Winnipeg | Restaurants

[blueandgoldguy]

Who knew Subway was part of a nefarious plot to gradually turn us all into vegans. The next evolution - Subway sandwiches are made of people!

[biguc]

Originally Posted by BigG

For those who have big appetites and enjoy their breakfast, come and try the Railroad breakfast at Spike's Grill in the basement of the Spike Hotel in Transcona. It's a breakfast that you'll never forget - delivered on two platters. Three pieces of toast, three eggs on one plate and bacon, ham, sausage, kubasa and a heaping pile of seasoned home fries on another. I swear this can feed a family. I've never ordered it because their regular breakfasts are already quite large. But I had a couple of co-workers that tried it. One finished it and the other couldn't - these were two big boys. The Railroad breakfast is less than 12 bucks and I have to say that all their food is quite delicious.

Thanks for the recommendation. I had the railroad breakfast today and made a point of finishing it. I really liked that place and will definitely be back, maybe sooner than later since this Friday they're serving an all you can eat roast beef buffet for $15. Their prices and portions are downright American.

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by buzzg

I think McDonald's and Second Cup have the best coffee of any chain. While I drink Starbucks a decent amount, every one of their beans tastes burnt - especially the espresso. There's a big difference between a bold dark roast and burnt coffee.

I don't think anyone in the city can touch Parlour/Little Sister, or Bar Italia. Bar I honestly might be the best cappuccino in the city, and they're not pretentious about it – it's just damn good. There are definitely lots of other good places like mentioned above, but I have to say I actually hate Thom Barghen's coffee. Tastes like rubber to me; Bronuts is similar.

And yeah, Cafe Postal is still around and excellent.

The plan for F+H's location at The Forks is to do flights just like The Common. 1 bean 3 ways or 3 beans 1 way, etc.

I guess rubber flavour is big with the hipsters.

[Intrepid-Poster]

Originally Posted by cllew

Not sure what was going on at City Place but at my morning coffee there were contractors taking down the hording that was covering the location where the Greek Food place was.

There were no brand signs over the counter so I am not sure if that is coming or what is going on.

I didn't notice that, but I did see that the Manchu Wok at City Place has reopened after their fire. I was a little surprised that they would stick with this concept. Prior to the fire it never looked like they were very busy.

[Intrepid-Poster]

Originally Posted by blueandgoldguy

Who knew Subway was part of a nefarious plot to gradually turn us all into vegans. The next evolution - Subway sandwiches are made of people!

You owe me and likely many other readers of this page a new keyboard. I laughed so hard at your post that I spit my drink over the keyboard and now it is ruined.

[cllew]

Peg City Poutinerie has opened up in the old Greek restaurant location in City Place.

[Wolf13]

Originally Posted by biguc

You know what's up. That's a pretty comprehensive list of good coffee, but since Bronuts makes it, I'll petition for O Donuts too. They only serve drip coffee but they get Dogwood coffee from Forth. And their donuts are better than Bronuts.

Drip is juuuuust fine if it's Dogwoon coffee.

Have you been to Bronuts recently? I used to feel that way too, but Bronuts has upped their donut game, so they're probably equals now, in my opinion. But O Doughnuts is damned impressive.

Originally Posted by SKYSTHELIMIT

Is Cafe Postal still around on Provencher. Liked stopping in there for coffee on the way to work. It was run by twin sisters I believe. Gave me an opportunity to shake the rust off my French as well.

I haven't seen the sisters there in a while, but yes, it's running. The sisters used to be at Espresso Junction in the Johnston Terminal... I've spoke to its owner and tried to convince him if the finer direction that coffee is going these days, but he seemed hesistant...

Originally Posted by buzzg

I think McDonald's and Second Cup have the best coffee of any chain. While I drink Starbucks a decent amount, every one of their beans tastes burnt - especially the espresso. There's a big difference between a bold dark roast and burnt coffee.

I don't think anyone in the city can touch Parlour/Little Sister, or Bar Italia. Bar I honestly might be the best cappuccino in the city, and they're not pretentious about it – it's just damn good. There are definitely lots of other good places like mentioned above, but I have to say I actually hate Thom Barghen's coffee. Tastes like rubber to me; Bronuts is similar.

And yeah, Cafe Postal is still around and excellent.

The plan for F+H's location at The Forks is to do flights just like The Common. 1 bean 3 ways or 3 beans 1 way, etc.

Forth, I'd say is on par with Parlour/LS. Regarding Bronuts, do you mean their drip coffee?

I prefer a pour over method like some of the other shops offer, so I've bought beans from Bronuts and brewed at home, and I was very impressed.

[drew]

For local roasters - I have used Black Pearl at home almost continuously for the past 10 years or so.

IMO, nothing touches their "The Black Pearl" blend for home use.

The other micro roasters are OK, but I dunno - I would classify their offerings as "trendy", and without staying power (to be fair, Black Pearl also offers many forgettable variants). I also find the taste of coffee from places like Thom Bargen et al. as having a "dusty" lingering aftertaste. Not sure why, but wholly unsatisfying IMO.

[CoryB]

Not a coffee person but doesn't Joe & Lilly play in that same list of shops?

Za Pizza Bistro on Ellice has a proper oven compared to the conveyor belt toaster they use at CityPlace. It makes a huge difference on the crust but as they run the same topping selection at both places their variety is still second fiddle to Pizza Hotline in Winnipeg Square.

Pronto Pizzeria on Sterling Lyon seems to be open and also running the same build your own pizza to order style. I haven't had a chance to check them out but notice a few different topping choices. Their web site.

Also noticed the bad side of the old Toy City is being renoed for One Great City Brewing Company facing onto Ness. It looked like it was very close to done but I don't have any more info on it.

[bomberjet]

Originally Posted by cllew

Peg City Poutinerie has opened up in the old Greek restaurant location in City Place.

Really? Didn't even notice haha. I'll have to take a look over there when I walk by later. That corner is hidden away.

[bomberjet]

Originally Posted by Intrepid-Poster

I didn't notice that, but I did see that the Manchu Wok at City Place has reopened after their fire. I was a little surprised that they would stick with this concept. Prior to the fire it never looked like they were very busy.

Manchu Wok gets regular traffic. There's always people there for lunch. Just not huge lines like Tim Hortons. Plus I like a Manchu Wok lunch once in a while!

[bomberjet]

Originally Posted by drew

For local roasters - I have used Black Pearl at home almost continuously for the past 10 years or so.

IMO, nothing touches their "The Black Pearl" blend for home use.

The other micro roasters are OK, but I dunno - I would classify their offerings as "trendy", and without staying power (to be fair, Black Pearl also offers many forgettable variants). I also find the taste of coffee from places like Thom Bargen et al. as having a "dusty" lingering aftertaste. Not sure why, but wholly unsatisfying IMO.

I'll have to try our the Black pearl. My boss frequents the place and I've been in only once.

[cllew]

That Poutine place is sort of different as when I went by at lunch they have the digital display for the menu but no prices to go with the descriptions.

[dennis]

I do like both Oh doughnuts and Bronuts. Oh for their selection. The varieties are perfest for my taste. I am a diabetic and eliminated much of the sugar from my diet. I go to both for the rare treat, but Bronuts tends to use less sugar which appeals to me more so now than before.

[cutchemist42]

Just to add to the coffee talk but when it comes to the big brands, I prefer McDs than Tims than Starbucks. (I drink my coffee black)

Just saw on Brent Bellamy's Twitter the food court at Portage and Main is closing. That location was really becoming sad....just always feels dark and dated in there.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by cutchemist42

Just to add to the coffee talk but when it comes to the big brands, I prefer McDs than Tims than Starbucks. (I drink my coffee black)

Just saw on Brent Bellamy's Twitter the food court at Portage and Main is closing. That location was really becoming sad....just always feels dark and dated in there.

A new Winnipeg Square food court is a very pleasant spinoff from the 300 Main project. It's such a bunker down there.

Now that I think about it, all 3 of the downtown Winnipeg mall food courts that I can think of (Winnipeg Square, Cityplace, Portage Place) are pathetically lame and outdated. Which is surprising considering that they're the busiest parts of each mall.

[BigG]

Originally Posted by biguc

Thanks for the recommendation. I had the railroad breakfast today and made a point of finishing it. I really liked that place and will definitely be back, maybe sooner than later since this Friday they're serving an all you can eat roast beef buffet for $15. Their prices and portions are downright American.

Glad you enjoyed it Biguc!

[Urban recluse]

Originally Posted by cutchemist42

Just to add to the coffee talk but when it comes to the big brands, I prefer McDs than Tims than Starbucks. (I drink my coffee black)

Just saw on Brent Bellamy's Twitter the food court at Portage and Main is closing. That location was really becoming sad....just always feels dark and dated in there.

Hopefully part of a bigger plan?

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by cutchemist42

Just saw on Brent Bellamy's Twitter the food court at Portage and Main is closing. That location was really becoming sad....just always feels dark and dated in there.

I heard a pretty solid rumor that the owners of the space were trying to convince a tenant like Earls/Joey to move in.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by h0twired

I heard a pretty solid rumor that the owners of the space were trying to convince a tenant like Earls/Joey to move in.

Considering how much business Earls on Main gets from the P&M crowd, that could be a pretty savvy move. Get Earls to abandon their silly suburban restaurant plan for Main and York, move Earls into Winnipeg Square and use their old site for a more appropriate development. Win-win.