We’re in Penticton this weekend visiting a few wineries. I’ve been making this trip for years, and The Hooded Merganser is one of the nicest restaurants in the area.
It sits on a pier over the lake, behind the Lakeside Resort, with spectacular views of the water and the valley beyond. It’s a beautiful spot to watch the sun go down, and tonight we were lucky enough to get a corner table right next to the window.
Now, will the food match the view?
I started with the scallop ceviche. It’s not your typical ceviche, and it was incredibly delicious. The mango complements the scallops perfectly, adding a touch of acidity to cut through their richness.
For my main I had the fennel sausage spaghettini, sans mushrooms. The white wine butter sauce was the perfect match, and there was plenty of sausage with the fennel really coming through. My only complaint is the pile of arugula on top. It made the dish look pretty, but I wasn’t interested in eating that much of it. If I’d wanted a salad, I would have ordered one as an appetizer.
Still, a great pasta dish. I’ve been meaning to start making my own sausage at home, and a fennel version will be one of the first I try.
For dessert, I had the tiramisu. Any time I order it now, I end up comparing it to the one I had at Trattoria del Moro Aronne in Orvieto, and none of them, this one included, have measured up.
The custard’s texture was a little off. You know that slightly greasy feeling you get from fake whipped cream versus the real thing? It reminded me of Cool Whip. I’m not 100% sure what’s going on there. Poor quality mascarpone, perhaps?
Decent Cappuccino
Mediocre dessert aside, the meal was fantastic. The ceviche and pasta were excellent, the views were incredible, and being with close friends always makes for great memories.
This might be our last wine trip for a few years, as there are other adventures to try. But if you’re in Penticton, The Hooded Merganser is definitely worth a visit.
9/10