Ciao Apr/May 2019 CIAO_AprMay2019_Digital | Page 30

ciao! reviews TRUNK SHOW Thursday May 30 12-8 pm desserts featured on the chalk menu. The mainstay, baked crumble, is a standout: soft apples and crisp pears mingle with cinnamon-scented oat streusel, generously topped with scoops of house-made vanilla ice cream and thick caramel. Bonfire Bistro is open Mon-Thu 11 am-2:30 pm and 5 pm-10 pm; Fri-Sat 11 am-2:30 pm and 4:30 pm-10:30 pm; Sun 4:30 pm-9:30 pm NICOLINO'S Neighbourhood . . . Fort Garry Address . . .2077 Pembina Hwy Phone . . . . . . . 204-269-5004 Entrées . . . . . . . . . . .$19-$32 749 St. Mary’s Rd. 204-594-0400 [email protected] FORMAL CHILDREN’S WEAR Flower Girl Boys Wear Baptism Communion Classic Daywear Formal Evening Wear Imported Baby Wear From Newborn to Size 16 155 Sherbrook St., Unit 101 204-774-4019 www.dellaformalwear.com 28 ciao! / apr/may / two thousand nineteen For more than three decades, Nicolino’s has been heating up the south end of the city with its con- temporary Italian fare that pays homage to owner Nick Zifarelli’s Italian heritage while incorporating locally-sourced ingredients. The Fort Garry favourite eschews red-checkered tablecloths for some- thing modern. Warm pendant lighting washes over the open dining room. Tables are spaced out, allow- ing for easy conversation between family and friends. Appies deliver bold and rich fla- vours right from the get-go. Served atop a crispy slice of crostini, earthy Manitoba wild boar is nicely jux- taposed against the sharp notes of shaved Romano cheese. Classic dishes with house-made everything are key to upholding rustic recipes. Sauces, dressings, bread and desserts are all made from scratch, but it is the pasta that’s the talk of the town—al denté fettuc- cine, delicate sheets of lasagna and pillowy gnocchi are but a few of the exquisite varieties made daily. Dressing that fettuccine, a sauce of airy whipped Romano pops with wild mushrooms, plump prawns and vibrant peas. Lasagna Emiliana, true to its namesake, is made in the style of this Northern Italian region, with tangy béchamel a revelatory addition to layers of Bolognese and gooey cheese. A pool of basil pesto is the basis for a simple yet elegant dish of melt- in-your-mouth gnocchi and tender salmon, crisped in brown sugar, a take on traditional Mediterranean seafood played out with a closer-to- home fillet. Salads offset carb-loaded feasts with colourful greens—and more cheese. A feta salad balances the salty crumbled cheese with peppery aru- gula and olives. The Sorrento salad has been on the menu since the res- taurant’s inception. This classic mix pairs salami and ham with sweet tomatoes, a sprinkle of mozzarella and a light oil and vinegar dressing. Finish the evening Provencal- style with dessert and an espresso. Stick to the classics with a divine piece of tiramisu or a cannoli, or try the fluffy carrot cake topped with dollops of sweet mascarpone icing. Traditional recipes and flavours delight at Nicolino’s, revealing that sometimes going back to one’s roots is the best way to move forward. Nicolino’s is open Mon-Sat 11:30 am-close, and Sun 5 pm-close. RESTO GARE Neighbourhood . . .St Boniface Address . . 630 Des Meurons St Phone . . . . . . . 204-237-7072 Entrées . . . . . . . . . . .$15-$37 Although days of travelling by train and luxuriating in posh dining cars may be nearing extinction, Resto Gare is keeping the grand experience alive at its location inside a restored 1913 St Boniface train station. The beloved family- run restaurant has been preparing authentic French cuisine since 1983. A maître d’ offers a choice upon