Morning Light host Michael Wolch dined at Fusion Grill for the first night of Dine About Winnipeg. Here is his review:

This cozy, friendly and fine little restaurant on Academy Rd has been serving up gourmet, fresh, local, organic, wild food for over 20 years. It is one of my favourite spots in town. So, for me it was an obvious choice, and great way to start off Dine About Winnipeg, the annual culinary event organized by Ciao Magazine. 

Walking into Fusion Grill is like coming home - it is warm, relaxed, friendly and the candlelit tables invite you to unwind, take a deep breath, and catch up with waiter/owner Scot McTaggart. He is almost always there to greet you with a smile and regale you with his latest food and wine discoveries. He is a connoisseur of Canadian fare, and is tireless in his search for the most fresh, local and delicious ingredients for Chef Lorna Murdoch, who creates dishes that are unique, incredibly flavouful, but very approachable, satisfying and comforting. 

Last night I went to Fusion Grill with my wife and we had an amazing 2 1/2 hour experience.

It started with a bottle of Quail's Gate Pinot Noir, from the Okanagan Valley in BC. It was very fresh, warm, fruity, elegant and soft. For those that don't like too much body, tannins or wine with a bite, this is a great wine to try.

For starters I had the soup of tomorrow, which was a velvety smooth butternut squash soup - the perfect, delicious thing for a cold winter day. My wife had the smoked Arctic char, wild rice potato latke, Northern pike caviar & creme fraiche, and fresh would be the appropriate word to describe the dish. The light, flaky, smoked char melted in your mouth, and the flavours of the greens and dressing were just enough to enhance the dish and not overpower it.

My main was the spicy homemade ravioli with local organic jalapeno preserve (which Scot told me they jarred this summer), mascarpone,cheddar and panko crumble. It had just a hint of the jalapeno spice, and the cheese sauce was out of this world. The real treat was the homemade ravioli, so soft and smooth, like nothing I have ever tried before. My wife decided on the reverse grilled lamb chops, Saskatoon preserve, curry-rubbed fingerling potatoes, demi-glace, tumeric blanched rutabaga & winter medley. Outstanding dish, local lamb, cooked to perfection, vegetables stiil a touch al dente and very fresh.

 

 

Desert was a homemade melon sorbet with a drizzle of Domain de Canton Ginger Liqueur, amazing! and apple Saskatoon crumble with soft, vanilla ice cream. 

We left warm, happy, very satisfied, and our tastebuds were singing with delight. 

 

So, go check out Fusion Grill. Dine About Winnipeg runs from Feb 1 - 11. Reservations are required, so check the list and menus online at ciaowinnipeg.com.