We have followed the Falafel House from its tiny location on Academy to its first location on Corydon (at the end of our street) to its current home at Corydon and Wilton.  We have been hosting a guest who is vegetarian so it was the perfect place to take her for our last brunch together.

As D had travelled to Israel this fall, he had a real hankering for falafel and ordered the “Middle East” with eggplant and extra spice.  I had a taste of the eggplant-perfection.

“Israeli” falafel was also ordered and came topped with home made French Fries.  There were eight perfectly seasoned falafel in each order.  Even the big appetites at our table had trouble cleaning their plates.

Our vegetarian guest was delighted with her vegetarian hash and they allowed her to substitute her toast for potato pancakes which we all got to taste.  Crunch on the edges and hearty in the middle-just the way we like em.

I wanted to taste the schnitzel but also wanted eggs to go with their hash browns that can be customized with onion and garlic.  A huge brunch plate and great value (but made for a boring photo).

We waited in line to get in and were kinda squished in our booth so we dined quickly to make room for the line up that was now out the door.  I have read that some people take offense to the owner’s “hustle in and out” atmosphere.  I think many appreciate it when a table gets vacated for them but change their mind when they are told: “no more coffee for them-thank you for leaving”.  We love his good natured chants-it reminds us of our favourite New York deli and bagel shops.

The Falafel House puts out fresh food, deliciously prepared and so affordable-he can run his restaurant any way he wishes.

Kath’s quote: “Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.”-Albert Einstein

love shouts

I love my life.  I am a very content person and 2010 was a good year:

-Lots of time with family, friends and food. 

-Good health and the energy to learn and try new things. 

-A little bit of money put aside to travel to favourite places and on brand new adventures. 

-The marriage of our son and his beloved Jenny.

-Lots of time walking by the water and collecting heart stones.

-A wonderful/crazy granddog to have for sleep overs.

-A big, gentle Frenchman hanging out with our family.

And so it was that we were not anxious for 2010 to pass into the history books and in all honesty, New Year’s Eve is not ever a big deal in our house.  But we do love to be with family and dress up and taste wonderful treats and have a little spin on the dance floor and was so glad to attend “In Dreams” at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.

We started with appetizers as we perused the silent auction table.  Then found our table with Sister #2 and her husband.  The soup was a ginger roasted carrot and smoked salmon bisque garnished with crispy leeks and a fleron.

Next came a Caprese Salad of arugula and basil leaves in a cucumber ribbon with a peppery balsamic truffle oil garnished with hearts of palm, pea shoots, grana padano crisps and crostini.

The cleanser was a strawberry sorbet in an orange shell with a cluster of mint and oven dried grapefruit.  I loved every taste and had eaten from every food group, and would have been content to throw in the napkin.

But next came a perfectly grilled Filet with a glace de Viande napped with cafe de Paris beurre and twin marinated prawns Provencal served with roast garlic mashed potatoes, mushroom saute and a grilled vegetable and cheese flan. I politely tasted everything on my plate but was truly done.

can anyone identify the yellow berry on the plate-tasted citrusy?

OMGooness, then dessert arrived: gateaux St. Honores served with a tuile spoon, pulled sugar and berries!  One of many amazing new year’s dinners that we have enjoyed by the chef’s at the Convention Centre.  Top shelf ingredients and inventive presentations and how it arrives hot to the hundreds of diners in an incredible fete.

Ron Paley’s big band had taken their places on stage.  Beautiful women in evening gowns were escorted to the dance floor by their tuxedo clad partners.  The music was incredible with cameos of Winnipeg’s finest including Sierra Noble.  But the highlight for me was the drummer Jeremy Russo who we know from a number of connections-WOW.

We dutifully assembled on the dance floor for the 2011 count down as balloons, showered down from the ceiling.  We had just dance to D’s favourite song-“Its a Wonderful World” and it is.

To top off a perfect evening D was highest bidder for a gorgeous mountain bike that he decided to ride out of the Convention Centre (we were on the third floor).  We had a safe ride home (in a car) and a restful sleep.  A new year had begun. 

Kath’s quote:  “An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.”-Bill Vaughn

if you get-give, if you learn-teach