Tucked into the centre of British Columbia's beautiful Okanagan Valley and surrounded by productive orchards, fields, vineyards and farms, Kelowna is quickly growing into one of Canada's great foodie destinations. The area's recent explosion of culinary hotspots and renowned chefs gives visitors to this popular tourist destination yet another facet to explore.
Wild Apple Restaurant at Manteo Resort
A British Columbia native, acclaimed Chef Bernard Casavant has crafted a special menu of "wine country cuisine" for the Wild Apple Restaurant (3762 Lakeshore Road at Manteo Resort) including his roasted carrot & Brie soup, his mountain berry "T" roast duck breast, and his pan-seared star anise-infused wild salmon fillet. On the menu, all mains are listed with a suggested wine pairing. Seasonal market vegetables, Terrace Mountain morel mushrooms, and Little Qualicum Brie are a few of the menu's regional ingredients. The Wild Apple Restaurant also offers a three-course option, with a choice of appetizer, main and dessert, available with or without wine pairings.
Cabana Bar & Grille at Playa Del Sol Resort
Chef Ned Bell was born in the Okanagan and returned to join partners Jay Blackford and Michael Borg in opening Cabana Bar & Grille (3799 Lakeshore Road) after years of cooking around the country, including appearances on the Food Network. He incorporates fresh, local produce into a menu packed with creative and comfortable cuisine: dishes include a half rotisserie chicken, handmade ravioli and tagliatelle, and szechuan-inspired pastas, salads and fish. BC mushroom butter, Okanagan herb and fruit relish, and Okanagan fruit chutney are just a few of the regional ingredients that make Cabana's selections special.
The Lakeside Dining Room at the Hotel Eldorado
Headed by Food Network star executive chef Michael Lyon, the Lakeside Dining Room (500 Cook Road) at Kelowna instution Hotel Eldorado boasts serene shoreside views of Lake Okanagan in a casual fine dining setting. Dishes include decadent truffle fries, an Okanagan lavender salad, and the black and blue filet, a cajun-rubbed tenderloin topped with melted blue cheese and a chocolate chipotle sauce.
RauDZ Regional Table
Under the slogan "fresh, local, comfortable," Chef Rod Butters sticks to a few cardinal rules at his RauDZ Regional Table (1560 Water Street). Seasonal, locally grown organic produce is used whenever possible; all seafood served is wild or harvested sustainably; only free-range eggs are used; French fries are not deep-fried but cooked in an eco-friendly infared oven, and ice cream is made right at the restaurant. The menu is packed with diverse, mouthwatering options including handmade gnocci with arugula pesto; wild boar and smoked cheddar cannelloni; and a take on poutine made with chicken confit, pan gravy and local "squeaky cheese" curds.
Okanagan Wineries
What pairs better with food than wine? The Okanagan Valley is home to a number of wineries producing top-quality bottles with grapes grown in their own vineyards. Quails' Gate Estate Winery (3303 Boucherie Road) is one of them, complete with a highly-rated wine tour and tasting room with an incredible view of the lake. Its onsite Old Vines Restaurant offers locavore-friendly cuisine using produce grown nearby and cheeses from local cheesemakers including Happy Days Dairies.
Other acclaimed local wineries offering wine tours or tastings include the Mission Hill Winery, Summerhill Pyramid Winery, and Tantalus Vineyards.
Getting to Kelowna
The Kelowna airport is serviced by a number of carriers, including Air Canada, WestJet, Horizon Air and Central Mountain Air, from hubs including Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Seattle. Driving to Kelowna is done via Highway 97, and it's approximately 600 kms from Calgary and 400 kms from Vancouver.
Where to Stay:
The Hotel Eldorado (500 Cook Road) offers boutique accommodations with luxuriously rustic charm. The condos at Casa Loma Lakeshore Resort offer a secluded waterside location just minutes from Kelowna's downtown core.
Activities in Kelowna and the Okanagan
The Thompson-Okanagan Tourism Association offers many ideas for activities in Kelowna and the surrounding Okanagan Valley, including golf, kayaking, biking, skiing, and indulging in spa services.
Sources:
City of Kelowna. Official website. Retr. 25 Nov 2010.
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