Hermanos
Neighbourhood: Exchange
Address: 179 Bannatyne Ave
Phone: 204-947-5434
Entrées: $19-$50
Hermanos Restaurant and Wine Bar opened to rave reviews in 2009, earning a top spot on Ciao!’s list of best new restaurants. Years later, this sultry enclave in the Exchange District has continued to maintain its status as a destination restaurant.
The current menu offers more options than ever, with an expanded selection of steak and seafood dishes and entrees that hop enthusiastically throughout the once Spanish empire, delivering delicacies from all over South America.
There is Argentinean strip—complete with chimichurri—and Brazilian picanha for carne cravers, and the spicy paella that has proved a favourite for returning customers. Empanadas, ceviche, and even tacos show the menu is not restricted by borders.
Moqueca, a traditional Brazilian fish stew, offers oceanic bounty in the form of tender morsels of crab, shrimp, and fish, with a crown of clams and mussels topping it off. The soup is lowered with pride onto the table in a casserole dish on a rustic wooden board, setting free a bewitching aroma from the spice laced coconut broth when the lid is removed.
Though its roots are in Italy, Milanesa might as well be an Argentine national dish, where it is found typically stuffed into a sandwich at a roadside cafe or food cart. Hermanos makes three varieties, with chicken, beef, or eggplant, and the vegetarian version is standout, with a crispy, lightly spiced crust and dense texture.
Though the chic resto, a favourite for the pre-theatre crowd, is always bustling at dinner, a loyal following can be found lining up for lunch. A massive chivito sandwich is a big draw. The towering Uruguayan specialty is filled with beef, ham, bacon, provolone, olives, egg, onion, lettuce, and banana peppers (some jaw-unhinging may be required). For those who would rather use a fork, a plated version swaps bread for a bed of housemade fries.
Sumptuous desserts cap off a meal with authentic flair. Rich Callebaut chocolate cake is topped with a glistening scoop of dulce de leche gelato, a final nod to the flavours of South America.
Hermanos is open Mon-Wed 11:30 am-10 pm, Thu 11:30 am-11 pm, Fri 11:30 am-1 am, Sat 5 pm-1 am, and Sun 5 pm-9 pm.