Field Trip to Osoyoos

“FieldTrips” is either a day trip or a few days where I visit food areas of interest which may include farm visits, producers, wineries, restaurants and/or other places that people can visit. This is about offering Vancouver Foodster readers a chance to get out of town and take a “Field Trip” for the day or a few days to explore, learn, taste and experience.

Field Trip to Osoyoos

Leaving Vancouver, driving Highway 1 East towards Hope, we then took Highway 3 to Osoyoos, the drive was just over 5 hours.

After we arrived to Osoyoos, we checked in to the Watermark Beach Resort to stay for a couple of days, a beautiful property located minutes North of the Canada/USA border situated in desert country.

Our suite was beautiful with a spacious kitchen, dining room and living room, it also has a washer and dryer which is a great amenity to have. The view from the balcony were nice with views of the city and the mountains.

The resort hotel also features a fitness room, as well as an outdoor pool and hot tubs for guests to enjoy.

We visited nearby Lakeside Cellars (25 min walk) where we enjoyed a wine tasting with Paula (winemaker). The winery is perched on the eastern shores of Lake Osoyoos where Lakeside Cellars is the culmination of a lifelong commitment to farming.

 We tried 5 different wines from their portfolio, my favourite was the Portage Red 2017; which was a blend of cab franc 60%, merlot 30%and 20% Cain Sauvignon. You can visit their tasting room which is open daily; there is a cost for the tasting experience which is refunded with purchase of their bottled wine.

Lawrence and I had dinner on the covered patio at 15 Park Bistro which is located inside the hotel at lobby level. Their menu features a spotlight on lobster with a few different lobster dishes.

We started with the delicious Tomato & ‘Tanto Latte’ Burrata Salad with 3 garlic prawns; we then shared the Tuna Tostadas. I had a glass of the Bartier Bros Rose which went perfectly with the appetizers.

Next, was the outstanding Lobster Ravioli that came in a wonderful garlic white wine cream sauce, tarragon pistou, green peas, pico de gallo, pecorino.

We then shared two great dishes, the AAA Beef Tenderloin Filet with brandy peppercorn sauce and the Pan Seared Steelhead Trout with brown rice & quinoa salad, charred carrot & citrus dressing, buttered broccolini, roasted organic carrots, white wine cream sauce.

We had a couple of desserts to end the meal, the first was the Cinnamon Banana Xango and the second which was our favourite was the White Chocolate Soup and this was an amazing, interactive dessert as our server poured the white chocolate over the chocolate ball that was filled with chocolate mousse; in a mixed berries ‘soup’ ; a great ending to a delicious dinner.

The next day we headed over to near by Junction 3 Coffee House for coffee and baked goods, I had an Espresso Macchiato and Banana Bread from their take out window is where you order (inside dining is still closed).

We then took a drive up the road to the Osoyoos Desert Centre for a self guided tour of the 67-acre nature interpretive facility.

In the nearby town of Oliver there is a great new attraction of sorts for wine lovers, it’s called District Wine Village and we went on a drive (25 mins North) for a visit, tour and then had lunch at the Trading Post Eatery that is on site. It features 13 Local Wineries, Food, 1 Brewery & 1 Distillery in a beautiful outdoor setting. The wineries on site all produce and bottle their own wines, operate their own tasting rooms offering up tastings to visitors who can then purchase the bottled wine. They offer entertainment throughout the summer months with live music, farmers markets and more.

We sat on the outside patio and I had the delicious District Chicken Sandwich while Lawrence enjoyed the Salami Burger, we both shared their Summer Salad. I had a Karma Cherry Soda as I was driving and not able to taste the wines.

We were back in Osoyoos for dinner at Conviva Bistro Cuisine which was conveniently located a block away from our hotel and they are known for their French and Italian cuisine. We both had the French Onion Soup and then we shared the Salad Landaise which featured pulled and smoked duck.

We both loved the tender Braised Lamb Shank that was served with cannellini beans; as well as the Linguine Carbonara; and some of their Garlic focaccia.

For dessert I had their Crème Brûlée while Lawrence had the Strawberry Sorbet.

It was a nice couple of days visiting Osoyoos and area.

Stay tuned for my next Field Trip outside of Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

Disclosure: Watermark Beach Resort provided us with complimentary accommodation, Destination Osoyoos assisted with providing complimentary meals and such. As always, all opinions and photos are my own.