After taking time away from the restaurant scene to produce a retail line of his sought-after pizza shells, local chef Grant de Montreuil was feeling the pull back into the busy life of executive chef.
“I was missing it,” he said. “Food is my artistic outlet and I needed to satisfy that need.”
Serendipity intervened, and the temptation chef de Montreuil needed presented itself, landing him happily at the helm of The Bonfire Grill at The Cove Lakeside Resort in West Kelowna.
Chef de Montreuil’s new spin on the menu offers a wide range of toothsome creations to choose from — nothing fancy though — de Montreuil style focuses on “approachable, rustic, real food”.
Grant also likes to focus on local, seasonal ingredients when possible, and is looking forward to re-establishing relationships with his favourite local farmers and suppliers. It has always been important to him to “make sure the farmers are represented on the menu.” Chef also plans to build a culinary garden at the restaurant, not only for its culinary benefits but for the “motivational aspect it has for young chefs,” allowing them to tend and grow their own ingredients.
The Bonfire Grill will satisfy all needs, with different menus available for breakfast, lunch and dinner — plus an all-day menu. De Montreuil says the menu will be ”family friendly” too, realizing that the resort is a major family vacation destination. For the adults, there is a great wine list, including a focus on their neighbouring wineries on the nearby “Westside Wine Trail”.
The gorgeous interior of the restaurant beckons guests to melt into the warm colour scene and comfy chairs. With a huge interior restaurant layout, one can chose a private table for two in the lounge, a seat at the bar or gather a group in the main restaurant area.
All vistas include an eyeful of our beautiful Okanagan Lake and, in the summer months, guests can fully submerge themselves in the outdoor splendour of the sprawling patio seating area. Dining al fresco, with Okanagan-style attire (ie. sunglasses and flip flops), The Bonfire Grill offers the perfect surrounding to relax, sip some local wine and enjoy some delicious cuisine.
The Resort and The Bonfire Grill together make for a popular wedding venue and convention designation — parties can be easily planned to accommodate a large group to eat, drink, play and stay.
Jennifer Schell is the editor of B.C. Food and Wine Trails magazine.