I have had a few days off from work which I have taken full advantage of visiting wineries, swimming at the beach...you know being a tourist in my own town. As luck would have it these days coincided also with my birthday. This was a big one ending in a "0"...you do the math....wink...wink...When in the real world does a person get a chance to do whatever they want on their birthday if it falls during the work week? Since a whirlwind trip to Vegas or a Greek island was out I opted for the next best thing and enjoyed what the
Okanagan Valley has to offer.
After all this is a destination tourists flock to in droves and the weather has been perfect for all that the valley has to offer.
Last night my daughter took me to
Bouchons one of our local restaurants for a celebratory dinner. It is rated as one of the top 4 in the area with good reason. If you ever want to impress someone or treat them to a world class dining experience without all the stuffiness of fine dining this is one of the best places to go in
Kelowna for French Cuisine. Their Chef Dominique
Couton was voted chef of the year when he lived in Vancouver by the toughest panel in the city.
The photos were taken in haste but it will give you an insight into my birthday dinner. For starters I opted for : Warm Goat Cheese in a Filo Purse with Figs and Prosciutto
'Lil Burnt Toast decided upon: Seared Crab Cakes with
Chipotle AioliAs an entree I relished: Herb Roasted Half Cornish Hen with Pepper Sauce
You can see the
pomme frites they serve with every meal (which I might add are to die for) although I really had "no room in the inn" to enjoy them.
My daughter oohed and aahed over: Skin Grilled Red Snapper "Monaco Style"
For dessert I forced down...wink...wink....a Crème Brûlée Flight : honey-saffron, Grand Marnier and chocolate-café
While my lovely daughter wolfed down
Callebaut Chocolate Mousse:
The photos are not clear perhaps from the late evening or maybe too much wine....wink...wink...
Is that my daughter holding her stomach...she has "no room in the inn" either.
Bouchons does not offer your typical French fare with tons of butter and cream but they still have high quality creative dishes and pay attention to every detail. This restaurant is highly recommended and somewhat casual. Come to think of it everything about Kelowna is a casual resort town where suits and ties are almost taboo.
Bon appetit!!
Happy 20th birthday!
ReplyDeleteI guessed right didn't I?
Happy Birthday Val! And what a night of food...jealous here!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Val! This was a good week for birthdays - Peter M., Heather of Gild the Voodoo Lily, I and you all shared b'days between the 11th and 16th.
ReplyDeleteI also had my b'day dinner at a similar place in Ann Arbor - Eve - where local and seasonal dishes are prepared in the methode traditionelle, but like Bouchon, she doesn't rely on butter, etc.
Yujjjjuuuuuuuuu! I'm the first one to say HAPPY BIRTHDAYYYYYYYYYY dear Valli!!!!! More kodiac hugs for you Sweetie♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteWhat's going on in the foodies world? Peter, Heather and you are all celebrating birthdays... Let's make a big Party!!!!
What a beautiful meal you had... and with the best of the companies :D. A thousand kisses from here darling!
Weeeeeeeeee!!! Happy B'day!
ReplyDeleteWandering through the Okanagan Valley this time of the year sounds delightful!
Happy Birthday! My son's was yesterday!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a great dinner with Little Burnt Toast!
My sweet Val, Happy Birthday my dear sis.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYJPIZ-C-9c
xoxoxo
Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you...aw you get it. Is July ever packed full of food blogger birthdays!!! Hope yours was great!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy, happy, Birthday!!!!
ReplyDeleteSounds and looks like a perfect birthday dinner! And have fun playing on the rest of your days off!
Happy birthday - food looked great!
ReplyDeleteWish you a Super Duper Happy B'day !!!!!Hugs and luv to you Val
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday. Your birthday dinner looks wonderful. By the way, did you know it's also Orville Redenbacher's birthday (or would be if he were still with us)?
ReplyDeleteVal, again Happy Birthday and I must say you have good genes...forever 30!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to you, Val! So how does it feel to hit the big 20? ;) It looks like you celebrated deliciously.
ReplyDeleteHappy happy happy birthday! Looks like you had at least one wonderful celebration.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a wonderful birthday!! And the meal looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWell Happy Birthday to you! Looks like you both had a grand time! Those desserts look heavenly!
ReplyDeleteHappy Biiirthday tooo youuuuu! Happy Biiirthday tooo youuuuu!
ReplyDeleteHappy Biiirthday, dear Vaaalll!
Happy Biiirthday tooo youuuuu!
(Can you tell I was singing?)
Many happy returns! ;)
Happy Birthday! Welcome to 30! ;)
ReplyDeletedinner looks great.
Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteThis is a nice way to spend a birthday with your daughter in a good restaurant.
Perfect moment.
Happy belated 30th B-day dear Val!!
ReplyDeleteI would die to vacation in your area! And what a meal!! You and LBT, really know how to do it right! Glad you had a wonderful time.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY VAL....what a great way to celebrate! Love the way the food was served & all the wonderful flavours! I loved the last pic too...just shows what a wonderful night that was...in the 'inn'!!! LOL...
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Val...glad you enjoyed it with such a fine feast and with "lil Burnt Toast".
ReplyDeleteWowweeee!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday - way to go!
Happy Birthday Valli!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to spend it, mainly with your daughter, but also with that fabulous food. LOVELY!!
looks to me like a darn good way to celebrate a birthday! happy belated! (i'll spare you the singing...)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteHappy, Happy Birthday my dear friend! It must be wonderful turning 30! How lovely that 'lil burnt toast' took you for a wonderful dinner! HAppy Birthday once again!
ReplyDeleteHugs and Kisses!
Happy Belated Birthday Val. I wish we could have celebrated together, as that meal makes want to take a knife and fork to the computer screen. We have a bit in common, living in/by the mountains and now birthdays in proximity. Mine was the 15th. To another fabulous year, hear, hear.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you have learned at the age of -o(whatever that is) to allow yourself to be spoiled as well as how to spoil yourself. The latter is a trick that many of us have a huge problem with. Val, I wish for you only the best and may you enjoy a year Filled with blessings. Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteWe share a birthday! We share a birthday!!!!! I didn't know we were twins.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday (belated) to you, to us!!
I do'nt worry about birthdays that end in 0. I just celebrate the anniversary of my 29th birthday.
YAY! What a super awesome birthday! Welcome to the decade of the 30's!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Val! I hope you had a great day. Looks like you ate a lot of great food!
ReplyDeleteOh my lordy
ReplyDeleteHappy Happy 0 Birthday!!!
And many more more more.
I am so absolutely starved now . . .
Look at all of the great food! Happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteHappy belated B-day. Looks and sounds like you had a good time. Those dishes look wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteI'm late, but I mean just the same. May all you wishes come true!
Happy Birthday, Val. I can see you had a great time.
ReplyDeletehere's wishing you many, many more.
happy birthday val, and the best way to enjoy it is with family away from your own kitchen.
ReplyDeleteHappy "0" birthday from your friend that just celebrated a "5" birthday this same week! July is a great month for a birthday!!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy, Happy Birthday Valli Dear- may many happy days come to you all year...
Happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteWhat a feast!
Happy Belated Birthday, Sweetheart! :D XOXO
ReplyDeleteGoodness, I missed this! Happy (belated) Birthday!
ReplyDelete