We stayed at the Westin for one week and so the Firerock Lounge was our default hang out place late in the afternoon in between stuff, or late at night after we were done going out. Also it was our intended drinking destination for the evening on a couple of occasions.
I had lunch here on two occasions, plus dinner a couple of times, and a late night snack another time. I've had the Nachos, the Chicken Wings (ordered them extra crispy), a burger with cheese, bacon and sautéed mushrooms (no bun), and two salads: the greens salad with grapefruit (minus the grapefruit) with grilled salmon added, and the Greens and Roasted Golden Beets salad - again with grilled salmon added.
All of the food was pretty good. The chicken wings were especially tasty. I asked for a side of the wing sauce they were coated in - in addition to the side of Blue Cheese. Hit the spot.
They carry more than two BC craft beers - as one reviewer James H. wished for when he wrote his review. I know, I drank at least five of them (there were also several more local brews that I did not try):
- Grapefruit Ale (Whistler Brewing Co., Whistler, BC)
- Loud Mouth Pale Ale (Deep Cove Brewers & Distillers, Vancouver, BC)
- West Coast IPA (The Old Yale Brewing Co., Chilliwack, BC)
- Shipwreck IPA (Lighthouse Brewing Co., Victoria, BC)
- Whiskey Jack Ale (Whistler Brewing Co., Whistler, BC)
I enjoyed all of them - except for the Whiskey Jack Ale, I'm usually not a fan of Amber Ales - I prefer hoppy American Pale Ales and IPAs.
The bartenders and wait staff were really nice and really cool. As we spent a lot of time here, we got to know them a bit. Our first night there we met Jonathan and Matty - two super cool bartenders. We also got to meet and know the manager Jennie, two of the other bartenders including Marlee, and several of the wait staff, including Lucy and Jess. All super nice folks.
My friend David and I were enthused when we discovered that they carry Lillet Blanc in their bar stock and also knew how to make the classic Vesper Martini. They went a little heavy on the Lillet, but the next time we request the drink, we'll ask for just a wee splash.
We were also ecstatic to discover that they carry Lagavulin Distiller's Edition single malt scotch - a single malt not available in the U.S. While very expensive, it was required that we each sample a couple of rounds of this single malt during our stay.
The only beverage I had that I was not a fan - is their Canadian Bloody Mary - the Caesar. It was to sweet for my taste. I've never had one before and so had nothing to compare it to - to know if they all taste like this or not. I followed up the Caesar with a regular Bloody Mary and was then happy once again.
There is plenty of seating at the bar, in the inside lounge area, and two outside areas.
On Tuesday nights they have an Open Mic night and encourage local musicians to show up with their instruments and perform. Jonathan, one of the bartenders performed a bunch of songs that evening on the acoustic guitar, he was pretty good. Two other performers all played some songs for us.
During the day when I needed to sit and chill, I'd come down here and sit at the bar with my MacBook Pro, respond to e-mails and read the news.
The only thing I wish for that they don't carry in their bar offerings are: Cointreau and dark Agave syrup (for making our favorite Lemon Drop Martinis), and Blue Cheese or Gorgonzola Cheese stuffed Olives (for use in dirty vodka martinis). read more