
Contemporary lakeside eatery with big windows & a dock serving regional cuisine from its own farm.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 21 Lakeshore Dr W, Penticton, BC V2A 5J9, Canada
Phone: +1 250-487-4663
Website: https://www.hoodedmerganser.ca/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: hoodedmerganser.caopentable.ca
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Hooded Merganser
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Reviews
All of that is great but I do have a few comments about the food. I was surprised at the prices of the Steak Frites which included a small 6 oz steak and simple fast food fries. No starter bread or anything like that. The mediterranean rice bowl was fine but a bit dry, and came with no bread or anything. Crab mushroom apply was good but on the expensive side for portion size. The bouillabaisse was good but not great, price was ok.
Nothing was bad per se but price for value was lacking in my view.
Service great, atmosphere very nice, but my suggestion is to add maybe starter bread or a few vegetables or something to justify the price.The dessert was good and no complaints.
We made reservations via an open table indicating it was a birthday. The restaurant never bothered to reply to our message nor was this brought up during the course of the meal.
I phoned shortly before our reservation to confirm and the woman who answered was disengaged and cold. Upon checking my email after the dinner, the reservation was cancelled just after the phone call.
Since we were running late, I called to secure our reservation as they offer a 15 minute grace window. They seemed uncertain about whether they could keep our reservation but did manage to do so given we arrived within the required time frame.
Upon arrival, it was the end of happy hour and the atmosphere was one of a rowdy neighbourhood pub as opposed to a restaurant. I thought about going someplace else that matched our vibes and expectations. Fortunately, we were seated promptly at the far back corner away from the debauchery in a nice comfortable booth facing the lake. They turned down the music shortly thereafter and restored the restaurant-like atmosphere. Our seating was the highlight of our reservation.
I ordered an Amaretto Sour which can usually be accommodated but the waitress referred me to Peach Sour which was on their menu. Since she seemed flustered, I went with her recommendation. My fiance ordered a screwdriver and she brought a once ounce without asking what his preference was (based on our bill). Both of our cocktails were watered down and full of ice. For a two ounce sixteen dollar cocktail, I expect more.
We ordered the calamari for an appetizer which was bland, barely warm and slightly overdone. It was also a very small portion. I requested a lemon (which is standard to serve with that dish) and the waitress brought it on a cocktail napkin.
We tried two wines and decided on a bottle of Vino Tinto from Da Silva Winery. My wine glass was dirty and unpolished so we requested a clean glass.
We both ordered the prime rib and they came out almost immediately upon placing our order while we were still eating our appetizer and just chose our wine. We also had to request steak knives in order to eat our meal.
The prime rib was undercooked and the potatoes tasted like instant potatoes with a chemical taste and texture. It was served with broccolini, a very greasy bland Yorkshire pudding and instant gravy on the side. The beef was cold and everything else was warm.
With raw beef and instant potatoes, the broccolini was the star of the show. Since we are very familiar with cuts of beef, including Certified Angus Beef, I do have a hard time believing that they served 12 ounce AAA black Angus beef for $50 a plate. Although the meat would have improved if it was cooked properly, the texture and quality are not what we are used to.
After paying for our bill, I looked at the itemized receipt and noticed we were charged for a different bottle of wine from the same winery which was 25 dollars more (not including taxes). We approached the manager on. Our departure and instead of doing a proper adjustment to include taxes and other fees she instructed our waitress to give us 25 dollars cash. I was surprised by the lack of professionalism and formality in a restaurant of this magnitude.
Instead of straddling between the concept of a neighborhood pub and restaurant, to maintain a level of class and elegance the choice must be made accordingly. Further despite the fact that our waitress was sweet, friendly and attentive, she was poorly trained. I expect a higher level of service for a dinner of this magnitude and price range.
This was more like highly priced cafeteria food and we have no intentions of returning to this restaurant until they get their act together.
My husband ordered the salmon. He said it was good.
Overall we enjoyed our experience.
Most items are or can be made Gluten free. I had the tenderloin they subbed the demi glaze for a red wine sauce which was very good. Teens enjoyed both their seafood dishes & tiramisu.
Stunning views, always a must when we are in town.
We had dinner here on Friday night, and it was spectacular from start to finish. We were lucky enough to walk right in without a reservation and scored a window table with a perfect view of Okanagan Lake. Honestly, it is surprising this place is not booked out weeks in advance. It almost feels like the locals want to keep this spot a secret despite the obvious location. That is how good it is.
Atmosphere and Ambience
The setting is gorgeous. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the lake beautifully, and the vibe is the perfect mix of relaxed and upscale. It feels special without trying too hard, which we really appreciated.
Service
Our server Aaron was fantastic. Friendly, attentive, and genuinely added to the experience without hovering. You could tell he cared about making sure we had a great night.
Food and Drinks
We ordered the Grilled Tenderloin and the Braised Chuck Flat, and both were incredible. The tenderloin was perfectly cooked, tender and full of flavour, while the braised chuck was rich, hearty, and melt-in-your-mouth good. The portions were generous without sacrificing quality, and the pricing felt very fair given the level of food and service.
We each had an 8oz glass of red wine, which was reasonably priced and paired perfectly with the meal. The only downside was that we were so full we had to skip dessert, which just gives us another reason to come back.
Overall
The Hooded Merganser checks every box: spectacular views, incredible food, flawless service, and excellent value. Whether you are local or visiting Penticton, this is one of those places you will be talking about long after you leave. Book ahead. Trust us, this one is worth it.