I'm not too sure the Okanagan is that ready for avant garde food (for them at any rate). About 3-4 years ago, we went to the Vanilla Pod in Summerland shortly after it opened. The chef/owner was from one of the better Vancouver restaurants and the menu was exciting and so was the food flavour wise. We went back a few months (or a year) later and found the food and menu had been toned down to local preferences. Looking at some website, I also found that he was selling the restaurant. Haven't been back under the new ownership but I wonder if the food is as exciting at the menu promises.

Those who want spicy food just go to the Asian resturants of their particular hankering. I still maintain that given some 1/6th of Okanagans are Germanic (describes my partner and her family), blandness is preferred in food flavouring. The winery restaurants (namely Quails Gate) or the one at that new Westbank resort (her parents sold the old resort that was there) actually aren't too bad but it's difficult to find flavourful foods otherwise.

http://www.thevanillapod.ca