THAI
Bangkok Thai 100 Osborne St, 2nd floor, 204- 474‐0908. Located within the beautiful courtyard at the corner of Osborne and River, this sunlit room creates the perfect setting for exotic Thai dishes. LP, IA, M, V Magic Thailand 842 Logan Ave, 204-774-0839. Well-travelled locals in the know consider this simply styled spot a go-to for authentic cusine like curries and stir fry dishes. WA, IA, M, V Sabai Thai Eatery 1113 Corydon Ave, 204‐888‐6508. The succinct menu at this hot spot has popular standbys as well as a few contemporary house specials like pickerel cheeks in rich peanutsesame sauce. WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V Sassy Thai 3311 Roblin Blvd, 204-615-8989. Predominantly south Asian Thai cuisine. Try the Yum Nua salad of pungently spiced grilled sirloin brightened with tangy lime vinaigrette and herbs. AI, M, V Siam Thai 587 St. Anne’ s Rd, 204-254‐7765. This small, suburban eatery focuses its cuisine on central Thailand and uses the freshest produce. Chef’ s specials include stir-fried chicken in chile jam. WA, LP, IA, M, V Sukhothai 191 Osborne St, 204-633‐6907. The modern interior is a good counterpoint to classic Thai cuisine. Well spiced dishes hit the mark for hot heads and hot and sour soup keeps fans returning. WA,
LP, IA, M, V
UKRAINIAN
Food Culture 645 Sterling Lyon Parkway, Unit 9, 204-221-2985. Orange poppies set the palette in this lovely newcomer. Exceptional perogies, borscht and cabbage rolls pair with less familiar delights. WA, LP, IA, M, V
MLYN 709 Corydon Ave, 431-570-1351. A menu of authentic beloved signatures that Baba would approve is served amid folk art. A, IA, M, V
VEGETARIAN
Affinity Vegetarian Garden [ Chinese ] 100‐208 Edmonton St, 204-943‐0251. With 88 dishes, this small eatery has the most diverse vegetarian menu in town. For those who can’ t decide, try a combination plate. IA, M, V Fortify 123 Marion St, 204-231-5333. Health-focused eatery serves nutrient-dense plant-based eats and a large selection of energizing smoothies. On-site boutique carries health and beauty. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V bestlist
The Green Falafel 1833 Grant Ave, 204-557-7837. Judging from the frequent line-ups, falafel platters and wraps come with high praise. Try the silky smooth hummus. WA, IA, M, V Organic Planet 877 Westminster Ave, 204-772-8771. This grassroots worker co-op houses a juice bar and vegan deli that pumps out creative and healthful fare. Try the dino salad with black kale and tahini dressing. IA, M, V, WA Thyme Café and Books 268 Tache Ave, 204-233-0441. This cozy reading nook puts a focus on seasonal and regional ingredients. The southern fried tofu sandwich is a standout. A, IA, M, V Verde Juice Bar 887 Westminster Ave, 204-615-8733. Mod spot serves energy boosting juices and smoothies alongside superfood salads and snacks. Try the acai bowl, loaded with berries and shredded coconut. WA, AI, M, V
VIETNAMESE
Dalat 2‐1170 Taylor Ave, 204-895‐3222. Highlights among almost 200 menu choices are hot and sour soup, ginger-fried beef and shrimp with lemongrass. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Le Colonial 208 Marion St, 204-231-3005. A menu nodding to France’ s culinary influence on Vietnamese cooking mingles signatures with novel reimaginations. WA, LP, IA, M, V Pho Hoang 4 locations. The pho at these chic and comfortable spots ranks among the city’ s best. Rich broth gains its deep flavour from a 24-hour simmering process WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Thanh Huong 534 Sargent Ave, 204-774‐8888. French‐accented North Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine is on offer at this West End spot. The satay beef soup is a triumph. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Viva 505 Sargent Ave, 204-772‐3167. Family-owned and operated West End hot spot. Traditional favourites like deluxe vermicelli and bánh mì are highlights. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
WORLD FOOD
Reflecting Winnipeg’ s ethnocultural diversity, this category represents our top choices from the many small, primarily family‐run restaurants in town. The decor at most of these is simple and / or the location is out of the way. However, each restaurant represents food from the owner’ s culture, with sometimes astonishingly low prices that reflect the simplicity of the service and surroundings, not the quality of the food.
Aroma Bistro [ Asian Fusion ] 741 St Mary’ s Rd, The Forks Market, 204‐691-6364. Chinese homestyle pork wontons, chili oil and“ la la” seasoning are the three essential ingredients forming the dishes here. IA, M, V Asian Hot Pot [ Asian Fusion ] 740 Corydon Ave, 204‐615‐8878. Cheery strip mall spot serves do-it-yourself-deliciousness in the form of soups that simmer at the table. 20 broth options and more than 70 ingredients to add. WA, LP, A, M, V Banza Noodle & Tea House [ Asian Fusion ] 102 Sherbrook St, 204-306-4188. Pull up to the bar for a bowl of Vietnamese pho, Japanese ramen or Korean bibimbap. Housemade broth wins fans at this noodle and tea house. IA, M, V Baraka Pita Bakery [ Lebanese ] 1783 Main St, 204‐334‐2004. Famous for house-fired pita bread, this North End gem offers falafel pitas, pita pizzas and specialty dips like hummus. WA, IA, V, M
Basta!( Filipino) The Forks Market. Locally acclaimed chef Norm Pastorin celebrates his ancestral dishes from the Philippines. Crispy lumpia, adobe chicken and leche flan are early hits. WA, IA, M, V Beaurivage Bistro [ Lebanese ] 637 Corydon Ave, 204-691-6999. Charming Lebanese eatery with a prix fixe dinner menu. Try kibbeh, a delicious spiced beef croquette.
WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V
BMC Market [ Mexican ] 1113 Henderson Hwy, 722 Osborne Street, 204-306-4188. Bargain spot for some of the city’ s best tacos and quesadillas. A tiny but impressive shelf of Mexican specialties. IA, M, V Deen’ s [ Caribbean ] 205 Marion St, 204-233‐2208. Short-order Trinidadian dishes such as roti served in a variety of ways. The shrimp is the pick. LP, SP, A, IA, V Emerald Palace [ Chinese ] 704 Sargent Ave, 204‐788‐4573. Authentic fare served up in a bustling atmosphere. Try the famous fried butter chicken. WA, A, IA, M, V Gojo [ Ethiopian ] 533 Sargent Ave, 204-615-0785. Made fresh every morning, injera is perfect for scooping up vibrant flavours like lamb tibs cooked with spiced butter. Signature veggie combos are stand out. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V, ATM JC’ s Tacos and More [ Mexican ] 187 Henderson Hwy, 204‐414‐9187. This cheerful locale offers madefrom-scratch dishes like pupusas, tortas and tacos.. WA, IA, V, LP, M Kokeb [ Ethiopian ] 266 Edmonton St, 204‐784‐9267. Expect traditional stews of split peas, lentils and cabbage. Try a cup of coffee or tea. WA, IA, M, V
54 ciao! / dec / jan / two thousand twenty-five