Ichiban - Winnipeg

Ichiban Japanese Steak House

189 Carlton Street
Winnipeg, MB  R3C 3H7
1-204-925-7400

www.ichiban.ca

On June 23^rd, we visited Ichiban in Winnipeg.  Ichiban is a Japanese restaurant specializing in teppanyaki, a form of table-side preparation and cooking.  As you enter, you can view the entire dining room from above – a vast arrangement of various sized tables, each centered around its own flat-top grill.

Tables seat from six to twelve people, and our party of four was pleasantly surprised to find ourselves seated with two lovely gentlemen from Flin Flon, who were in town for a convention.  We felt we were lucky, as Mike and Vern were both wonderful company.  It was like an extra treat to get to know them throughout the meal and share such a unique dining experience with them.  None of us had ever been to Ichiban before this, so we were all experiencing it fresh for the first time.

The menu offers a fair variety of combinations, mostly centering on beef, chicken and seafood.  Combination dinners include soup, salad, an appetizer, green tea, rice and your combination selections, plus a choice of ginger, vanilla, orange or green tea ice cream for dessert.

The soup was a very nice, definitely home-made tasting chicken broth with vegetables.  This is followed by a marinated cucumber salad topped with minced crabmeat.  The salad is tangy and sweet and a refreshing start to the meal.

The starters are served by a wait person, and after those are finished, the chef approaches the table with the appetizers.  These are prepared on the grill right in front of you.  Our chef started us off with a bang, literally!  We truly enjoyed the theatrics throughout the whole meal, as well as the wacky sense of humour of our chef.

The standard appetizer is a mixture of chicken livers, onion and mushrooms seasoned with sake and soy and some other ingredients.  Upon first read, few of us were interested in the appetizer.  Ichiban does offer the ability to substitute another appetizer at half price instead of the chicken liver one if you want.  About half the table opted for the chicken liver appetizer and half for other appetizers, such as gyoza or sautéed shrimp or calamari.  The chef  served portions of each and did offer the chicken liver appetizer to others at the table as well.  We did a lot of sharing and sampling throughout the meal, which enhanced the friendly, communal feel of the evening.  Everyone was quite impressed with how very tasty the chicken liver appetizer was.  Those who hadn’t ordered it, but tried it, noted that if they returned again, they would order that appetizer.  It doesn’t sound delectable, but it really is!

Next, the chef prepared the fried rice.  There is an option to have steamed rice instead, but only one of us ordered that.  Again, the chef did share some of the dish with everyone, and everyone raved at how good it was.

After that, our entrée selections were brought to the table and the chef began by putting all the chicken on one part of the grill, while preparing the meat and seafood on other parts.  If you order the beef, the chef asks how you like it cooked (rare to well-done).  All of the meat is cubed and cooked together, but rarer portions are served first to ensure that everyone gets the doneness they prefer.  Seafood is cooked last to keep it just right.  Everything was truly cooked to perfection and seasoned just right. 

Pricing is by combination and ranges from approximately $25 up to $50 per person for all excluding cocktails.  A variety of public parking is nearby, and validated parking at the Delta Hotel lot is available after 5:30, making access easy even for this busy downtown location.  Ichiban is certainly a special occasion destination, but worth it.  It was difficult to say which was more exciting – the wonderful flavours or the fabulous show put on by the chef.  Both were quite impressive and made for a spectacular evening for everyone.  We even had a lovely walk back to our car with our little Buddha mugs that came with our cocktails – souvenirs of a memorable evening.

Timbers Restaurant - Morden

Timbers Restaurant

At Minnewasta Golf & Country Club

19 Buhler Drive

Morden, MB

Phone: 204-822-1209

Pulling up to Timbers afforded a wonderful view. The building is attractive and faces the golf course. Lots of windows allows diners a lovely view of the greens. As we entered, though, we were a little lost. We would have benefitted from a hostess to seat us, which would also have added a touch of finer dining quality.

Once we were seated, however, our waitress was very friendly and very attentive, taking our order, offering suggestions and refilling drinks in a timely manner. There is no wine or drink menu, and the staff don’t seem to sell it much, which was surprising considering the luxury setting.

The dinner special was just a dish off the menu, not something created especially for the evening. We opted to go with other menu items, instead.  We ordered a starter of nachos, which was very good and huge!  We all had the Caesar salad, which was good but, we all agreed it could have used a little more dressing. The touches of real parmesan and bacon were very nice.

For main dishes, two of us ordered the Penne Mushroom Chicken Marsalis, one ordered the Grilled Chicken Cordon Bleu, and one ordered the Pickerel. All who had the chicken dishes agreed that the wine marinade overpowered the chicken, and the chicken itself was a bit on the dry side, though the overall dish was tasty.  The Cordon Bleu and Pickerel both came with duchess potatoes, which were very good, as were the side vegetables. The Pickerel was probably the best dish of the evening, although the tartar sauce was uninspiring. All of our dishes seemed as though they could have been hotter, though, which was puzzling since we were served quite promptly.  Wrapping up the evening, the dessert selection was small, but well-made. The chocolate cream pies and coconut cream pies were both excellent and of generous portions.

Overall, Timbers at Minnewasta was a pleasant evening, but could have been much better.  Advertising indicates that there is a new chef, and perhaps with it being so early in the season, he has yet to get his footing. Pricing is about average and although we enjoyed the meal, the food lacks the panache of the gorgeous setting. Perhaps another trip later in the season would have been more special.

Orlando's Seafood Grill - Winnipeg

Orlando's Seafood Grill

Reservations accepted
Street parking only

709 Corydon (Lower Level)

Winnipeg, MB

Phone: 204-477-5899

Arnaldo Carriera, Chef & Owner

Located in downtown Winnipeg, Orlando's is a small, unique restaurant specializing in grilled seafood with a Portuguese flair.  The menu is small, but includes not only seafood, but also a few beef, chicken and pork selections.  The menu, itself, however, is irrelevant if you want the full Orlando's experience.

The chef himself takes your dinner order at the table.  He inquires about your tastes or wants for the evening, but makes suggestions and guides the selection according to what is best and freshest that evening and what he is most inspired to cook for you.  We all enjoyed this approach and were not disappointed in our meals, but we realize that this manner of ordering may not suit everyone, so if you really want something else other than what the chef suggests, then you'll have to be very specific.  However, we found the chef so very charming and welcoming that it was hard to resist his guidance on the menu selection.

We all ended up having a variation of the chef's special, which includes salad, and an entrée of meat, seafood, vegetable and pasta, prefaced by a selection of three appetizers. Even though one of us does not eat seafood, this was not a problem for the chef.  He simply offered more of the meat with the special.

We began by ordering drinks, which were nice, but the strawberry margaritas were a bit less fruity than one would prefer.  The toasted bread and oil-balsamic dip started the meal off very nicely, though.  The Appetizer Trio arrived shortly and consisted of Shrimp Orlando, a shrimp paté, and cod cake. The Shrimp Orlando was the favourite of the three -- perfectly cooked shrimp in a delicious white wine sauce.  The shrimp paté was also very good, but could have used a bit of toast or cracker to eat with it.  The cod cake was also tasty and well cooked.

Up next was Caesar salad, followed by our entrées. We were not disappointed in the Chef's Special.  His selections were excellent.  The chef definitely has a passion and true understanding of seafood. Bear in mind that seasonal availability affects the selection of seafood, so what is available one week on the Chef's Special may not be the same another week. Our Special consisted of small but satisfying portions of New York strip steak, cooked to our preferences, poached orange roughy, snapper, jumbo prawns, linguini in rosé sauce and mixed vegetable.  Everything was perfectly cooked.  The orange roughy melted in your mouth and the prawns were so big and so succulent, they were like eating tiny lobsters.

The dessert being offered that evening was a surprising concoction called Molotov.  A large dish of frozen yogurt, blackberries, strawberries, a strawberry sauce, a chocolate sauce, a large wedge of dragon fruit topped off with a soft meringue.  It seemed an odd combination, but it was tasty and there was something in it for everyone to enjoy.

Pricing is in the average to high-average range.  The chef's special --  which includes salad and appetizer -- is $35. The à la carte menu varies with entrées ranging from about $25 - $45 or so.  Throughout the meal, we enjoyed attentive, warm and welcoming service.  Between the chef and the wait staff, we felt less like we were in a restaurant and more like we were special guests in someone's home.  If you are looking for a quiet, laid-back evening with a bit of surprise, Orlando's will not disappoint you.

The Velvet Glove - Winnipeg

The Velvet Glove

At The Fairmont Winnipeg
Reservations encouraged: (204) 985-6255

The Velvet Glove at the Fairmont in Winnipeg was a real treat for the B.A.G.z -- a special evening of dining that we will not soon forget. The Velvet Glove is the only four diamond (CAA-AAA) rated restaurant in Manitoba. One of us has a connection at the Fairmont and arranged for a very special menu and evening.  We were honored to be a "test run" for the chef's table that will be opening sometime this year.  We would highly recommend the experience of the chef's table. For us, it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime event.

The chef was aware of our group's likes and dislikes and tailored a menu specially for us.  The menu was accompanied by expert wine pairings, delivered by a refreshingly approachable, but decidedly knowledgable sommelier. Each course was brought out to us by the chef and his staff in a parade worthy of queens (as we all know we are).  We turned quite a few heads that evening, but the spectacle we created was incomparable to the food we enjoyed.

The first course was a delectable roasted red pepper soup with chives and a crème fraiche.  The sommelier admitted the flavours of the soup posed a challenge in pairing a wine, but she had thought of a Canadian Pinot Gris that she felt was the right match. She suggested that we taste the soup by itself and the wine by itself, then the two together.  Alone, the flavours of  soup and wine were pleasant, but paired together, the flavours rose to a new level for each.

The next course was a surprising watermelon salad with feta, arugula, shaved fennel, pickled blackberries and finished with a blackberry vinaigrette.  Truth be told, the dish was almost too pretty to eat, but we all found it to be the perfect palate cleanser to follow the soup. The lightness of the watermelon played off of the saltiness of the feta and tartness of the berries. Our sommelier paired an Australian Sauvignon Blanc with this salad, which further enhanced the flavours.

The third course was unfamiliar to all of us, but a classic of fine dining -- foie gras.  This version was gently pan-seared and prepared on a bed of roasted carmelized apples and grapes with an ice wine reduction. Our sommelier astonished all of us with the wine pairing on this dish. Even those who are not normally wine afficionadas enjoyed the exquisite sweetness of the Canadian late harvest ice wine, Optima. It, alone, has spoiled some of us forever.

Our fourth course was intended to be our sole main course, but the chef added an extra main course that followed this one. This dish, by itself made a spectacular main course, though -- a porcini mushroom risotto, perfectly cooked, with rice just tender and creamy, topped with duck confit, a poached duck egg, asparagus, and a parmesan crisp, all finished with a red wine reduction. Our sommelier again out did herself, pairing not one, but two wines.  We enjoyed a White Torrentos and a Red Ripasa.  Quipping on the theme of the night (duck confit, duck egg and the aforementioned goose foie gras), we dubbed the meal "Duck, duck, goose."

Our second main -- and surprise -- course was a stunning pan-roasted pheasant stuffed with goat cheese and fennel, served with fondant potatoes poached in duck fat, and mixed vegetable that included carrot, yellow beet and asparagus, all accompanied by a black truffle reduction. Our wine pairing of the first main course continued with this course, providing ample opportunity to explore the flavours of the wines with the intricate, but not overwhelming, flavours on the plates.  At the start of the meal, we had remarked how we could have eaten twice as much of the soup and salad, but by this time, we were all sure we couldn't eat anymore.  That is ...

... until dessert arrived. Who could refuse the perfect ending to the perfect meal? A delicate portion of dark chocolate torte with bitter berries, berry sorbet with raspberry coulis and white chocolate was too intriguing to resist.  Paired with the plate was a ruby port, which was a sturdy match to the chocolate, but takes a bit of getting used to if you've not had port much, or at all, before.

Without a doubt, we highly recommend getting yourself in to the chef's table at the Velvet Glove when they launch it officially.  Be aware that this is not your average dining experience, so expect far above average price.  For a very special treat, however, it is definitely worth it.  The chef has a precise hand in balancing complex flavours, never overwhelming with any single ingredient, yet always keeping a playfulness between the ingredients that is inspiring, to say the least.  The sommelier has a true talent in pairing wines with the meal.  Throughout the meal, we enjoyed so many complex flavours, but again, were never overwhelmed as each selection integrated with the meal seamlessly. Last, but not least, we must also mention that the wait staff is an excellent example of pure professionalism in dining service.

If you are looking for something extraordinary, The Velvet Glove will delight you, whether for a special romantic evening or an indulgent ladies' weekend away.  Surely, we B.A.G.z will not soon forget the experience.

Nora's Diner - Gretna

www.norasdiner.ca

616 7th Street

Gretna, MB

Phone: 204-327-5366

Kathy & Jeff Dyck - Owners

Twilight Dove's take on Nora's:

Being a member of B.A.G.Z, I was pleasantly surprised that we came across this little hidden gem. If you want a great experience as a whole, then you must definitely visit Nora's! You're welcomed like you're one of the family and you definitely leave full like you just ate at Gr.ma's ! The story behind this place is equally as charming as the dwelling itself. I was lucky enough to have had the seafood linguine - very nice sauce mmmm mmm mmm and the shrimp were huge. I just had to have a side of their green beans - delish! Dessert - oh my goodness oh my goodness - homemade brownie warmed to perfection ... girls, if you are single then this dish will definitely hit the spot! If you are looking at a quiet night out with your honey or it's a girl's night out then I would recommend you give this home away from home a try. I would suggest calling or emailing ahead and setting up a reservation bc this place fills up fast... All in all it was a great experience to have had with my girlz!

If you want excellent service, food and atmosphere then head on down to Nora's Diner.

Appletini's take on Nora's:

Nora's was definitely worth the drive and the time. The minute you walk in the door, you know that Nora's has got to be good. It's a busy, yet cozy place. The staff greeted us with smiles and we had excellent service from start to finish.

Nicely enough, about half of the menu items were marked as gluten-free, so if that is a concern, then you have plenty of options at Nora's. I started out by ordering the soup du jour, which was a Southwestern Corn Chowder. It looked and smelled so good that 2 of the other BAGz had to order some, too. The soup was clearly homemade and had just the right amount of kick -- enough to notice, but not too much. For the main course, I had a New York Strip Steak with the bbq beans and green beans almondine as sides. A note about the steaks at Nora's -- they're all acquired from Spenst Brothers Meats, an amazing local butcher shop in nearby Winkler. The bbq beans were heavenly. I want to guess there was some Bull'sEye in there, but I can't quite tell for sure. Either way, they were done right. The green beans were very fresh, french cut and cooked until crisp-tender. For dessert, I had the Double Chocolate Cream Caramel. It was a very light textured, chocolate cheesecake with a cake base, drizzled with caramel. Take heed though, the dessert portions at Nora's are huge! There is definitely enough there to share.

The atmosphere at Nora's was homey and comfortable. The staff are very friendly and treat you very well. A couple of things you might want to consider are that Nora's offers free WiFi, which is a nice touch. You might want to keep an eye on whether or not your phone is roaming, though, as Gretna is right on the border and you might pick up a US carrier if you're not watching your roaming access.

All in all, I would recommend Nora's to any one looking for a unique restaurant serving real food with genuine hospitality.

Margarita's Take on Nora's:

First and foremost I want to thank my friend, Andrea for suggesting this out of the way hidden treasure of Gretna! Nora's Diner has a warm welcoming atmosphere, with perfectly paced service for a great evening out with the B.A.G.Z.

My biggest problem of the evening was trying to choose something from the most interesting menu. I finally decided on the Coconut Shrimp with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans almondine. As my counterpart's soup was served I found myself tempted by the delectable aroma and ordered myself a bowl of the Corn Chowder. This turned out to be a tasty start to a mouth watering meal. The green beans almondine, which tasted fresh picked from the garden, were so delicious that even kids would eat these veggies!! The coconut shrimp was served with a pina colada dipping sauce that made me feel like I was on a beach in Hawaii, not bad considering we visited Nora's on one of the coldest days this winter(-25 C)! Dessert for me was the Double Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake, a cheesecake lover's delight for sure!

I found the price very reasonable for the food and service we received and will most definitely be recommending Nora's Diner to family and friends.

Thank You Nora's!

Lao's Lucky Chinese - Morden

Lao's Lucky Chinese
321 Stephen Street
Morden, MB
204-822-3982

          B.A.G.z was formed as a way for the 4 of us to get out and try something new and different.  We go out once a month, each taking turns to choose the place.  We had put together a list of restaurants to try.  The unwritten rule is "no chain restaurants," but who knows where we'll end up. That's the fun of it all. 
          The first official outing of the B.A.G.z was in December at Lao's Lucky Chinese. This is a great little place, tucked in the middle of downtown Morden.  The atmosphere is very friendly and fairly quiet, even when the place is busy. The service is good -- attentive and helpful.
          For starters, we tried the fried wontons and the beef lettuce wraps.  We were all surprised by how good the wraps were.  Much tastier than you would expect from such a simple looking dish.  The starters were a true indicator of the meal to come.  Everything is very freshly prepared, not at all the greasy fare one finds at so many Chinese restaurants.  We had ordered dishes to share -- Roast Pork Egg Foo Yung, Seafood Wor Bar, Deluxe Lo Mein, and another dish we can't remember at the moment.  The fresh ingredients really stand out in the food here.  Looks simple, tastes amazingly good!
          One of the B.A.G.z had to take her family back for another visit, that's how impressed we were. We would recommend Lao's Lucky Chinese for families, or just a casual outing with friends.  The variety on the menu is sure to please everyone and you will definitely get Chinese cuisine with a fresh authentic flair. If you are lucky enough to be local to Morden, be sure to pick up their extensive take-out menu on your way out, and enjoy!