Tasty Tidbits
There’s another reason to say “Prost!” for what’s brewing at the German Society of Winnipeg — namely, beer. Bernhard Wieland, formerly of Lake of the Woods Brewing Co., Little Brown Jug and Winnipeg Brew Werks, has set up his brewing equipment in the society’s basement at 121 Charles St., and is in the process of getting all manner of lagers and ales ready to go.
The first beer, a Hallertau Pils, is available upstairs at chef Craig Guenther’s Schnitzelhaus as well as for takeaway, and more brews are imminent.
In addition to being served at the German Society, the Schnitzelhaus’s fare is available via Skip the Dishes, and the plan is to sell the beer through the food delivery service soon as well.
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Baon Manila Nights, a Filipino dinner event group, has started a weekly sober tiki bar pop-up featuring inventive cuisine, mocktails and DJ music. Details are sparse and seating is limited. Follow their Instagram page for updates and to secure tickets.
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Baan Thai recently opened up shop in St. James. The new, locally owned Thai restaurant has an extensive menu and is available for delivery on Doordash or dine-in at their 3111 Portage Ave. location.
Recommended fare
Ben: I’ve been up to my eyeballs in books as of late — first up was Winnipeg author Patricia Robertson’s Hour of the Crab, which was the feature read for October’s Free Press Book Club meeting. It’s a collection of stories haunted by ghosts, tackling issues of human migration and climate change with subtle power. Highly recommended.
Next up I read Giller Prize winner Ian Williams’ first/recent book of non-fiction, Disorientation: Being Black in the World, in advance of my having spoken with him this week for a forthcoming piece in the Free Press to coincide with his virtual book launch on Tuesday, Nov. 2. The Toronto-based Williams, who won the Giller in 2019 for his novel Reproduction, recounts his experiences navigating a largely white world, and the ways it can be disorienting for racialized individuals. Powerful, eloquent stuff from a genuinely nice (and extremely talented) writer.
Food-wise, we recently ordered from the very-nearby Ingko Sushi, located in St. James on Portage Ave. You’d be hard-pressed to find better bang for your buck anywhere in town when it comes to fresh and delicious sushi. I think they had been closed for a bit for some repairs, so when I saw the “open” sign flashing in the window the other day I knew I had to have my fix.
Oh, and just in time for Halloween, I’ve been watching the incredibly charming Ghosts on CBC Gem. Originally a BBC One production, the show follows a couple who inherit a run-down mansion in the British countryside. After a near-death accident, Alison (played by Charlotte Ritchie) can see ghosts — namely, the couple dozen in the manor she inherited — while her partner Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) cannot. Said ghosts are hilarious, a ragtag group of deceased residents that span from prehistoric times to present day. Two of the three seasons are streaming on CBC Gem so far; it’s very much worth checking out before diving into CBS’ remake of the show.
Eva: I love scary movies and am often disappointed by how lame the options are. It’s rare to find something that’s both creepy and compelling. The Invitation remains one of my favourites, followed closely by Hereditary and The Babadook. I highly recommend checking those out if you haven’t.
After watching a few duds this month, I’ve finally found a gem. His House walks the line between real-life horror and magical supernatural forces. It follows the story of a young couple fleeing war-torn South Sudan as they seek asylum in England, where things don’t go as planned. Turn off the lights, grab some Halloween candy (you have more than enough, don’t worry) and tuck in for a well-crafted fright.
What’s simmering
This is more of a look back than a sneak peek at what’s coming (but rest assured, we have some tasty holiday content in the works). We hosted our inaugural Free Press Fall Supper a few weeks ago and it was a blast. Chef Matty Neufeld put together a great spread of local food for a sold-out crowd at Whitetail Meadow. Thanks to everyone who came out and supported Harvest Manitoba — we’ll be sharing details about the donation soon.
Manitoba Music was kind enough to make us a special playlist of local artists for the event, and you can read the feature that inspired the event here.
Attendees are seated at the 2021 Free Press Fall Supper at Whitetail Meadow. (Jessica Lee / Winnipeg Free Press files)
Recipes and reviews
Eva’s Easy Tortellini Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 white onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups kale, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, cut into ribbons
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
- 3 tbsp (45 mL) tomato paste
- 1 can (796 mL) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (680 mL) tomato sauce
- 5 cups (1250 mL) vegetable broth
- 1 package (350 g) tortellini pasta
- Parmesan to garnish
Directions:
- Heat oil over medium heat in a large pot.
- Add onion and garlic, cook for five minutes until translucent.
- Add tomato paste and cook down for two minutes.
- Add broth, diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring to a boil and simmer for five minutes.
- Add tortellini, kale and basil and simmer for 10 minutes, or until pasta is cooked through.
- Garnish with parmesan.
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