BOREAL BISTRO
Neighbourhood...... Downtown Address..... 85 Israel Asper Way Phone.............. 204-289-2187 Entrées................... $ 15- $ 21
Located in the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Boreal Bistro offers a space to commune and connect. The restaurant reflects the beauty of the space, while taking up the museum’ s mandate with a focus on diversity and locality.
Communal tables, friendly servers and open kitchen reinforce an atmosphere for which the bistro moniker is apt. The swank décor doesn’ t sacrifice warmth for style, with a palate of muted shades that mirror the museum’ s naturally inspired design and bold elements, like a centerpiece of tangled metal rings that hangs above the room.
Imaginative and beautifully plated dishes match the sleek setting. The kitchen touts local, vegetarian and gluten free fare as well as in-vogue ingredients. Specialty dishes, reflecting globally diverse flavours, are a reminder of the multi-cultural makeup of the city.
Veggie-centric offerings dot the entire menu, revealing daytime dining trends for healthful eating.( The restaurant is open from 11am- 4pm most days.) Butternut squash and wild rice soup marries two regionally sourced ingredients with rich warm spices that awaken the senses and whet the appetite.
Chips and dip make a novel starter. Taro root crisps tipped in tomato chutney and roasted garlic hummus, are ready to be slathered and shared. ciao! reviews
Bowls and salads are artfully composed of a palette of classic pairings. Sweet potato stuffed perogies – piled on a plate artfully splashed with ancho pepper aioli, are garnished with cashew bacon, caramelized onions and pecans— comprising a beloved Manitoba staple with updated panache.
A delicate flavoured pork consommé provides a umami rich broth for ramen laden with sweet pork, shiitake mushrooms, julienned carrots, corn and spinach. A perfectly jammy egg melds the classic dish.
Korean gochujang spiced chicken breast shares the plate with watermelon radish, snap peas, bell peppers and crisp greens in a texturally exciting fresh salad. Black sesame and ginger soy vinaigrette heighten the Asian medley.
You’ ll want to linger over dessert and the iconic Canadian sweet makes the decision easy. Opt for the potted maple syrup cheesecake topped with fresh berries and orange chips, and a lasting impression is a sure bet.
KEVIN’ S BISTRO
Neighbourhood........ Exchange Address...... 141 Bannatyne Ave Phone.............. 204-221-5028 Entrées..................... $ 11- $ 26
Since opening in 2018, Stella’ s sister restaurant, Kevin’ s Bistro has stood for luscious pastas and creative variations of childhood favourites. The menu of comforts, inspired by recipes served in homes around the world, reveals why this cozy spot in the Exchange District maintains its widespread popularity.
Delivering nostalgia is serious business at this warm nook. The restaurant’ s namesake is Kevin the cat, depicted with some pomp in a framed painting, the only art on the walls of the narrow dining room. Al, the weekend piano crooner plays soothing old tunes over lively chatter and sounds from the kitchen; an audio track reminiscent of a large family gathering. Even the service, highly attentive and convivial, is a throwback to old school hospitality.
An ample list of sides and appies hits high points with twists on pub grub. Mediterranean lettuce wraps are a pleasant remake on a familiar Asian starter. Cajun seasoned chicken is tossed with roasted veggies and feta, drizzled with syrupy balsamic. A dollop of garlicky tzatziki adds kick before rolling the filling in iceberg.
Spanish inspired garlic butter shrimp – unctuous with a little red pepper heat from chile flakes – spark memories of happy hour at an ocean front beach bar.
Pastas and macs are a main event, redefined in novel and exciting combinations. Building on a gooey, creamy base recipe, different mac and cheese variations deliver wild interpretations that blend nostalgia with modern tastes. The Canadiana is speckled with smoky bacon and maple syrup, imparting sweet bites with a subtle salty edge. Old Dutch salt and vinegar chips add crunch and a tangy finishing bite.
Though we say an occasional carbload is good for the soul, lighter eaters are not neglected. A fresh mélange of quinoa and Mediterranean salad fixings is a standout. Cauliflower crust flatbreads don’ t sacrifice flavour either. Cuddling up with a modern plate of nostalgia proves the one thing better than a home-cooked meal is a Kevin’ s-cooked one.
ciao! / summer / two thousand twenty-five 25