Food & Drink

Vax pass working for you?

Jon Manchester B.C.'s digital vaccine passports have been mandatory for a week now after a grace period allowing the public to show just their vaccine card. But, not everyone may have had the need to use one yet, or maybe they just haven't downloaded the QR code yet. The passes

Oktoblerfest: das ist gut, ya?

Photo: Contributed Unleash your inner German and get a free serving of Wings during Oktoblerfest at Wings restaurant in Vernon. Organizers of the Bavarian-themed event say ticket sales are picking up. But, if you don't need to take part in the beer and food tasting portion, simp

Night sky glows pink

Photo: Tracie Little/Facebook This recent phenomenon was caused by the failure to close light abatement curtains. As lightning would strike at Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory, so too would a purple light emanate from a greenhouse in the pursuit of creating the world’s most fl

Vista’s Edge Cabernet Franc

Photo: Contributed Wine: Vista’s Edge Cabernet Franc, 2019 Winery: Mission Hill, West Kelowna Why drink it? Part of the winery’s Terroir Collection, a series of wines that explores the microclimates in Okanagan wine country, the grapes for this bottle come from the south

Living on a magical street

Photo: Contributed When I was growing up, my Mom read us bedtime stories. I was a big fan of Dr. Seuss, and one of my favourites was “And to think that I saw it on Mulberry Street”. It was a story about a kid who travelled down this one street that had all kinds of fantasti

Cactus coming to Vernon

Photo: Jon Manchester Cactus Club's Kelowna location at the Kelowna Yacht Club. The speculation is over ... sort of. Cactus Club confirms it is coming to Vernon. But whether the popular B.C.-based restaurant chain will locate in the former Temptasian site on Anderson Way remains

2018 Liquidity Dividend

Photo: Contributed Wine: Dividend, 2018 (red blend) Winery: Liquidity, Okanagan Falls Why drink it? A blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, the name of this bold red reflects the winery’s finance-themed name. Take some time with this wine to try identify the

Tasting in the moment

Photo: Contributed When I was a kid growing up in Calgary back in the 70s, shopping for groceries was a much simpler exercise. For example, the selection of fresh fruit was much more limited - and in some cases less appealing- than it is today. Imported fruit was only available in its

'The only solution I have'

Photo: Jon Manchester The owner of Vernon's Midtown Bistro says she has little choice but to cut back to takeout service only in light of B.C.'s vaccine passport restrictions. In an emotional post on the downtown restaurant's Facebook page, Kelly Lacroix says: "I canno

2019 Fitz Crémant

Photo: Contributed Wine: Fitz Crémant, 2019 (sparkling) Winery: Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards, Summerland Why drink it? In France, crémant sparkling wines are made the same was champagne, but not in the champagne region, and without the champagne price. This Pinot Blanc

Evolution in eating

Photo: Contributed If you told me two years ago that food trends in the coming years would include a boom in breadmaking, the return of breakfast cereal and fusion cuisines like Mexican Korean, I would say you’d been watching too much Netflix. But then, who knew the last two years w

Laird lottery a hot ticket

Photo: Contributed Winners of the lottery to purchase one of the Okanagan's most sought after limited-edition libations will find out if they're lucky on Sept. 27. The Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery single-malt Laird of Fintry Whisky is so in demand an annual lottery is held

Passports not on the menu

Victoria Femia The BC Restaurant and Foodservice Association says some Okanagan members are already being reported for not following the vaccine passport program. BCRFA CEO Ian Tostenson says those not complying with the protocols are undermining the program. "So many restaurants a

Day 1 goes smoothly

Photo: Jon Manchester Despite fears of confrontations and backlash over new vaccine passport rules at restaurants, popular eateries in Vernon reported no hassles on Monday, the first day of the passports' implementation. General manager Clinton Bialas at Marten Brewing in downtown

2020 Chronos Rosé

Photo: Contributed Wine: Chronos Rosé, 2020 Winery: Time Family of Wines, Penticton Why drink it? New labels, a new satellite shop coming to the District Wine Village, and a refreshed bistro named Orolo to come in 2022. A good time to get reacquainted with this winery, beginn

Going bananas

Photo: Contributed "Yes, we have no bananas" Are you familiar with this song lyric? Maybe you didn’t know it was a lyric, but rather as a silly expression. Either way, it’s catchy, and it does seem to sum up those ridiculous times when you think things are going a

Cidery closing down early

Photo: Facebook The Farmstrong Cider Company in Armstrong is closing down early for the season. “Due to the continuing uncertainty with COVID, a chronic staffing shortage, and the looming COVID passport implementation, we at Farmstrong are bidding you bon voyage for now,” t

Apple-picking time is here

Photo: Davison Orchard The fall season is quickly approaching, which means apple harvesting and pumpkin picking is underway at Vernon's Davison Orchards. Tractor rides into the orchards are available for guests to pick their own apples right off the tree. Picking is available We

Distillers seek parity

Photo: Darren Handschuh The CEO of Vernon's Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery is leading a campaign to lower excise taxes on craft distilleries across Canada. Tyler Dyck is president of the Craft Distillers Guild of B.C. He is also spokesperson for the Lift Canada’s Spirit

Struggling to find staff

Photo: Glacier Media The president of restaurant operations at Steamworks Brewing Co. and Rogue Kitchen & Wetbar has been hiring as many employees as possible, but says his ventures remain short-staffed. B.C.’s minimum wage rose 4.1% on June 1 to $15.20 – the highest ra