A new newsletter
The Free Press just launched Biidaajimowin | News from the Centre, a free weekly email from the heart of Turtle Island. Penned by columnist Niigaan Sinclair, it offers an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. Read the first issue and sign up here.
Tasty tidbits
⚓Winnipeg’s Nonsuch Brewing Co. has announced on social media it’s opening a second location this year at 551 Osborne St. in South Osborne.
Their original location at 125 Pacific Ave. will remain in operation; no word as to whether they’ll brew beer at the Osborne Street location, or if it will simply serve as another spot for a pint/flight (there’s also no word yet as to whether they’ll be making/serving food at the new spot).
🍟 A torrent of gravy and cheese curds cometh our way. La Poutine Week kicks off tomorrow and runs until Feb. 7, with nearly 100 local restaurants set to participate.
As usual, the pooties on offer are a smorgasbord of mile-high toppings and deep-fried potatoes.
New this year: Food & Beverage Manitoba has taken over local management of the food festival from People Mover Tech, the Montreal-based founders of Le Burger Week.
🌱 Gather Craft Kitchen & Bar, located in The Leaf at Assiniboine Park, announced on its website and social media that it closed on Jan. 27 and will remain shuttered “for scheduled maintenance” until Feb. 22, reopening the following day.
The Leaf opened in December 2022, two years later than originally planned, and has been mired in lawsuits ever since.
❤️ Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. Consider this your reminder to get those restaurant resos locked in for the lovey-dovey holiday, which lands on a Friday this year.
There are a number of local spots running special Valentine’s menus and events that weekend, including Sous Sol, Harth Mozza and Wine Bar, Feast Café Bistro and Pine Ridge Hollow.
Recommended fare
Ben: I popped by Jones & Company (1616 St. Mary’s Rd.) last week, as the private wine store was hosting a tasting of wines from Tuscany’s Il Palazzo winery while export manager Lorenzo Piterra was in town.
All five of the wines tasted — one white and four reds — were quite good and well-priced, but my favourite was the Il Palazzo 2021 Chianti Riserva, a Sangiovese-based red aged in 500- and 2,000-litre barrels and then in the bottle for a total of 24 months before release.
It brings a punchy combination of earthy, woody notes and dark berry flavours that are well worth the wine’s $31.99 price tag.
Eva: Isekai Ramen, a new concept from the former owners of Dwarf No Cachette, opened this week at 1039 Cathedral Ave. — which is, conveniently, right around the corner from the Free Press newsroom.
The place feels like an elven tavern, with faux brick walls, faux stained glass windows, faux barrels and medieval music frolicking in the background. Love the commitment to the bit.
The food, however, appears to be the real deal. I got the Oak Ramen (pricey at $23, but the portions are very substantial), which had a rich savoury broth, tender noodles, perfectly jammy eggs, corn, fresh dill and a colossal portion of pork katsu. Isekai is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.
Homemade
The latest edition of Homemade is all about thrifty cooking, with recipes for Kuku Kadoo from Harriet Zaidman; Turkey Soup from Barb Howie; and Moujadara from Zana Lutfiyya. Visit Homemade to submit your own recipe.
Kuku Kadoo is a herbaceous egg dish suitable for substitutions. (Ruth Bonneville / Free Press files)
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