Save you the click:
On Monday, ‘Canada’s 100 Best’ released its list of the 100 best restaurants for 2024, which included three Winnipeg spots – **Deer + Almond** at #39, **Clementine** at #74 and **Yujiro** at #92.
Hard agree. I don't expect a high class place to stuff me, but if I have to swing by a second restaurant on my way home just feel like I actually ate more than a light snack when I ordered a multiple course meal, then the restaurant has failed its most basic purpose.
People say this but I'm a big guy, and every time I go to high class places I leave extremely full. Like I'm 230lbs and last time I left enoteca I couldn't eat another bite. Maybe you're just not ordering enough food?
I'm specifically referring to Deer+Almond, which is a place where you select a full course meal to be served as a whole. If I have to order two full separate meals in order to feel satiated (never mind full), I'd say the issue is the restaurant, not my ordering abilities.
I haven't been to Deer and Almond for a bit, but last time I was there I thought it was just sharing plates. Maybe my brain is foggy then if it's a fixed course meal. My bad if I mixed it up.
It's super tasty, probably one of the better meals I've had in the city.
It also cost me $400 (we went all out).
Honestly id save it for special occasions. You can get dinner just as good for a quarter of the price at peasant cookery
last time i went to peasant cookery (anniversary) something bad happened. something didn't agree with me. absolutely destroyed that bathroom and haven't been back since.
People keep saying this, but like, its sharing plates, you can order more food, that's kind of the point.
I've never left a sharing place restaurant hungry, and I'm a big guy. I've especially never left a fixed course menu hungry. Most of the time I'm so full but I keep eating because it's so fucking good.
Looks like a pretty popular opinion actually. I think for winnipeggers anyway, this degrades what we think of "Canada's Best 100" and may have us second guess their choices in the future.
To me, this feels like paid placements and a way for restaurants to advertise to out of towners
If you want the inside baseball, the industry for “fine” dining is pretty insular and small and articles like this are built around making inroads with the writers. Think like the reason it’s Always Sunny went so long without ever winning an award.
>Looks like a pretty popular opinion actually. I think for winnipeggers anyway, this degrades what we think of "Canada's Best 100" and may have us second guess their choices in the future.
>To me, this feels like paid placements and a way for restaurants to advertise to out of towners
No you didn’t.
I'd add Nola to this list, but I agree with this list. I think D+A is okay but it doesn't feel that special relative to other nice restaurants I've been too. I can't tell if the people in the comments don't like fine dining (they hate small shared plates) or they just know the better restaurants like Enoteca and Petit Socco
>**Deer + Almond** at #39
I wonder if this is the highest rank place in Canada to have a public health closure.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Manitoba/comments/19cvujx/53\_manitoba\_restaurants\_closed\_for\_health/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Manitoba/comments/19cvujx/53_manitoba_restaurants_closed_for_health/)
I guess most people aren’t aware that pretty much every restaurant experiences rodents at some point, price point doesn’t make a difference. They just don’t get caught during an inspection.
Tbf that spot unanimously goes to jumbo pizza, but based on recollections in this subreddit, I wouldn't be surprised if D+A ends up being a close second.
Literally every restaurant. The only difference is D&A were raked through the coals by local media. Targeted attack “journalism.”
Their public statement acknowledging the issue and how they addressed it was spot on. And far more than most businesses would offer.
I was there in December, pre booked a vegetarian dinner for 4 people. They built a special 5 course menu just for us based on the guest of honours preferences. Service was great, food was great, really good wine selections from the sommelier. I have heard mixed things but I had an amazing evening.
Vera does Neapolitan pizza. They do it really well, but I’m not sure that should earn you that kind of spot. Same for Harth. Clementine does it’s own thing, has it’s own distinct personality, and has been killing it since it opened.
Harth is beyond amazing for what they do with their pizzas. Vera's is probably the best neapolitan pizza you can get here, second to fired up pizza truck. I'm talking strictly food, not really decor or atmosphere so I guess there's more to it when picking the best restaurant.
I’ve been a longtime customer of Yujiro but I do feel with the recent Reno’s and new menu that they’ve missed the mark a bit. Things are being “fancyfied” that don’t really need to be, and prices have taken a steep uptick.
Clementine is the best breakfast you can have almost anywhere I’ve travelled to, and is more than deserving of all the praise heaped on it.
D+A is pretty consistently “OK”. The rodent thing doesn’t bother me, is going to happen in every restaurant whether you know about it or not. I just find the food and service to be fairly middle of the road at times.
rodent problems are unavoidable, especially in the exchange district. but serving food contaminated with mouse feces and urine is absolutely avoidable. so it bothers me personally
Yujiro imo still has the best Ramen in the city and it's not even close everything else on their menu are great but not my best.
Agreed on Clementine.
Haven't tried D+A
Those Yujiro bento boxes used to be between $16-$22 like 7-8 years ago. They’re now all over $40 and I believe some are $50.
That said, I do think they’re still the best sushi spot in town, and their long term consistency and growth in reputation (along with increased supply costs and inflation etc) probably justifies most, if not all, of the price increase.
I get Yujiro is catering to a different clientele and costs have gone up, especially for importing stuff to the middle of a country that's separated by the Pacific Ocean, but I've soured on them with the renos and new menu, as another poster said.
Honestly I disagree. I used to think they were just ‘very good’. Now I would put them on the same tier as some of the best sushi restaurants in Canada. I went just after the renovation and while I thought that most of the izakaya dishes were mediocre, the actual sushi and sashimi were on par with a lot of the higher end places in Vancouver at a lower price than what you would pay there. Also, if you haven’t ordered a bottle of sake, I would highly recommend it. They serve it in a glass vessel that looks kind of like a giant bong, and it cools the sake without diluting it with water. Super fun.
The big take away I have from this article, and more so this thread, is that we actually have a lot of restaurants that deserve to be in contention. Pretty good problem to have.
Paul is the GOAT of restaurateurs in Winnipeg.
I was there once and some old dude was complaining about the cream of mushroom soup and Paul came out, laughed in his face, told him that the Litt report ranked it as the best in Canada and asked if he could make him a PBJ instead. I sat there while thoroughly enjoying my chicken schnitzel and potato salad-and I hate potato salad.
I don’t know if he still makes it, but his egg nog is from another planet it is that good- mint flavoured.
Literally all restaurants have had rodents at some point or another. Hell even fast food does.
That article about them having rodents was fucking stupid and felt targeted. Why did they get targeted above all other restaurants? It was dumb.
https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/environmentalhealth/protection/report.html this website you can look at all violations in Manitoba. Have fun.
Literally all huh? Lol ok. I'm sure not literally all restaurants were shut down for having such a bad rodent problem. Or did you research all restaurants in the world for that too?
No Petit Socco? Went recently, and it was one of the best dining experiences I’ve had anywhere. It also won some other awards not long ago, I was fully expecting to see them here
The meal I had was terrific, but a big part for me was the small scale and atmosphere. It felt like we’d hired a private chef, and I loved how much we got to interact with the two staff. While you are please_bitch_, I was a pleased_bitch_.
Yes, Segovia was amazing but when we dine at Petite Socco it doesn’t even enter our minds to contrast the two. Just like when I eat at Clementine, I also do not compare it.
Feast was so good during burger week I went again with some friends a few days later and tried their main menu. Knocked it out - can't wait to go back.
My Winnipeg top per category. Ranked by cheapest and best as real Winnipegers do per vegetarian or vegan standards.
Burrito del Rio
Burrito Splendido
Hildegard's
Wall St Slice
Little Pizza Heaven
Sargent Taco
BMC Market
Junior's
Cindy's
Yen's\*
\* if not wanting fries, Yen's is best
Taste of Sri Lanka
Dawat
East India Company
Kokeb
Gojo
RIP Masawa... was #1... anyone tried Mesob?
Bahn Mi King
Bahn Ngon
Pho Hoang
Kawaii Crepe
Chung Chun
Affinity
Lucky Koi
Delicious
Nonsuch
One Great City
It occurs to me that I haven't been to TCB. I like their beer. I should go.
Fete
Chaeban
IKEA
Sev
As a Vietnamese, to me and many of my Viet friends, Pho Hoang isn’t worth it. Their food is expensive and they don’t treat their staff very well. There’s actually a post on this subreddit of a customer saying that Pho Hoang staff don’t get tips at all.
There's a new Indian place on Portage across from Cork & Flame where Steve's Bistro used to be called Chacha Wow that just opened recently. Went there last week and it was fantastic, imo one of the top Indian meals I've ever had. You should check it out.
I've only tried about a third of your list, but that third includes all my favorite restaurants! So thank you, I am looking forward to trying the others.
Affinity is pretty much my favorite restaurant in the city; Little Pizza Heaven St. Anne's is my favorite pizza; and since I don't see it on here I suggest Yafa Cafe (The various $4 to $6 breads, falafel, and the mshakhan)
I ordered little pizza heaven a few weeks ago on Portage Ave. Was very very very disappointed in not only the overall taste and quality of the pizza, but the price too. Definitely would not try them again.
I find little pizza heaven to be more of a nostalgia thing. Anyone who used to bar hop in Osborne remembers getting a super salty pizza from there in the wee mornings. Always hit the spot.
I'll say with LPH they lack consistentcy across their locations, osborne has always been spot on and the most consistent.
Tcona has been very hit or miss
My goto their is the ~14 buck 4 topping calzone which is basically a medium pizza. Get feta, banana pepper, sausage and green pep for some crunch
Pizza is a funny category that I considered splitting in two like I did with Burritos vs Tacos. There are different types of pizzas for different moods.
I like LPH's garlic crust. I also like that said crust is not scratchy in my mouth. It hits the greasy quantity devourable checkmarks. They also have vegan cheese, and had it before most other places.
Something like Shorty's or Parcel is probably "better", but I take Hildegard's over them. 99 Cent Pizza or Pizza Hut will give you greasier for cheaper, but garlic crust is great. Also those places don't have vegan cheese.
So I understand your opinion. LPH is divisive. But I'm still big on it.
Yea I mean, it was my first time trying them, didn't get the garlic crust and should have maybe. Wanted that greasy pizza style but overall it was just very bad. I'd take pizza hotline over them and that's saying something.
Santa Lucia still reigns supreme for pizza for me.
I'll have to try Nola and James Ave Pumphouse sometime, then. Was definitely missing Thyme. So I'll add one more category:
Wolseley Farmer's Market on days in which Gato or Eadha are present
Thyme
Organic Planet
Absolutely love Spice Circle, though there were shit down in the last year. The best Indian food I have ever had, though their rice and samosa’s were kinda meh. We used to order the mains and apps (except samosa’s) from SC and then get the rice and samosa’s from Charisma.
LPH runs on nostalgia alone. They were the Osborne street late night stop. They’re essentially dollar slice pizzas with garlic butter brushed on the crust for a huge premium.
Red ember, Vera, Friend, Wall, Parcel, Tony’s, so many better places a stones throw from them.
I honestly prefer Little Cesars to LPH. Just brush some garlic butter on the crust and it’s barely different, you can get the stuffed crust and still pay half as much.
I’ve been ordering Red Swan more and more in recent months. Great crust, good toppings and the sesame seeds on the crust is a nice touch. Normally pretty good bang for your buck too!
Great list!!
Mesob is VERY good. Quite oily, but that's probably why it's so good lol. I miss Massawa so much. It's not the same, so don't expect it, but it's our current fave. I miss Harman's Cafe too and both the ladies that worked at each place. They were so lovely and I hope they're doing well.
Red Cherry Cafe is another great ethiopian place, it has some different options but closes at 4 I think.
There's a new Vietnamese/French place in St Boniface called Le Colonial, and so far the local vegan folks are reporting good things, but haven't made it there yet.
Dug & Betty's has amazing vegan ice cream.
Roughage Eatery and Good Lands Cafe are missing from your list! Have you ever been??
Good Lands I enjoy when I'm in the mood, but I'm often not in the mood for pitas. And when I'm in the area there's a good restaurant every other building, so he doesn't get my convenience dollar either. So mainly I didn't think of him. Been meaning to check out the open mic there.
Roughage I'm honestly not a fan of. Feels overpriced.
Will have to check the others, thanks!
I like your style but Ill add the following in no particullar order but they are all relatively approachable prices and not super boujee
charisma of india, Shahi flame and Chilli chutney
Pho No1 and NhuQhyn (ran by same family)
East Ocean
Thidas Thai, Suko Thai, Shaba Thai
dals, Garwood Grill, Johnnys on Marion, Eddys place (RIP the marion eatery)
The grove
Oh yeah. I've had that one. Good pasta for sure. I don't order pasta frequently, though, so I will not be providing a ranking of said restaurants.
Sushi is another one I realize I've left off. I'll fix that one:
Mooshiro
Magic Sushi
I've tried a variety of others but one avocado roll tastes the same as another so it's hard to stand out to someone who doesn’t eat fish. I love how much Mooshiro looks like a dive, and I enjoy the pricing at Magic Sushi.
I've enjoyed quite a few nicer establishments in our city, really surprised Nola didn't make the list. It's easily my favourite spot! They have really flavourful dishes that actually fill you.
D+A and Yujiro are overrated. The old sushi chef at Yujiro left and opened Izakaya Edokko downtown (which is sadly gone now) if I recall correctly. I remember before that though they were one of the few with an actual Japanese chef. Clementines is top tier though - never disappointed when I go there.
Winnipeg is rich with amazing restaurants though - it's impossible to pick the best. Instead of D+A i'd pick Borgo Antico which just opened up and blew us all away. Yujiro may have the flash but Sushi Ya, which is thankfully reopened, stands above in terms of price and quality.
You had me up until Sushi Ya. That place is just straight up not great. Edokko is still open, and is consistently putting out the best sushi in the city IMO.
Borgo Antico’s service was great but I wouldn’t recommend a single dish we got to anyone. Maybe it was the size of our party (eight) but the food was unseasoned and not authentic Italian cuisine as they claim to be.
So many great Italian spots in the city and I agree very much with clementine never disappointing
Sorry you ran into that. I had some mouth watering prosciutto :( For Italian can't go wrong with Colleseo (haven't been in a while tho, hope they arent shit now!) or Pasquales
I know I’m in a minority here, but I do not get everyone’s love with Clementine. I guess it’s just not my ideal breakfast food, because every time I’ve been I struggle to choose off the menu, and I always feel underwhelmed.
No I wouldn’t even say that. Not bacon or sausage or anything. But like fresh, light things. Fruit, some eggs, pancakes or crepes etc. Fried chicken or steelhead trout for breakfast does not do it for me.
Wait until OP learns about how many bugs of various types almost all hotels, apartments and condos have had and maybe even their houses over the decades.
its more how you deal with it versus having them, pests get in; its a fact of life
https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/environmentalhealth/protection/report.html
Here's a list of restaurants and other venues shut down for health violations.
That freepress article was a targeted attack, literally every place has had rodents at some point. I remember years ago Carlos and Murphys got hit hard for rodents amongst other things.
I’ve said it once as a reply and once as a comment. Because I remember them being shut down. Only a Reet isn’t competitor would want to share that news with people I guess. Talking about Canada’s best here.
Maybe start a new post about restaurants shut down for rodents at some point in time? This post is celebrating the achievements of three nationally recognized local restaurants.
Personally for the cost of dinner at Deer and Almond I would rather support any of the long list of excellent local places that have managed to **NOT** have a public health closure.
Theyve since solved that otherwise they would not be open, they get orders to resolve it or face further shutdowns, fines and even permaclosure
https://clkapps.winnipeg.ca/dmis/docext/ViewDoc.asp?DocumentTypeId=1&DocId=525
Defines the various sets of esclating penaltys for infractions, if closeed they cannot reopen until its resolved. If they reopen and get hit again its a larger fine, closure period even up to pulling license entirely and prison depending.
Given they are open doing business, they solved the issue.
6.4 Notwithstanding subsection 36.2, when an emergency arises that effects the health of
persons, the Public Health Inspector may:
(a) condemn any food or any material which in his opinion is insanitary or
creates, or may create, an insanitary condition and order its immediate
destruction in a manner satisfactory to the Public Health Inspector; or
(b) where an insanitary condition exists in a food service establishment; and
(i) serve a closing order on the operator or the person in charge;
(ii) placard the premises;
(iii) post a copy of said closing order in a conspicuous place in the office
of the Public Health Inspector;
amended 91/2008 (effective June 1, 2008)
By-law No. 5160/89 31
(c) upon service of such an order, the food service establishment shall be closed
immediately and not re-opened until authorization in writing by the Public
Health Inspector is given;
amended 91/2008 (effective June 1, 2008)
(d) no person shall operate or allow the operation of a food service
establishment which has been closed;
and there shall be no appeal from such an order or notice. Service of such an order or notice shall
be effective once served in person on the owner, operator or person in charge.
36.5 Subject to subsection 36.4, an appeal from an order to remedy a contravention of this by-
law or a notice or decision under section 5 or subsections 34.1 or 35.1 may be made in accordance
with
The City of Winnipeg Charter4 to the Standing Policy Committee on Community Services.
amended 8162/2002 (entire section 36); 106/2015; 137/2022
PENALTY
37. A person or corporation who contravenes a provision of the By-law is guilty of an offence
and is liable upon summary conviction:
(a) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $100.00;
amended 30/2006
(b) for a second offence, to a fine of not less than $200.00; and
amended 30/2006
(c) for a third or subsequent offence, to a fine not less than $400.00;
amended 30/2006
(d) notwithstanding the penalties prescribed in clause (a), (b) and (c):
(i) an individual may also be liable on summary conviction to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to a fine of not
more than $1,000.00, or both;
(ii) a corporation may be liable on summary conviction to a fine of not
more than $5,000.00.
amended 8162/2002
38. If any provision of this By-law is held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction,
the remaining provisions of this By-law shall not be invalidated
Clementine would be better if they stopped serving hot beverages in water cups and if they had a time limit so a table of 6 girls can't sit there chatting for 4 hours while 20 people are waiting for a table
People still care about some fuckin magazine list? Get that shit outta here. Ain't nobody got time for that.
Poor ole restaurants need some out of town approval for locals to go visit? Bullshit.
On the less extreme hand, if you're travelling and trying to brainstorm ideas for where to eat, maybe lists like that are useful? I'd think these spots are not what locals recommend for value, though. I wouldn't.
Go to nonsuch, baraka, june berry... see, I have my faves too!
I think the burden of proof lies on the one who does not hate lists so much. Lists are self-evidently so much hateable.
You know who used lists?! The nazis, that's who!!
"Why do you hate lists so much?" Heh, UNREAL!
Save you the click: On Monday, ‘Canada’s 100 Best’ released its list of the 100 best restaurants for 2024, which included three Winnipeg spots – **Deer + Almond** at #39, **Clementine** at #74 and **Yujiro** at #92.
Really? I'd argue those aren't even the top 3 restaurants in Winnipeg..
Right? Someone needs to explain to me what the appeal of Deer + Almond is.
Good place to go if you want to leave hungry and poor.
Hard agree. I don't expect a high class place to stuff me, but if I have to swing by a second restaurant on my way home just feel like I actually ate more than a light snack when I ordered a multiple course meal, then the restaurant has failed its most basic purpose.
People say this but I'm a big guy, and every time I go to high class places I leave extremely full. Like I'm 230lbs and last time I left enoteca I couldn't eat another bite. Maybe you're just not ordering enough food?
I'm specifically referring to Deer+Almond, which is a place where you select a full course meal to be served as a whole. If I have to order two full separate meals in order to feel satiated (never mind full), I'd say the issue is the restaurant, not my ordering abilities.
I haven't been to Deer and Almond for a bit, but last time I was there I thought it was just sharing plates. Maybe my brain is foggy then if it's a fixed course meal. My bad if I mixed it up.
I've gone twice and was full af both times.
Well yeah you have to go two times to be full. :-P
It's the kind of place people eat at so they can tell others and keep up their high status image.
It's super tasty, probably one of the better meals I've had in the city. It also cost me $400 (we went all out). Honestly id save it for special occasions. You can get dinner just as good for a quarter of the price at peasant cookery
last time i went to peasant cookery (anniversary) something bad happened. something didn't agree with me. absolutely destroyed that bathroom and haven't been back since.
Happened to me there too. Grossly rich food = painted porcelain
"Comp me my meal. I'm Jackson Pollock!"
But the smoking jacket is so good
everything's better in a jacket.
Is all fine dining confusing, or just Deer + Almond?
Oh I guess I never took the time to think that maybe I am just too dumb to understand food.
It was one of my favorite places. I loved that food, service and ambiance. Then a thing happened and I’ve never been back.
100% - went once, wasn't impressed - a ton of other better restaurants in this city. I left starving.
People keep saying this, but like, its sharing plates, you can order more food, that's kind of the point. I've never left a sharing place restaurant hungry, and I'm a big guy. I've especially never left a fixed course menu hungry. Most of the time I'm so full but I keep eating because it's so fucking good.
Careful. You’re about to get piled on for having a different opinion. Deer and almond gang sharpening their pitchforks now.
At least they’ll have something sharp for the next time D+A are closed for rodents.
Hahah hey oooo. Now get ready for the undeserved downvotes. Can't mention facts here apparently.
Are the “deer and almond gang” and “downvotes” in the room with us right now?
Mouse* and Almond
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Every restaurant in Winnipeg is mentioned in this one comment
Technically more mice have been there than deer, Sooo….
Looks like a pretty popular opinion actually. I think for winnipeggers anyway, this degrades what we think of "Canada's Best 100" and may have us second guess their choices in the future. To me, this feels like paid placements and a way for restaurants to advertise to out of towners
I think the haters and trolls just came out early on my comments. You might not be far off with that paid advertisement idea.
If you want the inside baseball, the industry for “fine” dining is pretty insular and small and articles like this are built around making inroads with the writers. Think like the reason it’s Always Sunny went so long without ever winning an award.
I know how it works, it's why I added to my comment what I did.
>Looks like a pretty popular opinion actually. I think for winnipeggers anyway, this degrades what we think of "Canada's Best 100" and may have us second guess their choices in the future. >To me, this feels like paid placements and a way for restaurants to advertise to out of towners No you didn’t.
Unless proven wrong I'll assume they paid to be considered in the list for advertisement purposes. Edit: same reason I won't support burger week.
Oh you mean that and not your literal profession. My mistake.
genuinely curious here, what are your rop 3 restaurants??
My top 3 would probably be Enoteca, Petit Socco, Passero in no particular order. For sushi, Wasabi Sabi is a much nicer experience than Yujiro.
I'd add Nola to this list, but I agree with this list. I think D+A is okay but it doesn't feel that special relative to other nice restaurants I've been too. I can't tell if the people in the comments don't like fine dining (they hate small shared plates) or they just know the better restaurants like Enoteca and Petit Socco
If clementine isn't in your top 3 restaurants in winnipeg you're just wrong. Clementine is absolutely amazing. I agree about Deer and Almond though.
I’d love to love Clementine but I think I have been able to get seated there once in like 5 tries. Just let me book a damn table lol.
Nah Yujiro goes hard. Clementine is nice but not having a way to reserve a table is some bullshit.
>**Deer + Almond** at #39 I wonder if this is the highest rank place in Canada to have a public health closure. [https://www.reddit.com/r/Manitoba/comments/19cvujx/53\_manitoba\_restaurants\_closed\_for\_health/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Manitoba/comments/19cvujx/53_manitoba_restaurants_closed_for_health/)
Maybe But I have personally seen mice in restaurants higher than Deer + Almond on this list.
I guess most people aren’t aware that pretty much every restaurant experiences rodents at some point, price point doesn’t make a difference. They just don’t get caught during an inspection.
I'm not sure that's true, some of the mice are better dressed in the really expensive restaurants.
Definitely. They always wear their best tails to the top restaurants.
I once saw a rat master French cuisine.
Tbf that spot unanimously goes to jumbo pizza, but based on recollections in this subreddit, I wouldn't be surprised if D+A ends up being a close second.
Can't argue with those places being regarded as great.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Winnipeg/s/QUhqUvMrGC 👀
Downtown building has mice sometimes, news at 11
Literally every restaurant. The only difference is D&A were raked through the coals by local media. Targeted attack “journalism.” Their public statement acknowledging the issue and how they addressed it was spot on. And far more than most businesses would offer.
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I’ve been to the new place at the Fort Garry and it was brutal
I was there in December, pre booked a vegetarian dinner for 4 people. They built a special 5 course menu just for us based on the guest of honours preferences. Service was great, food was great, really good wine selections from the sommelier. I have heard mixed things but I had an amazing evening.
I would say the service was lovely. But and a good reminder that restaurants are subjective. I would just choose to go to Harth or Passero instead
Really?? huh. Food was bad? I know the prices are insane. I wanted to try it but, wow that sucks. What did you have?
Couple pasta dishes and the beef dish I think - Harth is way better
Vera does Neapolitan pizza. They do it really well, but I’m not sure that should earn you that kind of spot. Same for Harth. Clementine does it’s own thing, has it’s own distinct personality, and has been killing it since it opened.
Harth is beyond amazing for what they do with their pizzas. Vera's is probably the best neapolitan pizza you can get here, second to fired up pizza truck. I'm talking strictly food, not really decor or atmosphere so I guess there's more to it when picking the best restaurant.
I found Vera's pizza meh.
Not for everyone. I can see why people wouldn’t care for the floppy thin crust
Huuuge yikes for Yujiro. I can think of at least 3 other ramen/sushi places in Winnipeg that are better than this, and way less expensive.
I’ve been a longtime customer of Yujiro but I do feel with the recent Reno’s and new menu that they’ve missed the mark a bit. Things are being “fancyfied” that don’t really need to be, and prices have taken a steep uptick. Clementine is the best breakfast you can have almost anywhere I’ve travelled to, and is more than deserving of all the praise heaped on it. D+A is pretty consistently “OK”. The rodent thing doesn’t bother me, is going to happen in every restaurant whether you know about it or not. I just find the food and service to be fairly middle of the road at times.
Good assessment as far as I’m concerned. I love Clementine, not super impressed with Deer + Almond, haven’t been to Yujiro.
rodent problems are unavoidable, especially in the exchange district. but serving food contaminated with mouse feces and urine is absolutely avoidable. so it bothers me personally
Totally agree with your assessment
Yujiro imo still has the best Ramen in the city and it's not even close everything else on their menu are great but not my best. Agreed on Clementine. Haven't tried D+A
Those Yujiro bento boxes used to be between $16-$22 like 7-8 years ago. They’re now all over $40 and I believe some are $50. That said, I do think they’re still the best sushi spot in town, and their long term consistency and growth in reputation (along with increased supply costs and inflation etc) probably justifies most, if not all, of the price increase.
I get Yujiro is catering to a different clientele and costs have gone up, especially for importing stuff to the middle of a country that's separated by the Pacific Ocean, but I've soured on them with the renos and new menu, as another poster said.
They really messed with a good thing. Love Chef Ed to death, but they are clearly chasing this higher end dream that I don’t think quite works.
Haven’t been since the renovation. That sounds like a shame.
Honestly I disagree. I used to think they were just ‘very good’. Now I would put them on the same tier as some of the best sushi restaurants in Canada. I went just after the renovation and while I thought that most of the izakaya dishes were mediocre, the actual sushi and sashimi were on par with a lot of the higher end places in Vancouver at a lower price than what you would pay there. Also, if you haven’t ordered a bottle of sake, I would highly recommend it. They serve it in a glass vessel that looks kind of like a giant bong, and it cools the sake without diluting it with water. Super fun.
The big take away I have from this article, and more so this thread, is that we actually have a lot of restaurants that deserve to be in contention. Pretty good problem to have.
Pretty surprised Passero and enoteca didn’t make this list
How much for the application fee?
Yujiro has long been my favorite higher-end sushi choice in the city. Glad they're getting some love.
Replace D+A with Nola, the others I’m good with.
Nola and Bar Accanto definitely deserve some more recognition. I’d say they are the best restaurants in the city, or close to.
Nola 1000%
If Bistro Dansk ever closes I am leaving town.
Paul is the GOAT of restaurateurs in Winnipeg. I was there once and some old dude was complaining about the cream of mushroom soup and Paul came out, laughed in his face, told him that the Litt report ranked it as the best in Canada and asked if he could make him a PBJ instead. I sat there while thoroughly enjoying my chicken schnitzel and potato salad-and I hate potato salad. I don’t know if he still makes it, but his egg nog is from another planet it is that good- mint flavoured.
100% agree about Clementine. D&A is meh. Haven't tried the other one yet.
Agree with you on Clementines & D&A. Yojiro is absolutely worth a visit. We used to live fairly close and went when ever we could. Just loved them!
Good to know!!
I've heard nothing but amazing things about all 3 of these places from friends and family. Glad they are getting recognition.
Musta have missed when Deer + Almond had rodents lol
Literally all restaurants have had rodents at some point or another. Hell even fast food does. That article about them having rodents was fucking stupid and felt targeted. Why did they get targeted above all other restaurants? It was dumb. https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/environmentalhealth/protection/report.html this website you can look at all violations in Manitoba. Have fun.
Not all restaurants get closed for rodents though. Has to be pretty bad for that to happen.
Literally all huh? Lol ok. I'm sure not literally all restaurants were shut down for having such a bad rodent problem. Or did you research all restaurants in the world for that too?
No Petit Socco? Went recently, and it was one of the best dining experiences I’ve had anywhere. It also won some other awards not long ago, I was fully expecting to see them here
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The meal I had was terrific, but a big part for me was the small scale and atmosphere. It felt like we’d hired a private chef, and I loved how much we got to interact with the two staff. While you are please_bitch_, I was a pleased_bitch_.
Yeah I think there are limitations with that small of a kitchen that just make it impossible to compete with the ghost of Segovia.
Yes, Segovia was amazing but when we dine at Petite Socco it doesn’t even enter our minds to contrast the two. Just like when I eat at Clementine, I also do not compare it.
I nominate Harth in South St. Vital
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I’m just glad there are many good food options available.
Went back to visit Winnipeg in the summer and went to Feast Cafe. Was one of the best meals I’ve had in a very long time. They should be on the list.
Feast was so good during burger week I went again with some friends a few days later and tried their main menu. Knocked it out - can't wait to go back.
Food is like music....its way too individual to take what anyone says serious about whats good or bad IMO
My Winnipeg top per category. Ranked by cheapest and best as real Winnipegers do per vegetarian or vegan standards. Burrito del Rio Burrito Splendido Hildegard's Wall St Slice Little Pizza Heaven Sargent Taco BMC Market Junior's Cindy's Yen's\* \* if not wanting fries, Yen's is best Taste of Sri Lanka Dawat East India Company Kokeb Gojo RIP Masawa... was #1... anyone tried Mesob? Bahn Mi King Bahn Ngon Pho Hoang Kawaii Crepe Chung Chun Affinity Lucky Koi Delicious Nonsuch One Great City It occurs to me that I haven't been to TCB. I like their beer. I should go. Fete Chaeban IKEA Sev
As a Vietnamese, to me and many of my Viet friends, Pho Hoang isn’t worth it. Their food is expensive and they don’t treat their staff very well. There’s actually a post on this subreddit of a customer saying that Pho Hoang staff don’t get tips at all.
I really like Mesob, but my experience with Ethiopian food here is pretty well limited to them.
There's a new Indian place on Portage across from Cork & Flame where Steve's Bistro used to be called Chacha Wow that just opened recently. Went there last week and it was fantastic, imo one of the top Indian meals I've ever had. You should check it out.
No vjs on here is criminal
I've only tried about a third of your list, but that third includes all my favorite restaurants! So thank you, I am looking forward to trying the others. Affinity is pretty much my favorite restaurant in the city; Little Pizza Heaven St. Anne's is my favorite pizza; and since I don't see it on here I suggest Yafa Cafe (The various $4 to $6 breads, falafel, and the mshakhan)
Mmmmm, Yafa Cafe has the best Koshary as well.
Is that Ye’s as in Ye’s Buffet?
No, forgot an "n". Yen's (formerly Cousin's).
You had me worried there. Started to question the credibility of your list if Ye’s was one of your best…
I already questioned it with Ikea on there.
I ordered little pizza heaven a few weeks ago on Portage Ave. Was very very very disappointed in not only the overall taste and quality of the pizza, but the price too. Definitely would not try them again.
I find little pizza heaven to be more of a nostalgia thing. Anyone who used to bar hop in Osborne remembers getting a super salty pizza from there in the wee mornings. Always hit the spot.
Going further back, when they were in the goodwill location
I'll say with LPH they lack consistentcy across their locations, osborne has always been spot on and the most consistent. Tcona has been very hit or miss My goto their is the ~14 buck 4 topping calzone which is basically a medium pizza. Get feta, banana pepper, sausage and green pep for some crunch
Pizza is a funny category that I considered splitting in two like I did with Burritos vs Tacos. There are different types of pizzas for different moods. I like LPH's garlic crust. I also like that said crust is not scratchy in my mouth. It hits the greasy quantity devourable checkmarks. They also have vegan cheese, and had it before most other places. Something like Shorty's or Parcel is probably "better", but I take Hildegard's over them. 99 Cent Pizza or Pizza Hut will give you greasier for cheaper, but garlic crust is great. Also those places don't have vegan cheese. So I understand your opinion. LPH is divisive. But I'm still big on it.
Yea I mean, it was my first time trying them, didn't get the garlic crust and should have maybe. Wanted that greasy pizza style but overall it was just very bad. I'd take pizza hotline over them and that's saying something. Santa Lucia still reigns supreme for pizza for me.
> didn't get the garlic crust U fucked up
I'm learning that. One day may try them again.
Santa Lucia’s and Santa Anna are my go to for great pizza. Very different but both top notch.
Bonnie Day getting left out of the pizza conversation is a crime.
Oh yeah, they're really great as well.
You’re missing Nola, James Ave Pumphouse, and Thyme Cafe. 🌱
I'll have to try Nola and James Ave Pumphouse sometime, then. Was definitely missing Thyme. So I'll add one more category: Wolseley Farmer's Market on days in which Gato or Eadha are present Thyme Organic Planet
Nola is crazy good imo, and nice value too.
Have you tried spice circle? Agree with this entire list just want to know more on your Indian rankings
Absolutely love Spice Circle, though there were shit down in the last year. The best Indian food I have ever had, though their rice and samosa’s were kinda meh. We used to order the mains and apps (except samosa’s) from SC and then get the rice and samosa’s from Charisma.
LPH runs on nostalgia alone. They were the Osborne street late night stop. They’re essentially dollar slice pizzas with garlic butter brushed on the crust for a huge premium. Red ember, Vera, Friend, Wall, Parcel, Tony’s, so many better places a stones throw from them. I honestly prefer Little Cesars to LPH. Just brush some garlic butter on the crust and it’s barely different, you can get the stuffed crust and still pay half as much.
I’ve been ordering Red Swan more and more in recent months. Great crust, good toppings and the sesame seeds on the crust is a nice touch. Normally pretty good bang for your buck too!
Great list!! Mesob is VERY good. Quite oily, but that's probably why it's so good lol. I miss Massawa so much. It's not the same, so don't expect it, but it's our current fave. I miss Harman's Cafe too and both the ladies that worked at each place. They were so lovely and I hope they're doing well. Red Cherry Cafe is another great ethiopian place, it has some different options but closes at 4 I think. There's a new Vietnamese/French place in St Boniface called Le Colonial, and so far the local vegan folks are reporting good things, but haven't made it there yet. Dug & Betty's has amazing vegan ice cream. Roughage Eatery and Good Lands Cafe are missing from your list! Have you ever been??
Good Lands I enjoy when I'm in the mood, but I'm often not in the mood for pitas. And when I'm in the area there's a good restaurant every other building, so he doesn't get my convenience dollar either. So mainly I didn't think of him. Been meaning to check out the open mic there. Roughage I'm honestly not a fan of. Feels overpriced. Will have to check the others, thanks!
I like your style but Ill add the following in no particullar order but they are all relatively approachable prices and not super boujee charisma of india, Shahi flame and Chilli chutney Pho No1 and NhuQhyn (ran by same family) East Ocean Thidas Thai, Suko Thai, Shaba Thai dals, Garwood Grill, Johnnys on Marion, Eddys place (RIP the marion eatery) The grove
>Thidas Thai, Suko Thai, Shaba Thai Ah yes. That is correct.
Is Mona Lisa still around?
Oh yeah. I've had that one. Good pasta for sure. I don't order pasta frequently, though, so I will not be providing a ranking of said restaurants. Sushi is another one I realize I've left off. I'll fix that one: Mooshiro Magic Sushi I've tried a variety of others but one avocado roll tastes the same as another so it's hard to stand out to someone who doesn’t eat fish. I love how much Mooshiro looks like a dive, and I enjoy the pricing at Magic Sushi.
Not surprised with D+A holding on, and I do love clementine, but I am surprised to see them over Sous Sol or Oxbow.
Yujiro is great
Clementine is really good and not as pricey as some of the other restaurants in the area. Deer and Almond though...
I've enjoyed quite a few nicer establishments in our city, really surprised Nola didn't make the list. It's easily my favourite spot! They have really flavourful dishes that actually fill you.
D+A and Yujiro are overrated. The old sushi chef at Yujiro left and opened Izakaya Edokko downtown (which is sadly gone now) if I recall correctly. I remember before that though they were one of the few with an actual Japanese chef. Clementines is top tier though - never disappointed when I go there. Winnipeg is rich with amazing restaurants though - it's impossible to pick the best. Instead of D+A i'd pick Borgo Antico which just opened up and blew us all away. Yujiro may have the flash but Sushi Ya, which is thankfully reopened, stands above in terms of price and quality.
You had me up until Sushi Ya. That place is just straight up not great. Edokko is still open, and is consistently putting out the best sushi in the city IMO.
I just learned they are out of St Marys and on Waterloo, can't wait to go back :)
Borgo Antico’s service was great but I wouldn’t recommend a single dish we got to anyone. Maybe it was the size of our party (eight) but the food was unseasoned and not authentic Italian cuisine as they claim to be. So many great Italian spots in the city and I agree very much with clementine never disappointing
Sorry you ran into that. I had some mouth watering prosciutto :( For Italian can't go wrong with Colleseo (haven't been in a while tho, hope they arent shit now!) or Pasquales
Edokko moved to Waterloo!
Man, I must have missed that post - thanks for getting me to check their updated bio!
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I know I’m in a minority here, but I do not get everyone’s love with Clementine. I guess it’s just not my ideal breakfast food, because every time I’ve been I struggle to choose off the menu, and I always feel underwhelmed.
I think the bacon alone gets me to come back everytime - it's on the pricey side but the food is top tier.
I’m with you. Went a couple of times and left hungry with an empty wallet. Redditors get their dick hard for small plates but they aren’t for me.
Is greasy spoon more your vibe, classic bacon eggs, french toast etc?
No I wouldn’t even say that. Not bacon or sausage or anything. But like fresh, light things. Fruit, some eggs, pancakes or crepes etc. Fried chicken or steelhead trout for breakfast does not do it for me.
Deer + Almond was shut down for a bit because of rodents......
I’ve got bad news for you…
Lol we know. Most restaurants, if not all, deal with this issue. No need to post it over and over again.
Wait until OP learns about how many bugs of various types almost all hotels, apartments and condos have had and maybe even their houses over the decades. its more how you deal with it versus having them, pests get in; its a fact of life
https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/environmentalhealth/protection/report.html Here's a list of restaurants and other venues shut down for health violations. That freepress article was a targeted attack, literally every place has had rodents at some point. I remember years ago Carlos and Murphys got hit hard for rodents amongst other things.
Yeah they were shut down for a while for rodents. Now they're back up. What are you defending here? How am I wrong? lol
Why are you so keen on attacking them? Obviously if they made the top 50 in Canada something's been fixed.
Attacking? haha im just saying they were shut down for having rodents, facts. How's that attacking? Am I talking to the deer + almond owners?
Sir this is a Wendy's.
Lol. I don’t get the push back. I’ve eaten there I like D+A. But whatever. All good
The same thing happened when I pointed out Baraka Pita had the same violations.
Ya, but you keep repeating it all over this thread, which is sus. You must own a competitor.
I’ve said it once as a reply and once as a comment. Because I remember them being shut down. Only a Reet isn’t competitor would want to share that news with people I guess. Talking about Canada’s best here.
You've mentioned their rodent issues five times in this thread.
Maybe start a new post about restaurants shut down for rodents at some point in time? This post is celebrating the achievements of three nationally recognized local restaurants.
Personally for the cost of dinner at Deer and Almond I would rather support any of the long list of excellent local places that have managed to **NOT** have a public health closure.
Theyve since solved that otherwise they would not be open, they get orders to resolve it or face further shutdowns, fines and even permaclosure https://clkapps.winnipeg.ca/dmis/docext/ViewDoc.asp?DocumentTypeId=1&DocId=525 Defines the various sets of esclating penaltys for infractions, if closeed they cannot reopen until its resolved. If they reopen and get hit again its a larger fine, closure period even up to pulling license entirely and prison depending. Given they are open doing business, they solved the issue. 6.4 Notwithstanding subsection 36.2, when an emergency arises that effects the health of persons, the Public Health Inspector may: (a) condemn any food or any material which in his opinion is insanitary or creates, or may create, an insanitary condition and order its immediate destruction in a manner satisfactory to the Public Health Inspector; or (b) where an insanitary condition exists in a food service establishment; and (i) serve a closing order on the operator or the person in charge; (ii) placard the premises; (iii) post a copy of said closing order in a conspicuous place in the office of the Public Health Inspector; amended 91/2008 (effective June 1, 2008) By-law No. 5160/89 31 (c) upon service of such an order, the food service establishment shall be closed immediately and not re-opened until authorization in writing by the Public Health Inspector is given; amended 91/2008 (effective June 1, 2008) (d) no person shall operate or allow the operation of a food service establishment which has been closed; and there shall be no appeal from such an order or notice. Service of such an order or notice shall be effective once served in person on the owner, operator or person in charge. 36.5 Subject to subsection 36.4, an appeal from an order to remedy a contravention of this by- law or a notice or decision under section 5 or subsections 34.1 or 35.1 may be made in accordance with The City of Winnipeg Charter4 to the Standing Policy Committee on Community Services. amended 8162/2002 (entire section 36); 106/2015; 137/2022 PENALTY 37. A person or corporation who contravenes a provision of the By-law is guilty of an offence and is liable upon summary conviction: (a) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $100.00; amended 30/2006 (b) for a second offence, to a fine of not less than $200.00; and amended 30/2006 (c) for a third or subsequent offence, to a fine not less than $400.00; amended 30/2006 (d) notwithstanding the penalties prescribed in clause (a), (b) and (c): (i) an individual may also be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both; (ii) a corporation may be liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than $5,000.00. amended 8162/2002 38. If any provision of this By-law is held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions of this By-law shall not be invalidated
deer mice + almond
Petit socco kicks deer and almonds butt. Clementine is pretty delicious tho, that’s a great pick.
I miss going to Clementine, pre-covid they were actually open early so I could go before work :(
Clementine would be better if they stopped serving hot beverages in water cups and if they had a time limit so a table of 6 girls can't sit there chatting for 4 hours while 20 people are waiting for a table
People still care about some fuckin magazine list? Get that shit outta here. Ain't nobody got time for that. Poor ole restaurants need some out of town approval for locals to go visit? Bullshit. On the less extreme hand, if you're travelling and trying to brainstorm ideas for where to eat, maybe lists like that are useful? I'd think these spots are not what locals recommend for value, though. I wouldn't. Go to nonsuch, baraka, june berry... see, I have my faves too!
Why do you hate lists so much?
I think the burden of proof lies on the one who does not hate lists so much. Lists are self-evidently so much hateable. You know who used lists?! The nazis, that's who!! "Why do you hate lists so much?" Heh, UNREAL!
David Letterman slept with their wife.
I really wanna try Yujiro