Oct/Nov 2015 Oct/Nov 2015 | Page 39

ciao ! reviews the crowd of locals is enough to necessitate week night reservations . With a sleek interior and smart menu , this new open embodies the new generation of neighbourhood watering holes .
The minimal interior lets the food do the talking , interjecting with a few ultra-mod touches like blue LED lights under the bar and abstract art on the walls . Chef Wayne Martin , building on the success of his previous venture ( CRAVE , in Vancouver ) has hit on a winning formula for keeping the classic bar and grill fresh .
Classy comfort food is the name of the game , including pub staples spiked with upmarket ingredients and served on trendy ceramics . The signature burger ( upgraded with pancetta and truffle-infused cheese ) and a gooey , open-faced grilled cheese topped with classic caprese flavours ( pesto , a thick slice of tomato , and buffalo mozzarella ) show what the kitchen can do with bar food .
Entrées offer a mix of homey and high cuisine . Rigatoni in a winey tomato sauce wins the prize for best rainy day dish . Tender shreds of short rib folded into the sauce impart rich , dusky flavour . Bison rib eye is the hip answer to meat-and-potato Sunday dinners , avoiding the lean protein ' s pitfalls by presenting a luscious cut that releases juices happily into a ragout of bacon and fingerling potatoes .
But diner demand ensures the menu is not all carbs and carnivore fare . Lighter options - including many suitable for vegans - are equally delicious . Salads are no afterthought , but creative and fresh menu additions , like the classic cobb amped up with crunchy-coated fried chicken . A raw salad piled with 15 different veggies ( edamame , sun-dried tomato , and fennel are the MVPs ) lets veg shine , spiked with a healthy toss of milky ,
sharp green goddess dressing .
A warm , caramel scented sticky toffee pudding is the perfect way to cap off a homey meal , though the night need not end there . Go ahead , have a drink – or two , or three – what else are neighbourhood spots for ?
Capital Grill & Bar is open Tue-Sat 11 am - 10 pm , Sun 11 am - 9 pm .
MAXIME ' S Neighbourhood ..... St . Vital Address .... 1131 St . Mary ' s Rd Phone ........ 204-257-1521 Entrées ........... $ 18- $ 30
Winnipeg has a select line-up of farfrom-downtown fine dining spots made for a high-level experience . Maxime ' s has thrived in this category for more than 30 years . The service is famously mannered , and the room

300 WINES 50 SCOTCHES

100 % EXCELLENCE

For intimate dining , business meetings or group events in one of our signature rooms , count on our culinary expertise to create a fine dining experience in an atmosphere rich with history .
185 Lombard Ave . ( Near Portage & Main ) 204-944-1180 www . baileysprimedining . com
ciao ! / oct / nov / two thousand fifteen 37