bestlist
Close Co.
256 Stafford St, 204‑691-7788. Small
size belies big flavour at this intimate
spot. Creative sharing plates keep
those in the know returning regularly.
WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V
Cordova
93 Albert St, 204-691-1900. This casual
and lively atmosphere offers unique
European influenced tapas, beer and
wine. Chicken liver pâté is luscious
and smooth. LP, SP, IA, M, V
Enoteca
A-1670 Corydon Ave, 204‑487‑1529.
This ultra-hip space boasts a creative
sharing plate style menu using exotic
ingredients. Chef Scott Bagshaw’s
beef tartare with quail egg is exquisite.
WA, LP, IA, M, V
Jane’s
504 Main St, 204‑632‑2594. Red
River College’s Paterson GlobalFoods
Institute offers a unique dining
experience where patrons interact
with students as they execute an
inspired menu. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Junction 59 Roadhouse
1615 Regent Ave W, 204-654-3345.
Southern-style eats in a rustic-prairie
atmosphere. Chef Ryan Glays’
signature molcajete bowl is a hit.
WA, LP, SP, A, 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 a chic East Exchange District
heritage space, once the site of the
Great West Saddlery Company.
WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V
46
ciao! / oct/ nov / two thousand nineteen
ITALIAN/CLASSIC
Colosseo Ristorante
670 Corydon Ave, 204‑284‑4977. House-
made, classic Italian fare makes this
the place for Italian cravings. A warm
and friendly environment is perfect for
family outings. WA, LP, SP, 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. Excellent freshly made
pastas. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V, ATM
Monticchios
684 Osborne St, 204-477‑4773. South
Osborne mainstay serves traditional
recipes in a contemporary space. Try
the breaded veal topped with 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.
This 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
tomato sauce and 10 different types of
bruschetta. 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, 204-291-7300.
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
JAPANESE
Blüfish
179 Bannatyne Ave, 204-779‑9888.
This chic sushi spot in the Exchange
District balances sophistication with a
healthy dose of fun. Try yaki ika, pan-
seared cuttlefish in a playful ginger-
laced teriyaki sauce. LP, A, IA, M, V
Cho Ichi Ramen
1151 Pembina Hwy, 204-615-8832.
Building the most flavourful bowl of
ramen is this restaurant’s mission.
Pork tonkotsu broth is cooked for 12
hours and the noodles are house-
made. LP, A, IA, M, V
Fusian Experience
1 Forks Market Rd, 204-227-9298.
This Japanese eatery serves
traditional regional plates and tapas,
infused with international flavours.
Fresh fish from around the globe.
WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
GaiJin Izakaya
2-1575 Regent Ave W, 204-615-6868.
Chef Edward Lam brings his
culinary creativity to the Regent
area with Japanese small plates and
all-day ramen served in a cool open
concept space. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Ichiban
189 Carlton St, 204-925‑7400.
A Winnipeg tradition for more than
40 years. Teppanyaki-style fresh
entrées are cooked tableside with
panache and artistic flair by talented
sushi chefs. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Izakaya Edokko
190 Smith St, 204‑615‑5556. Sleek
downtown space offers modern
Japanese eats made by chef Masa
Sugita. Small plates range from
elevated street eats like okonomiyaki to
delicate sushi rolls. WA, A, IA, M, V
Wasabi
105‑121 Osborne St, 204-474‑2332;
588 Broadway, 204-774-4328;
3-1360 Taylor Ave, 204‑415‑7878.
Impeccably executed sushi is taken to
creative heights. Visually stunning rolls
like the godzilla. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V