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.”

“When people see this food, they’ll know we care,” says Huck, whose wholesome original dishes can be found under uniquely named categories such as the soup kettle, handhelds, kiddos, flat breads, tear & share, social plates and sweets. Pastries, sauces and even breads are made from scratch, some from ingredients grown in the hotel’s very own farm.

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.

“We want to create an experience that you will enjoy and want to experience again and again,” says Brenda Rayburn, Director of Sales & Marketing. “Combine the fabulous food with ‘Service with Personality’ that is attentive, yet playful. Then add the urban casual atmosphere in our furnishings extending to our inviting patio, with fire pits and waterfall and I think we definitely will give you a reason to return,” says Rayburn.

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.

ABOUT CORNERSTONE GRILL
With a menu that serves the best of the Okanagan and beyond, stellar service and an urban casual dining room and patio, Cornerstone Grill is quickly becoming one of the best restaurants in Kelowna. Cornerstone Grill is located on the on the same Highway 97 property of Best Western Plus Kelowna Hotel & Suites, attracting tourists and locals alike who are after a ‘real food’ farm-to-table experience. The hotel took ownership of the restaurant as of January 1, 2016, and Cornerstone has had the pleasure of feeding hundreds of happy diners since.