MEKONG, INFINITY GROUP’S NEWEST CULINARY ADVENTURE,
SET TO OPEN JULY 1 IN WHISTLER
Collaboration with Maenam, Michelin-recommended restaurant led by Chef Angus An,
will bring fine Thai cuisine to Creekside Village
Mekong, the newest culinary adventure from Infinity Group, will bring the essence of Thailand to one of the world’s most iconic mountain destinations, Whistler, BC. Inspired by Infinity Group CEO Pepe Barajas’ extensive travels to Thailand and informed by celebrated Chef Angus An, the new restaurant Mekong will be rooted in authenticity and infused with the exuberant spirit of Whistler.
Slated to officially open July 1, 2023, Mekong’s menu will highlight local ingredients and fresh, in-season produce using the bounty of the Pacific Ocean and the abundant farmlands of the Lower Mainland and Pemberton surrounding Whistler. To ensure authenticity, specific ingredients will be sourced from Thailand when needed. Fans of Maenam, Chef An’s Michelin-recommended dining destination will be thrilled to find some of the same complex flavour compositions on Mekong’s menu.
“I love Thailand and after immersing myself in the food and culture I knew fine Thai cuisine was the next culinary experience I wanted to give Whistler,” says Pepe Barajas, CEO and president of Infinity Group. “With the opening of Mekong our group has engaged visionaries like Chef An to inspire and influence the development of this new concept and help us create an unforgettable dining destination.”
Thai-born Chef Bonnie Khummuang will execute Barajas and Chef An’s vision and brings deep expertise and passion for the traditional methods and flavours of her home country to this new Whistler restaurant. Chef Khummuang cooked alongside Chef An for three years, and spent an additional three years as head chef of An’s beloved Longtail Kitchen in New Westminster. Guests can look forward to delicious, out-of-the-ordinary après experiences with inventive snacks and sides while generous family-style dishes for lunch, dinner and take-out will be on offer from the 98-seat space with outdoor patio.
Besides the food, the design of Mekong’s interior is sure to be a highlight as Infinity Group teams up with award-winning Daniel Meloché Designs again. Whistler is no stranger to his work; Meloché crafted Rockit Coffee Co.’s funky space where the textures, playful details and pops of colour are as energizing as the hot java being poured at the front counter. Meloché’s design will bring Mekong alive with careful space planning and highly detailed execution including an inventive light installation featuring balloon-like, white-and-gold chandeliers sure to become a signature element of the space.
“At the end of last December we were excited to open Rockit and now we are thrilled to launch another new and remarkable eatery in Creekside, Whistler’s original village,” says Barajas. “The space is memorable and I can see Mekong’s patio being a hit with mountain bikers riding the Creek zone of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. Creekside is going to be hopping; Rockit can fuel everyone up in the morning, and Mekong will be the place for people to wind down with a Thai-inspired après, to get together with friends over a family-style feast or to grab amazing take-out to refuel after a day in the mountains.”
About Infinity Group
Infinity Group has been bringing the heat to Whistler’s culinary scene since 2012 when CEO and President Pepe Barajas opened The Mexican Corner Restaurant. Barajas’ influence on Whistler’s restaurant landscape has since expanded with a taqueria concept called La Cantina operating in two Whistler locations, a new coffee house called Rockit Coffee Co. in Creekside Village and two new restaurants slated to open in 2023. Mekong, a fine Thai cuisine concept influenced and informed by Chef Angus An of Vancouver’s celebrated Maenam restaurant, will open this summer and is located in Creekside while Balam, an immersive dining experience inspired by the sultry heat and electric energy of tropical Latin America will open in Whistler Village before the end of the year. Infinity Group is passionate about tapping into the power of food to forge connections and create incredible memories in the bucket-list destination of Whistler, BC. Infinity Group also services the hospitality sector with Mexican Fiesta – Food Services and Clean Perfect Services.
Media release and image provided by Michelle Leroux, Michelle Leroux PR.
