Tutt Street Tapas + Wine — Restaurant in Kelowna

Disclaimer-it’s a long one. Well had high hopes for good Spanish tapas. Owner was kind enough to get us a table as soon as a table paid and left, which we appreciated. Wine selection is great and started with a wonderful bottle of pinot grigio. Well except for dessert, that was the end of anything good. Started with hummus, dish came with carrot and apple sticks, a flavourless hummus and warm flat bread, it literally looked something you would serve a 5 year old for lunch. We didn’t finish it, and it sat at the end of the table for the remainder of the meal. Next was veggie risotto balls, while they had a good flavour, the what was suppose to be a formed ball, fell apart as the fork touched it and tried to get to my mouth, would have been a great vegetable risotto, not ball. Next was seafood cakes, yikes! texture and flavour was awful, putting mashed potato with chopped up seafood in my mouth was not appealing. Now hummus still sitting on table, not touched, gone through 3 dishes and the owner, never asked us if we were enjoying any of the food. Fourth dish was gnocchi with brown butter, husband thought it was ok, I did not enjoy tiny pieces of mushy gnocchi soaked in brown butter. Last was the spinach and mushroom empanadas, which were good, but I was already turned off from everything else, still no inquiry from the owner who cleared every dish, if anything was good, and finally took the hummus dish away. The only reason I ordered dessert was because I had seen desserts come out for another table and they looked good, ordered pecan pie with caramel sea salt ice cream, and it was delicious! Would I go back, for wine and dessert absolutely, for food you would have to make me eat...

Our new favourite spot in town! We’re big food and wine people, but usually going out in Kelowna is a disappointing experience and we leave feeling like we overpaid for mediocre food, but this place did not disappoint! Everything was delicious. They clearly know their wines and provided better quality options than most restaurants in Kelowna.

The food was amazing, too. Great combinations of flavours, perfect seasoning, all balanced really well. You can taste each ingredient, nothing was greasy or overdone. You can tell they really care about the food they serve. The house made gnocchi was to die for - light and fluffy so it just melted in your mouth. The pappardelle with shrimp was perfectly cooked, a tad peppery but honestly that’s such a small detail. Would order again for sure. Our favourite item was the seafood cakes. The flavour and texture was outstanding. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside with nicely chopped pieces of scallop and prawn that you could get a good bite of. 10/10. I’ve never wanted to send my compliments to the chef before, but whoever’s back there really knows what they’re doing!

Rita was lovely, we felt welcomed from the moment we came in and the atmosphere was relaxing and friendly. Several other tables were regulars and the owners chatted with them like old friends.

Everything was reasonably priced and it’s the first time eating out in Kelowna where we felt like we got the value we were looking for. Cannot wait to be back, this will be our go-to spot...

Love fresh, innovative food made with locally sourced ingredients? Love hard to find wines by the bottle and the glass? Want to support locally owned and operated establishments in these difficult times? Then you need to try Tutt Street Tapas.

My partner and I have been dining at Tutt Street Tapas since it opened. The owner is extremely knowledgeable about wines and has personal connections with many winemakers and winery owners (local and international). She's just as passionate about food and works hard to source local, organic ingredients, such as produce from small farms and orchards in the Valley, cheese and ethical meats from nearby producers. Even the flour for the house made breads is made from locally milled organic grains!

As for food style, think Italian with a twist (e.g. Butternut squash gnocchi, seasonally inspired flat breads, veggie specials to die for, and the best hummus I've ever tasted). Did I mention the handmade ice cream? It ranks right up there with the Salt & Straw in Portland. It's that good.

I really can't say enough about this small, local gem of a restaurant. If you haven't been there yet, give it a try. You won't be...