A longstanding Exchange District steakhouse and a homestyle café are set to cater to Winnipeggers hungry for dinner and a show. Hermanos Steakhouse announced it will begin serving up its South American dishes at a long vacant space attached to Centennial Concert Hall this fall. The news comes after Hermanos co-owner Noel Bernier announced earlier this month the restaurant would close at the historic Ashdown Warehouse on Bannatyne Avenue after nearly two decades, teasing he already had a new Exchange District location in his sights. “Bannatyne was a great 17-year run and we want to celebrate those memories,” he said in a news release, noting this will be the location’s last week. The same team will be operating the new Centennial Concert Hall location, Noel added, while another Hermanos offshoot is set to open at an old fire hall in Brandon, Man. ‘That feeling of going to grandma’s house’ Hermanos is not the only new offering on the menu for theatregoers. Michelle Bernier, Noel’s wife, is opening Nanny’s Howse Café in the same sprawling space, which has been vacant since the ‘90s. Michelle’s grandmother, whose mother’s maiden name was Howse, serves as inspiration for more than the café’s moniker. Michelle spent much of her childhood at her Nanny Howse’s north Interlake home, eating her delicious homemade bannock, soup and bread—all of which were heavily influenced by her Icelandic heritage and the Métis community that surrounded her. “When people didn’t have family in the area, they would come over to Nanny’s house and she would feed them,” Michelle told CTV News. Similarly, Michelle is planning a menu that pays homage to her grandmother’s Métis and Icelandic favourites. Beyond the food, Michelle hopes to offer her diners the same comfort she always felt visiting her nanny’s home. “Food is love and warmth. It’s just that feeling of going to grandma’s house,” she said. The current plan is to open the café five days a week and on nights when there are events at the concert hall. Similarly, Hermanos is expected to serve dinner five nights a week with a smaller menu than what was on offer on Bannatyne. Another holdover from the old Hermanos haunt—live music. Michelle said they hope to eventually offer a separate room for diners who want a side of Latin jazz with their steak or paella. “That’s the plan but we have lots of room to expand. We have a few other ideas,” she said.
