Being in the heart of the Okanagan Valley, a city like Kelowna truly has a charm all its own. With a burgeoning restaurant scene, there are plenty of concepts scattered across the growing city that both locals and tourists alike enjoy flocking to year-round.
Opened in August 2014 and owned by Top Chef Canada alumnus Chris Shaften, Krafty Kitchen + Bar has become one of the city's most popular spots. It's known well for its creative dishes, a lively hip-hop brunch service on the weekend and an impeccable cocktail program.
As the owner happily admits, Krafty is a bit of an odd name. He says that it's one that came about for a number of reasons.
First, as an ode to the cheekiness and craftiness of the chef's food and drinks his manager conjures up. Furthermore, the abbreviation of his last name granted him the nickname “Shafty” in his younger years. This nickname would eventually evolve to “Crafty Shafty”.
“Naming dishes things like ‘ling cod feu de camp’ when we roast ling cod in foil with aromatics before opening it table side is a nod to camping cookery”, says the restaurateur. “We also try to describe wines with playful, crafty descriptions. For example, describing an off-dry Riesling we currently have on the menu as a wine that ‘tickles your senses like fast food after the bar’.”
So, what's with the "K"?
Shaften says it is an ode to Kelowna and if you were wondering about the ‘+’ part too, he jokes that it was just "a 2014 thing".
Krafty Kitchen + Bar is open seven days a week for dinner and for brunch, lunch and dinner on Saturdays and Sundays.
