I have a new favourite Restaurant - Cafe Dario. Fantastic! We recently dined here with some friends after many recommendations. You could easily blink and miss this place, which would be a terrible mistake, so please take note 1390 Erin St, Winnipeg. (204) 783-2813. Reservations recommended.
Rating: 1 Poor - 5 Great
Atmosphere................5
Music .........................4 (radio in the background - but you don't need music)
Food............................5
Service........................5
Menu Selection..........5
Wine Selection ..........5
Price............................5*
*price is based on quality of food
I believe the building used to be a house, so it's not easily distinguishable however, the sign is clearly visible on the corner of the building. Promptly greeted and seated as per our reservation, always a good sign. The atmosphere is maybe not what you'd expect. There's no fancy lighting or rich tapestries, but its clean, comfortable and quaint.
The wine list has plenty of options without being overwhelming. We chose an Argentinian Malbec, which was quickly served and enjoyed. Our next choice was the menu. Cafe Dario offers a set menu each night with options for appetizers and entrees at the price of $33 per person. The salad, soup and dessert are the daily selection.
Each option sounded delicious which can make for a difficult decision. I was of course torn between the two shrimp appetizers - always predictable I guess. I eventually selected the Sesame dumpling & shrimp flauta (sort of a springroll) with spicy mango pulp. My husband chose the potpourri of mushrooms with salsa verde. Our friends each had the Sesame shrimp along with the pineapple gaspacho shooter, salmon gravelox with hearts of palm. None of us had anything bad to say. The presenatation alone will keep you coming back.
Soup was cream of spinach, delicious, and the salad a light offering of mixed greens with sesame seed and mint vinaigrette - light and fresh.
Each course is served with sufficient time to digest the previous course, without leaving you looking at your watch. Our entrees arrived and wow. I ordered the beef tenderloin - Churrasco style (typical South American style) with caper salsa. It was the most tender beef I've ever had. The flavours just danced in your mouth. I think my exact words were "I'm going to have dreams about beef this evening". In addition to the beef was grilled zucchini and mashed potatoes with what we believe were jalapenos, scrumptous.
My husband of course chose the salmon & monkfish with sweet corn, bacon and caviar creme. Again the flavours together were heavenly. Our friends chose the honey-glazed duck and dry chili & lemon rubbed pork tenderloin, a spicy selection. Each commented the choices were excellent.
During our meal the chef came out a couple times to speak to the tables and ask how everything was, he would also clear a few plates if needed - I like this casual yet genuine friendliness.
Last but not least was our desert. Simple, sweet and not too filling. Fresh figs with plum & port sauce. One of our friends hoped for something a bit more...substantial? not sure of the word. A pastry, cake, something more along those lines. I enjoyed the dessert and I didn't leave feeling as though I needed to unbutton my pants and nap for several hours.
The overall dining was about 2 & 1/2 hours, but well worth it. The owners are Columbian and give the North American foods a wonderful South American flare. I can not wait to return to this restaurant. And I absolutely love the building and area. Nothing pretentious, just great food to be enjoyed in a comfortable environment. Love it!
My overall rating is a 5. I'm not taking the music into consideration as honestly you do not need it. I highly recommend this place to anyone for any occasion.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Clay Oven - August 2008
To celebrate my dad's birthday we went on a recommendation to the Clay Oven. It's a fair drive from our house but we were hopeful that this would not be a turn off. It was okay.
http://www.clayovenrestaurant.ca/
Rating: 1 Poor - 5 Great
Atmosphere................2.5
Music .........................4 (typical Indian music)
Food............................3.5
Service........................4 (our main waiter was great, another was a bit stunned)
Menu Selection..........4.5
Wine Selection ..........4
Price...........................3.5*
*price is based on quality of food
Given other Indian restaurants we'd been to in Winnipeg I guess we were expecting more of a restaurant and less of a diner atmosphere. But not to be turned off we kept an open mind. Promptly seated (reservation was made) and greeted with a smile! The beverage listing is fine, a few wines, coctails, beer etc. Nothing exciting, but enough to keep you interested. Two of us chose "Clay Oven" caesers, quite good, an Indian spice ,that I couldn't quite place, certainly enhanced the flavour. Our guests chose the Indian beer, King Fisher and of course coffee.
We decided to each order a dish and share the bounty. My father the Hot and Spicy lover chose Lamb Vindaloo and requested "Hot"; I selected the appetizer platter complete with samosas, Paneer Pakora and Sona Tikki, and Butter Chicken; my mom ordered Shrimp curry, and my husband chose a vegetarian dish with lentils in a curry sauce.
Everything arrived at once, which isn't a major issue, but it makes for a crowded table. The appetizers were okay, the samosas a bit dry, but tasty.
Our main dishes were good, however the "Hot" Vindaloo, certainly wasn't as hot as we'd like. It was more of a lower end Medium. Our other dishes were definately mild, although ordered medium.
Butter chicken, I've had better. It tasted as though canned tomato soup had been used. The shrimp curry was tasty, but far too much sauce for the amount of meat.
The best dish, in my opinion, was the vegetarian lentil dish. Very tasty, good ratio of protein and sauce and the many spices were very evident!
The prices were okay compared to the quality. Most dishes were in the $12-15 range. Similar to most other restaurants, but I just didn't find the quality was there.
I'm not sure I'd return given the distance from our house and the fact that is was mediocre in both food and atmosphere compared to other Indian restaurants closer to us.
My overall rating - 3.75. Atmosphere definately needs an upgrade and the food needs...something. Maybe more care? I'm not sure, it just didn't give me the "wow" factor.
http://www.clayovenrestaurant.ca/
Rating: 1 Poor - 5 Great
Atmosphere................2.5
Music .........................4 (typical Indian music)
Food............................3.5
Service........................4 (our main waiter was great, another was a bit stunned)
Menu Selection..........4.5
Wine Selection ..........4
Price...........................3.5*
*price is based on quality of food
Given other Indian restaurants we'd been to in Winnipeg I guess we were expecting more of a restaurant and less of a diner atmosphere. But not to be turned off we kept an open mind. Promptly seated (reservation was made) and greeted with a smile! The beverage listing is fine, a few wines, coctails, beer etc. Nothing exciting, but enough to keep you interested. Two of us chose "Clay Oven" caesers, quite good, an Indian spice ,that I couldn't quite place, certainly enhanced the flavour. Our guests chose the Indian beer, King Fisher and of course coffee.
We decided to each order a dish and share the bounty. My father the Hot and Spicy lover chose Lamb Vindaloo and requested "Hot"; I selected the appetizer platter complete with samosas, Paneer Pakora and Sona Tikki, and Butter Chicken; my mom ordered Shrimp curry, and my husband chose a vegetarian dish with lentils in a curry sauce.
Everything arrived at once, which isn't a major issue, but it makes for a crowded table. The appetizers were okay, the samosas a bit dry, but tasty.
Our main dishes were good, however the "Hot" Vindaloo, certainly wasn't as hot as we'd like. It was more of a lower end Medium. Our other dishes were definately mild, although ordered medium.
Butter chicken, I've had better. It tasted as though canned tomato soup had been used. The shrimp curry was tasty, but far too much sauce for the amount of meat.
The best dish, in my opinion, was the vegetarian lentil dish. Very tasty, good ratio of protein and sauce and the many spices were very evident!
The prices were okay compared to the quality. Most dishes were in the $12-15 range. Similar to most other restaurants, but I just didn't find the quality was there.
I'm not sure I'd return given the distance from our house and the fact that is was mediocre in both food and atmosphere compared to other Indian restaurants closer to us.
My overall rating - 3.75. Atmosphere definately needs an upgrade and the food needs...something. Maybe more care? I'm not sure, it just didn't give me the "wow" factor.
Civita - July 2008
(quick review)
We decided to venture out for lunch one sunny afternoon and since we'd walked past Civita numerous times and never stopped, today was the day. We chose a spot on the sidewalk patio to catch a few rays and people watch.
Rating: 1 Poor - 5 Great
Atmosphere................5 (what's better than "interesting" people watching)
Music ........................N/A
Food............................5
Service........................5
Menu Selection..........4.5
Wine Selection ..........4.5
Price...........................5*
*price is based on quality of food
We started with a glass of Pinot Grigio, for myself, and a Shiraz for my husband. I chose the goat cheese salad with mixed greens, olives (which were set aside :-) and a yummy dressing, my husband selected the Raspberry vinaigrette salad. Both were fantastic. Light, tasty and just the right amount.We also decided to share a quesadilla, with chicken and sausage and drippy melting cheese. Fantastic! Such a great meal for a very reasonable price.
My overall rating is 4.75. The menu (food & wine) are small so if you're really looking for something, you may not find it here. I will definately return and try their evening menu as I was certainly impressed with their lunch!
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