Review Cafe Dario - Winnipeg

Good service and good food My appetiser escargot Diabolo was awesome, the spring rolls were delicious, the soup a five spice Asian beef soup was just ok my bowl had very little beef while my friends had chunks of beef. The salad of mixed greens and berry vinegarete was delicious! I chose the rack of lamb for my entrée, while it tasted fabulous the portion was extremely small. Friend ordered the chicken and she loved every bite. The mashed potatoes were excellent Dessert was great however small Overall it was. Good experience may or may not be back will have to see what the menu has at the time.

My boyfriend and I were there for his Birthday. Food was amazing. Well, the portion for appetizer and dessert is so small but the main food was awesome. I brought his Birthday cake over there and asked them to bring it after dinner and they surprised me with sparkles and my boyfriend was so happy. Their staff are friendly.

A completely mellow atmosphere at lunch on a Thursday in late May. Be aware, the outdoor patio can get warm, but it's a very nice space that continues the decor of the interior. We had the good fortune to have had Dario himself waiting today, so the interactions were lively and very engaging. He is a master of the light hearted tease. The food as always was a fusion of flavors that meld into a most enjoyable gastronomic experience. The spicy pork tenderloin with mango, lives up to it's spicy name, but is well worth a try. The presentation is whimsical, as always. Without question a reliable place to find delicious fare.

I got the cheapest off the lunch menu thinking it might be subpar... I couldn't be more wrong! This stuffed chicken breast is absolutely fantastic. Might be too much to say this dish is life changing, but it is fair to say this is the best chicken breast dish I ever tasted! Found this place because of my gluten intolerant friend, and while it sounded wrong, today I thank him for that. Second picture entrees is a beef tenderloin, so good!

What a great restaurant! Dishes are presented beautifully and are flavourful. The chef (Dario) comes out of the kitchen and explains dishes or just has fun with his guests. I highly recommend this spot.

Tranquil & interesting atmosphere. Superb appetizer and entree choices. Excellent value for the 5⭐ 5 course meal, with bread basket also. Great to take that special someone or a guest from out of town; to impress! Serving friendly and timely. Fine wine list!

Dishes were solid, and the value can not be beat. They had a server no show the night we were there, but Dario never missed a beat. He may be happier in the kitchen, but our service was as full of laughs and we never lacked for attention. Great night had by all!

Great restaurant, we were greeted by the owner. Very cozy and homie feeling. Food is Latin American- Colombian. Price is great and includes one appetizer, soup, salad, entree and dessert for $55 each. Great selection of wine and great environment. I had the lam chops and they were amazing. My girlfriend got the salmon and it was very tasty as well.

Always a great meal here. A unique cost and romantic place with wonderful food. I always take out of town visitors here and we've never been disappointed.

This is a different place than the regular chain restaurant and is very reasonable for what you get. If your celebrating something this is a great option. Food, service and ambiance are very good.

After much anticipation I finally visited Cafe Dario Friday evening. It was everything I’d hoped it would be. My husband and I went with another couple and we all enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Each course was delicious and beautifully presented. The atmosphere was relaxed and cozy - we were able to all have a conversation at the table and not have to shout to be heard. Our server was so friendly and attentive (and also celebrating his birthday), and just added to our overall experience. <br/>It was a fantastic place - we all agreed we would return and recommend in the future.

Great food, 5 fabulous courses! Many gluten-free options. Creative, flavourful dishes. Friendly, attentive service. Best meal out in a long time!

Was good for first time there. Food was excellent, Service could have been better. Other tables got served coffee/tea after dessert, but that was never offered to us... Just got given the bill right away. Not sure if it’s because my boyfriend and I are younger... Kinda seemed snobby.

Food, pricing and presentation is exceptional.  The escargot is highly recommended.  My girl friend and I made a reservation to try their $28 Ciao dine about 3 course meal and a few other menu items.  This was our second time here, and unfortunately our service was not at an exceptional level. I made a reservation a week in advance, but we had to wait over 30 minutes to get our seats.  I could tell the man who was taking care of us was stressed out. I think it was the owner.  The other servers seemed really great.  It was a rough start, we finally sat down, and the waiter was annoyed that we sat in the chairs that didn't have the plates and glass, and he made it clear that " he cannot reach the glass".  My girl friend told him that she was highly allergic to raw onions, so we thought he would advise us if any of the dishes we ordered had raw onions. I ordered the seafood ceviche which was filled with a lot of raw onion. I ended up asking another server to switch to the chicken tostada instead.  The owner came by our table with the bill and explained that he charged us for the seafood ceviche because we didn't tell him she was trying a piece of it.  At the end of the day, people will go where the customer service is supreme. I love the food here, its top quality and the presentation is beautiful. I hope they work on the customer service part. Its easy to give great service when its slower, its when you have a full house that shows how capable your business is at providing a supreme level of experience in regards to both product and service.

I have had dinner and lunch twice now at Care Dario's, and I have never been disappointed. This has become my favourite romantic dinner date restaurant in the city; the special on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday is great (dinner for 2 with a bottle of house wine, $109). The food is exquisite here. Last night my partner had the elk ossobuco and he said it was the best meal he ever ate. I had the spicy escargot with mushrooms as an appetizer and loved early bite of it, and had the beef tenderloin with chimmichurri, and it was cooked to perfection. I love the atmosphere here, it's a small restaurant decorated with masks all over the walls. The dinner courses are brought out slowly, so be prepared to dine and have lots of time to chat with whoever you are having dinner with. Dario, the owner and head chef, came out during the meal to chat with all the patrons, he is hilarious and clearly cares about ensuring his guests have a great experience. He even took drinks orders for people and helped his waitress bus a table. All around, a great experience every time. Seriously one of Winnipeg's best restaurants.

Cafe Dario is an amazing restaurant!!. Went for a meal last night and was blown away by the delicious food .. atmosphere.. and price. The variety and beautiful presentation of each dish was fantastic. Highly recommend for the flavorful cuisine, cozy setting and friendly staff. Truly a little gem in our city!.

Highly recommend dining at Cafe Dario. Fine dining quality food in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. 5 course meal for $44 is great value for money. Good Choices of appetizer and entree. I had the escargots with Thai basil. Saucy and spicy. It was fabulous. Red pepper and tomato Soup was good. Caesar salad dressing was extra garlicky and spicy. Grilled duck was fantastic too. Desert was only average. Only the soup and desert which were average. prevented a score of 5.

Went in a group of 8. <br/>Were seated on time. <br/>Orders were accurately taken and served. <br/>The lamb shank and pot pie were delicious. The beef steak is great too. Presentation was great too. Our server was attentive and proficient. <br/>Had a great time and will be back soon.

Excellent dinner. Went for the New Year's Eve 5 course dinner and was amazed. The highlights were the soup and salad. The soup was a fantastic cream of cauliflower with caraway and saffron. So delicious, we could have stopped there. THe salad was a traditional Colombian one, with twelve grapes symbolizing each month of the year, topped with a subtle vinaigrette and toasted coconut. Unreal. The main I had was good but nothing out of the ordinary- a filet mognon topped with a house made chimichurri. But my girlfriend's salmon was the hit entree- a beautiful charbroiled fillet of salmon, topped with a Thai chile-pineapple salsa. Highly recommend this place. A hidden gem with robust flavours.

This place is magnificent. I don't think you could ever eat here and not be satisfied. The menu offers something for everyone and it tastes amazing. Usually I come for supper but I recently went for lunch. For 13$ I had a big piece of salmon with potatoes, veggies and a soup. I couldn't believe what a great deal I was getting on such awesome food. This place is a must!

My girlfriend and I went here for dinner and the experience was fantastic. Our waiter was friendly and was there to explain to us the items on the menu. For $40 you get a full course dinner with a surprise dessert in the end. The price is worth as we were treated with freshly cooked food. For appetizer, we tried the Escargot which was perfectly oozing with hot cheese. Just thinking about it makes me salivate. We also had their empanada which was flaky and filled with this delicious mixture of mushroom and spinach. I was never a salad lover, but their salad with strawberry vinaigrette just made me eat through a plate of salad without hesitation. Their cream of mushroom soup was hot and well seasoned. Lastly their main course meals looked good and flavourful. Overall, a highly recommended place for a date night.

OMG!!! Amazing ... seriously amazing. <br/>Took my wife for our anniversary dinner to Cafe Dario and this place shocked me. <br/>A+ for food<br/>A+ for flavour<br/>A+ for presentation(Not that this matters too much to a simpleton like me)<br/>A+ for service<br/>WOW!!!

Amazing. GO! NOW! One of our favourites. Very good quality food. Lunch is super reasonable during the week. Don't know what else to say, we clean our plates every time.

Perfect! Perfect! Perfect every single time! We come at least twice a year and see dario and his lovely food creations. For two people $39 each, it includes appetizer, entree, salad, soup and desert. It is the best bang for your buck if you want authentic food.

This place looks a bit odd given its location but my mother always said "never judge a book by its cover" I'm glad I didn't. The food was excellent, I had the duck breast and a lobster tail for my main, I started with the escargot, next was a very delish salmon chowder, desert was a blueberry/ banana mouse so good. The service was warm and inviting reminded me of being at a family members home for dinner without the screaming kids and drunk uncles. I loved this place, flat rate for 5 courses with a good selection of local and imported beers. I will most defiantly be back.

One of my West End favs . Never have had a bad meal here . The portions are just right and everything is cooked to perfection. The service is prompt and friendly

Absolutely amazing experience all around! Quaint atmosphere, friendly service and then the food was to die for. The creamy potato and beef tenderloin soup was honestly the best soup I have tasted in my life so rich and creamy and full of flavour. Then onto my beef tenderloin it was cooked to perfection and melted in my mouth. My dates meal was divine he had the chicken. Food quality was extraordinary we both left feeling full and we were shocked when the bill came around we have spent more on drive thru food. Highly recommend and can not wait to return.

First time at Cafe Dario, and enjoyed it very much. Was seated at the front where it was very dim but also had a view of the kitchen which was exciting. Food is very flavourful, and cooked to perfection. Staff is very friendly, atmosphere is relaxed and the decor keeps you entertained. When you first get in, it is a little space and seems small, but when sitting at your table you have a comfortable space. The only thing I wish was different were the portions. Portions are smaller and because I eat a lot and enjoyed the food very much I wish there was more on my plate. Haha. Thank you Cafe Dario, I will for sure be back for some more fantastic food. :)

Our second New Years Eve with Dario and once again they delivered an exceptional meal. It was packed as expected and noisy as a result but it's NYE after all.<br/>I had the lobster corn dog appy which was great. Shitake mushroom chocolate soup which blew us away. Entrée was pastry wrapped bison filet with liver pate and it was just phenomenal. Chocolate mousse for dessert capped off a perfect meal. Service was the usual high standard. Cafe Dario is our favorite special spot.

Awesome place for lunch. Very accommodating to dietary needs and the quality of food was amazing. I had the chicken breast which was very good. The cream sauce underneath the chicken was the best part, especially mixed in with the mashed potatoes. Mmmm!! I'm not sure how they cook their beets, but everyone agreed they were VERY good. Probably the best cooked beet I've ever had. The split pea soup served before my meal was comforting and delicious. Gourmet food served perfectly and light on your wallet. Oh, and the service was great too.  I'll be back, thank you Chef Dario!

Flat price for a five course meal with lots of choices for the appetizer and the main course, just the perfect amount of food at every course. Everything had a unique taste intimate atmosphere and we'll be back.

I went here for my birthday last month and had a great experience. The food was wonderful, the portions were perfect, the service was wonderful. <br/>I would highly recommend going to Cafe Dario for a delicious dinner, great atmosphere and all around excellent dining experience.

The food really was exceptional. We shared the bison and the duck dishes. Both were amazing. Also some of the nicest calamari I've had. But they messed up our reservation, treated us poorly and rushed our service. On the other hand the chef came and spoke with every table as their meals were closing. Back to the first hand, we did not get a visit from the chef, we got the lights turned on during our dessert and basically told to hurry up. Over all great food but maybe you need to know someone to get even standard treatment.

Superb. We went there for mothers day. My mom had gone for lunch before and love it, so we made reservations for 5pm. (she's brought it up many times.) Every portion of every dish was perfection. I have many food allergies and the chef came out and talked with me about my allergies and tolerances and made sure whatever I ordered was safe for me to eat. He even said if I called in advance they could make sure to have particular items for me. Each portion came out with perfect timing, with just a bit of space between courses. The whole thing took about 2 hours which was ideal for spending time together and enjoying each course without rush or waiting. Delicious and the service was excellent, checked on and had our glasses filled whenever starting to go down. Our waiter was lovely and made the perfect wine suggestion. We will be back. New favorite.

Excellent place to get a great dinner. I was at Café Dario last night and was seated in the back room. If you go, ask for that room. It is decorated with many tribal masks from all around the world (see photo of one of the masks). They have a special on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday where you get two, five course dinners plus a bottle of one of their house wines for $95.<br/><br/>My cousin ordered the "surprise" appetizer which consisted of rabbit, bison, and garlic. All were wonderful. I had the bean and shredded chicken chili which was excellent but very filling for an appetizer. We then had the Clam chowder soup. I have never had Clam chowder because I thought I would not like it, but boy was I wrong. It is now one of my favourite soups (at least at Café Dario). <br/><br/>For the main course I selected the 6oz beef tenderloin steak cooked to your liking and drizzled with caper chimichurri sauce. I highly recommend this as a main course. It was bursting with flavor and had some very unique flavours thanks to the chimichuri sauce which I loved. My cousin had the elk and he said he would definitely order it again. <br/><br/>Presentation was so interesting and the service was top notch. All in all we thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would highly recommend this restaurant. It does not look like much from the outside, but never judge a book by its cover, the same goes for restaurants. You will not regret going here.

Will be back!. Four of us chose Cafe Dario for our Dine Out 2015 choice. I was excited as a chef friend of mine says it's his fave and I'd been meaning to go for years. It was Saturday night and the place was full to capacity . We were seated immediately and our server, Lauren was perfect. The timing of the courses was just right and all food was piping hot and beautifully plated. Each of us ordered something different and all of us agreed we couldn't wait to come back. My lamb osso bucco was the envy of the table; a far more generous serving than I've had at three other restaurants. Thick, rich , winey gravy withTender, melting lamb on a fab garlic mash had everyone drooling, more so after I shared. Even though diners were waiting to be seated we were never rushed, offered more coffee and extra chocolates and the bill was prompt. A lovely time.

Forgotten about. My husband and I went for dine about last Friday night. We were VERY disappointed in the service, we had reserved a table and got seated quickly but then were left sitting there for about 15 minutes with no drink menus even or anyone coming by. It shouldn't take 40 mins to get a bottle of wine. That continued all evening, it took forever to be able to pay and leave. And to make matters worse the food itself was not as good as it was on our last visit. We had been over a year ago (non dine about) and had been very happy with the food and the service. After being forgotten about all night I don't think we'll be returning.

Last time I went to Cafe Dario I had a terrible experience: it took 3 hours and a half to go through dinner! The service was really slow and we had issues woth extra drinks changed on the bill.

Good, but underwhelming. I was here on New Years Eve. The dishes varied from okay to pretty fantastic, but the overall verdict from my group was that they were pretty underwhelmed by the experience.The service was good, especially considering it was pretty busy; the server was quite attentive. <br/>Appetizer:<br/>Truffled mushroom and cheese souffle--this was pretty delicious. There was a decided lack of "light" appetizers, and knowing I had another 4 courses ahead of me I had been hoping for something a bit less filling. After eating it I was starting to feel full already, but I have no complaints with the taste. Other people at my table had the avocado stuffed with shrimp (which they said was alright but not amazing), the tamale (which was rated as "underwhelming") and the lamb pop (which was rated "good"<br/>Soup:<br/>Cream of almond--I've had nut soups before but never almond, and I was intrigued. I was a bit disappointed with the result: it tasted like a pretty average cream-of-soup base with almond extract--or perhaps amaretto--for flavouring. Admittedly, I wasn't sure what to expect, but this tasted less nutty and more alcoholic than I was hoping for. While it was interesting, I would not order it again. <br/>Salad:<br/>Mixed greens, blackberries, with a tamarind dressing. This was good but nothing special; the tamarind dressing didn't have as much character as I had expected.<br/>Main:<br/>Wild boar stuffed with plaintains and apricots. This was to die for. Juicy, flavourful, and interesting, I would certainly have this again. Unfortunately the rest of my party was significantly underwhelmed by their mains. Two had the steak and lobster, which they said was good but nothing special; and one had the rack of lamb, which came out much rarer than she had expected--she'd asked for medium-rare, and it came out bloody. The server was very apologetic about this, took it back and had it cooked for longer, but the bloody beginning to the dish made her lose her appetite and she couldn't finish it. I had a taste of the lamb and it was okay, but nothing special.<br/>Dessert:<br/>Chocolate and guava duo--this was delicious: a combination of rich brownie and light, flavourful mousse. We had it with Spanish coffees. It was the only time during the meal that the server was gone for more than a few minutes--it turns out they'd run out of brandy :). The hostess came out to warn us and even so, the server wasn't gone too long and came back with delicious coffees and our heavenly dessert.<br/>Overall:<br/>I'm giving this a thumbs-up considering the great service and the fantastic wild boar, but overall, I was expecting this place to knock my socks off and it didn't. The server had encouraged us to order meals we had never tried before, which was excellent advice; I was happier with the more adventurous choice of wild boar than any of my colleagues seemed to be with their more recognizeable dishes. Having said that I'm not sure I'd go back; it's a pretty steep price for a meal that more than half my party wasn't thrilled with.

It was a very nice dinner. There were 6 of us and all of us enjoyed our appis and entrees. The soup was a delicious cream of chicken and corn. The salad was the plainest, just baby greens but had an interesting banana vinagrette. The desert that night was a delicious choc/orange mousse, just not enough. The waitress/hostess was very nice. We will be back.

Chef Dario is a grouch!. Went to Café Dario for my 3rd time. The first two visits were great. Excellent servers, I like the different tastes on the menu and the set up of the menu as well. The place is a quite small but a nice ambience. The food has always been pleasing, not the best I have had but the overall experience has been something that made me come back. This last time was for my Aunts 50th birthday. We had a table of 13, we were all finished our meals and having a coffee waiting for the bills to come out. There was another group that was seated right behind us while we were waiting, they had 5 at their table and had to add a chair to the outside so everyone could fit. Chef Dario came out and wanted to get in between the two tables. He made the comment to one the men at our table " I know you are a big guy but I need to get by here". I thought that was a little odd but also thought maybe he was just being funny. Then my cousin went to the bathroom and overheard Chef Dario saying that it was a fire hazard the way the tables were set up and said he sounded pretty upset. A few at our table went out for a cigarette and Chef Dario came out and grouchily asked an aunty to move to the other side of the table. He then leaned over to the girl at the table behind us and said "there you go now you can move your chair out". It was like it was our fault that the tables were set up that way. Every time he walked by our table he had a grouchy look on his face. I won't be returning again because of the attitude of Chef Dario. Also we asked one of the waiters if the Chef was upset with us and he said "I'm not going to lie yes he was unhappy". Um okay, sorry we came with a large group to your restaurant and don't worry it won't happen again....<br/><br/>15/11/2014: Chef Dario even if you hadn't said anything the expression on your face made everyone at our table feel like you were upset with us. Nobody in our group had any reason to make up anything, we are all good people with good intentions and loyal customers. I suggest to you that you try and gain control of your temper when your out and about in the dining room. As other reviewers have stated you have a temper. That being said I understand that no one is perfect and tempers can rise but it would have been nice for you to have corrected the situation by letting us know why you were upset. A simple apology right there would have sufficed. I don't think it is the responsibility of the guest to correct the situation when they haven't done anything to cause it.

SwizzleStyx. Our group had lunch here today and we were all happy with our meals as always at Café Dario. The beef and lentil soup was hot and delicious and our mains were salmon, pork tenderloin, osso buco and venison hot dog. All of the plates were wonderful...excellent presentation and done to perfection with loads of interesting tastes. The waiter was friendly and extremely helpful with wine and beer pairings, and the chef came out to speak to us as well, which is such a nice touch. We've eaten here many times and will continue to return!<br/><br/>Sept 2016 - we dined here again and had Chef Dario choose everything for us, even the wine, and what a fabulous job he did!! Everything was perfect!<br/><br/>Sept 2017 - The Swizzle Styx dined here again and Chef Dario did his magic yet again.<br/><br/>Sept 2018 - the Swizzle Styx were back here again and as always it was probably the best meal of the year!

So good that.... I would usually book them a week in advance before flying in from Toronto when work sent me out here. Made the -50 days bearable!

Sandra. This was my first experience at Cafe Dario, it was for lunch - and I was 15 minutes late for my reservation due to road construction! Initially the reception I thought was 'cool' (due to my lateness); but then realized that the wait staff functioned using the European model of service - okay by me -you don't need to be my BFF. But the food - OMG - I had the beef tenderloin and my friend had the Chilean salmon. I can't say enough about the crispness of the salmon skin - skin no less!!! Who gets the skin in little ole' Winnipeg. And the tenderloin - ordered medium rare - and it came that way - accompanied by - 'steaming hot' perfectly mashed potatoes, a wonderful 'chunk' of carrot and a fantastic grilled zucchini slice - with spicy chimichuri sauce on the tenderloin. I was SO impressed! With the exception of my slightly uncomfortable parsons chair the meal and service were phenomenal!! Will DEFINITELY go back to Cafe Dario - can't wait to try others on the menu! A true 'hidden gem' which, if more reviews like this are written, will become one of the hardest restaurants to get into! Kudos to Chef Dario Pineda-Gutierrez!!

Romantic Atmosphere. I've been to this restaurant a number of times. We liked the romantic ambiance and the service is always good. The food is different but delicious. I loved the presentation, it never fails to amaze.

By far the best place. Love the atmosphere. The chef is an absolute delight. The servers are very nice. The food has so much flavor. It's amazing. I had alligator and it wss pretty good. I tell everyone they should go here

Terrible Wait Time, Mediocre Food that is stingy & Overpriced. We waited SOOOOO long for even bread!!! When our food finally came, it was SCANT to say the least (one shrimp in the appetizer - come on!), and overpriced for what you got. I would not return!!!!

Portions are rediculously small and over priced. Not worth the time or money. Not going ever again.

Worth going. I have been to Dario's twice and have been pleased with the food and the service.<br/><br/>My last visit was New Year Eve 2014, which had an all new menu which deviated from the usual standards and my elk was out of this world. <br/><br/>Prices were increased almost double mind you, but the ingredients were elevated to compensate and give everyone an even better New years Eve.<br/><br/>For the price point ( usually around $40 for a 5 course meal ) i find Dario's a great place to take a date or have a nice night out. While the dining area is small and almost cramped at some tables, the noise level was still low enough to enjoy the atmosphere.<br/><br/>7 /10 on the food and service.

Our meal was delicious and the service was very good, but my friend has a strict diet and they asked what she could and couldn't have throughout the meal which was great. After we paid and were on our way out, Dario (chef/owner) asked my friend about why she had such restrictions. The conversation seemed to be going fine and just as my friend started to tell him how much she appreciated him accommodating her Dario chastised her about it not being an allergy and stormed off! It was absolutely rude and embarrassing as there was another couple sitting there. We were shocked at his behaviour and will not be returning.

Stopped in for lunch to give it a try. I was very pleasantly surprised after reading some negative reviews. <br/><br/>Our server was extremely attentive and professional. Both the lamb and pork tenderloin we tried were done to perfection. <br/><br/>In a society where portion size is designed for those who live to eat instead of eat to live, this was a pleasant surprise. Enough was served to comfortably fill a person so they may be satisfied, but that's it. <br/><br/>A really enjoyable experience. Can't wait to return.

Great Experience!. We celebrated my Mother's birthday at Cafe Dario this past weekend. I can't say enough good things about this restaurant. The service was exceptional and very personal. It was like we were being entertained at a friend's home. The food was amazing! We all ordered different selections and shared. In true Latin American style, dinner becomes an evening out. My family will definitely be returning. The authenticity and value found at Cafe Dario make it a true gem.

Best. Meal. Ever!. I went to Cafe Dario, for the first time last night. I chose the baked escargot (which I have never eaten before) and it was outstanding. The nailed the flavour with just the right amount of heat! The soup was a seafood chowder which was served piping hot and also delicious. The salad course also didn't disappoint. For my entree I chose the bacon wrapped venison and thought I had died and gone to heaven. The meat was so tender I barely had to chew and the flavours on the plate practically leave you drooling. It was all very indulgent and wonderful!! I look forward to going back again and again!

Great meal, great service! The duck was cooked perfectly, and the flavor was spot on! The steak was also perfectly medium rare. From start to finish, everything was delicious. If I had to pick something to critique, it would be that the creamed spinach soup needed a hint of salt. For the price, this restaurant is hands down the best value for a unique dining experience!

Average, nothing special. I recently experienced Café Dario during “dine about” 2014. I made a reservation for myself and my friends. To my surprise, we still had to wait 30 minutes for our table, with a reservation. From the time that our reservation was made for (730pm) to the time we actually ordered (830), was a full hour. <br/><br/>The server was absolutely amazing. The servers were knowledgeable, funny, and on top of it... Unfortunately the food took a ridiculously long time to come out. We waited a little over an hour for our entre after ordering... we sat in that restaurant for over three and a half hours (not by choice). <br/><br/>The food was homemade with beautiful presentation, but pretty average, with a sub-par dessert. <br/><br/>The Churros were hard as rocks and unenjoyable. The churros barely had any cinnamon/sugar. The hot chocolate was not authentic at all. It almost seemed as though they were running out of hot chocolate powder, it was so watery. With my family being from Spain, I am used to real melted down, thick dark chocolate, to dip the crispy churro into. <br/><br/>Would I go there again? Probably not.

After researching the Dine About menus, Cafe Dario stood out from the rest and seemed the perfect spot to spend an evening with friends. Given the glowing Urbanspoon reviews, we were all looking forward to our meal. Here are my thoughts on the evening:<br/>1) The bread passed out at the beginning of the meal did not seem homemade but rather a bag of cheap grocery store bread. It was not warmed and the butter was hard so we could not spread it. <br/>2) The appetizers ordered ranged greatly in presentation and flavour. Generally unremarkable. I ordered the sweet potato dumplings which while tasty, seemed like some kind of bar food I could find at Tavern.<br/>3) My steak was perfectly cooked but not as tender as I would have liked. The mashed potato served along side was gritty and almost cold. <br/>4) The churros were a good finish to the meal. A bit spicy (cayenne?) for some of our guests but personally I found them delicious. <br/>Overall, I found the experience disappointing given all the glowing reviews. Everything was served in a timely manner but the food itself was underwhelming for the cost. Perhaps the regular 39$ has ingredients of higher quality but I will not be going back.

We went to Café Dario for the three course meal (part of Dine About Winnipeg). Shared the Shrimps & Scallops with puff pastry top & Escargot Diablo. Both were excellent. Main course: 10 oz steak & seafood in a teapot. Again, both very tasty & excellent. We would definitely recommend Café Dario and plan on going to this restaurant again.

Disappointing. We decided to try Cafe Dario during Ciao's “Dining Out Winnipeg 2014,” where three course are offered by select restaurants for a flat rate of $28.00. It was a disappointing experience.<br/>First off, we were seated right by the door, where blasts of -24 degrees greeted our backs and our ankles every few minutes. When we asked to change seats, we were told all the other tables were taken, which was odd, because several of them were empty. <br/>The restaurant was busy, but still, it was excessive to wait 50 minutes for a bread basket, and an hour for our appetizers. <br/>To start, I had ordered the rum soaked prawns and scallops. It should have been named rum soaked prawn (singular) and scallops, because, while perfectly cooked, there was only one average sized prawn, one medium scallop, and another small scallop in the whole dish. My husband, who ordered the escargot el diablo, found it tasty, but the escargot had not been rinsed well, so they were gritty.<br/>For my main course, I ordered Lamb Ossobucco with sun roasted gooseberries and 3 cereal risotto, and that's what I got – not many more than 3 grains of risotto. I am not a big eater, but there literally was not enough risotto to even taste it. There were only a few grains swimming around, lost in the lamb's sauce. The lamb was admittedly sumptuous but I found only ONE sun-dried gooseberry on my plate. My husband ordered the 10 oz new york striploin. It was cooked exactly as he had ordered – medium rare – but had a far too much fat.<br/>The homemade churros offered for dessert would have been perfect if the kitchen had not placed the steaming hot cocoa on the same plate, right next to the whipped cream. By the time the dishes reached us, there was nothing but a hot pool melted cream to dip our churros into.<br/>While some aspects of the meal were good, and even very good, the disappointments were too numerous to save the evening. We would not go back.

Outstanding Anniversary Dinner. We were at Café Dario on Sat. night January 25th to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Friends joined us and we were very happy with everything. The food was fantastic (we each had a different appetizer & entrée). All looked wonderful and tasted even better. We were not rushed at all, the service was great and the atmosphere was wonderful. Try it you will be impressed.

Disappointed. Upon my first visit to this restaurant, about 2 years ago, I was very taken with the charming ambiance, attention to detail, price-point, and well-prepared food. On our latest visit, January, 2014, we had made a reservation for 7pm. It was a cold Friday evening, and upon entering, were shown our table, which was very near to the door. When we requested that we be seated at a table further from the door, the server/hostess said that they were "full" and that all the other tables were reserved. We were the first table to arrive in this section, and couldn't understand why she simply couldn't seat us at another reserved table. This was our introduction to what turned out to be a less than enjoyable experience. Upon perusing the menu, I noticed that not only did prices go up, which is understandable, but we were not happy to see that with the fixed price menu, certain choices had "add $2, add $5, add $8." etc. This, in my mind, is false advertising, as "Fixed Price" is, well, fixed price! I can understand if one wants to add particular things to their order, but in my mind, if one is ordering from the selections of a supposedly fixed price menu, there should not be automatic additions. We were then told that the duck was unavailable--it was sold out. This was at the beginning of the evening, with no other patrons yet in the restaurant other than some on the other side of the restaurant. We could not see how many patrons there were, but being sold out of an item at the very beginning of the evening is nothing more than an indication of lack of organization on the part of the chef. When we mentioned our disappointment and questioned how this could be, our server laughed at us. Not impressed. To be fair, the food was tasty, but not amazing, and portions are small. The salads are the most disappointing of all--little side plates of a handful of greens with absolutely nothing but an ordinary vinaigrette. The food is pricey for what you do get, and because nothing appeared that evening to be amazing, we just felt that for the money, one could go elsewhere and pay the same amount, and be quite satisfied. However, it was the attitude of the server that was most annoying. At the end of our meal, one person in our party paid in cash, giving the server a significant amount that would obviously warrant change. When after a lengthy period of time passed, and no change appeared, our friend had to stand up, look, call "excuse me," to the server, and further call out that she needed some change. The server than called out, "I don't have any change (!!!)." She then further muttered, "I'll try and find some." The server appeared after a few moments with change, saying, "We don't do cash, so it was hard to find change." Excuse me? What restaurant does not "do cash??!" We found this highly inappropriate. To it's credit, Cafe Dario still possesses a charming intimate atmosphere, good selection of wines, and tasty food--albeit pricey for what is available. Perhaps lunch would have been a better experience. Certainly, a different server would have been the most fulfilling of all. I'm not sure that I would ever return.

Best meal of the year. After eating at Cafe Dario during dineabout a few years back we finally returned this year for our anniversary, and we were not disappointed. We really enjoy the setting inside the restaurant and the waiter was nice, helpful and chatty. All 5 courses were delicious and left us wanting more. It was a very cold Winnipeg night, so a bowl of the cream of chicken soup was perfect. The entrees (Lamb and beef Tenderloin) were to die for. Overall it was a great night with great food and easily the best meal we had in 2013.

Cozy, Delicious, Fun. A group of us went and shared each others' choices of the menu fixe 5 course meal. The restaurant is a converted house that has been other restaurants in the past. It's candlelit tables, tablecloths, romantic. The food was adventurous, but not so extreme as to offend the tamer palates. Everything was delicious, except I didn't like the dessert ( tho everyone else did ) , which seemed to be edible oil whipped topping with some diced fruit and mango sauce drizzled on it. Truly lacked imagination and was a disappointing finish to an otherwise spectacular meal, I felt. The duck breast entree, the steak, the pork tenderloin... amazing. All the appies, soup and salad were tasty and beautifully presented. The hostess was warm and welcoming. Thumbs up from us, and we will return.

We had a great experience in this place with regards to the quality of the food and service. The timing was perfect and they a have wide selection of fine wines. We ordered for the 3-5 course meal which include; appetizer, main, and dessert. All were good and delicious. We'll be back!

Excellent cuisine. I've been a few times to Cafe Dario and never disappointed. The food is always fresh and delicious. It's a little converted house but very cozy and welcoming. The staff are always very friendly. I usually go for lunch because it's relatively close to my employ and have never had any problems with time. The servings are just perfect always leaving you satisfied without feeling too full.

Negative Experience. I like the ambiance of this restaurant but our experience was sub par. The food was so-so and lacked seasoning. Low value for prices. But, as much as the food wasn't impressive, the service was what made the experience negative. Both the hostess and our waitress made bad impressions. We felt as though we were burdening them by just being there (no special requests were made of them); they were not very hospitable, and obviously weren't enjoying their jobs. No plans to return.

We were delighted with the food but the service was average. The beef with chimichurri was excellent as well as the trout. The brownie with orange and cranberry was warm and tasty! However, the waitress did not fully inform us about the daily specials. Service was polite but nothing special.

I love this place. I've only been for lunch but I can imagine that dinner is just as amazing. Do yourself a favour and go here instead if one if those generic restaurants around Polo Park. It's just as close and I guarantee you will get a delicious freshly prepared dish for the same price if not less then what you will pay at those generic restaurants. Daily soup is made fresh and os always very unique and come with each dish. Smaller restaurant so you may want to reserve especially if you have a larger party.

A hidden gem. I was absolutely surprised the first time I went. The food is fresh, tasty, fancy, it is not just food...it is an experience. Staff is friendly and service is very good. And Dario....he is so charming!!! A place not to miss :)

Unexpected Gem. Where you least expect it, you will find good food. This unexpected gem delivered on both food and service. I wish the ambiance was a little more quaint to match the food, but hey - can't have everything!

Reliable menu & Service. Always enjoy Darios. Lunch menu tasty, reasonably prices and always fresh. The servers always friendly. Enjoy the spicy pork tenderloin. If you like a little spice you'll enjoy chef Dario's creations.

This is the most creative kitchen, the best quality and flavor, and the best value in town

Birthday Dinner. We were at Cafe Dario tonight for a family birthday dinner. We had an absolutely awesome meal from the apps to the desert. Fantastic app of bruschetta, soup of mushroom shrimp, and main of port tenderloin and steak.. We had some food allergy issues that were quickly accommodated by our server and Dario without hesitation. Service was outstanding and the whole family enjoyed their meal. We will definitely return. Thanks.

Great Food...Horrible Service. Recently went to celebrate our wedding anniversary, we love the food and that's why we returned but the old grumpy lady serving us made a great meal a not great experience. From the minute we walked into the building she gave us a disapproving look and only lightened up when I said I wanted a bottle of Malbec, however she added..."it's the house bottle I am assuming?" Well I was going to order the more expensive wine but relented based on that snub. She poured our wine into a glass that has lipstick stains on it and was annoyed when I complained and simply poured it into another glass!! Other than the disappointing cold dry bread, our actual meal was most enjoyed. There were only 3 tables so I know our server was not overworked but she made us feel very uncomfortable with her attitude towards us....she could care less who we were it's as though we were annoying her simply by being there. Really Dario, spend the money and hire someone who extends an appreciation and enthusiasm for your great food for as much I enjoy your food each time I am there, I doubt I will return in a hurry.

Wonderful. I love the intimacy of the small rooms, it provides a very romantic evening and the food was incredible. I've been here a few times and it has not failed me. It has consistently been very good.

One star is being generous. For about the cost of 529 Wellington, their fixed price menu ($39 not $35 as advertised) includes an appetizer of 2 (yes, 2) very small over-battered and overcooked shrimp, a wilted green salad with their dressing as the only choice, and perhaps a teaspoon of it, a small bowl of soup-from-a-can, a delicious duck breast in raspberry sauce, but hardly enough food on the plate to satisfy a small child. All in the atmosphere of a highway truck stop and served up by someone who obviously did not want to be at work. Definitely our last visit.

Delicious!. Went for dinner on New Year's Event. The food, service, and atmosphere was impeccable. The duck and mushroom soup was one of the best dishes I've ever eaten. Lots of choices on the five course menu, and a perfectly paired wine. Will definitely go back!

Consistently impressed. I have been three times to Cafe Dario and have been very impressed each time. I tend to lean towards simple meat and potatoes sort of meals when preparing my own food but love trying new stuff. Each time I have been to Cafe Dario the variety of spices and flavours was nothing short of spectacular. <br/><br/>Prepare yourself for a treat. This place is a gem.

Best Dinner in Winnipeg Ever. If you haven't been to Cafe Dario you have been missing out.<br/> We booked a reservation Jan 30th, 2013 and this is my new favorite restaurant in Winnipeg. <br/>We have many good restaurants in Winnipeg, I believe Cafe Dario to be the best.<br/>The food tasted better than any I've had, the service was fantastic, the reviewers here that say they had bad service, I don't believe it.<br/>Prices are very, very affordable, especially compared to the gourmet meal they provide you. <br/>Give Cafe Dario a try, you will definitely return after your first visit.

Relaxing romantic atmosphere & Great food. I liked the concept of the appetizer, entree and dessert all in one price (with exception of some like the steak) and the options of choosing which to make your entire meal. Their food is delicious, I've been there twice and each time you'd feel the need to try something different. A romantic atmosphere, a little pricey but very worth it. If you're adventurous and your tummy endure great quality food, this is the place for you! A splendid place for special occasions.

Loved it!. It was a great experience for me the food took a little while but when it finally arrived it was worth the wait. Will be coming back again.

Worth it!. Went there with my Spanish class and got served in Spanish by the owner! The food was possibly the best food I've ever had. It is pricey but well worth it! The dessert was my favourite. It was chocolate mousse with cayenne peppers. Sounds weird but I was raving about it for weeks!

I've been twice now. The first time the service was bad but the food was good! This time both were fantastic! If you do not like trying new things, I do not recommend this restaurant. I had diablo Escargot to start and they were delicious. My entree was the duck. It was do tasty and juicy. The sauce had fruit undertones and was spicy and complimented it perfectly. I would definitely recommend cafe Dario!

AMAZING

How disappointing. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone. The chef obviously likes pepper. All dishes from appetizer to soup to entree tasted the same. No real flavour. The service was horrendous. I'm not sure if servers are poorly trained or if they are just understaffed. Having to ask to for drinks, the table was not cleared after every course, and we were never checked on. The restaurant was full and we were crammed in a corner with six people seated at a table for four. Wanted to try it, and now I have. Will not be returning.

Amazing. This place is amazing! $35 you can get a appetizer, salad, soup , entree and dessert! The salad and the dessert was ok, but the appetizer and the entree was so amazing! South American style cooking, you can't never imagine how well the food and fruits match together. I went there in the summer time, and I just had a good appetizer by the fresh food and freshy taste! I definitely go there again! But remember always make a reservation!

This place us amazing!! Fantastic service and some of the best foods I've ever tasted. Great value too! Don't be scared to try something new here

Would Not Return. After reading wonderful reviews of Cafe Dario, our group of four were quite excited to visit the restaurant for the first time. It was absolutely the worst dining experience I, and the rest of my party, have ever had.<br/><br/>First of all, the waitress was not overly friendly and never went into depth about the options on the menu. We sat near the kitchen, and the atmosphere wasn't entirely intriguing.<br/><br/>Our first course consisted of a choice of an appetizer, which were delicious. Next was the soup, which sounded delicious, but was overly salted. <br/><br/>It wasn't until our third course (salad), that our experience went downhill. There were major descrepancies with the course. We called to the waitress, explained what happened, she apologized and went to speak with the chef. As we were seated near the kitchen, we could overhear everything that the chef and waitress were saying. The chef denied our complaint and refused to acknowledge the descrepancy.<br/><br/>Next came the entree course, which looked amazing. The vegetables, including mashed potatoes were excellent, as were the sauces. The meat, however, was greatly overcooked. While ordering our courses, I told the waitress I wanted my meat done medium rare (I ordered the 6oz beef tenderloin). Two other party members ordered the duck and asked for it to be cooked medium rare as well. One of the party members, who had never eaten duck before, asked for it to be medium to well done. The waitress indicated that duck needed to be eaten at medium rare to fully enjoy the flavours and so that it would be juicy and not dry. Both members told the waitress they would have medium rare cooked duck. When we receieve our main entree, my steak was "done" and nowhere near pink on the inside. The members who ordered the duck received two well done entrees as well.<br/><br/>I mentioned to the table, quietly that my tenderloin was overcooked. The chef was obviously snooping in our conversations and he said to me "it's not cooked how you like it? Okay, I will make you another one." At this point we were running late for our next engagement and I told him nicely that he did not need to make me another one, that the one I had was fine, but it was overcooked. He continuely insisted that he make me another one and I told him, moreso annoyed at this point becuase he was constantly interrupting our dining experience, that I did not want another steak. <br/><br/>About 5 minutes later, the waitress brought out another tenderloin cut with the sauces and scoop of mashed potatoes. I was becoming full at this point and gave this portion to another member of our table, who upon taking a first bite found another descrepancy! At this point, we were becoming increasingly agitated and just wanted to leave. Once again, when brought to the attention of the chef, he denied our complaint and became rude towards us. <br/><br/>At this point, we simply asked for the cheque and said we would not be eating our dessert. The waitress then brought out a gift certificate from the chef that indicated we could get a free lunch each at a later date. We nicely asked for a discount on our meal. The waitress took back the gift certificate to the chef, who then loudly complained that he would not do this.<br/><br/>In the end, we barely ate our salads, did not receive dessert, and were only deducted a miniscle amount off our cheques. Needless to say we did not leave a tip.<br/><br/>I will never return to this restaurant. Our party goes out on usual occasions to try new independant restaurants in the city to support them. We think it is imperative for independant restaurants in the city to become successful in order for Winnipeg to thrive and for patrons to have choice in where to eat, instead of visiting the same old chain restaurants over and over. Therefore, we do not complain unless there is something significantly wrong with our meals, atmosphere, service, etc. Unfortunately, this was the case with Cafe Dario. However, the way that the waitress and chef handled this situation is unacceptable and completely unprofessional. The chef has no right to be listening in on our conversations throughout our meals and then responding to our private comments. If he would have simply apologized for the descrepancies, then there would have been no problem, but he continuously denied our complaints and almost seemed to put the blame on us.

Best food. Odd location and inconsistent service not withstanding, simply the most creative and amazing flavor creations in the city

SImply Perfect. Despite of the service is a little bit weird with the old lady always in bad mood and the guy who speaks like Lurch from Adams family. The food is just perfect, all is fresh. I tried Venison and duck both are enhanced by the combination of aromatic herbs and berries. the portions are well balanced, Definetely I will come back to try the whole menu and repeat the venison and the duck.

The Dario Treat. A rather dull and industrial-looking location hides an unexpected and interesting little gem of a restaurant, staked out in a former residence. Cafe Dario is an intriguing dining experience, because of its uncommon idea of a new menu, set weekly. Dinner patrons pay a flat fee of $35.00 for a 5 course meal consisting of an appetizer, soup, salad, entree, and dessert. You can choose your ap and entree among options, but the chef makes one soup, salad and dessert for all.<br/><br/>Dietary considerations are addressed if you call ahead. This vegetarian decided to spend the night vegan for the sake of simplicity, and enjoyed the adventure of being surprised, mostly pleasantly, by each course. <br/><br/>It was an exciting experience, having a room full of people all served at once. (You must reserve, as the room was at capacity.) The timing of such meal preparation is an art in itself. Arrive hungry. You get a lot!<br/><br/>Everything was presented so beautifully, and with great attention to detail. My appetizer had a dipping sauce with a tasty bite, but was not a meal favourite. Soup was coconut carrot ginger, which could have been more flavourful. The salad was exceptional in its simplicity and taste, with fancy lettuce so fresh, that it could have just been clipped from the garden. Greens were wrapped in a ribbon of cucumber, and complemented by a delicious dressing. <br/><br/>The vegan main course consisted of a filling fabulous epinada--excuse spelling ;-) packed with roasted vegetables, while the artfully garnished sides included sliced carrots, and a tasty beet puree.<br/><br/>My alternative vegan dessert was a refreshing watermellon sorbet served in a martini glass. The chef's dessert was a beautifully presented square of mouth-watering rich mint brownie, reminiscent of Laura Secord's delicious French Mint chocolate bar. Decorated with a dollop of whipped cream and a strawberry, it was heaven!<br/><br/>It appears from other reviews that the lunch menu is priced much lower. The set dinner cost is however more than reasonable considering that the number of courses you get would be much more expensive ordered separately elsewhere, and also the sheer amount of food you receive.<br/><br/>Cafe Dario in quaint and cozy. There is little separation between rooms and tables, so it can get a bit noisy, but it is a real dining experience that is definitely worth it.

7 out of 10. Good place and the food was pretty good. The service was not so good. They should really address the service issue. I know its a family business and they would like to keep it in the family, but this place could potentially do even better from a profit perspective. Put a little more consideration towards the service aspect of the restaurant!

Beautiful food. The plating is lovely, and the food is scrumptious. I had the pepper crusted pan seared salmon for lunch. So yummy. And so affordable. Will be back soon. I love that your meal comes with savory soup.

Scrumptious. This is such a great restaurant. I love how the menu changes every month and is a mix of cultural food. Very affordable for the quality...it's 5 star quality for an average price. Wish it was closer to home so that I could go more often!

OMG!!. My husband and I just got home from a FABULOUS meal from Cafe Dario..in which we dont live to far from. This was our first visit there, after living so close to this place for almost twenty years!! Their menu is a set menu choosing from a list of 6 appitizers, set soup, set salad, a list of 6 entrees, and set dessert!! I had the Shrimp appitizer, and beef tenderloin dessert!! ALL course was AMAZING, Service was just ok but the food made up for it!!! We are defenetly going back. The place had a great romantic atmosphere, with great romantic music!! 5 out of 5 stars!!

The only option here is the $28/person meal that is a tiny appetizer, entree, and dessert. We were not explained this so we sat there wondering why we had no menus. The prawn starter (2jumbo prawn) was very good, the tamale was ok, a little bland. The entrees of Basa and lamb were delicious although the side (mashed potatoes, cooked carrot slice, cooked zucchini slice, canned corn kernels) was nothing special, I make better at home. Our dessert was a cranberry brownie which was quite good. Our waitress was very unfriendly to us and our service was far slower than those around us. I believe this was because the two of us are in our early twenties and our waitress and everyone else was 45+. We did not feel welcome. I would try again for the food and hopefully a nicer waitress.

Delicious! Beef tostada an lamb shank were perfect. Will definitely go back

Lovely. Food is great, serving staff could be friendlier. Dario think about hiring some nicer servers.

Forget the Ambiance: it's all about the food!. It's crowded. And sometimes noisy. And the decor of heavy dining furniture stuffed together in a tiny room with walls covered with a mish mash of bizarre "art"--some hung crookedly, and most of which needs a good dusting!--is not my ideal environment. But that's not why I come to Cafe Dario: it's all about the food.<br/><br/>In my opinion, it's the best place in Winnipeg to get a top-notch four course lunch for a truly reasonable price. I can't believe that people pay as much, or more than this, to go to a crappy chain restaurant like Boston Pizza or the like....<br/><br/>Definitely go for the set lunch menu, which will get you an appetizer, soup, main course and dessert for $35--are you kidding me!! My most recent visit was with 5 girlfriends, and they had crammed a bunch of furniture together to try and create a table for six, but which left two of us completely trapped in our chairs for the duration of the meal. This mild discomfort was immediately forgotten once we received our food: everything everyone had was tasty, wonderful, exciting and perfectly prepared, right down to the amazing chocolate brownie with raspberry and mandarin orange inside. I can't believe we ate every crumb, but it was so delicious, there was no option. Even the coffee is excellent.<br/><br/>Interestingly, I've never been here for dinner! But for a treat, this is the place to go with friends for an excellent lunch, always a surprise based on what's available--and always good.

Good lunch. We have been to Cafe Dario several times, but never for lunch. the waitress, Jill was bright and bubbly. I am not a fish lover but the cornmeal crusted haddock sounded yummy. and it more than met my expectations! the fish was tender and cooked just right. My husband had the brined pork loin chop and didn't even offer me any! Our whole party left feeling full and happy. The chef, Matthew, really does a good job!

Exceptional Food!. When I visit Winnipeg, Cafe Dario is the one place I must go. I visited yesterday with friends for lunch and was more impressed than ever. My starter was the E=escargot "el diablo" Rarely does restaurant food deliver the heat but this dish was an exception.The soup - a beef and vegetable, was a surprise. It sounded so boring I was slightly disappointed - until I tasted it. The broth was so unbelievably rich! I am not a fan of mushrooms, but this soup nearly changed my tune For my entree. I had the House Brined Pork Chop with Spicy Bacon gravy on recommendation fromafriend. The description said "juicy" and it did not disappoint. The only time I've had a pork dish so succulent and flavourful was at Mesa Grill in Las Vegas (and I paid 4 times the price) . This restaurant is spectacular. Compliments to the chef!

I decided to invite a couple friends to join my bf and I for dinner here today. Upon first arriving there was no one there to greet us for a bit. I found the hostess who was also the waitress friendly at first. When ordering she didn't explain anything about the menu to us. (it being our first time going) The food was alright, although I do preferred my duck a lil more rare. She was good with refilling the water (not so much for the soft drink, didn't even ask if we'd like more) Dinner came at a slow pace. Didn't realize we were there for 2 hours and a half. What makes me never want to return to this place is the fact that the hostess came back after we had paid to complain about a tip amount my friend decided to leave behind. She demanded to know if something was wrong with the food. Which I suppose my friend didn't find anything wrong. In a restaurant full of people btw. She gets really frustrated and rolls her eyes at us and storms back into the kitchen. If I knew she was like that I wouldn't have even given her a tip at all. So TERRIBLE service, very unfriendly. And we will NOT return to this place for dinner.

Must visit!. One of the most unique and tasty dining experiences in Winnipeg! <br/><br/>Colombian born chef Dario makes imaginative use of the flavors of south America in a converted house in Winnipeg's west end. <br/><br/>It,s hard to review Dario because month to month the chef offers a different selection of dishes. For the incredibly reasonable prix fixe price of $35, you will, however get a choice of several appetizers and mains that riff on recent selections with soup, salad and dessert being the chef's choice.<br/><br/>Hearty Bison Chili with Chilean Corn Crust has been a featured appy over my last few visits and I wouldn't hesitate to order it again.<br/><br/>You'll also find dishes like oysters three ways-a classic mignonette sauce, lemon and hot sauce. Last time I opted for Alligator Empanadas with roasted tomato salsa. Everything was delcious but the gator did have a rubbery and overly assertive fish flavor unlike other preparations of it I've had at The Billabong for instance. <br/><br/>Sometimes subtle, other times bold, Dario excels at marrying sweet and heat, acidity with savory. Take a perennial favourite, Pork tenderloin crusted with a chili lemon rub. It's somehow stuffed with roast pineapple and expertly cooked. It's not an easy technique to prevent the tenderizing enzymes of the pineapple from making mush out of the pork. <br/><br/>Duck breast drizzled with a smoky hot Ancho chili sauce was perfectly cooked, a little bit rare in the middle. <br/><br/>Expertly presented in artistic arrangements, most mains are served with ridiculously good garlic and herb mashed potatoes, and more often than not a medley of carrots, zucchini and beets. If you're lucky you' also get a dab of pickled tomato salsa. Dario's signature garnish is a hot chilli pepper and sprig of deep fried pasta. Both are abundantly edible, but a word of caution. The chilli is so hot it will obliterate your palate and rob you of the enjoyment of the rest of meal.<br/><br/>Soup, salad and dessert are chefs choice and while that's might be a wildcard that disturbs some diners, have no fear...Dario has never disappointed. I will point out however that the sweets are not a house specialty. They're small, somewhat unimaginative and simply presented, but ultimately enough to satisfy a sweet tooth.

Great Lunch But Needs Tweaking. I have always found Cafe Dario to be the best kept secret in Winnipeg for a fantastic lunch. For little more than what you would pay for fast food, you get a dining experience that has your taste buds screaming for more. <br/><br/>On my most recent luncht I had a delicious pork chop with a bacon gravy. The soup before the entre was tasty with a nice bit of heat to it. I was also pleased to see that Dario's had replaced its soft, mundane, dinner rolls, which I always felt was the weak link in the meal. In its place was 1/2 of a firm, superb bun. That was good and bad; a much nicer bit of bread but really; 1/2 of a bun. Okay, if its a cost issue, charge me an extra dime and give me the full bun. It just didn't fit with the meal presentation.<br/><br/>On the down side I found the potatoes and beets to be blandand lacking the great flavours they usually have. The beets are normally superb, and this is coming from a person who never ate beets before lunches at Cafe Dario.<br/><br/>Presentation has always been wonderful and todays meal other than the 1/2 bun issue was no exception. The meal was served quick and the server was pleasant, there when she needed to be but not hovering.<br/><br/>A good meal, that with a couple of tweaks could have been a great meal.

Surprizingly disapointing. My husband and I visited Cafe Dario to celebrate my birthday based specifically on all the positive reviews. I was quite looking forward to our meal, however it was a real let down. The service was not great, the ambiance was so-so (sort of like eating in your grandma's living room), and the food was the real disappointment.<br/><br/>We started with drinks - anticipating some South American flair I had a Pina Colada and hubby ordered a Cuba Libre. My drink was mediocre (clearly from a mix), and the glass had spilled over prior to it being served and was delivered to me with liquid running down the sides without any offer or attempt to clean up the puddle that spread all over the table. The empty glass and it's puddles, along with discarded dishes from previous courses were not cleared up until the end of the meal, leaving the table messy and crowded. <br/><br/>I realize their menu changes, and it seems most of the selections previously reviewed were not on the menu we were provided with, but most options were slight variations of similar dishes.<br/><br/>For starter I had mussels in wine broth, which were okay, but nothing special. My husband had the escargot diablo, and although he definitely likes hot and spicy, these were over spiced to the point where he couldn't get past the excessive heat to enjoy any real flavour. He noted that the overpowering spice of this dish interfered with his enjoyment of later courses as well. <br/><br/>Next course was a salad with chipotle cheddar dressing, which had a nice level of heat to it and good flavour, however the dressing had an oddly grainy texture which was distracting.<br/><br/>The Soup course was a disappointing broccoli and cheese soup - nothing interesting here, just the sort of thing you'd get at a cheep buffet - slightly watery and sort of bland.<br/><br/>For the main course, I had lamb shank (not rack of lamb in Kahlua sauce reviewed by other posters). What made this truly disappointing was that it was a tiny portion and was terribly fatty. There was only about three bites of meat and about four to five bites of flabby fat on the tiny shank piece. Bleh. This came with a tiny scoop of mashed potatoes (nothing special) and three bits of steamed vegetables including an undercooked, hard slice of carrot. My husband had a spicy pork dish which was on the dry side and nothing special as well, served with the same sides.<br/><br/>For desert was a chocolate mousse with almonds, which was again unremarkable. The mousse had a nice chocolate flavour, but the almonds mixed in were no longer crisp, but rather chewy, again lending an unpleasant and distracting texture to this dish.<br/><br/>Each courses portion sizes were incredibly small, which might have been okay had any of the courses been really satisfying in execution or flavour, but this was most definitely not the case. I left thinking we could have certainly had a far more satisfying meal at any number of our other favorite spots, and being the cook in our house hold I had the even worse feeling that I could have cooked us a more enjoyable meal had we just stayed home. Ho hum. Would not recommend.

Nice change for lunch. Have eaten here many times for lunch. I think it is reasonably priced, but sometimes there isn't something I want off the chalkboard. Once I ordered mussels and more than half were not opened. I was pretty disapointed. It is a different place to go for lunch, but it usually gets pretty full. They don't seem to offer very many ethnic/unusual menu items--wish there would be more latin offerings.