Miradoro at Tin Horn Creek Winery

Posted on August 31, 2026 by steve

Miradoro has perhaps the most miraculous view in all of the south Okanagan. They also have some of the most professional service that we encountered.

Both at lunch and dinner, the focus is on Italian, with offerings of pizzas and pastas.

We went for dinner and enjoyed the duck pate appetizer and their interesting take on savory donuts as appetizers.

For our main courses, we had the Cornish game hen, the venison pasta, and the flank steak. All of them were good, with the flank steak being the standout for me.

I always enjoy a place that has interesting gelato and sorbet flavors, and the blueberry cranberry sorbet was particularly unique.

We enjoyed the 2011 Tin Horn Creek Syrah, which was fully mature and reminded me in many ways of an older Burgundy.

There’s also a full bar program.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/miradoro-at-tinhorn-creek-oliver-2

Terrafina Restaurant at Hester Creek Winery

Posted on August 30, 2026 by steve

Terrafina is a great choice for dinner near Oliver. We stayed at the Hester Creek Villas, so it was an easy decision for us, but it was good enough that in four days we decided to go there twice. The menu is mostly Italian, but with enough variety that there’s plenty to explore. Of course, being able to order Hester Creek wines from the library list is an added plus.

We started with the handcrafted crackers and assorted dips and the cheeses, which was a great way to savor a 2017 Hester Creek Garland Cabernet Sauvignon. The Rock Star cheddar cheese was perhaps the best cheddar I’ve had, and a Boursin-like cream cheese with garlic and herbs really brought out the flavors in the wine too.

The three of us shared a Caesar salad, which was also excellent and plenty for three people as a salad course.

For entrees, we had the strip loin steak, the cioppino, and the cannelloni. They were all excellent. I think the cioppino was among the best I’ve had.

Service was delightful, and the atmosphere is not too noisy, even when the restaurant is packed, as it was Saturday night. We were lucky to get a table with a last-minute reservation.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/terrafina-restaurant-at-hester-creek-oliver-2

Al Porto Ristorante

Posted on August 14, 2026 by steve

This is a good place for a group dinner near the steam clock in Gastown. The Italian food is quite pleasant, and there is a private dining area with a view overlooking the tracks and the water beyond. Service was attentive, and the Italian food was authentic.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/al-porto-vancouver

Tavola

Posted on July 19, 2025 by steve

Charming Italian restaurant just off of Denman and Robson. Despite the bustling neighborhood, the outdoor dining is surprisingly serene, nestled in a quiet residential respite from the traffic.

We went for Saturday brunch and ate outside. The “Toast” we chose was sautéed mushroom, and it was delicious, and plenty for two to share. We also had the day’s frittata, which was filled with an assortment of fresh vegetables and came with a tasty side salad.

The wine list offers mainly Italian wines, with about 1/3 of them by the glass.

Service was friendly and the atmosphere is great.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/tavola-vancouver

Nook

Posted on April 11, 2025 by steve

This charming and intimate trattoria offers authentic rustic pizza and pastas in a cozy, welcoming environment.

The pizza is just like in Naples, with a thin center and poofy crust, perfectly sauced and cooked.

A small but well-thought-out wine list focuses on Italian wines.

Salted Caramel Chocolate Budino is a fabulous chocolate mousse-like dessert that goes great with an espresso.

The servers are friendly and enthusiastic, and obviously enjoy what they are doing, which creates wonderful hospitality.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/nook-vancouver

Social Corner

Posted on February 6, 2025 by steve

The focus here is on their pizzas, which are hand-tossed and then rise dramatically in the oven. We didn’t have pizza, but we did have the resulting bread with both the hummus and carpaccio appetizers.

The Caesar salad was straightforward, with delicious brioche-like croutons.

Service was attentive, and the place has a cool vibe.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/social-corner-vancouver-2

CinCin Ristorante + Bar

Posted on July 6, 2024 by steve

Don’t be put off by the fact that this is an upscale restaurant in a tourist district. This is a great spot for local regulars, too. Accessed through a steep stairway, the space opens out into a large area with an expansive balcony overlooking Robson.