Casual, family, and intimate dining in the heart of Golden
RICK MACDONNELL
GOLDEN, BC – How often do you hear the phrase "we have something for everyone" in relation to restaurants or hotels? As someone who visits a lot of these places, I can tell you that it's said more often than not. It's a pretty brazen claim, and it's one that usually isn't backed up. But as far as Golden is concerned, I've quickly learned that these people are true to their word.
Whether it's the Kicking Horse River Lodge on the accommodation side, or the Whitetooth Mountain Bistro on the dining side, Golden really stepped up to the plate (no pun intended) when delivering true, near-universally-applicable products.
We serve comfort food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner," began Whitetooth Owner Shawn Carr. "We cater to outdoor enthusiasts – skiers and boarders in the winter, whitewater rafters and hikers in the summer – and that includes both families and children, people looking for a casual meal after their travels or a couple looking for a more intimate dinner for two."
What's remarkable about that statement – which is 100% true – is that it's accomplished in a fairly moderate-sized restaurant. The Whitetooth definitely won't overwhelm you with its size, but it will with its economy of space. There will be a family of 8 having a relaxing dinner in one corner, a group of couples tucked away in booths in another, a group of exhausted powederhounds at the bar, and a mix of smaller parties everywhere. And somehow, you not only feel comfortable, but isolated.
A new restaurant with storied, local flair
 The Whitetooth's creative staff serves up almost 100% Alberta and BC fare. Photo courtesy of Whitetooth Mountain Bistro |
"Contemporary, but with a strong sense of history," is how Carr described the decor. Again, he was bang on. There's a subtle, casual elegance to the room, with its red walls, butcher block tables, and chocolate booths. And yet the walls are adorned with photos of the original Whitetooth Ski Area (the original name for what later became Kicking Horse Mountain Resort). This blend of past and present has stuck a chord with Golden locals, one in particular.
"When I opened the restaurant, Jim Murphy, who owns Golden's Glacier Raft Company, and who has been living here for 50 years, ran down right away and said that we had to do something with these photos. With a name like the Whitetooth Bistro, it just made sense."
Old brochures, trail maps, and photos from the Ski Area's first five years can be found all around the restaurant, a nice touch, and a great way to ingest a new restaurant with some local flair. For Carr, supporting local is a top priority.
"Everything we serve is local, from Alberta or BC. All our seafood comes right out of the Pacific, our salmon comes right from the Fraser River, our scallops are from right off the coast, and our steaks are all Alberta. Maintaining that sustainability is important. We're all about fresh, local stuff as much as possible."
 The Pan Roasted Wild BC Sock Salmon was absolutely phenomenal. Prepare to be filled. RICK MACDONNELL/SnowSeekers |
Add to that an extensive collection of BC wines and you have the perfect spot for international visitors to experience everything that Western Canadian cuisine is all about.
Whitetooth is just the beginning
"At the end of the day we want you to walk away with that sense of 'Oh my god, I'm so full, that was so good!' So much so that you need a nap afterwards."
But you can't, because the Rockwater Bar and Grill sits right next door. Featuring world class DJs and bands, pool tables, patios, and room for 250+, its Golden's premier music venue. So make your first stop the Whitetooth, then walk the twenty feet next door to party the night away.
"Live music on the weekends, ski films on the big screens, 4500 square feet of room. It's fun."
For more on the Whitetooth Mountain Bistro, visit its website.
For more stories and detail on Golden check out our SnowSeekers' destination page.
