I found true, honest-to-goodness, Canadian Cuisine. No, it's not Tim Horton's, but rather a dish that sticks to the ribs of the Quebecois and others across the Great White North.

I'm talking about poutine (pronounced poo-TEEN, which is critical, as if you mispronounce it, you end up accidentally calling someone a whore). It is a mixture of French fries with fresh cheddar cheese curds, covered with hot gravy. Of course, I had to get to the top of Whistler Mountain to get this dish.

I've never had poutine before, as I am nothing more than a ignorant american. The only thing we yanks put on fries is ketchup...or chili and cheese. But I do know this about poutine. If you make it with shredded cheese or cheese slices, you have blasphemed the tradition that is poutine. Cheddar Cheese curd and gravy. Anything else is to be considered faux poutine.

The food here at the ski village is exactly what you would expect...several pub houses, your basic fast food chains for the ski rats who have little money, and upper class joints that can run you up to $100 (Canadian) for two. Very little in the way of small businesses aimed at those who have little money.

Lynn and I ended up (between movies) at a place called "Kypriaki Norte", a mediterranean place chock full of greek goodness. We decided to do it Tapas-style, focusing on the appetizers.

Tamara Tarama, Tuna Carpaccio, Beef Carpaccio, Dolmades, and Baked Brie with Garlic all crossed our plates. It was the type of meal that makes one want to shake with joy and bliss. If you think about this food too much, you simply start crying. Of course, this reaction may be due to the several martinis (or in my case, the Black Magic Martini) that we had imbibed.

And to finish it off? Creme Caramel with an orange citrus glaze. Lynn did the Caramel dance, to the amusement of the wait staff.

When in Whistler, don't expect "authentic" anything. It's a ski resort after all, whose clientele basically consists of wealthy folks looking to kill off a weekend. So no authentic Sushi, no authentic Greek, no authentic italian...but possibly authentic poutine.