The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry
“Not Just for Tourists”

When I was first invited to dine at Spirit Ridge’s flagship restaurant, The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry, I was hesitant. I didn’t think it aligned with the goal of these restaurant showcases, which aim to highlight local spots that deserve more attention but aren’t getting the credit or customers they deserve.

However, after experiencing lunch at the restaurant and learning about their new menu and promotions aimed at the locals of Osoyoos and Oliver, I can now officially say: “Shame on me.” This restaurant has firmly established itself as a dining option that’s not just for tourists and building its way to be a staple in the community.

I was fortunate enough to have lunch with Mark Nichols, the Director of Sales and Marketing at Spirit Ridge, who gave me some background on the restaurant, the menu, and their efforts to prioritize local residents. They want to be the go-to spot for locals when they dine out.

The name “The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry” represents the “four chiefs” in syilx (Okanagan Nation) culture:

  • The Bear symbolizes meat,
  • The Fish represents fish,
  • The Root stands for vegetables and vegetarian options,
  • The Berry signifies dessert.

I was pleasantly surprised by the lunch prices, which are in line with what you’d find at other wineries or restaurants in the area. Mark shared that the two most popular lunch items are the Seafood Chowder and the “You’re a Turkey” turkey and cranberry sandwich, both served with house-made steak fries. Trust me, those fries deserve their own article—but more on that later.

All the food is made from scratch, with Chef Murray McDonald, who has been at the helm for six years, designing a menu that reflects the vision of the “four chiefs.”

Seafood chowder
The chowder is made to order with a rich, white New England-style base, loaded with large chunks of fresh seafood. The portion is generous enough to satisfy even the hungriest appetites. I’d challenge you to find a better seafood chowder anywhere in the Okanagan.

“You’re a Turkey” sandwich
This sandwich is a perfect example of a turkey sandwich elevated to new heights. Gone are the days of dry, lacklustre turkey. This sandwich features flavourful, tender turkey, thick slices of heritage bacon, and a cranberry sauce that ties it all together—served on amazing artisan-style bread.

The sandwich was already exceptional, but the house-made steak fries took it to the next level. These hand-cut, duck fat-fried potato wedges are crispy on the outside and soft and flavourful on the inside. And let’s not forget the scratch-made garlic aioli for dipping.

I’m not exaggerating when I say, if it were socially acceptable, I’d drink that aioli straight from the cup. Do yourself a favour: no matter what you order, make sure you add an extra side of these fries. You won’t want to share.

Winter specials
After lunch, I was introduced to the new “Winter Specials” menu, launched on January 12. Tailored specifically for local residents and Snowbirds, the dinner menu offers elevated dishes at friendly prices including Prime Rib Dinner on Sunday, Lasagna on Monday, Fish & Chips on Tuesday and a “We Love Locals!” 15 per cent off all menu items on Wednesdays.

Whether you’re a local or a tourist, it’s a spot that deserves your attention, offering elevated food with a focus on local ingredients and flavours. Don’t miss out on those duck fat fries!

The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry is located at the Spirit Ridge Resort, 1200 Rancher Creek Rd, Osoyoos, and is open Monday – Friday for breakfast 8-11 a.m., lunch 12 – 4 p.m. and dinner 5-8 p.m. On weekends the restaurant is open for brunch 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and dinner 5 – 8 p.m. Phone 250-495-4660. 

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This article was contributed by Sheldon Herman, author of the international bestselling book “The Tortured Traveller: How I Survived The Worst Vacation Ever” who has travelled and dined in 60 different countries. The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author, neither the writer nor the newspaper received financial compensation for this article, and the meal was provided on a complimentary basis. If you are a restaurant or you have a suggestion for a restaurant that you would like to see featured, send an email to [email protected]

Check out the eateries we’ve featured so far.