The new poolside restaurant at the Penticton Ramada Inn and Suites boasts a resort-feel.
Popular as a lunch and dinner spot with many Penticton-area families as well as guests at the hotel, the former Poolside Terrace has transformed into the Blue Tail Grill.
It also has a twist, much like any tropical resort, the Blue Tail Grill will feature two directors of fun on duty to spark some kid-orientated fun, games and entertainment during meals.
“This has always been a hidden gem in our city for families. Many people thought it was not open for locals, but it is and you feel like you are in a Mexican resort sitting by the pool. We wanted to provide that true resort experience to our hotel guests and local families,” said Gord Ferguson, general manager of the Ramada and Coast Hotels. “Our fun directors will be on the deck in the morning doing aerobics, going over events happening in the city that day, booking wine tours and then during meal times they will focus on the kids and make sure they are staying active.”
The Ramada also has the KVR pub which, due to liquor license laws, kids cannot be in after 10:30 a.m.
Ferguson said this way parents can sit and have their glass of wine and not have to worry about bringing their kids, as they can eat and be entertained in the Blue Tail Grill.
“We wanted to spice it up a bit so we added some colour, plants, new seat cushions, completely changed the menu and the name to attract more local families and guests.
The signature kids menu item is Blue Tail slushies and a spaghetti and meatball pizza that is wood fired in their kitchen and on homemade dough.
Beside the traditional kids menu item of chicken fingers and fries there are also items such as chicken with pineapple stir-fry.
Ferguson said they recently held a contest to name the family-friendly eating spot and just under 300 entries came in from both staff members and guests.
They chose three winners and combined their suggests to come up with Blue Tail Grill.
“We did some research and there is a blue-tailed lizard that lives in this area and he is famous for a bright blue tail, it was the perfect kid-friendly name,” said Ferguson.
The Blue Tail Grill will be open from today until Labour Day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.