The heat has also been turned up with the rebranding of the former Dacquisto Restaurant to Los Chicos Restaurante y Cantina, at 1715 Kenaston Boulevard.

In Ferno’s Bistro, at 312 Des Meurons in St. Boniface offers French-Canadian-meets-Mediterranean fare. A second location is set to open soon at 414 Academy.

Diners can look forward to the opening of Promenade Café and Wine Bar this spring, located at the foot of Esplanade Riel overlooking the Red River and the new Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

For traditional offerings such as split pea soup and maple taffy on snow, visit Festival du Voyageur during its run February 17 to 25. There’s also poutine at Voyageur park, stacks of pancakes at numerous pancake breakfasts throughout the festival and community lunches at Centre culturel franco-manitobain.

The outdoor education centre at 1961 McCreary Road in Winnipeg hosts FortWhyte Alive By Night Thursday and Friday Dinners at the Buffalo Stone Café. Reservations are required for this four-course dinner. Inquire about menu options when calling to reserve at 989-8370, or check www.fortwhyte.org/buffalostonecafe.

One of the new places to try during Dine About actually marks the return of an old friend. Instead of rising from the ashes, Osborne Village staple Basil’s has risen from the floodwaters of a water main break, returning after a four-year absence. Now called Bistrot by Basil, the restaurant has a new menu, with some of the old favourites from Basil Lagopoulos making an appearance. Find out more about Dine About here.

A water main break also changed the fate of Deseo Bistro. Formerly located on Albert, the restaurant serving Latin and Spanish-influenced dishes is now at 696 Osborne Street.

Chef Jeff Mialkowski of Horfrost in Portage la Prairie prepares local products in a way that’s classic with a twist. Pineridge Hollow, near Birds Hill Park, is a country cottage restaurant featuring wild mushroom perogies on the menu - if not exactly the same as your grandma makes them, equally as delicious. Blaze Bistro in the Delta Winnipeg features bison and Manitoba pickerel, while The Current includes Manitoba elk as part of its offerings to be enjoyed while looking over The Forks, a historic gathering place. Fusion Grill was one of the forerunners in a return to regional cuisine, perfectly paired with Canadian wine choices by owner Scot McTaggart.

And if your sweet tooth is calling, try home-grown bakeries Cake-ology, Tall Grass Prairie Bread Company, High Tea Bakery, Dessert Sinsations Café, Baked Expectations, or the artisan chocolates from Chocolatier Constance Popp.