Tagged : Penticton

in Wine & Food
New-Poplar-Grove-Winery-Building- 1

Poplar Grove Winery

Poplar Grove is one of the Okanagan’s best bet wineries. Now located on the slopes of Munson Mountain adjacent to the Penticton sign, at the start of the Naramata Bench, they command one of the most fabulous views in the Okanagan.

A fantastic Bordeaux Blend — The Legacy — is their flagship wine, but equally impressive are their Cab Franc, Syrah, and Pinot Gris. They are also related to Poplar Grove Cheese, which is now a separate business, but can sometimes still be found in the tasting room. This is a winery that really can’t do wrong and an absolute must visit in the Okanagan.

Poplar Grove Winery
425 Middle Bench Road North
Penticton, BC  V2A 8S5
[t] 250.493.9463
[w] poplargrove.ca 

MAP

Tastings:

April Sat & Sun 10am-5pm
May to Oct 7 days a week 10am-6pm
Nov Sat & Sun 10am-5pm

in Misc Bin

Granfondo Penticton Axel Merckx

For those not so much in the cycling know, the Merckx name is legendary. Axel Merckx, a famed international cyclist in his own right, is son of the greatest cyclist of all time Eddy Merckx. Axel resides in the Okanagan and has put together a Granfondo event (loosely defined as a big bike ride) in my adopted hometown of Penticton, BC which will feature the legendary father-son pair together. To further add to the awesomeness of the whole thing the promo video is narrated by Phil Liggett who has been the voice of professional cycling for over 40 years. Oh, and the road riding in Penticton is nothing short of spectacular. Check out more at Axel Merckx Granfondo Okanagan.

*Update: Many people seem to be looking for pictures from the Granfondo. You can find some good ones at CJ Gordon’s Blog My Penticton .

in Travel

Where to Eat in Penticton

If you’re reading this you probably already know where Penticton is, but perhaps you’re looking for a good place to eat and/or drink. In a smaller town it’s not always easy to tell the good from the bad, or know what to get where, so hopefully a little help from someone who has spent much time dining in the Penticton area will be useful. Continue Reading

in Wine & Food

Perseus Winery

Perseus Winery
134 Lower Bench Rd.
Penticton, BC V2A 1A8
[t] (250) 490-8829
www.perseuswinery.com

Perseus Winery (formerly Synergy Winery) is located in Penticton on the way up Vancouver Hill to the Naramata Bench, and is now officially the closest winery to town. Perseus is owned by the Shatford brothers of long standing Penticton history and is serving up some well priced, good value red and white wines.

Located in a house in a residential area with a vineyard out back, Perseus offers a different experience from some of the other Naramata Bench wineries and is nice and close to town if you’re in need of a quick pick-up for dinner.

Notable wines include their quite popular Merlot (formerly Synergy Merlot) and the Invictus Bordeaux Blend.

 

in Wine & Food

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.

in Wine & Food
p_2048_1536_0CFDDD79-E6D9-41D6-A9C7-5D35BDE2BD6D.jpeg

Burger 55 The Best Burger in Penticton

Burger 55 is without a doubt the best burger in Penticton, and very possibly one of the best burgers in the Okanagan. The place is an eclectic transformation of an old back-lot tire shack into a gourmet burger shop, and makes for a great lunch or dinner stop.

The menu is a full custom order sheet where you choose everything from bun to meat to condiments and offers burger customization beyond anything I have ever seen.

On this particular occasion (my second trip to Burger 55), I walk into the burger chefs making patties from a stack of freshly ground beef balls. This is a good sign! Not too many people make the patty from scratch like this.

The “Burger of the Month” is a lamb patty which I proceed to dress with goat cheese, apple caramel bbq sauce, grainy dijon mustard, tomato, spinach, dill pickle and a good old fashioned white sesame bun. The selection of all condiments is unparalleled and almost dizzying, but if stuck for ideas I’m sure the friendly staff can help you.

The Burger 55 appears from the outside to be a glorified concession stand, but don’t be fooled. This is serious foodie goodness.

Burger 55 is located at 85 Westminster Avenue East in Penticton, BC (Click for Map)