Araxi
4222 Village Square
Whistler, BC
(604) 932-4540
By: Kenneth D. Baker, MD
Rating scale
1 = bad
3 = average
5 = great
Atmosphere
We walked in and were greeted by both hostesses. They were very friendly, smiled, took our coats, and seated us immediately. We had reservations. The décor is good and it is clearly a fine dining restaurant. Not common in Whistler.
Rating = 4
Noise
It is a bit loud when the restaurant is full. We sat in the corner, so it was a bit quieter. They could use some technology to reduce the noise.
Rating = 3
Service
The waiter was very attentive. After a long day of skiing, he kept the water glass full. This was appreciated. We did not order wine, and he was not persistent like some waiters are at other restaurants who try to inflate the bill so the tip will be larger.
The food was brought to the table and served in an elegant fashion. The waiter explained in detail what we were eating. He told us what was local, and how the dishes were prepared. It is clear this is a choice job in Whistler, and the behavior of the staff shows that they must perform, or there are many others who would want to work there. The waiter explained there is an extensive interview process.
Rating = 5
Food
We had two appetizers. Both were sushi rolls, but were completely different. The first was the wild prawn dynamite. It was good, but not great. I have had better sushi in Vancouver, San Francisco, and Japan. Rating = 3. The second was the scallop battera, which was more interesting and prepared in a unique way. This was a little better. Rating = 4
For the entrees, we had the duck breast and the pork tenderloin. Both were presented elegantly, and both were excellent. They are served medium rare, and they were very flavorful. Portion size was good. The accompaniments matched the meat well and we were pleased.
Rating = 5
For dessert we had the warm chocolate cake. I have had much better. Rating = 3
Summary
This is one of the most elegant restaurants in Whistler. It not only has good food, but it is a dining experience. The service is great, the atmosphere is good, but can get loud, and the food is better than most places in Whistler. If you want good food and can afford it, as this is “big city” pricing, go to Araxi. If you want to impress a date, this place should do the trick. If you are on a serious budget, don’t go near it, as you can buy a lot of ramen noodles for the price of one entrée. I would go back.
