Hello Winnipeg, we are Mr. and Mrs. Restaurant. We’re passionate about food, but not about cooking. After growing tired of everyday chain restaurants, we began our search for the best hidden eateries the city has to offer. Ever wonder if that trendy new place is worth the money; or if that greasy burger joint lives up to all the hype? Just ask Mr. and Mrs. Restaurant!
Vi-Ann Vietnamese Restaurant
Most of us remember Vi-Ann Restaurant as the popular Vietnamese eatery that was forced to close in 2012, during the Shoppers Drug Mart expansion in Osborne Village. Signatures were gathered on various petitions and Facebook groups were formed to try and stop the demolition but it was inevitable. Fans of this restaurant weren’t sure they’d ever enjoy a meal at Vi-Ann again, that is until they recently re-opened on Notre Dame Avenue, near McPhillips Street.
The new location, which was originally home to a bank and more recently a money-lending store, has been transformed into a bright and colorful space with a welcoming atmosphere. A few booths surround the perimeter of the restaurant and would easily be the prime spots during a dinner or lunch rush, as the remaining tables are positioned fairly close to one another. This set-up however, would lend itself well to larger group dining when needed. Although they are located on a busy street, Vi-Ann has a parking lot behind their building, and some side-street parking options as well.
[flickr style=”padding:4px; border:1px solid #BDBDBD; float:right; margin-left:5px;”]photo:14657815051[/flickr]The menu is essentially the same as before, with the addition of some popular Thai dishes. There is also a page dedicated to Vegetarian options, which is undoubtedly appreciated by the Vegetarian or Vegan diners. This will save the trouble of sifting through an entire menu to find the no-meat options available to them. We ordered the Beef Salad Rolls and the Calamari to start and the Beef Pad Thai and a Well Done Beef Pho for our mains.
Everything we ordered was quite tasty. The Pho didn’t disappoint, its broth was rich and satisfying; not bland at all. A very generous helping of thinly sliced onions made a real difference in the overall taste of their Pho. The calamari comes in larger pieces rather than bite-sized and was a good balance of batter and meat. The Pad Thai was a little oily, but packed full of fresh vegetables and generous amounts of beef. Our entire meal came in under $40, so the prices are perfect for a casual quick dinner.
[flickr style=”padding:4px; border:1px solid #BDBDBD; float:right; margin-left:5px;”]photo:14657814801[/flickr]We’re happy to see that Vi-Ann has re-opened after their forced closure in 2012 and will definitely dine here again.
Vi-Ann Vietnamese Restaurant
1020 Notre Dame Ave.
(204) 505-8823
