Given that its name is the term for the curve of a ski or snowboard that allows it to turn more smoothly, it seems appropriate that dinner at Sidecut restaurant - featuring its high-wattage tasting menu - adds a certain degree of posh smoothness to a visit to Whistler.
After 20 years of status quo, the Four Seasons Whistler's main restaurant underwent extensive renovations during the height of the pandemic to emerge as a sleek, intimate, steakhouse oozing with ski chalet luxury, down to the beautiful central fireplace.
Considered one of Whistler's most coveted stays, Sidecut's update allows the resort to push its boundaries with its culinary offerings. On weekend mornings, guests can still dig into a stunning brunch buffet with whimsical touches like a "donut wall," and in the afternoons toast S'mores on the patio over fire pits. Come dinner time, Vancouver visitors looking for a high-end dining experience can head to Sidecut for an elegant tasting menu that trades cute for cutting-edge.
Designed by Sidecut's Executive Chef Sajish Kumar Das, the sumptuous three-course meal with amuse bouche, bread service, and dessert, was crafted in part to showcase some of the prime ingredients the property is sourcing, including regional and domestic seafood and shellfish as well as A5 Olive Fed Wagyu. The Four Seasons Whistler's Sidecut is the only Canadian restaurant to serve this premium steak, which comes from Japan's Shodoshima Island and cattle fed with a unique diet that allows for incredible marbling and a deep, rich taste.
The chef's menu offers the wagyu as its own course with the guest's choice of preparations. One option features even more luxury components, like 5J Jamon Iberico and black truffle with a veal marrow sauce dispatched at your table. The other is a wagyu striploin with seared foie gras, black truffle, and a decadent Bordelaise sauce - also poured before your eyes.
Thanks to several ooh- and ahh-provoking tableside presentations and interactive elements, Sidecut's tasting menu balances fine dining with a lot of fun. Course after course landing at our table drew wide-eyed delight from neighbouring groups who saw clouds of smoke from dry ice waft over an amuse bouche of seafood tartare and the blue-flamed flash of flambé with a dessert of chocolate, orange and Grand Marnier.
One of the most whimsical (and trendy) courses, however, is the bread and butter, thanks to Sidecut's dramatic presentation of a bone marrow butter candle set aglow at your table. The warmth of the flame makes the butter supple enough for spreading on the hotel's house-made sourdough and allows diners to play with their food a bit.
Though not a part of the menu itself, Sidecut's beverage pros have a fantastic selection of craft cocktails available (as well as a full bar) with more show-stopping concoctions like the Volcan de Fuego, which features Bacardi Reserva 8-year-old Rum, Amontillado Sherry, Cherry and Amaro, Bittered Sling Suius Cherry Bitters, and billowing Rosemary Smoke which is released - along with the drink - from a box delivered to the table.
The restaurant has an impressive wine selection, including pours by the glass from its Coravin system, which is an innovative method of storage designed to ensure each glass poured tastes like the bottle had just been uncorked. Pairings are available for the tasting menu courses, which is a great way to match the flavours of the meal with select sips. One terrific match-up was the 2021 Domaine Bernard Defaix Chablis paired with the seafood course. The Burgundian white was the perfect foil for the Lobster and King Crab Risotto, which was one of the stand-out dishes of the meal.
Sidecut offers its elegant and splurge-y Chef's Tasting Menu on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only, which makes it ideal for Metro Vancouverites making the trip up the Sea to Sky for a weekend (or extra long weekend) adventure - in style.
Fair warning: The Four Seasons Whistler is a family-friendly property, which means you might experience your decadent tasting menu near tables with shrieking children. You may wish to book your table for later in the evening to avoid family dinnertime.
The Sidecut Chef's Tasting Menu is available Thursday through Saturday only by reservation, which can be done online via OpenTable or by phone at 604-966-5280. The restaurant is located inside the Four Seasons Whistler, which is at 4591 Blackcomb Way in Whistler, B.C.
Video: Sidecut restaurant's tasting menu dinner at the Four Seasons Whistler
@forkingawesomevia I recently had the most amazing tasting menu dinner at Sidecut restaurant at the Four Seasons Whistler! 🍽️ The butter candle and all the tableside flourishes made it so fun and interactive. It’s definitely pricey, but perfect for a special weekend trip from Vancouver. If you go, try the wine pairing and the craft cocktails—they're incredible! 🍷🍸#forkingawesome #whistler #fourseasons ♬ tip toe sped up - ︎
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