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 French-trained pastry chef, and his sweets are too good to share. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V. 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 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 bestlist
INDIAN
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. Crispy samosas and creamy butter chicken are highlights. Lunch and dinner buffets. WA, LP, A, 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 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 wide-ranging menu, offering short‐order favourites, make for a multigenerational palette pleaser. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
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 Bistro 1800 1800 Wellington Ave, 204-786‐0926. At the Hilton Suites Winnipeg Airport, well-made classics are offered with a slight twist. Served with creative presentation in a contemporary setting. 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
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 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 dishes match the sleek dining room. Standouts include the pulled duck quesadilla and lamb duo. 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
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 an opulent ceiling and 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 high tech atmosphere with a retro glam aesthetic. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Table 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. WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V, A
42 ciao! / feb / mar / two thousand fifteen