The Posh Foodie

First Look: Sottobraccio Brings Modern Italian Small Plates to Osborne Village

There is a fresh culinary wave washing over the central neighborhood. This time, it’s serving up handmade pasta. Sottobraccio officially opened its doors in June 2026 right in the energetic heart of Osborne Village.

For local readers, the location itself holds a massive piece of Winnipeg history. The restaurant sits on the main floor of the brand-new Zü retail and residential complex at 160 Osborne St. It was built directly on the former site of the iconic Osborne Village Motor Inn and its legendary live music venue, the Zoo. You can find it situated directly across the street from neighborhood culinary landmarks Baked Expectations and Naru Sushi.

The Harth Connection & A Summer Menu Shakeup

If you’ve ever tried to book a table at Harth Mozza & Wine Bar down in South St. Vital, you know their reputation. Their spectacular Italian fare is unmatched. Sottobraccio is actually Harth’s brand-new sister restaurant. It was born because central diners were tired of making that long drive south.

However, things got interesting early on. Following the sudden departure of the restaurant’s opening chef, Tyrone Welchinski, Harth’s own Chef Brent Genyk stepped back into the driver’s seat. He immediately rolled out a revamped, shared-plates menu.

The Vibe and The Starters

Walking in, the first thing you notice is the chic contemporary decor. The space strikes a beautiful balance between modern architecture and a genuinely warm, intimate ambience.

Since I don’t drink alcohol, I started the night with a refreshing bottle of San Pellegrino (CAD$10). My friends ordered the two mocktail options under the Senza Alcol section – Clean Streets and Dry Island. They really liked both and even ordered a second round of Clean Streets.

For food, we kicked off our evening with a classic pairing: warm olives and fresh focaccia. If you are a fan of Harth’s house style, the olives will feel instantly familiar. Instead of the typical dense, flat style, Sottobraccio’s focaccia arrives looking more like a beautifully raised mini-loaf—wonderfully soft, pillowy, and fluffy on the inside.

Next up was the Prosciutto Toast, which quickly became a favorite of the night. The kitchen balances the natural saltiness of the premium cured ham with whipped ricotta and honey, all served on a perfectly chewy artisanal toast that gave a satisfying bite.

The Main Event: Handmade Pastas & Seafood

Just like its sister property, Sottobraccio stakes its reputation on pasta made by hand. During our dinner, we ordered the Paccheri alongside the evening’s special feature, the Pappardelle. While both dishes demonstrated excellent, authentic texture, I’ll be completely honest: they were good, but we weren’t wowed by them. Given the pedigree of the kitchen team, our expectations may have been a bit too high 😅.

We also tried:

• Stracciatella Special: Rich and creamy, pairing effortlessly with bread.
• Baby Carrots: Served with ‘Nduja butter and hazelnuts. I actually skipped this one since I’m not a fan of carrots, but my friends tried them and said they were alright.
• Risotto (Scallops, Shrimp, Artichoke, Tomato, Parmesan): The accompanying scallops were seared beautifully and cooked to a tender consistency.
• Cioppino (Sea Bass, Shrimp, Mussels, Clams, Saffron): A classic Italian seafood stew that came swimming in a flavorful broth. Make sure you order extra bread because you are going to want to soak up every single drop of that sauce.

The Verdict

If you are someone who loves grazing, communal dining, and sharing small plates with a close group of friends, Sottobraccio is a fabulous addition to the central neighborhood scene.

However, keep a practical tip in mind before you head out: because the menu shifts entirely to an authentic, sharing-style model, individual portion sizes lean on the smaller side. If you are arriving with a massive appetite or simply want to explore a wide variety of the menu, those plates add up – and your final bill can climb fairly quickly.

Restaurant Information

📍160 Osborne St, Winnipeg, MB R3L 1Y6
🌐 sottobracciowpg.com
📝 Reservations highly recommended
🚗 Street parking in Osborne Village is very limited and challenging on weekends. Give yourself extra time to find a spot

Check out my full experience and a closer look at the dishes in my video below:

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