- Story by David Wylie Photography by Darren Hull
Dining at CedarCreek Winery乌鸦传媒檚 Home Block is an elemental experience.
There乌鸦传媒檚 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 乌鸦传媒� recently nominated to Air Canada乌鸦传媒檚 Best New Restaurants 2019 list 乌鸦传媒� is located in Kelowna乌鸦传媒檚 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乌鸦传媒檚 wood-fired grill in the open kitchen.
Restaurant general manager Michael Ziff knows his way around the food industry. He乌鸦传媒檚 worked in high-end restaurants in New York City, Toronto and Vancouver.
乌鸦传媒淚 think it乌鸦传媒檚 really important that a room speaks to the service and the service speaks to the room,乌鸦传媒� he said.
A vineyard is a perfect setting for a restaurant.
乌鸦传媒淭he depth of story is fantastic,乌鸦传媒� said Michael. 乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檓 surrounded by 50 acres of vine. I get to serve wine literally made 100 metres away to the guests.乌鸦传媒�
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.
乌鸦传媒淭o me, the elements of being human are being hospitable, welcoming, friendly, knowledgeable乌鸦传媒hose are the elements to me that speak to the room.乌鸦传媒�
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乌鸦传媒檚 executive chef, Neil Taylor, is a little less subtle with his big flavours.
乌鸦传媒淚 like food to be punchy and in your face to a point,乌鸦传媒� he said.
Kitchen staff prepare a variety of foods on their Argentine-inspired wood-fired grill.
乌鸦传媒淓ven when you pull up to CedarCreek you can smell the wood in the air,乌鸦传媒� he said. 乌鸦传媒淐ooking over fire and wood is about as elemental as you can get. We乌鸦传媒檝e used orchard wood and vine clippings, old barrels 乌鸦传媒� 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,乌鸦传媒� he said.
Originally from England, Neil乌鸦传媒檚 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乌鸦传媒檚 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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