meals of our party of four quite nicely. Great cocktail list and decent vodka selection.
Prior to our arrival, we had heard they were known for their caribou and seafood, so we got all of the above. To sum up, started with some oysters and lobster bisque, the table shared foie gras and caribou medallions, then for mains we ordered artic char stuffed with crab and goat cheese, a seafood trio (scallops, ahi tuna, and sablefish), caribou steak, and a meat trio (caribou, filet, and lamb chops). Let's just say there wasn't much conversation happening when the entrees came.
For dessert we had the brownie and the toffee pudding, the latter being a MUST HAVE.
Great service and delicious dining! Couldn't ask for more. Oh wait, you can...ask for a table by the fireplace. Made for a cozy meal while watching the snow fall outside. -
Review from Vivian Y.
Updated - 3/10/2009 4 photos
Update: just got my credit card statement and thank god the US dollar is strong right now.
My dinner bill was CAD$242.00 including taxes and tips and it converted to US$ 188.00 AND we got a 1% cash back.
Wow...I'd much rather eat here than at Alinea...Price:Performance ratio is SPOT ON.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/6/2009
Holy mother of god - what a great way to spend my 30th birthday. Luckily my buddy Matt chatted up… Read more »
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Review from Steve B.
Vancouver, BC
9/5/2010
Definately an amazing meal.
Started with oysters for an appy, 2 baked, 2 raw, which were excellent. Served with tasty fresh bread.
I had the lamb. It was perfectly cooked, nicely seasoned with fresh local veggies. She had the crab infused salmon, which was a little disappointing, slightly overcooked and a little bland but...we eat a lot of salmon (3 or 4 times a week) so we also tend to be extremely tough critics of our salmon.
The wine suggested, by our excellent waitress, was a good choice. I had a half litre of Meritage and she had a glass of Chardonnay.
Dessert was also a hit and a miss though. The brownie was blah, I make better at home but... The toffee pudding(?) was amazing!
Over all, a good meal with great service, but for the price I left slightly disappointed. -
Review from John C.
5/7/2009
Thanks to a kind uncle, my wife and I had a gift card to spend at the Rim Rock to celebrate her birthday. Fortunately, this coincides with their excellent three course special they run in the slower season.
First and foremost, almost every single item in each course looked worth ordering. In fact, I suspect one cannot go wrong no matter how the three courses are chosen and pieced together. I had an excellent calimari dish to start (not breaded and deep fried, which was a great change of pace), some great salmon/crab cakes (a nice BC twist on the Baltimore specialty), and a perfectly done steak. I cleaned my plates and finished what my wife couldn't. We also got a side of lobster mashed potatoes, which was also fantastic.
The service was top notch. Our server never missed a beat and timed everything so perfectly that it's possible she's a robot sent from the Planet Good Server.
Rim Rock is very possibly the best high end dining experience in Whistler. We'll have to inform my wife's uncle that my birthday is coming up in three months.... -
Review from Tristan S.
12/24/2010
Best restaurant I've been to in Whistler. We ordered Rasputin-style oysters, gorgonzola iceberg lettuce salad, lobster mashed potatoes, roasted squash risotto, and Qualicum beach scallops (without bacon). The food was excellent, especially the oysters, salad, and scallops. Unfortunately our server made a mistake by telling us that the mashed potatoes did not contain bacon, when in fact they did (we do not eat meat), but we didn't let that spoil the dinner.
We liked it so much that we came back again for a snack on our last day in Whistler and had the wild mushroom salad and pappardelle pasta with prawns--also excellent.
Acoustics aren't so good, so if you want quiet then go right at opening time (5:30) before most people arrive. -
Review from Mitch N.
2/20/2009
Amazing food, great wine, and very good service.
We had an excellent bottle of wine(from an Canadian desert, who knew?!), very good appetizers (the foie gras was wonderful), and our main courses did not disappoint.
The location is very low-key, you may just overlook it or think it's nothing fantastic.. Some sort of lodge dining? But once inside, one glance of the menu, you'll be delighted with the choices and French influence in many of the dishes. -
Review from Patricia C.
Vancouver, BC
5/6/2010 7 photos
One word describes this place... AMAZING
The fiance and I were out in Whistler for a mid-week getaway. Little did we know it was Dine in Whistler. (From late April to late June participating restaurants have deals for $35/person and $45/person http://www.whistler.co...) I had my heart set on Araxi but they were closed and thankfully so, the concierge at our hotel recommended Rim Rock instead.
I had no expectations of this place. The restaurant was cozy and unpretentious. The menu was simple. For $45 we could choose from a starter, a second and a main. We both started with the seafood antipasto for 2. I then had the Spinach Salad with Smoked Duck (holy smokes was this delicious, the spinach was served warm) and for my main the Half Atlantic Lobster which came with this amazing risotto.
For dessert we had the Sticky Toffee Pudding (as does everyone). Our server Shelly suggested it initially but my fiance was not convinced. Shelly told him if he didn't like it they would pay for it. Sure enough he liked it!
Great value, great food, great service. I've been to French Laundry and it didn't blow my mind like this place did. As I ate, I could hear a neighboring table of 3 grown men swoon over their food. -
Review from Oliver Q.
8/19/2010
One of the few Whistler restaurants that's worth the money!! But you'll need a reservation...
Sometimes overlooked by first timers to Whistler because of it's subtle signs and location just past Whistler Creekside on the right. Great variety of steaks, seafood and more exotic stuff (caribou). Have been here 1-2 times a year for the last 5 years and have never left disappointed. My steaks have always been amazingly cooked and they even make caribou appetizing. Great wine selection, as well (and they're good with their pairing recommendations).
The design is nice, but not pretentious (no flashing signs or loud rock music). Most folks dress casually, but nice (don't see flip flops and cargo shorts here often). This place stays busy and it's fairly hard to just walk in without a reservation (unless you're visiting spring/fall).
My only issue is that they tend to streamline their menu in the summer (either making it smaller or providing a discounted several course tasting type menu). Having said that, even when I have to order things I wouldn't normally order, it's always been good.
If you want a "nice dinner", nothing in Whistler comes close... -
Review from cedro t.
7/19/2011
3 course for $49. Well presented adventures in Calamari, Gnocchi, crab cakes and pasta... I would have been disappointed had the final course of gorgonzola filet and striped sea bass not been as amazing as they were. Toffee pudding with strawberries and pineapple. A strong finish for this slow starting mountain culinary experience. Service was excellent.
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Review from Kevin H.
12/30/2009
I think this is the BEST restaurant in whistler area.
You know what this place really made me appreciate? The water boy. they have this dedicated guy who runs around and refills your water. OKay this is not a new concept - but waterboy here has some skill. I started testing him - seeing if he could get to my water if i drank it really fast.... i could not defeat him.
NEXT TIME WATER BOY! NEXT TIME!
Oh, the food is excellent here! -
Review from Kathleen H.
12/16/2010
Take advantage of the 3 courses for $49 if they have it. Wow. I was so impressed by the level of service and the timeliness of everything that came out. They must have a formula for every possible combination of courses and drinks. The menu offers such a wide variety, it is really hard to make a decision. Try to go with a general idea of what you want (fish, steak, game) and it might be easier... or better yet, order a cocktail first. They make good ones.
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Review from Nestor P.
3/26/2009
This is an option if you are in Whistler looking for a fine dine place. As other reviewers said "...don't let the exterior of the restaurant fool you .." because inside the decor is very good and the place is really quite making it perfect for a nice & quiet dinner after a full day of Ski.
The place is not cheap at all, in fact I found it a little be pricey but the food is good and the service is superior.
I went there with my wife and I ordered a Rim Rock mixed grill (lamb, beef and Venison) which was spectacular! this dish is big and comes with a nice selection of side order. If you have the opportunity, try it because it is really good!. My wife ordered the Caribou and was good however the portion served was not that big (think that it costs around CND$ 55).
Our waitress suggested the toffee pudding and my wife told me that it was really good!. As an appetizer, I ordered a Carpaccio which was good however the pickled lemon was too salty.
The cafe also has a huge selection of wines, with at least 5+ different types from each major geography (Spain, Italy, USA, Argentina, etc).
In summary: Nice place, good food and awesome service. -
Review from Curtis B.
Vancouver, BC
7/26/2010 3 photos
Rim Rock is the best restaurant in Whistler.
I've been there twice in the last couple months, once for the shoulder special and once with regular prices. Both times the food has been amazing as has the service. It is pricey, but worth it for a special night out.
I have tried the Caribou appetizer and main. The appetizer is a taste of what the main is like. Both are amazing but the main is one of the best I've even has anywhere. The Tuna appetizer and main are also great, particularly the appetizer which is generous in portion. The lobster and scallop pasta is also delicious and ordered both times by one person in my party. Not currently on the menu is the seafood ceviche which was refreshing and delicious. Mussels are done as a special quite often and are great - not too big or too small with beautiful broth.
I also like how the setting is casual because Whistler doesn't need to become more pretentious.
Just go, particularly if there is a special on! -
Review from Rithy C.
12/20/2009
Very excellent dinner choices, The Caribou is super tender and the mix grill is very tasty. You have to try their Fois Gras with the lovely raspberry infused apples that compliments the dish.
The Sticky Toffee pudding is something that gets raved reviews by the locals and is a warm and nice treat to enjoy after the dinner.
The staff is so nice, I asked for a side of Truffle butter with my dish and my wish was granted. I would go again in a heart beat. -
Review from Jen C.
4/14/2011
I was really looking forward to trying some caribou (either the appy medallions or the main course caribou) but apparently the local ranchers were trying to repopulate the herd so maybe next time. Anyhoo, the ambiance was a lil over the top for my bf and I (but then again, we were just looking to try some local food and feeling pooped after skiing all day on the mountain)...the restaurant was very dimly lit, slightly formal in arrangement (which you wouldn't expect pulling up to the restaurant because it has a very nondescript exterior) and the staff too obliging that it made me feel a lil awkward. I think if we'd gone at a later time when more patrons were present, we prolly wouldn't have been awarded so much attention and I could've enjoyed the experience without feeling like all eyes were on us...and it was too quiet from the lack of diners that I felt the need to almost whisper for fear that the staff would pick up on our convo...haha
So on to the best part---the food! My bf and I ordered everything to share: raw oysters for starters (nothing grand but the accompanying champagne vinaigrette was delightful), lobster bisque (too rich but I tried it since a couple of ppl mentioned it in their reviews and I'm very partial to anything lobster), mussels (OMG soooooooooo good! I'd go back and just order 5 rounds of this stuff...and don't forget to sop up the sauce with the bread!), lobster mashed potatoes (my 2nd "OMG! Soooooo good!" And this side dish is LOADED with chunks of lobster...absolutely fabulous and only $13 for all that meat!) and venison (I'd never had venison before and I found it to be interesting. I don't think I'd order it again but it wasn't bad...a very hearty meat. However, the truffle butter and porcini cream was really good and it complemented the entree).
All in all, I prolly wouldn't go back to this restaurant because it's not within walking distance from the Village...our cab fare was $15 each way so that was another $30 on top of our $150 bill (which was pretty affordable considering the tab also included my bf's 2 local beers on tap and I had green tea). Although the food was pretty good @Rim Rock Cafe, the next day we went to Araxi (which is just as good as RRC, if not a lil better) which was just a few steps from our hotel in Whistler Village, and, therefore, so much more convenient. Having said all this though, I still recommend the experience to any first-timers in Whistler...just pick a dinner time that's more lively =)
