Super Deluxe Pizzeria 4-433 River Ave, 204-475-4513. Osborne Village nook serves Neapolitan-style pies. Toppings range from classics like Margherita to contemporary combos like grape and blue cheese. WA, LP, IA, M, V Tre Visi Café 926 Grosvenor Ave, 204-475-4447. Chef / owner Giacomo Appice is the talent behind this sophisticated bistro. His nationally recognized Italian- Mediterranean cuisine includes the city’ s most sumptuous gnocchi. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Vera Pizzeria 670 Osborne St, 204-222-6306. 20-seat South Osborne space with a simple menu of Neapolitan-style pizza. Features clean preparation of high quality ingredients. LP, IA, M, V
ITALIAN / CONTEMPORARY
Bellissimo 1-877 Waverley St, 204-489-0495. This surprisingly sophisticated neighbourhood spot offers sublime fare, like the signature chicken linguine in Amaretto cream sauce. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Café Carlo 243 Lilac St, 204-477-5544. This cozy, chic and consistent bistro serves dishes spiked with equatorial tastes and textures. Those in the know come for stellar house-cut steaks. Reservations recommended. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Café La Scala 725 Corydon Ave, 204-474-2750. Chic spot blends elegant Italian cuisine with trendy tapas plates to share and hip cocktails to sip. LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Carbone 400-1580 Taylor Ave, 204-488-2554; 260 St Mary Ave, 204-691-2213; 680 St Anne’ s Rd, 204-615-8117; 3326 Portage Ave, 204-987-0952. Extra crispy crusts are the result of an 850 ° F coal-fired oven at this chic pizza place. Tantalizing toppings include arugula, calabrese salami and Parmesan. WA, SP, LP, A, IA, M, V Chaise Café and Lounge 271 Provencher Blvd, 204-504-4012. Set in the heart of St. Boniface, across from lush green space, this casualcontemporary setting offers smart takes on Italian classics. Standout pastries shouldn’ t be skipped. LP, SP, IA, M, V Cibo Waterfront Café 339 Waterfront Dr, 204-594-0339. Renovated heritage space boasts one of the best views in the city. Mediterranean small plates have big, bold flavours. Standouts include arancini balls in a fragrant tomato sauce. LP, SP, A, IA, M, V. bestlist
Mano A Mano 691 Corydon Ave, 204-414-6305. This sleek resto and lounge serves wood-fired pies built on Nonna’ s fresh dough meld with mod tastes. Fresh pasta and stellar seafood starters pair with creative cocktails. LP, SP, IA, M, V Nicolino’ s 4-2077 Pembina Hwy, 204-269-5004. Owner Nick Zifarelli oversees a menu of rustic Italian classics that sparkles with innovative Canadian / regional specialties. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Santa Ana 1631 St Mary’ s Rd, Unit F, 204-415-1440. Wood-fired and stone-baked pizzas and pastas are the star of this show. Hearty, meaty manicotti, with unexpected fennel notes, and tortellini stuffed with creamy ricotta romance the senses. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
jAPANEsE
Blüfish 179 Bannatyne Ave, 204-779-9888. This chic sushi spot balances sophistication with a healthy dose of fun. Try playful pan-seared cuttlefish with ginger-laced teriyaki sauce. LP, A, IA, M, V Ichiban 189 Carlton St, 204-925-7400. A Winnipeg tradition for over 30 years, teppanyaki-style fresh entrées are cooked with panache by talented chefs. A sushi bar featuring more than 20 rolls is also available. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Izakaya Edokko 190 Smith St, 204-615-5556. Sleek new space downtown offers modern Japanese eats. Small plates range from elevated street eats from okonomiyaki to delicate sushi rolls. WA, A, IA, M, V Meiji 454 River Ave, 204-284-3996. Offers unique house rolls like tropical and fashion roll. The ambiance and location make this sushi spot a memorable one. Try a fancy drink from attached G Martini Bar. LP, A, IA, M, V Miso 667 Stafford St, 204-452-1166. This spacious restaurant offers both traditional tatami floor seating and a modern dining area. An all-youcan-eat sushi menu is ideal for large groups who love to sample a variety of flavours. LP, IA, M, V, A Naru Sushi 159 Osborne St, 204-888-0028. The dark wood decor sets a sleek, urban mood. Menu offers traditional and fusion dishes including several vegetarian options. The moonbow roll is beautifully presented with colour coordinated roe and sauces. LP, SP, A, IA, M, V
Wasabi 105-121 Osborne St, 204-474-2332; 588 Broadway, 204-774-4328; 3-1360 Taylor Ave, 204-415-7878. New-school sushi is taken to new creative heights at all locations. Visually stunning rolls leave a lasting impression. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Yujiro Japanese Restaurant 1822 Grant Ave, 204-489-9254. Edward Lam’ s stylish incarnation of this former take-out spot is an ideal stop for traditional rolls. Try the delicate kaisou salad, mixed seaweed bathed in yuzu dressing. WA, LP, IA, M, V
KOREAN
IGI BBQ & Sushi Bistro 10-1875 Pembina Hwy, 204-477-9909. It’ s all about table-top, do-it-yourself barbeque at this all-you-can-eat Japanese and Korean focused restaurant. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Kimchi Sushi 1270 Pembina Hwy, 204-261-8888. Black walls and hanging lights give this sushi spot sleek style. The menu lists a variety of rolls as well as Korean specialties and dishes for kimchi lovers. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
MExICAN
Burrito Del Rio 433 River Ave, 204-415-5600; 775 Corydon Ave, 204-414-2440. This Tex-Mex eatery offers madeto-order favourites, including fajitas, burritos and quesadillas. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Burrito Splendido 4-3380 Portage Ave, 204-885-3889; 1504 St. Mary’ s Road, 204-957-6127. A smart, gourmet take on fast food. Fresh flour tortillas pressed in-house are loaded with fresh, mouthwatering toppings to make flavour-packed burritos and tacos. WA, LP, IA, M, V Carlos & Murphy’ s 129 Osborne St, 204-284-3510. Serves Mexican cantina food such as taco salads, hot wings, chimichangas, heaping Carlos nachos and renowned iced margaritas. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V
La Carnita 456 Main St, 204-504-4522. New Mexican spot brings life inside a Downtown heritage building. Mexican street corn on the cob coated in chili powder and topped with crema, queso añejo, árbol and ancho peppers is a highlight on the menu. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V La Roca 155 Smith St, 204-615-9605. A refreshing take on Mexican fare in downtown Winnipeg. The light and fresh flavours of coastal Mexico shine in taco trios, bright ceviche, and the city’ s best margaritas. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V
66 ciao! / dec / jan / two thousand seventeen