A friend took me to the most charming little coffee house in Lake Country a few weeks ago—Lake Country Coffee House.
Attached to a little art gallery, this cabin-esque cutie has delicious breakfast and lunch offerings and great coffee to boot. They feature local artists on their walls (artist changes every six weeks) and have a patio area too.
Owned by Sean and Carol Sproule, they have run a bustling business there since 2010. The space was formerly occupied by a local butcher that reflects in some of their cool rustic design.
The first Wednesday of each month they offer an open mic night when local musicians set up to entertain—Sean says that the array of talent is amazing.
They are at 10356 Bottom Wood Lake Road, www.lakecountrycoffee.com. I enjoyed a grilled tuna sandwich and we shared a carrot cake—tasted just like homemade.
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If you have not experienced GiOBean’s gelato (known there as Giolato)—go now. The creamiest most delicious gelato I have had since Italy, he offers a great variety of flavours. Eat it there or take it home to serve to guests. (I recently served the lime gelato with my homemade rhubarb pie for dessert—yum.)
Gio introduced me to something new: an Affogato, which literally means “drowned” in Italian. A scoop of hazelnut gelato is topped with a steaming shot of espresso that causes the gelato to melt or drown.
Oh mio dio. It is so delizioso you will die (not really but close). It’s at 1320 Water St. where all the cool looking people are sitting on the patio Euro style.
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Speaking of our local coffee scene, congratulations to my friends Al and Amy Lang, owners of the new Central Bean Scene in the Capri Mall, who have now purchased Bean Scene HQ on Dickson Avenue.
Former owners and the Bean Scene brand’s loving parents, Deb Synnot and John Anderson will continue as owners and operators of the roastery and bakery. Yea Bean Scene. www.beanscene.ca.•••
micro.bar.bites, the latest project of RauDZ Regional Table team Rod Butters and Audrey Surrao, is soon to open in downtown Kelowna.
At 900 square feet its just up the street from RauDZ and chef Butters jokes that the space is so small that “we don’t even capitalize the ‘m’ of micro.”
micro’s PR company Spatula Media explains the venue further: “The European flavor will extend to the glassware at micro with beer, cocktails and wine served in simple tumblers. No fancy stemware here. The creatively simple approach of micro.bar.bites continues with a pared down bar and food menu, and the launch of barrel-aged cocktails, with international beers and wines all offer guests a fresh experience. Chef Butters is already playing with unique twists on his simple small bites menu.” We can’t wait—www.raudz.com.
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When celebrating at home this summer, be sure to support local and shop at our local farmers market (Kelowna Wednesday and Saturday)—and, when that is not possible, our local Urban Fare is the next best thing. They are huge supporters of our local farmers and artisans and carry a huge array of local produce and products.
Did you know they also carry Monika’s bread and baguettes (Okanagan Grocery Artisan Breads) and a delectable array of Sandrine’s chocolates, cakes and desserts (Sandrine French Pastry & Chocolate?
They have local cheese, crackers, preserves, pizza shells—and my favourite chicken farmer Sterling Chicken’s products fresh in the meat counter.
Stay tuned for a mini Farmers Market event at Urban Fare this Sept. 7 and 8 outside where you will be able to shop and meet many of their suppliers.
Don’t forget they have a licensed restaurant too and serve local wines.
