FEAST
Neighbourhood ........ West End Address ............. 587 Ellice Ave Phone .............. 204-691-5979 Entrées .................... $ 15- $ 38
At the hands of chef owner Christa Bruneau-Guenther , Manitoba regional ingredients speak with added significance . Feast Café and Bistro opened in 2016 as Canada ’ s first Indigenous cuisine restaurant serving Metis inspired cuisine . As she continues to bring Indigenous cooking to the forefront of Canada ’ s food scene - winning attention of local newspapers and national food media - Bruneau-Guenther is at once putting health , culture and the stories of her people on the table , educating and empowering as she goes .
The narrow dining room at the corner Ellice Avenue space remains distinct on the west end ’ s Asian food corridor . A stunning piece of antler art and large black and white photos of prairie scenery and traditional symbols — a canoe , a tipi , bannock cooking over a fire — add meaningful intimacy to the lively space .
On the menu are homey staples , like bison chili — twists on comfort fare that would be at home in many kitchens — alongside preparations that have spanned generations , like the pillowy bannock that forms the basis of many dishes . And though taco and pizza toppings piled on the airy frybread are exemplary mainstays for regulars , dishes have evolved , reflecting expanding tastes and global culinary exploration .
Food is beautifully presented , filling and well executed . Wild rice noodles , bison sirloin , corn and ciao ! reviews
sweetgrass infused spicy garlic ginger oil add distinct depth to an exemplary and robust Japanese inspired ramen bowl that may possibly outshine the classic . Similarly , local flavour is added to a bowl of Thai inspired red curry with the addition of bison or pickerel to a wild rice , squash , beans and carrots mix .
Hearty entrées stay on point , casting aside supermarket staples . Wild lake fish sourced from local Indigenous people and Manitoba bison are the preferred main ingredients for a selection of dishes . Bison short rib is perfectly braised , and shines on a plate garnished with mashed potato and squash , carrots and beans . Sliding a forkful through the wild blueberry , juniper demi-glace garners blissful bites .
A slice of homey strawberry rhubarb pie and scoop of sweetgrass ice cream makes a lasting impression , representing a celebratory reclamation of First Nations food .
BLÜFISH
Neighbourhood ........ Exchange Address ...... 179 Bannatyne Ave Phone .............. 204-779-9888 Entrées ...................... $ 8- $ 45
Though the Exchange District has long been synonymous with the city ’ s effortlessly cool restaurants in heritage buildings , Blüfish , occupying a simple and chic narrow space , remains the only sushi bar . Top notch ingredients make this a spot for sushi purists looking for the classics , but popularity is partly due to imaginative and unexpected infusions adding playful taste twists .
The kitchen has a knack for sashimi , crafting smart variations of the raw fish dish that incorporate strong flavours , like truffle oil or cajun spice . Plump prawns and pillowy scallops appear in a Thai style sashimi , hit with a bracing rush of lime and vinaigrette touched with pungent fish sauce . Opt for “ new style ” and divine cuts of tuna and salmon come simply dressed in chive flecked warm olive oil .
Tempura – dipped scallops with spicy mayo bring a sense of fun for those looking for a side of drama with dinner . The juicy fried morsels are cupped in a shell shaped dish , atop a plate of sambuca set alight , gently singeing the scallops before burning out . A neat trick to keep eager diners from scalding tongues on the fresh from the fryer bites .
Cooler bites of salmon tartare make another playful starter ; cubes of scoopable avocado and tender fish offer textural contrast on crispy rice crackers .
Signature rolls take creative steps into unexpected territory , with delicious results . A medley of scallops steamed shrimp , red cabbage , carrot , daikon , wrapped in cucumber comprises a vibrant and mouthwatering rainforest roll . Drizzles of perky yuzu dressing and spicy mayo punctuate each juicy burst . Torched toro and salmon lay on top of a delicious crab , cucumber roll flavoured with wasabi tobiko , wrapped in a soy crepe . White truffle oil sprinkled with chives accents each rich piece of this aptly named new style roll .
Catering to downtown devotees , Blüfish hits the mark for traditionalists and those seeking something innovative . Bento boxes , a creative mix of rolls , salads , and dinner combinations prove a winning mix for this oasis of relaxed comfort .
ciao ! / summer / two thousand twenty-four 27