A Winnipeg institution, deer + almond has been synonymous with quality, creativity, and heart since it first opened its doors in 2012. Known for gracing “best restaurant” lists both locally and nationally, its impact goes far beyond food. It’s a cultural cornerstone, a launchpad for talented chefs, and the spark behind events like RAW: Almond that have shaped Winnipeg’s culinary identity. At the helm is chef Mandel Hitzer, whose leadership has seen the restaurant through many seasons and evolutions.
A Winnipegger through and through, Mandel’s restaurant journey began at just 14, washing dishes and learning the ropes in local kitchens. By the 2000s, he headed up some of the city’s best, like the beloved Bridgeport, Step ‘N Out, and Glutton’s, before taking the chef position at Fresh Cafe on Corydon. Eventually, Mandel found his true home in the Exchange District.
Deer + almond’s origin story started with a seed of creativity, and grew thanks to chance, commitment, risk-taking, and community. Before there was a restaurant, there was a conceptual dinner club. Mandel collaborated with local artist Cyrus Smith to bring a pop-up dinner series called The Secret Dinner to life. Guests would be emailed the location of the event the day of, and attend a gorgeous, spontaneous dinner. They took over the restaurants, rooftops, and art galleries, curating an immersive culinary experience that celebrated both the gastronomic and the creative.
When Cyrus moved to Berlin and the dinner series ended, Mandel found himself at a crossroads. Just after his 29th birthday, he attended Burning Man, where the experience left him, in his own words, reborn. He followed a girl named Fawni to San Francisco, reigniting his passion for cooking while working at Mission Street Chinese Food. That spark brought him back to Winnipeg with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to the kitchen.
In a moment of kismet, as Mandel returned home to Winnipeg, Stephen Hua was planning to open a restaurant in the Exchange District. Mandel met with him, proposed a 16-item menu, and was given the go-ahead to start. In a sweeping gesture, representative of the experiences that led him here, he named the restaurant after Fawni and Mandel.
They’ve come a long way since those early days, though not without hard work and commitment. Thanks to that commitment, deer + almond has grown into an award-winning restaurant — a legend in its own right. Mandel hopes this origin story can inspire others. “I was scared and uncertain of my future, and I think that’s important for young people and creative types to hear. It’s one in a thousand that takes that leap and doesn’t give up,” he shares. For Mandel, success came from making the next right choice, over and over again. “A big part of success is commitment. Commitment to the craft, to exploring, to opening up Pandora’s box and trying new ideas, working with new systems, and continuing to grow. You don’t want to give up building on that success.”
Now, as they celebrate 13 years in business, deer + almond is an award-winning restaurant that recently ranked 34th on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants — their highest placement yet. For Mandel, that recognition is fuel for the team. “The restaurant is a sum of its parts.” He has his role to play, as captain and cheerleader, but it’s the incredible team that makes the space what it is. “To see young folks that are working so hard and to see the look on their faces almost brings me to tears. I’m coming to a stage in my life where I’m coming to a full circle experience. It’s really about empowering and teaching these folks. Seeing the look in their eyes and the pride they are carrying.”
Over the years, deer + almond has been a hub for talent, with many local culinary legends contributing to its heart and its food. Chloe from Crumb Queen, Stefan from Hoagie Boys and Next Door, and Emily Butcher from Nola and Canada’s Top Chef all played a part in helping the restaurant grow.
If there’s one constant at deer + almond, it’s a commitment to making excellent food. The menu changes seasonally, offering fresh, local dishes. This summer is all about celebrating ingredients grown in Manitoba, paired with incredible products from across Canada. Mandel recommends the Dungeness Crab, a dish inspired by Stuart Brioza at Statebird Provisions in San Francisco. It’s a fun dish packed with protein, featuring crab with Singapore black pepper noodles and is hailed by many as ‘the best thing they’ve ever eaten’ and ‘a delicious umami bomb’. Seafood fans should also check out their incredible Lobster dish, featuring East Coast lobster ajo blanco, creamy grits, beet and bone marrow jus. It wouldn’t be a Manitoba summer without pickerel, and their Manitoba “Green Back” Pickerel dish dazzles with smoked pil pil, grilled kale, and asparagus.
Eating good food at deer + almond is a guarantee, but for Mandel, it’s more than that. “The power of any restaurant is its ability to allow people a sip of the great escape. If you’re having a day and you want to celebrate, or be served, or unplug, you get to come to our restaurant, enjoy our food, and feel great. For a moment, you can forget where you are, or the day-to-day struggles, and just be served.” The privilege of facilitating that for people is not one that Mandel and his team take lightly.
Beyond its menu, deer + almond is deeply tied to its community. Nestled in one of the Exchange District’s only single-story buildings, the restaurant’s location is part of its magic. “Growing up, I was always in awe of the old buildings downtown,” says Mandel. “Now, being in the heart of the city and having this little corner is a dream come true.” That community connection extends to collaborations like RAW: Almond, Mandel, and Joe Kalturnick’s annual pop-up dining event on the frozen river, which brings together chefs from around the world and showcases Winnipeg on a global stage.
If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of eating at deer + almond, now is the perfect time to go. The menu is bursting with fresh summer produce and seafood, and the interior recently got a renovation that makes the dining experience even brighter
Whether you’re stopping in for a tour or settling in for dinner, one thing is certain: Deer + Almond is more than one of Canada’s best restaurants. It’s a story of passion, community, and a little corner in the Exchange that’s become one of Winnipeg’s brightest culinary gems.
Website: https://www.deerandalmond.com/
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