Stella's at Plug In

Stella's at Plug In
460 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB

This is a bright, well-lit space, floor to ceiling windows with banquettes, tables and chairs.The staff is friendly and professional.  Stella's has an amazing menu that won't quit full of tasty items for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

 Nancy had a salmon burger which was thick and well-seasoned with parsley and dill, topped with a crunchy dill pickle, lettuce, tomato red onion and a smooth remoulade. A house salad was on the side consisting of romaine lettuce, sweet red cabbage, grated carrot & red onion tossed with a savoury house dressing. Yum!

All this was followed by several perfectly prepared espressos and the most amazing chocolate-filled croissant.

Access is quite good with automatic door openers on  both sets of outside doors The bathroom door is heavy but the bathroom itself is accessible including a wheelchair stall.

http://stellas.ca/locations#location-plug-in

The Gates on Roblin

The Gates on Roblin
6945 Roblin Blvd., Headingley, MB


We attended a large banquet for about 170 people. The banquet hall is behind the main house in a pretty treed area along the river.

The main course was beef tenderloin with a stuffed baked potato and mixed vegetables. The tenderloin,  done to medium well, was tender and juicy. The potato had a golden crunchy crust with  a soft warm inside. The vegetables, mostly shaved carrot and red peppers, were uninspired, cool and plain.

Nancy described the vegetarian main course as awful. Slices of tofu and roasted vegetables in a plain red pepper sauce. Apparently, it was "like eating erasers".

Dessert saved the day. Apple and raisin strudel with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream. Sweet and delicious.

The staff were friendly and attentive. The building was fully accessible. The washrooms were close by and  equipped with a wheelchair stall with grab bars. The front door had a power opener. To get to that door, there is a long walk over uneven brick paths.

The restaurant website is: http://www.thegatesonroblin.com/

The Park Cafe

The Park Cafe in the Qualico Family Centre
330 Assiniboine Park Drive, Winnipeg MB

The Qualico Family Centre is a new building in Assiniboine Park. It features natural wood finishes, floor to ceiling windows and beautiful views of the duck pond and the park.

During the day the Park Cafe features family friendly meals for breakfast and lunch. In the evening, the cafe can be rented for special events. Nancy and I attended a dinner for 120.

The salad was leafy greens with with carrot, radishes and bean sprouts. A little bit difficult to eat in a dainty manner, but fresh and tasty.

Nancy chose the vegetarian main course, mushroom risotto with asparagus and roasted vegetables. It was very flavorful with lots of interesting textures. The other main was a citrus glazed chicken breast with roasted potatoes and mixed grilled vegetables. The chicken was tender and juicy. There was an interesting mixed of vegetables, but I think zucchini is never a good idea.

Dessert was a lemon custard with fresh fruit. It was a nice contrast of tart and sweet. The presentation in a martini glass was an elegant finish. The coffee was fresh, strong and dark. Overall very good banquet fare. The wait staff was attentive and professional.

The building is newly constructed and has good physical access. There is a power door and the front and the cafe is a large room on a single level. The washrooms have a wheelchair stall with grab bars. The only access downside is the long stone walkway from the parking lot to the front door.

The restaurant website is: http://www.assiniboinepark.ca/attractions/qualico-family-centre.php

The Velvet Glove

The Velvet Glove in The Fairmont Winnipeg 2 Lombard Ave. Winnipeg, MB Canada

Nancy and I have often eaten at the Velvet Glove. The decor is dated with dark mahogany walls, overstuffed chairs and busy gold carpet. Thankfully the service and the food far exceed the decor.

Nancy started with the house salad. A selection of leafy greens topped with toasted almonds. Peter had a dozen fresh oysters on the half shell, salty and spicy with a shot of Tabasco.

We both chose the grilled salmon for the entree. It came with mushroom ravioli, a nice contrast to the rich fish. The salmon was perfectly done and was washed down with a cool Chablis. 

Nancy's dessert was lemon-lime sherbet with fresh fruit. We shared a large French press of coffee, one of our favorite Velvet Glove features.

The service was impeccable, professional and attentive.

The dining room is all on one level, directly off the hotel lobby. The room is spacious with lots of  room move around. There are new washrooms on the concourse level of the hotel. They have an accessible stall with grab bars. However, they are a long distance from the restaurant. The lobby level washrooms are under renovation. It is not clear if they will be accessible.

The chef tells us that he is bringing in fresh oysters every Thursday.

The restaurant website is:
http://www.fairmont.com/winnipeg/GuestServices/Restaurants/TheVelvetGlove.htm

Dessert Sinsations

Dessert Sinsations B-505 St. Mary Ave. Winnipeg, MB Canada

As the name suggests, Dessert Sinsations is well know for their handmade desserts. They also do top quality, fresh made meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We were there for dinner.

Peter started with the lamb and asparagus soup. It was done with corn and sour cream with a Mexican feel. The duck breast followed, served on risotto. The risotto was rich and creamy, the duck was crispy on the outside warm and juicy outside. Dessert was a very sweet brown sugar  brownie and a cafe latte, done in the French style in a large round cup.

Nancy chose the small house salad  which was filled with a generous selction of fresh garden vegetables followed by the grilled salmon special, served on a bed of creamy risotto topped with pickled  roasted vegetables. Dessert was a chocolate cheesecake,cookie dough brownie with a smooth espresso to finish.

Access at the restaurant is good, although there is no automatic opener on the door. The room has concrete floors and tables and chairs can be easily moved. Both the men's and women's are large and have grab bars. The staff was friendly and attentive.

The menu offers both vegan and gluten free options.

The restaurant's website is: http://www.dessertsinsations.com

Brooklynn's Bistro

Brooklynn's Bistro 177 Lombard Ave. Winnipeg, MB Canada

Brooklynn's Bistro has a great small menu with an Italian focus. It was Peter's first visit.
He started with a large bowl of chili mussels in a rich tomato sauce. The veal chop that followed was cooked perfectly and accompanied by roasted potatoes and cauliflower. The dessert was marssala zabaglione a sweet custard, unattractive but tasty!

Nancy enjoyed insalta mista (no walnuts) with fresh spring greens, fennel orange slices with a citrus vinaigrette. The main course was a lovely, white, flaky sable fish on a bed of fennel, red onion, tomato agrodolce and orso pilaf .She chose a refreshing orange gelato and biscoti to finish.

Nancy and Peter both shared a bottle of prosecco and some fine espresso

Brooklynn's Bistro is located in Winnipeg's Exchange District (The Craig Wireless Building), an older bulding that has been carefully restored with access in mind.  There is a good ramp located at the front of the building  with automatic door openers on the front entrance and inner doors. Several  tables are located on the ground level, (request a table on the "lower level" when making a reservation). The staff is friendly, professional , and attentive. The floors are wooden and the tables are well-spaced and there is plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair. There is a good accessible washroom.

The restaurant website is:
http://www.brooklynnsbistro.ca/Brooklynn_Bistro/index.php

A Gastronomic Adventure

My name is Nancy and I use crutches and my husband Peter is a wheelchair user. We live in Winnipeg MB Canada located at the mid-point of North America, the winters are harsh here.  Now that the weather is warmer we are embarking on a gastronomic adventure. We enjoy fine food but it can sometimes be difficult to find accessible restaurants.  Over the next few months Peter and I plan to visit some of Winnipeg's better known restaurants to celebrate, enjoy the food and check the physical and attitudinal access. We will keep you posted!