ROSE COFFEE AND WINE
Neighbourhood: Exchange District
Address: 474 Main Street
Phone: 204-505-4567
Entrees: $15 – $50
Hidden at its corner spot of Main and Bannatyne, Rosé Coffee and Wine rewards guests with comforting, welcoming environs, wine, beer, best-in-class martinis, plus a full menu. In ten months, it has elegantly evolved from serving beverages, sweets and light bites gaining notable status as one of the city’s top tier places.
Behind a nondescript exterior, a whimsical and luxurious space clad in textiles and tassels envelops anyone seeking a break, or virtual escape. The interior shades of rose and cabernet provide a peaceful backdrop for an espresso double shot, mint mocha, or other fancy latte. By evening the orders are likely to shift to a grenache, Syrah or pinot noir accompanied by charcuterie, a cheese board or shrimp cocktail. Cocktails stir and shake myriad ingredients into ideally calibrated glassware unlike anything you have at home. You aren’t just drinking; you’re luxuriating in bubbles and glitter that flutter at each sip.
While the bevvies are extraordinary, it’s the addition of owner Kieu Nguyen’s divine dishes seducing foodists through the door.
Shrimp cocktail perched atop a coupe glass filled with tamarind sauce for dipping hint at exciting things to come. The novel condiment flecked with fried garlic balances sourness of tamarind with mellowed garlic for an imaginative touch.
A rotating selection of amply stacked tartines highlights the kitchen’s modern approach to eating. Whipped ricotta topped with wild blueberry compote and garnished with basil chiffonade hits the mark as a sweet treat after theatre.
A broccolini side dish earns distinct status in the line-up of veg-centric selections. A dressing of chili garlic oil laced with maple syrup and caramelized peanuts softens the green’s bitterness with hits of sweetness and heat. A lively tomato salad, brimming with cherry tomatoes, whipped mascarpone and herbs tickles the palate with trace wasabi. Each thoughtful small plate contributes to a mounting tasting extravaganza or makes a decadent snack on its own.
Easily topping the list of special occasion libation locales, Rosé also delivers as a dinner destination. The three mains covering protein bases are exemplary. In the realm of beef Wellington, the kitchen’s deluxe rendition rivals the best in the city, staking a claim as the most glamourous, topped with 24 karat edible gold. Cut open the golden flaky pastry suitable for two and find wonderfully tender, rare tenderloin layered with fragrant wild mushroom duxelles. Pops of prosciutto add subtle salt.
Be sure to end with the exquisite creation of dark chocolate and caramel mousse procured from neighbouring Cakeology, imparting decadent textures in every rich bite. Rosé Coffee and Wine may be the year’s dark horse, flying under the radar for many, but bets are on, this luxurious escape in the heart of the Exchange is tracking to be the most desired velvet seat in town.
