In the same manner that the Canadian Museum for Human Rights elevates our city to a national (even international) tourism level, Era Bistro elevates the Museum to even higher heights. I have had the pleasure of noshing at the at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art in New York, The Musee D’Orsay in Paris, The Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem

and more recently the Ufizzi Gallery in Florence (my husband and I at the Ufizzi pictured above). All were tasty enough but none had the integrity of local produce and regional menu as Era does.

I have met both the Director of Food and Beverage and the Executive Chef at Era Bistro. The former named Toni is gluten intolerant and strives to give persons with this, vegan and vegetarian preferences plenty of menu choices. On the lunch menu alone there were nine delicious options. I enjoyed the gluten free Quinoa Salad on my visit.

Executive Chef Kirk Hanson couldn’t visit for long as he was hands-on in the kitchen. He did linger long enough to fill me in on their seasonal menu emphasizing locally sourced, Certified Fair Trade and sustainable products. Somehow they manage to do all of this and keep their lunch prices reasonable, ranging from $8-21 at lunch.

Over a couple of visits I have managed to tuck into the Pickerel Po’Boy and California Club, having a difficult time trying to discern my favourite. The former was assembled from panko-crusted Manitoba pickerel and iceberg lettuce, tomato, pickled onion & jalapeño remoulade. The latter, roasted herb-marinated chicken breast and prosciutto, lettuce, tomato, avocado spread, mayo, sprouts & aged cheddar. Both were wedged between halves of toasted ciabatta buns.

In addition, I just might have tried Era’s famous carrot fries where beer-battered carrot sticks were served with  a fresh herb & jalapeño buttermilk dip for…..dipping!

Era’s desserts are in a league of their own. Both that I have sampled were gluten free-the Vanilla Bean Cheesecake with a blueberry lavender and lemon compote

and the Roasted Peach and Rhubarb Parfait with house-made graham crumbs and Chantilly ream. I understand their home-made ice cream and crème Brule daily specials are amazing too.

As I was oohing and ahhing, Toni reminded me that Era Bistro is the exclusive caterer for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and does off-site catering as well. The Bistro is available for private events like weddings, holiday parties and corporate soirees.

As my lunch date and I were leaving I popped outside to get a glimpse of the beautiful summer patio. In addition, I just had to stop in at the boutique where I made a mental note to purchase future hostess and birthday gifts.

Kath’s quote: “Ice cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn’t illegal.”-Voltaire (Francois Marie Arouet) (1694-1778)

Love never fails.

A very good friend of mine has recently endured a significant loss. I want to treat her for lunch so that she could fill me in on how she was doing and so that I could lend an ear, if she needed to process some stuff. I thought that Era Bistro at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights was the perfect place for us to meet. I liked the free parking and she works very close by at Portage and Main. But I thought that the Museum building itself was so optimistic with its peace tower point piercing the sky, that the significance outshone the convenience for me.

As I settled in, I spent some time looking over their clever menu sighting many of my home-town favourites.

My lunch mate choose Era’s take on a club house sandwich that she really enjoyed.

I loved the beet salad with toasted pine nuts and field greens. The edible flowers were a gorgeous touch. I think that the goat cheese may have been mixed into the creamy red wine vinaigrette, another touch that I loved.

For good measure I added the option of baked falafel and was delighted by my prairie lunch with an ethnic touch.

Turns out when the time came to pick up the bill, my friend was quicker than I was. In the end, I think too that instead of my being able to comfort her, she injected in me a fresh bout of resilience, perseverance and optimism.

Some of my favourite life moments are spent over a delicious lunch in the company of women.

Kath’s quote: “The oak fought the wind and was broken, the willow bent when it must and survived.”  ― Robert Jordan

Love never fails.