Welcome to the Marion Street Eatery where their mantra—people who love to eat are always the best people—is declared on a chalkboard in the dining room. (Photos by Robin Summerfield)
It has been a busy year on Winnipeg's restaurant scene. While big-name chains like Earls and Milestones have new locations in the works, it's the smaller, independently owned restaurants that are changing the city's food groove.
In the last 18 months or so, at least 20 new food purveyors have opened shop.
The city's evolving food scene includes new bake-shops, coffee shops, counter-service sandwich spots, a games café, juice bar, a small plates eatery, a meatball and porchetta diner, and the list goes on.
We've seen the addition of a remarkable new restaurant—Era Bistro—inside a remarkable new landmark, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
Nearby, at the Inn at the Forks, well-loved chef Alex Svenne has taken the helm at Smith, a carnivore's delight set in dining room cum rustic chic cabin that oozes Canadiana.
Across the Board, a games café in the Exchange District, stocks about 600 board games for kids and adults of all ages. A menu of creative sandwiches, salads and pizzas rounds out notable new eatery.
New bakeshops include The Store Next Door, by the folks at Chew, and Sleepy Owl Bread in the West End.
Chef Sean McKay opened The Mitchell Block while chef Scott Bagshaw of Deseo branched out, opening his second spot Enoteca.
Marion Street Eatery, a St. Boniface breakfast and lunch spot is spot on with its menu of inspired eggs, special salads and great creations found between two pieces of bread.
The Good Will and Little Pizza Heaven have combined forces in the former location of Pop Soda's to bring Winnipeggers a great new live music and event venue right downtown. The Handsome Daughter has taken up a similar mantel in Wolseley on Sherbrook Street, an emerging food street in the city.
Up the road, chef Talia Syrie and her business partner Steve Ackerman have relaunched The Tallest Poppy, a homey comfort food stop complete with waffles and chicken.
Osborne Village welcomed The Cornerstone, coffee shop Stain Coffee Company and juice bar Green Carrot Juice Company.
Maw's Garage and Beer Hall, St. James Tap and Table, King & Bannatyne, Dwarf no Cachette, Red Sea Bar and Restaurant, and a new Barley Brothers location at Investors Field all came on the scene too.
Keep your eyes open for Vera Pizza, which will open on Osborne Street South. Meanwhile, three, well-respected chef/owners are all also opening new restaurants in 2015.
Behold the mighty five-spice chicken wing, The Cornerstone.
Across the Board owners Clinton Skibitzky (left) and Olaf Pyttlik.
Kyle Lew and Kristen Chemeriki-Lew, owners of The Store Next Door.
Mmmmmm.... shaved roast wagyu beef burger at The Mitchell Block.
Executive chef Barry Saunders (right) overseeing the troops inside Era's open kitchen.
The table is set at Smith.
Peg City Grub is your ultimate source for everything foodie in Winnipeg. From the hottest chefs to the best new restaurants to the most delicious events, we’ve got you covered. Follow us on Twitter @pegcitygrub and visit www.tourismwinnipeg.com for more on the city’s fabulous dining options.
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