109327 Tue Apr 25 23:02:10 -0700 2006 7 57 Western Canada 0 589816 We are heading to Kelowna next week and would like to know any good places to eat. Any type of cuise as long as it is good! We are staying in and around the Mission Hill area (i think that it what the area is called) Tue Apr 25 23:02:10 -0700 2006 0 JP 1 589819 JP: Sounds like a nice trip. A number of wineries should be in the process of making their Spring releases so that is good timing. I have to admit that it has been years since my last visit to Kelowna but because I love wine and food I have "heard", i.e. read, a number of favourable reviews about dining spots in the area. The one which immediately springs to mind is Fresco. I have heard nothing but good things about this restaurant. The chef/owner is Rod Butters who was for a time up in various restaurants in Vancouver, Whistler and then the orginal chef at Tofino's Wickaninnish Inn. I enjoyed his food at the latter very much. Another I have been told is good is Bouchon. Solid bistro fare. I do not know this for sure but understand that the people who opened it used to be at Cafe de Paris in Vancouver if that means anything. Close at hand near some large new condo complex is The Waterfront Wine Bar. I understand that it is not in fact on the water front but makes up it with good valued wine and food options. The chef is Mark Filatow whose name I recognize but do not think I have eaten at a place he has cooked. Another two wine bars I have heard decent things about are Vintropolis and I think Shine [?]. A friend lives part of the year in Kelowna and if I see him today I'll ask for his recommendations and post. Of course a number of the wineries have restaurants. Not sure when they open so you should check that. Some may have restricted hours until the summer tourist season is in on in full. You mentioned Mission Hill. They have a good restaurant and the facility itself is simply spectacular. Great views of the lake. Michael Allemeir [formerly of Teatro in Calgary] is the executive chef. Sumac Ridge, Quail's Gate and further south closer to Oliver, Burrowing Owl all have restaurants. Enjoy your trip. Let us know what you tried. We may take a WestJet flight to Kelowna for a long week-end and any recommendations would be appreciated. Wed Apr 26 10:17:35 -0700 2006 589816 0 Bob Mac 1 589821 This is pretty much a re-post from last year with some updates I am born and raised Kelownian now living in Calgary, I just got back from 2 weeks visiting friends and family. I definitely agree with Bob Mac's suggestions for Fresco and Bouchons. I HIGHLY Recommend "Waterfront Wines". It is right next to Bouchons at the corner of Water St and Sunset Dr. (Across from the arena and just down the block from the Grand Hotel). Half the space is a boutique private wine store with a slection of great BC wines, and some exclusive international wine selections. The other half is a wine bar with some great wines by the glass or bottle, and menu of small plates. The Chef, Mark Filatow ( formerly of DIVA's @ the Met in Vancouver) has created some very flavourful dishes. On our last visit, we enjoyed an excellent risotto, steamed mussels and calamari starters, as well as mains of smoked ducked breast and a cumin and cider-glazed pork loin special that was to DIE for! I also recommend Riccardo's Mediterannean, Hector's Casa for Mexican, The Greek house in nearby Winfield for the Best Greek in BC (IMO), and last but not least the Saigon on Bernard St for cheap and tasty Vietnamese. (If you like it spicy, they have a soup called something like the "Special Central Vietnamese Hot Soup with Beef and Rice stick" Ask for it spicy, with extra vegetables... it is phenomenal.) If you are staying near Mission Hill, that is on the Westside, across the lake from the City of Kelowna. I don't know to much about dining, mostly family restaurants of the Chinese/Western or Steak and Pizza Variety. Mission Hill and Quail's Gate Wineries both have restaurants and will be in full swing I'm sure as the Spring Wine Festival is next Week (May 4-7) A little further south in Peachland there is a good restaurant/pub called the Gasthaus. If however, you are staying in the neighborhood of Mission or Mission Ridge, that is actually in Kelowna, and you will be near Cedar Creek and Summerhill Wineries and two great eateries, Minstrel Restaurant and Laughing Moon Bistro. Enjoy your stay and post back with your experiences. It's always nice to see feedback from others on places I enjoy. PS. Bob Mac, I hope some day our paths will cross, we seem to have similar likes in food-land (Divino, River Cafe, Il Sogno etc.) Wed Apr 26 11:13:24 -0700 2006 589816 0 jjd 2 589835 "PS. Bob Mac, I hope some day our paths will cross, we seem to have similar likes in food-land (Divino, River Cafe, Il Sogno etc." LOL...yes, my sentiments too. I had someone I know but do not socialize with lean over to me at an adjacent table in a local restaurant and inquire, "Are you Merlin?" Met another "Chowhound" from Victoria at Divino a couple of summers ago when she was visiting Calgary. Let me know if you do try Capo before I next get down to Calgary. Thu Apr 27 13:00:49 -0700 2006 589821 0 Bob Mac 2 590539 A greek restaurant in Westbank opened up about six months ago called the Aegean Grill, i think it would give the Greek House a run for it's money. Mon Jun 12 23:47:45 -0700 2006 589821 0 julie hall 1 589840 Had two outstanding meals in Kelowna last summer: one was high-end at Fresco, perhaps the dining highlight of the whole summer (and GREAT SERVICE!); the second was decidedly low-end at Mini O-Zeki for sushi. This place defines hole-in-the-wall but what a lovely walk it was there (it's on Pandosy in a neighbourhood that I think is called Mission- and it looks very much like 4 St in Calgary, also Mission, so I might be confusing the two). Cheap and excellent sushi! Thu Apr 27 15:53:33 -0700 2006 589816 0 John Manzo 1 589996 I will second Mission Hill's restaurant, Mini Ozeki and Laughing Moon. Laughing Moon is (was, moved away three years ago?) a great place for lunch and dessert, they use a fabulous salad dressing, Little Creek, that I always buy a bottle of from the local grocery stores when I am back in the area. If you need somewhere quick to each lunch or coffee the Marmalade Cat cafe on Pandosy is great as well, with some cute shops in the area to stroll through. Tue May 09 18:41:01 -0700 2006 589816 0 Roo 2 1768449 I had a surprisingly fantastic Italian meal in Kelowna last summer. Does anyone know of the name? Wed Jul 26 15:44:54 -0700 2006 589996 13577 dlw88