Tabula Rasa — Restaurant in Winnipeg

The absolute worst meal I’ve had for a long time, and also at a huge price point. The braised lamb leg with pasta was disgusting and something you would find in a hospital cafeteria. The pasta was overcooked and chewy, and I highly doubt it’s made in house. The parmesan cheese was minimal and essentially had no effect on the taste as well as the chives, and worst of all was the tomato sauce paste in which drenched the plate and overpowered the lamb. The tomato sauce or paste if you will, was most definitely canned, and that almost is discrediting canned tomato sauce by saying that. The tomato sauce was watery and cold and would maybe be the kiss of death on this plate, if the lamb hadn’t been so bad. Someone who is very familiar with lamb and it’s preparation, having lived in not only Wales AND New Zealand, this lamb was awful and it would be a sin to called it “braised”, referring to it as a pulled lamb would be more accurate. That was $25! Which would’ve been fine if the meal was even semi enjoyable in which I could eat more than half of it before leaving, which I didn’t.

I probably won’t ever be back, which is unfortunate as the tapas scene is booming, but that also means that there are so many other places I can go too. I gave the service and atmosphere 4/5 star rating whereas the food was obviously 1/5 stars, my overall rating being 1/5 stars due to the fact that having a good atmosphere and service in Winnipeg or essentially any city isn’t exactly the hardest thing to find. The only redeeming quality about Tabula Rasa I found was their Tuesday Wine Night, but if that’s the only positive about a restaurant is there cheap wine night, than that really says something about their label as...

Very slow between courses. Flavors were OK, we have had much better tapas in other cities. A few good dishes but also just as many were mediocre. Value isn't there. Based on the reviews we read, we were disappointed.

Edit: The restaurant's response is hilarious and illustrates they are clueless. The sauces request was due to allergies. We ate all the food with the sauces added anyway and thought they were underwhelming. Why do you need to drown your food in sauces and garnishes anyway. Only two dishes were ordered well done and that aspect didnt affect my opinion about the flavour because the meats weren't dry. We ordered one steak medium but that was overcooked. We had 3 other proteins and they were fine but you are obviously selective with your memory to suit your response.

Honestly, I was upset and left the table because of something completely unrelated to your service but it's a personal matter so its none of your business. But I guess you like making assumptions or you can read minds and know better? You're so self absorbed to think my emotions have to be about you.

Of course you would think I was rude but then again I've never had a restaurant gaslight me. Your response isn't even factually accurate and meanwhile you're critiquing my review. The lack of integrity in this response sums up our...

THIS. This is what I am looking for when I am talking about fine dining in Winnipeg. The food, service, atmosphere, everything was absolutely On Point. We got 5 dishes (and dessert) to split between the 3 of us, cleared our plates, and left full, conent, and happily tipsy. The food was beautifully plated, carefully prepared, wonderfully balanced in flavour and texture (all 3 of us ended up with different favourites, entirely down to personal preference), and surprisingly hearty for small portions. The decor was fantastic, the mushroom creatures have absolutely captured my heart, the tiny details were a little spark of joy every time I saw a new one, and the plants added that sprinkle of life to all the texture and colour (and looks like they are supporting a local plant shop!). But what took the experience from "great!" to a Full Star, 10/10, "I will recommend this place to everyone"? That credit goes to our server. Sarah was knowledgeable, personable, approachable, and attentive without once feeling like she was intruding. She was a delight to talk to and accommodated every hint of a request we threw her way without ever making us feel like an inconvenience. Absolutely loved having her as part of...