Reflecting Winnipeg’ s ethnocultural diversity, this category represents our top choices from the many small, primarily family-run restaurants in town. The decor at most of these is simple and / or the location is out of the way. However, each restaurant represents food from the owner’ s culture, with sometimes astonishingly low prices that reflect the simplicity of the service and surroundings, not the quality of the food. Bada Sushi Café [ Japanese ] 126 Sherbrook St, 204‐783‐4077. Signs of the space’ s Greek restaurant past share the walls with Eastern memorabilia at this cute and quirky sushi spot. WA, IA, M, V Baraka Pita Bakery [ Lebanese ] 1783 Main St, 204‐334‐2004. Famous for in‐house fired pita bread, this North End gem offers falafel pitas, pita pizzas and specialty dips. WA, IA, V, M Boun’ s [ Southeast Asian / Laotian ] 4‐208 Marion St, 204‐231‐3005. Southeast Asian spices and curries, as well as shrimp, pork and beef short ribs in signature garlic and soy barbeque sauce. WA, LP, IA, M, V Casa Grande [ Italian ] 984 Sargent Ave, 204‐783‐6231. Checkered tablecloths and candlelight create the ambience for homestyle pizza and pasta. LP, A, IA, M, V Dim Sum Garden 2677 Pembina Hwy, 204‐269‐7799. More than 50 types of dim sum. À la carte Szechuan and Cantonese favourites. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Deen’ s [ Caribbean ] 205 Marion St, 204‐233‐2208. Shortorder Trinidadian dishes such as roti served in a variety of ways. LP, SP, A, IA, V Delicious Vegetarian [ Chinese ] 1467 Pembina Hwy, 204‐477‐1530. This little spot offers inventive Chinese vegetarian and vegan offerings. LP, V Emerald Palace [ Chinese ] 704 Sargent Ave, 204‐788‐4573. Authentic fare served up in a bustling atmosphere. Try the famous fried butter chicken. WA, A, IA, M, V
Fusian Experience [ Japanese ] 612 Academy Rd, 204‐691‐9334. Fusion pairings like miso glazed cod and spaghetti create wild taste sensations. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V La Fiesta Cafecito [ Salvadoran ] Unit M‐730 St. Anne’ s Rd, 204‐257‐7108. The vacation‐inspired decor offers the perfect setting for platters and exotic fruit drinks. WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V Gohe [ Ethiopian ] 533 Sargent Ave, 204‐414‐1529. Rich doro wat and vibrant lentil stews are highlights. Combo platters are perfect for sampling with a group. IA, M, V. worldfood
bestlist
Harman’ s Café [ Ethiopian ] 570 Sargent Ave, 204‐774‐6997. Enjoy Ethiopian breakfast as well as lunch and dinner entrées. Be sure to try a cup of Ethiopian coffee. WA, LP, IA, M, V
Il Molino [ Danish ] 709 Corydon Ave, 204‐615‐2600. Openfaced sandwiches are piled with fresh fruit and veg, as well as traditional toppings like pickled herring and cured salmon. LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Kimchi Sushi [ Japanese / Korean ] 30‐2583 Pembina Hwy, 204‐269‐0042. Black walls and hanging lights give this spot sleek style. The menu lists dishes for kimchi lovers. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Kimchi Café [ Japanese / Korean ] 61 1 / 2 Albert St, 204‐989‐2288 Nestled in the hip Exchange, this resto serves sushi and tongue‐tingling Korean fare. A, IA, M, V Kokeb [ Ethiopian ] 266 Edmonton 204‐784‐9267. Expect warm hospitality along with traditional stews of split peas, lentils and cabbage. WA, IA, V, M Kyu Bistro [ Japanese ] 185 Isabel Ave, 204‐504‐8999. This izakaya‐only spot offers small plates of gyoza, agedashi tofu cakes and chicken kara‐age. WA, A, IA, V, M Lao Thai [ Laotian ] 763 Selkirk Ave, 204‐589‐0065. Friendly mother / son team serves colourful Southeast Asian fare. Top‐quality soups and curries. WA, LP, IA, M, V Little Saigon [ Vietnamese ] 333‐335 William Ave, 204‐947‐3999. Well‐executed house specialties include salt and pepper shrimp and salad rolls. WA, LP, IA, M, V Mama’ s Noodle House [ Vietnamese / Chinese ] 141 McPhillips St, 204‐783‐4847. This cheery spot consistently serves top notch noodle soup and stir fries, Thai and Japanese specialties. WA, IA, M, V Massawa [ Ethiopian ] 200‐121 Osborne St, 204‐284‐3194. Platters of flavourful stews are worth the often lengthy wait. LP, IA, V Mercadito Latino [ South American ] 570 Sargent Ave, 204‐415‐2870. Tiny space serves favourites like papusas, tameles, and tacos. Stocks hard‐to‐find imported food items. WA, IA Niko’ s [ Greek ] 740 Corydon Ave, 204‐478‐1144. Comforting Greek classics are served with warmth. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Noodle Express [ Chinese ] 107‐180 King St, 204‐943‐9760. This hidden gem serves delectable dim sum and dumpling options. WA, LP, IA, M, V Pasquales [ Italian ] 109 Marion St, 204‐231‐1403. Perfectly cooked pizza and pastas come piping hot in this cozy spot. WA, LP, IA, M, V
Pho Hoang [ Vietnamese ] 794 Sargent Ave, 204‐415‐6893. The pho at this chic and comfortable strip mall space ranks among the city’ s best. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Pho Kim Tuong [ Vietnamese ] 856 Ellice Ave, 204‐661‐8888. Surprisingly sleek, with a massive menu of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Thai specialties. WA, IA, M, V Pho No. 1 [ Vietnamese ] 81 Isabel St, 204‐943‐7449. Charming Vietnamese noodle soup house. WA, LP, IA, V Sam Po Dim Sum [ Chinese ] 277 Rupert Ave, 204‐691‐1213. Minimalist Chinatown space serves simple dim sum offerings like pork with smoky hickory sauce. WA, LP, IA, M, V Shawarma Khan [ Middle Eastern ] 225 McDermot Ave, 204‐504‐0453. Former Blue Bomber Obby Khan serves up his favourite food. WA, A, IA, M, V Shawarma Time [ Lebanese ] 616 Ellice Ave, 204‐774‐2109. Three shawarma options as well as other Middle Eastern specialties. WA, IA, M, V Spicy Noodle House [ Chinese ] 102‐99 Osborne St, 204‐287‐2388. The honey spicy chicken and spicy eight treasure are both gems. LP, IA, M, V A Taste of India [ Indian ] 510 Sargent Ave, 204‐775‐1098. Lunch and dinner buffets celebrate the spices of India in this casual strip‐mall space. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Thida’ s [ Thai ] 78 Donald St, 204‐942‐2639. Quiet, nofrills location that consistently delivers. Green apple salad is a refreshing starter. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Tropikis [ Caribbean ] 878 Ellice Ave, 204‐788‐4733. An elegant setting for island favourites like roti. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Vi-Ann [ Vietnamese ] 1020 Notre Dame, 204‐5050‐8833. Large portions and fragrant broth make pho the main attraction. WA, LP, IA, M, V Vientiane [ Thai / Laotian ] 12‐208 Marion St, 204‐235‐1576. Seafood dishes and comforting curries. First timers should stick to the low end of the 1‐10 spiciness scale. WA, IA, M, V Wakoya [ Japanese / Korean ] 167 Osborne St, 204‐783‐7777. Well presented sushi and Korean signatures. Sundubu jjigae is a comforting pick. WA, LP, IA, M, V Waves [ Indian ] 330 Kennedy Street at Ellice, 204‐783‐3000. Buffet‐centric dining featuring East Indian and international signatures. LP, IA, M, V
48 ciao! / aug / sep / two thousand fifteen