Having moved from The Forks Market to a larger space on Corydon's Little Italy strip, Passero has continued to impress with its menu of Italian and Mediterranean share plates. Co-owned by nationally acclaimed executive chef Scott Bagshaw and Amanda Coe (who runs the front of house), Passero's new space features lovely details from local award-winning design firm Design Shop, including an open kitchen where you can watch head chef Mitchell Man and his crew in action. Must-order dishes include the beef tartare on a potato cake, mushroom arancini on a bed of green goddess dressing, crispy fried Brussel sprouts with pear and horseradish, and the hand-cut tagliatelle with beef cheek ragù.

With its brand-new location in the heart of Little Italy, Passero is sure to impress just as much as it did when it was a mainstay at the Forks. Mixing classic dishes with inventive flavours, Passero is a bit of a darling of the Winnipeg culinary scene; it helps that the restaurant itself is so stylish and atmospheric, making it a perfect choice for a night out on the town. On the menu, you’ll find starters such as arancini, warm olives, and toasted sourdough bread, while one of their most popular salads is made with local tomatoes and cucumbers, avocado, grapefruit, and mascarpone.

For national acclaim, Petit Socco has been named the fifth best new restaurant in Canada by enRoute, the Canada’s 100 best list features, or has featured, wine bars and tasting menu spots including deer+almond, Enoteca, Passero. Plus, there’s Nola by Top Chef Canada alum and Canadian Culinary Championship medallist chef Emily Butcher, and spots like Harth, Sous Sol, The Roost, Oxbow Natural Wine Bar, and Yujiro that continually find local acclaim and international admirers.

His latest incarnation opened to the same rave reviews that greeted his Asian-fusion-themed Máquè and, before that, enRoute Top 10-rated Enoteca. While basking in Passero’s distinctly New York vibe, treat each other to the meticulously layered textures and tastes of an Italian-focused menu, born from the creative passion of one of Winnipeg’s most innovative chefs. 125 Fort Gibraltar Trail, 204-219-7300, www.passerowinnipeg.com

Featuring classic Italian cuisine in an open concept interior, Passero is where you’re going to find plenty of delicious house pasta. If having a good time and a good meal is what you’re searching for, then Passero is the place!. Start your meal easily with Salami Toast, scrambled eggs studded with salami and basil make a fine supper when paired with tomato-and-cheese-topped toast.

For modern Italian cuisine, check out Passero, in The Forks Market, a newly renovated hub drawing both locals and tourists. Chef Scott Bagshaw respects traditional ingredients and recipes but adds his own twist. It must be working, because this is one of his three successful restaurants; the other two being Máquè (Asian-inspired) and Enoteca (French/American).

I’m doing this a little out of order, as I ate at Passero on my first night in Winnipeg. This Italian-style restaurant is owned by one of the top chefs in the city and is located as a little “hole in the wall” in the Forks Market. Their food is served in a tapas style, and it is recommended to share several dishes between friends.

It turned out to be a swan song for Máquè, which chef/owner Scott Bagshaw closed in 2023 to focus on expanding his equally acclaimed restaurant, Passero. The artfully plated Italian dishes at Passero are guaranteed to impress, while Bagshaw's wine bar Enoteca has made both the Canada's 100 Best and enRoute top 10 in the past.

Passero – It’s hard for me to choose which of Scott Bagshaw’s three Winnipeg restaurants is the best, but this small plates restaurant at the Forks is definitely in the top 3!. 😀 If you come to Winnipeg, you really should visit all three as the menus are different.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (93 reviews) - Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5) - Type of cuisine: Italian - Price: $$ - $$$ - Address: 1 Forks Market Rd Unit 147, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4L9 Canada - Read more on Tripadvisor

If you’re looking for a high end meal, check out Passero Restaurant. The tartare is to die for and the chef, Scott Bagshaw, is highly regarded. Those looking for libations should try a beer or wine flight from The Common.

Catch the freshest Lake Winnipeg pickerel at Fergies Fish 'n Chips, twist your fork into handmade pastas at Passero, and get a legendary cinnamon bun for dessert at Tall Grass Prairie Bakery.

I don’t know if you’re more or less likely to make out at these restaurants: have you been to Passero, or Enoteca?. Scott also owns Maque. Not my favourite, but lots of people like it.