Editor’s Note: Here at the Times Chronicle we’re happy to announce we will be featuring a regular weekly (space allowing) food column – Food Adventures with Sheldon.
Written by Osoyoos resident and globe trotter Sheldon Herman, who recently had his first book published (more details available at the end of the column) and each column will feature a local eatery from Osoyoos, Oliver or somewhere in between and will cover everything from fine dining to sit on the curb and munch.
We all know how difficult businesses have it during the long cold winter months and the aim of this is to twofold: to help support local food and beverage establishments and also to help bring greater awareness of the options available.
How many times have we all seen the social media questions asking where to go to eat this or that, or who has the best of something? Well, look no further and stay turned as we have a whole tasty lineup coming your way!
DOSA Crepe Café
“The Best Food You’ve Never Tried”
Dosa is a dish from Southern India, which can be described as a savoury crepe. It can be filled with a wide variety of options, ranging from butter chicken to ice cream.
Sheldon Herman photo
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I walked into DOSA Crepe Café in Osoyoos for the first time. I had driven past it countless times, so I knew exactly what the sign looked like, but for some reason, I never stopped in to try it. Now, I regret that. This unassuming little restaurant is serving something uniquely delicious that, even as I write this, is making me crave a second visit today.
The first thing I noticed when I entered was how much bigger the space is inside than it appears from the outside. There’s a long row of tables, perfect for individuals or families. The second thing that caught my attention was the open, clean kitchen with a large see-through wall that lets you watch the chef prepare everything right in front of you.
I was quickly greeted by a friendly man named Ranjith, who seated me by the front window and handed me the menu. Admittedly, it was a bit intimidating at first since I had no prior experience with dosa and wasn’t sure what to expect. However, Ranjith was more than happy to explain.
Dosa is a dish from Southern India, which I would describe as a savoury crepe. It can be filled with a wide variety of options, ranging from butter chicken to ice cream. The crepe itself is made from a fermented batter consisting of rice and black gram, a South Asian bean I had never heard of before. Surprisingly, there’s no noticeable fermented taste, and you wouldn’t guess that it’s made from rice or beans. It’s also worth mentioning that, because of these ingredients, the dosa is gluten-free, high in protein, and a good source of vitamins B and C. Depending on the filling, it can also be vegan, vegetarian, lactose-free, and even Halal.
With no idea where to start, I asked Ranjith for a recommendation. He suggested their “Signature Dish,” the Tamil Nadu Chicken. I agreed, opting for the “mild” spice level. Ranjith then got to work in the kitchen, and watching the preparation of the dosa was almost as enjoyable as eating it. Making a perfectly crispy, golden dosa without burning or breaking it is truly an art.
Within what seemed like no time, I was presented with a large plate that included coleslaw with a berry vinaigrette, tomato chutney, coconut chutney, sambar, and, of course, the massive dosa stuffed with seasoned chicken. Much like naan bread, you break off pieces of the dosa and scoop up the filling and chutneys.
The Tamil Nadu Chicken was perfectly balanced—not too overpowering, which can sometimes be the case with curry flavours, especially for those new to South Asian cuisine. If you’ve never had dosa or are looking to try something a little outside your usual diet, this is a great place to start. And if you have a sweet tooth, their dessert dosa stuffed with fruit and ice cream will satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
Next time you’re in the area, do yourself a favour and stop by DOSA Crepe Café. Say hi to Ranjith and tell him Sheldon sent you.
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DOSA Crepe Café opened in April 2024 in Osoyoos and has three other locations in Kelowna, Rutland, and Vernon. The Osoyoos location is at 8143 Main Street, Osoyoos, BC, and is open Wednesday to Monday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Contact: 778-597-0245. Web: dosacrepecafe.com
Sheldon Herman is the author of the international best selling book “The Tortured Traveller: How I Survived The Worst Vacation Ever” and has travelled and ate in 60 different countries. Neither the writer or newspaper received financial compensation for this article and its thoughts and opinions are strictly of the writer himself. If you are a restaurant or you have a suggestion for a restaurant that you would like to see featured, please send an email to [email protected]
Check out the eateries we’ve featured so far:
• DOSA Crepe Café (Osoyoos)
• TacoRiendo (Oliver)
• Oliver Eats (Oliver)
• The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry (Osoyoos)
• 15 Park Bistro (Osoyoos)
• Bharawan Da Dhabba (Oliver)
• The Barn Owl Eatery & Café (Osoyoos)
• The Ditch Café (Oliver)
• Dolchi Thai (Osoyoos)
• Oliver Garden Restaurant (Oliver)
