Cambium Cidery & Restaurant — Attraction in Area C (Silver Star)

Having worked in a restaurant for nearly 50 years, I feel very qualified to know the difference between service and that which goes way beyond. With no reservation, 3 of us showed up on Saturday Aug 19and we were greeted by what we thought was the hostess. Due to the wildfires and air advisories, we were told that much of the seating had to be reduced ( no outside seating to respect the health of their employees) and we had to be turned away because they were at full capacity. At 64 years of age, trust me - it was the nicest turn down I've ever received. With a full house to attend to, not only did Melissa offer to make us a reservation for the following day, but she went so far as to take the time to make us a reservation for dinner elsewhere for that night. ( It turned out to be a great recommendation!)

I, we, were more than happy to return the following night to enjoy a very memorable meal hosted by Kellisa, our server, who was very knowledgeable and attentive. We enjoyed a live band playing Spanish music while we all thoroughly enjoyed our dinner.

I don't often go out for dinner because when I do it is difficult for me to have a "customer experience", I always put myself in the shoes of the staff working there. Watching them...., are they smiling...., do they seem sincere or is it just another shift they cant wait to get through? I am usually less likely to review a restaurant I've gone to unless I had something to learn from the experience, and although it may be lost to most people not in the industry, when amazing service is provided, it is supposed to be be "invisible" and not even noticed. This kind of service was hard not to...

Today it was my first time visiting Cambium Cider Co. in the 23 years I visited Vernon.

During my quest to visit every restaurant, café, and eatery in Vernon since July 2021, this was my 86th venue visited in Vernon.

One of my closest friends performed here as a singer.

There is a ton of seating here. Indoors, patio in front of the stage, and picnic tables in the orchard.

Not every picnic table has an umbrella so the sun may be intense if you pick the wrong table and burn easily.

The picnic tables are great if you have a big dog with you.

The cider flights are $16 dollars. After tax and an 18 percent tip it comes to $19.10.

As someone who has visited every winery in Lake Country, that is double the price of their $8 wine flights. However, the cider flight is close to twice as much in size.

I tried the sweet flight.

My Sweet Cider Flight Ranking:

1. Raspberry Tart
2. Vanilla Plum
3. Sweet Cherry
4. Apricot Ginger

The first three are really good. The apricot ginger was the only one I didn't like. However, I went to a cidery in Southeast Kelowna when my best friend and I visited seven cideries and wineries in Southeast Kelowna last winter, and didn't like their ginger cider.

The music playlist was 60s slow jams. Multiple songs from Tarantino films including that Al Green song from Pulp Fiction.

The food menu was bigger than expected. I considered buying food, but the cider flight was a priority and I wasn't in the mood for a $40 meal.

Overall, I enjoyed my scenic walk to Camboum Cider and my cider-infused walk back home.

Both servers who helped me were very friendly and helpful.

I...

I give this place 3.5 Stars and this is why.

When we arrived we were greeted by the hostess who proceeded to ask us if we had a reservation. We did not, and advised as such, she proceeded to let us know that she wasn’t sure if she could accommodate us and would have to speak to the manager.

Thankfully, the Manager accommodated us as the restaurant was 70% EMPTY. Yeah that’s right, there was like 6 tables being used in the whole joint.

There was a couple of groups that wandered in as we left but that was an absolutely ridiculous dog and pony show to pretentiously look important. Not a good way to start.

We shared some appies and the food was very tasty. The bartender gave me a wrong flavour in my flight but once we figured it out, he made good on it and even let us try another flavour as as an apology which we ended up buying a bunch to take home so good move on his part.

Lastly, the waitress dropped off a dessert menu. Before we even had a look, the waitress dropped off the bill and was sticking a machine in our face. I still had Two flights left to drink. This was a HUGE turnoff. Managers, please train your staff better, drop the bill off and give people time to look at the bill. Or finish their drinks…

Unfortunately, this was the take away. Other than these moments the place is nice, food was good, I’ll give it another try for sure but I will say something of that...