KELOWNA – In a part of the city where’s it’s easy to spot the neon lights of chains serving fast food, one of the city’s new farm-to-table Kelowna restaurants is hoping to attract diners with a taste for real food.
On May 13, the Best Western Plus Kelowna Hotel & Suites officially opened the doors to Cornerstone Grill, an urban casual restaurant focusing on dishes made by hand with wholesome, organic ingredients that are sourced locally whenever possible.
“We’ve got such an abundance of fresh, local ingredients right at our fingertips here in the Okanagan, and we were keen to work with producers,” says Cornerstone Grill head chef Cliff Huck, who has worked in the renowned kitchens of Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa, the Grande Rockies Resort and others before agreeing to head one of the restaurants Kelowna residents are already giving rave reviews. “Our menu is really a reflection of where we are and our commitment to high quality locally sourced food.”
It’s easy to spot the Okanagan twist in the menu: apricot preserve in the Okanagan Club, apple juice in the Schnitzel Okanagan, Armstrong-raised beef in the rancher’s burger, and, of course, homemade peach pie. From cheese and greens to beef and even the beer, the restaurant aims to “source only the finest ingredients from as close to home as possible.”
The Kelowna hotel—a fervent supporter of environmental sustainability—recently took back operating its restaurant and pub, with 97 Street Pub next door re-opening in January 2016 to great acclaim, alongside Cornerstone. So far both have been popular with guests and locals alike.
After a grand opening celebration May 13, attended by nearly 150 people, Cornerstone Grill kicked off Lucky Days—seven days of specials featuring great deals on signature dishes and menu categories.