Tasty tidbits
🧊 Chef Mandel Hitzer of Deer + Almond has announced that Raw: Almond, the pop-up collaborative restaurant at The Forks Market on (or next to) the river, will not be happening in 2026.
No reason was given on Hitzer’s social media post, with the chef noting “We will be back.”
🍱 Yujiro Japanese Restaurant will be closing in mid-January to make way for a new dining concept. Owners Ed Lam and Esther Lo announced the planned revamp last month.
The fine-dining restaurant at 1822 Grant Ave. was named one of Canada’s 100 Restaurants earlier this year. Reservations for Yujiro are available until Saturday, Jan. 18, 2026.
🍬 The Royal Winnipeg Ballet has teamed up with 11 local cafés and coffee shops to celebrate the magic of Nutcracker, the annual holiday favourite.
Each of the cafés has created a Nutcracker-themed drink or sweet treat; participating shops include Le Croissant (276 Tache Ave.), Sam’s Place (140 Bannatyne Ave.), Fools & Horses Coffee (The Forks Market) and FrenchWay Cafe (238 Lilac St.).
Guests can also scan a QR code to be entered to win a Nutcracker merchandise bundle.
The promotion runs through to Dec. 27; for a list of participating shops, click here (and scroll down).
🍾 The deadline for New Year’s Eve dining reservations is fast approaching.
As usual, many local restaurants are offering NYE specials, including Passero, Smith Restaurant, Select Start and Low Life Barrel House/Snack Häus.
Looking for other ways to ring in the new year? Check out the Free Press’s round-up of revelry recommendations.
Recommended fare
Ben: I’m getting set to do another sparkling wine roundup as we head into New Year’s Eve, and the Cave Spring NV Dolomite Brut is the latest I’ve tasted and loved.
It’s a Chardonnay-based bubbly made in the traditional method that’s pale straw in appearance, brings green apple, bread dough, lime, herbal and chalky notes, and is bone dry with lively bubbles and medium acidity.
From what I can tell it’s only available at G.J Andrews (although I could be wrong), where it’s $34. It’s as good as many entry-level French champagnes at a fraction of the price — highly recommended.
Eva: The Food…by Forks Trading Company is a magical place. If you’ve got a food lover on your shopping list or are looking for some fun edible stocking stuffers, I highly recommend checking it out.
The shop is located on the main floor of The Forks Market and is full of local and imported snacks, specialty food products, tea and coffee, food ornaments and cute kitchenware.
Homemade
Need some Christmas morning breakfast inspo? Homemade has you covered with recipes for Fancy Baked Egg Scramble from Evelyn Hinther, Apple Dutch Baby from Shirley Masek and Fluffy Pancakes from Brent Leung.
Homemade is a Free Press project celebrating home cooking in Manitoba. Want to share a recipe with readers? Visit wfp.to/homemade to fill out the submission form.
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