A new restaurant called Raven and Pine Mountain Eatery has opened in Golden, B.C., following an extensive renovation of the former Ricky’s Bar and Grill, located in the Prestige Golden Hotel on TransCanada Highway, with its owners aiming to create a warm, mountain-inspired gathering place that reflects the character of the community and a delicious new menu.
The restaurant launched Valentine’s Day weekend after months of planning and construction, transforming the longstanding highwayside location into a space that feels cozy, modern, and unmistakably Golden. The redesign includes expanded seating, a refreshed dining room, a new bar and lounge area, fresh landscaping and a large patio positioned to take in the surrounding stunning mountain views of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
Co-owner Jeremy Roth and his partner Sascha Hillebrand have spent more than 15 years operating restaurants in communities across British Columbia. Roth says the goal from the outset was to build something that felt rooted in the town’s identity.
“Everything about Raven and Pine is Goldeninspired,” he said.
“The name, the menu, the atmosphere, even what we have on tap — it all comes from spending time here, getting to know the people and asking what would genuinely add something new,” Roth says.
On tap features beer from the local “Whitetooth Brewery.” Daily features are being offered, breakfast is available daily, and the restaurant will provide a late-night option for guests looking for food or beverage until 11 pm, including Happy Hour. While some menu items will be familiar, such as burgers and salads, Roth says, they aspired to “create something that wasn’t here before.”
The new restaurant provides something fresh and different for the community of Golden, B.C. The menu has variety and something for everyone, including those with a plant-based diet or allergies.
Roth and his partner and co-owner first met in 2007, when Sascha was working as a chef and Jeremy as a server. The two quickly found common ground in their shared interest in hospitality and their desire to build restaurants that reflected the communities they served.
Owning and running restaurants since 2010, the couple went on to open and operate restaurants in Cranbrook, Salmon Arm, Kelowna, Kamloops, Vernon, Smithers, Nelson, and Prince George. Their experience spans a wide range of settings, including golf courses, ski hills, and several locations within Prestige Hotels.
“We’re not owners that come in, and you never see again,” Roth says, adding, “we love skiing and supporting local businesses.”
Over the years, they have developed a reputation for tailoring each new venture to its surroundings — a philosophy they say is central to their work. With a strong work ethic, they have built a good relationship with the Prestige Hotel through opening restaurants at the Cranbrook and Kelowna locations.
“Whenever we open a place in a new community, we take the time to see what’s out there and create something different,” Jeremy said. “We do not want to duplicate what already exists. We want to complement it.”
The renovation was extensive. Walls were reconfigured to create more intimate seating areas, the bar was rebuilt to accommodate a broader drink selection, and the patio was expanded to maximize views of the Purcell and Rocky Mountains. New landscaping was added to soften the exterior and create a more welcoming entrance for both locals and travellers.
Inside, the décor leans into natural textures and warm tones, with wood accents, soft lighting and a layout designed to encourage longer stays. The owners say they wanted the space to feel equally comfortable for families, hotel guests, highway travellers, and Golden residents looking for a relaxed evening out.
Raven and Pine’s menu reflects the owners’ experience in diverse culinary environments, offering a range of dishes intended to appeal to different tastes and dining styles. While the owners have not positioned the restaurant as specializing in any single cuisine, they say the focus is on quality, comfort, and flexibility.
“This is our introductory menu. We create a menu that we think is good. There will always be tweaks. We like to change it annually, just swap out what is not selling and bring in something new for guests to try. The same goes for drink items,” Roths says.
Opening weekend brought a mix of clientele, including guests from the hotel, travellers passing through on the TransCanada Highway and Golden residents curious about the new addition to the local dining scene.
As the restaurant settles into its first weeks of operation, the owners say they plan to continue adjusting the menu and training staff.
For now, they are focused on what they have always prioritized: creating a space that feels connected to the community it serves.
