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find your gift
It is said , the meaning of life is to find your gift , and the purpose of life is to give it away . After a certain age , we come to know the truth in that !
At this time of the year , gift giving is top of mind . It is a fine art , even if you do know a person well . However , that is how this magazine can help !
This Special Holiday Issue is our annual opportunity to share Winnipeg ’ s best shopping , dining , and entertainment – and refresh our readers ’ memories of some of those places that may have been forgotten . Excitement mounts each year as we discover new great gift ideas found in locally owned stores and shine a light on some of the creative superstars on the culinary scene . Our directory of stores and restaurants has been curated for discerning tastes including the types of businesses we send our own families and friends to . Every business appearing in Ciao ! is a first- hand endorsement from our editorial search . Virtually all the recommendations are locally owned and operated . I am proud to say that Shop Local has been the mantra at Ciao ! since its launch in 1997 !
The it list on page 11 presents the best independent retail businesses and best list on page 52 rounds up choice restaurants : something no other magazine offers .
A multi-page gift guide themed by popular special interests presents great gift ideas discovered - they represent a glimpse of the fun things found in Winnipeg ’ s best destination stores . We hope these unexpected delights will inspire everyone to explore .
This magazine presents our choices for the top five new restaurants that opened this year – between fall of 2022 and fall 2023 . They have a commonality
– they all serve exemplary cuisine in settings with a side of escapism . Whether sitting adjacent a lush tropical biome , surrounded by rose coloured velvet or sitting beneath twinkling lights amid tiki masks , this year ’ s bumper crop of restaurants invites us to suspend reality a little by enveloping us in a multi-sensory experience . I think we can agree , this is an idea we are ready for ! Gather Craft Kitchen and Bar , tops the list as this year ’ s best new restaurant for boldly making a mark catering to Winnipeg ’ s diversity within the new architectural wonder , The Leaf at Assiniboine Park . Read Ciao ! reviews for more .
This issue highlights another highlight of the holidays – entertaining and gathering with friends . Three pros share their recipes for brunch favourites that work equally well for midday celebrations . See inthekitchen ( page 37 ) for recipes that are simply outstanding .
Lastly , if you would like to share this copy of Ciao ! with someone you know , without giving up your own , a digital issue is available to download at ciaowinnipeg . com for their handy reference . The digital issue offers a bonus of linking to websites of advertisers on these pages . It is the ultimate reference guide to the best of everything !
Until February , may your holiday season be filled with the gifts of the season and much joy !
Merry Christmas !
Laurie Hughes , Publisher
4 ciao ! / dec / jan / two thousand twenty-three