DINNER THEATRE
Celebrations Canad Inns, 1824 Pembina Hwy, 204‐982‐8282. They’ ll sing for your supper at this interactive theatre served alongside a four‐course meal. Costumed servers pull you right into the show. Theatrical presentation changes frequently. Reservations required. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
FAMILY
Original Pancake House Clarion Hotel, 1445 Portage Ave, 204‐775‐9035; The Forks Market, 204‐947‐5077; 1049 Pembina Hwy, 204‐452‐1040, not LP. A Winnipeg tradition famous for its signature giant apple pancake. The full menu includes crêpes, waffles, French toast, burgers, roast beef, soups and salads. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Park Café 330 Assiniboine Park Dr, 204‐927‐6001. Situated in the new Qualico Family Centre, the breakfast and lunch menu of this family‐friendly eatery serves comforting, casual dishes like buttermilk pancakes and pulled pork poutine. WA, LP, SP, M, V, IA The Pony Corral 444 St Mary’ s Ave, 204‐942‐4414; 400 Wilton St, 204‐475‐4464; 1050 Nairn Ave, 204‐668‐4414; 1700 Pembina Hwy, 204‐275‐3687. A Greek‐centric menu with steak house favourites. Souvlakis and shrimp are crowd pleasers along with steak dinners that come with all the sides and fixings. A, IA, M, V
FRENCH
Beaujena’ s French Table 302 Hamel Ave, 204‐233‐4841. Chef / owner Randy Reynold’ s table d’ hôte menu serves seven‐ and five‐course surprise dinners at $ 49 and $ 39. Open Friday and Saturday at 5 pm. WA, LP, IA, M, V Bistro 7¼ 725 Osborne St, 204‐777‐2525. The open kitchen, set in the middle of the room, serves up Montreal bistro favourites in a cool urban setting. WA, LP, IA, M, V Bistro Chez Sophie, Chez Sophie Sur Le Pont 248 ave de la Cathédrale, 204‐235‐0353; 50 Provencher Blvd, 204‐942‐4142. French‐trained Chef / owner Stéphane Wild specializes in French family cuisine. His pizzas mirror those in Alsace, with unique cream sauces. Other traditional dishes include the savoury tartiflette. WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V, AE Café Ce Soir 937 Portage Ave, 204‐414‐SOIR( 7647). Enjoy favourites like ratatouille and beef bourguignon, and save room for dessert: Chef / owner Cam Tran is a Frenchtrained pastry chef, and his sweets are too good to share. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V. bestlist
In Ferno’ s Bistro & In Ferno’ s on Academy 312 Des Meurons St, 204‐262‐7400; 414 Academy Rd, 204‐475‐7400. Chef / owner Fern Kirouac’ s French‐ Canadian‐meets‐Mediterranean fare has earned him accolades as one of the city’ s best. LP, SP, WA, A, IA, M, V; LP, A, IA, M, V Peasant Cookery 283 Bannatyne Ave, 204‐989‐7700. Almost all items from cured meats to mayonnaise are made from scratch. Chef Tristan Foucault’ s menu offers elegantly updated classics and rustic dishes. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Promenade Cafe and Wine 130‐C Provencher Blvd, 204‐233‐7030. This neighbourhood bistro has the best view of the city’ s skyline, making it a great place to savour classic French fare from morning to night. WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V Resto Gare & Train Bar 630 Des Meurons St, 204‐837‐3624. This industrial‐chic space serves up French bistro fare, like smoked Manitoba goldeye fillets and seafood crêpes with Chardonnay velouté and Gruyère. WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V
GERMAN
Gasthaus Gutenberger 2583 Portage Ave, 204‐888‐3133. The hearty style of authentic German cuisine is practised in this rustic, chalet‐style atmosphere, using market‐fresh ingredients to create traditional fare. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
GREEK
Homer’ s 520 Ellice Ave, 204‐788‐4858. Grecian pillars transport you to ancient Athens at this popular spot. The pastitsio is a wholesome lasagne casserole smothered in a mild Béchamel cheese sauce. WA, LP, SP A, IA, M, V Niko’ s 740 Corydon Ave, 204‐478‐1144. Greek and American classics converge at this casual eatery. Large menu boasts souvlaki platters, gyros, burgers and salads. Lightly salted pita bread satisfies. WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V, A Pembina Village Restaurant 333 Pembina Hwy, 204‐477‐5439. Mediterranean and North American cuisine mixed together, with gyros and souvlaki joined by New York steak at this family‐friendly spot. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Tuxedo Village Restaurant 2090 Corydon Ave, 204‐897‐6565. This large family‐run restaurant is famous for its perfectly spiced chicken souvlaki and massive Greek salads that are never stingy on the feta and olives. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V
INDIAN
[ see also WORLD FOOD ] Charisma of India 83 Sherbrook St, 204‐222‐7878. Dine in or take out savoury dishes steeped in flavour. Creamy vegetable korma and spicy tandoori chicken are menu highlights. WA, LP, IA, V, M Clay Oven 240‐1600 Kenaston Common, 204‐888‐2529; 1825 Inkster Blvd, 204‐942‐2529; 1 Portage Ave East( Shaw Park), 204‐982‐7426. This extensive East Indian menu features everything from butter chicken to spicy seafood curries. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V East India Company 349 York Ave, 204‐947‐3097. Centuriesold artifacts grace the room of the Mehra family’ s flagship restaurant. The food is flawless, with biryani beautifully presented and perfectly spiced. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V India Palace 770 Ellice Ave, 204‐774‐6061. A large and varied menu features vegetable, chicken, lamb and seafood dinners. Also a lunch and dinner buffet. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Ivory Restaurant 200 Main St, 204‐944‐1600. Ivory channels Bollywood glamour as it combines traditional flavours with an extremely contemporary, colourful and elegant decor. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Waves 330 Kennedy Street at Ellice, 204‐783‐3000. Buffet‐centric dining featuring East Indian and other international signatures. LP, IA, M, V
INTERNATIONAL / CLASSIC
Bailey’ s 185 Lombard Ave, 204‐944‐1180. Heavy wooden doors open onto a world that celebrates the British Empire. Specialties include the reuben, rack of lamb and prime rib of beef. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V, ATM Bistro 1800 1800 Wellington Ave, 204‐786‐0926. At the Hilton Suites Winnipeg Airport, wellmade classics are offered with a slight twist. Served with creative presentation in a contemporary setting. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Maxime’ s 1131 St. Mary’ s Rd, 204‐257‐1521. This South Winnipeg favourite sets the standard for suburban‐style fine dining. The elegant atmosphere and the wideranging menu, offering short‐order favourites, make for a multi‐generational palate pleaser. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V The Terrace Dining Room 3975 Portage Ave, 204‐885‐3330. Overlooking the racetrack at Assiniboia Downs, a multi‐tiered room gives every table a superb view. Reservations required. Thu 5‐8 pm only. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
62 ciao! / dec / jan / two thousand fourteen