The Common taps into new talent

Opinion

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This article was published 27/02/2020 (2049 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Forks Market’s craft beer and wine bar, The Common, has brought in some new recruits to help select drinks for both hop heads and winos to enjoy.

Quebec sommelier Véronique Rivest’s tenure spearheading the drinks selection at The Common has come to an end. The new wine list is being selected by Calgary sommelier Brad Royale in conjunction with a handful of private wine stores. Royale has worked extensively with hotels and restaurants throughout Alberta and British Columbia and produces his own small-batch wine from grapes grown in Hungary, California, Germany and Spain under the Kitten Swish label.

On the beer side of things, The Common has enlisted the Toronto-based duo of Tara and Crystal Luxmore, better known as Beer Sisters. Both are certified cicerones — the equivalent of a sommelier in the beer world — and Crystal Luxmore is one of just a dozen Canadians to hold the advanced cicerone designation.

The 20 taps at The Common will continue to offer a selection of local as well as national and international craft beer (plus craft cider and alcohol-free options). Those interested in talking beer with the Luxmores can head to The Forks on Wednesday, March 25, at 7 p.m. as the pair hosts an event called UnCommon Taps V01: Beer Sisters Showdown, where they’ll offer a guided tasting and education through some of the brews being poured.

Tickets for the showdown are $25 and are available at wfp.to/beersisters.

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Those in the east end of Winnipeg have a familiar spot in which to raise a pint, as Fionn MacCool’s Crossroads is once again open and serving up all manner of brews, pub fare and a healthy number of vegan options.

The Irish-themed spot, located at 1582 Regent Ave. W., initially opened its doors in October 2014 before abruptly closing in March 2019 owing to what was called a change in ownership — the spot had been operated by Recipe Unlimited Corp., the company formerly known as Cara Operations, which owns the Fionn’s brand. The Grant Park location, managed by franchisee Jay Kilgour, remained open.

Following the closure, Recipe approached Kilgour about taking on the Regent Avenue location; he jumped at the opportunity, and the Crossroads location re-opened on Nov. 12, 2019. “Overall we’ve found people are happy that we’re back… it’s a different clientele, but we’ve been using the systems that work well at our Grant Park location so things don’t regress,” Kilgour says. “After a closure like that, we’re still trying to get the word out.”

Kilgour and company got a big boost when their entry for La Poutine Week, the Guinness tenderloin poutine, took the people’s choice award earlier in February. They’ve also received some attention for their vegan menu, which offers meatless versions of pub classics such as fish and chips, burgers, nachos and, of course, poutine. “Generally when I do things, I try to think a little bit outside the box,” says Kilgour. “It’s been amazingly popular and supported really well.”

Both Fionn’s locations are gearing up for St. Patrick’s Day, which will feature live music from noon until close as well as all manner of specials and giveaways. On Saturday, March 14, the Regent location is having a draw for six tickets to the Winnipeg Jets game on Tuesday, March 17 (when the Jets host the Florida Panthers) followed by reserved seating for the St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans afterwards at Fionn’s.

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On the other end of town, the news ain’t so good, as Osteria Del Piolo (3670 Roblin Blvd.), the Italian eatery that opened in the former Boulevard Pub & Bistro space in summer 2019, has packed it in after less than a year.

In an August 2019 review, Free Press restaurant critic Alison Gillmor raved that “the best dishes, such as roasted whole fish and cacio e pepe gnocchi, are straight-up, simple and delicious,” adding “cacio e pepe gnocchi are marvels of simplicity… the potato gnocchi are tender inside and browned up on the outside.”

Locals began noticing something was awry in late January, when the eatery went dark. Soon after, owner Darcy Bruneau posted a for-sale ad for the 150-seat restaurant and lounge (plus 30-seat patio) on social media. There’s no word yet on what’s to come in the space.

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Spanish-inspired small-plates eatery Segovia (484 Stradbrook Ave.) is teaming up with Ellement Wine + Spirits (The Forks Market) and a bunch of Winnipeg chefs for a series of pintxo parties starting Sunday, March 1, at 8:30 p.m.

Pintxo (or pincho) are tapas-style, snack-sized bites typically served on a small skewer or toothpick, and enjoyed in numerous regions of Spain (typically with vino). Segovia’s pintxo parties will see guest chefs work with the house crew to create around seven courses, each of which will be paired with a corresponding wine.

Those interested need not make reservations, but rather just show up; Segovia will also be serving its regular tapas-style menu all night.

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As of the Valentine’s Day weekend, the West End/downtown area has a new pizza joint to fall in love with.

Pitza Witza (636 Notre Dame Ave.) had its soft launch on Feb. 13, ushering in its take on pies and beyond, with butter chicken, chicken alfredo, donair and Philly cheese steak pizza specials, as well as wings, fried chicken, taco salad, wedges and more.

Pitza Witza also offers pizza by the slice for takeout — for more see pitzawitza.com.

 

ben.sigurdson@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @bensigurdson