Ciao May/June 2022 | Page 28

are up for sharing a spread .
Start off the meal with a glass of house-made fruit juice . Flavours like strawberry-kiwi and lemonade will be on rotation , and rest assured that each variety tastes as refreshing and vibrant as the next .
With this palate cleanser in hand , head over to the appetizers page for options like corn husk-wrapped tamales and camarones al ajillo — a succulent spread of juicy , marinated shrimp served with the signature house rice and a warm corn flour tortilla . With a side of fresh greens and a bowl of the house tortilla soup , this dish hits all the flavour notes one looks for in South American cuisine : warm cumin , spicy peppercorns , and citrusy coriander .
Yuca frita served with a mound of chicharrones delivers impeccable crunch . Deep fried cassava ( a starchy South American root vegetable ), golden and crisped to perfection , is served alongside the house coleslaw , salad , and shavings of fried pork .
Plates of warm , aromatic pupusas are excellent for sharing . The El Salvadoran treat is made by stuffing disks of corn-based dough with fillings and frying . The chipotle jalapeño variety oozes with cheese and is perfect for those who enjoy some mild heat .
A soft enchilada stuffed with juicy chicken is a satiating option . This massive medley of zesty chicken breast , lettuce , diced tomatoes , and mixed greens is topped with guacamole , mixed cheeses , onion and sour cream — all comfortably wrapped in a chewy , soft tortilla . Big enough to feed two with its accompanying soup or salad , the dish delivers the carby , cheesy comfort and fresh , healthful veg all at once .
This balance , in fact , is something ciao ! reviews
South American cuisine has perfected , and it just might be the key to La Fiesta Cafecito ’ s success . Take a bite of a crisp quesadilla , oozing cheese , and order another fresh-squeezed juice — you ’ ll see what we mean .
La Fiesta Cafecito is open Tue-Thu 4:30 8 pm , Fri-Sat 4:30-8:30 pm .
TOMMY ’ S PIZZERIA Neighbourhood ....... Fort Rouge Address ........ 842 Corydon Ave Phone .............. 204-219-7499 Entrées .................... $ 11- $ 36
Winnipeg is rich with choice when it comes to Italian cuisine . Red sauce joints can be found throughout the city — and concentrated on Corydon Avenue — yet this culinary category continues to thrive . How does Italy deliciously infiltrate the food scene of almost every community across the world ? Three traits : authenticity , simplicity , and taste .
And there ’ s no shortage of any of these at Tommy ’ s Pizzeria .
The classic-meets-modern environment of this Corydon Avenue cookhouse radiates with a love for pizza-making , led by the owner , Thomas Schneider (“ Tommy ”), himself . From attending Tony Gemignani ’ s International School of Pizza to being named “ Best Pizza Maker in Canada ” at the Pizza World Championships in Parma , Italy , Tommy ’ s talent and love for the tradition have won him the hearts of local and international pizza-lovers .
Signature cocktails set the Mediterranean mood , as does a wine list ample with Italian vino . To start , indulge in pane fritto , fluffy balls of dough fried golden brown with parmigiano and garlic , and served with marinara sauce . Tried-and-true Caprese — with its soft bocconcini cheese , roma tomato slices , and balsamic-glazed arugula — is a perfect pairing to make guests feel like they ’ re streetside in Rome .
A blend of beef , brisket , fresh herbs , and an Italian cheese blend make for possibly the softest , most melt-in-your-mouth meatballs around , another classic executed flawlessly .
Classic wood-fired pizzas fly out of this kitchen , sold both by the box and by the slice . And while none of the 12 varieties will disappoint , the Tommy ’ s Special is a standout , with its spicy honey base , mozzarella , burrata , arugula , prosciutto , and lemon zest . Every bite is a perfect combination of sweet and savoury , chewy and crisp .
Veering from Italia authenticity to a New World innovation , the eatery offers Detroit-style pizzas Wednesday-Saturday . While most of Tommy ’ s menu resembles the traditional thin crust , wood-fired variety , Detroit pies — descended from the old-school square-shaped Sicilian — changes up the crust game in a big way . A focaccia-like crust is cooked with cheese layered underneath the classic red sauce , for maximum chewiness , then topped with additional cheese and cupped pepperoni .
Italians have a well-known phrase : “ Dolce far niente ,” which loosely translates to “ the sweetness of doing less .” Perhaps that ’ s how the cuisine has become so relentless . Pizza perfectionists will debate whether it ’ s the dough or the sauce that makes the pie — and Tommy ’ s absolutely nails both .
Tommy ’ s Pizzeria is open Tues- Thurs 4-8pm , Fri-Sat 4-9pm .
26 ciao ! / may / jun / two thousand twenty-two