Bistro 7 1/4 is one of my favourite Winnipeg restaurants and I have been going there for years.  Usually it is at lunch with a business colleague.  Tonight was the first time that I had ever been for dinner.  It was also the first time that I went with my husband and the first time that I sat at the “bar” (which is the Chef’s cooking station near the front door of the restaurant).  One time when I was there in the summer, there was a miniature version of Chef Alex assisting in the preparations.  His son has his own Chef’s “whites” and seemed right at home.

I have not sampled very many things on the menu because I absolutely love the way they prepare moule & frites.  There are a half dozen choices but I always have the Pernod and fennel.  I have blathered on about the dish for so long that my husband ordered it as well.  He also wanted to sample a starter and so we also had a “gnudi”.  We had to ask what we were ordering and a gnudi is the Chef’s version of gnocchi but is lighter as it is prepared with ricotta cheese.  Our selection was mixed with corn, jalapenos, shrimp and a lime wedge, then topped with a sharp cheddar.  Before the starter a baguette that was finished in the oven and served hot and crunchy with a tomato pesto and butter and citrus salt arrived.

Everything was beautifully prepared and absolutley delicious.  The skinny french fries are perfectly salted and very close to the top of my best french fry list.  My husband and I were in Europe this fall and he had a big feed of mussels in Paris on our last night.  When he offered me a taste, I said “I know that you are going to have a hard time believing this, but these are a poor substitute for what we can have back home in Winnipeg”.  Tonight he agreed.

Last Dinner in Paris

On one side of us at the bar sat a couple who I think ordered buffalo and it must have been very rich as the female took home almost her entire plate.  On the other side were two travellers-one from Toronto who was obviously a regular as the Chef remembered him from previous visits.  He says that he likes to sit at the bar when dining alone because he doesn’t feel like a schmutz.

The place is on the small side and was packed.  For an early Wednesday evening in January that is quite an accomplishment.

There are a couple of Hu’s in Winnipeg and I was actually not in a hurry to try this venue. But I was very pleasantly surprized and happy that I did.  As an appetizer we had the Tuna garnished with panko flakes, green onions, ginger and a special soya sauce.  It was plated like a Christmas tree and I did not know if that was because it was December or if that is the usual plate design.  It was delectable to the eye and the taste buds.

Tuna Tree

Although the Korean Beef was way to hot for my liking, one of my lunch partners thought that it was perfect.  I enjoyed the noodles and the shrimp far more.   We also ordered a specially bottled Hu’s beer which had a taste of infused ginger-loved it!  The decor is gorgeous.  Give it a try….

A good friend of mine celebrates her birthday on December 14 and she has always felt that the day gets lost in the Christmas rush.  Perhaps that is why I have tried to make a special fuss for her over the years.  I worked with her husband last year to totally shock her with a 50th birthday party in her own home and also designed her 40th which we entitled “Stuck in the middle with you.”  Each guest was requested to bring a pair of panties which we strung on clotheslines.  It was reminiscent of an old commercial by Fruit of the Loom as we are all in the advertising business.  One year we had a prime rib lunch.  Another (when she was dieting) a South Beach Spa lunch.

Hey I'm missing the birthday girl!

Last year I hosted a sushi lunch at my place complete with miso soup and edamame beans.  We had the sushi catered from Sushi Ya which is my fav place in Winnipeg for my regular sushi fix.  I love the flower garnishes , the freshness and quality of the ingredients  and the price!  We took my 82 year old Mom there for sushi and she exclaimed “What other weird food do you think that I would like?”  My sisters and I made a commitment to get her out for weird food on an ongoing basis.

Sushi Ya Platter

To make a long story, even longer we went to the Lobby Restaurant on York. It is owned and operated by an old friend of sister #3.  The decor is very trendy and urban -more like Toronto or New York and the food is divine.

My first visit was in November so I was not tempted to sample the ice cream but the front freezer display was chock full of choices.  The coffee roaster is visible from the counter and it was polished up like a prized trophy.  The roasted selection that day was a Kenyan dark roast or a Colombian medium roast.  I typically limit myself to two cups per day and this was my third. So I ordered a small cup.  I was cheerfully informed that I could get a refill for 59 cents if I craved more.
My coffee date was a new Mom and her baby boy.  At one point the person who I assume was Katherine the Owner/Roast Master/Manager dropped by our table to tell us about the live music that they have every Saturday night.  She even indicated that babies were welcome-a point that I am sure many young families would like to make note of.  Sounds like a wonderful idea unless you like your music with a glass of wine as Forbidden Flavours is not licensed.

There were a number of customers even at 2:30 in the afternoon.  My guess is that it is because the booths and deep green leather easy chairs are so comfy.  Or perhaps it was the free wi fi.  Any neighbourhood would benefit from a destination like this little gem.

Pizzeria Gusto

Pizzeria Gusto

Dining out happens in spurts for me. At this moment the last three out of four meals that I’ve consumed have been outside the home. Yesterday I had a breakfast meeting at Stella’s on Grant Ave., then I met my husband for ribs at the Garry St. Keg and at lunch today I had another lunch meeting at Pizzeria Gusto on Academy Road. The only meal that I ate at home was a bowl of brown rice (likely as a guilt cleanser). Both Stella’s and the Pizzeria Gusto are within walking distance of our River Heights home. We have many favourites in the neighbourhood including Saucer’s on Academy, Mona Lisa’s and the Bonfire Bistro. We used to be able to walk to the Falafel House another of our favs but they’ve since moved further east on Corydon.

I had only been to Pizzeria Gusto once before but watch with interest as people line up outside their doors before their 5:30 opening. Today I was a client and being treated by a business associate. We shared an appetizer of grilled shrimp in pesto and pistachio nuts-delicious but I would have loved a piece of bread to have mopped up the beautiful bright green sauce. I choose a pizza made with an her olive oil, finely chopped sweet potatoes (with the skin on), pine nuts, pecorino cheese, toasted sage and brown butter.

OMGoodness-who could imagine potato pizza could be so good! It reminded how surprisingly good my potato pasta was when we were in Italy this fall.

Potato Pesto Pasta in Riomaggiore, Italy

I loved the combination of sweetness from the sweet potato, saltiness from the cheese and brown butter and a little bitterness from the char on the wood fried pizza crust. My associate had a pizza jammed with “drunk” mushrooms, a micro-arugula and white truffle oil. This was also so delicious, that I’ve decided that I have to eat my way through their pizza menu.

We were too full for dessert but had a café Americano to finish up. The presentation of this and all items was crisp and clean, matching the decor of the entire dining room. Unfortunately, I drove my car because I had another errand to run but the walk home would have been heavenly to wear off the carbs.

What is your favourite River Heights restaurant? Have you tried Pizzeria Gusto? What is your favourite pizza?