Winnipeg has a vibrant restaurant scene and always so many choices from which to declare the year’s best new entry.

 I was introduced to business partners Kyle and Marc when I visited Unburger Restaurant/Café at 472 Stradbrooke Ave. for my first time. The little place has a fresh, crisp and clean design.  I sampled the “Unburger”-grilled pineapple, balsamic onion & tomato relish, caramelized onions, bacon, cheddar, herb mayo & a sunny side up fried egg!  The addition of pickled beets was just my cup of tea. 

The newly relocated Deseo Bistro is at 696 Osborne St.  There was some debate as to whether Deso should be considered new as they were formerly located on the main floor of the Royal Albert Arms.   But since Deseo was the hands down winner when I asked my cyber-circle for their favourite, I declare it to be Winnipeg’s best new restaurant.  I’ve been twice -once for a savoury lunch of sweet and sour figs and chorizo sausage and a second time for a cozy dinner when I sampled Chef Scott Bagshaw’s BC Clams tossed with pancetta and brussel sprout kim chee, and Caramelized Pork Belly accompanied by sour pear, crispy chicken skin and succotash.  Deseo’s small plates are nothing short of exquisite. We were warmly hosted by the other Deseo partner and lovely gentleman-Alejandro Moro.

I was surprised when no one remembered or (faced up to) loving Smoke’s Poutinerie which drew such a crowd when it opened in the Exchange this past summer.  Being the poutine aficionado that I am-I was duly impressed by the savoury gravy and real cheese curds.

My Blogging friends had this to add:

Carbone Coal Fired Pizza on Taylor is my new favourite pizzeria. The coal-fired oven creates the best crispy-thin crusts that cook in as little as 3 minutes. The peppino is a must-try with cherry tomatoes, prosciutto, arugula, parmigiano and a splash of olive oil, and keep room for the ferrero dessert pizza topped with nutella and roasted bananas.

The new Stella’s at Plug In 460 Portage Ave. in the Buhler Centre across form the University of Winnipeg is the perfect place to grab a big fluffy cinnamon bun and coffee on the way class or work. If you have time to sit down in the sunny dinning room enclosed in floor-to-ceiling windows, order the Mexican Breakfast. www.sucrefarine.blogspot.com

My new fave restaurant isn’t really a restaurant per se, but a coffee shop.  Parlour Coffee at 468 Main Street has finally filled Winnipeg’s need for a place to get an incredible cup of properly prepared coffee.  Its simple design and warm, friendly atmosphere (and staff) will definitely have you fixin’ for your daily cup of joe. www.thefood-online.com

Kath’s quote: “If you never try a new thing, how can you tell what it’s like? It’s men such as you that hamper the world’s progress. Think of the man who first tried German sausage!”-Jerome K. Jerome (1889)

I have many friends on Isla Mujeres.  Some I have shared a dinner or lazed upon the beach with and others I have met “cyberly” and then eventually met in person.  Such is the case with this friend who is a US ex-pat now living full time in paradise.  I have asked her opinion of the best place to go for a romantic dinner for two on Isla ( I happen to know a couple who could use one).

“Greetings from Isla Mujeres!  After some chilly weather (for us) it is finally a beautiful beach day!  The Island is quickly getting decorated for Christmas & it looks festive.  We just put our tree up on Sunday with the kids.  Now the count down for Santa begins!!
 
Sunset Grill is a pretty spot but I have heard mixed reviews about the food & the beach seating (they charge extra to sit on the beach).  By the time you arrive Fenix, an Asian Fusion restaurant should be open.  That is on the beach at NaBalam looking towards Avalon.  The couple opening it up used to have a quite popular place in Nashville. 

Looking west towards Cancun from the vicinity of Casa Las Suenos

A couple other romantic options with a view would include Casa Las Suenos (used to be Altmar Lounge, on Punta Sur next to Casa O’s).  It is a beautiful setting, under a great big palapa looking out at Cancun.  They have reopened their restaurant which used to be excellent but have not done any marketing to let people know.  Another soon to be opened & should be opened by that time is Marina Paraiso.  They have a chef from France who will be doing lovely dinners on their deck under big old  trees with views of the water.  I have been there for a private dinner & they food was incredible.
 

The Caribbean Side

Da Luisa at Casa Ixchel on the Caribbean side has a great ocean view.  I have not had dinner there but I have had tapas & drinks.  The chef Giorgio from Italy does a great job.
 
Without the beach or a view….Sergio from Rooster Cafe starts his Special Chef Dinner Menus around December 15th on Wednesday, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays.  Honestly, his culinary creations are some of the best I have ever had in my life.  He is truly the most talented Chef (accredited at La Cordon Bleu in Austin) on Isla.  I am still dreaming about his pork belly three ways, his shrimp in a grapefruit reduction sauce & his filet mignon in huitlacoche sauce.  WOW.  The decor of Rooster is a bit more modern & for them evenings, he has table clothes & it has a nice romantic feel.  You can also make reservations for his chef’s tasting menu, where he will bring 5 or 6 courses out for you.  This is by far my favorite place for a special occasion.
 

The bright lights of Hidalgo

Also without a beach or view, Lori Dumm previously of Mango Cafe just opened up Lola Valentina on Hidalgo with a Mexican business partner, Rodolfo.  The place is very pretty.  The food is Mexican Fusion.  The tables are quite big so there is not a real romantic feel at the table but the lighting & decor feels romantic.”

Kath’s quote: “Your words are my food, your breath my wine. You are everything to me.”-Sarah Bernhardt

Last week on twitter, when a follower thanked me for the black bean burger recipe, I mentioned that I had tasted these amazing brownies the night before.  This created a bit of a twitter flurry and I sought out this recipe to create a link for them.  Since then I have a hard time forgetting the taste or my amazement that they contained black beans.  Here is the the recipe with some of the hard to find ingredients already adapted.

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate

1 cup unsalted butter

2 cups soft-cooked black beans, drained well (canned is fine)

1 cup walnuts, chopped

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

¼ cup instant coffee

¼ teaspoon sea salt

4 large eggs

1½ cups liquid honey

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line an 11- by 18-inch (rimmed) baking pan with parchment paper and lightly oil with canola oil spray.  Melt the chocolate and butter in a glass bowl in the microwave for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes on high.  Stir with a spoon to melt the chocolate completely.  Place the beans, 1/2 cup of the walnuts, the vanilla extract, and a couple of spoonfuls of the melted chocolate mixture into the bowl of a food processor.  Blend about 2 minutes, or until smooth.  The batter should be thick and the beans smooth.  Set aside. In a large bowl, mix together the remaining 1/2 cup walnuts, remaining melted chocolate mixture, coffee substitute, and salt.  Mix well and set aside.  In a separate bowl, with an electric mixer beat the eggs until light and creamy, about 1 minute.  Add the honey and beat well. Set aside. Add the bean/chocolate mixture to the coffee/chocolate mixture.  Stir until blended well. Add the egg mixture, reserving about 1/2 cup.  Mix well.  Pour the batter into the prepared pan.  Using an electric mixer, beat the remaining 1/2 cup egg mixture until light and fluffy.  Drizzle over the brownie batter.  Use a wooden toothpick to pull the egg mixture through the batter, creating a marbled effect. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the brownies are set.  Let cool in the pan completely before cutting into squares.  (They will be soft until refrigerated.  Makes 45 (2-inch) brownies. 

Kath’s quote: “Blessed relief for Mother and the other women in the household!”-Heinz slogan when it introduced the commercial version of ketchup in 1876

I have  connected with an old business acquaintance recently.  She and I have emailed and chatted on the phone for years and known of each each other for eons before that, but only met in person for the first time last week.  Isn’t life strange/wonderful that way?  We are now FB friends and I am getting to know another side of her life a bit better.  She recently sent me this recipe and although I have not yet made it, I know that it will be a hit.  The inclusion of salted cashews and beer, is why I am convinced.  Thank you Carolyn.

“Here’s a receipe that I love, and don’t pull out as often as I should.  Just made it tonight to take into the teacher’s tomorrow for Student Lead Conferences, and am glad that I made a little extra for myself!!

 2 Tbs olive oil

1 1/2 cups chopped celery

1 1/2 cups chooped green pepper

1 cup chopped onoin

3 cloves garlic, minced

Two 28 oz cans diced tomatoes (can use fresh)

One 19 oz can of black beans, rinsed and drained

One 19 oz can mixed beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup raisins

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

One 12 oz can of beer

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoon basil

1 1/2 teaspoon oregano

1 1/2 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon allspice

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon tabasco

1 bay leaf

3/4 cup cashews (unsalted)

1 cup shredded swiss, mozzarella, or cheddar cheese

Heat oil. Add celery, green pepper, onion, and garlic.  Cook until tender.  Stir in undrained tomatoes, beans, raisins, vinegar, chili powder, parsley, salt, basil, oregano, cumin, allspice, pepper, tabaco, and bay leaf.  Bring to boil.  Simmer, covered 1 1/2 hours.

Stir in beer and cashews.  Return to boil.  Simmer uncovered 30 miutes or until desired consistency. Remove bay leaf.  Sprinkle cheese on top of each serving. Enjoy!”

Kath’s quote: “You can’t possibly ask me to go without having some dinner. It’s absurd. I never go without my dinner. No one ever does, except vegetarians and people like that.”-Oscar Wilde

Almost three weeks have past since our sojourn to Toronto.  One of our favourite meals was at Over Easy in the Entertainment District.  As the name implies, they serve breakfast all day long.  So why has it it taken me so long to write about it?  Because I would have to admit to y’all that I had poutine for breakfast and loved it!

Now in my defense, it wasn’t really poutine (even though they called it such on the menu).  It was more like a hearty breakfast casserole with the inclusion of authentic cheese curds instead of grated cheese.  Specifically, there was a layer of hash browns topped with bacon and smoked ham, cheese curds, and two poached eggs.  That was smothered with a lemony hollandaise.  The meal was loaded with carbs, fat and calories and my oh my, was it delicious.

D very sensibly chose eggs Florentine which included fresh spinach.  This great place also serves home made brown toast and an excellent glass of oj.

Unfortunately, the coffee was horrible or I could have sat there all day.  The decor was cheerful and cozy and I loved the fresh colours.

Kath’s quote: “It was a nice breakfast – two hard boiled eggs, a piece of Danish, and a Coca-Cola spiked with gin.”-John Cheever