Tonight's challenge….date night planning for a special occasion with the missus. Waterfront Restaurant & Wine Bar is always a consideration as its menu consistently presents its version of refined elegance of farm-to-table cuisine. But what stood out this time was something new I noticed on their web page - "…we offer multi-course custom wine-paired tasting menus…" Game changer!!! But we will get to that and my restaurant review in a bit. Let's understand why Waterfront Restaurant & Wine Bar is always one I consider for any special occasion.
Waterfront Restaurant & Wine Bar, known for its exceptional cuisine, opened its doors in 2003, founded by chef and owner Mark Filatow. Mark's vision is to create a dining establishment combining his passion for locally sourced ingredients with an innovative culinary approach. From its humble beginnings, the restaurant quickly gained recognition for its outstanding food and commitment to showcasing the flavours of the Okanagan Valley.
Waterfront Restaurant & Wine Bar has always been dedicated to supporting local farmers, winemakers, and artisans. Mark Filatow and his team work closely with these producers to obtain the freshest and highest quality ingredients, which are then transformed into delectable dishes.
Over the years, Waterfront Restaurant & Wine Bar has received numerous accolades and awards for its culinary excellence. Prestigious publications and organizations, including Wine Spectator and Vancouver Magazine, have recognized the restaurant. These accolades have cemented Waterfront Restaurant & Wine Bar' reputation as one of the top dining destinations in Kelowna.
In addition to its exceptional food, the restaurant boasts an extensive wine list that showcases the best wines from the Okanagan Valley and beyond. The selection includes a wide range of varietals, allowing diners to pair their meals with the perfect Canadian wine to enhance their dining experience.
Did I know any of this when I first started going here…nope! What kept me coming back was the menu. How the local ingredients are used, and how they pair them with their wines. I've always enjoyed my dining experiences - so much that I keep returning. Now, this time…this is something different to experience.
Here's the low down. You must reserve this multi-course menu at least 48 hours in advance. Typically, it's a 5-course meal with wine pairings (Wines poured measure 3oz, 3oz, 3oz, 5 oz, 2 oz). They sent me a copy of a previous menu to understand the layout and what to expect - three appetizer courses, a main course, and a dessert course. They can happily accommodate dietary restrictions. For this menu, they had to make it gluten-free - and the menu they created didn't miss a beat. The entire exchange setting this up was quick, easy, and pleasant. It was remarkably informative, too, even down to letting us know that this meal generally lasts 2-2½ hours. Now, before you balk at that time for dinner, remember that it's not just about pretty food and satisfying hunger; it's about the experience. The creativity and the imaginative way the Chef plays with flavours and textures. And then there's the addition of the wine pairings and the graceful dance the wine performs with the meal. Like I said…. it's about the overall experience.
Walking into this space gives a cozy feeling to your dining experience. The bar off to the left provides front-row seating to watch the bartender craft their drinks. Walking into this restaurant, you can't help but smile or chuckle upon entry. They have a chalkboard where a clever phrase can greet you. This evening, I was greeted with the following quote - "You can't buy happiness, but you can by rosé, and that's close enough…"
As we were taken to our table, I was amazed by the size of this space. The volume of seats is not massive, and the spacing allows for intimate dining. During this meal, I did notice that as the place filled up, the background white noise of dinner conversation was at a perfect volume…again, I must point out that the attention to detail is impressive - assuming they engineered this into the functionality of the space. We get a table in the corner, which allows me to peoplewatch. The only hindrance to my people-watching is that I don't have a clear view of the open-concept kitchen to observe their culinary operations. Their tables are minimally adorned with two forks and knives and cloth napkins. The table is bare of a cloth and left with exposed wood grain. On the center of the table is a little jar with a live flower perched in it, and two tea lights finish out the table's adornments. The menu placed in our settings is our five-course menu. It also notes the wine pairings.
Let's begin, shall we?
Since it's a special occaision, they started us with sparkling - Tantalus Blanc de Noir. This lovely sparkling is 100% Pinot Noir. Fermentation in the barrel on its lees, along with secondary fermentation in the bottle also on its lees, make for a unique bready wine with vibrant fruit. Flavours of brioche topped with fresh ripe fruit of apple and cranberry, with savoury beet character. It's hard not to enjoy yourself when drinking sparkling.
First Course: Scallop Crudo - with cucumber, cilantro, lime aioli, and rice crisp. Now, some of you may be asking what is "Crudo." It translates to "raw" - typically, it is modestly dressed with a combination of citrus, vinegar, olive oil, and other seasonings. The contrasting textures made for a lot of fun variety with every bite. A very subtle spice element was a welcome surprise, and it was difficult to identify where on the plate it originated. The silky sweet, rich creaminess of the scallop and crisp feel of the veggies made for an experience that a Riesling could easily handle. This one is from the oldest vines in their portfolio. Crisp tart apples and juicy grapefruit make this an incredible dance partner for the meal. They both came in aiming to elevate the other and reached heights beyond the stratosphere together. This wine pairing is the 2022 Riesling from Tantalus vineyard.
Second Course: Grilled Sablefish Fillet - with potato dumplings, fall radish, Bok Choi, crab & brown butter sauce. The corn delivered a lovely sweet pop randomly. The bitter crunch of the veggies contrasted with the sweet, delicate fish to perfection. Then, they add a beautiful Chardonnay that is rich and vibrant. A luxurious honeyed richness and clean acidity refresh the palate for the next bite—the Meyer Vineyards Old Man Chardonnay from 2021.
Third Course: Roasted Yarrow Meadows Duck Breast - with creamed kale, mushrooms, currant & clove jus. In the jus, the currant gave a show-stopping presence to counterpoint the rich, savory meal and its earthy flavor components. I was also pleasantly surprised that this version of kale is delicious 🤤!! The wine pairing of Sparhead Pinot Noir (2021) is on point. Its cherry, blackberry and black currant flavours are all dusted with some black pepper—an explosion of expertly crafted flavours.
After this course, I figured it was a good time to check out the washroom. On my way to it, I walk past some of the many accolades this restaurant has achieved. The decor is very minimal. Very clean with a modern minimalist approach. Standing here, the words crisp and clean come to mind.
Now, back to this incredible meal.
Main Course: Pan Roasted Dry Aged Striploin - with hasselback potato, cauliflower purée, carrots, and a smoked rosemary jus. This plate is expertly balanced with enough acidity to cut through the fatty meat and rich potato. The cauliflower and the carrot brought in a well-placed hint of sweetness. And then in comes the wine. Paired with this is The Hammer (2020) by Ingo Grady. This is a passion project of this Okanagan Valley Icon made within Kismet winery. This Cabernet Sauvignon dominant red blend shows chocolate, clove, black pepper, and jammy berries flavours. Its spiciness steps in on the last quarter of the finish, further elongating the enjoyment of every bite.
Dessert: Chocolate Crémeux Bar - with lemon curd, hazelnut gelato, and raspberry sabayon. The lemon curd and sabayon cut through the rich decadence of the chocolate mousse. Flavor-wise, everyone was mingling beautifully. I did miss this plate's lack of texture variety, but its flavours made up for that. The pairing for this is the Okanagan Spirits Raspberry Liqueur. And to their credit, they created tart, dry raspberry in a glass…and made it boozy! Full of flavour and a strong alcohol bite, the creamy dessert tempers and harmonizes this drink with the dessert.
What did I think of this meal? Another incredible dining experience at this restaurant. If you have yet to dine here and experience their hospitality, it's in your best interest to check out and see why they have won so many accolades. Special occasion is not mandatory.
Waterfront Restaurant & Wine Bar continues to be a beloved dining destination in Kelowna. With its commitment to locally sourced ingredients, innovative cuisine, and breathtaking views, the restaurant provides a dining experience that embodies the essence of the Okanagan Valley. Whether you're a visitor or a local resident, a meal at Waterfront Restaurant & Wine Bar will surely be a memorable and delightful experience.
Cheers 🥂
-BC Wine Nerd
Website: Waterfront Restaurant & Wine Bar
Address: #104 – 1180 Sunset Drive
Phone #: 250-979-1222
Dietaries: They can accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions, just make sure to inform.
Wine by the glass Menu: 100% 🇨🇦 (Their beers on tap are also 100% BC)
Menu $: 🍷🍷🍷
Menu $ Legend
🍷= Inexpensive. Entree items are $10 or less 🍷🍷= Moderately Expensive. Entree items fall in $10-$25 range
🍷🍷🍷= Expensive. Entree items fall in $25-50 range 🍷🍷🍷🍷= Very Expensive. Entree items are $50 or grater