Bouchons Bistro
Bouchons Bistro, an elegant French Bistro, opened for business 15 years ago in the heart of Kelowna’s cultural district. Located at a walking distance from the Delta Grand Hotel, the Kelowna Community Theatre, Prospera Place and the most popular art galleries. Our mission is to offer traditional authentic French cuisine in a casual elegant ambiance using products from the local farms and producers.
When Stephane Facon first laid eyes on Kelowna in 2014, it was love at first sight for the Parisian pastry chef. “It was exactly what we wanted: the fruit, the wine, the lake, themountain,” he reflected. In 2001, he and his wife, Beatrice, had moved their family from Paris to Shediac, New Brunswick, where they opened LaBoulangerie Française. But after four years of subzero EastCoast winters, they were ready for a warmer climate. A friend recommended they visit Vancouver and Kelowna and Stéphane flew west to investigate. Within hours of touchdown he called Beatrice.“We’re moving!” he announced. The timing was perfect. The owner of Bouchons Bistro, a 52-seatFrench restaurant in Kelowna, was selling and the Facons were ready to take his place. Quickly, the deal was sealed and Stéphane and Beatrice began creating an indelible culinary imprint in the city.
Bouchons Bistro had long been known for superb, traditional French cuisine, the kind of restaurant chosen for special celebrations like birthdays, anniversaries and graduations. The pair had a stellar reputation with which to begin their career as restaurateurs, and slowly, they added select dishes to the menu to reflect the creations they’d known and loved when they dined out in Paris. To cater to vegans and vegetarians, they introduced a tarte Mediterranean, a vegan bourguignon and vegan cheese. Foiegras was a must, and salmon gravlax and halibut were other popular new items.“Our most sought-after dishes are the snails, onion soup, cassoulet and lamb rack,” Stéphane said. “My personal favourites are the foie gras au torchon, bouillabaisse and duckconfit.”
