Owners Heather and Executive Chef Stewart Glynes met in Vancouver while working brunch together, her as waitress, he as sous chef. It’s no wonder they’ve always enjoyed going out for breakfast and delight in bringing that joy to Penticton. “When Stewart gets a day off,” says Heather, “some of our best times are around the breakfast table with our three young children. The kids also love coming to The Bench for eggwiches and fruit salad while a highlight of my day is a Bench Canadiano!” The fresh-roasted, organic coffee is sourced locally from Backyard Beans. You’ll also find a variety of Backyard Beans’ coffee blends on the shelves to buy, along with other local artisan products and The Bench Market’s own take-home items. The everyday, all-day breakfast includes housemade granola with organic yogurt and the ever-popular breakfast burritos. The Bench’s must-do weekend/holiday brunch is available until 2pm, and features Eggs Benny, Belgian Waffles made to order and served with Fraser Valley bacon, fresh fruit and real maple syrup, and Sausage & Eggs with in-house baked beans. Plus there’s daily from-scratch muffins, scones and other baking along with a great lunch menu.
The Bench Market is a local favourite and was voted in Okanagan Life magazine as both best Coffee/Tea House and best Breakfast in the South Okanagan for 2014. As the weather improves, we’ll migrate to its sought-after patio. Watch for some building upgrades, new patio furniture and their wine barrel planters full of spring flowers and herbs.
~ Roslyne Buchanan