world date night with a warm atmosphere and delicious eats to boot , dinner at the Star Grill makes a perfect substitute .
For twenty one years this little spot has transformed a narrow room across from Assiniboine Park into a dreamy destination . Festooned with silver stars and astrological ephemera on the night-blue walls , the effect is at once quirky and cozy .
Service is just as stellar , which is good , because the menu can overwhelm with options . The large selection includes shareable plates , upscale entrées , and casual classics .
Seafood is a highlight here--irresistible calamari , dusted with lemon pepper , have been a menu star since this publication reviewed the restaurant in 2005 , if not longer . A pile of the tender rings anoints a scrumptious seafood ravioli , also topped with juicy shrimp and a rosette of smoked salmon , and a heady parmesan cream sauce scented with lemon .
ciao ! reviews
Pickerel is also a must . A cornmeal crust clings to the perfectly tender and flaky fish when served as an appetizer , ready to be dunked in zippy horseradish aioli . Coconut shrimp , another starter staple , may cause arguments over doubledipping . Served with an irresistible mango sauce , it starts cool with coconut and ends with a kick of spice .
Ultra-decadent comfort food is all the rage these days , but Star Grill shows the value of a little restraint and practices a rare type of elegance : simplicity . A tender slab of pork schnitzel with fried onions , tangy sauerkraut , and a horseradish cream sauce proves the value of a classic . Opt for the thick house cut , skin-on fries on the side .
Vegetarians are well served with a tower of power that layers pankocrusted strips of tofu and eggplant with sweet roasted red peppers , mushrooms , and spinach . Plated on a bed of mashed potatoes , this scrumptious stack is doused in an herby and aromatic tomato sauce .
If you really want to know what ’ s written in the stars , in-house psychic Reid Edwards provides nightly tarot card readings ( except Wednesdays and Sundays ). But even those of us without psychic gifts can see something sweet in our future , thanks to the enticing dessert case by the door which contains an ever-changing array of treats made in house .
On one visit , a towering lemon and white chocolate torte balanced light sweetness with zing , while death by chocolate seduced with layers of surpassingly creamy mousse . Chewy bread pudding , studded with cranberries and served warm in a puddle of sticky caramel sauce , is a perfect finish to a meal , served with a cup of strong dark coffee .
Star Grill is open Mon-Fri 10 am-10 pm and Sat and Sun 9 am-10 pm .
Made with love in Nunavut .
Snowy Owl / Oopik necklace by Goota Ashoona , Cape Dorset , NU .
Visit our two locations for unique , handmade pieces by Manitoban and Canadian artists .
Gallery Shop Winnipeg Art Gallery , 300 Memorial Blvd • shopwag . ca WAG @ The Forks Johnston Terminal , 25 Forks Market Rd
ciao ! / feb / mar / two thousand eighteen 29