A staple of downtown Kelowna’s food scene is shutting its doors for good.
After more than 22 years of serving the Okanagan, RauDZ Regional Table will permanently close at the end of 2023.
The final day of operation for RauDZ will be New Year's Eve.
Co-owners chef Rod Butters and Audrey Surrao revealed the news in a short video and post shared to the restaurant’s social media pages this morning.
“This iconic restaurant has been a labour of love, filled with incredible successes, many awards, and the establishment of lifelong relationships with cherished guests, dedicated suppliers, and a talented and loyal staff,” the post explained.
“Chef Butters still remembers the day they signed the lease and moved into the beautiful heritage building with the help of building owner Bill Scutt, a moment that marked the beginning of the development of this corner of downtown.”
While they didn’t list a specific reason for the closure, Surrao said in the video that the pair will focus their attention and energy on Sunny’s Modern Diner and Okanagan Table.
She added that you’ll be able to find her and Butters almost every day at Okanagan Table, their private event space, “doing what (they) love to do.”
“As we close this chapter, we invite our community to join us in our final weeks celebrating the successes, the memories, and the lifelong relationships that have been cultivated at RauDZ Regional Table,” Surrao and Butters noted.
“It has been an incredible journey, and we are immensely grateful for the support of our guests, suppliers and staff.”
Butters and Surrao originally opened the space as Fresco Restaurant & Lounge in mid-2001, but it was gutted and transformed into RauDZ in 2009.
Over the years, it became the benchmark for fine dining in the Kelowna core, serving innovative and delicious culinary creations using locally-sourced ingredients.
Those who have patronized the beloved Kelowna restaurant over the past 20-plus years now have just under five weeks to head there for a final meal and goodbye.
