Bloganagan

Bouchons Bistro

Here's what I had to say about Bouchons in Grandma Wears Hiking Boots.

Read this review and many more in Grandma Wears Hiking Boots: A personal guide to the Okanagan Valley, available in print at bookstores and online, and in eBook format at www.Amazon.com and www.chapters.ca. 

 

Hammer's House of Hog

Driving north from Osoyoos, where I spent the afternoon of Aboriginal Day at Nk'Mip, I'm thinking that I might skip dinner and go directly to dessert at Tickleberry's. But on the southern outskirts of Oliver, the bold red letters of a hand-painted sign make an instant visceral connection. Suddenly my stomach controls my hands and Happy Tot (my little red Yaris) swings hard left. B-B-Q 

Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek

Two thumbs up for Tinhorn Creek's new restaurant, Miradoro. Located at the winery in the Golden Mile wine district south of Oliver, BC, this sleek new restaurant adds a welcome food service component to the demonstration vineyard, tasting bar, wine/gift shop and amphitheatre that hosts a sold-out concert series each the summer. Best seats in the house will be on the shady patio. I'm thinking tapas (totally love the charred chorizo and octopus) and a bottle of wine ... now, that's how I like my music. Miradoro is the subject of my very first video. 

Grandma Wears Hiking Boots – Preview

Victoria Rd Deli & Bistro

While chefs all over the Okanagan talk about fresh local ingredients, Roger Gillespie really walks the walk. Like many good eateries, Victoria Rd’smenu changes often, though you can always count on specialties like handmade smoked duck ham and fresh corned beef.  Being a fry fan, I was knocked out by Roger’s signature mixed frites—yams, potatoes and parsnips—and then I discovered I was dipping these little tasties into his own smoked tomato and cherry ketchup made with heirloom tomatoes grown on his own property. Sensational.

Brown Derby Café

Owners Carolyn and Neil Todd don’t have to say a word, their characters are stamped all over the place. A card on my table is very specific. “Listen carefully while your voluptuous and perky server titillates your taste buds with today’s tantalizing treats.” So when my voluptuous and perky server rushes up and reels off: “Mango, carrot and walnut soup; avocado, cream cheese, tomato and lettuce wrap or Reuben …” then stands with pencil poised over notepad, I’m all ears, but a little shaken. (Guessing the Brown Derby’s mostly local trade inArmstrong already knows the regular line-up.) 

Passa Tempo

My first experience of Passa Tempo, the chic bistro at Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa in Osoyoos, was a dinner I won’t forget. It was my amazing good fortune to be seated at the restaurant’s 20-person alder wood table next to wine guru John Schreiner. He patiently talked me through a succession of wonderful Okanagan vintages (representing a good number of the more than 140 labels on the wine list from the Valley and beyond) that were paired with a succession of equally wonderful dishes (and did it without making me feel like a complete wine dolt). 

A la Crêpe

Silvia Thomas calls them her little delights — les p’tits bonheurs de Silvia — but there’s nothing little about the delight I take in her fruitilicious crepes. If I know I’m going to the Kelowna Farmers' and Creafters' Market on Saturday, my mouth starts watering about Wednesday. On the big day, I join the inevitable line-up and watch the tag-team show as Silvia and her partner, Helene Guy, efficiently work their magic. 

Valentini's Café

Penticton’s converted Cannery Trade Centre serves up double-barrelled dining. When I’m hungry, I head straight for Valentine’s Café. Local art for sale makes for a tasty gallery, but the menu favours home cooking like thick and spicy tomato/veg puree soup with a veggie sandwich on fresh bread featuring avocado and asparagus. Makes me very happy. There’s a daily special along with wraps and sandwiches on chiabata. Locals swear by the breakfast wraps, omelettes and Bennie’s.

Hubert's Restaurant

I discovered Hubert’s by accident. I was in Lumby doing a photo shoot on paragliding and finished up around lunchtime. Terror (or was that exhilaration) builds a ferocious appetite—so the sight of a flower-decked patio in front of a homey restaurant was life saving. My next discovery, that the house specialty was schnitzel, sent me over the moon.