Where to Eat in Regina

[merlin]

I am going to be in Regina for a few days at the end of the month. I expect to be staying downtown but do not know at which hotel.

I know that Regina has a lot of restaurants per capita.

Any interesting spots that people can recommend?

Not interested in Vietnamese or "Prairie Asian" fare nor "family restaurants" or chains.

A week of "family restaurants" and "Greek ribs" during a visit to Saskatoon a few years back before we found Calories in the Broadway area of that city "cured" us of any interest in that type of fare.

[reverendtmac]

If you're downtown (do you know where you're staying? Delta, Radisson?), you're within spitting distance of a few different good spots -

Neo Japonica - Japanese done damn well; especially for a place that's what, 2000km from the nearest ocean. Super friendly staff, good chefs, and always has some neat stuff on the menu (ostrich, last time I was in there). I usually order the sashimi plate and tell the chef to go nuts - and I'm never disappointed.

The Creek in Cathedral Bistro - 3414 13th ave, about 10 blocks from the Radisson. Best spinach salad I've had in my life...food's always decently creative and done very well. Desserts are killer, too.

I just ran down the hall and got a list of other good funky spots from the crowd in my office...

Danbry's is right downtown, and has very recently (as in the last week) switched head chefs, so nobody has eaten there yet with the new staff. The new chef is very respected, however, and everyone's got high hopes. La Bodega is a bistro on Albert St; good food, nice wine list. The Mediterranian Bistro is on Quance St in the east end of the city - my parents rave about it, but then again, my parents rave about East Side Marios, so take that as you will. Anyway, other picks: the Fireside Bistro, the Copper Kettle/O'Hanlon's (awesome pizza / real Greek food at the Kettle, and wonderful pub food / Irish Stew / pints of the Genius on the other side).

Too bad you're gonna be here at the end of the month...I'm gonna be in the Maritimes. Would have loved to meet an EG'er for a pint/dinner somewhere...

[merlin]

reverendtmac:

Thank you for the suggestions.

I will be staying at the Delta. Found that out today.

The Creek in Cathedral Bistro is the one I have had recommened to me by someone else.

Appreciate the input.

Too bad you'll be down in "God's Country"...I would not mind being in the Maritimes myself <smile>

[merlin]

reverendtmac:

Just back in after five days in Regina.

I stayed at the Delta across from the Regina Casino and the accomodations and service were very good.

As far as the dining is concerned it is apparent that Regina like most prairie cities remains pretty conservative and there is a lot of work to do with the wine lists but understandably it is likely a case of "supply and demand".

Sunday I wandered about downtown looking for something interesting to try. It was an urban wasteland with almost no one to be seen. To be clear, that is not a "shot" at Regina because much the same can be said about Edmonton after 5:00 most days of the week.

I ventured down to the Creek in Cathedral Bistro but unfortunately, contrary to what I had read on the Internet, it is not open on Sundays until May 21. I hiked back to the hotel. They recommended an Italian spot just west of the large downtown mall.

I decided to check out the restaurants in the Casino first. Yikes, what a shock! The average age must have been 75 to 80 with cigarette smoke that you could cut with a knife. I got out of there real quick before the noise, never mind the pollution drove me mad...or is that madder?

The Italian spot did not particularly interest me so I ended up in Gulfy's or something to that effect. The steakhouse beside Danbry's. I had the prime rib which was ok. The service was excellent and the wine list not too bad either. Old time, old fashioned cuisine. All in all pretty well priced. Not the kind of place I would ususally go to but on a Sunday there did not appear to be many options.

The next day I had dinner at The Creek in Cathedral Bistro. It was very good and I returned for the lunch the next day and again today before catching my plane. If this place was here in Edmonton I would be a "regular". Good, friendly staff and excellent food. I had the halibut cheeks with "bubble and squeak" and pommeroy mustard sauce and their green salad with toasted walnuts and apples with manchego cheese. I thought the manchego cheese [one of my favourites was a nice touch].

For lunch on one day I had their grilled szechuan pork loin served with grapefruit and orange sections with marinated artichoke and radicchio and the next their roast lamb sandwich served with fresh basil and roasted pepper and apricot mustard. Both were good. The first was perfectly roasted. Nice tangy glaze with the interior pink and moist. The latter was a nice sandwich especially with the fresh basil.

I also tried Danbry's, Mediterranean Bistro, Fireside Bistro and La Bodega.

Mediterranean Bistro had the best wine list I saw. The black and white sesame seed encrusted salmon salad I had for lunch one day was quite good and the service very friendly given that they were having one heck of a tumultuous lunch.

La Bodega seemed like an interesting spot. Very "neighbourhood" bar in nature. It was sushi nite but when the waitress told me that I just laughed saying that coming from landlocked Alberta where I rarely order sushi I was not going to go one province east and order it. I ordered from their tapas menu. The vegetable tempura was disappointing. Tasted of old oil. However, the calamari with chipotle mayonaise and aioli was very good. The opposite of the tempura. Lightly battered and attractively plated on a black platter with deft use of the sauce bottles. Also had the escargot which were just ok, quite a hefty portion in a bowl of "forgettable" tomato sauce.

I definitely would go back to the Creek Bistro any day.

Thanks for the recommendations and assistance.

[Stalder]

My wife and I will be in Regina for 5 days in May.

I am looking for suggestions as to what the best places to eat are for all meals of the day. The choices need not be pretentious, just looking for good food.

Though if there are any gems in Regina we don't mind paying for great food.

Any help will be much appreciated.

[Junior]

If you want to check out what is going on in Regina, check out a website called www.savourlife.ca, the page is based out of Regina and has info on some restuarants in the city. I hope this helps.

[reverendtmac]

I haven't lived in Regina for a while (moved back to God's Country in 2006), but my parents are still there so I get out every now and again. The only thing I'd add to my recommendations in the thread Anne linked to is to try The Willow in Wascana. Great food, a respectable wine list, and the guys who are running it came from the culinary academy at my alma matter, Holland College.

Oh, wait! There's also a sushi joint that opened up on Scarth Street, next to O'Hanlon's and the Copper Kettle, called Mishi Sushi, I believe. Again, shockingly good sushi for being in Regina. I like it even better than Neo Japonica. (Point of disclosure: I used to golf with the owner, so I'm biased )

The Creek's still a great spot - I make sure I hit there every time I'm through town...

If you're interested in more details, drop a PM to me. I'll get hold of the folks and see what they're lovin' out there at this moment...

[mamacat]

Can anyone recommend a good, moderately priced restaurant in the downtown core (Victoria Ave. area)? Business brings me there next week.

[merlin]

mamacat:

It has been a few years so my information may be "dated".

One which springs to mind given its location is Danbry's. I think from the decor that it was a former Men's Club or something to that effect.

Close by is Golf's Steakhouse which is another "throwback". Plush red "bordello" rug, dark heavy furniture, papillon bow tied waitstaff...all things which would ordinarily be off-putting to me but after a long evening walking about Regina looking for a spot to eat on a Sunday evening, it was decent albeit conservative food.

My favourite spot was The Creek in Cathedral Bistro for interesting, well done food at both lunch and dinner. However, the Cathedral area is a bit out of the Victoria Ave Downtown area but a fairly short cab drive. I either walked or took a cab from the Delta where I was staying.

Another spot which is even further away is Willow or Willows in Wascana or something to that effect. It is in the Wascana Centre apparently. I did not go myself nor do I know anyone who has but I read quite a good review in the travel section of the local [Edmonton] paper some time ago.

[Junior]

Danbry's is closed and is now called Crave wine bar. If you want some info on Regina restaurants look into www.savourlife.ca. It's a Regina based website that should help you in finding something that will fit what you are looking for.

[merlin]

Thanks for the correction Junior.

Googled Crave and it seems like a nice addition that I would try the next time I venture to Regina.

[mamacat]

Thanks to Junior and Merlin. I'll update when I get back on Wednesday.

[C Simril]

Thanks to Junior and Merlin.  I'll update when I get back on Wednesday.

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Visiting Regina in 02 and 03, I had some fantastic food at La Bodega and another restaurant owned by the same guy, The Mediterranean Bistro. Hope they're still there. Food was Vancouver quality, not something I'd ever expect to find in Saskatchewan. Here's a pic of an amazing bowl of soup:

http://www.seemreal.com/cgi-bin/ti/viewer....02sask&page=024

[mamacat]

I promised to report back but I'm afraid the report is disappointing. it was FREEZING cold in Regina on Monday night so those members of our little group who hadn't brought warm coats were reluctant to budge anymore than 3 blocks from the hotel. We ended up in a mediocre place (whose name I have purged from my memory already) that couldn't make up its mind whether it was Greek or Canadian. I had overcooked, dry chicken souvlaki and some greasy grilled veggies. Next time, I'll make sure my colleagues dress for the weather!

Next week, Vancouver & Victoria. It will be good to have a few days on familiar ground near all my favourite places. Neal, heat up that hot gingerbread pudding!

[merlin]

Sounds pretty grim Mamacat

All that way and you end up eating dried out souvlaki....not even the "infamous" Regina/Saskatoon "Greek Ribs".....

Hope you have better luck on the coast..........

[Junior]

It's November and it's Saskatchewan. You didn't dress for the weather ??!!! You should see the outfit we have for the Rider game on Sunday.

Sorry that you were unable to find something that was better or tastier. There seems to be a real reluctance or aversion to independent restaurants in this province. People figure that since the "Greek" style places have been around forever that they are the say all and be all for what a successful restaurant is supposed to look like.

It also does not help that a would be restauranteur is first directed by our own government into bringing in a franchised place first instead of relying on what's here first. These restaurants are hailed as big employers but are do they acutally contribute to the economy ? The people here believe that a mediocre meal is a good meal and are not willing to spend more $10.99 on a meal.

You should have a better chance at a good meal out in Vancouver than here.

[mamacat]

Next time, Junior, I find your restaurant....no matter where it is!

[mizzjessica]

There was a Regina restaurant on one of the En Route lists this year, to my surprise. I have some family in Regina, I was born there, and lived there until I was 9...back when I saw that restaurant on the list I asked if anyone had been there and no one had.

http://www.zestrestaurant.ca

It's not downtown, though. Some of the food sounds good.

[Panda]

I'm leaving for Regina in a couple weeks. Although I'll be spending a few months there I won't have a ton of free time; basically on the weekends and not all of them either. I've found two places that I'd like to visit so far based on the forum, Weczeria and Michi Sushi. Can't guarantee that I'll get to all the recommendations but I'll squeeze in what I can.

[Synergy]

For amazing Greek food at an incredibly reasonable price, try Greko's on Albert street.

I grew up eating there at least once a week (the owners were our next door neighbours). They have the most amazing greek and ceasar salads that come included with the meals.

I think the waiters there raised me

[Panda]

Thanks Synergy, I guess I have 3 places to try so far. Not sure if I'll be able to find it there, but any Korean restaurants in Regina? If not any other places to keep my mind off Korean food would be good.

[Zucchini Mama]

Thanks Synergy, I guess I have 3 places to try so far. Not sure if I'll be able to find it there, but any Korean restaurants in Regina? If not any other places to keep my mind off Korean food would be good.

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Cathedral Creek Bistro is good, but it 's been years since I've been there. The feta garlic pizza at the Copper Kettle is a Regina legend. Weczeria is in Saskatoon, but it's worth the trip!

[Panda]

Ah, don't know why I assumed it was in Regina. I'll have to find where it is and see if it's possible to get there and back in time.

[Panda]

Been in Regina for about 4 weeks now. Tried Michi and was a little disappointed. Not sure if it was in the quality of the ingredients, if it was poorly made or if I just ordered the wrong stuff; but everything was pretty blah. Will probably hit Greko's next week, if I have time and Zest after that. Unable to upload pics yet, will hopefully be able to do that soon.

Edit: A friend of mine is recommending Beer Bros. Anyone been there before? The menu looks interesting.

Edited May 19, 2008 by Panda (log)