Not as Good as it Was
I visited this past summer (2002) and was extremely disappointed with the sloppy food and unprofessional service. They used to serve a great selection of Okanagan wines, now just Sumac Ridge. It used to be interesting full-flavoured foods, now the usual Okanagan mediocrity. It used to be warm and friendly, caring service, now amateurish and sloppy.

It was sold from the previous owners to Sumac Ridge last year. Beware of web recommendations written earlier.    [26 Nov 2002 02:18:46]

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Recommended Dishes: None

     ­Anonymous   

Better Than Ever
I don't know what the last person was smoking, but the Bistro is better than ever as far as I'm concerned.

Not only do they carry a wide range of Sumac Wines they also feature VQA wines from numerous other BC Wineries. In fact, they received the 2002 Fall Wine Festival Best BC Wine List Award. I remember reading the plaque in the Bistro.

Chef Neil Schroeter has finally put Summerland on the culinary map. Don't get me wrong -- the previous operators weren't bad, it's just now it's so much better.

The presentation and flavours are perfectly balanced and I highly recommend the Bistro to anyone looking for an upscale dining experience. If you're looking for fresh pasta, this is the best place I know of.    [23 May 2003 17:48:56]

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Recommended Dishes: rack of lamb, fresh pasta

     ­Arthur Ross, Summerland, BC   

Definitely Worth a Visit
The ambiance and atmosphere at the Bistro is second to none. The current staff are friendly and knowledgeable.

The lunch menu offers some great choices, the pasta is excellent. Prices I think are very reasonable for an upmarket Bistro.

Try the flights of red or white to get a sampler of the different wines available.    [05 Jul 2005 15:12:22]

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Recommended Dishes: Pasta and Desserts

     ­Mike F   

Chef Schroeter's Food Is Awesome!
Have tried most everything that he has made and would tell everyone to give it a go but my favorites would have to be his fish specialties. The combination of the freshness of his ingredients and his known flair with food makes them the best!    [04 May 2006 07:38:14]

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     ­Anonymous   

2006 and Still Great.
Surprised not more people have added a review of this gourmet place. Talk about a hidden gem. I'm 40 years old, have lived and worked in 6 countries throughout the world, including Alsace, France, Rheingau, Germany, Switzerland and Australia and most recently California and all its great food and wine. Sumac Ridge was as good and better than any bistro in the aforementioned countries. They accommodated our special requests; gave generous pours of each of the 4 wines part of their standard flight (2oz each, but you receive 3oz+) and their house made patees and select cheeses are an absolute gourmet lovers heaven. They're completely unpretentious and have friendly, charming and educated staff. The menu isn't large, but the choice is eclectic and interesting and apparently very seasonal. Everything was very fresh!
It was our first time there and we'll be back in October on our next trip up to Canada and the Okanagan.    [05 Jul 2006 02:53:47]

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Recommended Dishes: Patees, chocolate torte

     ­Michael, Siemens, Zurich, Switzerland   

2008 and not Great
In fact, it was one of the worst dining experiences I've had in my 45+ years.
While the menu reads rather well, the follow through is lacking. The food over cooked, the service was "OK". However, it was very hard to get past the abundant "infighting" between both the service staff and management. If I wanted to hear fighting while having dinner, I'd have call up my ex and invited her over.    [16 Apr 2008 15:03:18]

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     ­Anonymous