BOREAL BISTRO
Neighbourhood: Downtown
Address: 85 Israel Asper Way
Phone: 204-289-2187
Entrees: $15 – $21
Located in the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Boreal Bistro offers a space to commune and connect. The restaurant reflects the beauty of the space, while taking up the museum’s mandate with a focus on diversity and locality.
Communal tables, friendly servers and open kitchen reinforce an atmosphere for which the bistro moniker is apt. The swank décor doesn’t sacrifice warmth for style, with a palate of muted shades that mirror the museum’s naturally inspired design and bold elements, like a centerpiece of tangled metal rings that hangs above the room.
Imaginative and beautifully plated dishes match the sleek setting. The kitchen touts local, vegetarian and gluten free fare as well as in-vogue ingredients. Specialty dishes, reflecting globally diverse flavours, are a reminder of the multi-cultural makeup of the city.
Veggie-centric offerings dot the entire menu, revealing daytime dining trends for healthful eating. (The restaurant is open from 11am-4pm most days.) Butternut squash and wild rice soup marries two regionally sourced ingredients with rich warm spices that awaken the senses and whet the appetite.
Chips and dip make a novel starter. Taro root crisps tipped in tomato chutney and roasted garlic hummus, are ready to be slathered and shared.
Bowls and salads are artfully composed of a palette of classic pairings. Sweet potato stuffed perogies – piled on a plate artfully splashed with ancho pepper aioli, are garnished with cashew bacon, caramelized onions and pecans — comprising a beloved Manitoba staple with updated panache.
A delicate flavoured pork consommé provides a umami rich broth for ramen laden with sweet pork, shiitake mushrooms, julienned carrots, corn and spinach. A perfectly jammy egg melds the classic dish.
Korean gochujang spiced chicken breast shares the plate with watermelon radish, snap peas, bell peppers and crisp greens in a texturally exciting fresh salad. Black sesame and ginger soy vinaigrette heighten the Asian medley.
You’ll want to linger over dessert and the iconic Canadian sweet makes the decision easy. Opt for the potted maple syrup cheesecake topped with fresh berries and orange chips, and a lasting impression is a sure bet.