News Alert: Kelowna’s hottest new destination patio just opened on the downtown waterfront. Located within the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort, under new Marriott hotel ownership, Oak + Cru Social Kitchen & Wine Bar is set to thrill.
The hotel has just received a makeover, and she looks beautiful. A shiny new lobby off of Water Street will lead you through the hip new Oak + Cru Social Kitchen & Wine Bar. What begins as a modern new lounge room with a sleek bar, cool art and leather accents, steps down to the water front level room with new fire deck oven to the left, complete with bar stools to hang with the chefs.
Face forward to the water view through the floor to ceiling roll back windows then step out onto the sexy new 130 person patio deck set on the water. The vibe is chill, with Indie tunes playing indoor and out to set the mood. Around the corner is a private patio that guests can book for personal and business gatherings.
Warning: Executive Chef Iain Rennie’s menu will cause involuntary mouth watering. With items ranging from flatbreads and other classic creations from the Fire Deck oven like French onion soup, here called Old Grandad Soup or Baked Mac (n’ cheese), to locally focused soups and salads or the ‘Tried & True” favorites like Hali & Chips, Soul Food (fried chicken!) or burgers (both meat and veg), there really is something for everyone. I can’t wait to have brunch on that patio this summer! There is a choice of five Bennies to choose from- how does the Maryland featuring chicken and waffles sound? Heck ya! I love the little tongue in cheek humour on the menu ie. social chicken eggs are used referencing the free range terminology. The food team here is big on sourcing local, and farmers like Doug Haggarty (Fester’s Organics) are specifically noted on the menu. I love the fresh herbs that are planted around the patio outside too, very in keeping with this theme. Open from breakfast to midnight, this kitchen will feed every appetite.
And then there is the wine. And, true to its name, this is a wine bar and it features 300+ labels of Okanagan wine only!! Finally a place in town, where visitors and wine lovers can hang out and taste from all of our wine regions here and support our local industry. Cheers to that.
See you on the patio!
~ Jennifer Schell