JOEY Kenaston — Restaurant in Winnipeg

We went here for the first time but I know there will be many more. The food was top notch. Completely delicious. I can't stress that enough. It was completely out of the league of similarly priced chain restaurants. Beautiful presentation and the food tasted even better. We had the Chicken Parmesan and Sirloin steak with truffle ravioli and prawns. Oh my Lanta. We love a good steak. We thought it was better than the Keg. We haven't been to Hy's to compare that. The chicken was so tender the knife cut through like butter. How? My butter knife was satisfactory for the steak, as well. No steak knife necessary! The ravioli was mouthwatering.

We don't often go for dessert and were completely satisfied after our meals however the food was so amazing we couldn't resist trying dessert! We got the chocolate lava cake and the apple pie. I wish I was eating it now! Both were divine. If I had to pick one, we both preferred the apple pie. Made fresh there, it almost seemed like they literally assembled and cooked it before they brought it out, it was so fresh! (and perhaps they did)!

Our waiter was another thing. Next level. You can tell all their staff goes the extra mile and if someone is hired there, they are extra special. I wish I remembered his name. Looks like Thomas Delauer but black hair. Helpful, polite, funny, and made you feel like the most important people in a very packed restaurant.

The only downside to the restaurant is if you go around lunchtime (and I'd imagine dinnertime, as well), it is so busy you'll need to wait and it is also very loud because it was so packed. We were told we'd need to wait 30 minutes though I think it's was only 20. There are plenty of comfy couches to sit on and wait. Worth the wait for sure. That was our first sign this place must be good!

Before we left they even gave us a card for a free appy next time we go!

Beautiful interior design as well and very comfy seating.

Be prepared to tip generously. The service is worth the tip. Limited menu but that's why it is so good. Pricey but as always, you get what you pay for. This is a big step above Moxie's...

At Joey’s, the cozy bar restaurant with fogged-up windows and a lively patio, Riley worked five nights a week. He was the kind of server who remembered your order after one visit, who always brought extra breadsticks without being asked, and who kept his sleeves rolled up just enough to show a tattoo he regretted but secretly loved.

He didn’t believe in love at first sight. Not until she walked in on a Tuesday.

She came in alone—wind in her hair, cheeks flushed from the cold, scarf half-falling off her shoulder. Riley was wiping down table seven when she caught his eye, and suddenly, the room got quieter. Not literally—but in his chest, something just stopped.

He approached with the practiced ease of someone who’d served a thousand tables, but the second she looked up and smiled, his voice betrayed him. “Hey—uh—welcome to Joey’s,” he said, a little too soft. “You want the window seat? It’s the best view when the lights come on.”

She laughed. “Sure. And you’re right. This place already feels… kind of magical.”

He wrote her name on the ticket—Lena—like it was a secret he’d been waiting to learn.

She ordered a glass of red wine and ravioli. He brought it over like it was a peace offering, lingering a moment longer than he should have. “If it’s not the best you’ve ever had, I’ll personally refund your evening,” he joked, tapping the side of her plate.

She came back the next night.

And the next.

And Riley—cool, collected, head-down Riley—started messing up orders. Smiling at his phone between tables. Writing her name in the margins of his notebook during breaks. Everyone noticed. Joey’s had become a stage, and he was hopelessly, ridiculously smitten.

The night she stayed past close, helping him stack chairs and humming along to the kitchen radio, he handed her a cannoli and whispered, “You’ve ruined this place for me.”

She blinked, confused. “What do you mean?”

“I can’t walk through it now without looking for you.”

She kissed him in the dark of the empty restaurant, flour still on his shirt, and said, “Good. I was hoping you’d...

We had a wonderful night at Joey Kenaston last night with my dad and my husband. My dad is visiting us and he's a big beer lover, so we decided to take him out to enjoy the great atmosphere and have some fun together.

From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by a lovely hostess named Maddie. She was very polite, sweet, and offered us a house wine right away. Throughout the night, she checked in with us to make sure everything was going well and that we had everything we needed. I really appreciated this gesture—it showed true professionalism and care in customer service.

Our server, Brynn, was also fantastic. She was very attentive and helpful. When I asked about non-alcoholic drinks, she recommended her favorite, which turned out to be delicious—it’s now one of my favorites too!

The ambiance was great, the service was excellent, and overall we had a really enjoyable time.

As for the food, we especially loved the shrimp tempura—so tasty! The fries were good but could’ve come in a slightly larger portion. I also tried the Matcha Mojito, which was refreshing with a nice minty flavor, though the portion was a bit small. My dad tried both the Lager and the IPA and enjoyed them both. The corn guacamole with chips was okay—not a standout, but decent.

Big thanks again to Maddie and Brynn for their amazing service—you made our night special. And a shoutout to the lovely lady who brought our food out to the table—sorry we didn’t catch your name, but your warm smile and friendly presence didn’t go unnoticed.

We’ll definitely be coming back with family. Hopefully, we’ll see you...