New bistro perking up ears in Osborne Village

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This article was published 23/03/2015 (4198 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BLACK RABBIT: Curious shoppers have been cupping their hands around their eyes and peering in to the Black Rabbit bistro lounge in Osborne Village, now that the brown paper is finally off the picture windows. But it’s locked! Excited restaurant owner Jarrett Connery and general manager Doug Frostiak hope to open the doors, after finishing touches, in just a few weeks. (This is the former Bistrot by Basil spot on Osborne Street near Stradbrook Avenue.) Yours truly, never the shy one, got herself invited in. Want a sneak peek? The wood-lined dining room and attractive, exposed-brick curved front bar are designed to make the spot a trendy gathering place in the Village this summer. And, for those who like to dine al fresco, the restaurant opens onto a private back garden patio with a large tree rising up the middle that’s so homey, it could attract hobbits. Frostiak says they’ve been pressure-washing the patio and are anxious to get the ivy climbing the walls again. Says Connery, “We’re going to be growing fresh herbs on the patio, too.” That’ll make New Zealand-born chef Gareth Stewart a happy cooker, as his menu includes everything from salmon, Cornish hen and steaks, to pastas, pizzas, small plates and burgers. Stay tuned for the opening.

 

BIRTHDAY BASH: Neechi Commons Co-op, at 865 Main St., celebrated its two-year anniversary in its large grocery store, bakery and restaurant Thursday afternoon. Billy Joe Green played guitar in the restaurant, where they served bannock pizza, attracting several hundred people throughout the day. Upstairs, a trip around the sophisticated Neechi Niche store brought oohs and ahhs. Spotted: Painting and beaded jewelry by Trip Charbs (Psst! A bowtie and his white deerskin beaded purse went to the Juno Awards for attendees to model); traditional paintings by Chris Wescoupe; moccasin and baby wraps by Kelly and Harry Harper; and gleaming jewelry by Tanis Thomas in copper and silver. There were also Métis tattoo artist designs by Marley Prysiazniuk, CDs by Leonard Sumner; and books such as North End Love Songs by poet Katherena Vermette. Tipi Joe, who has laser-printed drums and mini-teepees for sale, works with schools constructing teepees. You can’t miss the birch-bark canoe hand-crafted by Chris Wabie. Neechi Commons, open seven days a week, is worth the trip. The art store is open 10:30 to 6 p.m. except Sunday, when it closes at 5 p.m.

BEST BET THURSDAY: As the Winnipeg Comedy Festival rolls up fast — April 6-12, with a pre-fest show on April 1 (great day for fools!) — Winnipeg comedians are coming out in droves to open mikes. Last Thursday, delighted patrons of new bar and restaurant the Handsome Daughter at 61 Sherbrook St. bar saw 21 comedians do three- to five-minute sets. Not surprisingly, many of the local Comedy Fest 2015 festival performers — including Ryan Ash, Tim Gray, Dana Smith, Matt Nightingale, Chad Anderson, Paul Rabliauskas, Andy Noble and Mike Green — were sharpening their comedy chops onstage. Also making the scene: plumber Rory Tracey, Free Press copy editor Gilbert Gregory, community journalist for the Times Jared Story and seamstress Cathi-Anne Cook, who says she’s stopped shopping for dates on Plenty of Fish and is now cruising Wikipedia. She recently found a god-like character, with a cool name — Zeus.

Adam Schwartz, who was also chosen for the Winnipeg Comedy Festival this year, is a comic with Asperger’s syndrome. Onstage, he explained one of the problems with dating a woman with Asperger’s: “We stared deeply into each other’s chests, because we’re socially awkward and couldn’t stare into each other’s eyes!” This Thursday’s show — just days before the festival — promises to have an even bigger lineup. The show starts at 8 p.m., but it’s safest to arrive earlier.

 

JUNO ON TOUR: The four members of Winnipeg’s Bros. Landreth, who picked up a shiny Juno for winning Roots and Traditional Album of the Year in Hamilton, Ont., last week, also made Rolling Stone’s “must see” list at the SXSW (South by Southwest) festival that recently rocked Austin, Texas. Now they’re off in their van for a big ol’ concert tour around the U.S., with a little nip back into Canada as they climb the stairs of international success. On Thursday, they’re going to play at Red Lake District High School in Ontario, which looks cute on their big touring schedule beside the concerts in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York City. These guys are not forgetting their roots!

 

WINNIPEG CHARACTER: Manny Martins-Karman is one of the first Winnipeggers to play women’s tackle football seriously. This month, the graphic designer and painter started conditioning and playing on the Mustangs’ field at Maple Grove Park in south St. Vital with Team Fearless. “I went to one conditioning class and I was hooked,” she says. She regrets it’s a short season, however. “If we go into playoffs, we play to the end of June, but we could be done by May.”

The journey from artist to football player? “I never had the opportunity as a kid to play sports. My parents were Portuguese immigrants, and there was a fear of venturing too far. All I would do is draw and play with my Barbies and make clothes. Then I was a stay-at-home mom for 15 years. When I turned 40, I realized my body wasn’t doing what I wanted it to do, so for health reasons, I started with seven half-marathons. I don’t do anything half-assed.” She followed that with an entry-level regatta with the Winnipeg Rowing club. “And then I went into boxing last fall and had a boxing match in aid of International Development Enterprise, a charity that provides clean toilets overseas.” She said her new rough sports have earned her a few bruises and cuts and bloody noses, “but nothing huge.”

 

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