Where to eat in Halifax

[LeftWing]

So I'm taking the wife to Halifax for her birthday and I want to take her somewhere really nice. I've read some reviews online but most of them are pretty old - although it sounds like the Sweet Basil Bistro or the Five Fisherman are consistently getting decent reviews. She likes seafood and pasta, but she's pregnant right now so I have no friggin' clue what she'll want to eat by the time she gets there... Except desert, she'll definitely be wanting some desert(s).

Also, if you have any suggestions for places to see while we're there that would be awesome.

Thanks folks!

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Chives on Barrington, it's one of the city's best restaurants and my second cousin is one of the chefs there.

I'm a big fan of Your Father's Moustache for a drink and a good meal. Their steak is the best in the city.

For dessert if she likes ice cream/gelatto there's a small shop just around the corner from Your Father's Moustache behind the Credit Union on Spring Garden Rd.

The Indian Village is on Clyde Street which has great curry.

Make sure you have a donair from pizza corner, and if you're out late at night there's an old man that sells Filipino pork just down from pizza corner (ASAP's) it's delicious!

When are you in town? Are you only going to Halifax or elsewhere in Nova Scotia?

[LeftWing]

Hey thanks QS, that's a great list. We're going to be in town around the end of June for about 4 days or so. We're probably going to be staying on the water somewhere close to the action - maybe the Westin or something like that. We were planning to stay around Halifax, but we're definitely not tied down. We were planning on seeing Peggy's cove at the very least.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

end of June? I doubt that I'll be around the town at that time, HD might be though. Any other questions about the town let us know

[Devils'Advocate]

I was going to recommend 'La Cave' for deserts. But I just found that it closed a couple years ago.

I remember being out on a date and going for a walk along the waterfront (not as romantic as one would think given the stench of raw sewage).
My date - "So, you don't drink?'
Me - Nope. Not a drop.
Her - You don't smoke or do any kind of drugs?
Me - Nope. Never in my life.
Her - And you don't eat any meat?
Me - Not in 6 years.
Her - So what is your vice?!?! Everyone has at least one!!
Me - *ponders for a minute* I know. I'll show you!!!

I then took her to 5244 Blowers Street - La Cave Restaurant. They had 16 types of cheesecake daily, but over 50 recipes. You never knew which ones they would have, but surely you could find one of the 16 that struck your fancy.

Now, I'm not completely wasting your time here telling you of a closed restaurant. The owner of Pepe's, another long standing Halifax restaurant got together with the cheesecake wizard from 'La Cave' and made Stonehaven Dining with a mix of both menus. So you can still get the best of the best cheesecake there.

-=-=-=-=-=-
I also always liked Alfredo, Weinstein & Ho. Last meal before becoming vegetarian was their steak pizza. Almost made me want to reconsider.

[LeftWing]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

I was going to recommend 'La Cave' for deserts. But I just found that it closed a couple years ago.

Heh, yeah I read all kinds of reviews about the place and thought it was a slam dunk for at least deserts but then I found out it was closed as well. I didn't know that it's deserts had wandered over to Stonehaven though, thanks for letting me know - we'll probably check it out.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

I remember being out on a date and going for a walk along the waterfront (not as romantic as one would think given the stench of raw sewage).
My date - "So, you don't drink?'
Me - Nope. Not a drop.
Her - You don't smoke or do any kind of drugs?
Me - Nope. Never in my life.
Her - And you don't eat any meat?
Me - Not in 6 years.
Her - So what is your vice?!?! Everyone has at least one!!
Me - *ponders for a minute* I know. I'll show you!!!

I really REALLY didn't think that conversation was going to end with you taking her to a dessert shoppe...

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by LeftWing

Heh, yeah I read all kinds of reviews about the place and thought it was a slam dunk for at least deserts but then I found out it was closed as well. I didn't know that it's deserts had wandered over to Stonehaven though, thanks for letting me know - we'll probably check it out.

Actually, it's in the same place as 'La Cave' - 5244 Blowers Street - they just renovated the place and took out all the caves, made it more open. I kinda liked the old dank, dark, candle-lit caves.... more intimate.

[Top Shelf]

There are a few places down on the water that are really good. MQS, HD or ernie can probably give you the proper names but one is this big warehouse looking building, I think it's calledWaterfront Warehouse or something like that. Unlimited mussels here too with about 5 different sauces, awesome!


The other we went to was Murphys, right down on the waterfront as well, which was pretty cool. They had an expensive dish for two called a taste of Nova Scotia very good as well. We ate outside looking out over the harbor.

I remember my mom said she liked Saltys when they were down there, but I can't vouch for that one.



Have a good time man, it's a beautiful city. Talking about it almost makes me regret the decision to stay here

[Kidder]

I'm heading to Halifax too at the end of May for a couple weeks, visiting a friend at Dalhousie.

Pretty pumped, first time in the Maritimes, actually first time east of Ontario.

What are some places to check out if I have an afternoon alone to explore?

We also hope to hit up some courses... any good golf values out there in Nova Scotia or PEI? How long a drive is it to the Island anway?

And... we're registered in the Playon street hockey tourney at the end of May. It says it's being played on Cogswell St./ The Commons. Just wondering what kind of lay out that area is. I played in Calgary when they closed down MacLeod for the weekend, which was pretty neat. Just wondering what the setup will be like in Halifax. Is that by the parliament building?

[Save Us Sutter]

Originally Posted by Kidder

I'm heading to Halifax too at the end of May for a couple weeks, visiting a friend at Dalhousie.

Pretty pumped, first time in the Maritimes, actually first time east of Ontario.

What are some places to check out if I have an afternoon alone to explore?

We also hope to hit up some courses... any good golf values out there in Nova Scotia or PEI? How long a drive is it to the Island anway?

And... we're registered in the Playon street hockey tourney at the end of May. It says it's being played on Cogswell St./ The Commons. Just wondering what kind of lay out that area is. I played in Calgary when they closed down MacLeod for the weekend, which was pretty neat. Just wondering what the setup will be like in Halifax. Is that by the parliament building?

The Commons is a giant park in the middle of the city. Cogswell runs through one part of it. They shut the street down and the games are played there but there is park on either side. Pretty sweet set up last year.

EDIT: the two lane road through the middle of the park in this http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&hl=en...=16&iwloc=addr

I'm not a golfer but from what I've heard Oakfield is a nice course as well as Foxpoint.

PEI is about 3ish hours from Halifax, depending on whether you take the fairy or the bridge and where on the island you're going.

As for things to do in the afternoon, let me know your interests and I can give ya a list pretty quick.

Also: Eating ideas that aren't fancy restaurants as those seem to have been taken care of....

Fish & Chips - Fries & Co. on Chebucto Road. Award Winning fish.. more of a take out spot than a dine-in though they do have a few booths in there.

Donair - Tony's Pizza - Corner of Robie St and Cunard St. Especially delicious at 3am after a night of beers.

Home Cookin' - The Ardmore - Quinpool Road - Small, old school diner type place with delicious food, cheap prices and big portions.

Chicken Wings - The Oasis - Spring Garden Road - Thurs and Sat I believe are 25 cent wings. Best in the city. Thursday is Karaoke as well... pretty fun after a few pitchers.

[Rhetts_the_Best]

The economy shoe shop, great food good price and excellent atmosphere

[Save Us Sutter]

Originally Posted by Rhetts_the_Best

The economy shoe shop, great food good price and excellent atmosphere

Forgot about this one.
Best Nachos in Halifax, hands down.

[SoulOfTheFlame]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

I was going to recommend 'La Cave' for deserts. But I just found that it closed a couple years ago.

I remember being out on a date and going for a walk along the waterfront (not as romantic as one would think given the stench of raw sewage).
My date - "So, you don't drink?'
Me - Nope. Not a drop.
Her - You don't smoke or do any kind of drugs?
Me - Nope. Never in my life.
Her - And you don't eat any meat?
Me - Not in 6 years.
Her - So what is your vice?!?! Everyone has at least one!!
Me - *ponders for a minute* I know. I'll show you!!!

I then took her to 5244 Blowers Street - La Cave Restaurant. They had 16 types of cheesecake daily, but over 50 recipes. You never knew which ones they would have, but surely you could find one of the 16 that struck your fancy.

Now, I'm not completely wasting your time here telling you of a closed restaurant. The owner of Pepe's, another long standing Halifax restaurant got together with the cheesecake wizard from 'La Cave' and made Stonehaven Dining with a mix of both menus. So you can still get the best of the best cheesecake there.

-=-=-=-=-=-
I also always liked Alfredo, Weinstein & Ho. Last meal before becoming vegetarian was their steak pizza. Almost made me want to reconsider.

Actually, I think Le Cave re-opened on Spring Garden Road.

I'll recommend a place.. but I cannot remember the name. It's a nice italian restaurant on Spring Garden Road just across from the cinema.


Gawd i miss Halifax...

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by SoulOfTheFlame

Actually, I think Le Cave re-opened on Spring Garden Road.

It moved off Blowers to Spring Garden and lasted 6 months before closing its doors for good. 'La Cave' exists no longer.

Kidder: Glen Arbour golf course is one of the best in the country. It's where the 'Wayne Gretzky and Friends Invitational' is held.

[HalifaxDrunk]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

It moved off Blowers to Spring Garden and lasted 6 months before closing its doors for good. 'La Cave' exists no longer.

I was just going to post this, it's really too bad.

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

Kidder: Glen Arbour golf course is one of the best in the country. It's where the 'Wayne Gretzky and Friends Invitational' is held.

Really nice course, I only played it once. Granite Springs is also near Halifax and is quite nice.

If you make it Cape Breton then Highlands Links & Dundee Resort are 2 of the best.

If you do go to PEI, Links at Crowbush Cove & Brudenell River (had my wedding reception there) are really nice.

Here is a document that my wife made up when we moved back home from Ontario. It is a quick reference for visitors. I haven't edited it so I hope there are no mistakes.


Halifax:
Things to do:
-Harbour Hopper – nice tour of Halifax on an amphibious vehicle. You first take a driving tour then drive into the harbor for a quick water tour.
-Halifax Citadel Historic Site – if you are going to the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site in Cape Breton then you can skip this spot
-Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
-Pier 21 – the place where many immigrants came into Canada
-Walk along the Halifax boardwalk – Theodore Tugboat is there for tours, a tall ship the Mar II also does tours. A good spots for ice cream including a Cow’s Ice Cream outlet and a fish&chips shack.
Restaurants:
-Salty’s, Murphy's Restaurant, Waterfront Warehouse, Five Fisherman, Bish, Economy Shoe Shop, Mexico Lindo
-There are pubs everywhere downtown with great food. You must visit the Lower Deck Pub one night, it is a great NS experience. Other good ones include The Spilt Crow, The Old Triangle, Pógue Fadó, Your Father’s Moustache & the Midtown Tavern.
-Eat a donair – a unique beef, sweet sauce, pita bread thing, that was invented here. King of Donair is probably the most popular but are available at any pizza place.


Lighthouse Route:
-Peggy’s Cove – famous lighthouse (about 30 mins from Halifax)- the Swiss air plane crash monument is there, good place to eat right beside the lighthouse.
-Take a drive along the south shore from Halifax to Chester – get off the highway in Chester and drive along the shore road to Lunenburg – it’s a beautiful drive. The towns of Chester, Mahone Bay and Lunenburg are so picturesque – Lunenburg is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are some beautiful inns and B&Bs there. The Bluenose II is docked here most of the year, but is out and about in the summer time. Here’s a link to it’s website for it’s sailing schedule - http://www.schoonerbluenose2.ca/

Evangeline Route:
A drive to Digby/Annapolis Royal is also beautiful, a good place to go whale watching. The Minas basin along this route is where you can see the world’s highest/lowest tides. Back towards Truro there are spots that offer river rafting of the tidal bore. Apparently it’s lots of fun.

Cape Breton: – keep an eye on the water for whales as you drive along the roads
-Drive the Cabot Trail –this would be the most important things to do in NS. There are many walking trails – however the best and it’s short is the Skyline Trail, don’t walk the whole loop, but walk to the view of the water and return the way you came in otherwise it’s a long walk back.
-Also along the Cabot Trail:

• Baddeck you will find the Alexander Graham Bell Historic Site – we were just there recently and only spent about 45 mins but if you were to read and watch all the videos 2 hours would be good and we went to a awesome restaurant in Baddeck called Bell Buoy

• Margaree River – famous fly fishing river – there some places there that equipment can be rented.

• Cheticamp – an Acadian village just before you enter the national park on the Cabot Trail, it is famous for its hooked rugs and this is a great place to go whale watching.

• Ingonish – stay at the Keltic Lodge – very beautiful and a nice beach

-Other things in Cape Breton:

• Glenora Distillery, in Glenville – the only place that makes single-malt whiskey, can do tours

• Fortress Louisburg

Beaches
Boogie Boarding (about $15-20) on waves is a lot of fun.
A couple of beaches to mention

• Ingonish beach on the Cabot Trail,
• Various beaches along the Northumberland Strait - including Melmerby beach in Pictou.
• Lawrencetown Beach & Martinique Beach near Dartmouth are known for surfing

[TimSJ]

go and get sloppy drunk at the lower deck.. that is what i seem to do every time i am in Halifax.. Great party town

[enthused]

Originally Posted by HalifaxDrunk

Midtown Tavern.

YES! My parents took me there for the first time when I was about 8... They both grew up in Halifax and went to Dal, and they love showing my sister and I their old haunts.

I also had the best donair of my life in Halifax, but I can't remember where I got it.

I seriously think Halifax is one of my favourite Canadian cities, its wonderful!

[LeftWing]

Originally Posted by HalifaxDrunk

Here is a document that my wife made up when we moved back home from Ontario. It is a quick reference for visitors.

Wow, incredible list - thank you very much!

[Maritime Q-Scout]

HD's list sums things up pretty well.

I did laugh out loud with the Fortress of Louisbourg listed as an "other thing to do in Cape Breton" as it's pretty frickin' impressive, and an awesome day well spent.

Highland Links is a course I golfed once, and haven't since I was 12 I really don't remember much of it, but if you do golf there, stay at the Keltic Lodge and make your way down to Ingonish beach (all three things are in Ingonish). The beach has huge sandbar, with salt water on one side with huge waves, then on the other side a calm fresh water pond (which is warmer than the ocean) it's really neat.

Oh and if you are in Cape Breton make sure you let me know, drinks at the Crown & Moose, Maxwell's or Bunkers will be in order.