There is something immensely satisfying about supporting a neighbourhood place like Luxalune Gastropub.  Most Winnipeggers know the story of the Warwaruk brothers and their efforts to save the family farm by opening Lux Sole (one of Winnipeg’s original Tapas restaurants), followed by their move to the Gastrobpub concept and Luxalune.

Last evening, through the one of the many advantages of social media, we were invited to and attended the launch of their new menu.   We got one of the last empty tables, as most of the enthusiasts were able to get there more prompt ly than us.

Our biggest decision of the evening was which on the many fine craft beers that Luxalune features, would we select.  I had tastes of a couple and decided upon a blueberry beer, selected both for taste and because I imagined it to be full of the anti-oxidants that I normally consume in my glass of red wine.

After which, no further decisions had to be made for the rest of the evening.  We sunk deeply into the leather couches and just accepted the food tastes that kept arriving at our table.  All tolled, we tasted samples of the Hot Artichoke Spinach Dip (with a nice little punch of heat) served with Lux tapas garlic bread, Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings (that were deliciously citrusy-tasting to us), Garlic Bruschetta Pizza (my fav of the pizza choices with feta and fresh mushroom slices), Caribbean Jerk Pizza (smothered with marinara jerk sauce, Cajun BBQ julienned beef and carrots!), Lux Poutine (which warrants special accolades below), Sweet n Savory Mahi Mahi Pizza (featuring a Thai peanut base and Cajun seared Mahi Mahi) and Marshmallows Pops (drizzled with dark and white chocolate ganache and a sprinkling of sugared peanuts) to end up.

I will say at this juncture, that we were very satified with our little tastes, as were the rest of the guests and could have easily departed for home but it was a rare date night with J1 and J2 and so we paused and then sampled a couple more.

Chris and his manageress Kim conspired to deliver us a new pizza invention that I believe they called Pouza (a word combination of poutine and pizza) that describes it literally.  Being the potato and poutine aficionado that you know I am-I was delighted.  

We had missed out on the Lux Enchiladas, as they were sampled earlier and so a full order arrived for us to sample.  We love the Mexican rice that is stuffed alongside the chicken, cheese and veggies  into a crispy baked enchilada.  Do you know how half of the fixings fall out onto your plate when you are trying to eat a Mexican wrap?  Well this is cleverly rectified with the inclusion of a handful of taco chips served alongside, so that you can scoop up every delicious bite.

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Last, but by no means least, were another order of chicken wings.  These were a combination of the Electric Honey and Lemon Pepper choices.  There are another 10 flavours offered from Dill Pickle (on the menu’s Sweet scale) to Crazy Mexican (on the Screaming scale). Dry ribs come in all these flavours as well.

Of late, I have avoided fried foods and pizza and am proud to say that I am 19 pounds closer to wellness, as a result.  Luxalune very strategically does not deep fry any of their tapas offerings including their wings and potatoes for poutine!  So I can indulge in a special treat, guilt free.  And when potatoes are not deep fried they are actually very good for you, as they are an excellent  source of fiber, potassium and vitamin C.   The wings are covered in a coating that creates the impression of deep frying but they are actually oven baked and beautifully done so.

I managed to assemble the team for a moment last evening, before they had to rush back to what they do best-taking care of their loyal customers.  Here are Chris, Lawrence, Kim and Tom.

On the horizon, is the arrival of Luxalune’s own brewed beer, which will come from their homestead near the village of Arden, between Neepawa and Minnedosa.  D loves the area and is treating me to the Lily Festival this weekend.  The matriarch of the family, who was there last night as well, suggested that we drop in on Lawrence-the farming brother (identified by his tan), but we think that we will just mosey along and enjoy all that a summer weekend in rural Manitoba has to offer.

Kaths quote: “Farmers are the only indispensable people on the face of the earth.”-Li Zhaoxing

Love -that is all.

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