Saturday, November 8, 2008

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

Gypsy's Bakery sign

I'm back from the wilderness, the arctic tundra to be precise, where I've been spotting polar bears, braving blizzards and, of course, finding all the best places to eat.

First, let me just say that Churchill, Manitoba, Canada is NOT a gourmet destination. With a population of around 900 people and no roads linking it to the rest of the country, Churchill has something of a captive audience. And in polar bear season, when the bears gather near Churchill in readiness to go north for seal hunting as soon as the sea freezes, it's pretty hard to get a table anywhere.

Gypsys is known as the "Place to be in Churchill" and is certainly a favourite with all the tour guides and drivers. It is always packed full of locals and tourists alike, staggering in from the sub-zero temperatures to tuck into something great.

And when the weather's like this....

The bear lift
Following mum
Play fighting
Churchill grain elevator

You need food like this...

A Gypsy's Bakery longjohn!

Ah yes, the Gypsys Bakery long john. It's a super-sized, super-sweet chocolate eclair. Quite simply the best foodie experience in Churchill. Unless you're a bear of course, in which case a nice bite of ring seal will go down nicely (don't watch if of a nervous / seal loving disposition!).

The Princess

4 comments:

Haley said...

What a fun experience! Did you take all of the polar bear photos yourself?

Alex English said...

I did indeed! We got a great view from the tundra buggy. We were very lucky with the weather though as it's often snowstorming...

Chef Jeena said...

Those pictures are fantastic. You are so lucky to have seen polar bears so close wow!

Anonymous said...

Those polar bear shots are beyond amazing! Looks like you had a great trip, though I'm sure you're glad to be warm again.