[zelda]

So, rather than hijack Bumper's non-trip trip report, I'll use a new thread to post my review of Cafe Dario, a new'ish little restaurant in Winnipeg.

The restaurant itself is located in a very unlikely place for a restaurant of its kind, on the corner of Wellington Avenue (not crescent) and Erin Street, edging a residential area (the one I live in, actually) and not-quite-industrial business area. I drive by this restaurant several times a week, and would never have thought "oh I have to try there", as it has changed hands a few times over the past 5 years, including one attempt at being called The House of Schnitzel. That in itself should tell you what kind of cuisine usually finds itself there. However, a friend of mine recommended it, calling it his new favourite restaurant... which for this person was extremely high praise.

Thus, it was my choice for my birthday dinner this year. Up to now my favourite "date" restaurant has been Star Grill, a little place with dinner entrees running at $20-$30, that blends flavours together in a way that I can't really find anywhere else. After trying Cafe Dario, I'm going to have a very hard choice when I want a "nice" dinner!

The place is small, perhaps 10 tables, though I only saw the one room I was in which had 4 tables. The style of menu is not one I've experienced anywhere (I'm sure they are out there, I just haven't have one!). It's a flat rate of $30 for a 5 course dinner. The menu changes daily, and you get a choice of appetizer and a choice of entree. The soup, salad and dessert are the same for everyone, as set by the chef. I'll describe my dinner, though that might be a bit evil since what I had may not be on the menu next time!

The chef is from Columbia, and the cuisine is Latin American inspired.

The appetizer was first. It was a choice of 4. I had Escargot Diablo... which was very diablo! and very tasty. Mr Z. had a bread topped with provolone and pear, which I didn't taste but he said was good. I remember also considering calamari and I don't remember the 4th.

Then the soup of the day... a corn chowder with jalepeno. Oh so good!

Then today's salad: mixed greens topped with an oily bean mixture. Tasty, but too oily and could have used something citrus in the dressing.

Main course was a choice of 7 entrees. I had the half lobster from Nova Scotia. The lobster small and just ok, and I now wish I had the rack of lamb which was my second choice. However, the rice side with raisins and coconut was yummmm and really made the meal for me. Mr Z had pork tenderloin rubbed in chili, with garlic mashed potatoes. It was tasty too. Other entrees I recall were a filet mignon, a salmon, and at least 2 or 3 other choices.

Finished with a perfect light dessert of 3 little treats: a mini chocolate cake, a small square of creme caramel topped with a Japanese pear, and a little cream filled crispy straw.

I would say that most often the kinds of restaurants I eat at have just one big entree. Occasionally you get a choice of soup or salad to start (rarely would I order an additional one if it didn't come with the meal); sometimes I order an appetizer; and sometimes I order a dessert; almost never would I have all those. I really loved having 5 courses. Each individual course did not have huge portions... but then there were 5 courses, so they didn't need to be! And having such a wide range of flavours and food, with leisure time in between (but not too much time!), made for a very satisfying meal. I also really liked the set price idea. I don't know about others, but the way I was raised cost is always a factor in whatever choice you make. It was liberating to not have to look at the price of anything while I was choosing what I wanted.

The price for 2, with a bottle of wine, was around $100 (plus tip), which I thought was quite reasonable for what we got, and about my price point for a nice birthday dinner.

The best part... no worries about blood alcohol levels and driving, as it's just a 10 min walk from my house!