bestlist
Chosabi
Five locations, chosabi.com. Slick
and stylish order at the counter spot
serves a medley of Asian eats like sushi
burritos, ramen and poke bowls.
WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V
The Forks Market
1 Forks Market Rd, theforks.com. The
stylish hub offers casual dining options
centered around The Common, which
serves local beer and wine on tap.
WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Kawaii Crepe
201-99 Osborne St, 204-415-2833;
1220 St Mary's Rd, 204-691-3700;
4-1385 McPhillips St, 204-694-0986.
Japanese crêpe joint serves freshly
prepared sweet and savoury crêpes in
a modern atmosphere. IA, M, V
King + Bannatyne
4-100 King St, 204-691-9757.
This sandwich spot's specialties
include spiced porchetta and juicy,
tender brisket. Changing weekly
specials feature creative ingredient
combinations. WA, SP, A, IA, M, V
La Pampa [Argentinean]
10-1604 St Mary’s Road,
204-615-8969. Authentic gourmet
empanadas and condiments in
traditional and creative fl avours are
prepared on site for take out.
WA, IA, M, V
Magic Bird Fried Chicken
61 Sherbrook St, 204-615-2977 . Southern
inspired eatery specializes in extra-
crispy fried chicken served alongside
craft cocktails. Try the curly fries and
honey dill. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V
Nick’s on Broadway
287 Broadway, 204-891-3636. Nick
Graumann's impressive lunch
offerings include salads, soups
and sandwiches, like the killer hot
pastrami. WA, IA, M, V
Red Ember Common
1 Forks Market Rd, 204-504-8998. Fast-
casual pizzeria using local and ethically
raised ingredients to create their
modern sides and neo-Neapolitan style
pies. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Shawarma Khan
392 Graham Ave; 225 McDermot Ave,
204-504-0453; 2589 Pembina Hwy,
204-615-6006. Former Blue Bomber
Obby Khan serves up his favourite
Middle Eastern food. WA, A, IA, M, V
Wall Street Slice
753 Wall St, 204-221-7272. West End
spot serves New York style pizza
whole or by the slice in an industrial
chic atmosphere. Try the house-cured
Pepperoni Prince and fold it like a true
Yankee. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Za Pizza Bistro Six locations,
zapizzabistro.com. Customized pizzas
are made to order with scratch-made
sauces along an assembly-line style
counter. Gluten free and whole wheat
crust available. WA, 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-course palate-
pushing dinners at $64. Open Friday and
Saturday at 5 pm. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
The Black Bird Brasserie
101-300 Tache Ave, 204-505-0760. This
charming window-lined eatery serves
hearty French comfort food like pickerel
à la meunière, chicken confi t and beef
bourguignon. WA, LP, IA, A, M, V
InFerno’s Bistro
312 Des Meurons St, 204-262-7400.
Chef/owner Fern Kirouac’s French-
Canadian-meets-Mediterranean fare
has earned him accolades as one of the
city’s best. Six different preparations of
mussels impress. WA, LP, SP A, IA, M, V
Langside Grocery
164 Langside St. A contemporary
lounge with classic appeal in West
Broadway. French-inspired small plates
pair nicely with creative cocktails.
WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V
Little Goat
2615 Portage Ave, 204-254-4628.
Chef Alex Svenne brings his brand of
French comfort food to west Winnipeg
in this charming and quirky space.
French fried chicken is already
creating a stir. LP, 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 Café and Wine
130-C Provencher Blvd, 204-233-7030.
This neighbourhood bistro has a stellar
view of the city’s skyline, making it a
perfect spot for savouring French fare
morning to night. WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V
Small Spots with Big Flavour
While Winnipeg’s restaurant scene is filled with plenty
of sprawling dining rooms. Some of the city’s best chefs
tuck themselves away in small spaces, where the tiny
dining area plays host to impressive, palate-expanding
delights. The ultra-intimate lounge at Close Co has a
mere 12 seats, though its small size belies big flavour.
Gorgeous plates please the eye and the palate, evident in
torched yellowfin tuna (pictured) bedded beneath crispy charcoal
chips, caviar and sliced jalapeño peppers. Knockout sushi sliders at tiny
Academy Road restaurant Fusian Experience use Wagyu of the highest quality
ranking, resulting in buttery patties sandwiched between sushi rice, with avocado and tomkatsu aioli
offering a bright bite. Small yet mighty Máquè takes inspiration from Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisine,
blending far east flavours with French derived technique. Multiple orders of pillowy steamed buns are seen
at every table, stuffed with a mix of crisped pork belly, peanuts, ssäm sauce and a sliver of pickle. Count
on chef-driven restaurant deer + almond for well-conceived food that is a little bit daring and intensely
exciting. Palate pushing flavour variations like crisp pork belly with sweet pineapple and spicy gochujang
rule the ever-changing menu. Tucked unassumingly in a stripmall, Chew is a rustic River Heights bistro
focused on in-season local tastes. A fluid menu tempts with inspired plays on favourite ingredients like
pumpkin, beets, scallops and boar.
18
TASTE Winnipeg’s Culinary Guide 2019-2020