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WINNIPEG FREE PRESS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

tourismwinnipeg.com

TOP TEN
WAYS TO ROMANCE YOUR LOVED ONE

Take a bite out of the city

Diversity, talent and value in one place
Tell me what you eat, and Ill tell you who you are.

1. Book an exotic theme suite at Mariaggi Hotel, one of the worlds top 10 romantic hotels according to a TripAdvisor list based on travellers reviews. 2. Walk along the river and head to the beautifully lit St. Boniface Cathedral for a picture-perfect kiss.

- Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1755- 1826)

rillat-Savarin, a foodie from a time before there were foodies, would have a hard time figuring out what it means to be a Winnipegger. We are Italian, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Greek, Indian, Mexican, Japanese, Vietnamese, Ethiopian and more. Perhaps three in one day, if you take in breakfast, lunch and dinner. Not only do we have a full spectrum of ethnic choices to indulge in, within the last few years, the people preparing the food have become some of the most skilled and visionary in Canada, if not the world, says Brandon Boone, Editor-in-Chief of Flavours magazine. Right now, Winnipeggers are enjoying a perfect culinary trifecta diversity, talent and value that would give the usual Canadian foodie destinations a real run for their money, says Boone. But where should you begin? This story includes more than a few suggestions. But in a city with more than a thousand restaurants, its worth taking a few chances on your own. Try that new eatery down the street, or finally step inside the burger joint youve driven past countless times.

legendary brunch. Hot selections include bacon, house-made sausage, French toast, hash browns, and eggs Benedict. Brunch also features a chefs station with fresh waffles, omelettes and carved meats. Save room for dessert theres a chocolate fountain, ice cream station, dainties, truffles and more. If youre looking for something to grab on the go, pick up a sticky bun from Jonnies Sticky Buns, the small bun bakery at 941 Portage Avenue is celebrating its one-year anniversary serving up sweet and savoury creations from banana nut to chocolate chunk buns. Continue on your culinary adventure for the citys best buns with a visit to one of two Tall Grass Prairie Bakery locations, 859 Westminster Avenue or at The Forks, for a classic cinnamon bun made from stone-ground whole wheat flour from organic Manitoba grains.

pie or roast turkey sandwich. Or visit Kelekis Restaurant on Main Street and sample the burgers, milkshakes and shoestring fries that have kept Winnipeggers topped up for more than 75 years. And what would a briefing on lunch be without a mention of a Salisbury Nip, the hamburger that has anchored the Salisbury House menu since 1931. Enjoy one at Sals on the Bridge at The Forks, where you take in a view of the Red River below. Wheres the beef? Not at Boon Burger and it wont be missed with choices like the grilled Buddha patty: organic chickpeas and brown rice, spiced with curry, onion, fresh ginger, garlic, fresh cilantro, and lemon juice just one of the delectable selections on the menu at the all-vegan burger caf at 79 Sherbrook Street.

charcuterie boards and more. In Fernos, at 312 Des Meurons in St. Boniface will open a second location soon at 414 Academy in the former Frenchway Restaurant and Lounge. Meanwhile, the Frenchway lives on at The Frenchway Caf on Lilac, in the former Bread and Circuses location. Diners can also look forward to the opening of Promenade Caf and Wine Bar this spring, located at the foot of Esplanade Riel overlooking the Red River and the new Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Benton also notes a new spicy trend on the Winnipeg food scene with the addition of a new Mexican eatery La Bamba Caf & Lounge in the former Manhattan Bistro space at 285 Portage Avenue. Tacos are on the menu in St. James with the new JCs Tacos and More at 2615 Portage Avenue, a second location of the popular Henderson Highway restaurant. The heat has also been turned up with the rebranding of the former Dacquisto Restaurant to Los Chicos Restaurante y Cantina at 1715 Kenaston Boulevard. Deseo Bistro, the restaurant serving Latin and Spanish-influenced dishes is now at 696 Osborne Street. Or try Segovia at 484 Stradbrook Avenue for sensational Spanish-style tapas, including Berkshire pork belly with hot mustard aioli or elk tartare with tandoori hollandaise.

3. Nibbling on rosehip and lavender- infused artisan chocolates from Chocolatier Constance Popp. 4. Explore a new neighbourhood together make a dinner reservation, browse the shops and check out the attractions. 5. Silk, satin and lace undergarments from Eyelet Dove. 6. A candlelit dinner at chic Italian eatery Tre Visi. 7. Relaxing during a 90-minute full-body couples massage at Riverstone Spa. 8. Sip on bubbly by the glass using the self-serving sparkling wine system at Mona Lisa di Cantina. 9. Stargaze at Manitoba Skies now showing at the Planetarium. 10. Distinctive, sparkling jewellery from Bijou Treasures.

UPCOMING EVENTS
THROUGH MARCH 3 Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre presents The Fighting Days at Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, John Hirsch Mainstage 204-942-6537, 1-877-446-4500, www.mtc.mb.ca FEBRUARY 12 Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra presents LAmour, Toujours, LAmour, The Winnipeg Art Gallery; 204-632-5299 www.winnipegjazzorchestra.com FEBRUARY 14 NHL Hockey Winnipeg Jets vs New York Islanders, MTS Centre; Ticketmaster 204-780-3333 www.nhl.com FEBRUARY 16 Simple Plan, MTS Centre, Ticketmaster 204-780-3333 www.ticketmaster.ca FEBRUARY 17 NHL Hockey Winnipeg Jets vs Boston Bruins, MTS Centre; Ticketmaster 204-780-3333, www.nhl.com FEBRUARY 17-18 Manitoba Theatre for Young People presents Offensive Fouls, Shaw Performing Arts Centre; 204-942-8898, www.mtyp.ca FEBRUARY 17-18 Mardi Gras, Winnipeg Convention Centre; 204-957-4535 www.winnipegmardigras.com FEBRUARY 17-18 Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra presents American Masters, Centennial Concert Hall; 204-949-3999 www.wso.ca FEBRUARY 17-26 Festival du Voyageur, Voyageur Park, St. Boniface; 204-233-2556 www.heho.ca FEBRUARY 19 NHL Hockey Winnipeg Jets vs Colorado Avalanche, MTS Centre; Ticketmaster 204-780-3333 www.nhl.com FEBRUARY 20 Winnipeg Childrens Museum Franco-Fun Day, 204-924-4000 www.childrensmuseum.com FEBRUARY 23-MARCH 11 Prairie Theatre Exchange presents Altar Boyz; 204-942-5483, www.pte.mb.ca FEBRUARY 24 The Winnipeg Art Gallery presents Art & Soul - Aprs Ski; 204-789-1760, www.wag.ca

Sensational snacks
Stop in at Mordens Chocolates a Winnipeg institution for more than 50 years and makers of the award-winning Russian Mint. In the Exchange District, dont miss the cake-pop-like cakettes or a cupcakes found at Cake-ology. Further indulge your sweet tooth with the artisanal chocolates of Chocolatier Constance Popp at 1853 Portage Avenue, including the award-winning Manitobar, made with Manitoba Harvest hemp seed, Ecofarm sunflower seeds, John Russell lemon honey and Manitoba flax. Not only delicious, its also a source of omega-6, omega-3 and fibre. Healthy options also taste great at Fresh Caf, where you can sip fresh squeezed juices and smoothies made to order at 775 Corydon Avenue.

Dinner with a difference

Winnipeg is hitting its stride, says A.P. (Ben) Benton, editor of the online savourwinnipeg.com. People are more in tune with eating local, and the industry is responding, says Benton. Were seeing seasonal dishes emerge more on menus. Just one example of an advocate for locavore dining is Chef Ben Kramer of Diversity Foods, who heads up the kitchen at Elements in the new University of Winnipeg Science Complex (the building with the periodic table of elements on the outside) at 599 Portage. Fusion Grill was one of the forerunners in a return to regional cuisine, where local ingredients from bison to pickerel to wild rice are perfectly paired with Canadian wine choices by owner Scot McTaggart. Other new developments on the Winnipeg scene include a renovation at Bistro 7. The French dining experience on South Osborne has expanded to the space next door to 725 Osborne Street. A lounge and a room for private functions have been added to the mix. The menu by chef and owner Alex Svenne includes bistro favourites such as mussels served with fries and homemade mayonnaise,

Lunch with punch

For lunch, head just outside downtown to the multicultural neighbourhood of the West End. At Caf Dario, the chefs Colombian roots are on display. Try a prix fixe, threecourse feast of dishes like lobster ceviche, lamb lollipops coated in mole sauce and spicy pork tenderloin. Or check out the new Smokes Poutinerie in the Exchange District, where the Canadian classic is elevated with toppings such as curry chicken or chipotle pulled pork. Consider a stop at the Winnipeg Free Press News Caf, where discussions of current affairs are served up along with comfort food classics such as the Manitoba Club sandwich, featuring Bothwell aged cheddar and Winkler bacon. For a noontime bite with a retroWinnipeg feel, settle into a red upholstered booth at Rae and Jerrys. The panelled walls are a perfect backdrop to a lunch of a chicken pot

Best bets for breakfast

At The Tallest Poppy, fresh, local ingredients are always on the menu. Pull up one of the mismatched chairs and fill up on creative offerings, like scrambled egg spring rolls and crispy maple pepper bacon. If its Sunday, dont miss brunch where everything is served family style. Every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Fort Garry Hotel serves a

Decadent desserts
Head to Baked Expectations for sky-high cakes all served in a cute and quirky 50s diner setting. Or share something sweet at Dessert Sinsations Caf near the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Crepes stuffed and rolled like an ice cream cone at Osborne Streets Kawaii Crepe include divine offerings like the Third Wheel a combination of peanut butter, Nutella and banana.

Sign up for Tourism Winnipegs e-newsletter at www.tourismwinnipeg.com/enews-signup and you could win tickets to Winnipegs NHL hockey team! Youll get all the latest info about events, attractions and everything happening in Winnipeg.

Visit www.manitobahot.com for updates on other exciting Manitoba events.

Enjoy a fabulous stay at T H E G AR RY hotel in downtown Winnipeg with bEd and brEakfast rates from $ . www.for tgarryhotel .com

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