Winnipeg Restaurants

[Bdog]

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Downtown dining menu grows
New restaurants keep popping up
By: Murray McNeill / Commercial Real Estate

Another vacant Portage Avenue storefront is getting a new lease on life.

The owners of La Bamba Restaurant in Osborne Village are opening a La Bamba Café & Lounge in the former Manhattan Bistro at 285 Portage Ave.

The spot has been home to a number of restaurants over the years, including the original Mirlycourtois and Lindy's, but had been vacant since the Manhattan closed last year.

La Bamba co-owner Edgar Rascon said in an interview that renovations are already well underway. He and his business partners, Aline Tezcucano and Juan Godinez, hope to open the 80-seat outlet in early to mid-February.

"We think the Portage Avenue location is going to be very good for us," Rascon said.

La Bamba is one of at least 20 new restaurants or lounges that have opened or announced plans to open in the downtown in the past year. They range from stand-alone restaurants to smaller outlets in the downtown shopping-mall food courts.

The list includes two others that have opened in previously vacant Portage Avenue storefronts. One is a Mediterranean-style bistro and lounge, Arkadash Bistro and Lounge, that will open later this winter in the former Chocolate Shop at 268 Portage, and the other is the Juss Jazz lounge, which opened in the former Soup Pierre location near Portage and Fort Street.

Brian Timmerman, executive director of the Exchange District Business Improvement Zone (BIZ), said although restaurants are always coming and going, the pace of new arrivals has been escalating in the past year.

Timmerman attributed the increase to the string of new residential and office developments springing up downtown, including the apartment and condominium developments in the Exchange, and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, United Way of Winnipeg, and Sports Manitoba office developments in the Main Street area.

"This revitalization is bringing all these new users (of retail products and services) to the area that weren't there a few years ago," Timmerman said. "And I think business owners are starting to realize there is a new vibrancy, and that stuff is beginning to happen in the downtown and in the Exchange, and that's when people start to invest in it. They see it's all starting to come together."

Stefano Grande, executive director of the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, said the arrival of more restaurants is particularly encouraging.

"Restaurants attract people during the day and during the evenings and on the weekends," Grande said. "So the more restaurants that open up, the closer you are to achieving that goal of creating a vibrant downtown..."

Because restaurants help draw more people to an area, that also helps attract other types of retailers, he and Timmerman said.

Timmerman rattled off the names of a number of other types of retailers that have opened in the Exchange in the past year, including a new furniture store (HutK) and a new designer shoe store (Jose and Markam) on Princess Street, and a vintage clothing store (Rhymes with Orange) on McDermot Avenue.

Rascon confirmed the growing number of new downtown developments was what drew him and his partners to the area.

"I think it's the new area to be in."

He said he's aware some Winnipeggers don't feel safe coming downtown in the evenings and on weekends.

"But I think that's changing. With the Avenue Building (residential development) and all of the new restaurants going in there... I think in the next five years, it's going to be a lot different."

He said they signed a five-year lease with an option to extend it an additional five years, "so we're in this for the long haul."

Rascon said they also wanted to make their move now, before rising demand for restaurant and lounge space drives up rental rates.

Kris Mutcher, a retail leasing specialist with the Winnipeg office of Colliers International, said rates are "all over the map" at the moment, depending on the age of the buildings and where they are in the downtown.

He said although rates have been holding steady so far, they're expected to start climbing over the next couple of years as the amount of vacant retail space declines.

"There is not a glut of restaurant space sitting out there," he said.

[tupacshakur]

http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/uw-new...s-at-uwinnipeg


Garbonzo's Pizza Pub & Starbucks at UWinnipeg

January 16, 2012

WINNIPEG, MB –New culinary favourite and an additional Canad Inns destination Garbonzo's Pizza Pub is now open on The University of Winnipeg campus located in the AnX - where Italian meets English pub for pizza and a pint. Joining the pizza pub in the AnX is the highly anticipated Starbucks that will add a new ‘buzz’, and more choices on campus.

“We are pleased to offer more food options for our students, faculty and staff,” said UWinnipeg President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Lloyd Axworthy. “It is also great for employing some of our students that make going to classes, studying and working more convenient. These added services contribute to downtown life and a more vibrant community.”

In recent months, the UWinnipeg campus has welcomed two other eateries of diverse repertoire of fine food including Stella's Café and Bakery (Buhler Centre) and UWinnipeg's award-winning Diversity Food Services’ Elements - The Restaurant (Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex).

The AnX, located at 471 Portage Avenue, is already home to The University of Winnipeg Bookstore and will soon feature UWinnipeg’s English Language Program and a range of services including Powerland Computers with an MTS Connect store. Access into the building is available directly from Portage Avenue, as well as from Balmoral & Colony streets. Located on the west side of the AnX is the Balmoral Transit Station with access to eight routes. The grand opening of the AnX will be in February.

[J-MAN]

One of my favorite restaurants in Winnipeg include the All you can eat Magic Sushi and Wok located on 272 McPhillips Street. Another one is Pho # 1 on Isabel street.

[DRan]

Hey Guys, I'm going to be in Winnipeg for the next few days on work. Where would you recommend for a good bite to eat, with some local beer on tap? Somewhere downtown preferably

[Biff]

Famous Dave's Restaurant (BBQ) is opening in the vacated Blockbuster space in Reenders Square on Lagimodier Blvd by Rona. (Lagimodiere & Regent)

[rrskylar]

Originally Posted by Biff

Famous Dave's Restaurant (BBQ) is opening in the vacated Blockbuster space in Reenders Square on Lagimodier Blvd by Rona. (Lagimodiere & Regent)

Nothing like a BBQ feast served on a garbage can lid, I kid you not!

[J-MAN]

Originally Posted by DRan

Hey Guys, I'm going to be in Winnipeg for the next few days on work. Where would you recommend for a good bite to eat, with some local beer on tap? Somewhere downtown preferably

It's all a matter of opinion but I really like the downtown location of the King's Head Pub & Eatery and it's a pretty authentic pub eatery. It's located on 120 King Street.

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by DRan

Hey Guys, I'm going to be in Winnipeg for the next few days on work. Where would you recommend for a good bite to eat, with some local beer on tap? Somewhere downtown preferably

Don't know about the beer cause I'm not a drinker but I do like Hermanos in the exchange district as a place to eat.

[pollswpg]

Originally Posted by DRan

Hey Guys, I'm going to be in Winnipeg for the next few days on work. Where would you recommend for a good bite to eat, with some local beer on tap? Somewhere downtown preferably

King's Head Pub on King Street (Exchange District) Good food + beer

Yellow Dog Tavern on....Donald Street? or Princess Avenue. It's all the same street, just changes names part way through. (North downtown/south exchange district) Good beer, never tried the food...but heard good things.

A good fall back is always Tavern United at Hargrave and Graham.

[Donovanf]

Originally Posted by DRan

Hey Guys, I'm going to be in Winnipeg for the next few days on work. Where would you recommend for a good bite to eat, with some local beer on tap? Somewhere downtown preferably

Peasent Cookery has local beer on tap and is quite good:

http://www.peasantcookery.com/

Which hotel are you staying at downtown? We can give you something close by.

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by rrskylar

Nothing like a BBQ feast served on a garbage can lid, I kid you not!

Better than Lovey's where you are served garbage on a plate.

[SKYSTHELIMIT]

Originally Posted by h0twired

Better than Lovey's where you are served garbage on a plate.

I hear ya, we gave Loveys another kick at the can on Friday and were unfortunately further dissapointed. They are in serious trouble once Famous Daves and Woodys open as these are tried and tested franchises that put out better Bar B Q than whats offered so far.

[DRan]

Originally Posted by Donovanf

Peasent Cookery has local beer on tap and is quite good:

http://www.peasantcookery.com/

Which hotel are you staying at downtown? We can give you something close by.

Staying at the Fairmont, unfortunatly my flight was delayed last night and I wasn't able to go for dinner. So tonight will be my only dinner..

Thanks for the suggestions guys

[pollswpg]

Originally Posted by SKYSTHELIMIT

I hear ya, we gave Loveys another kick at the can on Friday and were unfortunately further dissapointed. They are in serious trouble once Famous Daves and Woodys open as these are tried and tested franchises that put out better Bar B Q than whats offered so far.

I was thinking about trying Loveys for the first time next week. Should I try elsewhere?

[SKYSTHELIMIT]

Originally Posted by pollswpg

I was thinking about trying Loveys for the first time next week. Should I try elsewhere?

I am of the opinion that you should at least try it. It's not the best but is the closest to Texas BBQ this town has. I have been spoiled by the US when it comes to the Q so I can be a little harsh LOL.

[J-MAN]

Originally Posted by pollswpg

I was thinking about trying Loveys for the first time next week. Should I try elsewhere?

I didn't think it was that bad but I'm really not that picky

[1ajs]

hmm mondragon

[J-MAN]

removed post

[SKYSTHELIMIT]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

hmm mondragon

Speaking of that area I see Fyxx has closed for renovations and is under new management to open again sometime soon.

[trueviking]

^ and the line up is re-branding....the owners split up...one will own the line up in city place and winnipeg square and the other will change its name.