Re: “Brussels Restaurant and Brasserie”

A good restaurant, and let’s give it a chance. Everyone has the right to his opinion, and the experience of everyone is valid and had to be respected. I was disappointed by the repetitive bad comments. I would like to make sure that the genres at not being confused. Just in case a place like Brussels is confused with some other types of restaurants.
There are places in town which are usefull to someone who needs a place to get a feeding job, so that he/she can go on with other tasks. I don’t give names, but I have reviewed 2 of them previously. They deliver quite reliably a very predictable menu, at reasonnable price and with reasonnably fast service. Not more than that, but a noble job in itself. Places like these are a necessity in Halifax. I compare that to fuelling my car. It is essential to the continuation of my journey, but not a landmark activity.
I have a problem when this becomes the evaluation scale of other, completely different places, like Brussels, that take the risk of offering something out of the path, a cultural experience. They look overly pricey, and people can be disapointed not to find the dishes they are used to.
Again, it’s just a question of knowing what you are dealing with. The other type of restaurant does an honest job if a meal is what you need to pursue your working or visiting schedule.
And no, I don’t work in any field connected with restaurants nor tourism. Nor is anybody in my familly or close friends. I work in a scientific field. I enjoy a good restaurant experience, and it is one of my main hobbies. The preferences of everyone have to be respected. But there are many different categories of restaurants. Also, one must not expect every restaurant that offers beer to operate like a pub.

Re: “Brussels Restaurant and Brasserie”

I also like it a lot. The situation demands some clarification.I was disappointed by the repetitive bad comments about this restaurant. Everyone has the right to his opinion, and the experience of everyone is valid and had to be respected. I would like to make sure, though, that the genres at not being confused. Just in case a place like Brussels is confused with some other types of restaurants.
There are places in town which are usefull to someone who needs a place to get a feeding job, so that he/she can go on with other tasks. I don’t give names here, but I have reviewed 2 of them previously. They deliver quite reliably a very predictable menu, at reasonnable price and with reasonnably fast service. Not more than that, but a noble job in itself. Places like these are a necessity in Halifax. I compare that to fuelling my car. It is essential to the continuation of my journey, but not a landmark activity.
I have a problem when this becomes the evaluation scale of other, completely different places, like Brussels, that take the risk of offering something out of the path, a cultural experience. They look overly pricey, and people can be disapointed not to find the dishes they are used to.
Again, it’s just a question of knowing what you are dealing with. The other type of restaurant does an honest job if a meal is what you need to pursue your working or visiting schedule.
And no, I don’t work in any field connected with restaurants nor tourism. Nor is anybody in my familly or close friends. I work in a scientific field. I enjoy a good restaurant experience, and it is one of my main hobbies. The preferences of everyone have to be respected. But there are many different categories of restaurants. Also, one must not expect every restaurant that offers beer to operate like a pub.

I agree that students bring vitality and economic influx.
But I have a big problem with the minority of them who are very noisy and disrespectful. It is a minority, but very visible, and the tarnish the reputation of the whole group. I live in downtown's South End, clore to Dalhousie. When I wake up at night because of screems in the street, or because of loud music from students appartments nearby, I rememeber.
It's sad because screams in the street may come from morons that are not students. But I have witnessed very uncivilised student's behavior in public transports, for example.
The police should be more severe with disturbing behaviors.
I read this summer that some wish that more people come to live downtown Halifax ( to increase tax revenue, I suppose ). To be consequent with that wish, something should be done to make downtown less noisy.

Re: “The Wooden Monkey, Halifax”

Very easy going mood, monkey theme artifacts, old wooden floors, furniture looks like has been in use for 3 generations (charming), paintings of varied styles: promote a relaxed experience, with homey notes. Music was low volume, not agressive. Intermittent air conditioning was welcome.
About staff: friendly. Can be very effective if customer wished it so. I had requested a slow paced service, with time between servings, and they respected that without any change in their very welcoming behavior. There were 3 turn overs of patrons at another table while I was there. Nobody pressured me.
The salad was flavourish. The marriage between feta cheese and scallops was winner.
My fair trade coffee and Sauvignon Blanc wine were very good.
The main dish was very good too.
The server was very accomodating with my table neighbours with nut allergy.
There is outdoor seating, but the ambiance is pretty plain there, compared to inside. The surrondings, while clean and safe, are definitively less charming that at other terraces in Halifax. But outdoor seating is availlable.
Limited wine list, but the wine that I had was good. More extensive choice of teas, non-alcoolised drinks and liquors.
I rarely comment on bathrooms in a review, but this time I have to: WOW! Impressive. Roomy, clean, plastered walls painted from floor to ceiling with country scenes from France.
I enjoyed the global package. One of the plus: having enjoyed very good food at a homey place, where I did not feel like I had to hold my back rigidly straight every single minute. But still with reasonnable distinction. On a sunday lunch, the balance was just right. Perhaps a bit pricey, but that could be argueable, since they use mostly bio ingredients. 30-60$/person, all included. Of course, this is not a fast food restaurant nor a pub.

Re: “Brussels Restaurant and Brasserie”

To me, this is a gem. I was there 3 times. Up to now I tried a dish of mussels, a dish of fish, salade liegeoise, tourte ardennaise, poached eggs with grilled asparagus and prosciutto. GREAT. Very good drink list. This is not a pub. This is a fine Belgian restaurant with extensive european bear card, but also full bar. Nice terrace, with trees and flowers. Nice surrondings with other terraces around, upscale shops and location on a cobbled stoned pedestrian street. My server was very sweet and attentive. I asked my eggs a certain way and they were served exactly as I wanted them. Many authentic Belgian dishes on the menu. Of course, a customer has to be adventurous, but it is worth it.
This is a gem because it combines great food, great atmosphere and surrondings, and kind of a cultural experience. This is of value because we have a lot of pubs and family restaurants, located in historic buildings or with inspiring décor, but with very predictible menus, or, at the other end of the specter, very numerous asian restaurants with great authentic food, but in a very often undistinguished atmosphere. It may be because the more senior restaurants were there first to pick up the good locations. Also, it may have something to do with cultural priorities.
Anyway, Brussels Restaurant has both valuable aspects. Not only diversity never hurts, but we are now graced with a very fine Belgian restaurant, with old world charm.

Re: “It's All Greek To Me”

Based on 4 visits, a gem of a restaurant. Menu has the mainstream Greek dishes, but also many out of the beaten path starters, that are also delicious and fun to discover. Decor is, to me, a number one in town : makes you wish you could book a trip to Greece right now. It is gracious, with terra cotta floor, colours otherwise blue and white, music instruments, paintings, candles, … The manager, chef and lady in charge of the dining room are very friendly, dedicated, always making you feel that you did the right thing by coming. Good wine list. They were also very helpful when I delt with them to cater for a lunch event at my office: they genuinely like what they are doing, a pleasure to knock to their door. A very valuable place, locally owned by a couple from the Greek community.