Ciao! February March 2020 CIAO_FebMar2020 | Page 36

bestlist JOIN US FOR THE ULTIMATE STEAK EXPERIENCE At Sandman Hotel 1750 Sargent Avenue 204 788 2015 WALK-IN GUESTS ALWAYS WELCOME chop.ca 34 ciao! / feb/mar / two thousand twenty Enoteca A-1670 Corydon Ave, 204-487-1529. This ultra-hip space boasts a creative sharing plate style menu using exotic ingredients. WA, LP, IA, M, V Máquè 909 Dorchester Ave, 204-284-3385. Impeccable adaptations of pan-Asian cuisine in a cozy Crescentwood dining room. Try the smoked duck or soy braised shiitake steamed baos. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V The Mitchell Block 173 McDermot Ave, 204-949-9032. Chic spot serves chef/owner Sean McKay’s eclectic, Mediterranean influenced menu. Upstairs lounge Wet & Dry Dept. offers elevated sharing plates. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V The Oxbow 557 Osborne St, 204-691-5373. This local-centric restaurant with an ever- changing menu focuses on seasonal ingredients like pickerel. Natural wines are a perfect pairing. LP, A, IA, M, V The Palm Lounge Fort Garry Hotel, 222 Broadway, 1-800- 665-8088. This swish lounge boasts an opulent ceiling and live jazz, while the kitchen presents stellar scratch-made sensations. WA, LP, A, M, V, ATM Rudy’s Eat & Drink 375 Graham Ave, MB Hydro Place, main floor, 204-421-9094. Diners enjoy mod offerings, like steak frites, and elevated comfort dishes in a retro glam atmosphere. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Saddlery on Market 114 Market Ave, 204-615-1898. Twists on comfort food are presented in an East Exchange District heritage space, once the site of the Great West Saddlery Company. WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V Wood Tavern 112 Marion St, 204- 235-6003. Cozy and cool restaurant inside the Norwood Hotel features a huge wood-fired grill that scents the sprawling space. Andouille sausage with fire-grilled pepper ketchup is a standout. WA, LP, SP, IA, M, ITALIAN/CLASSIC Colosseo Ristorante 670 Corydon Ave, 204-284-4977. House- made, classic Italian fare makes this the place for Italian cravings. A friendly environment makes it a favourite for family outings. WA, SP, LP, IA, M, V Mona Lisa 1697 Corydon Ave, 204-488-3687. The cuisine of the Grande family’s southern Italy home has been offered for more than 30 years at this neighbourhood restaurant. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V, ATM Monticchio 684 Osborne St, 204-477-4773. This South Osborne mainstay serves traditional recipes in a contemporary space. Try the signature breaded veal topped with kalamata olives and provolone cheese. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Pasquale’s 109 Marion St, 204-231-1403. This long-standing destination treats all as family. Classic pastas, red sauces and old fashioned recipes keep diners raving. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Tre Visi Café 926 Grosvenor Ave, 204-475-4447. Chef/owner Giacomo Appice’s nationally recognized Italian- Mediterranean cuisine includes one of the city’s most sumptuous gnocchi. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V ITALIAN/ CONTEMPORARY Bellissimo 1-877 Waverley St, 204-489-0495. This surprisingly sophisticated neighbourhood spot offers sublime fare, like the spinach agnolotti stuffed with mascarpone and spiced squash. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Café Carlo 243 Lilac St, 204-477-5544. This cozy, chic and consistent bistro serves dishes spiked with equatorial tastes and textures. Those in the know come for stellar beef tenderloin. Reservations recommended. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Café La Scala 725 Corydon Ave, 204-474-2750. Chic spot blends elegant Italian cuisine with trendy tapas to share and hip cocktails to sip. A hit of Sambuca gives modern edge to classic cioppino soup. LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Cibo Waterfront Café 339 Waterfront Dr, 204-594-0339. Renovated heritage space boasts one of the best views in the city. Standouts include arancini balls in fragrant marinara. LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Harth 1-980 St Anne’s Rd, 204-255-0003. Way south suburban locale draws with its stunning tapas-style menu designed by chef Brent Genyk. Italian delicacies like house-made pasta are stand-outs. WA, LP, IA, M, V Osteria del Piolo 3670 Roblin Blvd, 204-594-9550. Cutting-edge eatery features a wood- fired grill and pizza oven. Gnocchi tossed in sharp pecorino and fontina is a must-try. “Pub” side crafts stellar cocktails. WA, SP, LP, A, IA, M, V Nicolino’s 4-2077 Pembina Hwy, 204-269-5004. Owner Nick Zifarelli oversees a menu of rustic Italian classics sparkling with regional ingredients. Tangy béchamel is a revelatory addition to the Lasagna Emiliana. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Passero and Corto 1 Forks Market Rd, 204-219-7300. Corto serves as a sandwich counter and specialty coffee shop at lunch. Passero opens at night with thoughtful offerings like roasted pork belly and ricotta gnocchi. WA, LP, IA, M, V