In the city we were used to everything being right at our doorstep. There were many times when we would just go 'out', to wander down a busy street and wait until something caught our interest enough to make us pause and perhaps engage. Restaurants, clubs, galleries, shops; all vying for your attention and wallet.
Not so much in Penticton and other small BC interior cities. You could wander around plenty but all you might engage is a little frostbite.
Now, in the depths of winter and at the end of January, we are at our most susceptible to periods of auto-pilot or Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD) for the most extremely touched.
That's why when the invitation to participate in this new OkSUPPERClub at the Elite restaurant in Penticton came along was we jumped at it. The menu, prix fixe, looked adventurous and eclectic. And very reasonably priced at only $25 per person. Who doesn't love to experiment?
Dinner was advertised at 7 SHARP so we politely arrived about 6:45 and were promptly seated. The kooky, time-machine decor of the Elite amused us as we sipped a couple Cannery Brewing Squire Scotch Ales while watching a silenced The Misfits with Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, Eli Wallach and Montgomery Clift on a nearby big screen. Suffice to say, the mood was established. The room filled and it was easily a sell-out. I'm glad I didn't opt for wine. It would have been nearly impossible to pick a single style to accompany the varied courses that followed.
Sometime around 7:30 the first course came out. It was the Elvis sandwich accompanied by the Bourbon Milk Shake. The two worked well together. I'm usually accustomed to this much sweetness at the end of the meal, but in some weird way it all actually performed admirably as a lead course. There wasn't much of description on the menu, and the servers offered no clues, but the peanut butter and banana inside a kind of toast was off-set by what we thought was a very nice carmelized onion relish with a little bacon. The milk shake was potent; enough to make the shooter-sized glasses very appropriate.
After a little break, serenaded by a selection of blues, surf and rockabilly oldies, we recieved the Chicken Noodle Soup. The broth was full and robust, there were ample noodles and vegetables. It was a perfect blend of home style and innovation. I could have devoured a big bowl with a loaf of fresh bread and been very happy.
Just after the soup we received a couple tumblers of home-made root beer. It takes decades if not generations to get a root beer recipe right. This one was a gallant attempt, but as explained by the developer, had a few things going against it, not the least was a failure to naturally carbonate. There were some very vibrant flavours at play but not quite in the right balance.
We were then served some very good French fries with a side of gravy. The fries were done perfectly with an understated spice note added. The gravy was mild and almost flavourless.
Dessert was banana cream pie. Many times this classic is prepared with a layer of banana slices somewhere in the pie. Which is unfortunate because by the time it is served they begin to brown and grow mushy. Very unappetizing. Not so with this dessert. The bananas were all blended into the cream section, and resting on a dark chocolate cookie crumble crust. Topping the pie was a praline whip cream that was beaten to within a hair of being butter. Top marks for appearance but I tasted an inordinate saltiness in the crust mixture. Loved the rich banana flavour of the filling.
Plenty of fun and a good learning experience for all. I'm looking forward to the next event. I'd like to see a bit more narrative; either verbally from the servers or written on the menus, about what we are being served and maybe, after the meal, a Q and A about choices the chef made in his sourcing and preparation.
