Neighbouring restaurants make Canada’s Top 100 list

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This article was published 01/06/2022 (1571 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Two neighbouring Winnipeg eateries have been ranked among the top restaurants in the country.

Máquè and Close Company, which are situated next door from one another on Stafford Street, have been included in this year’s Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants List.

This is the second time chef-restaurateur Scott Bagshaw has had a business represented in the annual food and drink ranking scale. Enoteca was included in 2020.

“Hopefully we can get Passero on that list next year to get the trifecta finished,” Bagshaw says with a laugh. “I’m super proud of my staff and very grateful for our clientele.”

The list, which is the result of voting from dozens of industry judges across the country, was released on Monday. Once the results went live, Bagshaw got a call from chef Dustin Pajak of Close Company to share congratulations.

“We’re literally a back lane across from each other, so that’s kind of neat,” Bagshaw says. “We’ve always had a very good rapport and we’ve always gotten along with each other and respect the work we’ve done.”

Close Company — which, incidentally, is closed at the moment — is ranked at No. 83, with Máquè coming it at No. 74.

While it’s nice to have his restaurant represented nationally, Bagshaw says he isn’t in it for the accolades. Still, amid a pandemic, any kind of kudos is welcome.

“I’ve always believed that what we’re doing is really good, it’s nice to be recognized,” he says. “I think it shows that we were able to pivot pretty well… and our customers have been really great in supporting us.”

Visit canadas100best.com for the full list.

eva.wasney@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @evawasney