Provence Bistro at Niakwa Country Club
620 Niakwa Road

Shawn Brandson’s passion for his work is clear. “Our kitchen is very talented and I love wine!” says Brandson, Provence Bistro’s sommelier and co-owner, of the inspiration behind the award winning restaurant’s wine dinners.

According to Brandson, the monthly dinners are Provence’s answer to a chef’s table: each dinner consists of a custom five course menu complete with wine pairings for each course. Menus are seasonal and unique, with a focus on wine and food pairings, and he says the reasoning behind this format is simple. “People want to learn about food, and they want to learn about wine, but they are often too intimidated to ask.”

Brandson’s easy-going yet informative delivery (“my style is not to talk down to people”) has made the wine dinner one of the more popular events in an establishment that although only two years old, has garnered its share of accolades both locally (earning a coveted five-star rating from both the Winnipeg Free Press and the Winnipeg Sun) and nationally (EnRoute magazine named Provence Bistro  one of the best new restaurants in Canada last year).

Brandson stresses that those diners looking for a custom menu with wine recommendations need not feel restricted to the restaurant’s monthly wine dinners. According to him, Provence Bistro’s philosophy in all aspects of service is “to take the standard to the next level.” Brandson will create a tailor-made menu for any group, whether a party of two or 220. Given the beautiful view from the dining room’s windows, it seems only natural for Brandson to comment that, when it comes to customizing the dining experience at Provence Bistro, “the sky’s the limit!”