Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/12/2020 (646 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Dining to appreciate the foods of other countries is one of the motivations for travellers choosing specific destinations.
While many of us may not be travelling far afield in the near future, we can experience worldwide culinary experiences right here in Manitoba.
Winnipeg has many restaurant options from most countries to choose from — right in your neighbourhood. While dining in restaurants may be out of the question for now, I have prepared a list of some of the best pickup or delivery meal services from around the city.
Marc Gallant / Winnipeg Free Press files
Sukhothai on Osborne Street is one of several popular Thai restaurants in Winnipeg.
I have highlighted only local family-owned type operations who, now more than ever, need and appreciate your orders. These are all reasonably priced places which I have experienced personally.
I love Greek food and one of the restaurants I have frequented often because of their quality and selection is Taverna Rhodos at 5115 Roblin Blvd. My go to dish tends to be moussaka — but their lamb shish kabobs are also delicious. Their lemon potatoes and avgolemono soup are especially tasty.
There are dozens of excellent Chinese restaurants, but two I prefer are in opposite sides of the city. The Plaza Restaurant at 412 Union St. specializes in Northern Chinese dishes. I find their Mooshi choices all excellent as starters, I recommend any of the many Szechuan items on the menu.
After a quck stop at the Dragon Palace at 3060 Portage Ave., I really don’t have much room for more food after sharing a large bowl of hot and sour soup and their super snow dish.
Continue your world food tour at Pho No. 1 at 81 Isabel St. for Vietnam dishes. A couple of blocks north of Notre Dame Street, it seemed out of the way for me the first time I went there, but I soon thought I had found an undiscovered treasure. Getting a table at this smallish restaurant was almost impossible if you did not arrive well before noon for lunch.
Its choices are wide ranging but the chow mien with crispy noodles is exceptional — as well as its many soup options.
Over the past number of years, the amount of Thai restaurants has grown exponentially. From one of the greatest countries to visit with some of the best tastes in food, great Thai cuisine can be found all over Manitoba. Two of my favourites are the Sukhothai at 1910 Osborne St. and the Sabai Thai Eatery at 1113 Corydon Ave.
While I am a Thai soup fan and start every meal with any option from both restaurants, consider also ordering the Tom Kha dish from Sukhothai — which is made with coconut milk, galanga, lime leaves, lemon grass and a whole lot of vegetables. End your meal with their decadent deep-fried bananas.
From Sabai Thai, I suggest their Chang Mai Noodles; vermicelli noodles, yellow curry, roasted chili jam with your option of chicken, beef or tofu. You can add shrimp to many of their dishes at an added cost.
I started my love affair with Wasabi when it opened on Osborne Street, then followed them to their Broadway Avenue location and now go to Wasabi on Taylor Avenue at Waverly Street in the same complex as La Grotta.
While I developed my love for sushi many years ago, my tastes evolved so that most often I am ordering the many varieties of sashimi offered at Wasabi.
Closer to the West End you will not be disappointed to find Sushi Cushi, hidden a way back from the street at 1045 St. James St.
They offer great sushi and sashimi but, don’t pass on their Gyoza or the assorted tempura dish.
The East India Co. at 349 York Ave. may be best known for their extensive buffet options which folks have been enjoying for half a century in Winnipeg — but they also offer an extensive a la carte menu which we often prefer.
Perfect for sharing is the Company Biryani, loaded with chicken, lamb, vegetables and basmati rice. Add their Shabab dish of jumbo shrimp cooked with tomato and a delicious gravy — and you may not need more.
For Italian food another long-standing traditional restaurant is Monticchio. Located at 684 South Osborne St., for more than 25 years they have built an enviable reputation for excellent moderately priced dining.
For me it’s their mussels, cannelloni, and veal scallopini.
While this Iranian family may not be serving their traditional home dishes, for me, the best cheese scones in the city are at the Cottage Bakery at 1382 Pembina Hwy. Once there, you are not likely to leave without picking up a sampling of their delectable sweets or a loaf or two of the delicious bread.
All of the restaurants mentioned here are open for curbside pickup or delivery.
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