Chinese Canadian dishes , regardless of origin ooze goodness here . With growing popularity of adventures in dining , Emerald Palace is a staple for enthusiastic eaters of all backgrounds .
THE FRENCHWAY Neighbourhood .......... Corydon Address ................ 238 Lilac St Phone ............. 204-421-9002 Entrées ....................... $ 7- $ 17
There is nothing quite like the aromatic greeting of a bakery . Wafts of freshly baked bread , brownies and other sugary delights seem to instantly trigger cravings for something sweet and a hot steaming beverage to pair it with . This sensual seduction awaits guests at The Frenchway bakery café , luring foodsters with its French leanings .
Small indulgences like miniature St . Honoré , lemon tarts and creamy éclairs win us over with spun caramelized sugar , perfectly swirled meringue and slick chocolate icing . Equally desirable , if not as fancifully French , butter tarts and brownies bless those seeking comfort in something more homestyle .
Beyond the glass encased pastries , the kitchen turns out a complete roster of savoury meals for day dining . The natural beauty of an all-day cross-over menu is its inherent approval of our personal sleep habits . Breaking fast mid-afternoon with a bowl of oatmeal or plate of eggs is not weird .
A rotating selection of creative house-made soups ( Thai pumpkin is on offer for our visit ), salads and sandwiches are fresh and consistent cafécrowd pleasers , but venture beyond ciao ! reviews
these staples and discover what makes this hub spot really shine .
Signature oven roasted turkey is the star ingredient piled in a ciabatta bun in one of the city ’ s best club sandwiches and adds meatiness to a cream sauce filling one of the delicate crêpe selections . Opt for the latter and be treated to luscious brie-infused gravy dotted with cranberries and green onions adding pops of sour to each bite . Bright green asparagus spears and a tangle of sprouts garnish this pretty dish .
The pharoah ’ s vacation , a playfully named breakfast , presents a medley of mezze in hot and cold bites . Fluffy hummus , corn salsa , roasted red pepper and zucchini , poached eggs and toast offer a wink and a nod to Middle Eastern fare . Surf benedict features beet cured salmon gravlax topping slices of baguette bathing in house-made hollandaise for a twist on a classic eggs Benny featuring a perfectly poached pair from Nature ’ s Farms eggs .
The Frenchway is a tour de force feeding our desire for edible comfort .
THE GROVE Neighbourhood .... River Heights Address ........... 164 Stafford St Phone .............. 204-415-3262 Entrées ..................... $ 16- $ 19
The warm glow of low-hanging lamps illuminates diners behind The Grove ’ s street-facing windows and draws in passers-by without warning – but give into the pull and you ’ ll be happy to discover the charm of this British gastropub .
A modest lounge and dining room scattered with simple wooden chairs and small tables are separated by a dark , horse-shoe shaped bar seating patrons face-to-face . It is the first hint to this neighbourhood hang ’ s philosophy : community , camaraderie and sharing drinks with close mates .
The menu is clue number two . Shareable crowd-pleasers prompt enjoying food in the company of others . Palate prickling gochujang wings offer novel subtle spice and baked feta dip soothes appetites with a velvety moat of warm , salty , and cheesy delight . A similar richness characterizes the chicken pot pie , swimming in cream sauce and mixed with meat and vegetables under a golden layer of puff pastry .
Familiar pub-grub with inventive spark embraces eaters of all generations . Those from the other side of the pond will gladly notice Brit chips ( fries ) and sarnies ( sandwiches ) dotting the menu . The salmon sarnie swaps cod for a generous portion of succulent and flaky fish . Zesty chèvre and avocado add a luscious creaminess and tart grilled pineapple cuts with hints of sour and sweet .
Popular pizza picks and reimagined pies cohabitate on the menu . Paige 2.0 swaps expected sauce for a sweet hoisin glaze that mellows out spicy slices of jalapeño . Morsels of tender chicken and bacon intermingle with sweet cooked onion and chèvre . Chewy house-made crust creates an ultra-thin bite that lets luxurious toppings shine .
Sugarcoated cinnamon sticks reminiscent of a Mexican churro might not be exclusively British , but crispy-on-the-outside , soft-on-theinside pastry with warm chocolate caramel sauce is enough to win over the heart of any bloke . The Grove has surely won ours .
24 ciao ! / feb / mar / two thousand twenty-three