Winnipeg, the jewel of Canada's Prairies is also the coldest city in Canada. Home to over 40 different cultural groups, the city's diversity is one of its greatest assets. This, of course, translates into a city of great culinary interests. Our visit takes us to The Green Gates Restaurant and Country House. This famous, historic mansion is just on the edge of the city limits and similarly, is on the edge of culinary leadership. Executive Chef Michael Dacquisto takes us through some of the very best of Manitoba regional Cuisine. He demonstrates for us the local, now internationally renowned Pickerel from Lake Manitoba in an orange and ginger sauce as well as a Rack of locally farmed Venison.

Green Gates

Green Gates (then known as Woodlands) was bought by one Fred Pugh in 1913. Fred, a researcher for The T. Eaton Company was also an ardent horticulturist and Green Gates was then just a cottage. The Eaton Company replaced the summer cottage with a year round family home and gave it to Fred Pugh as a retirement gift in 1936, when Fred had served the company for 38 years. New owners completed a two-year renovation of the property in 1984, when the Estate won the Premier's Award for Design.

In 1992, new and current owners David and Isabel Wolinsky bought the property and pursued a vision of making Green Gates into a unique country house and banquet facility. Since its opening as a really fine dining restaurant in 1996, Green Gates has won accolade upon accolade for its dedication to the creation of fine dining and the signature of regional Manitoba Cuisine. Doug Stephen and Jim Armstrong, owners of Wow Hospitality Inc and Executive Chef Michael Dacquisto make this an experience not to be missed. We think Fred Pugh would be proud of what has been achieved on this seven-acre site, home to his original family summer cottage. The horses out front and the fine herb gardens at the back, the smoker in the barn, the wonderful country smells of the estate and the fine memories of many a great meal, linger on long after each visit.