Downtown Buzz News from the Downtown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone SPOTLIGHT


Ichiban I


Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse and Pub Located at 189 Carlton Street


chiban Japanese Steak House is a go-to for celebra- tory meals in Winnipeg – and it’s been that way for over 45 years.


Opening on Carlton Street in 1973, Ichiban introduced


teppanyaki to Winnipeg – a Japanese cuisine where chefs fry up meals on hot steel plates as one-part performance art, one-part haute cuisine. When your night could use some theatrics, step up to


the hot seat where a chef douses sake on the grill to liter- ally light up your evening.


And though it’s been a success for several decades,


there has yet to be a true competitor that replicates the slick knifework and fiery teppanyaki fare served up at Ichiban. “Our format is really the only game in town of that na-


ture,” says Adam Rothenberger, director of marketing for Lakeview Group of Companies. “We're very proud of the fact that the original Ichiban is still much the same in its offering as it began, and our guests still love it.” Located inside Lakeview Square, Ichiban has been


around since the development of the block, and is 189 Carlton Street’s signature tenant. Founder of Lakeview Jack Levit experienced teppanyaki in his travels, then introduced the flagship Ichiban restaurant in Winnipeg. Since then, he’s paralleled the concept in Reno, Nevada


– where new owners carry the torch for Ichiban – and he’s sampled the concept elsewhere in the U.S. But Winnipeg’s teppanyaki affair runs deepest. Due to the showmanship that’s synonymous with a


night out at Ichiban, when the Jets returned, it didn’t spark the same influx to the downtown restaurant, likely due


to the longer expected seating times. So Ichiban rolled up its sleeves and debuted a brand-


new concept to support its teppanyaki dining experience – a Japanese pub, with a revamped, smaller plates menu – perfect for quicker kitchen times and turnaround. “Game nights are obviously a huge draw into down-


town,” says Rothenberger. “We capture a bit of an audi- ence in our pub for that, but it also helps to give our guests a place to relax and enjoy a drink or appetizer while they wait for their party to arrive.” A standout on the bar menu is the playful Japanese


poutine, with teriyaki gravy, tempura shrimp and nori covered with local Bothwell cheese curds. Te Japanese pub brings a new modernity to Ichiban –


though the classic experience has never lost its glimmer. “We'll have guests join us who visited decades ago with


their parents, who are now bringing their kids for the Ichiban experience,” says Rothenberger. “We get a lot of comments about how we really haven't changed… and they're thrilled that the next generation can have that same great experience.”


SPOTLIGHT


Republic Architecture


Republic Architecture Inc. Located at 385 St. Mary Avenue


office space, the design firm preserved the historic building at 385 St. Mary Avenue by overhauling it for the new pur- pose. Republic has also recently completed the necessary updates to the Manitoba Legislative Building on Broadway


R


epublic Architecture Inc. has made its mark in down- town Winnipeg in more than one way. Recently completing the major renovation of its


to make it possible for a person with a disability to serve in the Chamber barrier-free. True to its collaborative ethos, everyone at Republic had


a hand in shaping the design for its new headquarters. “We’re even collaborative from the inside out,” says Justin


Ladia, environmental designer at Republic. “Everyone had their stake in it and felt like it was their baby.” Since its start in 2009, Republic has had the same princi-


pal architect, Shane Solomon, at the helm. While the firm works on a wide variety of projects, a pattern appears in its portfolio with a number of government buildings, urban infill and historic restoration work. Having worked in likely the northern-most civilian point


in Canada, Republic also prides itself on some specialized knowledge of its home country. “Te majority of the firm’s work is in Canada,” says Ladia.


“We sort of know what Canada is, what the landscape’s about.” While the firm has always been inherently collaborative


with its clients (and internal team), there was even more at stake when it did work in the remote northern community


downtownwinnipegbiz.com (204) 958-4640


info@downtownwinnipegbiz.com 426 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0C9 September 2018 www.manitobapost.com Manitoba Post 9


of Grise Fiord, Nunavut. “We had to understand what it is like to live there,” says


Ladia. “Tings need to be contextual.” Besides the specific use of the building, Republic needed


to understand the limitations of the location such as build- ing in permafrost conditions, necessitating the need for an ultra-high performing building envelope to weather the extreme conditions – and why many buildings in the area are built on stilts to avoid foundations freezing over. “We consider the long- and short-term impacts of a


building,” says Jennifer Zatser, director of marketing com- munications and business development for Republic. “Not just on the environment but on the users and communities they service.” Due to the nature of this and some of Republic’s other


previous work, sustainable practices, including their own in the office, is another thing that’s deeply engrained in its culture. “A lot of our work is in existing spaces. (Te final product)


speaks to what the original character was, but we give it our spin,” says Ladia.


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