Tourism Winnipeg

Culinary guide Despite the pandemic, Winnipeg's culinary scene has continued to expand with new rooms, concepts, pop-ups, patios and ghost kitchens, while some of our most notable chefs are continuing to push the scene further. Food Network fans have been treated to quite a bit of Winnipeg during the pandemic. On Top Chef Canada, Emily Butcher finished in the top five (after taking bronze at the Canadian Culinary Championships), while Mandel Hitzer of deer + almond and Christa Bruneau-Guenther of Feast Café Bistro were both regular panelists on Wall of Chefs. Jeremy Senaris went on another deep Masterchef Canada run and Tanner Davies came up just short in the first finale of The Great Canadian Baking Show. Christa's Feast is a West End staple and fantastic proponent for Indigenous cuisine, while Mandel's deer + almond has frequently made Canada's 100 list for its eclectic small plates and chill vibes. Representing Winnipeg on the current Canada's 100 list is Enoteca. It is one of three incredible restaurants by chef Scott Bagshaw, all of which are noted for their elegant plating and umami rich flavour combinations. Enoteca's focus leans French with a range of influences, while his other two—Passero ("10 best new restaurants on the prairies" The Globe and Mail) and Máquè (four-star review in the Winnipeg Free Press) take inspiration from Italy and Asia. At a glance, other fashionable spots that are regularly lavished with acclaim include Clementine—noted by The Globe and Mail (and everyone who has dined there) as one of Canada's best brunch establishments; Oxbow Natural Wine Bar (enRoute Canada's best new restaurants long list); The Roost, Forth Bar, Langside Grocery, and Patent 5 Distillery (Canada's 50 best bars); Yujiro (Western Living foodie of the year finalist, a title Chaeban Ice Cream recently won); Capital Grill (singled out in National Geographic Traveler); Nonsuch Brewing Co. (The Globe and Mail's "The ten best new restaurants on the prairies"); Harth Mozza & Wine Bar (a St. Vital staple and dining destination for the past four years); and Sous Sol (Winnipeg's most eclectic French bistro). Notable new spots The pandemic has fostered several cool things that we can't wait to see continue—particularly when it comes to all the city's pop-up bars. Cargo Bar in Assiniboine Park is serviced by the Park Café and includes a setting surrounded by trees and the Riley Family Duck Pond. The Blue Note downtown combines live music with Electric Snacks from our favourite new café, Modern Electric Lunch. In the Exchange District, The Bijou Patio provides delivery from all the surrounding spots. The Beer Can outdoor bar features its own taqueria and an incredible array of built-in outdoor seating, while The Gardens at 955 Portage features food trucks (Winnipeg has more than 45)! For new rooms, we were stoked to see gems that opened during the pandemic continue to excel. These include farm-to-table-focused Preservation Hall; Tabula Rasa Enoteca, photo by Enviro-Foto, courtesy of Travel Manitoba Feast Café Bistro, photo by Travel Manitoba The Beer Can, photo by Joey Senft tourismwinnipeg.com 11 Culinary guide

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