Tourism Winnipeg

38 2015 SPRING/SUMMER EVENTS & ITINERARIES GUIDE Winnipeg My friends, Winnipeg's food scene is hotter right now than the hamam room at Ten Spa. There has never been a better time for gourmands to bask in our round-the-clock tasty times; whether you are looking for small plates, a sublime hair-of-the- dog weekend brunch, a nice spot to take the kids, or one of Canada's best restaurants, we've got your taste buds covered. ◗ MORNINGS Do you like coffee? Well so do we, and if you are downtown and need something crafted with care, check out our homie Nils at Parlour Coffee, who has perfected the craft utilizing some of Canada's best beans from carefully considered artisanal roasters. In the West Broadway neighbourhood the boys at Thom Bargen Coffee and Tea also brew a great shot, as do the ladies at Little Sister Coffee Maker in fashionable Osborne Village. And what goes well with coffee? Well, doughnuts of course, and all three of these fine places sell delicious ones from Oh Doughnuts who do playful, daily changing flavours like blood orange cream and lemon meringue (get them early, as they sell out fast). From there, what's your breakfast style? Do you have kids with you? If so, go to one of several Stella's locations where, despite not pandering to children with kid's menus, they do it right for the whole family with fresh baked breads and homemade spreads (its jams are a thing of local legend) while they rock out waffles, smoothies and all manner of eggs while making it seem effortless. If you are of the hip set, then the Tallest Poppy on Sherbrook Street is where it's at for delicious things like fried chicken and waffles – all while you sit in a room adorned with local art while watching/listening to the bearded, moustachioed and horn- rimmed glass-wearing patrons talk about last night's art show in the Exchange. Other breakfast spots of note (which also carry over into excellent lunching) include items from the lovely ladies of Marion Street Eatery, whose hearty, on-point fare in St. Boniface usually equates to line-ups on weekends; Falafel Place in River Heights – a cash-only institution where massive portions of garlicky Jewish delights served with eggs are top notch; and the Oakwood Bistro on South Osborne – a family- friendly kitschy joint where everything is made from scratch and right on the money (all while being modestly priced). Try the borscht and the French toast #nomnom. ◗ LUNCH TO EARLY EVENING Downtown, where business is on the agenda, is where lunch is at its finest, and some of the best stuff is found between bread. The past year saw the start of something akin to sandwich wars, with King+Bannatyne's assortment of slow-roasted and cheesy grilled sammys for the hip set, duking it out with Nick's on Broadway, who are taking handmade to a whole new level with fresh baked breads (the brioche is so good) featuring slow-roasted meats and some superb sides. Just outside of the downtown core in West Broadway, the Sherbrook Street Delicatessen is doing divine kosher food with everything – including the condiments – made in-house and hand cut with incredibly delicious results (#bestbrisketintown). Back to downtown, Shawarma Khan also has it going on with garlicky halal platters where crispy chicken or beef/ lamb is buttressed by pickled veg, tabouli and a host of other homemade, hormone-free goodness. And don't forget about the vegetarians who can be found worshiping at the alter of Boon Burger, whose roster of vegan, bean-centric burgers at their Exchange District and Sherbrook St. locations could see carnivores swearing off meat. Culinary Trails Deseo Bistro Chicken Shawarma Platter at Shawarma Khan: Mike Green

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