The Restaurant at Poplar Grove — Restaurant in Penticton

I rarely give 5 stars, so this is pretty good for me.

What I liked: The parsnip (turnip?) gnocchi were genius; can't wait to try that myself. Gnocchi can easily get too fluffy or too dense. These were perfect. They were slightly fried, which was also a great idea. The dried (maybe roasted?) sage leaves went wonderfully with the cheesy sauce.

The service was friendly, casual yet with excellent manners. When there was a miscommunication about an item, it was immediately taken care of. I liked that the restaurant manager interacted with the tables.

The atmosphere was unpretentious but obviously with great care taken to create a relaxed, comfortable and overall very enjoyable experience for a restaurant in this price range. I especially liked how the tables were placed - just far enough from each other so that you couldn't overhear other people's conversation, but not so far from each other that the place feels cavernous. The artwork was interesting, and the chairs comfortable (I have a thing about chairs :))

It was fun to watch two new staff members being trained - extra entertainment! Also, the bathroom had an absolutely lovely soap.

What could use some improvement: The wait staff was very nice but maybe not super knowledgeable about either food or wine. I'm not sure she understood how to interpret my comments about a slight dairy sensitivity, and didn't get the impression she was well versed in wine pairing, which resulted in a forgettable Chardonnay. The morels with the gnocchi were a disappointment - they were obviously recently rehydrated, and had lost pretty much all of their aroma. Also, I thought I had read that the chickory for the salad was grilled but it wasn't - but maybe I misread that. And I was surprised that we weren't offered the choice of shading in front of the wonderful, big panorama windows - I had to move around a bit to avoid the glare in my old eyes.

This place was recommended to us by a sommelier friend of mine, and I'd definitely recommend it to others. Good price to value ratio, and...

What an INCREDIBLE experience! From top to bottom, beginning to end...it was spectacular. The food was absolutely to die for. The honey buns ..my goodness what can I say about these things? It is the best bread I have ever eaten. No exaggerating. Next up, the scallops (with the fried pork belly pieces): cooked to perfection! The drizzle it sat in was a tomato based, and fit perfectly. And then you get to dip the honey buns in it??? Yes. That happened.

The main course was the pork chop. Brilliant...with the fried potatoes and freshly picked (that morning) zucchini.

To top it off, may be the best Ice cream preparation I have tasted. The honey was heavenly.

The server we had was top notch. She memorized our order, was tentative, and also very engaging. The owner came over to meet and greet us, which made us feel welcomed. Our glasses were never empty and our plates were removed promptly when cleaned. Also, the hostess was proper and even had her nails beautifully done.

Not much of a wine drinker though, so can't comment on that aspect (yes it's apart of a winery, yes I agree that's silly of me). The atmosphere was great, although the one negative was the sun...it was in our eyes out on the patio and I can't help but think they could put up something out there in regards to a shaded screen or something to help keep it minimal. That was the only negative, but I get it...the sun is going to do it's thing.

Overall, wonderful time. Kudos to the chefs for creating a masterful menu/meal and then cooking it too perfection. It's expensive, and that's why it's a once in awhile thing that makes it special. This is far and away the best place to eat a meal in Penticton. Try it out for yourself if you find yourself...

Absolutely incredible experience at Poplar Grove!

Everything from start to finish was flawless. The food was outstanding, beautifully presented and full of bold, fresh flavors. Highlights included the sablefish, mushroom mafalde, albacore tuna, and scallops, all perfectly cooked and memorable. Even the kids’ meals (grilled cheese, pasta, and burger) were thoughtfully made and genuinely enjoyed.

The cocktails were fantastic! The Starting Pistol was a standout, and the Lavender 75 was refreshing and elegant. We also shared a couple of bottles of Cascadia Viognier, which paired wonderfully with the meals.

A huge shout-out to our server, David, who was friendly, professional, and incredibly attentive. He made sure everything ran smoothly and that both the adults and kids felt well cared for. His service truly elevated the experience.

Also worth noting, Poplar Grove is very kid-friendly, which made the night that much more enjoyable for our whole group. It’s not easy to find a fine dining spot that welcomes families so warmly, and this place nailed it.

Gorgeous setting, relaxed atmosphere, top-notch food and drink, and amazing service. Poplar Grove is a must-visit when you’re in Penticton.

We’ll...