Canada’s Winnipeg has a number of surprisingly top notch restaurants. Why surprising? Winnipeg isn’t necessarily known as a foodie city in the same way San Francisco, New York and Paris is, and yet, I met a boat load of foodies, and people in the industry whose passion is food.
I also noted a large interest in organic, farm-to-table and sustainable cooking as well as a commitment to the lifestyle that goes along with it. 
DESEO Bistro is a culinary delight run by Alejandro Mora and chef Scott Bagshaw who publicly cultivates a bad-boy reputation. Bad-boy aside, which no doubt adds to the his allure for some while mystifying others, he’s an amazing chef who churns out one A+ dish after another.
If you’re in Winnipeg, meander upstairs, have a drink at the bar and THEN, start ordering dishes and you’ll see what I mean.
Luckily, because we were a fairly large group, we took over a corner round table and did precisely that.
There are quirky things you wouldn’t expect that we didn’t order, such as house caramel popcorn and smoked chili and the Patatas Bravas, which is duck fat fried fingerling potatoes served with a spicy aioli.
A must try is the “pictured above” seared scallops dish. Scallops are served on top of a miso and celeriac puree, topped off with the unusually delicious combination of bacon, burnt orange and caviar. 
They offer a fat page of DESEO small bites, which include healthier lighter choices such as roasted carrots in a honey vinaigrette, great to share options like the Chorizo & Figs in a sweet and sour anise and the Diver caught octopus, pan fried, served with green beans, harissa, marcona almonds, sweet and sour jicama and Greek yogurt.
Other must tries include the Duck Confit served in a creamy white polenta, duck reduction and grapefruit and the Butternut Squash Gnocchi, served with brussels sprouts, hazelnuts, feta and brown butter. Yum!
Did I mention the pan seared prawns served in garlic, white beans and a house smoked chili sauce?
I also had the Warm Beet Salad, which was served with a gorgonzola cheese, pistachios, pea shoots and apply vinny.
From braised beef short ribs and rack of lamb to pork belly served in a parsnip puree and sherry syrup, the menu is diverse and interesting. For example, they serve their lamb with spring peas almondine, potato and prosciuto pavee, with salt roasted beet and Cabernet reduction. The Duo of Duck was also divine – they sear it and serve with a toasted brioche, beet stained shallots and a pear mostarda. If you want to still go decadent but stay away from red meat, they have a Chilean Trout, which is served with green beans, fresh gnocchi, panchetta, lobster aioli and trout caviar.
Sold on the menu yet? Take a look.
The upstairs bar area.
Disclosure: Winnipeg Tourism sponsored my dinner at DESEO, but all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
