I cannot overstate what it means to a Mom of grown up children, when they ask you to join them for a impromptu girls night out.

Beep lives in a downtown neighbourhood which she loves. She is close to all of the essentials and plenty of green space. She has made a special effort to make a couple of places an extension of her home.

Boo is also an urban neighbourhood lover and they have the cutest little apartment in an old home in West Broadway. She joined us after work before going to fetch the Frenchman from his workplace-Siloam Mission.

Our meeting place was Fools and Horses, a lovely light-filled space where I had previously enjoyed coffee and toast on the sidewalk patio. Beep is a regular here, as are the numerous people her age perched in front of their laptops and tablets or snuggled up with a coffee sitting shoulder to shoulder.

The food offerings are simple yet excellent. Toast is the star of the show. I ordered a sharing platter which came laden with a smoky Bothwell cheese, another artisan cheese, a couple of sliced sausage meats, roasted nuts, homemade pickles (loved the beans and ginger), espresso Dijon mustard and luscious fig jam. Pieces of just grilled bread accompanied. YUM!

Beep was drinking Half Pints, Boo a London Fog and I was sipping an Argentinian Malbec. With the pervasive clouds breaking up and a late evening sun shining through, the date completely pulled me out of a funk.

I stayed long enough to hear how’s everyone day and week was and chat about time spent with The Wee One. I knew that they needed some sister time though- an urge that is always there for me too.

Kath’s quote: “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. If turnips were watches, I’d wear one by my side. If “if’s” and “and’s” were pots and pans, There’d be no work for tinkers’ hands.”

Love never fails.

Winnipeg is known for ethnic neighbourhood restaurants, chef-focused award winning dining rooms and the best little spots for a burger, pizza or breakfast. There are so many places to choose from, it is hard to pick. Sometimes we need suggestions from our friends. This is why Canstar came up with our readers’ contest, in its second year. Once again, the entries came pouring in. Many of them, I had already written about in this space, including: Boulevard Pub and Bistro, Café ce Soir, Capital Grill, Garwood Grill, Roxie’s, Santa Anna Pizzeria Bistro and the White Rock Cafe. Places not yet visited, far outnumbered those already covered.

Here are the top selections: Begonia Grill, Common Sense Deli & Bakery, The Diner’s Grill, Jonesy’s Restaurant & Bar, Massawa Restaurant, Mercadito Latino, Miss Brown’s, Olympia Diner, The Pint Public House, Purple Hibiscus, Ripe Bistro, Rossmere Country Club and the White Star Diner.

Without further adieu, drum roll please…..the winner of dinner with Kathryne Grisim at The Keg Steakhouse +Bar location of her choosing is-Michelle Costen! We recently met at The Garry St. Keg for photos and to discuss the best time for our meet up.

In the mean time I am interested in tasting the offerings from Chef Kevin Yu at the Begonia Grill, the Deli Rose at Common Sense Deli & Bakery, the Stuffed Bacon Cheeseburger at The Diner’s Grill, the Monster Stacker at Jonsey’s Restaurant & Bar, Wat at Massawa restaurant, Salvadorian fare at Mercadito Latino, moussaka at the Olympia Diner, Burnt Sugar Stew Oxtail at Purple Hibiscus, Shaksuka at Ripe Bistro, pickerel at Rossmere Country Club and the Screeching Chihuahua at the White Star Diner.

Kath’s quote: “There are times when we are confused because we have too many choices, and there are others when we are confused because we don’t have any choice“. -anonymous

Love never fails.