Restaurant Reviews

The lower end of Portland Street seems to be enjoying a renaissance of sorts, with the building of executive-style townhouses nearby, and a general clean-up of an area once dominated by strip bars. It’s a sunny day, and as I walk down the wide brick sidewalk I can glimpse the sun glinting off the blue […]

Caribbean cuisine is a melting pot, straight from the hearts and kitchens of the islands (not just Jamaica, but the West Indies, Cuba and Puerto Rico, to name a few); no-frills comfort food that nourishes the soul as much as the belly. But no-frills doesn’t mean bland or boring—oh no. The Caribbean is home to […]

The newly renovated restaurant in the Prince George Hotel has been getting a lot of attention recently, and justifiably so. Gio is a feast for the senses; each plate a work of art, a perfect balance of style and substance. The decor is striking, the service superb, the menu full of unique offerings that Halifax […]

There’s no doubt that Inn on the Lake is a gorgeous setting for anything from a weekend getaway to a wedding—this “unique airport hotel” sports a sandy beach on Lake Thomas, tennis courts, a pool and beautifully appointed rooms. Recent renovations have turned the dining room and bar into equally lovely settings. The more casual […]

Victor Woo remembers exactly what his boss said when he learned that Woo was planning to move across the country and start a Thai restaurant in Halifax. “Are you crazy? All they eat out there is meat and potatoes. You’ll be back here in no time, begging me to give you your old job back.” […]

Craig Flinn Restaurant Chives Canadian Bistro Education Graduated from Saint Mary’s with a BSc in Geography, then enrolled at the Culinary Institute of Canada, followed by stints in Europe and New York. Worst job Cooking at the Savoy Hotel in London, UK. “Educational, yes, but the volume and stress of a place like that was […]

Best splurge Our fantasy diners got wound up debating how to spend their fantasy dollars: go for the familiar—the tried and true—or take your chances with that hot new honey of a bistro? Da Maurizio (1496 Lower Water, 423-0859) drew plenty of “oooohs” from the crowd, as did Fid’s (1596 Dresden Row, 422-9162) French-Asian minimalism. […]

There is a known theory in the restaurant business that says to be successful, you should try to be the third owner to take over a location. The first proprietor, so it goes, does all the heavy lifting, financially speaking. She’s the one who puts in all the required electrical work, installs the ovens, fridges […]