Punch

Winnipeg’s Exchange District is wicked-cool.

There are really old buildings and really new buildings. There are really good restaurants and really bad restaurants.

There’s character and excitement. There’s history and creativity.

Lately, the Exchange has been home to a new kind of energy. An electricity that pulls at the hairs on the back of your neck.

Lately, the Exchange has been growing. It’s morphing.

Transforming.

I think the buzzword is revitalizing.

New restaurants and new parties and new festivals and cool-hip coffee spots. New offices and new campuses and new students and new on-the-low watering holes.

Revitalize.

Cibo Waterfront Cafe, in the East Exchange along the Red River, is one of the new ultra-hip, fancy-dancy pads to grab some grub that is contributing to that revitalization.

Cool, right?

Man, I hate buzzwords.

Here’s what I had at Cibo Waterfront Cafe:

 

The Panino: Chicken, soft cheese, arugula, cider onions. $15.00

Impressions: This sandwich is tall and wide and dense. The heavy cheese is brightened slightly by the arugula, but bites of a  light side salad saved my stomach from sinking through the floor. All of the flavours work nicely together, but the cheese takes centre stage. The sweet cider onions left my mouth buzzing after each bite.

What made it? Arugula. The thin layer of green was not only pretty. It also packed pretty peppery punch. 

FREElancing

Last week I had an awesome opportunity to write for the Winnipeg Free Press again.

This time, instead of listing some neat places to check out the city, I was writing about one super-awesome place (the YMCA).

Sweet! More freelancing.

Only this time it was really FREElancing. As in, there was no money involved.

That’s fine. I had a lot of fun writing this story and the reactions I’ve gotten have been amazing.

An old boss of mine said:

“Well done on the article in the Free Press…though I shed a tear for you leaving. I wish you all the best!! You are a great swim instructor and a great person!”

Smiles.

The YMCA – YWCA of Kamloops shared the story on their Facebook page. As did quite a few other employees here in Winnipeg and elsewhere in Canada. It was pretty cool to get that kind of recognition.

Smiles again.

Click here to read the story on the Winnipeg Free Press website.

Of course, to celebrate, I ate a sandwich. My dinner date ate another one. Fortunately, they were fan-friggin-tastic.

Here’s what I had at Cornerstone Bar and Restaurant:

Steak Sandwich: tenderloin steak, sauteed mushrooms, chimichurri, fried egg, served open-faced on a ciabatta. $16.00

Chipotle Chicken Melt: roast chicken in chipotle barbecue sauce with bacon jam, tomato, avocado & cheddar, served open face. $13.00

Ode

School in the Exchange District does have an advantage.

So many different places to find a tasty sandwich.

King’s Head Pub or the Cookery for a nearby lunch,

or Urban Forest‘s Ham & Swiss that’s pretty cheap to munch.

But luckily, for me at least, I go to school right there

at RRC and actually the price is very fair.

For lots of food that’s good and fun and super quick

I’d recommend the Food Court in the building made of brick.

It’s a tiny cafeteria that once upon a time

sold to me a sandwich that was easily divine.

By now I’m sure you’re wondering, if you’re still here at least,

why I’d even bother to rhyme about my feast.

Well,

Me too.

Here’s what I got at The Food Court South in Red River College‘s Roblin Centre:

The Reuben: Grilled Reuben with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, roasted red pepper mayo, and fries.  ~$7.00

Impression: The marbled panini bread was cut thick and toasted firm to hold the large portion of corned beef.  Fortunately, the sauerkraut was understated and added a sweet acidic taste to the sandwich without overpowering the meat and gooey cheese.

What made it? Roasted red pepper mayonnaise.  I could drink it.