The Vanilla Pod Restaurant - Penticton

We have dined at the VP for both lunch and dinner and have had really great experiences both times. The food is excellent and the service terrific. The view is A1 and worth the visit - even if you are simply having a glass of the Poplar Grove wine. It's not inexpensive however, so expect to spend some money on this meal.

Take away the view and this restaurant wouldn't survive. The wines we tried were okay, but at $16 and $18 per 8 oz glass, they were vastly overpriced. Same for the food. The chickpea salad was generously portioned but incredibly unimaginative. Same for the pasta dish. Service was friendly, but not well-versed in the menu or the wines. The room was nicely laid out but poorly ventilated (we could smell the grill throughout our dinner). We much preferred Hillside Winery.

We dined as a foursome on the Vanilla Pod patio and had a fantastic time. The view across the lake is wonderful and we thoroughly enjoyed sipping wine and nibbling on appetizers as the sun set. Our waitress was great, allowing us to take our time and savour the experience as well as providing suggestions when we couldn't decide among the really interesting options on the menu. Not a cheap night out, but we felt it was well worth the expense, our night at the Vanilla Pod was a highlight of our trip to Penticton.

Welcoming from the moment you step through the unique front door. We chose to sit outside under the awning. The patio is large and tables spaced far enough apart to be very comfortable and allow for quiet conversation or gazing out at the amazing view of the lake and Penticton. We had the potato cakes and prawn and chorizo share plates. Absolutely delicious, beautifully prepared. For dessert we shared the chocolate ganache. Magnificently decadent and perfect for two to share. Friendly, prompt, efficient service. Highly recommend.

We had a small family gathering on the patio overlooking Lake Okanagan. The meals that were served were excellent, from appetizers to main course to dessert. The portion sizes were just perfect.