Dining at Aetherion Ward Forge

The Forge Table

Where heritage flavors meet mountain-fresh ingredients

Chef at work

Honest cooking, heritage roots

Look, we're not gonna pretend we've reinvented the wheel here. What we do is take what's grown locally - and I mean actually local, not that trendy buzzword stuff - and cook it the way it deserves to be cooked.

Our kitchen's housed in what used to be the original forge's preparation room. The stone walls have seen a lot over the years, and now they're witnessing something pretty special - a culinary approach that honors both the past and what's on your plate right now.

We work with farmers and foragers from around Whistler who know their craft inside out. When something's at its peak, that's when you'll see it on our menu. Simple as that.

Meet the folks behind your plate

Passionate people who actually care about what you're eating

Chef Marcus

Chef Marcus Delacroix

Executive Chef & Culinary Director

Marcus spent 15 years cooking in Lyon before heading back to Canada. He'll tell you himself - French technique's great, but BC ingredients? That's where the magic actually happens. He's obsessed with fermentation and you'll find at least three different types of house-made preserves on any given night.

Chef Sarah

Chef Sarah Kimura

Head Pastry Chef

Sarah's desserts have made grown adults cry (in a good way). She trained in Tokyo and Vancouver, and somehow manages to make traditional techniques feel completely modern. Her sourdough bread program's become somewhat legendary around here, and honestly, it's justified.

What's cooking this season

Our menu changes based on what's actually available. Right now, here's what's catching our attention:

Starters worth your time

Wild mushroom tart - Foraged chanterelles, aged gruyere, thyme from our garden. The pastry's ridiculous.

Smoked steelhead - We smoke it ourselves over alder. Comes with pickled vegetables and fresh horseradish cream.

Roasted bone marrow - Yeah, it's rich. That's kinda the point. Served with sourdough and a parsley salad to cut through it.

Main plates

48-hour short rib - Slow-cooked till it's falling apart. Root vegetables, red wine reduction, and polenta that'll make you rethink polenta.

Pan-seared halibut - Caught locally, cooked simply. Brown butter, capers, and whatever seasonal veg looks good that day.

Heritage grain risotto - For our vegetarian friends who're tired of being an afterthought. Seasonal mushrooms, truffle oil, and yes, it's actually good.

Sarah's sweet finishes

Dark chocolate torte - Intense, not too sweet, served with salted caramel and vanilla bean ice cream.

Seasonal fruit tart - Changes constantly. Right now it's featuring local apples and house-made frangipane.

Main course
Dessert
Seafood dish

The vibe & the details

When we're open

Breakfast: 7:00 AM - 10:30 AM (Daily)

Lunch: 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM (Fri-Sun)

Dinner: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM (Wed-Sun)

Yeah, we're closed some days. The team needs rest, and honestly, it keeps the quality where we want it.

What to know

Smart casual works fine - no need to overthink it

We've got vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free covered

Kids are welcome (we've got options for 'em)

Reservations recommended, especially weekends

Wine collection

Drinks that actually pair well

Our sommelier, Jacques, has put together a wine list that's heavy on BC and Pacific Northwest bottles. He's also weirdly passionate about sake, so there's a solid selection of that too.

If wine's not your thing, our bar team does a mean cocktail program. They're into house-made syrups and infusions - sounds pretentious, but it just means everything tastes better and more interesting.

Local craft beers are on tap, and we've got a small but carefully chosen spirits collection. Jacques is always happy to recommend pairings if you're into that.

"I've been collecting wines for 20 years, and what I've learned is this - the best wine is the one you actually enjoy drinking. Let's find that for you." - Jacques Beaumont, Sommelier

Reserve your table

We're pretty busy most nights, so booking ahead's a smart move

We'll confirm your booking within a few hours (usually way faster)

Private dining & special events

Got something special coming up?

Private dining room

The Anvil Room

Our private dining space seats up to 18 people. It's intimate, it's got history, and the acoustics are surprisingly good for toasts. Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or business dinners that actually matter.

Custom menus available | Full bar service

Chef's table

Chef's Table

Wanna see how the magic happens? Our chef's table sits right in the kitchen - you get a front-row seat to service and Marcus usually pops over between courses to chat. It's different every night, and seats 6 max.

Tasting menu only | Wine pairing recommended

Catering service

Off-site catering

Yeah, we'll come to you. Weddings, corporate events, whatever you're planning. We bring the same quality and attention to detail - just in a different location. Marcus oversees everything personally.

Min. 30 guests | Custom proposals available