- Story by David Wylie Photography by Darren Hull
Dining at CedarCreek Winery香蕉视频直播檚 Home Block is an elemental experience.
There香蕉视频直播檚 a clear connection between the atmosphere and the food, which is cooked on a wood-fired grill, and its bold, rustic flavours pair with intuitive, detail-oriented service.
The bright and airy restaurant 香蕉视频直播� recently nominated to Air Canada香蕉视频直播檚 Best New Restaurants 2019 list 香蕉视频直播� is located in Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 Lower Mission area, and surrounded by beautiful vineyards and Okanagan Lake views. Custom decor adds thoughtful and unique details.
The building itself is crafted from fieldstone and 100-year-old reclaimed barn wood. The restaurant can seat 120 when the patio is open.
Natural cooking methods are front and centre, with Home Block香蕉视频直播檚 wood-fired grill in the open kitchen.
Restaurant general manager Michael Ziff knows his way around the food industry. He香蕉视频直播檚 worked in high-end restaurants in New York City, Toronto and Vancouver.
香蕉视频直播淚 think it香蕉视频直播檚 really important that a room speaks to the service and the service speaks to the room,香蕉视频直播� he said.
A vineyard is a perfect setting for a restaurant.
香蕉视频直播淭he depth of story is fantastic,香蕉视频直播� said Michael. 香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 surrounded by 50 acres of vine. I get to serve wine literally made 100 metres away to the guests.香蕉视频直播�
Servers choose their own work clothes, guided by a palette: dark blue pants, matching the lake; sky-blue shirts; and tan shoes and tan belts, reminiscent of ponderosa pines.
香蕉视频直播淭o me, the elements of being human are being hospitable, welcoming, friendly, knowledgeable香蕉视频直播hose are the elements to me that speak to the room.香蕉视频直播�
Michael aims to tell a story through the service, with everything from the table settings to server dialogue contributing to a subtle narrative.
Meanwhile in the kitchen, Home Block香蕉视频直播檚 executive chef, Neil Taylor, is a little less subtle with his big flavours.
香蕉视频直播淚 like food to be punchy and in your face to a point,香蕉视频直播� he said.
Kitchen staff prepare a variety of foods on their Argentine-inspired wood-fired grill.
香蕉视频直播淓ven when you pull up to CedarCreek you can smell the wood in the air,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淐ooking over fire and wood is about as elemental as you can get. We香蕉视频直播檝e used orchard wood and vine clippings, old barrels 香蕉视频直播� they all have their own nuances and flavours. When we burn the barrels, you really get that flavour of red wine and you can really smell that toasted wood,香蕉视频直播� he said.
Originally from England, Neil香蕉视频直播檚 career has taken him through top restaurants in London, Sydney and Vancouver. He also owns his own restaurant in Vancouver, a Spanish tapas and wine bar called Espa帽a.
Neil said he buys fresh ingredients and treats them simply, making the most of his great relationships with local farms and changing the menu according to what香蕉视频直播檚 in season.
With contemporary farmhouse architecture, Home Block and other CedarCreek buildings are designed by Arcanum Architecture in San Francisco.
Much of the decor is custom, including cement bill holders and coolers commissioned by Michael. Tables, banquettes and handmade leather sling chairs are locally crafted by John Rousseau Design in Summerland. Bowls and platters are handcrafted by local potter Shelley Bauer of Blue Apple Studio in Kelowna.
You can check out the restaurant and winery .
Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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