Bar Oso Now Open in Whistler

The latest addition to Toptable Group’s growing restaurant portfolio brings Spanish-inspired fare to the heart of Whistler Village

More than thirty years after opening Araxi Restaurant + Oyster Bar in the heart of Whistler Village, Toptable Group has expanded their presence on North America’s premium mountain resort with the highly anticipated opening of Bar Oso last weekend.Bar Oso, which borrows its name from the Spanish word for “bear” in a charming tribute to British Columbia’s wildlife, fills a void in Whistler’s fast-growing culinary scene with Spanish-influenced small plates and handcrafted cocktails that add a bit of pizzazz to the average après ski.Executive Chef James Walt and Restaurant Director Neil Henderson—who will oversee both Araxi and Bar Oso—announced earlier this year that fellow Araxi Chef Jorge Muñoz Santos will be leading the new Toptable Group establishment. Santos, who trained at Madrid’s I.E.S. Hotel Escuela and worked in such reputed Spanish kitchens as Restaurante Chanterla and Hotel Casa Irene, seems the perfect fit to bring approachable Spanish fare to Whistler’s main stroll.Santos is joined by Bar Manager Jason Redmond, tasked with the creation of handcrafted cocktails and the selection of inspired wines. The result is a food and beverage menu suited for lunch through to late night, whether you’re craving authentic Spanish flavours, refreshing drinks or a delicious sweet fix. Chef Walt’s own emphasis on locally sourced ingredients as a true pioneer of the farm-to-table movement, is reflected throughout Bar Oso’s tapas, house-made charcuteries and more.The combination of Araxi’s international acclaim, Whistler’s growing culinary sophistication and the ravenous appetite earned throughout a day on the slopes primes the 40-capacity Bar Oso to become Whistler’s most popular gathering place this winter.