what’s
hot
NOW
Winnipeg is a restaurant-rich culinary hub with
a dining scene that’s always evolving. Here’s
what’s #trending around the city.
by Jessie Schmidtke
The city’s best eats are not always served on
white linens. Classically trained chefs are opting
to open casual, small footprint spaces which
enable them to play out a passion for cooking
and loosen their collars. Contemporary design
and additional amenities like alcohol service
up the ante from yesteryear’s drive thru joints.
Try house-smoked meat stuffed sandwiches at
Miss Browns, Neapolitan pizza (pictured) with
a modern spin at Red Ember Common and juicy
burgers piled with cheffy fixings at Nuburger.
LITTLE GREEN SPROUTS
Microgreens are sprouting up all over the local food
scene, but don’t be fooled by their size! These baby
greens are loaded with nutrients and are hyper-flavourful.
Use them as more than just dainty garnishes. Toss them
in everything from salads to sandwiches, tacos and
soups. Microgreens from Winnipeg’s first urban vertical
farming business, Fresh Forage (pictured), can be found
at restaurants around the city, and at De Luca’s Specialty
Food Store and Red River Co-op grocery stores.
A SHUCKING GOOD DEAL
This landlocked city’s season-
less love affair with oysters is
apparent from myriad restaurants
offering these temptations on ice. Those in the know head to weekly
buck-a-shuck extravaganzas at The Cornerstone (Monday), The Roost
and Wasabi on Broadway (Tuesday), Peasant Cookery (Wednesday)
and Carne Italian Chophouse, Sous Sol and Mitchell Block
(Thursday). Slurp them back with a squirt of lemon and hot sauce
or try a zesty vinaigrette.
TAPROOM TAKE-OVER
In recent years, Manitoba laws loosened, making way for local
entrepreneurs to open microbreweries. This created a ripple effect of
taprooms and brewpubs opening up all over the city, offering an abundance
of creative drafts for brewheads to get excited about. Palate expanding
brews, like Half Pints’ chocolatey Stir Stick Stout, Nonsuch Brewing Co’s
(pictured) fruity high ABV saison or Little Brown Jug’s smooth strawberry-
hued Belgian ale, up the ante in Winnipeg’s beer scene. Whether an IPA
maniac or porter supporter, there’s a craft draft for everyone.
4
TASTE Winnipeg’s Culinary Guide 2019-2020
Room),
Kombucha
CHEF-DRIVEN FAST CASUAL