While J and I were in Whistler we really wanted to do some touristy things like horseback riding or checking out the Peak to Peak. We didn’t actually realize how exhausting a wedding can be so our plans of adventure were cut short with the desire to just relax.  We did the usual walk around the village, took photos by the Olympic rings and then decided that the line up for the Peak to Peak was too long. It was also an extremely beautiful hot sunny day and I couldn’t avert my eyes from all the patios calling my name.

I have an obsession with patios. It doesn’t really matter where it is but if I can be outside with good company and the opportunity to eat and drink then I am a happy girl. I once told J about a place in Whistler called Dusty’s that puts beef jerky in their Caesar’s, so we went to the upper village to check it out. Well, I was wrong; Dusty’s is in Creekside Village and not the upper village. We went into a bike store just to be sure and the guy said it wasn’t open yet and to try Merlin’s next door. We walked over to an almost full patio and took some seats in the sun. The menu has a tex-mex feel but also is very much a typical pub as well. They also don’t play the cheesy Mexican fiesta music either.

Amazingly enough they served beef jerky in their Caesars as well. While the piece of beef wasn’t quite the size I remembered Dusty’s to have it was still great. They also put in lemon, lime and another favourite of ours, a spicy bean. I think that the garnish in the Caesar is the only thing that will set itself apart from other Caesars as they’re pretty hard to screw up.

 

 

Another drink that caught my eye was their Michelada. Basically you get to pick a bottled beer of your choice and they serve it with a salt rimmed glass filled halfway with a tomato based beverage, a blend of seasonings, lime, cilantro and I am also pretty sure a large whack of worcheshire sauce.  The finished result was like mixing a beer with a Caesar and then adding more seasoning. It was savoury, but lighter once you added the beer. I think this would be the perfect hangover remedy!

 

 

Since we parked ourselves on this patio we also decided to order some food as well. Since J was still super full from our breakfast at The Wild Wood he just ordered chilli lime hot wings.  These were a little disappointing. We both prefer the kind of wings that are slightly crispy and these were pretty soggy. The sauce was also bla. I am pretty sure it was just Frank’s red hot chilli lime hot sauce. Hot yes, sort of limish, not really much chilli. They did fill the food void but I probably wouldn’t order these again.

 

 

I was a little hungrier and ordered the Yucatan Beef Torta Crisp. This is a breaded sirloin steak on a sourdough roll with avocado, Mexican crema, pickled jalapenos, black beans, lettuce, tomato and crisp corn tortilla strips. I was much more pleased with my selection! The steak was thin and reminded me of a schnitzel but there was enough of it that you could still taste it. The black beans were slightly lost, but that’s okay. I loved the pickled jalapenos and the added tortilla chips added some delicious crunch.

 

 

The patio at Merlin’s was decent. We could watch people do the climbing wall and laughed at the snowboarders and skiers who were fully dressed in winter gear in 28 degree weather. The prices were average of a pub as well.  There was another table that ordered nachos and the plate was HUGE, so if you someone who wants to dig through some gooey chips this could also be your place. J and I did go to Creekside the next day and learned that Dusty’s was actually open so we were a little disappointed that we didn’t get to go there but we still enjoyed the beef jerky in Merlin’s Caesar.