A slice of spice

Corrientes brings South American comfort and carnival to the Exchange

Daniel Crump

Corrientes Avenue runs 69 blocks across Buenos Aires, Argentina and is constantly buzzing with activity from tango bars to operatic theatre to gastric delight. 

Corrientes Argentine Pizzeria, located on 137 Bannatyne Ave., aims to bring that same cultural energy into Winnipeg, albeit on a smaller level, one slice at a time.

A delicate sign announces Corrientes from the street, inviting my date and I in from the cold. The ambiance was terrific; exposed brick in every direction along with high ceilings and red painted pipes. The space could seat about 50 with its intimate candle lit tables. Dark wood encases the back of a prominent bar providing shelves for a substantial wine stock. Glowing origami lamps hang from wires and at the back there is a mini-library and sitting area reminiscent of the lifestyle in Argentina. 

There was an expansive wine list with bottle prices ranging from $29 to $59 or by the glass at $7 to $11.50. We ordered a bottle of the Chianti ($36) which was fruity, short-legged and a great complement to our meals. 

The wine paired best though with our shared appetizer: the Picada. For a slightly hefty fee of $15 you get a platter of assorted tasters at the chef’s daily discretion. Ours incorporated three types of cheeses, two meats, and some olives. We played a bit of trivial pursuit guessing what we were eating as our server unfortunately forgot to explain the plate.

I could see myself coming back to Corrientes on so many occasions. It’s an ideal ambiance for a first date, a family outing or a girl’s night out before a show. You’ll find yourself in a place that’s reminiscent of the savory festivals of flavor of somewhere much warmer.

Other than that misstep, the service was great, especially for the tables that needed a quick meal before the theatre. 

Taking our time, our pizza choice was patriotic: the Canadian Flag. Nineteen bucks got us a 12-inch thin crust pie with mozzarella, chili flakes, cherry tomatoes and bacon. The crust maintained a perfect dichotomy of crunch and softness.

Corrientes has both thin and thick crust menu sections for their pies ranging from $19 to $22 for a 12” and $20 to $25 for a 15”. 

The variety of pizzas is impressive as they extend their reach beyond classic ingredients and into the realm of gourmet. A standout item is the Salmon Ahumado ($22 for 12”) topped with arugula pesto, red onion, smoked salmon, goat cheese and sunflower seeds. 

With our wine dwindled and our pizza demolished, we sanctioned the best way to finish our experience at Corrientes was to have dessert (and the rest of the wine) seated in the mini-library at the back of the restaurant. We ordered the Gianduia ($9), a smooth, rich chocolate torte with hazelnuts crushed on the top. We enjoyed every bite while reading and slouching on their couches.

I could see myself coming back to Corrientes on so many occasions. It’s an ideal ambiance for a first date, a family outing or a girl’s night out before a show. You’ll find yourself in a place that’s reminiscent of the savory festivals of flavor of somewhere much warmer.

Published in Volume 68, Number 13 of The Uniter (November 27, 2013)

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