Reconnecting With Friends In The Okanagan

Priscilla Banh and Emma Choo reunite for a getaway to Kelowna and Vernon.

What happens when a Calgarian and a Vancouverite meet in the middle?  This spring, friends Emma Choo (aka @vancouverfoodie) and Calgary-based Priscilla Banh (aka @banhmiigirl), reunited in the Okanagan—the perfect meeting point between their two homes. Follow their journey as they explore sun-dappled wineries, indulge in delicious food, and experience unforgettable activities together in and around Kelowna and Vernon.

There’s something truly special about travelling with your buddies, Priscilla explains:

“I believe when you travel with friends, the relationship grows deeper. You experience moments together that connect you. … Also, you get on a more introspective level. The conversations become less superficial and intuitive. “

Kelowna: Adventure, Wine, and Foodie Stops

After meeting at Kelowna International Airport, Emma and Priscilla made their way to downtown Kelowna as the spring sunshine peeked through the clouds, signaling the change of seasons and an exciting adventure ahead.

Emma: “I love that there’s this mix of city, farmland, and wineries all within a short drive from each other. I felt very relaxed—a released tension from the usual hustle and bustle of metropolitan life.”

Priscilla: “I loved being so close to the lake, especially coming from Calgary, where we have one river. But in Kelowna, I felt like we were always so close to water. There’s something about being near water that keeps me at peace.”

Where to Stay:

Emma: “Hotel Eldorado Resort is the perfect rustic hotel experience. Soft yellow walls, Juliet porch/doors that open up to a view of the marina, where the light glistens off the water, which ebbs and flows ever so slightly with the wind. The highlight for me was their bathtub, located right in the bedroom itself. Its not your usual bathtub, my friend! It’s one of those old-fashioned-style jacuzzi tubs. They even provide foaming bath salts to equip you for the most relaxing bubble baths. I used it every single night before going to bed.”

Where to Dine:

Emma and Priscilla’s Favourites

• Frankie We Salute You! is a fully vegan restaurant and bar with chic Boho vibes. For a super umami experience, try their Caesar featuring crunchy homemade nori bacon. Their carrot “lox” sandwich and mushroom bolognese are also a highlight.
• Sprout Bread/Slow Side Coffee bakes up fresh and fluffy sourdough bread and focuses on the art of the espresso.
• The Jammery offers a small town, southern atmosphere that will make you feel right at home. Try their all-you-can-eat waffles or the breakfast paella.

More Local Recommendations 

• Food: El Taqueria, Waterfront Wines, ExNihilo, Carmelis Goat Farm, Zabb, Gather, Soy Fusion, Momo Sushi, Nari Sushi, and The Hatching Post
• Wine and Spirits: Frequency, Cedar Creek Estate Winery, and Wiseacre Farm Distillery  
• Desserts: 360 Bakehouse, The Specialty Bakery, and Sandrine
• Drinks: Bright Jenny Coffee, Farming Karma, or Jacks Kelowna

What To Do:

Decadent food and drink aside, there are plenty of activities in and around the British Columbia’s third largest city, including hiking in Knox Mountain Park, visiting a kangaroo farm, bowling, and strolling through town and along the waterfront. And then, there are some activities that simply take your breathe away….

One of their highlights was an al fresco meal with wine pairings on the sun-drenched patio of  The Modest Butcher at Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery, which boasts sweeping views of the lush countryside and Okanagan Lake. Priscilla explains:

“We had a picture perfect, outstanding spread. They have the most beautiful scenery to enjoy while having lunch and sipping your wine or cocktail. Does that not sound like paradise? We also had one of the BEST tomahawks I’ve ever had (sourced from Prince Edward Island). And, this is coming from an Albertan girl—we are known for our beef.”

VERNON: Spa, Lake Time, and Bike Rides

Continuing on their journey, Emma and Priscilla headed to Vernon (a 45-minute drive north of Kelowna) to relax, explore the lakeshore, and enjoy more wineries.

Pricilla: “It was a short, beautiful, calming drive. … We made a pit stop to enjoy the lake and Oyama. And, we stopped at the perfect time because on Fridays at 3pm, there is a van called Fritz the Baker, that only locals know about, where you can get different types of baked bread.”

Where to Stay:

Emma: “I honestly don’t know where to begin with Sparkling Hill Resort, because the stay from beginning to end was a ‘pinch-me’ experience. The moment you drive up the hill, the grand architecture of the entrance captivates you. And when you walk through the sliding glass doors, you are met with these grand crystal chandeliers that glimmer with every step you take. Remember to look up and all around. Fun Fact: It was one person’s job to place 3.5 million Swarvoski crystals around the resort.”

Where to Dine:

BLOCK ONE Restaurant at 50th Parallel Estate was a highlight foodie stop for the ladies:

Emma: “There are high ceilings, barrels, and a variety of table setups in front of glass windows that showcase the vineyard and display the sunset. I absolutely loved their Peace Country rack of lamb that was grilled to a nice charcoal crisp and flavoured with fresh herbs and spices for a drool-worthy bite. Start your meal with their grass-fed beef tartare served with shimeji mushrooms, marrow aioli, and yolk gel (served on a wood block board).”

Other foodie finds in Vernon include Ratio Coffee & Pastry and The Lobster Pot food truck.

Originally published in May, 2022.