Hodge shares best food and fun from 2021
Hodge Podge By Charlie Hodge
Good ol’ COVID even messes up my annual ‘Best Of’ list where I mention my favourite places, people, events of the past year.
It’s rather difficult to compile such a list of places to go or people to seek out if you never get out to do so. Still, Tez and I did have to venture out for survival staples (food, work, health…) and occasionally ran the risk and went for a bite out, pint or glass, and an escape or two.
Some of this year’s ‘winners’ are repeats however we’ve had the pleasure of meeting a few new names. Looking forward to a time when we can venture forth and check out some of the new facilities in our town such as restaurants, brew pubs, stores …
In no particular order, here are some of our highlight people and places in Kelowna the past year. More to follow another day.
Food and Fun
A lot of our meals were take out this year or from limited menus. Regardless the service was wonderful and taste buds happy.
- Fish and Chips: Shady Rest
- Chinese Food: Yum Yum Tree at Capri Mall (Sandy – take a bow)
- Italian: Momma Rosa
- Best Soup: Broccoli, Bacon, Cheese at Kelly O’Bryan’s
- Ribs: Montana’s
- Short Ribs: Brandt’s Creek Pub
- Best Burger: Cactus Club by the Lake
- Best Steak: Earls on Top
- Best Breakfast: Bohemian Cafe
- Best Pulled Pork: Memphis House of Blues
- Best Menu: Brandt’s Creek Pub and Kelly O’Bryan’s
- Food and Fun: BNA Brewing, Craft Beer Market
- Favourite over all: Kelly O’Bryan’s
- Best kept secret (funky place to eat): Central Kitchen + Bar
- Top Pubs: McCulloch Station, Brandt’s Creek Pub, Mickies Pub, Dakodas Pub
- Top Servers. waitresses: Maryan at McCulloch Station, Morgan at O’Flannigans
- Best Bar managers: Amanda at McCulloch Station, Dave at Dakodas
- Best Butchers: Illichmann’s, Johnny’s Meats
- Best Food Supplies: M&M Food Market, Superstore, Independent Grocers
- Mechanic: Theo Paul at Okapro Automotive
- Best Plumber: Les Thompson
- Best Band: Dirt Road Opera, Young’ Uns, Deb Stone Band
- Best Solo Act: Jimmy LeGuilloux, Papa Dawg, Keith Thom
- Best Nightclub/Restaurant for Live music: Blue Gator, O’Flannigans
- Best Concert Facility: Kelowna Community Theatre
- Best Oral surgeons: Dr. Russ Nato and Dr. Richard Bell
- Best Dental Specialist: Dr. Duncan Chambers
- Best Plastic Surgeon: Dr. Scott Williamson
- Favourite Wineries: Ancient Hill, Quails Gate, Summerhill Pyramid
- Best Lung specialist: Dr. Graeme McCauley
- Best Business Supplies: Staples (Excellent staff – Graham)
- Best Tire Shop: Dan’s Tires
- Best Realtor: Louise Levesque
- Best Online Publication: Gonzo Okanagan
- Best Physiotherapist: Meghan Muhle
- Best Book Store: Mosaic Books Kelowna
- Best Music Store: Wentworth Music
- Best Clothing Store: Moores (Spall Mall)
- Best walk/dog walk: Mission Creek Greenway
- Best area to saunter: Waterfront Boardwalk – The Grand to City Park
- Favourite Hideaway: Maude Roxby Wetland and Bird Sanctuary, Kelly O’Bryan’s patio, my own back yard