A few years back, I decided to go for another tasting at a winery in downtown Kelowna. The winery was Ricco Bambino. What drew me back was that they offered a very unique tasting experience…a blind tasting! You would get poured a sample of wine without being told what it was. The wine host would give some information about the winemaking process for the wine, and that's it. It's up to you to guess what it is. You are allowed to sit with the menu in front of you; the only clue you are given is that it is something off that menu. It is a genuinely fantastic and engaging idea.
At the time, I didn't know that this would be my last visit to Ricco Bambino as they closed their doors in late 2022. This tasting experience was elevated by my wine host and manager, Taylor. I loved his energy, and he genuinely loved the wines served. Demonstrating a tremendous in-depth knowledge, I was captivated by his charm and charisma. I don't recall having so much fun nerding out about wine like that. Taylor read the table correctly and went to Total Wine Nerd with me.
I don't recall how accurate my blind guesses were. Still, I remember Taylor getting me to purchase a case of wine - maybe because there was a killer sale or perhaps because of how well he elevated my tasting experience. I like to think it was the latter.
And then they go and close their doors. I was not as choked about them closing as I was about not getting to experience Taylor's hospitality another time. Then I heard rumours that a restaurant planned to open in the exact location—the Ricco Room.
It's very cool that they are continuing the legacy of Ricco Bambino. Especially since the decor was a very relaxed, almost jungle feel, which I hoped they would keep. And then I heard the vital news that made me look forward to its opening…..Taylor is now a managing partner of this new enterprise! Upon learning this, I immediately knew three things;
I was definitely going to dine here
The hospitality, drinks and menu would be fantastic
I was going to do a review or maybe more of a fan review
From the street, the patio is a Garden of Eden. Overflowing with live plants, a unique touch not found in many, if any, patios in downtown Kelowna. The lush vegetation makes your booth a secluded oasis with wine and food service. This is an excellent upgrade from the Ricco Bambino days.
Upon entering, I'm glad all the live plants from the Ricco Bambino days are still present. Gone are the concrete tanks, allowing for more seating space and storage. The overall feel is like a modern jungle-wine-bar-restaurant. But what caught my eye were the jungle swing chairs lining the bar and the high-top tables lining the window looking out onto the street. Suspended by ropes from above and with a tether rope tied to the floor attached to the bottom, any adult will act like a kid. Gleefully sitting in one and gently swinging one can't help but become a kid again sitting in one. The green banquette seating extends the lush greenery from the live plants that adorn the central area of the space. It creates a lovely sensory experience. Then I notice a green neon sign that encapsulates the mood for this interior - "Sip back and relax." Don't mind if I do. Lol
Sitting at my table and reviewing the menu, two things stand out to me. The wine menu is ALL from BC. They also offer some wines from Ricco Bambino (most likely leftover stock that probably came with the space purchase). But the wine menu is not the big draw for me this time. And oddly enough, I didn't order any wine during this meal! I had heard some great and clever things about their cocktail menu that I was curious to check out.
First cocktails - I had to start with their cocktail that has edible gold flakes added to it. But it also smells like the men's cologne it is named after. Aromas that work very well together in this cocktail - Casamigos Reposado, Mezcal, Galliano, Charcoal, bitters, smoke, and 14k Gold. It does taste a little boozy, but I couldn't get over the aromas of this drink. Then, to have it decked out with a cube of ice branded with the Ricco Room logo is a nice touch. The wife had the Fairy Godmother - and yes, that is a bubble of smoke on top of the drink. When our server, Tiff, delivered it, I was amazed at how it is crafted and had to ask how often it pops en route to a table…surprisingly very few during transport. Still, she did say that it'll most often pop when it's being picked up to be delivered to a table. The Fairy Godmother consists of - Absinthe, St Germain, Pineapple, Lemon, Lime, sparkle, and citrus bubble. With these two drinks, I completely understand that this is a cocktail lounge. These drinks were delicious, not crazy boozy, and had great flavours and creativity.
Their menu is more in a share plate or tapas style. This kind of menu is perfect for the layout and decor of this space. It adds to a shared experience. You get a great show watching the bartender craft drinks; some of them are so creative that you can't help but watch. All the live plants also created talking points. The elegant plate wear and cutlery are just more small details that all add to your enjoyment of this spa when shared with friends.
Our first plate of food arrives and is gorgeous. Alaskan King Crab Tostada (avocado, pickled onion, confit garlic, white bean hummus, cilantro, chilli oil). This dish is loaded with thoughtful small details that make it as creative as delicious. The skinned cherry tomatoes brought in a sweeter element that added to the natural sweetness of the crab meat. The chilli oil provides a lovely and subtle heat that matches the sweetness of the crab and the cherry tomato. Then, with these, you have a richness carried in by the mashed avocado accompanied by the white bean hummus - I liked the idea for the hummus. The pickle brineness of the pickled onions cut through the rich spreads with ease. And all of this gets a texture amplification by the crunchy tostada. As I noted, this dish is beautifully delicious and matches its creativity.
Shortly after this arrived, our second plate was not far behind—Togarashi Tuna Tataki (Yuzu Aioli, radish, scallion, chilli threads, nori, tamari). The presentation of this dish is impeccable. This is the first time I can recall eating chilli threads. They didn't overpower, and an individual thread provided more of a heat sensation than any noticeable flavour, which was a great compliment to the savoury flavour components of the meal. The Yuzu Aioli provides a citrusy and creamy addition to the tuna. What I loved and what caught my attention was the slivers of marinated radish artfully laid out as a very clean and defined rectangular base for the tuna to sit upon. Again, the attention to small details was evident here, too. The fresh scallion and sliced radish crunch provide a welcome crunch element.
Now, how tasty were these plates? So much so that we ordered another round of them.
A second round of food quickly justified getting another round of cocktails. In hindsight, I wish we had ordered different food so that I could review those, too. But my stomach was the one controlling my actions this meal.
Our second round of cocktails also did not disappoint. The wife ordered a cocktail composed of - Tito's vodka, Limoncello, Galliano, Frangilico, lemon, and egg white. Now, reading the ingredients, would you frame this as Lemon meringue? If not, you are not alone. However, the flavours of this combination make what I can only say is "a slice of pie in a glass"! This tasted like a homemade lemon meringue pie. Sweet with a little bit of tartness. The egg white foam provides the classic creaminess and adds to the rich body of this drink. It even LOOKS like a lemon meringue pie in the glass! If you are looking for a pie as a well-crafted cocktail, you've got to try this.
I had to ask Taylor whether my guess was correct for my second cocktail. Did you know that approximately 17% of people taste soap when consuming cilantro? Which is an excellent name for their version of a gin and tonic - Seventeen (Bombay Gin, cilantro, lime, white pepper, ginger, tonic). After drinking this, I now love the idea of adding cilantro to my G&Ts from now on.
Even though it's a small menu, it becomes more vital for the service team to understand how the plates are composed to answer and address any dietary concerns that will inevitably arise. Our server, Tiff, demonstrated an excellent knowledge of the menu and how to navigate dietary concerns.
Upon completing our drinks and two rounds of food, we bring this dining experience to a close. I am so happy for Taylor and this enterprise. The menu shows excellent care and attention to detail, where flavours and textures are married to creative artistry. The plates I've tried have an outstanding balance of flavours and nuances. The cocktail menu shows Taylor's sense of humour with the cocktail names. But then he has crafted beautiful, imaginative, and delicious beverages. Before you dismiss the wine menu, assume I didn't peruse it because it didn't have any good Canadian or BC wines…. You'd be incredibly wrong. There are sixteen offerings by the glass covering Red, white, orange (yes, you read that correctly), and rose. All from smaller, more boutique-like wineries.
Whether you have a special occasion, a business meeting, a place to meet for a few drinks a date night, or just looking for a fun space to chill and enjoy your time, you must consider checking this place out.
I've been back several times since writing this restaurant review. 😉
Cheers🥂
-BC Wine Nerd
Website: The Ricco Room
Address: 110-1630 Pandosy St
Phone #: 236-420-2203
Instagram: @thericcoroom
Hours: Wed-Thurs - 4pm-10pm
Fri-Sat - 4pm-12am
Sun - 4pm-8pm
Dietaries: Menu offers Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegetarian, Vegan
Wine by the glass Menu: 100% 🇨🇦
Menu $: 🍷🍷
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