A taste of Arborg

Arborg Bakery! Zan’s borscht! Croffles!

Ahh, the culinary pleasures of, yes … Arborg.

But Margie and I didn’t visit this Interlake town 90 minutes north of Winnipeg solely to joyously chew, taste and swallow.

Fond recollections of the meandering Icelandic River, plus the newly-built Blue Crescent Hotel beckoned. OK, I confess: fond recollections of Arborg Bakery figured most prominently.

Arborg is home to a diverse population of about 1,300, plus darting cats, mid-town geese, ducks and a picturesque upstream swan to top it off.

Manufacturing enterprises complement Arborg’s role as a regional agricultural centre.

An intact, walkable Main Street attracts folks who all say “Hello!” as they amble to shops like a Red Apple Store with its colourful Candyworks Candyshop, a first-rate Co-op Marketplace, a pharmacy which also houses the LC and Arborg Nic-Nacs where I asked the owner, “Anything here that’s really unique or weird?” She replied, “Just me!”

I visited six stores twice.

That’s because Margie lost her sunglasses.

I said, “They’re likely in that purse.”

She insisted, “I’m sure I left them at a shop.” So, I retraced our route.

Returning to the hotel room empty-handed, she announced, “Found them! In my purse.”

But what a great way to familiarize with destinations.

The landscaped Icelandic River offers a touch of the English countryside.

As we strolled the walking trail this spring, a string of 15 goslings floated by, bookended by two parenting geese. A renegade gosling broke ranks for shore. The rearguard parent failed to convince it to rejoin the armada.

Margie said, “Oh! It’s misbehaving. Oh!” We found ourselves wholly engaged in this other family’s business, although Margie did refrain from physically intervening.

Sitting on a riverside bench, Margie later remarked, “Here, I feel peaceful.”

I added, “I feel like a doughnut.” Margie replied, like other times, “You don’t look like one.” This time I said, “Soon, I will.”

Arborg Bakery’s website celebrates “Sweat Pasteries.”

Among 30 doughnut varieties, I chose the Cherry Cream Cheese Delight.

The Co-op’s gas jockey later advised, “Don’t go there without having the cinnamon twist!” Upon returning to the bakery, staff said a top seller is the apple fritter. But that’s when the Deluxe Apple Fritter called out to me from behind the counter.

I vanquished the sweet dream in seconds. It’s crunchy outside, chewy inside, blanketed with frosting and angelic stripes of sugar and caramel, plus applesauce plopped on top.

Margie warned, “If you kept eating those, it’s not good for your health.” But it’s good for my mental health.

Arborg doesn’t stop there with pastries.

A tiny shop called The Croffles bakes croissant dough in a waffle iron.

We debated what topping to pick from the “Premium Deluxe Series.”

These aren’t just deluxe; they’re premium too. My suggested strawberry version gave way to Margie’s excitement about the Premium Deluxe Premium Biscoff.

It ranks up there with Deluxe Apple Fritters. This was, indeed, a mental health day.

At the cosy, budget-friendly Zan’s Family Inn and Restaurant, I asked about the name “Zan.”

Our server, April, explained, “It’s short for the name of the original owner, Suzanne.”

Among dog and peacock prints on Zan’s walls, boundless artwork features wolves. April further explained, “Once you start something….”

We nominate Zan’s multi-veggie borscht to be considered among Manitoba’s best — and Manitoba must be Canada’s Borscht Belt. It’s also premium deluxe premium.

On Main Street, we found an attractive eatery called Ria.

Now wise to how locals name eateries, I announced, “I know: Ria is short for Maria!”

The server responded, “It’s ‘air’ backwards.” What? Why not “drinks” backwards? “Sknird” sounds super. Or how about “food” backwards?

Folks would drive up from Meleb, over from Morweena, and even down from Okno to pack a place called “Doof.”

Ria also makes pastries and coffees, including their Toasted Coconut Cream Latte. Locals assure me the pesto veggie sandwich is delightful, especially with bacon. And air.

The Blue Crescent Hotel offers a pool, hot tub and, for children (and me), a waterslide.

Entering the elevator, a sign exclaims, “NO JUMPING. Elevator will become inoperable. Response time for assisstance (sic) could be up to 2 hours. Fines will be imposed.”

Darn. Track teams must frequent the place. Or wallabies.

Tip: avoid overhead thumping by requesting a top-floor room. Breakfast is included — with a machine sporting a cute sign saying “Fresh pancakes in a minute flat.”

We discovered more whimsy.

Arborg names its roadways Spruce Avenue, Birch Street and, for fun, Palm Avenue. Crosstown Avenue crosses halfway.

Moreover, Arborg was chosen by International Traveller as one of Canada’s top quirky Prairie towns, based on Arborg’s monument — the world’s largest curling rock. Let’s see them haul that monster into the curling club for an end or two. I’d still miss the house.

In the summer, the outdoor Aquatic Centre’s pool features slides, spray arches and geysers. Geysers are needed because the nearby place-name of Geyser is more whimsy.

And don’t get sidetracked by the huge sign at Arborg’s Heritage Village and Campground that reads “Manitoba POOL.”

This winter, in addition to snowmobile and ski trails, volunteers again plan to create a popular three-kilometre-long skating trail on the river. But as I’ve heard, don’t tell jokes or it’ll crack up.

For a premium deluxe time, discover Arborg.

gordmackintosh9@gmail.com