Chew, Local Manitoban Nuanced Cuisine

I have heard about Chew for many months now. Created by two red seal chefs wanting to focus on local sustainable cuisine, Chew was atop the tables on Urbanspoon immediately after it arrived in town. And while Zomato has now removed this feature, Chew was from then ingrained in my mind as a must-try. And so on a mild fall day I roped two of my colleagues for a fun lunch at Chew.

Chew is located on a block of small businesses in River Heights just off Corydon Avenue. The restaurant can be a bit difficult to spot driving by, so make sure to pay attention to the large cow symbolizing the restaurant. The restaurant actually takes up the right half of the building with the left being a bakery creating the breads and gluten-filled options available at the restaurant. The dining space itself is small, quaint but cozy. Large wooden tables and comfy shares greeted me as I marveled at the tasteful artwork on the walls.

Chew's premise is based on the farmhouse using the freshest local ingredients possible. Trying to engender a generation of environmentally responsible diners is laudable by itself, but the chefs here are able to create nuanced and unique take on classics. The range here is wide from foie gras to beef tartar appetizers; to white salmon or green peppercorn sirloin steaks, there is clearly thought and organization gone into these dishes. A refreshing menu that should delight most.

These glorious Truffle Frites (Fries) were glorious. Shoestring potatoes fried to a golden hue are then tossed in a sea salt and truffle oil mixture and topped with a smattering of grated parmesan. The aroma coming from these fries immediately had my appetite roaring and while the truffle is mostly there as an aromatic, it worked well to compliment the flash fried potatoes.

The Melted Gruyere Sandwich came highly recommended and indeed it tasted splendid. The unique of this sandwich is the duck proscuitto lining the middle of the sandwich. Fatty and meaty, it added a nice salty punch to the crispy grilled bread and melted gruyere. An fried egg adds further to its luxuriousness as the velvety smooth yolk melts on top of the cheese and meat. Served with a side of salad or soup, the feature on this day was a Butternut Squash Curry.

Chew has to be commended for creating tasty and unique combinations from local ingredients. And while the menu might seem a bit restrictive, there is enough variety here to satisfy most. When most restaurants use the sustainability angle as an excuse for lackluster cuisine, Chew runs with the premise and creates nuanced and delicious meals. A real treat.