I tried hard to honour D’s birthday request as he had a yearning for some Mexican flavours and we still have a month before we depart for the turquoise Caribbean.  But we couldn’t get into La Bamba because they do not have wheelchair access (shame on them) but he was more than content to try Hermano’s and their South American fare.

And speaking of wheelchair access-with one quick phone call from the car, the owner was at the accessible entrance to escort us to our table.  He came by again later to teach us that one of our favourite winter holiday dishes-ceviche, was invented in Peru.  He also enthralled us with tales about his frequent trips to Brazil and the story of how he has recreated this Latin approach to dinner for us in Winnipeg.

So the wide open spaces, long tables and boisterous atmosphere is not by accident.  South Americans gather as a family to share their day over an evening meal.  This is the goal of our family too and yet with working late, volunteering, late university classes and trying to fit in some exercise, it rarely happens.  Or shall I say, that it does not occur as often as we would like.

We started by ordering a Chilean Merlot (very familiar) but also found a Chilean Gewurztraminer that was lovely.  I professed my love for D over a bottle of Alsatian Gewurztraminer almost thirty years ago….

We ordered just about everything that wasn’t off season from the Tapas menu and were delighted.  The large bread board was laden with Potato Rosemary Sour Dough, Portuguese Pumpkin Loaf and Onion Jalapeno Corn Bread.  They were all distinctive and we concluded that the corn bread was the hit.  But in all honesty, any bread with a scoop of the spinach & basil pesto, or dunked into the white wine juice from the mussels or the garlic butter which accompanied the shrimp, would be delicious. 

Of the three Empanada’s that were served, I tasted the Chicken and Sausage-a lovely and savoury concoction in a crunchy wrapper. 

Pipa Camaroes were served “head on” as we recall eating them on seaside vacations.  I was quite adept at lopping off the head with a sharp knife but our Frenchman guest decided to twist his off with his fingers and was sprayed with a red juice-cacbaca perhaps? 

The grilled chicken skewers with mango salsa were a nice complement to the other seafood items. 

The Calamari tasted particularly fresh which is unusual in the middle of the prairies in the midst of winter.  The tentacle portion was particularly crunchy in its corn crusting.

Two of the girls were happy to see that we weren’t going to have to eat 13 pounds of mussels when they misread this on the menu: “13/LB”.  I think D&I could and likely have eaten 13 lbs of mussels in the past, thinking back to our honeymoon on Cape Cod where they were served in a big black cauldron (think the witch scene in McBeth).

We also enjoyed what are simply called “chips” on the menu.  OMGoodness-  hand cut potato chips with just a hint of salt.  And there were lots of folded ones which were extra crunchy.  Does anybody else remember the Mr. Greenjeans days when a version of these were served with every order?

Even though we had brought along our traditional Jeanne’s Banana log birthday cake, we couldn’t resit the Tempura Banana split.  Fried bananas is a family favourite-we even make them for late night, “around the fire-pit” snacks.  This version did not disappoint especially because it was served with Eva’s gelato.  Eva’s original storefront was near the end of our street and became the destination of many summer walks.  We think that their Argentinian recipe is superior to the offerings elsewhere on Corydon as they use “real” ingredients not merely the flavouring and colouring of the real thing.

D was delighted with his gifts and was a very contented man.  He deserves it: “Cause he’s good, so good, and he treats (me) like a real man should”-Carrie Underwood

love, love will keep us together

It’s been more than a year since our sojourn through Sicily and the east coast of Italy and we miss the people, the exquisite views and the food!  So when I spotted a cozy looking dining spot while driving down Provencher Ave. in St. Boniface  and then discovered that they served “classically Italian” food-I was enthralled.

It took a bit of time to find an excuse to give La Trattoria a try.  The last occasion that I made the suggestion to D, we ended up staying in our neighbourhood so that we could could also go pot shopping.  Now that doesn’t sound like an ideal date to a most but to a foodie acquiring her first Lagostina cookware-it was bliss.

I digress….I was treating a business associate to a lunch meeting so I suggested we finally give the cafe a try.  I looked longingly at the spacious patio facing the street and a park and began yearning for summer (or spring at least). 

The dining room was bright and fresh with only one other table occupied.  I choose a spaghetti with Aglio Olio topped with shrimp-this version seemed light on the garlic but spiced up with red pepper flakes.  My friend tried the recommended Ricotta Crespelle-an Italian crepe stuffed with ricotta and spinach and topped with tomato basil sauce and Parmesan cheese.  Both dishes were served with garlic toast and salad sides.  I was delighted with a light tasting Cesar with an authentic oil, lemon and anchovy dressing as opposed to the creamy (an calorie laden) version that many restaurants serve.  We chose a lovely Sicilian wine to accompany lunch.

Kath’s quote: “The strands of spaghetti were vital, almost alive in my mouth, and the olive oil was singing with flavor. It was hard to imagine that four simple ingredients [olive oil, pasta, garlic and cheese] could marry so perfectly.”-Ruth Reichl

get tangled up in love

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 drag my husband to lots of restaurants where the food looks like it comes from a coffee table book, we leave $200 and an hour later he is getting out the peanut butter and crackers.  Last night I took him to 4 Play Sportsbar for dinner and he was in heaven.

His mouth dropped at the size of the 24 foot projection screen and he looked longingly at the 50 lazy-boys set up theatre-style.  I knew if we sat shoulder to shoulder I would lose him completely to the football game that was airing so we compromised with a high top table just at the edge of the seating area.    

We had a hard time deciding what to order as we were very tempted by the Blackened Basa Fish Tacos and the 3 Style Meatloaf but finally tucked into Rotisserie Chicken and their specialty burger.  I ate all of the white meat which was substantial and asked our lovely server Charmaine to wrap up the drum and thigh.  I also savoured every single hand cut french fry.  D let me taste his burger-a combo of ground beef and steak.  He too cleaned his plate of the hand cut sweet potato fries. 

Before dinner he enchantingly wandered around to check out the virtual golf and the arcade area.  He thought that it would be a perfect place to arrange a pre-wedding gentleman’s dinner-our only son is married so I’m not sure who’s.  The manager also opened up the private suite for him to check out.  By the time he sat back down, his eyes had that far-away look and I could tell that the wheels were turning about upcoming football games and tennis matches.

We watched the first period of the Junior Hockey tournament surrounded by many enthusiastic Canadian fans who by now had settled in for the evening.  A fun night and the best part-$54 including beer!   

Kath’s quote: “Beer: Take pure spring water. The finest grains. The richest ingredients. And then run them through a horse.”-unknown

PS-went back again for beef and chicken sliders and chicken nachos-sensational.  The BEST sport bar food in town!

In case you missed my column in this edition of Dish Magazine…..

For me, cozy is being inside but seeing the wind blow the snow around outside.  You can do this and enjoy savoury soups at Terrace 55 in Assiniboine Park or the Provence Bistro at the Niakwa Golf and Country Club. The Peasant Cookery has a couple of snugly booths to enjoy gooey poutine (to add an extra layer of insulation).

Sipping a glass of red wine in front of the fireplace at Buccacino’s or Confusion Corner Bar & Grill can warm up an evening-especially if you are getting caught up with a close friend.  The toss cushions and soft drapery of the Clay Oven on Kenaston is sure to cozy you up and an order of their Vindaloo Shrimp guarantees it (you can decide the fieriness).

The wood burning ovens at Pizzeria Gusto, Civita and Bonfire Bistro are sure to throw some heat.  Doesn’t matter what you order-its all good!  A hot made- from -scratch cocoa at Baked Expectations should increase your cozy quotient.          

If an intimate pub is your cup of tea, head to The Grove or the King’s Head for a pint and fish and chips.  Speaking of tea-special local blends are concocted at Cornelia Bean on Academy and are also served up, down the road at Saucers Cafe.  Isn’t it lovely to warm your hands around a cuppa? 

Somehow just “being” in St. Boniface especially during Festival is a toasty time.  Beaujena’s French Table and Step’n Out make you forget that it’s even winter outside.  Muddy Waters Smokehouse is a fun place to warm up after a skate.  Any of the Osborne Village eateries are good destinations when you stroll down the Riverwalk.  The restaurant business is a tough one after Christmas, so get out there and support Winnipeg’s bevy of cozy establishments. 

Kath’s quote:  “There is a communion of more than our bodies when bread is broken and wine drunk. And that is my answer, when people ask me: Why do you write about hunger, and not wars or love?” –M.F.K. Fisher

love Winnipeg