Winnipeg | Restaurants

[Intrepid-Poster]

Originally Posted by esquire

^ I wonder where they're going to set up shop? And although I'm happy to hear of a business moving downtown, I wonder how many more casual dining, beer n' eats type places downtown can really support... there are so many of them now.

I read the article on Global's website. They are shutting down on Empress on January 1, 2017. It didn't say where they were going to set up downtown (or when).

I wonder if the proposed Brown's Social House site would be where they might set up. This is by the Alt hotel on Portage. Near as I can tell, there hasn't been a ton of progress at that site.

I am not delighted to see Barley Brothers downtown. I tried it on Empress and did not enjoy the food at all.

[Urban recluse]

Gone back for a second chance? I usually do that.

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by Intrepid-Poster

I read the article on Global's website. They are shutting down on Empress on January 1, 2017. It didn't say where they were going to set up downtown (or when).

I wonder if the proposed Brown's Social House site would be where they might set up. This is by the Alt hotel on Portage. Near as I can tell, there hasn't been a ton of progress at that site.

I am not delighted to see Barley Brothers downtown. I tried it on Empress and did not enjoy the food at all.

The Brown's is not proposed - it's currently under construction. It just took a lot longer for them to get started than they thought, because they're using the other locations' profits to pay for this one, and they were lower than expected (same franchisee). They've ripped off the front door to make a corporate entrance, all the plumbing and electrical is roughed in, walls are going up, etc. They're saying February, I would say it looks like April realistically.

And I agree Barley Brothers is pretty bad. Food is overpriced and subpar, and they have so many beers on tap and aren't busy enough to sell them all that more than once I have gotten stale or straight up rotten beer.

Also, I think Kelsey's may be just about the worst food of any full-service chain in Canada. Good riddance, Winnipeg. Swiss Chalet follows closely behind.

[vjose32]

Well that's one persons opinion, I went to Kelsey's several times and never had a problem with them or their food and have been missing it.

[LilZebra]

Originally Posted by Intrepid-Poster

I wonder if the proposed Brown's Social House site would be where they might set up. This is by the Alt hotel on Portage. Near as I can tell, there hasn't been a ton of progress at that site.

I don't eat or buy clothing that says "Browns" on it.

[BAKGUY]

Seems I would be in the minority here but I almost always avoid chains.
I prefer and seek out family run eateries. They usually offer far better and tastier food, fair prices for the quality and generous portions.
About half of the list I go to are Greek owned as well.
It is not about Greek cuisine it is that those people and other family run establishments try hard to make tasty real food especially Canadian fare.
Not soups for example that are flash frozen.
Most of the ones I like get very high ratings on the food websites as well.
I rarely go to national chains as the food almost always disappoints.

[The Unknown Poster]

I might be in the minority but I enjoy Barley Bros. Not a big beer drinker but I like a tasty burger and they have a good one. Blue Cheese all the way baby.

[CoryB]

Perhaps Barely Brothers is considering the Masonic Temple? It would be in the right area being close to MTS Centre. There are some openings on the south side of Portage Ave further west that haven't been restaurants but could be a conversion if wanted. The IMAX and Famous Players locations in Portage Place would also have the floor space needed but would need some heavy renos. There is also the possibility that the Barely Brothers group just repurposes one of their existing Exchange District locations with that banner.

[Intrepid-Poster]

Originally Posted by CoryB

Perhaps Barely Brothers is considering the Masonic Temple? It would be in the right area being close to MTS Centre. There are some openings on the south side of Portage Ave further west that haven't been restaurants but could be a conversion if wanted. The IMAX and Famous Players locations in Portage Place would also have the floor space needed but would need some heavy renos. There is also the possibility that the Barely Brothers group just repurposes one of their existing Exchange District locations with that banner.

What places in the Exchange District are owned by the same people as Barley Brothers?

Could they be waiting to take space in the True North Square project? Have any restaurants declared an intention to move into that space when the project is completed?

[drew]

Originally Posted by Intrepid-Poster

What places in the Exchange District are owned by the same people as Barley Brothers?

Hermanos.

Possibly Corrientes as well (not sure about that).

EDIT: Carnival too.

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by Intrepid-Poster

What places in the Exchange District are owned by the same people as Barley Brothers?

It is one of the restaurants Noel Bernier is a partner in. The others are: Carnaval, Prairie 360, Hermanos and Corrientes.

[buzzg]

Barley Brothers at the Masonic Temple would actually be pretty awesome I think. Due to their concept, they're fairly limited when it comes to possible locations because they carry so many beers, it'd be difficult and extremely cost prohibitive (if not impossible) to locate in some places like heritage buildings, second floors of existing spots.

It cost them something like $1m just to reinforce the floor and put in the beer coolers for that many kegs at the Pembina one. That's separate from the actual reno/construction costs for the rest of the space.

[tedtim]

Tried going to that Jollibee place the week before New Years. They gave us a ticket and told to come back at a later time, 7pm. Upon further inspection, it was 7pm the next day. What kind of place is this? I was hungry at that time, I wasn't going to wait a day.

Few days later someone brought us some of their chicken, it was meh. Chicken Chef would probably have been better. Definitely not worth waiting a day for.

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by tedtim

Tried going to that Jollibee place the week before New Years. They gave us a ticket and told to come back at a later time, 7pm. Upon further inspection, it was 7pm the next day. What kind of place is this? I was hungry at that time, I wasn't going to wait a day.

Few days later someone brought us some of their chicken, it was meh. Chicken Chef would probably have been better. Definitely not worth waiting a day for.

Yeah they used a ticketing system because of the demand. IIRC they were going to get rid of the tickets starting in the new year

[esquire]

Today's WFP says that Amici and Bombolini are now closed after 30+ years in business. I admit I was never a regular at either one, but I liked them on my occasional visit... food was very good and Amici in particular had a cool, upscale (although somewhat retro-1980s) dining vibe that not many restaurants in Winnipeg still offer.

I wonder what's in store for their former space just off Broadway?

[OTA in Winnipeg]

Originally Posted by esquire

Today's WFP says that Amici and Bombolini are now closed after 30+ years in business. I admit I was never a regular at either one, but I liked them on my occasional visit... food was very good and Amici in particular had a cool, upscale (although somewhat retro-1980s) dining vibe that not many restaurants in Winnipeg still offer.

I wonder what's in store for their former space just off Broadway?

I had no idea they were still open. Haven't heard about them in years.

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by esquire

Today's WFP says that Amici and Bombolini are now closed after 30+ years in business. [...] I wonder what's in store for their former space just off Broadway?

We have a new contender for the Barley Brothers downtown location!

[oftheMoon]

Java Jungle in the walkway at the new police station was closed before Christmas and remained closed today. There's no signage about being closed for the holidays or anything like that. Any knowledge if this is permanent?

of note, there have been rumours for about a year a Starbucks is going in beside them.

[cllew]

Originally Posted by oftheMoon

Java Jungle in the walkway at the new police station was closed before Christmas and remained closed today. There's no signage about being closed for the holidays or anything like that. Any knowledge if this is permanent?

of note, there have been rumours for about a year a Starbucks is going in beside them.

Google search comes back with permanently closed as a status for the skywalk location. Not sure how Google determined that.

[cllew]

I missed the posting on Facebook from City Place on Dec 28 that the Meltwich Food Company location in the food court is going to be open in early January, and they posted yesterday that the Za Pizza Bristro is opening soon.