I have known for a while that Kettle Valley Station Pub was working on a remodel and updating of their place so we were looking forward to the day when it was completed.
In early March there was a news article online about the recent re-opening and their renovations so we decided to go in and check it out.
On first entering we noticed gone the old clutter and generic look and now was more contemporary and modern look with clean looks and crisp design it made us anxious to see what else has changed.
Before:
After:
It was quite busy for a Friday and I was happy to see that the changes have helped create a busier atmosphere: I talked to the Chef James and he told me that since the change the sales have increased significantly, this made me excited to see what creations were made to accompany the new look pub.
My wife, brother in law and I all find a table to squeeze in to as the place was packed and our waitress came by to get our drink order and drop off some menus. I ordered a Black IPA and opened the menu to see the delights...
One of the menu pages was holding on for dear life and the pages were sticky, perhaps this is just from careless kids who were in our section of the pub (yes kids between ages of 6 to 15 were around us). As I began to peruse the menu I could not help but notice there was no effort in layout or design of the menu. A generic font, no graphic to draw your eye or attention to anything in particular on the menu; it was like reading a random page from a textbook, no expression no passion. The menu did not seem to change at all, or at least not that I could tell; disappointing to say the least but perhaps the quality had changed.
We started off with a Spinach and artichoke dip to share between the 3 of us and it was okay, it had a spice to it that gave it some after taste heat. Surprising but I could live with it, i figured it was a nice change and great way to up your beverage sales with a touch of heat in the appetizer, on to the next course.
I had ordered a burger that came with cheese bacon and onion rings on the burger and for a side I asked for fries. Disappointment continued when our meals came. I don't understand how any place can not even slightly melt cheese on burger? But that was not my only issue, the burger was overcooked and flavourless, no seasoning, no taste, dry, and unappealing. I understand maybe it was just me and that my expectations are higher than most people's and I get that, but I also think I am right to expect more as everyone does the same thing in the town. I asked my wife how she liked her food and she said it was okay, but the dip for her yam fries with her bacon cheddar burger was weird, I had a taste of it and I most definitely agree, it was different and threw me off; it was a sweet honey mustard type of dip for the yam fries that was in my opinion not a very flattering accompaniment for the yam fries.I asked if her burger was over cooked like mine she said yes but she did not mind so much. My brother in law Kevin had similar thoughts on his meal as well, it was ok but nothing worth writing home about.
I can confidently predict that with time and no other changes that the furor of what is making Kettle valley Station Pub busy now will die off and the realization that nothing has really changed other than a fresh coat of paint. The crowds will filter away and business will be back to the way it was and if it was not attached to a Ramada and nearly across the street from the South Okanagan Event Centre this pub would struggle.
I would have to rate this 2-1/2 stars out of 5.
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