The GOODS from Araxi

Whistler, BC | Francesco Ricasoli, the 32nd Barone of Brolio, and proprietor of Barone Ricasoli, will introduce a wide range of his famous wines at the inaugural wine dinner at The Cellar by Araxi later this month. The Ricasoli family created the formula for Chianti Classico in 1872, drawing on the region’s superior Sangiovese grapes.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have the Barone host this event with us, particularly as it’s our first wine dinner in The Cellar,” says Neil Henderson, restaurant director of Araxi Restaurant and Oyster Bar and The Cellar by Araxi. Samantha Rahn, Araxi’s wine director, adds, “The range and quality offered by Barone Ricasoli is as impressive as its history – after all, his family invented one of the world’s most popular classifications.”

Barone Ricasoli was named ‘Best Italian Winery of the Year’ by the Gambero Rosso Wine Guide. Some of Barone Ricasoli trademark wines are Brolio, Castello di Brolio, Casalferro, Rocca Guicciarda, and Torricella.

Featured wines for this special dinner include:

Albia Rosé 2014
Torricella 2013 (white blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc)
Brolio Chianti Classico Riserva 2011
Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2011
Casalferro 2010 (Merlot)
Granello 2010 (Passito, partially-dried style dessert wine)

Executive Chef James Walt is working closely with Rahn to develop a five-course menu tailored to the wines. The dinner will be held at The Cellar at Araxi on Sunday, February 21st at 6:30 pm. Tickets to this intimate event are $185 per guest, plus tax and gratuity. As space is limited, interested guests should contact Samantha Rahn directly at samantha.rahn [at] araxi.com to purchase tickets. Event information can be found online here.

The beautifully designed Cellar by Araxi is Whistler’s newest venue, and boasts an impressive space for private dining and exclusive events. It offers feature wine walls and a dedicated wine room, can be subdivided for intimate events, and has a show kitchen for interactive chef demonstrations. A separate entrance and staircase ensures the utmost exclusivity for private-dining patrons.

Details

4222 Village Square | Whistler, BC | VON 1B4 | MAP
Voice: 604 932 4540
Web: Araxi.com
Email: [email protected]

Gallery

Hours

Dinner: 5pm-11pm
Bar: 3pm-midnight
Oyster Specials: 3-5pm
Sunday Brunch: 10am-2pm

Our Team

James Walt, Executive Chef
Aaron Heath, Pastry Chef
Neil Henderson, Restaurant Director
Samantha Rahn, Wine Director
Tova Johnson, Restaurant Manager
Pat Allan, Restaurant Manager
Darin Newton, Restaurant Manager & Sommelier
Jason Kawaguchi, Assistant Service Manager + Assistant Wine Director
Rene Wuethrich, Bar Manager

About Araxi Restaurant

Best of the Pacific Northwest

The culinary cornerstone in the heart of Whistler Village, Araxi enjoys a long-held international reputation for excellence in food, wine and hospitality.

Executive Chef James Walt celebrates carefully sourced local ingredients from nearby Pemberton Valley farms, where he collaborates frequently with local growers. His seasonally rotating menus also feature the freshest seafood catches direct from the Pacific Ocean. Walt’s innovative and skillfully executed dishes deliver intelligent compositions and delightful flavours, carefully married to our award-winning wine list. Chef’s tasting menus, and a la carte selections, are popular with Whistler residents and visitors alike.

The dining room resonates with lively ambiance enhanced with fresh flowers and original works of art. The adjoining Bar is the mountain’s popular gathering place for locals and visitors, and in the summer season the patio is the nexus of Whistler’s village life, wrapped by stunning mountain vistas.

The Cookbook

Araxi, Seasonal Recipes from the Celebrated Whistler Restaurant

by James Walt $45.00

Gorgeous photography and accessible recipes frame the seasons and chef James Walt’s celebration of our region’s bounty in Araxi: Seasonal Recipes from the Celebrated Whistler Restaurant. A graduate of Stratford, Walt’s sterling career includes the executive chef position at the Canadian Embassy in Rome. The highly anticipated cookbook was just released to high praise by both patrons and Walt’s peers, including chefs Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal. Walt’s distinct Canadian style – that celebrates both local farms and coastal fisheries – has won praise and ovations at New York City’s James Beard House where he has showcased his talents three times. Now long established as Whistler’s finest dining experience, Araxi also features exceptional dessert recipes from pastry chef Aaron Heath and wine pairings from Samantha Rahn.

Best Chef Book in Canada, Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, 2009.

Nominee, Cooking from a Professional Point of View, James Beard Foundation Awards, 2010

Best Illustrated Cookbook, Cordon d’ Or – Gold Ribbon, International Culinary Academy Awards, 2010

For more details and to order a copy, click here.

Accolades

“Whistler’s first fine dining restaurant, and perhaps its best, satisfies most every taste, thanks to executive chef James Walt’s way with local ingredients, including his carefully balanced 100-Mile tasting menu.”
Vancouver magazine, Eating + Drinking Guide, 2012

“You can’t go wrong anywhere on their menu.”
National Geographic, 2012

“Establishments like Araxi are cornerstones of the resort’s upscale culinary experience.”
The Province, 2012

“The Long Table Dinner was really the event that catapulted our crush on Araxi into a full-blown love affair.”
Greedy Guts Blog, 2012

“If I had to select one dining experience that “wowed” us the most in 2011, it would have to be the Araxi Longtable event.”
Miss604.com, 2011

“Executive chef James Walt created a menu that was both innovative and mouthwatering.”
AOL Travel Canada, 2011

“The expanding food scene owes much of its growth to Araxi, known for years as the place to go for creative, outstanding dishes.”
Toronto Sun, 2011

“Whistler’s world class Araxi Restaurant.”
Vancouver Sun, 2011

“Fast forward three decades and Araxi has not only blossomed into one of Canada’s most celebrated restaurants (after all, Gordon Ramsay doesn’t exactly drop in by chance) but it’s become the cornerstone of Top Table, among an elite group of success stories.”
North Shore News, 2011

“Araxi is the natural choice for exquisite food, superb service, and vibrant atmosphere in the heart of Whistler Village.”
Whistler Question, 2011

“A creative institution that’s not only survived, but thrived by continually evolving during its 30-year reign at Whistler.”
Pique Newsmagazine, 2011

“This splendid restaurant is one of the best things about Whistler.” “The commitment to local products and suppliers shines through the inventive dishes from chef James Walt’s kitchen.”
Vancouver magazine, 2011

“Standout restaurant…”
Wall Street Journal, 2011

“Araxi is a restaurant hitting on all cylinders and clearly at the top of its game. Ambiance and service are impeccable – a real model for other restaurants to emulate.”
Food Network Canada, 2010

“Locally minded, universally delicious dishes.”
Food & Wine magazine, 2010

“Everything at Araxi is of the finest quality and is always executed with brilliant precision and thoughtful sophistication.”
Huffington Post, 2010

Best List Award, Silver
Vancouver International Wine Festival, 2015

Best Whistler, Gold
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, 1999-2008, 2010-2015

Best Formal Whistler Restaurant
WHERE Magazine ‘To Dine’ Awards, 2010-2015

Best Whistler Restaurant
Georgia Straight Golden Plate Awards, 2009-2015

‘Best of’ Award of Excellence
Wine Spectator, 2013-2015

Best Chef, James Walt
Best Bartender, Jason Redmond
Best Wine List
Best Martini/Cocktail
Pique ‘Best of Whistler’ Awards, 2015

Top 50 Restaurants in Canada
Vacay.ca, 2012-2015

Wine List Award, Gold
Vancouver International Wine Festival, 2013-2014

Best Server, Benjamin Parizet
Best Bartender, Jason Redmond
Best Martini/Cocktail
Pique ‘Best of Whistler’ Awards, 2014

Sommelier of the Year, Samantha Rahn
Vancouver International Wine Festival, 2013

Premier Crew Service Award, Samantha Rahn
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, 2013

Achievement of Distinction in Dining
DiRoNA, 2013

Best Dessert, Aaron Heath
Best Overall Experience
Best Chef, James Walt
Best Service
Best Wine list, Samantha Rahn
Pique ‘Best of Whistler’ Awards, 2013

Top50, Canada’s Best Restaurants
Maclean’s Magazine, 2012

Four Diamond Award
AAA / CAA, 2012

Premier Crew Service Award, Neil Henderson
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, 2012

Most Popular Whistler Restaurant
Zagat Restaurants Survey, 2012

Nominee, Cooking from a Professional Point of View – Araxi: Seasonal Recipes from the Celebrated Whistler Restaurant
James Beard Foundation Awards, 2010

Best Illustrated Cookbook – Araxi: Seasonal Recipes from the Celebrated Whistler Restaurant
Cordon d’ Or – Gold Ribbon, International Culinary Academy Awards, 2010

Grand Prize Restaurant, Hell’s Kitchen Season 6
Selected by Chef Gordon Ramsay and the Producers of FOX’s Hell’s Kitchen as the grand prize for the winning chef, 2009

Best Chef Book in Canada – Araxi: Seasonal Recipes from the Celebrated Whistler Restaurant
Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, 2009

Best Whistler, Gold
Urban Diner Restaurant Awards, 2009

Best Whistler, Silver
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, 2009

Guest Chef Dinner @ James Beard House
Three sold out events at the prestigious James Beard Foundation. New York City, 2006 + 2002 + 1998