Elsa Taylor, co-owner of The Roost on Corydon, The Oxbow Natural Wine Bar and Restaurant on South Osbourne and Forth Bar in the Exchange (photo courtesy of Elsa Taylor)
Family celebrations at Wasabi Sabi on Taylor (photo by Pauline Boldt)
Restaurants, bars, and eateries of all sorts have been the settings for first dates and long goodbyes; for weddings and anniversaries; for happy celebrations and wakes; for business encounters and gatherings of old friends. The experience of shared food and drink outside of our homes is so profoundly part of the fabric of human experience that we can struggle to articulate its importance. The past year has made that importance very clear.
short as a 20-minute drive. Layered on this backdrop are a host of ambitious and creative chefs, culinary teams, and restaurateurs who have been willing to invest in the city and its people. One of Winnipeg’s most renowned restaurateurs is Doug Stephen, president of WOW! Hospitality. WOW’s varied restaurant portfolio was created from Doug’s goal to
Eating out is not new. In Europe, the restaurant was first a necessity for travellers, pilgrims, or migrants who needed sustenance on their journey. The restaurant as we know it today began to take form only in the late 18th century and expanded significantly following the French revolution. (We can imagine the want ads from 1800: Experienced chef for hire: bosses lost their heads.) The very word “restaurant” derives from the French restaurer which means to restore or revive. For humans, this restoration is more than just eating: as creatures of meaning and social connection, we share meals and drink as part of our family experience, our cultural identity, and our sense of belonging. The restaurant has smoothed that experience and evolved into a meeting place, neighbourhood dining room, centre of delight, and symbol of special occasion. From cultural traditions that span the globe and also celebrate our prairie home, Winnipeg has long enjoyed an enviable range of varied restaurant choices. The city is surrounded by rich agricultural resources. Moreover, Winnipeg’s size means that “farm to table” can be as
529 Wellington’s iconic dining room at the historic Ashdown House on Wellington Crescent (photo courtesy of WOW! Hospitality)
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