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K
amloops This Week is pleased to present to you the second annual KTW Golden Plate Awards! This special section is a celebration of Kamloops’s unique food and drink scene – but unlike some listings you might see out there, the awards handed out here are your choices, tabulated from your votes. These awards look at the experiences our wonderful dining scene offers, from “Best Place to Go for a Business Lunch” to “Best Place to Go After the Blazers Game” to “Best Place to Meet Singles” to “Best Place to Go When Someone Else Pays” to “Best Place to Eat When You’re Hung Over”. You get the picture.
GOLDEN PLATE AWARDS 2019
Thanks to the hundreds of you who voted online in our reader poll and congratulations to the more than three dozen local establishments who were recognized by our readers. Watch for the Golden Plate plaques in your local eatery as a symbol of the approval of Kamloops’ discerning diners – an honour that can only be earned, never bought. Enjoy reading about the winners – and if you work up an appetite while doing so, you’ll know where to go!
Tim Shoults
Operations Manager, Kamloops This Week
Thank You Kamloops for your votes! The Best
l Washroom facility l Place to watch the big game l Happy hour l Place for after work drinks l Server ~ Darla Potoroka l Bartender ~ Karsten Rostad
One of the Best
“I have worked at The Fox for over 30 years. I love it. It’s like a family and I love the social aspect. Thank you so much for voting.” ~ Darla, Voted Best Server
l Bartenders ~ Braden Armstrong and Gage Deacon Sahali Mall | 250.374.9425 | www.foxpub.ca
WEDNESDAY, February 27, 2019
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www.kamloopsthisweek.com
GOLDEN PLATE AWARDS 2019
The team at Caffe Motivo in downtown Kamloops celebrates being named Best Place To Hold A Meeting in the 2019 Kamloops This Week Golden Plate Awards. The Motivo crew includes, from left, Mike O’Reilly, Taylor Cooper, Thea Hartley, Kasey-Jae Sievert and Greg Hanycz.
Best Place
Best Place
Best Place
BIRTHDAY DINNER
ANNIVERSARY DINNER
VALENTINE'S DINNER
FOR A
1st
Kelly O'Bryans
FOR AN
1st
Terra Restaurant
2nd Earls Kamloops 3rd Carlos O'Bryans
2nd Brownstone
Restaurant Steak + Fish
rd Atlas
3
Tim Hortons
2nd Klasseke’s -
Donair place on 3rd
rd Dairy Queen
3
Brownstone Restaurant
2nd Atlas Steak + Fish 3rd Terra Restaurant
1st
Fox’n Hounds Pub
2nd Shark Club 3rd On the Rocks
FIRST DATE Tie
Earls Kamloops /Sun Peaks
3rd Jacob's Noodle & Cutlet
1st
The Blue Grotto
2nd Cactus Jacks 3rd The Commodore
Grand Café and Lounge
GUESTS FROM OUT OF TOWN
1st
Hello Toast
2nd Monte Creek Winery 3rd Fox’n Hounds Pub
Best Place TO HOLD A
MEET SINGLES
PARTY
The Blue Grotto
TO TAKE
TO
TO
1st
Best Place
Best Place
Best Place
WATCH THE BIG GAME
UNDER $10
1st
1st
TO
TO EAT FOR
FOR A
FOR A
Best Place
Best Place
Best Place
2nd The Commodore
Grand Café and Lounge Club
rd Shark
3
MEETING AT
1st
Caffe Motivo
2nd The Art We Are 3rd Red Beard
www.kamloopsthisweek.com
WEDNESDAY, February 27, 2019
GOLDEN PLATE AWARDS 2019
Best Place for a Birthday Dinner!
For over thirty years we’ve celebrated with you on your birthday!
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Thank you for voting us Best Desserts in Kamloops!
Be sure to try our famous pachos™!
Eat. Drink. Be Irish.
250-828-1559 | www.kobcob.com 244 Victoria Street Kamloops, BC
359 Victoria St • 250-372-2625 twistedrootskitchencatering.com
#1 best place for a business lunch #1 most DiVerse menu Upscale Casual Dining Experience - Canadian Cuisine with Local Ingredients and Global Influences
227 Victoria street • 778-471-5050 • mon - fri open 11 am • sat & sun open 10 am (serVing brunch)
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WEDNESDAY, February 27, 2019
GOLDEN PLATE AWARDS 2019
www.kamloopsthisweek.com
SPONSORED CONTENT
The Shark Club Sports Bar & Grill Shark Club Sports Bar & Grill has all the makings of a sports enthusiast’s dream come true. Located just a 2-minute walk from the Sandman Centre, the Kamloops Shark Club features 56 HDTV screens with a 17.5’ HD media wall and mind-blowing surround sound. “We’re proud to have the largest media wall in the city, ” says Jimi Turner, General Manager of Shark Club Kamloops. Shark Club shows all of the big games, and our downtown location makes it ideal for pulling an extra-inning lunch on the best patio in Kamloops or hooking up with friends after a Blazers game. However, Shark Club is much more than your typical sports bar. Turner notes it’s a destination guests can go to enjoy themselves for any occasion, and also to discover the great food. “We have really great food. I think some people are surprised when they order our food and find out how great it is. We definitely take pride in that.” He says guests will find traditional sports bar favourites like
burgers and chicken wings on the menu, “but we also have an incredible jambalaya and amazing spaghetti with [handmade] meatballs.” Featuring specials every day of the week, alongside weekday Happy Hour, Turner says there’s “really a bit of something for everyone.” For those looking to book a special night out like a stagette or birthday, the weekend late night atmosphere at Shark Club provides plenty of great reasons to hit the town: • Southside Fridays: Kamloops’ only Red Carpet Urban Experience, featuring a full menu until close for late night cravings and featuring R&B, Rap, Hip-Hop, Trap, Urban and Dance Hall Tunes • Sound Saturdays: Home for Club Anthems, EDM, Mash-ups, Remixes, Dance, Top 40 (10pm – 2am) “Our goal is to create a welcoming environment for whatever the occasion may be,” Turner says. “Whether it’s watching the game or just going out with friends. It’s the idea of being in a fun, social environment - a chance to meet people, get introduced face to face and socialize.” For more information, go to SharkClub.com.
CHEERS TO YOU! “Best Place to Meet Singles” “Best Place to Watch the Big Game”
“Favourites” in the Gold Plate Awards 2019
www.kamloopsthisweek.com
WEDNESDAY, February 27, 2019
GOLDEN PLATE AWARDS 2019
285 Lorne St. Kamloops sharkclub.com
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WEDNESDAY, February 27, 2019
www.kamloopsthisweek.com
GOLDEN PLATE AWARDS 2019
Darla Potoraka has worked at the Fox ‘n’ Hounds for over 30 years and still loves it. She says it’s just like family and loves the social aspect of it.
Best
Fox’n Hounds Pub
2nd Earls Kamloops 3rd Frick ‘n Frack
Best Place
Best Place
Best Place
BUSINESS LUNCH
AFTER-WORK DRINKS
AFTER THE MOVIES
BLAZERS GAME
FOR A
HAPPY HOUR
1st
Best Place
1st
Mittz Kitchen
2nd Boston Pizza 3rd Red Robin
Tie Noble Pig/ Red Beard
Best Place
LIVE MUSIC
1st
The Blue Grotto
2nd The Commodore Grand Café and Lounge Tie The Art We Are / C.J.’s Nightclub
TO GO
FOR A AFTER THE
1st
1st
On the Rocks
Fox’n Hounds Pub
2nd Earls Kamloops 3rd Milestones
2nd Moxie’s 3rd Shark Club
Best Place
Best Place
FOR
TEAM AFTER THE GAME
Fox’n Hounds Pub
2nd Earls Kamloops 3rd Dorian Greek House
TO BRING YOUR SPORTS
Fox’n Hounds Pub
1st
Best Place
1st
FOR
FOR A
TO GO
GIRL'S NIGHT OUT
DANCING
1st
The Blue Grotto
2nd C.J.’s Nightclub 3rd The Commodore
Grand Café and Lounge
1st
The Blue Grotto
2nd Forno on 5th 3rd The Commodore
Grand Café and Lounge
www.kamloopsthisweek.com
GOLDEN PLATE AWARDS 2019
WEDNESDAY, February 27, 2019
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PASSION • ARTISTRY • COFFEE lATTE | CAPPuCINO | AmERICANO | ChAI
#1 Best Cafe To Hold A Meeting #1 Best Baristas FINE COFFEES & TEAS | SOuP, SAlAD & lIghT luNChES | DElICIOuS DESSERTS
CAFFE MOTIVO DOwNTOwN KAmlOOPS • 229 VICTORIA STREET
nEW MEnU & hoURS m o n d ay - S at u r d ay 4:30 PM To 2:00 AM
F E AT U R E P L AT E S
quinoa tabbouleh, market veg, crispy chickpeas, avocado, slaw, harissa, cashew cream
One of the Best: Places to Hold a Meeting Cafe & Loca Places for LiveArtisan Music Mark Restaurants using Local Produce
246 Victoria Stree Cafe & Local Artisan Market theartweare.com 246 Victoria Street theartweare.com
Spicy Snake Beans 8 Green Curry Mussels 18 Pork Belly Bao 16 Wagyu Beef Carpaccio 19 Cioppino 29 Buffalo Cauliflower 9 BBQ Jack Sandwich 15 Buddha Bowl 18 Chicken Parmigiana 26 Pork Belly & Scallops 27 Commodore Burger 20 Gorgonzola Strip Steak 28 Fondue Menu as Well!
WE ARE hoSTinG ThE KTW FUnd RAiSER dinnER on WEdnESdAy, MARCh 27 Silent auction itemS • 50-50 ticketS to donate a Silent auction item email tara@kamloopSthiSweek.com
369 Victoria Street • 250.851.3100 • commodorekamloops.com
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Best Place
Best Place
TO CELEBRATE
YOUR KID'S BIRTHDAY
1st
Jump 360
2nd McDonald’s 3rd Kelly O’Bryans
Fox’n Hounds Pub
Brewing Co.
Best
1st
Denny's
2nd Frenchies
Poutinerie 3rd Earls Kamloops
VIEW 1st Nandi's Flavours of India
Best Restaurant
2nd Hello Toast 3rd The Art We Are
2nd Iron Road
Brewing Co.
rd Moxie’s
3
Swiss Pastries
Tie Earls Kamloops / Dairy Queen
DIVERSE MENU
1st
Mittz Kitchen
2nd Earls Kamloops 3rd Frick ‘n Frack
Restaurant
YOU WISH WOULD
YOU MISS THE MOST
DESSERTS
1st
WITH THE MOST
Restaurant
WITH THE BEST
INGREDIENTS
Terra Restaurant
Fox’n Hounds Pub
Restaurant
USING LOCAL
1st
1st
2nd Storms on the River 3rd Milestones
Restaurant
WASHROOM FACILITIES
WITH A
FIRST LEGAL DRINK
1st
Best
Best Place
FOR YOUR
2nd Carlos O'Bryans 3rd Red Collar
LATE-NIGHT RESTAURANT
www.kamloopsthisweek.com
GOLDEN PLATE AWARDS 2019
1st
The Keg
2nd PDK Café 3rd East Side Mario’s
COME TO TOWN
1st
Olive Garden
2nd Red Lobster 3rd The Keg/Cactus Club
Best Place for a Valentine’s Day Dinner One of the Best Places for an Anniversary
118 Victoria Street • 250-851-9939 brownstone-restaurant.com • Dinner Hours: From 5 pm (Daily)
www.kamloopsthisweek.com
Best SERVER
GOLDEN PLATE AWARDS 2019
BARTENDER
1st
2nd Mike and Ray,
2nd Braden Armstrong,
Darla Potoroka, Fox’n Hounds Oriental Gardens
rd Josey Fleury,
3
Scott’s Inn
Best BARISTA 1st
Caffe Motivo
2nd Starbucks 3rd Red Beard
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Best
1st
WEDNESDAY, February 27, 2019
Karsten Rostad, Fox‘n Hounds
Thank you for voting us Best Dining With a View!
Fox‘n Hounds Deacon, Fox n Hounds
rd Gage
3
Best CHEF
Finest Lunch st 1 & Dinner Bennett Glendinning, Buffet in Earls KamloopsTown! 2nd David Toombs, Terra Restaurant 3rd Romeo Oloresisimo, Romeo's Kitchen & Spirits
610 West Columbia St. (at the Panorama Inn) 250-374-0340 • flavoursofindiakamloops.com
IT’S ALWAYS BETTER
ON THE ROCKS #1 BEST PLACE TO GO AFTER THE MOVIES ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO WATCH THE BIG GAME Our kitchen is dedicated to creating the best pub fare in Kamloops. We offer an extensive menu ranging from Maple-Glazed Salmon to AAA Prime Sterling Silver Sirloin to the popular Rocks Italian Salad! DAILY SPECIALS
COMING MAY 9TH DUELLING PIANOS FROM LAS VEGAS - TICKETS $10 IN ADVANCE ONLY
Showing all the games, fights and exclusive live music & comedy events LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
ONTHEROCKS
1265 Rogers way, Kamloops
250-374-9761