Hooded Merganser Restaurant

The atmosphere was great with a fantastic view of the lake, comfortable and roomy tables and chairs. It is nicely decorated and the staff was friendly efficient and helpful. Our server Katarina did a very good job and was efficient and friendly.
All of that is great but I do have a few comments about the food. I was surprised at the prices of the Steak Frites which included a small 6 oz steak and simple fast food fries. No starter bread or anything like that. The mediterranean rice bowl was fine but a bit dry, and came with no bread or anything. Crab mushroom apply was good but on the expensive side for portion size. The bouillabaisse was good but not great, price was ok.
Nothing was bad per se but price for value was lacking in my view.
Service great, atmosphere very nice, but my suggestion is to add maybe starter bread or a few vegetables or something to justify the price.The dessert was good and no complaints.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

The winter menu is poor. Not a lot of reasonably priced options. A steak for $62 for a 6oz piece of meat is not worth that amount of money. I had the burger $24, fair at best. Would not order it again. Won't go back until the menu changes. Once a great upscale place to eat, not anymore.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 5

Every one in the group enjoyed their meal again and we will be back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I went to this restaurant in December with family and the food was great. I returned Thursday January 8 with 4 friends and the food was terrible. I ordered the same meal both times the bouillabaisse. The 1st time it was excellent the 2nd time it was horrible. The sauce tasted exactly like Campbell’s tomato soup. 3 of my friends ordered the moussaka and it was swimming in a sauce that they all said tasted like Campbell soup. Never had any of us seen moussaka served with soup poured around it. The other person ordered the mushroom pasta and it was overcooked and looked like mush…this is an expensive restaurant and we expect quality food for the price. We won’t be returning.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 4

Amazing my favorite restaurant! Food is amazing!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The Hooded Merganser is an excellent restaurant! I highly recommend!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Really enjoyed the Hood’s new Happy Hour menu tonight. Everything Was delicious and the service from our server, Leah, was impeccable ❤️❤️❤️

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent food and great views from every seat. Absolutely beautiful! The service was exceptional. Too busy enjoying to take photos while dining. however it was a bit too pricy for me for just a dinner. Should go here if it is very special dinner. We did find the portions too small even for an upscale restaurant.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Love the view had great drinks really good food & good service as well , would totally come back 😝

Great place in Penticton, right on Okanagan Lake. The fresh pasta was perfect as was the sauce. Good wine selection of local wineries 🍷

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great food and service!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Very nice atmosphere with attentive, friendly service.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

To me, this is the best restaurant of the entire Okanagan region. It's combination of location, food, service, interior & crowd is hardly beatable! Will be coming again!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

5 star atmosphere. 5 star service.
1 star food.

Location, atmosphere, decor, view are all world class. Service from Wendy was top-notch. Unfortunately the food was probably some of the worst we've had anywhere in the Okanagan.

Everything was very underseasoned and bland.

For appetizers we had the octopus and the lemon pepper ribs. Octopus was cooked nicely but under seasoned. Served on a weird carrot puree that tasted like baby food. Ribs were fall off the bone tender but the only flavor profile on them was lemon so we had to add a lot of salt and pepper to make them palatable.

For entrees, I wanted to order the lamb but was told they were all out (at 6pm on a Tuesday) so had the mushroom canneloni and my wife ordered the braised chuck flat with ratatouille. Chuck flat was dry and had zero seasoning - just tasted like boiled beef. Sauce was not ratatouille at all but just pureed tomato with chunks of carrot and zucchini. No eggplant, no peppers, no spices, no garlic, no vinegar, nothing resembling a ratatouille and worst of all, no flavor other than stewed tomato.
Mushroom canneloni was small, and very bland with the filling just minced dried mushrooms and ricotta. Again no spices, garlic, or flavor. Wife was so put off by her dish that she sent it back after 2 bites. I was hungry so ate my canneloni anyway after adding salt and pepper to make it somewhat edible.

What a terrible shame to have such a beautiful gem of a restaurant with world class location, view, and ambience, yet to have food prepared this poorly. A good chef in a place like this should have a better understanding of flavor profiles and depth.

It's also telling that they never seem to reply to any of their reviews (at least not any recent ones)... makes one wonder if they really even care?

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 5

Great Lake view with delicious food made with fresh ingredients.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5