Bringing us more flavours of our southern neighbours, Winnipeg’s first taqueria, Burrito del Rio, is poised to open in Osborne Village.
Oil barely cool in the fryers since the departure of former occupant the Village Fish, the space has undergone a rapid transformation. The only vestiges of the chippy shop the indoor eaves working to greater effect now to suggest an outdoor dining experience.
The tiling at the counter (note the geckos) is a striking feature, no matter how 1970s kitchen it feels. Fake shuttered windows line the walls, painted in vibrant orange and blue reminiscent of a mid-80s Chi Chi’s.
If I were dining in a courtyard, however, and the windows faced inside as the roof line feature suggests, why would I be seeing one of the Three Amigos riding by on a horse?
All in all it’s a very casual atmosphere and if I were to hazard a guess, it’ll cater largely to a lunch clientele.
No firm opening date indicated, but wouldn’t it be cool if it was Cinco de Mayo (May 5th). Taking bets.
Eat
With great trepidation I watched brown paper mask the windows of Winnipeg’s gourmet fish n chippie, The Village Fish.
I held out hopes that it was merely a long overdue reno. But there’s no denying a new sign, proclaiming Burrito del Rio’s imminent opening. The Fish has floated on, down the drain, belly up (insert another suitable nautical cliche here).
There being no detectable currents on the tides of this change, the surreal and sudden departure of this Osborne Village jewel has me reciting lines of the Fishy segment from Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK0cUv3ba-o]
All I can say is so long, and thanks for all the fish. I will miss your Manitoba caught pickerel coated in a ridiculously light and crispy panko breadcrumb crust. Served with fresh baked bannock and a heaping helping of chips with malt vinegar, it was a decidedly Canadian spin on a great English tradition (with a tip of the ol bowler hat to Japan vis a vis the Panko bread crumbs).
Spoiled for traditional batter, I was forced to find a way to replicate the VF experience. I humbly submit Savour Winnipeg’s tribute to it here.
Eat
fish n chips, winnipeg restaurant closure
