Block One Restaurant’s layout includes seating for indoor and outdoor dining
KELOWNA – A total of 11 restaurants in BC have been named to the list of Canada’s Top 100 Romantic Restaurants compiled by Open Table, and four of them are in the Okanagan.
Just in time for Valentine’s Day on February 14.
Matt Davis, country director for OpenTable Canada, says that over 1.1 million diner views on their website platform from Dec. 1, 2022 to Nov. 30, 2023 were referenced to compile the Top 100 list.
The BC list includes , BLOCK ONE Restaurant at 50th Parallel Winery in Lake Country, PeakFine at Sparkling Hill Resort in Vernon, and two in Kelowna: Old Vines Restaurant at Quails’ Gate Winery and Home Block at Cedar Creek Estates. Others in the province are ATLAS steak + fish at the Cascades Casino at 20393 Fraser Highway in Langley, Old Surrey Restaurant at 13483 72nd Avenue in Surrey and Vista 18 Restaurant + Lounge of Victoria.
BLOCK ONE’s name represents the first vineyard planted at 50th Parallel Winery in 2009 and is very special to proprietors Sheri-Lee Turner Krouzel and Curtis Krouzel.
“It taught us to be farmers; to be ONE with the land,” they say. “There are things we will never experience again. That vineyard block represents the past – the starting point, getting our hands dirty, all the ‘firsts’ of our business.”
The BLOCK ONE vineyard produces some of the estates fruit for its international award winning wines.
Local jazz duo Anna Jacyszyn and Loni Moger perform during Jazz Brunch at Old Vines Restaurant
50th Parallel Winery won the best overall Judges’ Choice Award as well as an Award of Excellence in the Winery category in the 10th annual Thompson Okanagan Kootenay Commercial Building Awards in 2018. The building includes a cantilever that has also won international design awards for architecture, and the wood-fired forno stage, framed by black granite and knotty alder barnboard bar, is the focal point of the restaurant. The year-round restaurant moves indoor during winter months.
PeakFine is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner at the award winning Sparkling Hill Resort, perched on a mountain top that grants panoramic views of the north end of Lake Okanagan and Kalamalka Lake. The resort features Swarovski crystals throughout, including in each guest room.
PeakFine sources Okanagan and Canadian cheese, poultry, produce, seafood and grains and Artisan products to keep low food miles, support local growers, farmers and use sustainable foods. Their multi-course meals are paired with local spirits and wines.
Sparkling Hill Resort is emblazoned with Swarovski crystals in every area of the building, including guest rooms
Home Block at Cedar Creek Estates offers locally sourced home-style dishes with harmonious pairings.
Chef Neil Taylor is known to prepare his menu like each visitor is his personal guest, and they also feature Okanagan Valley ingredients, from local farmers, foragers and ranchers, as well as their own gardens.
With a wine-first philosophy due to its Cedar Creek Estates connection, Taylor draws his inspiration for the menu from the wine. They also have a wood-fired grill.
Old Vines Restaurant at Quails’ Gate Winery is home to a menu of wine-led, contemporary cuisine inspired by seasonal local farmers and suppliers.
They also offer a Jazz Brunch until May 12 that is popular with locals, featuring local jazz duo Anna Jacyszyn and Loni Moger.
Business Examiner Staff