Winnipeg again: Bonfire Bistro

Another weekend in Winnipeg, another dinner out. This time we made sure to go to Bonfire Bistro early on Saturday, arriving before six because they do not take reservations. I love their menu, it’s original and eclectic, as were the night’s specials. The one that sticks in my mind was the ‘Surf and Turf’, which passed over the predictable lobster to offer a portion of smoked whitefish with the steak. I almost ordered it, but all three of us wanted to try the pizzas, because they have a lot of interesting varieties and a wood-fired oven. I felt like starting with a salad, and the Mixed Salad of baby field greens, red onion, currants, toasted pecans, balsamic vinaigrette and crostini (with the added fire-roasted vegetables and warm goat cheese) was ample to share three ways. We each have different tastes in pizza, so Caroline ordered the Wild Mushroom & Maple Bacon: porcini, portobello and oyster mushrooms with wilted spinach, fresh herbs, mozzarella and Stilton blue cheese on roasted garlic sauce, I ordered the Spicy La Bomba Chicken: fresh roasted red peppers, fresh jalapenos, mozzarella and cilantro on spicy La Bomba sauce, served with yogurt citronette, and Jonathan chose the Mediterranean Vegetarian: roasted red peppers, roasted roma tomatoes, roasted eggplant, marinated artichokes, Kalamata olives, fennel, zucchini, feta and mozzarella cheese with fresh basil and Carlo’s tomato sauce. Each of us enjoyed our own choice, and while we sampled each other’s, the general feeling was that we had chosen well for our own tastes. We were in the mood for a gutsy red wine, and the McManis Petite Sirah from California was just the thing. Service was good, but we could not linger because there were people waiting for a table. I give Bonfire Bistro four out of five.