A Stylish Tune

Tucked away in Southeastern Manitoba is Steinbach, a booming community turned city that is growing exponentially. I believe it is currently the fastest growing city in Manitoba! Amongst the Mennonite culture and history of the area, lies a more modern tune that is outright bright, blossoming and will surprise even the most urban of city goers.

Here is the ultimate trip to see Steinbach like you've never seen it before, for its style, culture and culinary delight.

You're Home Here

The smell of lilacs, the crunch of gravel beneath your feet, a setting sun and the taste of homemade freshly baked bread...you know you're at home here. This eloquent bed and breakfast is a must-visit in Steinbach. From the moment I walked into the Rosedale Chapel Bed and Breakfast, I felt as if I were in a decadent home and garden magazine. The immediate aura, the finest of details and the instant connection I felt to this space, made me feel welcome. Traveling solo on this visit, I took it upon myself to acquaint myself with every inch of this space. From the gorgeous second floor bedroom loft to the outdoor patio with a garden view. It's truly hard to say which room in this space was my favourite...but being a devoted foodie, I just may have to go with the dining room. You'll soon understand and see why.

All Too Familiar

I couldn't help but feel I had been here before. The framing of two vertical timber beams reaching to the ceiling, anchored by a white floor with a farmhouse dresser in the corner, complete with linens and ornate touches. This viewed frame was all too familiar and I knew I had been here before, at another time, in another place. It had soon dawned on me that this exact moment and place was where I found myself many years earlier at a bed and breakfast in Rome, Italy. It was a fleeting, heart-filled moment of recollection.

Honest Hospitality

From the moment you arrive on site, Junia is there to welcome you to her humble abode. The epitome of warm and welcoming hospitality is found here. You'll find everything you need to enjoy your stay, including a fully equipped kitchen, washroom complete with a shower, two bedrooms, a cozy living room with fireplace in view and your own patio area with a barbecue, complete with twinkling lights in the evening. There is no small touch that has gone unturned with heart from the Plett's.

Putting Breakfast in B & B

The morning of your stay, you will be treated to your choice of an exceptional homemade breakfast. Complete with fresh coffee and tea, delivered straight to your room. I ordered the Rosedale Special. Ham and egg cups, handmade scrumptious granola, and freshly made bread...baked that morning! Junia uses fresh home-ground whole wheat flour served with homemade strawberry jam. Did I emphasize that this is all homemade?! I'm still thinking about this meal. And that granola...wow. This meal not only tasted delicious, but was beautifully presented and arranged. Did I mention that the Plett's produce many of their own ingredients? You may see Junia out in the garden hand-picking chives, rosemary or basil for your morning delights. Rosedale Chapel certainly puts the breakfast in bed and breakfast.

A Noteworthy Stay

Far beyond Google reviews and Instagram tags lie tales and trails of guestbooks filled with notes of love, praise, and cherished family moments from visitors abroad. Whenever you get the opportunity, fill in the guestbook. It will mean more than you know to the owners of where you are visiting.

Stop & Shop

If there was a store that would have me drive all the way from Winnipeg for...it would be Retro Chiq in Steinbach. This cool and catchy nostalgic store houses creative collectibles, vintage wears, and retro decor. It's groovy, full of books, lighting and fabulous mid-century finds. These hand selected items go far beyond a garage sale visit...it's a carefully curated collection from passionate collectors.

Tasty Takeaways

A trip to Steinbach solely for the tasty takeaways alone, are also worth the drive. IYKYK. A must visit when in Steinbach is to the Old Church Bakery. Sound familiar? Their freshly baked pastry offerings fly off the shelves every morning, with locals and out-of-towners coming for their baked treats. Sweet or savoury...it's up to you! I suggest ordering a hot beverage and sweet to stay, while grabbing one of their many artisanal breads to go.

You won't drift far as you walk next door to Prairie Oil and Vinegars. You can pick up one of their fun sampler packs, but since you're going to love their oils anyway, I suggest grabbing a bottle of olive oil and a bottle of balsamic vinegar to enjoy with your fresh artisanal bread, back at the Rosedale Chapel patio. If you're feeling like you need a pick-me-up throughout the day's adventures, stop by Hitch and Boler Coffee Roasters and Cafe. With the aroma of freshly roasted beans onsite, you'll be tempted to grab not just a cup, but a whole bag of beans to go.

Community On Tap

Steinbach has its very own brewery - The Public Brewhouse and Gallery. With several different beers on tap, this spot is a great find for evening escapades. It's a unique establishment in that it houses both a brewery and a public art gallery, showcasing local artwork. They have a large outdoor patio and a large interior that offers snacks, games and a place for conversation and community. All are welcome here!

New To Me, New To You

Noted as one of Manitoba's 7 Signature Museums, I was eager to visit the Mennonite Heritage Village for the first time. Established to preserve and interpret the history of Russian Mennonites arriving to Manitoba since the 16th century, this vast cultural site has everything you need to complete a full circle visit.

Historical Snaps & Hearty Sweets

My first priority was to check out the main building, or The Village Centre (#1). The Main Gallery houses over 16,000 artifacts, displaying the history of the Russian Mennonite experience in Canada. I was infatuated with the Mennonite Village Photography exhibit in the Gerhard End Gallery. Being a photographer myself, I was captivated by the stories and historical captures of never-before-seen photographs that give insight into early settlement in Manitoba. These black and white photographs easily come to life in colour.

My first stop outside The Village Centre was at the General Store (#26). It was as iconic as you could imagine any "old fashioned" general store could be. You couldn't help but be enamored with the overwhelming glow of the vintage candy cabinet as soon as you walk through the door. It's a 'fill your boots' system as far as how full you'd like your candy bag to be. Take a trip down memory lane and grab a bag...or two! A walk around the store will have you topping up on locally crafted wears from candles and jewelry to housewares and decor.

Pen & Paper, A Printing Press & Pioneers

Depending on the self-guided route that you choose to take amongst the Mennonite Heritage Village grounds, I decided to continue down Main Street, where I came upon The Reimer Store (#25) The Printery (#24) and The Blacksmith Shop (#23). From pen and paper, to the printing press, to pioneers pounding steel and forming molten metal, it was a trip through time. To have the opportunity to see and learn how life operated many moons ago, makes you appreciate how far technology has come and to often be reminded that sometimes, simpler is better.

Foarma Worscht: Locally made smoked pork sausage, lightly seasoned. Delicious eaten hot or cold.
Vereniki: Boiled pockets of soft dough filled with cottage cheese.
Schmauntfatt: Rich savoury cream gravy.
Komst Borscht: Soup made from meat broth, cabbage (komst), onions, potatoes and pieces of sausage flavoured with dill.
Plautz: A delicious cake-like dessert with a crust, fruit filling and crumb or streusel topping.

After lunch, continue to make your way around the grounds. If you have kiddos, stop by the Barn and Animal Pens (#16) for cute visits with furry friends, if you have a teacher in the family check out the Barkfield Public School (#20) and for the creative guests a visit to the Summer Kitchen (#9) to view the decorative floor pattern is a must.

The Windmill (#19)

If you're familiar with the Mennonite Heritage Village, or you've heard about it, I'm sure the vision of a large windmill comes to mind. It's not everyday that you get to go inside of a traditional, operating windmill, but at the Mennonite Heritage Village, it is! Did you know that Mennonites used windmills to both grind grain and communicate with their community? This functioning wooden structure operates regularly to produce flour from wheat. On certain days, the windmill will open its doors to the public where visiting guests have the opportunity to go inside and if they wish, climb to the second floor for scenic, panoramic views of the grounds. It's quite spectacular to see this natural machine in motion and to hear the whooshing sound of the windmill's blades.

Gifts To Go

After your time well spent diving into Russian Mennonite history, it's appropriate that a stop at Village Books & Gifts in The Village Centre on your way out is on the agenda. It's open year round with an extensive selection of books, including cook books! Remember that Komscht Borscht you loved so much? Pick up a cookbook and make it at home for your family! Mennonite Girls Can Cook is a classic cookbook that has since made its way into my home. Snag a souvenir from kid's toys to tapestries.

Stunningly Steinbach

A little bit of style, culture and culinary delight come together to create the recipe that is stunningly Steinbach. I hope you make the time to discover and see it for yourself. After all, you've never seen Steinbach like this before!