It feels like it’s been ages since we’ve done a new and notable, so while you attempt to digest that headline (note: only fermented foods can help choke down any fall puns) let’s set the table for September and October.
Given there’s so much going on, this one’s going to be a two-parter.
The first page of the menu features Vietnamese that’s sure to please in Saint-Boniface, a dinner club for the 25+ crowd in an always handsome room off Portage and Main, a new pub beside St. Vital Centre, and an attractive new room in North Kildonan by some industry veterans that just won the inaugural Between The Buns Week.
In part two, we’ll meet the chefs looking to represent Winnipeg at the Canadian Culinary Championships—as Canada’s Great Kitchen Party takes over The Fairmont on October 28, along highlighting local fall suppers and giving you the latest culinary news in the city.
Dig in!
Roasted Nomad Coffee & Brunch | 393 Marion Street
Norwood locals have gone from mourning the closing of the much-loved Marion Street Eatery to saying ‘good morning’ to the spot that has replaced it. Owned by former Marion Street employee Pam Holunga, and featuring a few returning staff (both FOH and in the kitchen), Roasted Nomad continues this location’s excellence in brunch.
With Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters in the mugs and home fries that are perfection, dishes like Eggs Benedict (on a croissant or gluten-free toast), fluffy blueberry pancakes topped with caramel sauce and sliced bananas, and colourful rendition of huevos rancheros will start your morning right. The tight menu has a breakfast, toast, “soup n’ salad” and a sandwich section, so there’s a little something for everyone, while Marion regulars will appreciate how the chairs, tables and bar are all still the same, with just a slight reconfiguration in the dining room. It’s like returning to visit an old friend. Learn more about Pam and her crew in this Winnipeg Free Press feature by Eva Wasney.
Tuesday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. No reservations. Follow this nomad on Instagram for more.
Le Colonial | 4-208 Marion Street
For anyone familiar with the high-end Vietnamese restaurant group of the same name in America (particularly the Chicago location, with its gorgeous, airy dining room filled with plants, tile floors and rattan furniture), this is not the same company. That said, the food at Winnipeg’s Le Colonial is photogenic; the room has tropical murals, comfortable booths and teak chairs; while the menu of French-influenced Vietnamese cuisine brings plenty of pop and brightness, as diners continue to attest.The salad rolls are amongst some of the best in the city (not too stuffed with vermicelli so they aren’t gummy!), the meats are all flame-grilled, and there are a few eye-catching large dishes like whole grilled squid presented Ikayaki style. Bring friends so you can order the interactive Banh hoi Platter that allows you to make verdant lettuce wraps with a selection of grilled meats, vermicelli bundles and all the Thai basil and mint you could ask for.
Since opening in April, Le Colonial has been racking up plenty of very positive Google reviews and is already looking to join the ranks of Winnipeg’s top Vietnamese eateries—which is saying a lot as this city has so many great Vietnamese restaurants.
Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For a full menu, head to the website.
Bull & Filly | 1763 Henderson Highway
Located right across the street from the Red River in North Kildonan, this new European café is by veteran Winnipeg culinary couple, Kris & Corinne Kopansky (most recently of Brazen Hall).
The rather extensive menu runs from brunch (served daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), where you can get classics like brisket hash, avocado toast, and a frittata with goat cheese and cherry tomatoes. Large mains hit the menu after 5 p.m., including pecan-crusted chicken with cherry barbecue sauce, several types of steak frites and local walleye with wild rice and a lemon cream sauce.
All day long the signature Filly Burger is available, so you can get your fill of a chuck and brisket patty topped with sun dried tomato aioli and other fun things. The Bull & Filly also just won the first-ever Between The Buns Week, beating out more than 100 participating local restaurants with its The Bull burger. Perhaps it too will become a regular on the menu?
Wednesday, Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Here’s the website.
Commonwealth Kitchen and Bar | 456 Main Street
The historic Bank of Toronto Building, one of downtown’s splashiest locations, welcomed a new tenant beneath its four Corinthian pillars in April 2024. The former home La Carnita (a Greater Toronto Area chain that made a foray here), is now Commonwealth, a supper club by local entrepreneur Nikola Maharajh that turns into a club as the evening unfolds.
The menu is chockfull of popular upscale-casual dishes with some unexpected twists. A classic watermelon-feta salad with mint and balsamic gets dressy with lemongrass and the Caesar salad is built on shaved Brussel sprouts. Stuffed dates are filled with Brie before being seared with bacon and the seared tuna is topped with an avocado and pea puree. Entrees include a traditional pad Thai and tikka masala, while the desserts are curated—coming from Cake-ology and Nucci’s gelato. There are plenty of gluten-free and vegetarian options, the beers are all local and the cocktails program is strong too. There’s also a dress code, so you best keep it classy Winnipeg.
Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday, 5 p.m. to midnight; Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Here’s the website. Note: Age is 18+ after 10 p.m. on weekdays, and 25+ after 10 p.m. on weekends. Learn more about Commonwealth in this article from our friends at the Exchange District Biz.
The Grizzly Goose Pub & Eatery | 845 Dakota Street
St. Vital Centre shoppers will be happy to learn that there’s another great locally owned spot to unwind at after making back to school purchases this season.
The Grizzly Goose Pub & Eatery has replaced Bellamy’s Restaurant and Bar, which had been running for more than three decades across from the mall (fun fact: Bellamy’s was owned and operated by couple Dimos Ginakes and Nancy Vardalos-Ginakes, and Nancy is the sister of famed actress and screenwriter Nia Vardalos of My Big Fat Greek Wedding fame—who used to make regular appearances at the restaurant). While the storied space now gives up that Hollywood connection, it does still feature plenty of Greek influence on the menu (including several “Bellamy’s Favourites” that are indicated on the menu), a burger that has recently proved popular during the aforementioned Between the Buns and a pool table.
Find dishes like a gyro skillet for breakfast, avgolemono (the silky, lemony, classic Greek soup), 11” pizzas on house-made dough, chicken fingers with honey dill that the menu promises will be a claim to fame, and the Bellamy legend—deep-fried cheesecake for dessert. We’d also like to applaud how one menu section is titled “Sandwiches are Beautiful.” As locals will tell you, Fred Penner never made famous a Bob King song about ‘handhelds,’ or things ‘in between breads.’
Sunday to Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Thursday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Here’s the website.
King Cob Market Pub - 580 Ellice Avenue
The wait is over in the West End for the opening of the ever so cozy King Cob Market Pub. After more than five years of painstakingly renovating this former storefront beside the iconic West End Cultural Centre, King Cob owner-operator Darryl Friesen unveiled the passion project this past week. The warm space is framed in both raw and vibrantly lacquered woods (including a bar top with plenty of sheen), the ceiling has a charming quilt pattern design framed by wood beams, and the taps are pouring out local product from Oxus, Little Brown Jug, Half Pints, Dastardly Villain, Good Neighbour, Devil May Care and Sookram's beers. There's a small menu of Latin American and Southern US-inspired snacks like jerk chicken, arepas with beans and rice, and smoked pulled pork, and the vibes are chill. Go give it some love.
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