firstword
Portrait by Ian McCausland
We are stronger together
This phrase has been our mantra through the better part of this year . We say it to encourage others and ourselves to help cope through the most difficult days . At our core , we know the power of facing a common challenge collectively dealing with obstacles , whether a snow storm , family crisis , cancer and now coronavirus .
Since this magazine launched in 1997 its mission has been tied to this mantra . City magazines offer a way for local businesses to come together to promote their brands collaboratively . Each issue is packaged with information about the city ’ s best places , restaurants and shops that are doing exceptional things and worth discovering . In turn , this editorial approach attracts leading businesses to advertise .
Advertisers align with this quality standard and are examples of the exceptional . Moreover , coming together on the pages of this magazine is a way local businesses with limited marketing budgets can make a better impact and stand out from big box competitors — a formula designed to encourage enthusiastic readers ( like you ) to judge advertisers by the company they keep !
This holiday issue of Ciao ! is extra special to us this year . It is created as a guide for shoppers to discover great gift ideas at local shops . Our secret shopping spree was completed before retailers were ordered to close , and at press time it is still uncertain when they will re-open . I can say with confidence that retailers featured in this magazine are working hard to continue to serve this community , offering online shopping for pick up or delivery .
The directory of stores and restaurants has been curated for discerning tastes . Every business that appears in Ciao ! is a first-hand endorsement from our editorial team . Virtually all the recommendations are locally owned and operated . The it list on page 13 presents the city ’ s best independent retail businesses and the best list on page 41 rounds up 194 choice restaurants . This year ’ s multi page gift guide offers a glimpse of the fun things found in Winnipeg ’ s best destination stores . We hope these unexpected delights will inspire everyone to explore
some new websites and call in orders .
This magazine presents our choices for Best New Restaurants that opened this year — between October 2019 and October 2020 . For the reviews we dined in all the new restaurants that opened and did take-out to complete our efforts . Our choice for the year ’ s best new restaurant is Preservation Hall . Chef Tristan Foucault is breathing new life , with French flair and meat curing mastery , to an area of town crowded with fast food chains . Read ciao ! reviews ( page 36 ) for more .
This issue leans into French cuisine . Join us as we go inthekitchen and explore the playful nature of the culinary team at Sous Sol . In ciao ! cooks , recipes for sensational cocktails and savvy snacks are sure to add some welldeserved fun during home time .
Creativity is regularly on display in Winnipeg . We see it in new ways these days . Business owners have developed e-commerce websites enabling consumers to keep shopping with them , restaurants have devised special menus conducive to take-out and delivery . Operations city-wide re-configured their spaces to keep this community safe and open hours are ever-changing in response to guidelines ( call before visiting ). Small businesses , including this one , are doing everything they can to meet this crisis head on .
Let ’ s embrace these efforts to stay safe and healthy ! Together , with a little imagination we can still celebrate the spirit of this giving season . We can support , encourage and be kind to each other . We can bake with our kids , facetime with grandparents , invite our pals to zoom happy hours and strap on skates to get fresh air . We can buy from small box stores online , order food from local restaurants and buy gift cards to pay it forward .
We can trust that this too shall pass and together we are stronger . May peace and joy be with you this holiday season ! Merry Christmas !
Laurie Hughes , Publisher
ciao ! / dec / jan / two thousand twenty 3