As the owner and head chef of Bistro 7ü, I was disappointed by the negative tone of your Jan. 15 article Temporary, pricey eatery headed to riverside. Here is something very exciting being produced by creative Winnipeggers using their own resources, and all the article can focus on is the cost.

We think having an IKEA or a Five Guys makes us world class, but the reality is that it is the creative spirit of our citizens that will make us world-class.

Also, it is not a "riverside" eatery, as the headline states. It is actually on the frozen river. Mandel Hitzer and Joe Kalturnyk are building a restaurant in a warming hut on the frozen river. Is this happening in any other city in Canada?

Second, when you consider the cost of building a restaurant to serve customers for a very short three-week season, $85 a person is not a lot of money. You are getting a five-course dinner prepared and served by not one but two of Winnipeg's hottest chefs. And you are buying an experience you will never forget.

Third, they are not looking for "thousands" of patrons. Three seatings of 20 people each for 21 days is only 1,260 people. Some people have booked for more than one night.

Unlike most of the other cool winter activities Winnipeg enjoys, Festival du Voyageur and the river skating trails, for example, this one is being funded privately with no government support at any level.

Mandel and Joe love Winnipeg and want to celebrate our most extreme season. Why can't we support them and praise them for their creativity and courage?

 

ALEXANDER SVENNE

Winnipeg

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 17, 2013 A12