WHO knew?

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/11/2011 (5281 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It takes a hidden gem like Tre Visi restaurant to attract film and music stars who want delicious food — and to fly under the radar when they go out.

Most recently Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez slipped into the downtown theatre-area restaurant for a romantic late lunch after they’d been to The Forks to look around. The affectionate pair sat in the front alcove of Tre Visi holding hands over their upscale delicioso Italian lunch. A burly security guard sat two tables away with one eye on the door, and the other eye on his Romeo and Juliet as the couple spent a few days in the city during Gomez’s concert-tour stop here.

The name of the sophisticated yet cozy upscale Italian ristorante translates to Three Faces. A discreet sign marks its location at 173 Mcdermot Ave. People can’t see in the window, the theatres are two blocks to the north and The Fairmont Hotel is two blocks to the south — perfect for a celebrity! And the food is exactly what stars have come to expect in other major centres of the world.

“We have been told we have the best chicken parmigiana in all of Canada,” says chef Giacomo Appice. “And the veal dish is a big, big chop. We had one diner send it back to the kitchen, saying it was TOO tender! We did nothing about it (the complaint). He’d already eaten most of it — and it was the best compliment we’ve ever had. I just let it be.”

Co-owners Appice and John Smook (a veteran server) say they have hosted many of the biggest stars who’ve worked in Winnipeg over the last 18 years, including Peter Ustinov, Marvin Hamlisch, Blythe Danner, Ted Neeley, Joanna Kerns, Judd Hirsch, brothers Rob and Chad Lowe, and Bill Paxton.

Tre Visi is also known for stars who DIDN’T get in because the restaurant is always so busy. Keanu Reeves came three times and couldn’t get in and finally got takeout. They had to say no to U2 “because they wanted takeout dinner for 20, and we just couldn’t do it!” But Doc Severnson and Ted Neeley came for both lunch and dinner in one day.

Why do the celebrities keep coming back even if they get turned away? If you have to ask, peek inside. The ambience is much like what stars would find in New York and L.A. or cities in Europe. Says Smook: “When the music is going and the lights are turned down, it transports you to somewhere else.” And stars often get homesick and lonely when they’re away. “In our restaurant they feel they could be somewhere else.”

Appice opened the restaurant with his mom and dad when he was 24 — 18 years ago, “but I still love the restaurant.” He’s also very fond of the East Exchange neighbourhood, where he both worked and lived (on the third floor) for many years. “It’s becoming so vibrant here and I know all the people with businesses around me.”

As for the constant accusations that the downtown area is unsafe, “the real problem is the parking,” he says with passion. “If we could exchange the number of parking patrols who ticket everyone for the same number of police patrols, it would make more sense!”

“There’s really no trouble in this area,” says Smook. “There’s always people around, going to the shows and the clubs. And a lot more people have moved into the area now.” Smook, now 39, arrived within the first year of the Tre Visi opening to work as a server. He was 21, and came over from Chamberlyn’s. “I like the restaurant because there’s no two days the same in this business.”

Recently, the restaurant opened what is arguably the sexiest wine bar in Winnipeg: Sensi.

It’s a bit hard to find — which is part of its charm. When you enter the little foyer at Tre Visi, look for a door to your left and zip up the stairs. There you can order exquisite little “piattini” appetizers for only $5 each. You could easily make dinner out of three or four for $15-$20. Or, ask your dining companion to order four others and taste-drive eight items.

Sensi also sells flights of three small glasses of wine reflecting a theme, delivered to you on a flight board with tasting notes.

“It’s really a Vegas feel up here,” smiles Smook. “Downstairs is more New York City.”

Both partners acknowledge there are big advantages to flying under the radar for them. “People are always discovering us and saying, ‘We can’t believe you’ve been here, and we didn’t know.’ It’s good for us and fun for them!’ “

Previous issues of Sunday Xtra featured Hermanos and Blufish, two other restaurants in The Exchange. Watch for more areas restaurants to be featured in the future — all part of our quest help people enjoy our downtown when they take in a show, game or concert.