Their coffee was fair-trade and mighty tasty. Still not strong enough for Leif, but I liked it. The menu made clear that they have vegetarian options and that their food is so good, the staff eat there. Good to know, I guess, even though no matter where you serve food, you’re likely to eat there too.

The hashbrowns were disappointing cuz they were deep fried, which inevitably makes them end up a cardboardy. The bacon was pretty good, and since I ordered the Hungry Man’s breakfast, I got to sample the other meats too. The ham was nicely above sandwich quality but the sausages were breakfast links and deep fried like the potatoes. The multigrain toast was nice and thick, and I got an orange slice on the side. I feel that always brightens up a plate.

The HI Corner Café is a very good place to start your day as a visitor to Winnipeg. They have a pretty decent breakfast. Go check them out even if you’re a local.

Omelette Review by Chantal Guénette

Ham, cheese & mushroom omelette

Bouquet: Real ingredients and the mushrooms were sautéed before they were put in. On top of it tasting great, they gave me a lot of ingredients as well. My omelette ended up being a pretty big portion. On the menu, the omelette was supposed to be ham, cheese and onion, but since I hate onions I asked to swap the onions for mushrooms and they were very nice about my fussy eating habits and obliged me (phew!).

Boeuf: No good hot sauce. They only had Tabasco. :(

February 7 2009

HI Corner Café

(in the Hostelling International Downtowner)
330 Kennedy Street

Hours of operation:

Mon - Wed         7 AM - 2 PM       

                         4:30 PM - 10 PM

Thurs                    7 AM - 2 PM

                         4:30 PM - 11 PM

Fri - Sat                7 AM - 2 PM

                         4:30 PM - 12 AM

Sun                      9 AM - 2 PM

Breakfast Special - $3.99 until 10 AM

                                 $5.99 after 10 AM

                        Brek served all day

Coffee & refills $1.39 extra.

I’ve a soft spot in my heart for Hostel Internationals (HI). I worked at one in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and the manager used to cook up a mean Ulster Fry-Up (or - breakfast special à la Northern Ireland to you). The point of this is I am aware of a precedent that HI can serve decent food.

The eating area had lots of natural light due to the big windows, and they used mirrors to make the place look bigger. It’s not really that big, it just seems so. It’s not a greasy spoon, not quite a diner, but good enough for us.