As a foodie living in Winnipeg, 2011 was a very, very good year.
New restaurants opened and existing ones either relocated or improved their already stellar list of goodies.
So where was I filling my belly the most last year?
Well, without further ado, here’s my favourite top 3 places to eat in the city.
For starters, I have to admit the first place on my list has remained one of my favourite establishments since it opened in south Osborne.
Not only was its opening a godsend to local folks, but the food was an inspired take on french food in a comfortable and approachable manner.
Sure, you could find rilettes, pate and other typical French dishes on the menu, but mussels et frites, pork chops and salmon made choosing a dish for the less than French-food familiar an easy exercise.
If you haven’t guessed, it’s Bistro 7 1/4.
Chef Alex Svenne continues to rock it out, and now, with even more square feet to play in, continues to be one of the best in the city.
As for the movers and shakers, our good friends at Deseo Bistro have settled in nicely to their digs (or should I say, figs?) in south Osborne too.
Nicely decorated with birch wood and muted colour, the space is as inviting as the menu.
I’ve always been one who prefers to make a meal out of smaller bites and if you’re like me, you’ll find the task nearly impossible here.
Impossible in a good way as the choices seem almost endless with each one sounding as good as the previous one.
Be it the spicy sweet chorizo and figs, the unctuous Iberico croquette or the simple yet amazing duck fat fingerling potatoes, you don’t need to look past the first part of the menu to find an amazing dinner.
Alejandro, Scott & staff–you do great work.
Lastly, but certainly not the least, is Elements.
The man behind this massive project is none other than Ben Kramer, a genuine nice guy and champion of local, sustainable and quality food.
I’m not sure what makes me more proud about the opening of Elements–the foodie in me who loves great food or as a Winnipegger seeing someone produce meals for students and the public that don’t arrive in trucks from Sysco.
The menu is ethnically diverse to appeal to all who visit, but since I am an aficionado of smoked pork belly, the first stop is always the spicy bacon caramel popcorn. That salty sweet epiphany is closely followed by the smoked tomato Caesar salad and a toss up between the juniper brined chicken or the sablefish with marinated wakame and warm carrot salad.
So there you have it folks–my top 3 places to eat in 2011 (and soon to be 2012).
There are many other joints I could have named as well, but let’s leave that for another post.
Happy 2012 everyone!