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Small Barrels Magazine

Reviews of Fine Wines, Luxury Hotels and the Best Restaurants on Earth

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Fifty Two 80 Bistro (Whistler, BC)

October 15, 2004 By karin Leave a Comment

Fifty Two 80 BistroVisiting the Four Seasons Whistler’s Fifty Two 80 Bistro as we did in October requires a bit of imagination. Whistler is, after all, a skiing town and the white stuff isn’t truly in its element for a few more months. We therefore had to imagine throngs of people clad in snowflake patterned sweaters layered over thermal underwear turtleneck tops sipping beverages après ski by the fireplace in the large lounge at the restaurant’s entrance. Of course, our reverie could just as easily place gentlemen in classy suits and ladies in little black dresses sipping cocktails amidst this lounge’s luxurious leather furnishings and tasteful décor. Though described as a casual restaurant, the décor and menu will not disappoint those in the mood for slightly a “finer” experience.

The décor of the main dining room is fresh, modern and inviting. Warm, earthy, and peachy tones are complemented by wood accents that reflect the glow of the open stone fireplace. (There is also a fireplace outdoors for al fresco dining in the summer months.) Everything at the Four Seasons Whistler, including the Fifty Two 80 Bistro (named, incidentally after the 5280 foot elevation of Whistler’s famous Blackcomb Mountain), is attractive and in impeccable shape at this relatively new hotel.



Fifty Two 80’s a-little-bit edgy menu is seafood-inspired, with daily creations served up from the bounty of the Pacific Ocean. We were urged to begin with a taste from the “live-action seafood bar” featuring prawns, freshly shucked oysters, lobster and other tasty bites. We sampled crab and lobster “raw shots” – amazingly tender morsels of these tender shellfish were actually served in a shot glass on a tiny bed of frisée lettuce. These tasty teasers are also served with homemade specialty sauces – I definitely recommend the  tantalizing, fresh, green goddess sauce.

Seafood is king at Fifty Two 80. Sure, the daily changing menu serves up share of chicken, prime rib(and even turkey with stuffing on the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday which occured while we were there), but restaurant specialties here revolve around things with gills or some mode of breathing under water. We visited the Bistro twice during our stay at the Four Seasons and sampled several items from the menu. Between those two visits, for first-courses (following seafood “raw shots”), we enjoyed a Golden Beet Salad with lightly breaded, warmed goat cheese and a tarragon dressing, House Smoked Wild Salmon on potato blinis with dill cream, and steamed mussels accompanied by frites and a spicy mayonnaise dip. Seafood reigned for our main courses. Generously sized garlicky prawns with a refreshing tomato salsa served with a mixed green salad was one evening’s choice – and then the highly recommended Black Cod with sweet corn and chanterelles. Desserts were rich and indulgent, such as the simply and aptly named “Chocolate” – a medley of chocolaty treats such as a Bailey’s and chocolate fudge morsel and sour cream and chocolate chunk ice cream.

We found the wine list to be rather small and quite focused upon British Columbia wines. It provided an interesting  rather than stellar selection. We had the Cedar Creek Platinum Reserve Chardonnay, 2002 on the first night, which was notable for its light, non-oaky taste. The next night, being in an eclectic and celebratory mood, we began with Sumac Ridge Brut from the Okanogan Valley – not exactly a creamy Champagne, but a still a nice beginning to a meal. We then took advantage of the half bottle offerings and had both the Blue Mountain Chardonnay 2001 and the Cedar Creek Estate 2002 – the second better than the first.

Service was quite good – very friendly, and servers had good knowledge of the menu. As for dress code, think presentable (change out of your ski gear), but not overly formal.

Overall Dining Experience
We give Fifty Two 80 4 Stars – Excellent!

For more information or to make reservations, call (604) 935-3400 or visit http://www.fourseasons.com/whistler/dining.html

Filed Under: Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: BC, British Columbia, Canada, Four Seasons, Review of Fifty Two 80 Bistro, seafood, ski, Whistler

George V (Paris, France)

September 2, 2004 By karin Leave a Comment

Four Seasons George V Hotel in Paris FranceThe Four Seasons George V, lauded in books and films for decades, meets and surpasses the imagination. From its stunning lobby, richly and elegantly appointed rooms, and unparalled service, George V ensures that the romance of Paris is rendered indelible. Located in Paris’ prestigious 8th arrondissement amid some of the world’s finest shops and restaurants, George V lives up to its reputation of luxury and elegance from the moment you step through the revolving doors.

The lobby is immaculate, with floors of highly polished marble decorated gorgeously with huge arrangements of exotic flowers. Magnificent stone sculptures here and there add to the sense of history permeating the hotel. The reception desk and concierge desk face each other on either side of the room so that your first view is of flowers and the lushly-landscaped courtyard restaurant just beyond the lobby. You are immediately transported from the busy Paris streets just beyond into a world of high-class serenity.

A Suite at the Four Seasons George V Hotel in Paris France
A Suite at the Four Seasons George V Hotel in Paris France

Though many guests stay at George V, there is a sense of openness and spaciousness about the hotel. High ceilings and elegant yet never fussy decorative details add to this feeling. Our particular room had a large balcony overlooking the verdant courtyard. Though you never feel away from city life, the hotel spares no effort to make the city a luxurious experience for their guests.



Just outside the hotel doors are some of the world’s most luxurious shops. Designer names that almost anyone would recognize – Hermès, Versace, Armani, Louis Vuitton – are mere footsteps away. And at George V, you are in the very heart of the Paris the whole world imagines. The Champs Elysées is mere moments away, and you can easily walk to many of Paris’ most renowned attractions including the Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre.  As for navigating Paris from George V by foot, metro and train, we had very few problems if any, thanks in great part to the superb map supplied by the concierge.

As for our particular accomodations at the hotel, there is no doubt in my mind that Louis XIV never had it so good. In fact, all I wanted to do while day-tripping at hot, sticky, overly ornate, stuffy Versailles was get back to our soothingly coloured, perfectly acclimatized, tastefully decorated room with its massive bathroom, and pillow-soft bed with gazillion-thread- count sheets. Our room was absolutely gorgeous with the best of everything, including a huge bathroom outfitted mostly in marble and providing deliciously scented designer bath products from Italy.

Perhaps Gene Kelly Stayed in this Room?
Perhaps Gene Kelly Stayed in this Room?

Comfortable furniture welcomed us for an afternoon of reading and relaxing. An elegant writing table served as an inspiration for scrawling memoirs and “wish you could see this” postcards. There was even a miniature library of books either about or written at George V – a fine touch for the literary connoisseur.  And that portrait of Gene Kelly beside our bed? Could it mean that the most famous “American in Paris” stayed here? Perhaps or perhaps not… imagination is enouraged by the romance of the room’s surroundings.

Service is, not surprisingly, second to none at this world-class five star hotel. It is said that almost no wish is impossible to fulfill at George V, and you can believe it from the thoughtful, first-class treatment you receive. Your needs are all anticipated, even the ones you didn’t know you had. Service is prompt and expertly executed, whether you need one-hour laundry service, an elaborate in-room meal, tickets to any of Paris’ many attractions, even (so we’ve heard and can readily believe) a pet puppy to commemorate your stay! Housekeeping visits your room twice a day with turn down service, refreshing and replenishing your linens and designer amenities daily.

Beautiful Marble Bathrooms at George V
Beautiful Marble Bathrooms at George V

During our stay, I enjoyed a wonderful manicure at George V’s beautiful spa. The main reception area overlooks the hotel’s indoor pool which is flanked by cozy, comfy lounge chairs and walled by a “trompe d’oeil” garden scene. My aesthetician was friendly and very professional; alternately talkative and silent when I wanted to be. All treatments are performed in private rooms, which I very much appreciated. Soft, glowing lighting and soothing music created a relaxing atmosphere.

Treatments are, not surprisingly, quite expensive here. The emphasis on privacy, relaxation and the use of very high end products does go a long way, however, in justifying the price.English was spoken by all of the friendly staff that I encountered. My only negative comment is that while the spa staff will attempt to accommodate any request, I did find it difficult to secure an appointment at the time of my choice. If you know that you will want to visit the spa during your stay, I would recommend booking any treatments as far ahead as possible to avoid disappointment.

Spacious Marble Shower
Spacious Marble Shower

And now, to business. If Paris is the epicenter of food and wine, then George V and its neighborhood is the epicenter of the epicenter. Le Cinq is the shining culinary light of the hotel, having earned three prestigious Michelin stars. The menu, which combines traditional French cuisine with contemporary dishes and influences, is exquisite and accompanied by an encyclopedic wine list. Renowned establishments like Taillevent, a restaurant that has inspired novels as well as palettes,  are also close by. Excellent, if more casual, dining can be had on the Champs Elysees as well.  What could be more delightfully Parisian than an al fresco dinner and bottle of wine in the shadow of the Arc de Triomphe? Be aware that many restaurants and shops do close for several weeks in the summer (particularly August). Tourists may converge on Paris in summertime, but Parisians need their holidays,too!

Our hotel package included the option of having breakfast in our room or in the restaurant. Our first morning, we chose the restaurant. If truth be told, this was our only disappointment with the hotel – our orders were incorrect, and service was slow and surprisingly inattentive. We chose to dine in our room for the other mornings of our stay, and enjoyed this immensely. The beautiful spread is brought to you and laid out by a thoughtful attendant, who is in and out as quickly as possible. Breakfast is anything but just functional when served with crisp white table linens, plates covered with gleaming silver domes, and your own personal attendant to prepare a comfortable eating space and then whisk it all away.

Al Fresco Room Service Anyone?
Al Fresco Room Service Anyone?

We took advantage of the In-Room dining menu one evening for a fine dinner of French onion soup and lamb with vegetables Provencale style, and sipped wine on our outdoor terrace. The meal was wonderful, although we were rather surprised at the somewhat limited menu offerings. Likely, you can get whatever you request, but we were surprised at the apparent dearth of choice on the menu.

Overall, our experience at George V more than exceeded our highest expectations. The service and luxury were so tremendous, our time in Paris seems almost to be a dream. One that we would not mind having again and again…

Overall Experience
We give George V 5 Stars- Outstanding!

Four Seasons George V is located at 31 avenue George V, 75008 Paris, France. For hotel reservations, call 33 (1) 49 52 70 00. For more information, call 33 (1) 49 52 70 00 , fax 33 (0) 1 49 52 70 10 or visit www.fourseasons.com

Filed Under: Hotel Reviews Tagged With: 5 star, Four Seasons, France, George V, hotel, Paris, Review of George V

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