now open
❚ imbibe in style
Grab a seat at the bar or one of the precious 31 seats at Bar Accanto ( above ), the hip new St . Boniface destination for food and wine enthusiasts launched by the Nola team . The white open space , sharply contrasted with black and white illustrations hanging on the wall and luxe seating , builds anticipation for the exciting food coming from the kitchen . The service team , so relaxed you can ’ t tell them apart from guests , answer intricate questions about natural wines and modern bistro style dishes like kiwi cucumber salad and cured tuna with exuberance . The novel and artistic vegetable bon bon is one of the best plant-based dishes in the city . 102-300 Tache Ave , 204-505-0761
❚ drink , climb , repeat
The re-opening of a beloved coffee destination in the Exchange now offers a side shot of adrenaline with its cups of energy . VA Café , the new ciao ! news new openings & food and retail news
venture from Vertical Adventures entrepreneur Dylan Pereira is building a rock-climbing wall inside the spacious warehouse spot . VA Café has jumped on the business bandwagon trend of creating spaces that include more than one selling point , and more ways to play . Be a sipping spectator to climbing action or chalk up and be the entertainment . Come evening , the action shifts to basement Darling Bar , where cocktails flow , tapas rules and music vibes . Snag one of the few seats on the rooftop for the best view of the city ’ s historic center . 171 McDermot Ave .
❚ bff bakery
Prohibition ended in 1933 , but almost a century later , speakeasies - now operating under lower stakes - represent ultra-hip bars across the country found in not-so-secret locations . Solera , the adjacent lounge to South Osborne ’ s corner spot Tabula Rasa , is the latest in this city . Enter the building ’ s side door leading to the secret bar .
Like its relative , Sous Sol in the Village , décor is delightfully playful , but elegant Mediterranean touches and sumptuous seating takes its cue from its street facing , address sharing sister , Tabula Rasa . Not only does Solera pour some excellent drinks , but it has an extensive food menu – details are not publicly available online , but expect oysters on the half shell , burrata and beet salads , and luscious pappardelle . Cocktails like an espresso martini featuring Osborne fave Little Sister cold-brew are a draw for those looking to sip in stride with the trends . Go for the alluring ambiance and under-the-radar vibes . 725 Osborne St , 204-219-2276
Making dough all day is routine at Winnipeg ’ s newest bakery café or more ❚ indigenous inspo
P
precisely , pizza bakery café . romenade Brasserie ’ s By day , Friend Bakery and ( below ) west facing riverside location boasts the most
Pizza lures with specialty breads ( yes there is sourdough ) spectacular skyline view of and the sweet stuff ; cinnamon Winnipeg ’ s downtown , at the knots , Babka buns and brown base of the iconic Esplanade butter chocolate chip cookies . Riel . The minor name change By 5 pm the kneading turns to Promenade Brasserie ( from out crispy ( yet chewy ) pizza Café and Wine , and formerly crust topped with tomato Bistro ) belies the significant sauce , roasted meats and veggies and premium cheeses . tity . New owner Jay Lekopoy
shift made to its culinary iden-
The offering is narrow and helms the operation with focus that may just be the winning on Manitoba ’ s Indigenous ingredient . 380 Osborne St , foods favoured by French- 204-453-7200
Métis cooks . Locally foraged and grown products appear
❚ secret sipping liberally in a good selection of globally inspired recipes like summer butternut squash hummus punctuated with pickled beets , tzatziki and sunflower seeds . 130 Provencher Blvd , 204-237-6414
6 ciao ! / summer / two thousand twenty-three