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Last Friday night a party of eight arrived at downtown Penticton's The Black Antler restaurant.
The group was packed with recognizable faces -- a DJ, a well-known barber, a well-known musician who's also a well-known barber, a photographer. Folks who work in the public eye and often partake in stuff like fundraisers and events.
Right in the centre (at the back left of the above pic) was a young banking industry employee named Alyson Corry. She was the reason they'd gathered. It was her birthday.
But there was much more than birthday burgers and cake on the menu this Friday night.
This would be a night for something else entirely. Something that hadn't even existed 'til a month prior. Something that sprang from the imagination of Black Antler owner and head chef Dan Prokosh as a way to distinguish his restaurant from the alternatives.
Something that's served up on a cedar plank that stretches seven feet in length and needs two people to carry it.
It's called "The Huntsman."
Prokosh took a deep breath and explained.
"The Huntsman is 132 ounces of racks of pork ribs and 56 ounces of tomahawk steak (essentially a colossal bone-in rib-eye), with trimmings like roasted potatoes, fries, beans and coleslaw, accompanied with bacon, mac and cheese, deep fried cauliflower and our signature coconut prawns," he said, taking another breath in the middle.
It's unabashedly meaty and unabashedly enormous and it's intended to feed a group of eight. Or less, if you're even hungrier.
There is no vegetarian option.
"It’s definitely a lot of meat," said Prokosh. "But we get a lot of groups here, a lot of families, groups of friends who come in and drink our cocktails.
"So we wanted something a little grander than a charcuterie platter. So we decided to do a dinner charcuterie for eight."
The price? It's $285.
"I think that’s right on par with what you'd spend per individual going out for a dinner for two or ordering a steak for yourself," said Prokosh. "In fact, it's probably a little cheaper."
The Huntsman is available every day of the week -- no advanced warning needed. Just show up and be prepared to wait a few minutes longer than you would for a "regular" meal.
Friday's Huntsman order was the fourth for server Chelsea Piper since its Jan. 19 introduction.
"It's absolutely memorable," she said. "People see it on social media and love it. It's more than food. It's an experience.
"When they bring it out to the table, the whole restaurant will clap."
And so it was last Friday. With Prokosh and line chef Aldo Rodriguez doing the honours, The Huntsman made its way to the birthday gang. And there was applause from all around. And lots of photos too.
"I know Dan through work," said Corry. "He told me about it a month ago and it sounded really fun, so we chatted about it and now here we are."
Prokosh is thrilled with The Huntsman's performance so far. And he sees an even brighter future as the weather warms and the tourists show.
"I think it'll be a huge hit in the summertime," he said. "It's just one more reason we're not your average steak and pub fare place."
You'll find The Black Antler at 215 Winnipeg St, Penticton. Head here to find out more, or call 236-422-4002.
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