Manitoba Chamber of Commerce
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1522365
26 SAVOUR MANITOBA | SUMMER 24 Nucci's Gelati cont. e setting should be open, friendly and conducive to animated conversation (when learning to speak Italian, remember: gesticulation is as important as articulation). Nucci's Gelati fits the bill nicely, where the Pepes prepare fresh made-on-the-spot lunch, Monday to Friday. "e lunch menu allows us to offer year-round dining and catering, along with our gelato carts, which can come to your wedding or other events," says Maria Pepe, following in the footsteps of her parents, Gino and Rosa Nucci, who founded the business as a gelataria when they came to Canada from Italy. e restaurant leans into a relaxed trattoria atmosphere: frosting undulates across the large windows, upholstered armchairs pull up to deep wood-grain tables, wooden ceiling beams are festooned with silken greenery. "is is very European ... a little bit of outside in," she says. If you prefer the summertime bustle of the neighbourhood, there are outdoor tables. But inside is where lunch is made. And homestyle is what an Italian summer lunch should be. "We cook like we cook at home. When we started the venture, we created our own menu. We wanted old-school Italian foods that we eat — what we grew up with," she says. Posted over the kitchen, the menu lists pastas with sauces, soups, meat dishes and goodies like freshly made sweet or savoury pastries. You can take a moment and sip some wine while you wait. Italian food should be perfectly seasoned — subtle but certainly present. For just one example from Nucci's menu, the sauce on the lemon chicken with mushrooms is a light enhancement. e lemon is not too forward, just slightly tart. It takes time and experience to learn to season food so well. Nucci's Gelati makes up to 70 flavours throughout the summer season. SUMMERTIME HOURS: Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Lunch is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) Saturday, Sunday and holidays, noon to 11 p.m. Cannoli Crostata Strawberry, Raspberry, Ricotta Amaretti Enjoy a variety of delicious traditional Italian pastries made in-house.