INTERNATIONAL / CONTEMPORARY
The Beachcomber The Forks Market, 1 Forks Market Rd, 204‐948‐0020. This restaurant’ s focus on seafood is a reflection of its stunning riverside views. Crab cake sliders are a popular choice. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
The Blue Marble Restaurant & Lounge 1979 Wellington Ave, 204‐594‐1967. With greens grown on site, fresh delights are served up with artful presentations. Cavena risotto and tuna carpaccio are standouts. WA, LP, IA, A, M, V Café Savour 956 St. Mary’ s Rd, 204‐254‐4681. Hand‐painted tables and vibrant green walls complement the eclectic menu, which draws influence from New Orleans to South Africa to Asia. Five‐course menus offered for $ 45. LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Confusion Corner Bar & Grill 500 Corydon Ave, 204‐284‐6666. This casual restaurant and lounge attracts a young, hip crowd. The dining room pops with the colours of prairie art on the walls. Innovative menu changes seasonally. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V
Enoteca Wine Bar A‐1670 Corydon Ave, 204‐487‐1529. This intimate and ultra‐hip space boasts an extensive menu of wines and cocktails as well as a creative menu of exotic ingredients. WA, LP, IA, M, V Jane’ s 504 Main St, 204‐632‐2594 Red River College’ s Paterson GlobalFoods Institute offers a unique dining experience where patrons interact with students as they execute an inspired menu. Open Tue‐Fri for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V. 295 York 295 York Ave, 204‐896‐7275. Sophisticated steak and seafood in a sleek blue‐and‐copper hued dining room. Feast on prime cuts of beef, seared ahi tuna and Moroccan lamb chops. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Marion Street Eatery 393 Marion Street, 204‐233‐2843. Chef Melissa Hryb elevates homey comfort food with touches of elegance. Try gourmet mac & cheese, or mushroom caps stuffed with Italian sausage and cream cheese. LP, SP, A, IA, M, V. Metropolitan Entertainment Centre 281 Donald St, 204‐594‐9494. The historic Metropolitan Theatre has been renovated as a destination dining establishment. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V. bestlist
The Mitchell Block 173 McDermot Ave, 204‐949‐9032. Newly renovated Exchange District spot serves up an eclectic, Mediterranean influenced menu in an industrial chic setting. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V The Palm Lounge Fort Garry Hotel, 222 Broadway St. 1‐800‐665‐8088. This swish lounge boasts live jazz performances while the kitchen presents stellar scratch‐made sensations. WA, LP, A, IA, V, M, ATM Rudy’ s Eat & Drink 375 Graham Ave, main floor MB Hydro Place, 204‐421‐9094. Diners enjoy mod steakhouse offerings, like sumptuous salmon tartare with wasabi roe and seaweed salad, in a retro‐glam atmosphere. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Star Grill Located across from Assiniboine Park, 2069 Portage Ave, 204‐837‐STAR( 7827). The menu is a fusion of Asian, Mediterranean and down‐home continental dishes, often covering many flavours in one bite. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Storm Bistro Winnipeg Art Gallery, 300 Memorial Blvd, 204‐948‐0085. Daytime diners have an intriguing view of the WAG’ s rooftop sculpture garden. The varied menu offers colourful presentations. Brunch menu on Sun 11 am‐2 pm. WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V, A Sydney’ s The Forks Market, 2nd floor, 204‐942‐6075. This nationally acclaimed restaurant offers a five‐course evening menu for a fixed price of $ 55. Chef / owner Michael Schafer uses ingredients culled from Israel to Hawaii. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V
ITALIAN / CLASSIC
[ see also WORLD FOOD ] Brooklynn’ s Bistro 177 Lombard, 204‐415‐4112. A lofty and elegant room features wood‐fired pizzas and polenta with truffles. WA, A, IA, M, V Buccacino’ s 155 Osborne St, 204‐452‐8251. The varied menu includes a large selection of traditional specialty pastas. Brunch buffet Sun. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Colosseo Restorante 670 Corydon Ave, 204‐284‐4977. Housemade, classic Italian fare makes this the place for Italian cravings. A warm and friendly environment makes this a favourite for many family outings. WA, SP, LP, M, V, IA Mona Lisa 1697 Corydon Ave, 204‐488‐3687. The cuisine of the Grande family’ s southern Italy home has been offered for more than 20 years in this neighbourhood restaurant. Several house‐made pastas, traditional and gourmet pizzas. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V, ATM
Monticchio 684 Osborne St, 204‐477‐4773. This South Osborne mainstay serves traditional recipes in a contemporary space. Try the signature breaded veal topped with kalamata olives and Provolone cheese. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Old Spaghetti Factory Johnston Terminal at The Forks, 204‐957‐1391. Housed in an old railway storage building, classic Spaghetti dishes and a kids’ menu make this a familyfriendly spot. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Rembrandt’ s Bistro Lockport, 1 Wellink Dr on Hwy 44, 204‐757‐4441. Fine dining just north of Winnipeg at this spacious European bistro. The menu features ambitious, yet well‐executed dishes by Chef Jayne Prevost. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Tre Visi Café 926 Grosvenor Ave, 204‐475‐4447. Chef / owner Giacomo Appice is the talent behind this sophisticated bistro. His nationally recognized Italian‐ Mediterranean cuisine incudes the city’ s most sumptuous gnocchi. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
ITALIAN / CONTEMPORARY
Amici 326 Broadway, 204‐943‐4997. Executive Chef Patrick Shrupka leads a talented kitchen team that turns out inspired Northern Italian cuisine in an elegant space. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Bellissimo 1‐877 Waverley St, 204‐489‐0495. This surprisingly sophisticated neighbourhood spot offers sublime fare, like the signature chicken linguine in Amaretto cream sauce. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Bombolini 326 Broadway, 204‐943‐5066. This wine bar offers an extensive menu of simpler, less‐expensive versions of Amici’ s fine Italian cuisine in a bistro atmosphere. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Cafe Carlo 243 Lilac St, 204‐477‐5544. This cozy, chic and consistent bistro serves dishes spiked with equatorial tastes and textures. Those in the know come for stellar house‐cut steaks. Reservations recommended. WA, LP, IA, M, V, A Cafe la Scala 725 Corydon Ave, 204‐474‐2750. Tony Tascona masterpieces decorate the walls while the kitchen does artistic dishes such as La Scala dumplings with ginger garlic chile cream sauce. LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Carbone 400‐1580 Taylor Ave, 204‐488‐2554; 260 St Mary Ave, 204‐691‐2213. Extra crispy crusts are the result of an 850 ° F coal‐fired oven at this chic pizza place. Tantalizing toppings include arugula, calabrese salami and Parmesan. WA, LP, IA, A, M, V.
64 ciao! / dec / jan / two thousand fourteen