Wine and dine at The Bunkhouse, Kelowna

As Wine and Dine festival is going on in the Okanagan (only few days left..finishes on 4th Feb'07), I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and indulge myself in a sumptuous three course meal. There were quite a few options and making an appropriate choice was a little difficult. I sat in front of the computer with my husband for half an hour trying to find out the best deal. Ultimately we zeroed on Mahdinas since neither of us had tried it before and their wine and dine special menu looked tempting. Unfortunately when we called the place to make a reservation we realised that they are not open on Sunday evenings so we decided to go for 'The Bunkhouse Bar and Grill'. We were excited to go to The Bunkhouse because they had an interesting menu. The appetizer included grilled vegetable Bruschetta which was really yummy as it was seasoned with asiago cheese. Another appy that we ordered was Chicken wings which can be had in several different flavours like BBQ, teriyaki, honey and garlic, etc and the amount of wings...wow!! One thing that I didnt enjoy was their dessert but then again I don't prefer 'Brulee' as a dessert. The main entree included crusted half rack of lamb whose very sight was mouth watering and taste absolutely delicious. However, Restaurant was not at all busy and I wondered if Kelowna people actually drove all the way upto K.L.O road to visit that restaurant. My Husband,Manoj informed me that since the restuarant is attached with Orchards green golf course it really gets going in the summer especially during breakfast time. Satisfied with my dinner at 'The Bunkhouse' except for the dessert, I can't wait to try their breakfast.

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Enjoy Greek cuisine at "YAMAS" , Kelowna

Although I enjoy trying different foods, am not a big fan of Greek Cuisine. Still, I was excited to go to 'Yamas' , a popular Greek restaurant in Kelowna because my friend Michelle said that they have really good authentic Greek food and we were also going to meet some new girls. Basically, it was girls night out. As I entered the restaurant, it did not feel as if I have come to Greece but ambience was quite pleasant. Dim lights of the restaurant created that romantic effect which girls usually like. However, there is a lot of scope for improvement in the decor. Since I love Kalamari, I ordered pan-fried Kalamaris (I am a little health conscious) though you can have them deep fried too. Seasoned with lemon, small fresh cut onions and Greek spices my dish was simply irresistible. Souvlaki, Greek ribs, seafood and steak are some of the other dishes that one can enjoy. I heard other girls say that 'Yamas' offer buffet on weekdays which is worth a try. My friend said Greek salad was awesome. Located in downtown Kelowna on Ellis street, Yamas is one of the best Greek restaurant in the town. All in all my experience at 'Yamas' was pleasurable and not to mention I got an opportunity to make some new friends.

'Milestones', Kelowna

If you happen to get hungry while shopping in the Orchard park mall in Kelowna (one of the few good places to shop in Kelowna) and crave for some fine dining or casual lunch then Milestones is your best bet. Located by the mall, Milestones has some delicious food and nice ambiance. Try Chicken Thai drummettes (Drizzled with peanut sauce. Served with toasted sesame-cucumber mayonnaise) as an appetizer and you will end up saying "These are so good." The Main menu has a lot to offer from pizza, burgers, noodles to steak, pasta and portions are good enough to be shared by a couple(you won't be left hungry). In case you are still left hungry why not tempt your taste-buds with a slice of white chocolate cheesecake.

Clothes Swap

Just imagine clearing old clothes from your closet and getting new clothes without spending any money. Doesn't it sound interesting? Believe me, it's totally fun and it's all about swapping clothes with your friends. Last night I had a chance to get together with bunch of my close girlfriends and swap some stuff. It was amazing how the time went by. Before I left home I told my husband,"Honey,i'll be back in two hours" and imagine when I checked my watch I realised it has been almost three hours of cloth swapping with my buddies. It is fascinating to try on something you like and hear someone say, " Wow, that looks cute" but don't be disheartened if you want to take that pink jacket and realise it's just too big for you. You might as well take it and bring it back on next clothes swap.
So, if you always wanted to get rid of that orange sweater that your aunt gave you as a birthday present or that blue shirt that you brought thinking it looks absolutely chic (but then u realised it is just too tight for you..Perhaps, you've put on some weight) then get ready to invite some friends over and have fun trying on some clothes. Who knows you might get a chance to grab those brown pants that you wanted to buy so badly on christmas sale in 2005 but your best friend picked it up before you even had a chance to look at the price tag. Good thing about clothes swap is that if you never wanted to part with that white jacket in the first place you might continue to see it (ofcourse worn by your friend) if that jacket is lucky enough to find a place in someone's cuboard. Atleast you will not feel guilty of giving away your favourite jacket to a charity or a thrift store. But don't complain if your closet cannot hold all those new clothes that you got from your friends and you feel as if you have more clothes than you thought you will get rid of. What are you waiting for? Get ready to swap till you drop by inviting some of your stylish friends over...

Movie Review "The Pursuit Of Happyness"

Want to see a movie which makes you feel really sorry for the hero? Want to watch a movie where you pity the protagonist? Want to watch a movie which makes you want to count your blessings and feel lucky that at least you have a roof on your head then go buy a ticket for 'The Pursuit of Happyness.' I wouldn't recommend this movie if you want to watch something delightful or pleasing. The movie focuses on unwavering faith in one's dreams and unfailing determination to follow them. 'The Pursuit Of Happyness' does not only tell the story of an unsuccessful salesman struggling to become a stockbroker but also throws light on a father-son relationship. Jaden Smith(the real life son of Will Smith) in the role of reel life son of the struggling stockbroker looks quite promising and it won't be wrong if I say that this boy definitely has a long way to go.

Movies Review

It is interesting when you can get movie special offers. The other night when I went to Rogers Video store in Kelowna, they were offering three movies for $9.99 otherwise you get one movie for about say $4.99. I was excited to know that I can watch three movies instead of one. I had gone to get "The Interpreter" which wasn't available. So, now the issue was choosing something that I would enjoy watching sitting on my couch with pop in one hand and bowl of popcorn in the other. I thought hard "what do I want to watch?" Do I want to watch comedy, drama, mystery or is it thrill that I am craving for? I went around the movie store looking at different titles, the new arrivals, the academy award winners, foreign movies, so on and so forth. Finally, I picked up three movies which I always wanted to watch but never had a chance to. I chose "A Beautiful Mind," "The Sixth Sense," and "8 Mile." Since last three nights I had been watching one movie each night and critically evaluating them. The movie that I liked the best was "The Sixth Sense" followed by "A Beautiful Mind" and then "8 Mile."

Undoubtedly, Russell Crowe has done an awesome job as a sick mathematician in the movie "A Beautiful Mind." The Movie is very well crafted, touching and so different from usual run of the mill movies. Jennifer Connelly as Alicia Nash plays a true wife who stands by her husband through thick and thin. All in all, movie is really good.



I did not like "8 Mile" that much may be because I was expecting too much from it due to the hype it has caused, may be it was too predictable or simply because it was not my type of a movie. The Movie definitely has some enjoyable rap contests although language is very strong and hardcore.



M Night Shyamalan is one of my favourite directors and I have always been impressed by his works and once again he has proved his directorial capabilities through "The Sixth Sense." Haley Osment as a troubled ten year old child looks absolutely brilliant and Bruce Willis has done justice to his role as a child psychologist. The Movie can be summed up in one word as 'stunning.'

Fine dining at Bouchons Bistro, Kelowna

Are you fond of french cuisine? If yes, then your search for a fancy french restaurant will end at Bouchons Bistro. Bouchons is one of the best and finest dining places in Kelowna. It is a classic french style restaurant located in downtown Kelowna but the resturant is neither too old(opened in Kelowna in 2004) nor does it have much seating capacity. Although I am not a wine drinker, I could figure out that the restaurant has an impressive wine list. Also, the restaurant offers some really delicious food. The appetizer that I tried was country style duck rillettes with Madeira and fresh herbs which was unlike my taste. However, what I enjoyed eating was braised rabbit casserole in dijon mustard and tarragon. I definitely recommend trying out the rabbit dish but like me you might find the size of the serving a bit small. One thing I found interesting was that all entrees were being served with famous “pommes frites” (Belgian style fries). The specialities of the restaurant include some mouth watering duck dishes like duck confit glazed with honey and spices in old sherry sauce. So, if you want real french dining experience choose Bouchons Bistro but be careful as it might get a little expensive.

Dinner at Moxie's Classic Grill, Kelowna

Last night, I had a wonderful dinner with friends at Moxie's Classic Grill to celebrate the engagement of two of my good friends, Maizal and Lindsay. The choice of restaurant was obvious as Moxie's is centrally located and is one of the upbeat restaurants of Kelowna. Moxie's has a beautiful decor which is warm and luxurious at the same time. The restaurant is family friendly and includes a kids menu. I must say the food at Moxie's is quite sumptuous and you might have tough time deciding what to eat as there is wide variety of dishes. Although dinner at Moxie's is absolutely satisfying, you must save some appetite to enjoy their dessert which is an absolute delight. Whether you choose blackberry apple crisp or mocha Kahlua cheesecake you'll simple love it. However, my favourite is white chocolate brownie which is simply irresistible as it is made of white and dark chocolate folded into a white chocolate brownie, finished with french vanilla ice cream, real whipped cream, and warm chocolate sauce. All in all, Moxie's classic grill is a perfect place to meet friends after work or to have a fabulous dinner with family.

Happening Hangout "Kelly O' Brien's"

It was a chilly Friday evening and as I had been shopping for about two hours, I was a little hungry. Manoj, my husband suggested that we go and check out Kelly O'Brien's, one of the most happening hangouts in downtown Kelowna. As I entered the pub, it smelled like Lays' potato chips and since it was jam-packed we had to wait for about ten minutes before we were seated. I discovered that since this place is located close to the lake, has a rooftop patio, has variety of specials throughout the week and is not expensive that it has become one of the hot favourites of the locals. Servers dressed in Irish style kilts look pretty impressive. Kelly O'Briens claims that Pachos is their original invention. Believe me, they actually have the best Pacho's found anywhere in the world. You can also enjoy two appetizers for the price of one (after nine) and there is plenty to choose from. So, if you happen to be in Kelowna and crave for Irish-style food, head straight for Kelly O' Briens.

Here is the address :-
Kelly O'Briens Neighborhood Pub
262 Bernard Ave., Kelowna
Phone: (250)861-1338

Trip to Las Vegas

I was excited when Manoj said " Aditi, Let's go to Las Vegas for a holiday." I precisely remember it was a hot summer evening when he made this offer. Within a week we packed our bags, gathered as much information as we could about Las Vegas vacation from friends, internet and Travel agents, made reservation with Hotel Aladdin and were off to Vegas for a week in July 2006. We caught a flight from Kelowna to Seattle and then to Las Vegas. Our vacation in Las Vegas was an ultimate experience. This city offers spectacular tours, breathtaking shows and an endless list of action-packed activities. While in Vegas I realised every hotel in Vegas was an amusement centre in itself. Cirque Du Soleil shows which we saw in Vegas were absolutely amazing. It was thrilling to see "Zumanity" which was naughty as well as a daring show. On the other hand "Mystere" offered enchantment beyond comparison. These were two of the best shows in Vegas. It was also enjoyable to discover Las vegas through Monorail. Besides paid shows, many Hotels offer free shows like Sirens of Treasure Island and Dancing Fountains of Bellagio. I grabbed a hold of my favourite celebrities at Madame Tussauds wax museum at the hotel Venetian. Other places we enjoyed were Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical gardens and Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay. Fine places to eat are Rainforest Cafe(where I was quite impressed by exotic atmosphere and a lightning show) , Ristorante Italiano (if you like Italian Food as much as I do , you can't afford to miss this one), Zanziber Cafe (provides food 24 hrs) and Tamba for Indian cuisine. I also recommend Spice Market Buffet at Alladin which offers incredible variety of food from all over the world. Now, if you are wondering where to party I will suggest "Body English " at Hard Rock Cafe. My Husband and I enjoyed swinging to music that was mainly hip-hop and rock.If you are lucky enough, you might be able to spot a model or two while at this place. All in all Vegas offers you nothing but good time.

Ravishing Revelstoke, British Columbia

My husband, Manoj graduated from Revelstoke High school and during our courtship he use to talk a lot about his years spent in Revelstoke. I was quite eager to visit this town and last year i got this opportunity to spend some days in Revelstoke. I found this town simply ravishing. Set amidst mountain ranges Monashee and Selkirk ,this town is skier's paradise. Railway museum of Revelstoke is one of its kind. The town also offers variety of adventure sports like Hiking, mountain biking, rowing, snowmobiling, river rafting. However,what i enjoyed most was my stay at Canyon motor Inn and visit to BC Hydro's Revelstoke Dam, one of North America's largest and most modern hydro-electric dam. Columbia river running through the town provides such a tranquility to the soul that you feel like visiting the town again and again.

Picturesque Penticton, British Columbia

One of my favourite places in British Columbia's Okanagon valley is Penticton. It's a nice little peaceful town with spectacular natural beauty. It is cradled between lake Okanagan and Skaha. Before I visited this lovely place, I thought it to be a sleepy little town but to my surprise Penticton had a lot to offer in terms of tourism and activities like golfing , hiking , mountain biking, scooter rides, fun water activities etc. You can rent vacation homes, condos, cottages or ready to stay RV's and enjoy serene beauty of Penticton. If you happen to visit Penticton in summers then you can relax lying by the beach and reading a book, eating an icecream, having a picnic, simply sunbathing , playing games with friends and family like beach volleyball, or gaze up at the clear blue skies and take an afternoon nap. One of my favourite places for lunch in Penticton is Saltys beach house, which is a caribbean style restaurant with some mouth watering dishes . If you are looking for a place to escape from craziness of busy daily lives then consider visiting Penticton.

Beautiful Kelowna, British Columbia

It's almost been a year since I have been living in Kelowna and I am completly in love with this beautiful small urban city with a population of about 105,000. If you are a nature lover, I can guarantee that you will love this city. The beauty of Kelowna British Columbia is absolutely enchanting because it is surrounded by green forested mountains merging with lush orchards, vineyards, and golf courses overlooking the sparkling waters of 82 mile long Lake Okanagan. Downtown Kelowna has lot to offer, from fine dining to quiet walk by lake. If you are looking to shop i will suggest Orchard Park mall although Kelowna doesn't offer much in terms of shopping. Kelowna does have some cool restaurants like Moxies, WhiteSpot, Bouchons Bistro, East Side Marios etc. If you want some tongue tickling East Indian food go to Daawat or Chutney. The best place for vegetarian Chinese food is Lake Tai. If you like golfing you will enjoy playing golf at the lovely golf courses that Kelowna has to offer. My favourite is the Harvest golf club. All in all Kelowna is one of the most mesmerising and peaceful cities in the Okanagan. If you are fed up with fast and stressful big city life then come to Kelowna.

Movie Review "The Holiday"

If you love watching chick flicks as much as I do on a lazy winter day then this is the movie for you. This movie is about two girls Iris (who works for a newspaper) and Amanda (Movie Trailer creator)...how they lose and find new love during a perfect holiday season. If you happen to be sentimental enough and take love matters seriously then some emotional scenes are sure to bring tears in your eyes...Cameron Diaz looks simply dazzling whereas Kate Winslet's makeup man could have done a better job. Jude Law has done justice to his role and Jack Black as usual looks funny (I can't seem to get his Nacho Libre image out of my mind).

Cool Restaurant in Sicamous, British Columbia

If you ever decide to pass by Sicamous, don't forget to visit this cool restaurant "MOOSE MULLIGANS." Believe me, you will find the food delicious and the ambience awesome.I'll definitely recommend chicken parmesan .It's an absolute delight.So if you are in Sicamous and want to have some tasty food..you know now where to go.



Don't forget to check out more about cool places in British Columbia at British Columbia Tours