Winnipeg | Restaurants

[buzzg]

Yeah not surprised about the Tims at MTS situation. To be honest I'm surprised they ever opened at all because they have full time security to make sure ppl don't sneak into the rest of the concourse.

I also feel like you had to "know" the Tims was there to go, it's not that obvious just being around that area that it exists.

[cllew]

with the sky walk system going through MTS Center they still would have had to provide full time security in the building during the building.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by buzzg

Yeah not surprised about the Tims at MTS situation. To be honest I'm surprised they ever opened at all because they have full time security to make sure ppl don't sneak into the rest of the concourse.

I also feel like you had to "know" the Tims was there to go, it's not that obvious just being around that area that it exists.

As I recall, when it opened along with the rest of the MTS Centre it used to be super-busy as it was the second Tim's downtown (the first one being Portage Place, which replaced the one that used to be at Notre Dame and Arthur). However, with all the other new locations that opened up over the last decade, the one at MTS Centre is nowhere near as busy as it once was.

I'm actually a bit surprised that TNSE hasn't just converted that concourse space where the "restaurant" is to a permanent bar or lounge or some such.

[CoryB]

MTS Centre (or any arena) is going to have security staff on duty close to all the time regardless if there is public access during non-event times.

[horrorbro123]

Also Crust Pizzeria at Polo Park is Now Open

[cllew]

Looks like Marion Warhaft is retiring as the food critic @ the Winnipeg Free Press from the final paragraph in her column in the Dec 31/15 Free Press.

I wonder if they will replace her, or get the position go empty to save money? With all the different blogs, Trip Adviser, etc on the internet, do food critics still have any real influence on where people go out to eat?


http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/food/a-cut-above-363901691.html
I'd like to say farewell and express my gratitude to the readers who have followed my column, to both those who have agreed with me and, yes, to those who haven't.
Thanks also to the many wonderful restaurants that have given me so much pleasure over the years. A happy new year to all, and bon appétit.

[cllew]

Hearing before the next board of adjustment to place a patio on the roof of the new Stella's location on Pembina.

[LilZebra]

^^^

Oh, how far down Pembina is that Stella's gonna be?

And why is Sals closing down their Airport location?

[trebor204]

Originally Posted by jimj_wpg

^^^

Oh, how far down Pembina is that Stella's gonna be?

And why is Sals closing down their Airport location?

Stella's will be just south of Clarence

https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.836371,-9...bna1UrsWQAFwFE442t9JA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Sals along with Gondola Pizza are being replace with True Burger and Freshii. The decision was made by the company that operates the restaurants within the airport.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/s...a-booted-from-winnipeg-airport-1.3385160

[cllew]

True Burger and Freshii are in house brands for SSP Food Services (the Airport food provider), which means SSP does not have to buy any product from the Sals or Gondola off site prep kitchens or pay any licensing fees to use their names.

I am sure that this factored into the decision as well to replace the local brands even though the WAA PR person said it was in a response to a customer survey of what people wanted to eat at Richardson Airport.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by cllew

True Burger and Freshii are in house brands for SSP Food Services (the Airport food provider), which means SSP does not have to buy any product from the Sals or Gondola off site prep kitchens or pay any licensing fees to use their names.

I am sure that this factored into the decision as well to replace the local brands even though the WAA PR person said it was in a response to a customer survey of what people wanted to eat at Richardson Airport.

Unlike True Burger, Freshii is actually a separate standalone company.

Not sure about True Burger, but I would think that Freshii will do quite well. Sals and Gondola Pizza likely had minimal appeal to women (hell, I'm a guy and the last thing I want before sitting down for a 2.5 hour flight to Toronto is a big nip rolling around in my gut). Freshii will probably have much broader appeal than the mediocre Sals which, frankly, was a bit of an embarrassment as representative of "local flavour" anyway.

Between Harveys, True Burger and TGI Fridays on the US side, there will still be plenty of places to get the ol' grease fix.

[Pinus]

Originally Posted by esquire

Unlike True Burger, Freshii is actually a separate standalone company.

Not sure about True Burger, but I would think that Freshii will do quite well. Sals and Gondola Pizza likely had minimal appeal to women (hell, I'm a guy and the last thing I want before sitting down for a 2.5 hour flight to Toronto is a big nip rolling around in my gut). Freshii will probably have much broader appeal than the mediocre Sals which, frankly, was a bit of an embarrassment as representative of "local flavour" anyway.

Between Harveys, True Burger and TGI Fridays on the US side, there will still be plenty of places to get the ol' grease fix.

They got rid of TGI Fridays at the airport last year. It's now Prairie Bistro I believe.

[cllew]

Esquire is right about Freshii being a standalone franchise operation, there are already two of them in Winnipeg. One in the 700 Block of Cordon and one by Grant and Kenaston.

The way I was reading the SSP America food website I thought it was an in house brand. SSP still shows TGI Friday's being one of their units at JAR International.

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by cllew

Hearing before the next board of adjustment to place a patio on the roof of the new Stella's location on Pembina.

That's strange because they've already built an addition on the roof of the building. So it seems like maybe they did that without a permit? Or is that just like the occupancy permit for it?

Also, Chosabi quietly opened this week. Full open is this upcoming Monday. For those who don't know it's a quick-service asian restaurant owned by the Wasabi group. I think it will do extremely well there, and it also puts the parkade CRUs at 100% capacity. https://twitter.com/chosabi100king

[CoryB]

For what its worth Freshii is actually owned by someone from Manitoba. Little odd that the chain took a while to make its way back here.

[buzzg]

Pizzeria Gusto is opening a second location at The Forks Market. Which means one of the existing restaurants will be closing. Apparently TFNP means business when they want to overhaul the Market's image.

[Authentic_City]

Feast is getting some national attention. It was featured on CTV national news today.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/winnipeg-restaurant-offers-healthy-indigenous-cuisine-1.2725260

Anyone tried it yet?

[Boreal]

Prairie 360 is the worst restaurant on a value basis in this city. Truly deplorable. The view is outstanding, but the food would make most cafterias blush. Despicable given the price point. I feel robbed.

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by Authentic_City

Feast is getting some national attention. It was featured on CTV national news today.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/winnipeg-restaurant-offers-healthy-indigenous-cuisine-1.2725260

Anyone tried it yet?

My mom went for lunch a couple of days ago and said it was fantastic.

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by Boreal

Prairie 360 is the worst restaurant on a value basis in this city. Truly deplorable. The view is outstanding, but the food would make most cafterias blush. Despicable given the price point. I feel robbed.

It's very true. It's definitely a once-in-a-lifetime type meal. Really cool space to see and experience, but then never go back. It's going to follow the exact same path as the Royal Crown unfortunately.

The most abhorrent part of the whole thing (aside from the prices) is the "whiskey bar" that takes itself so seriously but has wood-print vinyl flooring and and fake wood accents that makes it feel like a McDonalds Play Place for sad adults.