Henry Winkler gives Deer + Almond social media shoutout

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This article was published 07/11/2024 (329 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Fonz has given a big thumbs up to an Exchange District restaurant — and he’s expressing his love publicly.

Henry Winkler visited Deer + Almond for his second time Wednesday evening. The veteran American actor (Happy Days) later took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to profess Deer + Almond is “out of this world Delish.”

The post has since garnered more than 120,000 views.

“He’s just a nice, gentle man,” said Mandel Hitzer, head chef of Deer + Almond. “He has an incredible reputation … the reputation precedes itself.”

Hitzer recalled shaking Winkler’s hand Wednesday evening — a man who he deems a “legend.”

Winkler, 79, is in Winnipeg shooting the action film Normal, which hinges on a bank robbery. Earlier this week, Winkler tweeted: “So happy here in Winnipeg!!!!”

He’s since also shared a photo from the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

Winkler was the first customer in Deer + Almond’s doors Wednesday evening. The Barry star was friendly and ordered a lobster dish, scallops and schnitzel, according to Hitzer.

The 85 Princess St. eatery has seen many celebrities through its doors; they are asked to autograph a wall while there. (Winkler’s signature was already on Deer + Almond — he’d come through years ago, Hitzer said.)

Last month, two Lord of the Rings stars bought grub. American punk rocker Fat Mike (NOFX) stopped by while performing in the city in August.

Actors Jennifer Tilly and Samuel L. Jackson were among the first celebrities to visit Deer + Almond when it opened 12 years ago, Hitzer said.

“I’ve had a laundry list of really amazing folks come in the door,” he added. “I think we have a reputation outside the city … of our food culture.”

Deer + Almond’s location — close to the Canada Life Centre, downtown hotels, Burton Cummings Theatre and TV/movie filming in the Exchange — helps draw the celebrity crowd, he said.

Around 20 people work at Deer + Almond. Spotting stars is always exciting, Hitzer said, adding he begins to feel like a “high school teenager.”

Kind words — whether it be from Winkler or local friends — mean a lot to the crew.

“At the end of the day, being in the restaurant industry can be a tough job,” Hitzer said. “Anybody who gives you kind words after eating a meal is so powerful.”

Normal is expected to continue filming through December. Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul, Nobody) and Lena Headey (Game of Thrones, Dredd) are also starring in the movie.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com

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Gabrielle Piché
Reporter

Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle.

Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.