ciao! reviews
to the restaurant, are another cool
meal-capper. But an artisan cookie
sandwich affords eating ease. The
Fog & Oats tickles the brain by packing
London Fog tea flavour into an
ice-cold snack, while the Muppetblue
Cookie Monster packs nuggets
of cookie dough ice cream between
two crumbly chocolate biscuits.
Dug & Betty’s is open daily,
11 am to 10 pm.
STELLA'S CAFÉ
Neighbourhood ......... Fort Garry
Address ...... 1463 Pembina Hwy
Phone .................. 204-275-2001
Entrées ............................. $8-$15
The appeal of comfort and nostalgia
ranks high for most, so a
family-owned bakery café pumping
out breads of many grains and colours
is a pretty good starting point
for winning popularity in the food
service game. Twenty years after
Stella’s first bakery opened, those
original virtues have kept the city
loyal. No-frills counter service and
a short list of items on a chalkboard
menu has made way for full table service,
but an unfussy comfort-centric
approach still suits the crowd today
at this local chain.
Each location reflects Winnipeg’s
artsy leanings, friendly peeps and
practicality. Open concept interiors
with local wall art and window-lined
rooms combine for a bright, sunny
welcome. Young, cheery staff bring it
all together, reminding us that community
is the heart of hospitality.
The menu at Stella’s subtly nods
to the city’s multi-cultural roots.
Classics with global accents touch
the menu. From breakfast hits to
dinner entrees, any can be ordered
throughout the day. Favourites from
Mexico, France, Thailand, Italy and
America’s Deep South appeal to
today’s eclectic tastes and those with
plant-based preferences.
Sunny-side-up eggs served with
corn tortillas, refried beans, salsa,
guacamole and cilantro sauce satisfy
those seeking Mexican vibes with
their morning java. Later in the day,
Pad Thai, loaded with bean sprouts,
mushrooms and colourful veggies,
is punctuated with sweet tamarind
sauce and topped with green onion,
peanuts and mint. Although sourdough
garlic toast is a decidedly
inauthentic accompaniment, we
wholeheartedly approve.
Infographics highlighting plantbased
dishes draw attention to the
kitchen’s creativity and commitment
to this growing market segment.
Proteins can be added to salads, but
they all start “green.” To be clear,
though, these greens are multi-coloured,
vibrant stars on Winnipeg’s
salad scene. Spinach is tossed with
chickpeas and seeds like chia, hemp
and pumpkin along with alfalfa,
Brussels sprouts and radish and
dressed with a lemony vinaigrette in
an aptly named Wolseley salad.
A Mediterranean inspired mezzo
plate of balsamic grilled vegetables,
feta, hummus, olive tapenade and a
pickle-y cucumber salad stands up
to any tapas bar. Mushroom polenta
delivers a hint of umami with caramelized
onions and Parmesan.
When beautiful baked breads,
rolls, pastries and pies are the raison
d’être, no one judges those arriving
for–or starting with, for that matter–
dessert. All doughy and gooey choices
lead to blissful bites of joy.
“My Stellas” 2.0 is poised to keep
charming the community for years
to come. Its sweet outlook (not to
mention its sourdough) is a winning
antidote to whatever ails us.
Stella's locations on Sherbrook,
Grant, Pembina, Portage and
Provencher are open 7 am to 10 pm
every day. Stella's Winnipeg Airport
location is open 5 am to 2pm daily.
JOIN US FOR THE
ULTIMATE
STEAK
EXPERIENCE
At Sandman Hotel
1750 Sargent Avenue
204 788 2015
WALK-IN GUESTS
ALWAYS WELCOME
chop.ca
ciao! / summer / two thousand twenty 31