Charles Perrutel and his wife Johanne Dupont are the proud owners of the new Convivia Restaurant in downtown Osoyoos. The couple, along with head chef Mathieu Vallieres (far right) worked together for many years at a restaurant in Quebec.

Vallieres will be taking over Convivia when Perrutel and Dupont retire sometime in the next few years. The owners and chef are very pleased with the response to their European-style bistro since it opened in late May.

When Charles Perrutel first visited British Columbia and the South Okanagan valley as a young man, he promised himself one day he would return.

After running a successful restaurant for more than 30 years in Trois Rivieres, Que., Perrutel and his wife Johanne Dupont have made good on that promise as the proud new owners of Convivia Restaurant.

Since opening on the May long weekend, Perrutel and Dupont have been thrilled with the response by locals and tourists alike at their French and Italian-style bistro, located on the corner of 85th Street and 74th Avenue.

“When I was a young man, I worked all across B.C. as a welder,” he said. “I loved the area very much and always thought this is where I wanted to be when I retired.

“I’m not quite retired yet, of course, but when my wife and I sold our restaurant in Quebec, this is the place where we wanted to be.”

After seeking out possible locations to open their own restaurant across the South Okanagan for well over a year, Perrutel and his wife found out the building leased by former MLA John Slater was available.

They decided Osoyoos is where they wanted to be, made an offer that was accepted and spent several months working with contractors to turn the office building into a beautiful and modern restaurant.

“We chose Osoyoos because of the weather and because the people here are so very nice and kind,” said Perrutel. “So far, so good as the people seem to really like the restaurant and our food. We wanted to bring a European-style bistro food experience to Osoyoos and we’re very pleased with the response after the first three months.”

Head chef Mathieu Vallieres worked for Perrutel and Dupont for 15 years at their restaurant in Quebec and it wasn’t hard to convince him to join them in Osoyoos.

“We want Mathieu to take over as owner when we finally decide to fully retire in three or four years,” said Perrutel. “He has been part of our team for 15 years and is a tremendous chef and we didn’t want to open our new restaurant in Osoyoos without him.”

Vallieres said he is loving his job and life in Osoyoos.

“I was ready for a big move and the timing was right,” he said. “I have always wanted to own my own restaurant and I know I will have that opportunity here.”

The menu at Convivia features traditional bistro-style European food, including pasta and pizza, lamb, veal, salmon and filet mignon entrees with numerous salads and appetizers, said Vallieres.

Another house specialty is “authentic French-Canadian poutine.”

Nothing served is frozen at any time.

“Everything we serve is homemade and we use only fresh ingredients and this includes all of our desserts,” he said.

Lunch is served between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., with dinner servings offered between 4:30 p.m. and closing.

All entrees are offered in smaller portions at reduced prices, said Vallieres.

Dupont said she couldn’t be happier with the support for the new restaurant.

“My English isn’t that good, but the people have been so kind and they try and help me and are very patient,” she said. “I find the people in this town are very friendly and comforting and have gone out of their way to make us feel at home.

“They also seem to really like our food and that’s what it’s all about.”