New Clay Oven restaurant receives multiple blessings

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This article was published 07/06/2013 (4704 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CLAY OVEN Hakka Opening: How often do you get your restaurant blessed by the religious leaders of six different faiths? Representatives of Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh religions each gave one-minute blessings in their first languages at the ribbon-cutting opening party Wednesday at the new Clay Oven at 1 Portage Ave. East in the old Hu’s on First location at the ballpark. Unfortunately, the guests at the large party roared on during the blessings after being asked a dozen times for their attention. Said the good-natured Dr. Atish Maniar, priest for the Hindu temple on Ellice, “The point is we are all one in the world, we are all human — and we all love to eat… Namaste!” Maniar said beforehand. “This is the third Clay Oven I have blessed on its opening.” Why so many religions included? Why not, reasons Sensei Fredrich Ulrich of the Manitoba Buddhist Church. “We are a pluralistic society now!” Ulrich has befriended leaders of all religions in Winnipeg through the interfaith organization he often promotes.

This no ordinary Clay Oven, though it bears the same name. The elevator that takes you up to the old Hu’s on First location is wallpapered with educational information on hakka food with pictures of spices used in hakka cooking. “It’s really Chinese food with Indian spicing,” says project manager Josh Hay. The redone room features bubble lights that look like champagne and is outfitted for fancy weddings and meetings, though it will generally be set up as a restaurant with a patio overlooking the baseball field.

Spotted: Proud owners and business associates Trevor and Anita Ahluwalia, with executive chef Shashi Sharma, who was a chef in Japan for 15 years. Mayor Sam Katz bounded in midway through the par-tay in a jubilant mood, hugging big and little people in his wake, with Phil Sheegl following close behind. Also on hand — builder Armik Babakhanians of Caspian Construction, Paul Haverstock of Fort Garry Hotel fame, chef Eric Lee of the Fairmont, plus city councillors Mike Pagtakhan and Devi Sharma.

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NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: Burrito Del Rio at Corydon and Arbuthnot has just thrown open its doors this week, and people are running in. Next door to the 7-Eleven and housed in the old Fresh breakfast bistro location, Duncan Grant of Cafe Carlo and Bonfire Bistro restaurants has done it again — but this Mexican caf© is two storeys high. Noel Enns, a co-manager of the new spot, says they didn’t have a grand opening “but every day we’re getting more and more customers word-of-mouth.” The original Burrito del Rio gained a big reputation at its River Avenue location and hopes to do the same on Corydon. While they wait for their liquor licence, the restaurant is open 11 a.m., to 10 p.m. but Enns says they intend to extend hours when that licence comes through.

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BS COMEDY PLAYERS: Mitch Krohn, this year’s director of satirical musical show The Buffet — gave the customary irreverent “Get-the-heck-outta-here!” to the audience after at 10:45 p.m. at PTE after so many encores the show went an hour later than planned. The clever songs written and used to great effect in skits by BS Comedy Players, lampooned politicians on all levels and local celebs. While nothing is to be repeated outside the venue — brass rail rule — people outside Prairie Theatre Exchange could hear the whole audience singing the chorus of Fred Penner’s famous song changed to: “The Katz Came Back!”

 

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