Bufflehead Tapas Room Penticton

So finally Penticton gets a Tapas bar/lounge that will please discerning urban diners looking for something to appease their yuppie palate. I mean this in a good way of course as I’ve been hoping for this over the past few years, and finally the Lakeside Resort has opened a lounge that I would compare in feel to the Gerard at Sutton Place in Vancouver, or the piano bar at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, but of course it’s on the lake.

It’s about time, but Penticton finally has an adult bar with class, a reasonable wine list, and a decent small plates menu. The view off the patio to Lake Okanagan isn’t so bad either. Oh yeah, and it actually is called The Bufflehead. Apparently a bufflehead is a small duck species of some sort, so this restaurant fits right in with the adjacent restaurants The Hooded Merganser, and the Barking Parrot.

If you happen to be in Penticton and looking for a place to eat tapas style and have a cocktail or glass of wine I’d recommend the Bufflehead.

Update July 8, 2010

After being open for a couple of months I’ve had the chance to return to the Bufflehead and all seems well. I will say, in addition to what I’ve written above, that for those expecting state of the art foodie fare ala big city, you may be disappointed, but the Bufflehead brings something much needed to the Penticton nightlife. The food plates are simple and of good value and proportion. In some ways it is a better value to eat here than at the neighbouring Hooded Merganser. Basically, the Bufflehead is a nice place to go for a drink and some appies. If you want a big meal go to The Hooded Merganser, and if you want nachos and beer go to the Barking Parrot.