Dessert Sinsations' Vegetarian Brekkie with crispy, fried leeks.
Dessert Sinsations
Address: 505 B St. Mary Avenue
Phone Number: 204-284-4661
Neighbourhood: Downtown
Website: dessertsinsations.com
Facebook: facebook.com/dessertsinsations.staff
Twitter: @DessertSin
Dessert Sinsations is one of those places that's been around for eons in Winnipeg.
It's longevity—18 years and counting—inexplicably puts the downtown eatery under the radar. That is to say, my radar. But truth be told, if a restaurant has been around that many years, it certainly isn't under the radar with its legions of fans and regulars.
With that in mind, I recently took a friend from Calgary to the St. Mary Avenue spot for breakfast. I had taken many out-of-town friends to Stella's in the past. This time, I wanted to try something different. (Stella's food is a fantastic blend of upscale comfort and healthy, earthy eats. My only knock on Stella's: Some locations can get quite loud, hindering catch-up conversations with friends.)
So Dessert Sinsations was my second choice. It truly deserves to be a first choice.
The breakfast menu hits all the favourites (eggs any way with all the fixings), three kinds of eggs Benedict (ham, veggie with asparagus and smoked salmon), huevos rancheros, buttermilk pancakes and French toast. But even those standards have no resemblance to your average, neighbourhood diner.
Fresh cut and crispy fried potatoes sub in for run-of-the-mill hash browns. Store-bought jam is prohibited here. House-made jam (made with in-season fruit) adds extra flavour and flair at the table. For a slightly less sweet option, try the house-made cinnamon spread on toast. This creamy addition is a throw-back to grandma's kitchen when cinnamon toast was cobbled together with butter, brown sugar and loads of cinnamon.
For meat-free breakfast fare, try the vegetarian brekkie. Eggs any style, toast, and crispy, fried potatoes are joined by a dense, bean- and grain-laden patty. Hints of curry lace this moist but crispy patty. The best tasting element on the plate goes to the fried leeks. Long fingers of lightly battered and salted leeks finished the dish. I hoarded the crunchy, lightly fried onions, wanting to eat every forkful slowly to savour every bite. Insider's tip: Don't share your leeks.
A full espresso/cappuccino bar served up favourite specialty coffees. Seasonal specialty coffees also included an enticing salted caramel pumpkin latte.
If you're a Winnipegger and haven't ever been Dessert Sinsations, give it a try
If you're a Winnipegger with visiting friends and family, take brekkie at the St. Mary Avenue eatery.
And if you're just visiting, head south west of the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and discover what keeps a restaurant in business for nearly 20 years.
Dessert Sinsations' specialty drinks menu.
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.
Peg City Grub is a Tourism Winnipeg culinary initiative.
