Brit Cafe adding some green to the red, white and blue

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/10/2010 (5441 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

What does an English restaurant, an Irish pub and a Winnipeg street have in common?

The answer is the Mann Family.

The family of ex-pat Brits — which includes dad Stewart, mom Sally, daughters Jamie and Amber, and sons Hadley and Cameron — have been involved in business adventures since arriving in Winnipeg from Fordham, northeast of London, in 1998.

And now the owners of the Portage Avenue-based Brit Café — a popular eatery that has specialized in traditional British grub for the past three years — will soon close up shop and move across the street to the dark side. Well, Dylan O’ Connors Irish Pub to be precise.

And while history buffs will tell you that the English and Irish don’t always mix well, the move is not as controversial as it first sounds. Since May, the Mann’s have owned the pub, too.

“We’re hoping to move as early as the beginning of November,” said matriarch Sally Mann, 62, who lives in Charleswood. “We’ve had a busy summer and our customers feel so home at our current location. But at the end of the day, why pay two lots of rent when you can pay one?”

Mann said she is under no illusion about the magnitude of the ambitious project and the hard work that lies ahead — not least because of the previously dubious reputation of the pub. But demonstrating that famous, stiff upper lip British determination, Mann is relishing the challenge.

“We’ve had a hell of a job cleaning it up, in more ways than one. When we arrived, the pub was very dark and people would sometimes get confused in there. Now we’re painting the place up and we’re working really hard to make it a success. It’s going to look a lot different,” Mann said.

“Before it was like the batcave. And it’s no secret that the place used to be frequented by teenage drinkers and Hell’s Angels. We want to make it clear that underage drinking is not acceptable. We check IDs and we have bouncers on our busy nights.”

In terms of the food, Mann said plans are still being finalized.

“We’re looking at offering a daily carvery for quick meals for business people. And there will be separate bar and dining areas. It will also be a great space for parties and socials of any kind, where we’ll offer the space for free. We’d also like to get into wedding receptions eventually.”

Mann said that while the food will be diversified, her regular customers need not fear that their favourite bangers n’ mash or fish n’ chips will be wiped from the menu.

“In my opinion, our fish n’ chips are the best ones this side of the pond,” Mann added. “It’s the batter. It’s our own recipe. And the chips are hand cut, not frozen.”

Mann’s daughter, Jamie Scott, 26, who works in the family business, is looking forward to the shift in location.

“We want to let people know it’s not a scary place anymore. We want to make it a fun place,” said the St. James resident. “Want to recreate the atmosphere of the café, where our customers tell us it feels like a second home.”

Scott added that Winnipeggers seem to get more adventurous with their food choices every year.

“That’s apart from the mushy peas,” she says, laughing. “And the spotted dick. Everyone orders it, but they’re terrified by the sound of it.”

Upon arriving in Winnipeg 12 years ago, the family originally started a T-shirt printing business in Kildonan Place Shopping Centre.

After that, they opened up the Raging Brit and sold imported British food, gifts and clothing. Located on Academy Road, the business established the Mann’s and set the wheels turning as they realized there was a market for British goods.

Dylan O’ Connors Irish Pub is located at 2609 Portage Ave. For more information, call 415-4012 or visit www.ragingbrit.com.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com