Get ready for comfort food as fall approaches in Penticton

Photo: @trattopizzeria

"Four seasons of fun" is an ongoing collaboration between Castanet and Visit Penticton showcasing what Penticton has to offer all year round. Watch for it every Monday morning.

The true start of autumn, by the farmer’s almanac, is only a few days away. It’s typically a spectacular season in the South Okanagan, with warm days, cool evenings, and a bountiful harvest on the horizon.

Our tastebuds are starting to turn towards comfort food and cozy flavours. Penticton’s vibrant, inventive, and multicultural culinary scene won’t disappoint, especially as the weather this year has pushed the harvest of some summer fruits and veggies into the fall – it may be the best of two seasons in one.

In addition to its regular menu, Sushi Genki is offering September Combo Specials this month, and several of them have combined sushi or sashimi, an excellent choice for warm weather, with gyoza, ramen, or dim sum, which is perfect for cool weather.

Try a California roll and Dynamite roll with crispy deep-fried gyoza; or this combo with the addition of Dim Sum. Sushi and a variety of dumplings sounds great, as does warm combination of your favourite Ramen soup with dumplings or sushi. A bowl of Ramen on the first day of fall? Why not.

For another comforting takeout option for the whole family, follow Bogner’s of Penticton for its Thursday night chicken drive through, featuring a complete dinner for four people, with a whole bird, sides, and dessert. Dates may vary (check in advance), and menus are posted on Instagram.

Pizzeria Tratto is celebrating the return of fall with two special deals: Bottle Shock on Mondays and Tuesdays, and Full Sleeve Wednesdays.

Buy any bottle of wine and get free pizza for Bottle Shock. Or, buy any pizza and for $6 you can add on two sleeves of craft beer. Bonus, with new fall hours from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., you can enjoy a sip a little later into the evening.

“We’re looking forward to fall flavours,” says Tratto’s Chris Royal.

"Our chef Steve Ramey can take a squash and turn it into an appetizer, a pizza, a crust, and we’re looking forward to getting potatoes back on pizza.”

Meanwhile the fresh fruits that are still available are part of the dessert features, from cheesecakes to strudels to jelly rolls.

Desserts are posted on the features board, and as Chris describes the jelly rolls, “they take you right back to being an 8-year-old.”

Watch for the return of winemaker’s dinners later this fall. These were quick to sell out, sometimes in minutes, last year.

Forno oven pizzas at The Station Public House are a hit, as is the variety of burgers and sandwiches if you’re stopping by to watch a game on the big screens. Don’t forget the wings, dips, ribs and more to pair with their selection of local wines, ciders, and craft beers on tap.

Take advantage of patio season at home or at your favourite spot while the weather cooperates, with a warm and inviting dish to keep the chill away.

Learn more at www.visitpenticton.com and on social @visitpenticton.