first word two decades of super-deals
first word two decades of super-deals
Twenty years ago Ciao ! launched Dine About Winnipeg , a winter restaurant event to celebrate local restaurants and bolster the dining scene during the icy temperatures of winter . Over the years , this multi-restaurant promotion has mobilized thousands of Winnipeggers to expand their culinary repertoire and discover new spots . Ciao ! Dine About Winnipeg has engaged the restaurant community and some of the city ’ s best chefs to highlight what they do and offer it at an incredible price . For restaurants , presenting super deals on their chef ’ s creations at the beginning of February is a way of thanking regular patrons for their business throughout the year . In fact , the season of restaurant weeks has already started across cities across North America , transforming dining down time into a marathon of eating .
This year ’ s event runs from Feb 9-25 and offers a variety of price categories from which to choose . Prix fixe meals are set at $ 19 , $ 29 ,$ 39 and $ 49 and the offers are designed to impress . Sample menus are listed in this issue of Ciao ! and additional options offered by each restaurant are found on our website , ciaowinnipeg . com .
You can expect these restaurants to fill up , and reservations are required to allow establishments to prepare . ( You wouldn ’ t want to be surprised by how many were coming over for dinner to your place would you ?) We know dining out is key to helping restaurants survive and thrive in tough times . Now we need to continue this support by changing our habits and being part of their solution .
There is one effortless yet meaningful way to help . Every dining decision matters , and it is important to remember every reservation made sets a process in motion at the restaurant , from scheduling staff to purchasing and preparing food . For smaller establishments with fewer tables , holding seats for expected patrons often means turning away others . In turn , making multiple reservations on the same night hurts the places getting ‘ no shows ’, incurring costs
of lost business . If something unforeseen comes up , be prompt and courteous by informing your choice restaurant of the change . As local loving Ciao ! hounds I am enlisting you as ‘ courtesy dining ambassadors ’, asking you to share the importance of being courteous diners . In doing so , we all help the restaurant community , which leads to better restaurant experiences for all of us . Over the years , Ciao ! Dine About Winnipeg has introduced many people to new tastes and places and this year promises to do the same .
Also in this issue we go in the kitchen with Costa Danakas of Nikos and Thu Nguyen of Pho # 1 who are masters of comfort cooking . Big pots of soups , stews and casseroles are their specialties , and they unlock the secrets to their prized recipes .
The focus of top tables this issue turns to restaurants that have been lasting favourites along with two upstarts of 2023 . This physically and mentally demanding industry is not for the faint of heart , and our choice eateries prove their mettle with unwavering quality standards and commitment to details .
Enjoy this issue and all the great eating to which it will lead ! Be sure to mention Ciao ! to business owners of new places you visit and drop us a line about your favourite dishes and early 2024 discoveries !
Laurie Hughes , Publisher
ciao ! / feb / mar / two thousand twenty-four 3