BIBO WINE BAR OPENS IN OSOYOOS

Wedged into a block of small, flat-roofed Mom and Pop shops on Main Street, Bibo Wine Bar may be the hippest thing to ever happen to Osoyoos.

The one week old watering hole (opened May 8, 2008) is the latest project from Chef Brad Lazarenko and his restaurants partners in Edmonton's Manduco Restaurant Group , the people who also brought us the Passa Tempo restaurant at the Spirit Ridge Hotel and Resort. Many of the kitchen staff and design associates are also Passa Tempo alumni.

Restaurant manager Shelley Couture describes the decor of the 50-seat capacity room as "dark, sultry and romantic". It's an effect heightened by the wood panelled walls, barn plank floor and ceiling, dark chocolate brown leather seating and low-glow lamps on the two-top tables. We think it has the vibe of Dad's retro dream rec room crossed with western saloon, a look that may be blistering hot in Manhattan right now, but in Osoyoos could easily be mistaken for a look that never got out of town.

Regardless, the long. dominant bar sends the message that this is the place to set a spell and pull a cork out a bottle with your teeth -- preferably from one of the local South Okanagan boutique wineries, although international labels will also be offered on the wine list. The word "Bibo" is latin and means "Cheers!", or "A toast!", and maybe on a really interesting night ..."Say, them's a nice set of spurs you got there, son."

As for food it's lunch starting at 11:30 a.m. and then a round up of tapas all day until Midnight (Thursday through Saturdays) and 10 p.m. (Monday through Wednesday). For now the restaurant will remain closed on Sundays.


BIBO WINE BAR
8316 Main Street, Osoyoos
250-495-6686
(Web site is in the making)