and a selection of spices are available, including garam masala, the mother blend, a mix of cumin, cloves and cardamon that ignites meat and seafood. Pick some up in the restaurant, on eastindiaco. com or at one of four Red River Co-op locations in Winnipeg. 349 York Ave, 204‐947‐3097— KC
I local love
The Manitoba Food Producers Association presented fusion grill with the 2015 TASTE Award for Local Favourite Restaurant. Consumers weighed in on their favourite fresh and local cuisine, proving that the city ' s original Manitoba made menu continues to stay at the forefront of the food scene.— KC
retail news
I goodbye, dear friend
Small business owners create interesting shops, offer community diversity and give our city soul. So when retailer Donna Lagopoulos announced Winnipeg’ s most beloved gift
store would close on July 1st, it sent shock and sadness throughout the city. We know, intellectually anyway, that times change, marketing is a moving target, and people are entitled to retire and live happy( free) lives. Nonetheless, ciao! news
our hearts break a little as we mourn this imminent loss. With a stiff upper lip we smile and extend a big thank you to Donna and the Desart team for 47 years of fabulous gifts and friendship!
culinary calendar
I food trip
• Starts Jun 1 Four different culinary adventures are offered in this year’ s line up of Exchange District Food Tours. Hear stories that shaped Winnipeg’ s heritage neighbourhood while taking in the dishes of the district. Tours include: Little South America, Devour the District, Guilty Pleasures, Ales and Tales. For full schedule, visit exchangedistrict. org, 204‐942‐6716
• Starts Jun 7 Eat your fill all summer on a Downtown Tour. Last year ' s favourites, like the Moveable Feast bike tour and Patio Crawl, return, with new culinary additions such as the Breakfast Club and wine or beer tasting tours primed to show off the best of downtown. See full tour schedule at downtownwinnipegbiz. com, 204‐958‐4630
• Starts Jul 1 Explore local flavours during Ciao! Eat Winnipeg, a month-long culinary event designed to whet appetites for fine summer dining. Participating restaurants offer three-course, prix fixe marvelous meals for $ 38 that showcase the creativity of the city ' s top chefs. See pages 14-15 or visit ciaowinnipeg. com for complete menus. editor ' s pick
I best fast food
Summer is prime time for casual, quick eats. These grub stops offer versions that excel in creativity and freshness. Former Blue Bomber Obby Khan serves up Middle Eastern flavour at Shawarma Khan. Try the wrath of Khan( pictured), stuffed with a massive helping of beef / lamb, chicken, falafel, and all the fixings. 225 McDermot Ave, 204‐504‐0453
The hustle and bustle of Falafel Place is more than 25 years old, and shows no sign of losing steam. Breakfasts draw line ups of diners eager for cumin- and coriander-redolent falafel on plates packed with hummus, tahini, and hash browns. 1101 Corydon Ave, 204‐489‐5811
Keep your eye from wandering to the dessert case and peruse the savoury menu at Baked Expectations. The clubhouse has shaved chicken breast, cheddar cheese and bacon stacked higher than their cakes. 161 Osborne St, 204‐452‐5176
Savoury and sweet crepes at colourful Kawaii Crepe are perfect for a sit-down or graband-go snack, served as a handheld cone. Try the ninja crepe, filled with housemade peanut sauce and chicken. 201-99 Osborne St, 204‐415‐2833; 1220 St Mary’ s Rd, 204‐691‐3700
With gluten-free options and menu items like the‘ Saigon burrito’, Saigon Jon’ s offers a trendy, contemporary version of Vietnamese street food. Punch up báhn mì with smoky charbroiled pork, roasted shallot aioli and cilantro grown on site. 2595 Pembina Hwy, 204‐275‐2150
ciao! / june / july / two thousand fifteen 7