Haven't been eating out lately

Due to a myriad of things I have not been eating out much lately.  That will change starting this weekend. More to come.

Minstrel Cafe & Bar

OVERALL SCORE: ★★★ 1/2 (3 1/2 stars)

Date of Visit: September 10, 2010

Time of Visit: 17:00

Reservation: They take reservations and they are recommended.

Licensed: Yes

Bar/Lounge: Yes

Kids Menu: N/A

Age Range: All

Food: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Dessert

Entertainment: Yes

Location: 4638 Lakeshore Rd. Kelowna, B.C. 250.764.2301

Web: www.minstrelcafe.com

Order:

Drinks: Tree Brewing honey Lager, coffee, water 3/5

Appies: N/A

Main: Hamburger with potatoes 3.5/5

Vegan Perspective: Vegan Pasta dish 3.5/5

Dessert: Raspberry & Mango Sorbet to share 3/5

Service: Excellent.  Our server was courteous, and attentive.  She did an excellent job and didn't make us feel rushed. 4/5

Atmosphere: Modern and comfortable.  We got there when the band scheduled to play was doing their sound check and warm up - very annoying. 2.5/5

Comments: We have been to his restaurant a few times in the last few years.  It is pretty good fare.  Soup, salads, various appies, pizza, pasta, fish, steak.  Would have got a higher rating for atmosphere if the band wasn't doing their sound check while people were starting to file in for dinner.  Maybe they could do their sound check earlier on in the day before the restaurant starts to fill up with people who aren't there for the show.  The show wasn't until 7:30 and we were there at 5:00.  I adored our server.  She was great.  The food was pretty good and the prices were reasonable.  Take out the whole band warming up thing, and it would have been a 4 star easy.

Milestones Restaurant - Orchard Park

OVERALL SCORE: ★★★★ (4 stars)

Date of Visit: September 4, 2010

Time of Visit: 18:15

Reservation: They do not take reservations

Licensed: Yes

Bar/Lounge: Yes

Kids Menu: N/A

Age Range: All

Food: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Dessert

Entertainment: No

Location: 2121 Harvey Ave. Kelowna, B.C. 778.436.2308

Web: www.milestonesrestaurants.com

Order:

Drinks: Beer (Granville Island Honey Lager brew made for the restaurant) & Real Pop (non alcoholic). 3.5/5

Appies: Bruschetta flat bread less the cheese - new to the menu.  Was a little soggy.  The vegan liked it better than I. 3.5/5

Main: Hamburger with 4 cheese toppings and Caesar Salad. 4/5

Vegan Perspective: Veggie Burger with the Californian Toppings (less the bacon & mayo) and Yam fries.  Yam fries weren't very crispy - who likes limp fries? 3.5/5

Dessert: N/A - TOO FULL!

Service: Excellent.  Our server was fast, courteous, and attentive.  She did an excellent job and didn't make us feel rushed even though the restaurant was very busy. 4/5

Atmosphere: Very nice, modern, "loungey" and comfortable. 4/5

Comments: This is a pretty busy restaurant during the dinner hour - on most days.  Located just off the Orchard Park Shopping Centre, it is a prime location for hungry shoppers to get their fill of pretty great food.  My only complaint would be is that they do not accept reservations - if you want to go and not wait - get there early.  We ended up finding a choice spot in the lounge so we ditched our wait list and went straight into the lounge.  Enjoyed our meals and the atmosphere - even though it was busy.  Suggestion: If you arrive and there is a wait for tables, put your name on the wait list and keep an eye on the lounge for a table to become free.  Dining in the lounge was just as pleasant as the dining room (keep in mind no minors in the lounge).  Waiting for a spot in the lounge could cut your wait time in 1/2.  If you find a spot, just let the hostess know that you will be going to the lounge and take your name off the list.

Local Lounge & Grille - Summerland

OVERALL SCORE: ★ (1 star)

Date of Visit: August 21, 2010

Time of Visit: 17:30

Reservation: Didn't make one however they are accepted

Licensed: Yes

Bar/Lounge: Yes

Kids Menu: N/A

Age Range: All

Food: Dinner, Snacks, Dessert

Entertainment: No

Location: Summerland, B.C. Canada 250.494-8854

Web: www.thelocalgroup.ca

Order:

Drinks: Beer. 2/5

Appies: N/A

Main: N.A

Vegan Perspective: They didn't have anything on the menu that was vegan and the best they would do for an accommodation was to make a salad.  Really no effort there to accommodate the vegan. 0/5

Dessert: N/A

Service: Horrible - not the server but from the kitchen. 1/5

Atmosphere: Didn't stay long enough to really make a comment.

Comments: This restaurant was formerly Shaunessy's Cove and has been reno'd and has new ownership.  It has two sides - a bar side and a restaurant side.  With it's water front location, we thought that this would be a nice place to go for a casual meal.  Because they simply would not/could not accommodate the vegan, we left and went to Vallarta's in Penticton for some great mexican food.

Kelsey's

OVERALL SCORE: ★★★ (3 stars)

Date of Visit: August 31, 2010

Time of Visit: 17:00

Reservation: Didn't make one however they are accepted

Licensed: Yes

Bar/Lounge: Yes

Kids Menu: N/A

Age Range: All

Food: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Dessert

Entertainment: No

Location: 1755 Capri St. Kelowna - 1560 Water St. 250.762-4744

Web: www.kelseys.ca

Order:

Drinks: Pop and Beer. 3/5

Appies: N/A

Main: Green side salad, veggie burger with rice. 3.5

Vegan Perspective: Although they have one of the best veggie burgers in the opinion of the Vegan, the portion of the side rice was particularly small. 3/5

Dessert: N/A

Service: Pretty darn good. 4/5 

Atmosphere: Clean but a little dark and dated.  Typical family diner. 3.5/5 

Comments: My partner and I come here about 1-2 times per year.  The restaurant always seems to be busy, the bar area is small but cozy.  There is a patio for outdoor dining in the summer weather.  Pretty good location wise and lots of parking. 

Denny's

OVERALL SCORE: ★★★ (3 stars)

Date of Visit: August 29, 2010

Time of Visit: 08:00

Reservation: N/A

Licensed: Yes

Bar/Lounge: No

Kids Menu: Yes

Age Range: All

Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner - All night dining. 

Entertainment: No

Location: 2130 Harvey Avenue, Kelowna (at the Sandman Hotel) 250.860.1133

Web: www.dennys.ca

Order:

Drinks: Coffee & OJ 3/5

Appies: N/A

Main: Seniors Omelette, biscuit, hash-browns, bagel

Vegan Perspective: N/A - would like to note that there are no vegan options on the menu however, in the past valiant efforts have been made by the staff to accommodate the vegan by taking some direction and making a special breakfast wrap.

Dessert: N/A

Atmosphere: Standard diner atmosphere 2/5

Service: Very good service - fast and friendly 4/5

Comments: This place seems to be "THE" place in Kelowna for breakfast.  It is always busy - even pretty early and into the lunch hour - especially on the weekends.  There is plenty of variety on the menu

Raudz Regional Table

OVERALL SCORE: ★★★★★ (5 stars)

Date of Visit: August 28, 2010

Time of Visit: 17:00

Reservation: No - do not take reservations unless it is for large parties

Licensed: Yes

Bar/Lounge: Yes

Kids Menu: No

Age Range: All

Food: Drinks, Dinner, Snacks, Dessert

Entertainment: No

Location: Downtown Kelowna - 1560 Water St. 250.868.8805

Web: www.raudz.com

Order:

Drinks: Peach Martini - fresh fruit puree & Apricot Beer 4.5/5

Appies: Bread with Olive Oil Butter & White Bean Hummus, Tomato Soup  4.5/5

Main: Ultimate Green Salad with Carmeli's Chevre,

Vegan Perspective: Chef's vegan creation featuring Quinoa, Risotto, & Vegetables 5/5

Dessert: Cheesecake with fresh berries and blueberry ice wine shots 5/5

Service: Exceptional - the best possible (which happens to be their standard) 5/5

Atmosphere: The restaurant is very popular, so if you do not get there almost right when they open you will be waiting for a table or even a spot at the bar.  The atmosphere is casual and warm. 5/5

Comments: My partner and I have been eating here for years.  About 18 months ago, the fine dining restaurant formerly known as Fresco transformed into Raudz Regional Table.  With same proprietors and many of the same staff, this restaurant transformed into upscale casual while keeping its reputation for local ingredients and exceptional service.  The prices are reasonable (all be it a little pricey for us to frequent it as much as we want) however, you will certainly get your monies worth here! Portions are generous - I have never left hungry! They always treat the Vegan just as good as the rest of us - sometimes I joke with my partner that he seems to get the better meal - although that just isn't the case.

Tim Hortons - Harvey & Spall @ Esso

OVERALL SCORE: ★★★ (3 stars)


Date of Visit: August 12, 2010
Time of Visit: 08:00
Reservation: No
Licensed: No
Bar/Lounge: No
Kids Menu: No
Age Range: All
Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks, Dessert
Entertainment: No
Location: Harvey Avenue & Spall, Kelowna 250.869.0855
Web: www.timhortons.com


Order:
Drinks: 2 coffees - made as ordered and very good 5/5
Appies: N/A
Main: Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich - very good but cold 3/5
Dessert: N/A
Vegan Perspective: N/A


Service: Very good - fast and courteous 4/5
Atmosphere: Restaurant located in the store portion of a gas station. Atmosphere is really horrible 1/5


Comments: Breakfast was fast, pretty darn hot coffee, order was made correctly. Great for a breakfast on the go.  Consistently the best regular cup of joe I have ever had.