A luxury waterfront resort in West Kelowna, offering spacious condo-style suites, private beach access, and stunning views of Okanagan Lake.
8 BRINGING TRADITION BACK TO THE TABLE
A look inside Ross Derrick’s Old-School Steakhouse
By Miriam Halpenny 16 THE QUIET SIDE OF THE LAKE
A more relaxed way to experience West Kelowna
By Miriam Halpenny
22 THE MODERN GENTLEMAN
This effervesce style, like waves sweeping by, looks effortless.
By Michelle Proctor + Jen Evans + Jen Clark
32 TANTALIZING TUNISIA
A country of contrasts and beauty
By Tess van Straaten
PUBLISHER Karen Hill 250-979-7301
karen.hill@blackpress.ca
DESIGN Crea Zhang
Tammy Robinson
ADVERTISING Roxanne Mackitosh Kristine Polley
Luke Johnson
Neil Rachynski
CONTRIBUTING Miriam Halpenny WRITERS Tess van Straaten
CONTRIBUTING Michelle Proctor PHOTOGRAPHERS
CIRCULATION & Marilou Pasion DISTRIBUTION 604.542.7411
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More than a
WORDS MIRIAM HALPENNY
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BC SUMMER GAMES
This July, thousands of athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers will descend on Kelowna for one of the largest multi-sport events in the province.
The 2026 BC Summer Games return to Kelowna from July 22 to 26, bringing together approximately 2,500 athletes from every corner of British Columbia to compete in 19 sports ranging from swimming and track and field to sailing, basketball, volleyball and canoe-kayak.
For many competitors, it will be a defining moment in their athletic journey. For the community, it is an opportunity to showcase what makes Kelowna a premier destination for sport, volunteerism and community spirit.
“This type of sport hosting demonstrates to the country that Kelowna has the capacity for large-scale performance sport events,” says BC Summer Games president Devin Rubadeau.
A lifelong participant in the Games movement, Rubadeau has been involved since competing in his first BC Summer Games at age 13.
Over the years, he has coached athletes, served in organizational roles and watched the event evolve into one of the province’s most significant sporting showcases.
His connection to the Games runs deep. His father served as president when Kelowna hosted the event in 2008, making this year’s edition especially meaningful.
“Every single volunteer is excited about the athlete experience,” says Rubadeau. “We’re most looking forward to providing young athletes with what could be a pivotal experience in their sport career and development pathway.”
The majority of athletes are teenagers, representing the next generation of high-performance athletes from communities throughout British Columbia.
Competitors earn their place through regional qualification events before representing one of eight geographic zones across British Columbia. The Thompson-Okanagan region competes as Zone 2, proudly wearing red throughout the Games.
The event serves as an important stepping stone for many aspiring athletes. Some participants will go on to compete nationally, professionally or even on the Olympic stage. For others, the Games become something equally valuable: a lifelong memory.
“The BC Summer Games is one of the largest multi-sport events held in Canada,” says Rubadeau. “For many athletes, it’s a pathway to becoming an elite athlete. For many more, it’s simply the number one memory they’ll have when they look back on their sport experience.”
Beyond competition, the Games are designed to foster friendships and connections that extend far beyond the playing field.
“You’re representing an entire region,” Rubadeau explains. “Athletes develop relationships and friendships with people they wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to connect with. Those friendships can be long-lasting.”
One of the highlights of the week will be the Opening Ceremony on July 23 at Prospera Place, where athletes from across the province will march in and be celebrated by thousands of spectators.
“It’s like the Olympics,” says Rubadeau. “They’ll walk in, they’ll get cheered on and celebrated. How often is that going to happen to somebody in their life?”
The Games also reflect the diversity of sport across British Columbia, including opportunities for Paralympic and Special Olympics athletes. A significant portion of the canoe-kayak competition, including Indigenous programming, will take place on waters adjacent to Westbank First Nation, further strengthening local partnerships and showcasing the region’s natural beauty.
While the athletes may be the stars of the show, Rubadeau is quick to point out that the Games could not happen without the community behind them.
More than 200 leadership volunteers have spent over a year planning the event, supported by thousands of additional volunteers who will assist with everything from transportation and meals to competition venues and medal ceremonies. The effort also relies on extensive support from the City of Kelowna, School District 23, Okanagan College, UBC Okanagan, Westbank First Nation and the Province of British Columbia.
“This entire endeavour is led by volunteers,” says Rubadeau. “It’s a true community endeavour. Everybody has to play a part.”
As Kelowna continues to build a reputation for hosting major sporting events, the BC Summer Games stand apart for their scale and impact. While professional events draw spectators, the Summer Games bring together thousands of young athletes and community members in a celebration of sport, achievement and civic pride.
For those looking to experience the energy firsthand, Rubadeau believes there is one clear way to do it.
“The best way for the community to enjoy this once-in-20-years experience is to be hands-on,” he says. “We’re showing the province what our community is made of.”
Volunteer opportunities remain available ahead of the Games. To learn more about volunteering, schedules and events open to spectators, visit the BC Summer Games website bcgames.org/volunteer.
Bringing tradition back to the table
A look inside Ross Derrick’s
Old-School Steakhouse
WORDS MIRIAM HALPENNY | PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROSS DERRICK’S
“
It’s my house. You’re not at my business. You’re coming into my home.”
By the time the clock strikes 5 p.m. at Derrick’s Steakhouse, something of a ritual begins.
The doors open precisely on time. Not a minute early, not a minute late. Guests are welcomed with the option of champagne, the hum of conversation builds against rich interiors, and soon, a tray showcasing the evening’s premium cuts makes its way through the dining room.
It’s intentional theatre, yes, but also something more personal.
For owner Ross Derrick, Derrick’s Steakhouse was never meant to be just another restaurant.
“It’s my house,” Derrick says simply. “You’re not at my business. You’re coming into my home.”
For the Kelowna restaurateur, who marks 25 years in the industry this June, Derrick’s represents the culmination of a lifetime spent in hospitality, and perhaps the most personal venture yet.
Originally from Winnipeg, Derrick’s restaurant journey has taken him across Canada and overseas before eventually landing in Kelowna nearly two decades ago.
“I thought I was coming here for a summer,” he says with a laugh. “Now, 19 years later, I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”
His career in the Okanagan has included notable roles at Big White, Sparkling Hill Resort, and the Delta and Marriott, along with launching his own independent concepts including Broken Anchor, the beloved fish-and-chip shop that began with just $7,000 and a practical need to raise his young daughter as a single father.
“Broken Anchor was built out of necessity,” he says. “It pays the bills for everything.”
Derrick’s, however, was built from passion.
When the opportunity arose to take over the former RauDZ Regional Table space in downtown Kelowna, Derrick initially hesitated. But after standing in the restaurant on its final night of service on New Year’s Eve 2023, he realized he wasn’t ready to see the iconic location become anything other than a place for memorable meals.
Following the loss of his father in 2023, Derrick found himself reflecting on some of his most meaningful memories: regular steakhouse dinners together growing up in Winnipeg.
From final decision to opening day, the transformation happened in just six weeks.
“It was probably one of the fastest restaurant renovations imaginable,” Derrick says.
With help from trusted local trades, friends and partners, the ambitious redesign came together in time for a June 21, 2024 opening, deliberately timed to coincide with the summer solstice.
But the real concept came from something far more personal.
Following the loss of his father in 2023, Derrick found himself reflecting on some of his most meaningful memories: regular steakhouse dinners together growing up in Winnipeg.
“My dad used to take me out for steak when my mom was away for work,” he recalls. “That was our thing.”
One particular birthday stands out. At 15, his father arranged for Derrick to spend time in the kitchen at Winnipeg’s iconic Hy’s Steakhouse learning how to cook steak properly, a formative moment for a young chef.
Years later, after his father’s passing, Derrick went looking for that same experience in Kelowna.
He couldn’t find it.
“I realized Kelowna was missing that old-school steakhouse experience,” he says.
And so Derrick’s was born.
This isn’t a modern rush-through dining experience.
DINNER HERE IS MEANT TO LINGER.
Caesar salads are prepared tableside with Spanish anchovies and premium olive oil. Steaks are rested in brown butter infused with garlic and rosemary before being carved and served. Sauces are built from scratch. Bones are roasted in-house for stock. Service is formal but warm.
“There’s no fluff,” Derrick says. “We don’t take shortcuts.”
The beef program is equally meticulous, with carefully sourced selections from Alberta, B.C., Australia and occasionally Japan, depending on quality and seasonality.
But for Derrick, the steak itself is only part of the experience. What he’s really creating is a place to celebrate.
Birthdays. Anniversaries. Graduation dinners. Family milestones.
“Seventy-five per cent of the people walking through our doors are here for a reason,” he says. “Every city needs a place where people can slow down and enjoy those moments.”
For a restaurateur whose entire philosophy revolves around hospitality, the partnership feels fitting.
At the end of the night, what Derrick hopes guests remember isn’t just the steak.
“I want people to leave relaxed,” he says. “Like a good massage for your brain.”
In a city that increasingly embraces polished dining concepts and modern convenience, Derrick’s offers something deliberately different: a reminder that some experiences are worth slowing down for.
Build with Livingston Some things cannot be rushed. Cannot be replicated. Cannot be handed to just anyone.
In 2026, the Central Okanagan recognized what our clients have always known. Best of the Best Central Okanagan. #1 Home Builder. #1 Home Renovations. #1 Construction Company. A clean sweep across every category.
Livingston Custom Homes exists for those who refuse to compromise on how they live. Not because they cannot, but because they have earned the right not too. Every home we build is a private commission — conceived with intention, executed with obsessive detail, and delivered with the kind of discretion that comes from genuinely understanding what is at stake. We do not advertise availability. We do not chase volume. A select number of projects are accepted each year, each one receiving our complete attention, our uncompromising standard, and the full weight of our reputation. The clients who find us arrive through reputation and referral, drawn not by what we say but by what we have built.
If you are designing the next chapter of your life and you want it built without compromise, we would like to have that conversation.
Become part of the Livingston family.
Healing in a new light
WORDS MIRIAM HALPENNY
PHOTOS COURTESY OF GLENMORE CHIROPRACTIC
At Kelowna’s Glenmore Chiropractic, innovation and human connection are redefining what modern wellness can look like.
At 16, Dr. Ryan Harris was in a car accident that would quietly alter the course of his life.
At the time, the future seemed clearly mapped out. A scholarship student at UBC, Harris had his sights set on medicine, with ambitions of becoming a surgeon. But by age 18, lingering injuries from the collision had escalated into debilitating pain that no one seemed able to explain.
Doctors proposed surgery but after careful consideration, he tried something entirely different: chiropractic care.
“One adjustment completely changed my life,” Harris recalls.
That moment became the catalyst for an entirely new path.
Today, nearly two decades later, Harris has built one of Kelowna’s most progressive wellness clinics, where chiropractic care, soft tissue therapies and emerging recovery technologies come together under one roof.
But while Glenmore Chiropractic has long been known for innovation, Harris says the clinic’s latest advancement may be its most exciting yet.
A CLINIC BUILT ON CURIOSITY
After graduating from Life Chiropractic College West in California, Harris returned to Kelowna in 2006 and opened his own practice rather than following the more traditional route of working as an associate first.
That independent mindset has shaped the clinic ever since.
Long before many in the region had heard of shockwave therapy, Harris was already introducing it to patients in the Okanagan.
“I was probably the first person east of Vancouver to do shockwave therapy,” he says, estimating he has now performed more than 60,000 treatments.
At the time, the technology was largely unfamiliar, even within healthcare circles.
“There was a lot of resistance,” he says. “Nobody knew what it was.”
Years later, that changed dramatically. Referrals began arriving from surgeons, physicians and other healthcare practitioners, a full-circle moment for someone who once imagined himself in conventional medicine.
That evolution reflects Harris’s broader philosophy: wellness care should never be one-dimensional.
“It’s pretty difficult to treat an injury when you’re only dealing with one aspect of it,” he says.
At Glenmore Chiropractic, that means a collaborative, wholebody approach. Alongside chiropractic care, the clinic also offers massage therapy, kinesiology, osteopathy and advanced recovery technologies tailored to each patient’s needs.
THE TECHNOLOGY TURNING HEADS
In recent months, however, much of the attention has centred on one particular piece of equipment: the ARRC LED bed.
If the sleek full-body light therapy system sounds futuristic, that’s because it is.
After spending several years researching photobiomodulation, more commonly known as red light therapy, Harris wanted to find something more sophisticated than the consumer wellness devices flooding the market.
What he landed on was a system designed by California-based experts in biochemistry and engineering that uses six wavelengths of therapeutic light, including red, green and near infrared.
Unlike traditional red light systems that primarily target surface tissue, the broader wavelength approach is intended to support deeper structures including muscles, ligaments and joints, while also targeting inflammation and cellular energy production.
For Harris, the decision to bring the technology into the clinic was personal as much as professional.
A year and a half ago, severe arthritis in both hands had him questioning how much longer he could continue practicing.
“Every adjustment I gave was excruciating,” he says.
He had tried anti-inflammatory strategies, topical relief, dietary changes and recovery routines, but nothing offered meaningful lasting improvement.
After beginning regular sessions with the ARRC LED bed, something unexpected happened.
“After seven weeks, my hand pain went away 100 per cent,” he says. “And now it’s been over a year without a single moment of pain.”
He describes similar changes in his lifelong asthma symptoms, saying he has gone more than a year without an attack.
For Harris, those experiences transformed the technology from an interesting wellness tool into something far more meaningful.
MORE THAN TREATMENT
Of course, no responsible practitioner promises miracles. Harris is careful to frame the technology as supportive care rather than a cure-all. Still, patient stories have been compelling.
He recalls seeing individuals managing chronic pain, inflammatory skin concerns, mobility limitations and fatigue who reported significant improvements after treatment.
But perhaps what stands out most about Glenmore Chiropractic is not the equipment itself.
It’s the atmosphere.
Harris still remembers shadowing his first chiropractor years ago and being struck by something unexpected: the energy in the room.
“It wasn’t this place where people were just sick and miserable,” he says. “People were happy to be there.”
That same feeling is something he has intentionally built into his own clinic.
“Our patients have almost become like family,” he says.
For a practitioner who grew up in Kelowna and now serves neighbours he regularly bumps into around town, those relationships matter deeply.
“It’s not just about chiropractic or technology,” he says. “For me, it’s really about connection.”
And in a wellness landscape increasingly shaped by innovation, that human connection may be the most powerful technology of all.
Helping You Live Your Beautiful Life
Sponsored content by Heena Nagar Personal Real Estate Corporation | South Okanagan Living Real Estate
������ Best of Penticton — Gold Winner 2025 & 2026
There is a particular quality to the light in Penticton — the way it falls on the lake in the late afternoon, warm and unhurried, as though time itself has agreed to slow down. It is the kind of beauty that stops people mid-sentence. And for Heena Nagar, it is simply home.
A two-time Gold Winner of the prestigious Best of Penticton award, Heena has built a reputation in the South Okanagan that rests on something far more enduring than sales figures. Her clients speak of her in the language of connection — of calls returned promptly, of counsel given honestly, of someone who genuinely cares and who remained present long after the papers were signed.
“I truly care about the people I work with. For me, it has always been relationships over transactions — the person comes first, always.”
Her affinity for property began early, sparked by her first investments in her twenties — a formative period that gave her not only financial acumen but a deep, practiced understanding of what it means to put roots down somewhere. Today, that personal history informs every conversation she has with clients, whether they are firsttime buyers navigating an unfamiliar market or seasoned sellers ready for their next chapter. Heena’s approach is grounded in three core values she returns to again and again: compassion, integrity, and hard work. But underpinning all of it is something that cannot be taught — she genuinely cares. Not just about the outcome, but about the people behind it. It is relationships over transactions, always, and her clients feel the difference.
Yet the woman behind the professional accolades is equally defined by life outside the office. Grounded by a loving husband and son, and accompanied on her walks along Lakeshore Drive by her two dogs, Dusty and Chewy, Heena’s life away from work reflects the same warmth and wholeness she brings to every client relationship. You are as likely to find her painting in her studio, drawn to the same landscapes and to the valley, as you are to find her savouring the everyday moments that make a life truly beautiful.
Community, for Heena, is not a backdrop to her work. It is woven into it. Having served as past Vice-President on the Board of Directors for the Penticton Art Gallery, and through her ongoing contributions to the Children’s Showcase nonprofit, she has invested deeply in the cultural and social fabric of the city she calls home. She believes, quite simply, that a thriving community makes for a place worth living in — and worth buying into.
In a region where lifestyle and livelihood are increasingly inseparable, Heena Nagar is precisely the kind of advisor the South Okanagan deserves: knowledgeable, grounded, and genuinely invested in the people she serves. Because for Heena, real estate has always been about one thing — helping you live your beautiful life.
Contact Heena Nagar
Personal Real Estate Corporation REALTOR® at eXp Realty
250-488-9339
WWW.HEENANAGAR.CA
“Helping
133 CHRISTIE MOUNTAIN LANE
When they say Real Estate is all about location... this is it. Nestled on a mountainside, this private estate of just under 4 acres offers breathtaking views of Skaha Lake, surrounded by natural peace & tranquility. This exceptional 4-bed, 4-bath residence is perfectly positioned to capture the essence of Okanagan living, with expansive windows that fill the home with natural light. The open-concept living & dining areas flow seamlessly onto a sprawling deck showcasing 180-degree views of the lake & valley.
MLS®10380393
350 MIDDLE BENCH ROAD
$1,999,900
Along Naramata Bench, this beautiful 3 bed, 3 bath plus den remodeled farmhouse offers breathtaking views of Okanagan Lake. Enjoy a heated swimming pool, a new hot tub & a Tuscan style patio. A professionally managed vineyard produces Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, & rare Gamay Noir grapes, & fruit trees that inc peaches, pears, plums & cherries. Additional features inc lane house potential, 220 V, fibre optic connectivity, & full-perimeter leaf guards. Located near Munson Mountain.
MLS®10385579
410 UPPER BENCH ROAD N
$1,599,900
Located in the highly sought-after Uplands, this Gated Estate is a rare offering blending space, versatility, & timeless charm. A warm, grand entrance leads into beautifully appointed living spaces, including a light-filled formal living room with an elegant gas fireplace, a cozy family room with a woodburning stove, & a spacious dining area framed by expansive windows. The home offers four beds & four baths, including a serene primary suite with a spa-inspired en-suite.
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UNIT #101-433 CHURCHILL AVE
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Steps to Okanagan Lake, this award-winning thoughtfully designed modern townhome offers a quiet sense of luxury. 3 bed, 3 bath home w/18 ft ceilings w/floor to ceiling windows, heated tile floors, quartz surfaces w/premium appliances & a Wolf gas range. The master offers a spa-inspired ensuite w/ walk-in steam shower. Above it all, your private rooftop patio. A peaceful retreat to truly unwind.
MLS®10386088
$1,079,000
The quiet side of the lake
Escaping to the Cove
WORDS MIRIAM HALPENNY
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE COVE
At The Cove Lakeside Resort, guests discover a more relaxed way to experience West Kelowna, from vineyard adventures and waterfront sunsets to a new Sip & Stay Wine Guide designed to showcase the destination.
Tucked into a quiet cove along the shores of Okanagan Lake, The Cove Lakeside Resort offers a different perspective on the Okanagan.
Here, mornings begin with coffee overlooking the water, walking trails weave through nearby parkland and vineyard-covered hills rise above the shoreline. Despite being just minutes from downtown West Kelowna, the pace feels noticeably slower here.
“It’s so nice to get away from the city hustle and bustle,” says Kirsten De Jager, Marketing Manager at The Cove Lakeside Resort. “It really truly is a place where you can come and relax.”
That sense of escape has become part of the resort’s identity over the past 19 years. Designed as a home away from home, The Cove features spacious one, two and three-bedroom suites complete with full kitchens, generous living spaces and private balconies.
The accommodations appeal equally to families seeking a summer getaway, couples planning a romantic retreat or groups gathering for a special occasion.
Yet what continues to set the resort apart isn’t just what’s found on site, it’s everything that surrounds it.
Situated alongside Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park, the property enjoys a unique location that feels removed from the hustle of everyday life while remaining close to many of the region’s most sought-after attractions.
Nearby walking and cycling trails connect visitors to beaches, wineries and parks, while the rolling hills and lake views that define West Kelowna provide a stunning backdrop in every direction.
“West Kelowna really is a special place,” says De Jager. “There is so much to experience here.”
That belief inspired one of the resort’s newest offerings.
A PASSPORT TO WINE COUNTRY
This season, The Cove launched its Sip & Stay Wine Guide, a complimentary passport-style experience designed to connect overnight guests with 16 wineries, cideries and breweries throughout West Kelowna.
Running through until Thanksgiving, the guide features exclusive tastings, discounts and culinary experiences valued at more than $400.
Participating partners range from some of the Okanagan’s most celebrated wineries to boutique producers helping shape the region’s wine story.
“We really try to showcase the destination and where we are,” says De Jager. “A lot of guests are coming for the wineries, so we thought it would be great to partner with them, encourage people to get out there, see the destination and experience what West Kelowna really is like.”
For Brent Lavery, General Manager of The Cove Lakeside Resort, the initiative reflects the property’s broader commitment to supporting local businesses while enhancing the guest experience.
“This new guide is a meaningful way for us to connect our guests with the incredible tasting experiences available here in West Kelow-
It’s a fitting description. Adventure and relaxation coexist effortlessly.
na,” says Lavery. “It is also an opportunity to support and showcase our valued local partners while encouraging guests to experience more of the community during their stay.”
The concept has already resonated with visitors. Many arrive specifically to explore the region’s acclaimed wine country, and The Cove’s location places them at the heart of it all.
“If you’re travelling south from Kelowna along Boucherie Road to The Cove, you pass 11 wineries and even a brewery all within about a 10-minute drive,” says De Jager with a laugh. “Where else can you do that?”
Of course, discovering the destination is only part of the experience.
Back at the resort, guests can spend the afternoon lounging beside one of two outdoor pools, soaking in a hot tub or enjoying a round on the putting green. Others may choose to book a treatment at the Spa at The Cove, while active travellers can take advantage
of the property’s tennis and pickleball courts, movie theatre and nearby water sport rentals.
As evening approaches, many gravitate toward The Landing Kitchen & Bar. Open throughout the summer season for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, the restaurant’s waterfront patio offers one of the most picturesque dining settings in West Kelowna. With unobstructed views of Okanagan Lake and boats drifting across the water, it provides the perfect place to unwind after a day spent exploring.
“There is kind of the best of both worlds here,” says De Jager.
For guests looking to balance adventure and relaxation, that’s exactly the point.
It’s a fitting description. Guests can spend the morning paddleboarding on the lake, the afternoon tasting wine among the vineyards and the evening watching the sunset from their balcony. Adventure and relaxation coexist effortlessly.
As evening settles over the lake, guests gather on balconies, stroll the waterfront pathways or linger over one last glass of wine on the patio. The day may have included vineyard visits, lake adventures or simply a quiet afternoon by the water, but the result is the same: a deeper connection to the place they came to discover.
BC SUMMER GAMES
CHASING HORIZONS. BUILDING FUTURES.
Kelowna Prepares to Host the 2026 BC Summer Games. Volunteers Needed
July 22-26, 2026
Set to take place over five days July 2026, the Games will include 19 sports, from athletics to wrestling, and will reflect the diversity and inclusiveness of sport in BC, including events for Special Olympics and Para-athletes.
The BC Summer Games are about more competition. They’re about building confidence, leadership, and friendships that last far beyond the medal count.
Gentleman the modern
This effervesce style, like waves sweeping by, looks effortless. It’s a mix of modern and vintage patterned shirts, cropped trousers, interesting textures and worldly prints. It reflects artistic sensibility while being customizable to suit individual tastes.
PHOTOGRAPHY: MICHELLE PROCTOR FASHION & PROP STYLING: JEN EVANS
MAKEUP & HAIR: JEN
MODEL: JACK KALASHNIKOV
CLARK
Bird pattern cotton shirt by Just Cavalli ($129.99) from Turnabout and tan pant by Coppley ($89) from House of Savoy.
Striped shirt by Benson ($38) from House of Savoy.
Corduroy jacket by Baracuta ($229.99) and pinstriped linen pant by Brunello Cucinelli ($595) both from Turnabout with the stylist’s own turtle neck sweater.
Vintage patterned short sleeve shirt ($48, House of Savoy), plaid jacket by Selected Homme ($48, House of Savoy), pinstriped linen pant by Brunello Cucinelli ($595, Turnabout) and Eliot Runner by Tracksmith ($95, Turnabout).
Burgundy pant by Rare Rabbit ($58) and vintage silk kimono ($75), both from House of Savoy.
Blue two-piece suit by Indochino ($225, House of Savoy), silk tie by Oliver & James ($35, House of Savoy), long sleeve checked shirt by Eton ($69.99, House of Savoy) with a rose gold and leather watch by Tissot (stylist’s own).
sole&Heart
Comfort food meets unwavering quality
RECIPES THE FOX AND MONOCLE CAFÉ
What they created is a welcoming, relaxed place with food that is focused on quality and deliciousness.
The Fox and Monocle Café, run by pastry chef Tracie Zahavich and chef Ross Bowles, is a bakery by day, restaurant by night, serving European comfort food.
The pair met while cooking at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in England, where they fell in love with the countryside, the quintessential British pub and the fantastic bakeries dotted around London.
After returning home to Canada, they found the perfect location in the Canoe Cove Marina and set out on a mission to share the food they experienced aboard.
What they created is a welcoming, relaxed place with food that is focused on quality and deliciousness. The menu is filled with classic and nostalgic flavour combinations with dishes changing seasonally, other than a couple staples.
They like to ask, what’s something classic and delicious that no one is doing well here? Can we take some of the beautiful ingredients around us and put together a dish that’s an old favourite?
They strive to take these classic combinations and make them special with skill, care, love and technique. The following dish, for example, exemplifies what Tracie and Ross do at the Fox and Monocle. Petrale sole is an underrated fish that can be easily sourced locally and served like this, it’s a knockout meal because of the care put into its preparation and execution. A feature on many of their menus, they’re proud to share the recipe with you.
The Fox and Monocle Café’s Petrale Sole
Sole Butchery:
Trim a petrale sole so both fillets are attached. Cut diagonally along the top so any bones near the neck are out of the fillet. Carefully skin the fillet and place it on a dry paper towel.
Smoked Fish Broth
Ingredients:
2 Petrale Sole Carcasses (roasted in the oven and smoked)
2 l Water
5 Thyme Sprigs
5 Parsley Stems
2 Tarragon Sprigs
5 Peppercorns
2 Bay Leaves
Simmer for 1 hour and strain.
Yields 2 litres.
Crispy Potatoes
Ingredients:
1 Large Russet Potato
Peel the potato and run through a grater. Submerge under hot water and stir, then let sit 5 minutes. Repeat step two twice more. Fry at 350°F for several minutes until just golden. Remove onto a cookie rack with paper towel and salt liberally.
Leeks
Ingredients:
160 g Leek (finely sliced)
Oil
20 g White Wine
4 g Salt
75 g Cold Butter (1 cm diced)
Sweat leeks in oil with salt until tender. Add white wine. Add butter, remove from heat and stir rapidly until it creates a thick glaze. Chill until ready to use.
Manila Clams
Take as many clams as desired and add to a very hot preheated sauce pan. Immediately after adding clams to the sauce pan, add a small amount of white wine and seal with a lid to steam the clams. As soon as they open, put them onto a tray and chill them in the fridge. Remove the clams from the shells and reserve to stir into the chowder. The extra clam juice, if strained through a fine sieve, is great to add into the chowder, as well, for extra flavour.
Confit Potato
Peel and dice as many russet potatoes as you would like to go in the chowder. Weigh the potatoes and season with 1% salt by weight. Put into a deep baking dish in a single layer. Add chicken stock to the pan about halfway up the potatoes and put a few knobs of butter in the dish. Cover with tinfoil and bake until just tender. This should be about 45 minutes at 350°F.
Dill Oil
Ingredients:
165 g Dill (roughly chopped)
165 g Parsley (roughly chopped)
8 g Sugar
10 g Salt
1 l Oil
Blend together until hot, about 3 minutes. Cool over ice immediately. Hang in coffee filter overnight.
Yields 0.75 litre.
Assembly
Base
Ingredients:
220 g Onion (small dice)
100 g Celery (small dice)
25 g Garlic (minced)
0.4 g Fennel Seed (ground)
0.3 g Whole White Pepper
160 g Milk
500 g Smoked Fish Broth
70 g Butter
55 g Flour
10 g Salt
Sweat onions, celery and garlic in butter. Add aromatics. Add flour. Add stock and milk in two additions, whisking in as you pour, then bring to a boil and whisk while boiling for 1 minute. Blend, pass through a fine sieve and cool until ready to use.
Yields 1 litre.
Warm chowder base with cooked manilla clams, confit potatoes and leeks. Add a spoon of dill oil and stir together. Pan sear presentation side of sole and transfer to a parchment lined pan. Finish fish in the oven with butter on top until the fish is just warm through. Place sole on top of chowder and garnish with dill fronds and crispy potatoes. Enjoy!
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Tantalizing
Tunisia
A country of contrasts and beauty
WORDS TESS VAN STRAATEN
After the blinding North African sun, it takes a minute for my eyes to adjust to the jumble of stalls stacked along winding alleyways in one of the oldest souks in Tunis, Tunisia’s historic capital and one of the largest cities in the Arab world. It’s an assault to the senses as locals haggle over deliciously exotic spices and tourists take in the wide array of wares from cheap trinkets to hand-crafted leather shoes, colourful ceramics, intricately ornate lamps and beautifully elaborate silver coffee sets that look like art pieces.
History goes back thousands of years here and given the crush of cultures over the centuries Roman, French, Turkish and Islamic, to name a few I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But as we arrive in the capital and walk along Tunis’ main thoroughfare, the grand Avenue Habib Bourguiba, that’s lined with trees, shops and cafés,
the French influence is strong and I’m not surprised this elegant promenade is often called the ‘Tunisian Champs-Élysées.’
Passing by historic buildings and classic colonial architecture that’s stood the test of time, we’re on our way to Tunis’ famous medina. A UNESCO World Heritage site for almost half a century, the Medina of Tunis is a maze of colourful souks and secret courtyards and it’s the heart of the city.
We’ve come to the east side of the medina, where the Bab el Bhar or ‘gate to the sea’ symbolizes the division between the historic quarter and the modern city. It’s also known as the Porte De France and heavily-armed police officers guard it as little stray kittens cry for food in the courtyard. After feeding some of the smallest ones, we venture into the bustling souks. Passageways lead in every direction imaginable and both French and Arabic can be heard at every turn.
“It’s an assault to the senses as locals haggle over deliciously exotic spices and tourists take in the wide array of wares from cheap trinkets to hand-crafted leather shoes, colourful ceramics, intricately ornate lamps and beautifully elaborate silver coffee sets that look like art pieces.”
I pull out my very best junior high French an effort that delighted the kind shopkeepers to negotiate a price for hand-painted bohemian coasters that now brighten up our living room coffee table and make me smile every time I see them.
Stepping into a sunny courtyard as we try to find our way back to where we started (to say my husband is not a shopper would be a vast understatement), I see the minaret of the city’s oldest mosque. Founded in the late seventh or early eighth century and reconstructed in the ninth century, the Al-Zaytuna Mosque or ‘Mosque of the Olive’ is in the heart of the medina and it’s considered the spiritual heart of Tunis.
It contains columns from nearby Carthage, which was once one of the greatest powers in the ancient Mediterranean and that’s where we’re headed next. Northeast of the capital, on the other
side of the Lake of Tunis a natural lagoon that’s between Tunis and the Mediterranean Sea and nestled along the Gulf of Tunis, Carthage was one of the classical world’s most affluent cities and an important hub for ancient Rome. Conquered and re-conquered many times, it was also once the capital of the Vandal Kingdom for a century. It was eventually destroyed by Arab forces more than 1,300 years ago to prevent the Byzantine Empire from retaking it. The extensive ruins, which weren’t discovered until the end of the 19th century, now draw tourists from all over the world. The most impressive spot is the Baths of Antoninus, which were the largest outside of ancient Rome, with the beautiful backdrop of the sea beside them. We stopped at the Carthage Amphitheatre, constructed in the first century AD and rebuilt by the famous Roman Julius Caesar. And much like in Rome, where you’ll turn a
corner and come across ruins, we stopped at several sites along the highway or tucked between houses.
We also stopped at a 21st century mosque, which is featured on Tunisia’s 10-dinar banknote, as we drove through the sprawling archeological site. Our driver, Walid, proudly tells us that the Mâlik ibn Anas Mosque is a wonderful example of modern Islamic architecture.
In such a country of contrasts, my favourite place was also the biggest surprise. Just a short day trip from Tunis, perched on a cliff above the sparkling sea, is Sidi Bou Saïd. Named after a 13th-century Sufi scholar, Walid says it’s the African Santorini and as we walk the postcard-perfect village, I’d have to agree. White-washed houses with bright blue doors and wooden window shutters line the hilly cobblestone streets. But as it turns out, Walid says the stunning colour scheme of this special spot actually predates Santorini’s iconic blue and white.
Yet, it’s hard not to think you’re in Greece as you stroll around the small streets and alleyways. I can’t stop taking photos of the beautiful blue arched doors. But just as we do start to think we’re on the other side of the Mediterranean, a sign for beignets French for fritter or donut and a New Orleans French quarter staple greets us. My mouth is watering as I watch staff at Beignets et Bambalouni take the fluffy dough, hot from the fryer, and douse it in powdered sugar.
After the time we’ve spent in Tunisia, it’s no surprise the deliciously sweet ‘beignets Tunisiens,’ which are also called a bambalouni, are right by another restaurant serving up Arab street food. It’s only fitting that we end our visit with a flatbread wrap in one hand and a still-hot beignets in the other. Sitting on nearby steps, we soak up the different cultures and inhale the tantalizing mix.
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