ciao! reviews
COCOABEANS BAKESHOP
Neighbourhood . . . . . Corydon
Address . . . . .774 Corydon Ave
Phone . . . . . . . 204-918-5313
Entrées . . . . . . . . . . . $9-$16
Dietary restrictions have become
a signifi cant part of modern dining,
persuading restaurants to create
options that are free of gluten, diary,
or meat. While gluten-free dainties
are more accessible than ever, it’s a
treat to fi nd a venue that promises
no gluten ever enters its kitchen.
Cocoabeans Bakeshop is Winnipeg’s
dedicated gluten-free go-to café and
bakery.
A façade of windows bring heaps
of daylight into the café, work-
ing with the coffee to help awaken
diners while the warm fireplace
provides comfort. Staff members are
friendly and eager to expound the
virtues of a health-conscious menu.
Familiar dishes with unex-
pected twists are found on every
side of the menu, with the coconut
chicken sandwich taking a front
row seat. Homegrown ingredients
mingle with international fl avours
in this distinguished dish. Locally
sourced roasted chicken and fresh
greens are topped with pumpkin
seeds, cranberries and organic coco-
nut, bringing tender and savoury
together with sweet and crunchy.
Encasing the accoutrements are
two slices of fl uffy amaranth bread,
freshly baked, delivering lightness
and moisture to the genre of gluten-
free eating.
Comfort food favourites appear
at each end of the spectrum, from
thick and cheesy, to light and veggie-
packed. Brown rice spiralled noodles
are baked with broccoli in a creamy
cheese sauce, textured with gf bread-
crumbs for crunch in the mac and
cheese. Vegan chili warms the heart
on a chilly afternoon. Manitoba
quinoa and organic beans create
texture that replicates ground beef,
leaving diners feeling satisfi ed and
salubrious.
Carnivorous cravings are easily
fulfilled with vegan chicken fin-
gers, a distinguished darling on
the menu. Slabs of tofu are baked
to a crisp, breaded with cornmeal,
nutritional yeast and a mix of sea-
sonings. The concoction mimics a
chicken fi nger so well that it could
pass a blindfold test, especially when
dipped into house made maple dill
sauce. A side of beet apple coleslaw
freshens things up while French fries
maintain tradition.
Whether it’s Sunday brunch or
an evening meal, the display of
colourful confectioneries make it
impossible to leave without a sweet
sampling. Sugary staples like cook-
ies, muffi ns, date squares and butter
tarts grace the glass case year-round.
Cocoabeans Bakeshop is the gluten-
free café that has every sweet tooth
style covered.
Open Mon – Thurs 9am – 8pm,
Fri – Sat 9am – 9pm, Sun10am
– 2pm.
BAKED EXPECTATIONS
Neighbourhood . . . . . Osborne
Address . . . . . .161 Osborne St
Phone . . . . . . . 204-452-5176
Entrées . . . . . . . . . . . .$7-$15
There are few opportunities to
eat dessert before the main course,
but such fantasies are satisfied at
Baked Expectations. For 35 years,
the invitation to “get baked” has
been the unwavering welcome to
feast on an impressive assortment
of delectable desserts and savoury
comforts at the popular dessert café.
The bygone era of the 1950s
holds strong appeal to customers
of all ages, boldly represented in the
spacious interior with retro-chic
décor, modeling the classic atomic
generation. Black and white tiled
fl ooring lays the foundation to red
chairs and sparkling silver vinyl
banquettes, against mint walls lined
with chalkboard menus. The famous
neon sign adds a friendly glow,
beckoning passersby to enter and
indulge. Outgoing servers, known
for their congeniality, greet diners
while wearing black t-shirts bearing
Your Happy Place motto.
Baked Expectations owns desserts
in this city with the utmost in tortes,
cheesecakes, cakes, and pies (oh
my!) including classic favourites
such as mocha torte, deadly
chocolate mousse, and the to-die-
for red velvet. However, the chosen
classic to dig into is Winnipeg’s
iconic shmoo torte: triple layered
angel food cake, crushed pecans and
fl uffy whipped cream, cross-hatched
with caramel drizzle. Although the
cherry royale cheesecake undeniably
epitomizes what cheesecake should
be, the dreamy textures of peanut
butter chocolate chip cheesecake is
a hefty runner up with its heavenly
rich fl avours.
A steadfast menu of in-house
specialties cover the café gamut
with salads, sandwiches and such,
but the penne pasta is a preferred
go-to. Healthy chunks of grilled
eggplant and artichokes round out
roasted red peppers and sun-dried
tomatoes.
Those seeking an optimal
vegetarian burger shall look no
further with a tasty and substantial
wild rice patty. Switch to a side of
veg fries that comes generously
portioned with diced red and green
peppers, smothered in cheddar
cheese, and a side of sour cream.
The 'We Love Kids!' section of
the menu includes relatable items
like PB&J and grilled cheese, sure
to please choosy eaters.
Enjoy Baked Expectations, the
city's best dessert café. Open Mon-
Thu 11:30am - 12 am, Fri & Sat
11:30 am – 1am, Sun 11 am – 12 am.
ciao! / apr/may / two thousand eighteen
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