Annina Hoffmeister, the longtime owner of Dolci Deli and Catering in downtown Osoyoos, was very proud to cut the ribbon last Thursday evening to officially open her new Dolci Socialhouse restaurant. Her new bistro will feature a brand new menu that will focus on using local fresh ingredients. As the name implies, Hoffmeister hopes her new eatery will be a friendly place where friends, family and co-workers will gather in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Helping her cut the ribbon was Town of Osoyoos councillor Mike Campol (left) and Don Halverson, a local contractor who spent the past two months helping Hoffmeister during a huge renovation project.
KEITH LACEY
Annina Hoffmeister holds grand opening of Dolci Socialhouse last week following two months of renovations
Osoyoos’ favourite Swiss Miss is in bliss.
Annina Hoffmeister, the longtime owner of Dolci Deli and Catering on Main Street was beaming with pride last Thursday evening with the official opening of her newly renovated eatery called Dolci Socialhouse restaurant.
Over the past two months, Hoffmeister and her good friend and local contractor Don Halverson have worked tirelessly to gut the interior of the building and design a new and vibrant look.
“I’m so happy with how it all turned out,” said Hoffmeister, who first came to Osoyoos as a teenager for many years with her parents and spent many summers working in the restaurant business as a student before returning to her native Switzerland to continue her studies as a pastry chef. “Don did an unbelievable job. It’s really amazing and I’m very happy because we worked so hard over these last two months to make all the changes.”
Since buying the building in 2005, it was always the goal of Hoffmeister and her late husband Jorg to build Dolci Deli and Catering into a successful bistro.
That dream became a reality last week with the ribbon cutting and grand opening of Dolci Socialhouse.
“We had enjoyed nine wonderful years, but it was time for a change,” she said. “Changing from a deli and catering business to a full-service restaurant was something I had thought about for a couple of years. I’m really looking forward to the new challenge and a fresh beginning.”
As the new name implies, Dolci Socialhouse is about much more than serving good food, said Hoffmeister.
“I want this to be a place where people gather and can feel comfortable and relaxed,” she said. “I want it to be a gathering place for family and friends and one place in town where they know they can come and relax in warm and comfortable surrounding and enjoy themselves, while also enjoying really good food and wine.”
Her new restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner that will feature season menus focusing on local food products “with a wordly spin.”
Whether a lunch meeting, a short visit for a quick cocktail or a glass of wine after work or a night out with a group of friends, Hoffmeister said her goal is to create an atmosphere that is welcoming and relaxed.
“I want it to be a place where I can welcome back my loyal customers and meet many new ones and build new relationships, experiences and memories,” she said.
Head chef Jace Oster and Hoffmeister have prepared a menu that features original soup and salads and main courses that include grilled cheese and bacon, homemade spatzle, stuffed peppers, Salisbury steak, brined pork chops and catch of the day fish.
The menu will change dramatically once every four to eight weeks, depending on the time of the year, and focus on local products, she said.
“We don’t have a deep fryer so none of our food will be fried and the focus, first and foremost, will always be on fresh and local,” she said.
Her parents, who have called Osoyoos home since 1989, owned a popular hotel and restaurant when she was growing up in Switzerland and she considers herself very fortunate to be working in an industry that remains a passion for her, said Hoffmeister.
Her late husband would be very proud of the changes and future success with Dolci Socialhouse, she said.
“I think he would be very happy with what we’ve done with the place,” she said.
Winter hours of operation will be Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. (maybe longer on the weekends). The restaurant will be closed on Sunday and Monday until tourist season begins.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
