Phuq Ewe
Published July 09, 2008. Phuq Ewe Thank you for convincing my girlfriend to dump me. I hope you’re happy. Pissed off Lez
Metro TranSHIT
Yeah. You heard me. Metro TranSHIT. Don’t pretend. You know it’s true. Hipsters In Space
Creationism “myopic drivel”
To the editor, Is teaching school children that humans co-existed with dinosaurs on an earth that is only 6,000 years old, and that we all descended from two nudists who got tricked by a talking snake, “bat-shit insane?” Of course it is. It is as absurd as believing “exorcist” is a legitimate job description, or…
Tax attacks unfair
To the editor, Although I do not normally respond to things said about me in the media, I feel compelled to inform your readers that in two recent articles by Tim Bousquet that appeared in The Coast May 29 and June 26, comments he attributed to me were inaccurate, and he erroneously reported and misrepresented…
redundant BBB
WOndering why Better Business Bureau is for, other than a Bureaucratic Bitch Box. They don’t do anything constructive , do they? Better to Bitch on the Coast. BetterBitchBugger
The Monumentally embarrassing Chebucto Road widening
Can you please cover this issue with honesty and intelligence? Every other newspaper in Halifax has presented a very censored and simplified view. The protest that took place on Friday was NOT about a few sentimental people trying to save some trees. This is what has been published in local media. We are demanding that…
Chebucto Road widening violence
While I work on getting the signatures required for a formal complaint, I have some questions that I will ask until they are answered: 1.) Are HRM police officers authorized to bash an arrested person’s head against a tree or driveway multiple times, after that person has 2 officers on top of them, has their…
The Monumentally embarrassing Chebucto Road widening
Can you please cover this issue with honesty and intelligence? Every other newspaper in Halifax has presented a very censored and simplified view. The protest that took place on Friday was NOT about a few sentimental people trying to save some trees. This is what has been published in local media. We are demanding that…
Canadian Fucking Tire Fuckwads
And I ask you Canadian Tire, who the fuck wants to buy an empty propane tank? Sure, maybe I should have realized that it would be extremely stupid to store propane tanks inside but thats why I asked a fucking sales person. This was of course after I waited about 10 fucking minutes for even…
No propoganda on licence plates!
Who came up with the “Canada’s Ocean Playground” slogan on licence plates in NS. It’s stupid. My plate is saying:”Hey you, driving behind me, just in case you didn’t know, I live in a playground in Canada. By the ocean.” Other person seeing my plate: “Wow, that’s really nice, I’ll grab my beachball and head…
Sorry, no Kardi
Kardinal Offishall was supposed to play July 12th at Key Largo’s, but it’s been cancelled. Sorry dudes.
No more sushi!
Was there a memo I missed, in which all single 20-some boys were informed the best way to impress a girl on a first date was to take her out for sushi? Listen up: this does NOT make you creative or different or even a big spender because hey, I have no guarentee till the…
Montana’s Cookhouse of Lies
Montana’s is absolutely gestapo about not sharing all you can eat ribs. Even giving two ribs of the countless ribs I could get to a family member who ordered a $15 entree for themselves is taboo. However their new advertisement clearly depicts two friends about to fight over the last rib when suddenly the waitress…
Thanks alot!
to the piece of festering cunt that stole the money from my wallet tonight at the commons, thanks, that was my last $40 to last me more than a week. what pisses me off is that you were either a street punk, who is gonna make more than i do in a day tomorrow, or…
Why would any young people stay here?????
Alright, I’m watching TV today and I see the commercial with the two old fucks sitting outside the TD bank complaining about the new hours, the customer service etc…… I’m sure you’ve all seen it. Well holy fuck, I’m sure that these two are two of the same fucking people on Halifax’s ” Heritage Committee”.…
Plagiarism: Do It Daily
Last week, there was an excellent bitch posted about the wish for buses to Rainbow Haven beach. It was one of a small few bitches that was almost universally agreed upon. This is all great and good. Monday, I flip through that other free paper and find a story about the lack of buses to…
Blue Tooth Bitch
To the ignorant bovine on Oxford Street & Quinpool Road yesterday who blew her Jeep’s horn repeatedly to change lanes (and using NO signal light to indicate that desire) – if you stopped your fucking jumping jaw for two seconds, you might have clued in that forcing yourself in front of other traffic is not…
We get it…
You’re gay. really, really gay. princing mincing queen comes to mind. It’s great. I’m very pleased for you. now go suck some cock or something and STOP reminding me every 15 minutes that you like boys now. There’s more to you than this, but if you insist on boiling your whole personality down to your…
NSP And Reality Don’t Mix
So this year NSP plans on demanding an 11% rate hike for residential customers (while lowering corporate usage rates) and now they want to force the good people of Nova Scotia to foot the bill for a new 60 million dollar HQ on the site of the old power plant on the waterfront (HFX side).…
Adieu to ye, Kyla
I know you’re out there, you flibberdibibbet. Each Sunday and Monday night, faithfully watching CBC TV’s weekly dirndl display, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria, in search of the next Maria von Trapp. It’s OK—until Monday’s results show you could lie and say it was to support hometown Dartmouthian Kyla Tingley, who was…
Sweet Treevenge
For some people, the holidays are a perfect hate storm, chased down with After Eight mints and mulled guilt. Jason Eisener feels your pain and responded with Treevenge, a short film about the life of a Christmas tree (“prepare to have your Yuletides yacked!”), shot while waiting for production of the full-length Hobo With a…
CANVAS for nominations
Little known personal fact: I have a collection of mayor Peter Kelly photos that I keep on my bulletin board (Kelly winning candy basket, Kelly falls off skateboard, Kelly at the harbour, hair blowing in the wind…) Depending on how the voting wind blows (don’t forget, the municipal election is on October 18), I will…
Northern Video Art Port
I’m intrigued by Northern Video Art Port a video art service. Here’s how it works: you send your video art to NVAP and in exchange, you’ll receive another artist’s video project that you’re obligated to watch, either in your comfy living room or at a public screening. You won’t know who watches your art but…
“Indie” doesn’t mean Indiana Jones
The Oxford Theatre is supposed to be an independant theatre that showcases smaller films and offers an alternative to the massive amounts of shitty Hollywood movies that come to the other theatres in town, but lately all they’ve been playing are the giant soul sucking Hollywood blockbusters. Where the fuck am I supposed to go…
reader’s digest SPAM
tired of being harassed by Reader’s Digest. SPAM and Junk Mail. wtf me? 5 million dollars winner? put 5 bucks in the bleeding envelope, I ‘d rather take that, then all that bs and scam from Reader’s Digest. Makes a fool of the public. Yet no one stops them. million dollars bs
Asshole Drivers
I would like to thank the assholes who cut us off in Dartmouth Crossing last evening (July 7). As you may or may not be aware — because you are the perfect driver — the lane we were in was a straight and turning lane asshole! Did you not notice that you drove straight in…
put down the bible and think
I’ve had enough of all these right wing, born again, jesus-loves-me-more-than-you-na-na-na-na-boo-boo types. Face it: we live in an open, liberal country where we are not guided by a book only a portion of the population takes as anything more than a work of fiction, and where everyone, regardless of race, religion, or opion are equal.…
the order of Canada goes too…
It’s not the taliban but it should be, it went to a doc who performed not only illegal abortions but regular abortions?! What the fuck! I am now ashamed of this award that Canada gives out and people should be! Why not give it to murderous people in Canadian history? I’m sure there are more…
Rock Off
To the dumbass on Church St. who insists on playing Rock Band all bloody day and night. PLEASE close your freaking window! Do you have any idea how annoying it is to try and fall asleep and hear “tap, tap, tappity, tap tap, tappity.” And so on and so forth. If I ever meet you…
beep….beep….beep…
FUCKIN fuck!!! its 6 AM. theres something beeping loudly in my building… i cant turn it off… IM TOO HIGH FOR THIS SHIT! Ritchie?
What is wrong with Halifax?
As if it were not enough that we on Chebucto Road are loosing our neighborhood-I had to worry about loosing my job when the bus was not properly re-routed this morning due to the tree massacre. Metro Transit, this is why no one will vote on a proposition to promote public transport and instead choose…
Steve Earle in town
Alt-country Americana legend Steve Earle is coming to town to tell you that you should have a drink and relax on the porch. Also, he will be performing at the St. Matthew’s Church on Tuesday, August 5 at 8:30pm. (Tickets are $49.50 on sale at ticketpro.ca. Earle is performing with his wife Allison Moorer).
Planting Seeds
Last fall some artistic buds fell into place, as NSCAD’s student and alumni shop Seeds Gallery (1892 Hollis) opened its doors. This summer benchmarks the first floral season the artsy boutique/gallery space is opened knowing it’s in it for the year long haul. In the past the seasonal Summer Student Store set up for the…
Chebucto trees downed at 6am Monday morning
Work crews, with a police escort, showed up at 6am to fell the rest of the trees on Chebucto. Apparently, over the weekend a special permit was given to do the work outside of noise-permit allowed hours. Update: The Chronicle Herald is reporting that three protesters were arrested.
I want the sole truth….
It’s summer. my feet hurt. All I want, is a nice, friendly pair of birks. a comfy pair of birkenstock sandals to get me through the hot days of summer with arch support and ease. but no, this city is awash in cheap plastic flip flops, platform slides, ugly tevas…but no birks. where are you…
a passport doesn’t make you better than me
it’s that time of year- schools over and gaggles of overpriveleged students or former students migrate to europe, to drink heavily, see some old stuff, and ‘find themselves’. well listen: just becuase I have a job, and can’t afford to do that right now, and would prefer to do it with my own money and…
Chebucto photos
Via Katie McKay.
Politician has gas
This bitch is dedicated to one of Halifax’s most famous politicians, who will remain nameless. However, unlike most of the bitches about politicians, this has absolutely nothing to do with politics. I work in a generally nice, not too busy gas station located near a cute little pond in Dartmouth. Everybody who knows anything about…
Chebucto action Monday and Tuesday
From the intertubes: We’ve organized a peaceful demonstration against the widening of Chebucto which will take place this Tuesday, the 8th of July at 5pm at City Hall. We ask that everyone wear yellow and bring signs/banners. Rain or shine. If we do nothing, this project will happen. We can prevail. This is not merely…
The doctor is not in!
im not a phycologist or a counceller.. hell i cant even spell them.. But i am married and very happy Its simple.. to 5 of my friends that are unhappy in their relationships… LEAVE… If youre unhappy then leave… Dont wanna leave?? then i dont wanna hear about it.. You are setting yourself up to…
Halifax Bars
Man what’s up with Halifax bars? They’re going from bad to worse. I saw nothing bust skanks and ho’s downtown the other night. I thought by now, with all the criticism they’d clean up, but for some reason they got dirtier and skankier. I’d never touch anyone down there with a 20ft pole let alone…
Infuriating Squeegee Kids and Their Poor Dogs
So it’s Canada Day and on my way to the Keith’s Brewery to pick up beer (of course I forgot everything else would be closed) I see about 5-6 of these fuckin’ clad-in-dark-coloured-rags squeegee kids/punks/atheists/burden-to-society or whatever the fuck they consider themselves. Dreads, studded belts, neckerchiefs…aren’t they, like, soooooooo bad-ass? With these pieces of shit…
Call Centres
Paying for college I played the whole Call Centre game. I noticed that no matter what call centre, no matter the pay, benefits, environment etc its all the same thing you sit on the phone “if you take a heart attack try to finish the phone call we dont care about you etc,” I can…
To My Inconsiderate Neighbors
I am SO sick of your loud and obnoxious music and bass knocking my clock off my wall from the vibrations. For the love of god, get a bloody JOB and let the working class sleep for ONE night!! You have neighbors, some of which are in professions that we could actually kill someone if…
Seat Hog
To the people on the bus (namely the # 33 inbound in the morning) who use the seat next to them for cargo storage: MOVE YOUR SHIT! That extra seat is not for your three bags your carry into the city every morning. What is in those bags anyhow? Next time I’ll move those bags…
Subject: Alien Abduction???
Dear YOU, If my memory serves me correct, I have face-booked, called and text messaged you this week without hearing a single reply. Obviously you have been captured by aliens and taken away to another planet without phones or computers! Or… you’re trying to tell me something. Actually, it doesn’t really matter if you’re trying…
Supporting corporation cafes from now on
You’d think being a loyal & regular customer for 4 years would earn you respect at a certain cafe in the north end. You are ALWAYS late with my food. I waited 1/2 hour only to find out that you “forgot” the order. This isn’t the first time this has happened either. Your tables are…
sickening sickos
Who the hell are these sickos who tell dead baby jokes? If you were ever hit with the tragedy of losing a child you would understand that it certianly isn’t a joke. You should be ashamed of yourselves and it is people like you who make me wish stupidity was painful. 6stars
A simple request to dog owners.
To the dog owners in the south end who don’t clean up after their pets: Please do a better job. I have two dogs that I have out and about each day, I work hard to make sure that nothing is left behind. I have noticed that people aren’t cleaning up along the streets, on…
I’ve still got the charger
Dear “Oooh, a free camera”. To the sticky fingered shit who swiped the camera from the Duncan’s Cove parking lot. I was gone for less than the equivalent of one Beatles record. I asked the other hikers. I asked your neighbors. I left my number. I’ll find you. Hide. Hide. Hide. Here’s hoping a venereal…
Chebucto update
Over the weekend, I’ll post pictures and more from yesterdays events, so check back. If you have pictures, send them to timb@thecoast.ca. From what I understand, when the tree crew showed up, the text messaging and emails went out, and about 150 people showed up, surrounded the trees, climbed them. The cops showed up (including,…
Fireworks Flop
This past Canada Day, a friend and I decided to watch the fireworks from the Macdonald Bridge. For the most part, we found them to be a real disappointment compared with the displays from other years. Was this because Dartmouth Crossing was sponsering them? Or just a weaksauce display overall? What really added insult to…
I Blame Car Drivers
Thank you to whichever smart fellow threw broken glass on the bridge bike lane, thus forcing me to carry my bicycle the multiple kms back home. I can probably thank one of the many stupid, lazy, self-centred or sadly uninformed car-drivers of our fair city, perhaps it was one of the idiots idling in their…
rule #1
can we make a little rule for consumers… on behalf of everyone in the service industry, the cashier, the waitress, the cab driver…everyone who provides you a service…talk to us OR talk on your phone. while you are yammering on and on about ‘ashley like totally flamed you onlike, facebook and she changed her msn…
I Hate Apartment Hunting
I’m going back to school in September to start my masters so am looking to find an apartment. I figure that since I’m currently living in the city it wouldn’t be too bad to find a place, either a bachelor or someone looking for a roommate. However, it seems as though every ad that I…
Little Foot Long Foot
Little Foot Long Foot are a rock band from Toronto. Some of their songs sound like country, classic rock, jazz and soul. They don’t like being compared to the White Stripes, but they do like the East Coast. In their own words, how awesome we all are: “The tour is going amazingly well. We are…
Project Skive
Does this sound like you? Yeah, you! “Are you one of the many people spending too much time at work? Eating lunch at your desk? Addicted to your Blackberry and not able to switch it off, even on holiday? Peacock Visual Arts’ new exhibition No Time to Lose is about all of this, and more.”…
Nova Scotia Trend
So I guess it’s a trend now to put your life and the lives of others in danger if you’re driving in NS. Yesterday afternoon, on HWY 103, a moron was straddling both lanes of traffic at 90km/hr and not letting anyone pass him. There were 3 cars behind him and they were all trying…
$40, 000 G’s in debt and nothing BUTT a sore asshole
Fuck! That is all I have to say, well not really. So I am being a good bunny today, I’m getting shit done registering for classes at SMU It’s my last year! And what awaits me? A big foot up the asshole! Who makes 97% of the 4th year classes from 4:30- 6:30 pm or…
Youtube Lawsuit
This is not right. http://tinyurl.com/5ujbna (CNN story) I do not want 12 million books worth of data available to a select group. it’s a fight worth fighting, unless you don’t care who views your IP address and the data linked to it. (edited url for length, it was messing up our feed) eyes on the…
Chebucto arrests
CBC: Police are carting off several protesters as workers with chainsaws start cutting down trees as part of a contentious road expansion in Halifax. At least three people were handcuffed and led away from Chebucto Road around noon Friday. About 50 people have gathered in the street, which is scheduled to be widened to ease…
Fix my Elevator!
To the landlord of a south end apartment building with a popular pizza place downstairs: FIX THE ELEVATOR! It’s been broken for honestly over a MONTH now! I can surely walk 4 flights (how about those up on the 9th floor?) But I’ve been waiting to have a couch delivered for over a MONTH! I’ve…
Public Place Piss-Off
To the man in Star Bucks Clayton Park, Thursday June 3rd telling an older gentleman that all the surrounding seats to him, although empty were taken for a meeting…you don’t reserve a public place jerk, anyone who has enough money to buy a coffee deserves the same atmosphere and respect as you…maybe next time you…
Do you take the Merchant Copy?!
Question. How many times have you used your credit card? It doesn’t look new to me. The stripe and your signature is faded. SO why the fuck would you take the MERCHANT COPY? Do you not understand by now that the merchant copy is the one you sign and leave for the server? Do you…
Welfare-It’s NOT For Life
This is for the life long welfare collectors who frequent the establishment I WORK in EVERY DAY. I see you once a month on “cheque day”. A few of you are third generation “collectors”, family business is it? You get very drunk and blow it all in 48 hours in our VLTs. You lose it…
Bouncers
Can anyone agree with me that the three lowest forms of life in Halifax in order of evolution are homeless people, the squigis, and bouncers. Fairplay
Halifax learn how to WALK!
I’m sick and tired of getting stuck behind a wall of slow walkers. I’m sick and tired of people walking obliviously (such as typing a text message) and almost running into me. I’m sick and tired of complete idiots who stop right in front of me and almost running into them but most of all…
Trendy, trendy Agricola
Montreal-based Raphael and Steinberg Construction, owned and operated by Adam Steinberg and Doug Raphael, have gravitated towards Agricola and McCully Street for the future site of McCully Worklofts; a 55,000 square foot, five storey office and retail suite. “This area is experiencing an urban renaissance and developing a very distinct neighborhood identity,” says Raphael, vice…
Holy Trinity
With the five year success of Trinity Jewellers (6226 Quinpool) north end location, a second shop opened last week on the main floor near the top of the escalators in Park Lane (5657 Spring Garden). Trinity Jewellers offers in-house repairs, redesigning and customizing, in addition to a gorgeous selection of silver, gold, diamonds, Canadian diamonds,…
Jenny vs. Lilac
I want to see Jenny and Lilac square off some more on here. I like their banter. Jenny kicked Lilac’s ass on the breastfeeding thread though. Middle of the road Mary
discrimination by association
To the bouncer with the asshole goatee: Did ya get some skin from ANY of the “so called” hotties you let in front of me while waiting patiently in line on Canada Day? I got there a little late and the line up was pretty big. I stood at the back of the line and…
starbucks
“regular” is not one of our flavours of coffee. “regular” is *especially* not one of our flavours of coffee when I just fucking told you what coffee we’re brewing today. don’t put your fucking change on the counter 2cm from my outstreched hand- I’m not asking you to read my fortune, dickfuck. Can anyone pour…
And the order of Canada goes too…
Holy Fuck someone who kills innocent lives gets the order of Canada, why not give it to Allan Legere who killed dozen’s of people on the Miramichi or give it to Charles Manson..oh here you go you killed innocent children because their mothers didn’t have brains enough to use condomns!! or better yet keep their…
AIRPORT Renovations Fiasco
Why are the renovators/builders at Halifax International Airport being allowed to have so little regard for airport users, and for SO LONG? The work on the road has been going on for months. You cannot pick up passengers anywhere near the exits, and dropping off passengers is now down to single lane. How are these…
Roy Tower details
Details for the proposed 17-storey building at the site of the Roy Building on Barrington Street have been posted on the HRM website (PDF).
Best Fish & Chips
A popular spot with an older crowd for the five years the restaurant has been at this location, the younger folks who congregate on Quinpool Road are starting to discover the tasty breaded fish that Phil Perrin offers. “We’re just different,” he says. “We’re not a traditional battered fish and chips. The fish is in…
Best Coffee (Espresso-based)
First runner up: Steve O Reno’s Cappucino Second runner up: Carlitos Cafe
Best Pub Food
If it’s an authentic Celtic experience you’re looking for, this is the venue for you: The service is delightful, the live entertainment is traditional and lively and the menu selection is vast. People talk about the shepherd’s pie and fish and chips, as well as the pizza and pasta dishes, but if you haven’t tried…
Best Barista
Erin Hicks has been working at Ouro Preto since it opened in August 2007, and isn’t just as a barista, she also manages the front part of the establishment, the café. “My specialty is the mocha. I’m really proud of our mochaccino,” she says on the phone from the cafe, while her chef laughs and…
Best Fries
When the warm weather finally arrives in Nova Scotia, so too does Bud The Spud, an iconic, comforting chip wagon easily found on Spring Garden across from the library. In case you have any doubt about whether or not this is the gateway to french fry heaven, a sure giveaway is the inevitable congregation of…
Best Coffee (Regular)
First runner up: Java Blend Coffee Roasters Second runner up: Carlitos Cafe
Best Chinese Restaurant
Great Wall is a perennial winner in The Best of Food poll for Best Chinese food, and co-owner Ling Wong (with her husband, Patrick) says the reason why isn’t terribly complicated: “Good food, good service,” she says. “Everything we make from scratch.” The dishes that keep them coming include the ginger fried beef, the hunan…
Best Bakery
Early every morning from the bakery in Chester to the north end pastry shop (as well as Pete’s Frootique, jane’s on the common, the Italian Gourmet and on Saturdays, the Farmers’ Market) come the breads and sweet treats, the yield of master baker Didier Julien. A stop by their lovely spot in the Hydrostone Market…
Best Restaurant
At jane’s, which has had a lock on this category in the Best of Food poll for years, it’s creativity and passion that are the special of the day. Of every day, really. With both a clientele and a staff that is loyal, owner Jane Wright has found the winning set of ingredients for a…
Best Food Truck
Spring Garden at Brunswick First runner up: The Dawgfather Second runner up: Burrito Bike
Best Tea
First runner up: Cargo & James Second runner up: Queen of Cups
Best Dim Sum
Great Wall is a perennial winner in The Best of Food poll for Best Chinese food, and co-owner Ling Wong (with her husband, Patrick) says the reason why isn’t terribly complicated: “Good food, good service,” she says. “Everything we make from scratch.” The dishes that keep them coming include the ginger fried beef, the hunan…
Best Health Food Store
With the mainstreaming of organic foods and naturopathic health movement, so has Planet Organic stretched across Canada, and where the health food and supplement stores were once small and quaint, now they are roomy and packed with goods. “We have the largest selection,” says Nick Smith, grocery manager, of being The Coast readers’ favourite health…
Best Burger
All the suits and wharf rats down on the waterfront dabbed a tear from their collective eyes this spring when the second location of Darrell’s closed its Hollis Street doors. Cheer up, boys and girls, the original spot on Fenwick is going strong, and it has all the multiple award-winning, peanut butter-slathered burgers you crave…
Best Nachos
For years known as the place in town to see and be seen, The Shoe’s many nooks and crannies allow for deals to be made, drinks to be shared and meals to be enjoyed in an intimate vibe, no matter how busy it gets. The ‘Shoe brings wildly popular nachos to bear, a pile of…
Best Late-night Food
What hits the spot at 3 in the morning? Well, there’s the Coney Island Sampler, a collection of many delicately fried appetizers, including the garlic-laden bread knots, fries, pepperoni, and fingers of mozza, zucchini, chicken. Or try the popular pizza, artichoke dip, or nachos. Late on summer nights, between bites and sips, with the big…
Best Greek Restaurant
“It may be a cliché, but we try to give a little bit of Greece in every dish,” says manager Jeff Mitchell. (We can handle the occasional cliché, especially if it’s true.) He says the lamb dishes are the most popular, and Halifax’s international community regularly turns out for them. “We get a lot of…
Best Server
“He’s going to win posthumously,” says Jane Wright, laughing. But he’s not dead, he’s just moved away. “I know he’s not. He’s on the beach in New Zealand. I want to be on the beach in New Zealand!” Mark Royle worked at jane’s on the common for more than four years, originally telling Wright that…
Best Brunch
First runner up: Cora’s Second runner up: The Brooklyn Warehouse Related Stories
Best Appetizer
For years known as the place in town to see and be seen, The Shoe’s many nooks and crannies allow for deals to be made, drinks to be shared and meals to be enjoyed in an intimate vibe, no matter how busy it gets. The ‘Shoe brings wildly popular nachos to bear, a pile of…
Best Bedford Restaurant
Nothing says respectability like 68 years in the business, but nothing says fun like a ‘50s diner-style eatery. The Chickenburger walks the line with three pillars of success, says general manager Colin MacDonald. “Experience, a fun time and a friendly atmosphere.” Oh, and the food. “It’s a unique product. It’s real, local food. Hamburger comes…
Best International Cuisine
The multiple award-winning Talay Thai (*Where* magazine listed them as one of the top 10 new restaurants in Canada, and the only one east of Ottawa and last year it won the Nova Scotia Seed Capital Awards for business of the year) are clearly doing something right in the midst of a Halifax Thai Food…
Best Liquor / Wine Store
This is the place all the liquor reps love because it gives them a venue to bring in the wines that the NSLC stores don’t carry. “A lot of South American and Australian wines,” says Erin Horton, one of two sommeliers working at the store, mentioning by name stellar wines from Peter Lehmann and New…
Best New Restaurant
Since September 2007 the corner of Windsor and Almon has played host to a stylish and increasingly popular neighbourhood cafe. Started by father and son team Leo and George Christakos, The Brooklyn Warehouse has filled a void in the north end and the public has responded. It helps that the food is as fresh as…
Best Interior Design
1663 Argyle, 423-7463 First runner up: jane’s on the common Second runner up: The Brooklyn Warehouse
Best Cole Harbour Restaurant
Does haddock almandine sound tempting? How about a juicy pork tenderloin? A portobello mushroom sandwich? Settle in to an evening of upscale casual dining at Jamieson’s and they can all be yours. “It’s a simple focus on the fundamentals,” says owner Chris Smith of his popular restaurant. “People feel comfortable here. It’s a true ‘local,’…
Best Middle Eastern / Persian Restaurant
Still fresh on the Halifax restaurant scene, Mezza won Best New Restaurant last year and this year has found its niche as Best Middle Eastern. Owner Tony Nahas ran Venus Pizza for years with his brother, but his newer operation is a bit more upscale. “It’s more fine dining. Other places are more take-out and…
Best Supermarket
In the last year the popular downtown grocery market has added a few new features to keep the customers happy, including a supplements and vitamin section and a delightful fudge and gourmet cakes counter. “In my department we’re focusing on organic products,” says grocery manager Kirsty Birrell. “Specialty items for diets, gluten-free, a lot of…
Best Chef
At the Best of Food Awards, Flinn thanked another Best Chef for not winning this year. The competition in this category has always been a friendly one, and anyone who knows the complexion of the Halifax restaurant scene has recognized Flinn as one of the best in the the city and this is the year…
Best Ice Cream / Gelato / Frozen Yogurt
A multiple winner in this category, Dio Mio keeps the faith through some simple, sterling business practices. “We’re a local company and everything’s made in small batches with no artificial flavours,” says Jed Roche, co-owner and manager of the downtown café and ice cream parlour. “We also have the most elaborate variety of flavour options.”…
Best Clayton Park Area Restaurant
For 12 years Zen has been bringing quality Chinese cuisine to Clayton Park, inspiring customer loyalty—as manifest in this poll—with its service and consistently tasty dishes. The general tao chicken and the ginger beef are especially popular. But perhaps part of the appeal is the décor. “It’s very nice, you have to see it,” says…
Best Sushi Restaurant
Hamachi has had a lock on this category with Coast readers for years, for a wide variety of reasons, and the updating of their menu is but one of them. “We just added new fusion maki rolls and a bento box on the lunch menu, as well as some Japanese appetizers,” says Ivan Nickerson, the…
Best Bouncer/Door Person
“He’s pretty much the mayor of Halifax… he knows everybody,” says his “sidekick,” doorperson Toni Landry, who’s been backing up Carl “Gooch” Comeau for 6 of the 12 years he’s worked the Lower Deck. “He’s a lifer,” she says, laughing. “He’s huge. Nobody messes with him.” She adds that it’s not just intimidation that brings…
Best Milkshake
First runner up: The Chickenburger Second runner up: Ardmore Tea Room
Best Pizza Pie
For six years the north end pizzeria has owned this category with Coast readers. Pizza maker Nick MacLean says there are a few favourite pies that fly out the door—they do a brisk eat in, take out and delivery service, too. “The most popular is probably the roasted garlic with sautéed mushrooms,” he says. “We…
Best Dartmouth Restaurant
Chef Hans Gerstenecker says it’s a toss up between two dishes for which is most popular at his busy eatery that borders Cole Harbour: the Cajun chicken fettuccini (with a tomato-based Italian sauce and lots of garlic, which he says is “a little spicy”) and the chicken mushroom pappardelle (with a roasted garlic cream sauce).…
Best Brew Pub
“The recipes Lorne Romano uses are unlike anything in the city,” says Maggie O’Liari, general manager of Rogue’s Roost, explaining the brewpub’s long lasting appeal. Without a licence to bottle their golden elixir, the curious have to show up to get a taste, and they know the vibe at the bar will be good. “I…
Best Bartender
The winner of this year’s Best Bartender has both the chops and experience to justify the win. Working at Mosaic since it opened in late 2006, Cooper Tardivel is a local who has been bartending for 12 years, since he was 18, in locales as far flung as Vancouver, Mexico. Australia and Fiji, and he…
Best Chowder
Why do people like the chowder at Esquire? For starters, it’s made fresh daily, the old fashioned way, the way grandma used to make it, they say. Grandma would insist on cream, not milk, and on any day of the week you can get corn, fish (haddock) or lobster chowder. On Fridays, come in for…
Best Pizza Slice
Joe Sicilian says that one of the things that makes his pizza slices special is the dough. “It’s fresh, made with our own recipe daily.” There’s also the sauce. “We use vine-ripened tomatoes, which we blend with our own secret spices.” Sicilian has every right to be proud of his work and his operation, located…
Best Sackville Restaurant
Despite only having been around for about a year and a half, the roomy, 180-seat family owned-and-operated eatery has a parade of admirers, fans of the dark wood décor, the multiple, cozy booths, and of course, the food. The menu offers authentic homestyle delicacies of the Greek variety, as well a robust Canadian selection as…
Best Beer Selection
With 60 beers on tap and many more in bottles, you could go for some time and not have the same ale or lager twice, plus they’re continually getting a new selection in for customers to try. And what they discovered with the IIHF World Hockey Championships was that there is a thirst for the…
Best Chicken Wings
Spacious rooftop patio right on Spring Garden? Check. Secret combination of flours and spices, zingy side sauces for the repeat Coast readers’ poll-winning chicken wings? Check. Stacked bigger-than-your-mouth club sandwich? Check. If all of this wasn’t enough to get you over to the ‘Stache for a meal and beverage, how about the multiple flatscreens, all…
Best Sandwich
With all the sandwiches prepared from fresh, high quality ingredients daily, it’s no wonder Coast readers consistently rate the Italian Market *the* place to get take-out lunch and a wide variety of culinary masterpieces. Yes, masterpieces. What else would you call hot and cold sandwiches that include ingredients such as pancetta, basil, capers, salami and…
Best Seafood
“A consistent quality” is what separates the 35-year-old Argyle Street landmark Five Fishermen from the pack (or perhaps, to keep it connected to the seafood, *school*), according to assistant manager and sommelier Avery Gavel. “It’s stood the test of time. We purchase fresh local ingredients from the land and from the sea, scallops, lobster and…
Best Caesar
Michael Leigh, the owner and general manager at Bitter End, has laid down the gauntlet in the name of his bartenders and their creative drinks, including 40 cocktail and 30 martini variants. “If people want to challenge us to create something, we welcome that,” he says. “We allow our bartenders room to experiment.” He says…
Best Club Sandwich
Please see Best Chicken Wings capsule. 5686 Spring Garden, 423-6766 First runner up: Armview Restaurant, 7156 Chebucto, 455-4395 Second runner up: Darrell’s, 5576 Fenwick, 492-2344
Best Salad
Though there are different names for the delis and counters in the building, officially, they’re all under one big umbrella. That umbrella, the Frootqiue, belongs to Pete Luckett, the English ex-pat whose passion for food has made his name a brand synonymous with delectable, gourmet and exotic foodstuffs. Pete’s To Go is the deli that…
Best Lunch Specials
Owner/chef Mark Giffin is surprised to hear that the Coastal is even in the running for the Best Lunch category. “I thought it would be breakfast,” says the former head chef at Bish World Cuisine. “That’s my stock and trade.” But it does make sense, as the breakfast is served until two on the weekdays…
Best Cocktails
First runner up: The Fireside Second runner up: Onyx
Best Patio
5686 Spring Garden, 423-6766 First runner up: Economy Shoe Shop Second runner up: Argyle Bar & Grill
Best Smoothie
In the heat of the summer, the Pete’s Frootique hot spot offers fruit explosions blended into chilly smoothies, perfect for cooling down. Or, on cooler days, fortify your constitution with the healing and revivifying potency of those awesome concoctions. 1515 Bresden Row, 425-5700 First runner up: <a href="http://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/booster_juice/Location?oid=979657 ” target=”_blank”> Booster Juice Second runner up:…
Best Fine Dining
Snowcrab season has just opened in Sambro. This is great news for Dennis Johnston, the man behind Fid. “They come in here still squirming,” he says, relishing the creation of a fine dining menu that changes with the seasons, with a focus on the best of what is available, sustainably and locally, from land and…
Best Martini
First runner up: The Fireside Second runner up: Onyx
Best Desserts
Is it a sweet bit of Tuscany that people are tasting when they tuck in at Il Mercato? Maybe. There is magic in that linguini, the tomato and the formaggi, in the atmosphere, the service, and the high quality for the reasonable price. Serving the Spring Garden business owners and local, regular clientele, lunch is…
Best Shawarma
We’ve spoken to locals who at other times in their life have lived in the Middle East, and they claim the shwarma (or shawarma, if you please) at Venus Pizza is as good as any they’d tried there. Our readers who’ve never set foot in a desert climate are catching on, choosing the Barrington and…
Best Veggie Burger
The much-adored burger is a lentil-based dish, made with miso, dichon and carrots, and can be enjoyed with a number a different toppings from mayo to honey-dijon mustards. But the vegetarian and vegan-friendliness doesn’t stop there. Try the rice, the gluten free options (pizza and beer!), the blackened tofu instead of haddock, and top it…
Best Happy Hour
Though the price per glass during “power hour” (Wednesday, Thursdays and Saturdays) has gone up five cents, the domestic beer is still a great deal at $1.45 and keeps the punters, both students and other local beverage lovers, coming back to the 250-year-old bar for more. And if the cheap drinks aren’t enough of a…
Best Pasta
First runner up: Vines Pasta Grill Second runner up: Vinnie’s Pasta Bar
Best Steak
Maybe it’s because you can have your slab of beef seven different ways, from Blue (very rare) to Chicago (charred), maybe it’s the way the choice cuts are marbled, maybe it’s the sterling service or the casual, strategically lit ambiance that keeps The Keg at the top of Coast readers’ list for a steak dinner.…
Best Vegetarian-friendly Restaurant
First Runner-up: Satisfaction Feast Second Runner-up: Heartwood Cafe Related Stories
Best Microbrewery
“Things are going fantastically well,” says John Allen, the president of Propeller, noting that the company is experiencing its fourth year of 20 percent growth. Last year Propeller built a warehouse extension to their Gottingen Street brewery, which they filled with tanks and new equipment. “We ship to British Columbia, New Brunswick and special orders…
Best Italian Restaurant
Please see Best Dessert capsule. 5560 Spring Garden, 422-2866 First runner up: da Maurizio Second runner up: Piccolo Mondo
Best Breakfast
The popularity of this cross-Canada eatery, founded by a woman from a small town near Gaspé, Quebec, is astonishing. Or, maybe not so much, when you take into account the winning formula: Hearty portions, fresh ingredients, the family-friendly atmosphere, and piles of fresh fruit everywhere. Oh, and a reasonable price. It could also be those…
Best Diner
The pancakes as big as your head, and the other tasty trappings (sausage, eggs, bacon, thick milkshakes) are all hearty and reasonably priced. There’s something about eateries that have been around for 50 years… experience counts for a lot. Ask any of the regulars who drop by daily, or the crowds of students and families…
Best Wine (glass)
As far as she knows, Clare Malley is the only wine director working for a restaurant in Halifax. It will come as a surprise to no one that she works as Seven, a multiple Best of Food winner for their impressive wine selection. “With a wine list as extensive as this one it’s a full…
Best Donair
When people from away ask a local about the appeal of donairs—we won’t say *every* time, but very, very often—the response will be related to the middle eastern-originated pita, sweet sauce and meat combo’s ability to satisfy the kind of hunger that comes after a night out on the town; dancing your ass off or…
Best Cafe
If The Coast gave an award for most award-winning, Just Us! (with a location on Barrington and at 5896 Spring Garden, 423-0856) would win hands down, with four wins this year. Their secret to success? “The social awareness we bring forward,” says inventory manager Frani Chandler, referencing the company’s commitment to fair trade and environmental…
Best Food Court
Strolling in from Duke or Barrington, or across the pedway from Purdy’s Wharf, it doesn’t take long to notice the stellar food court amongst the shops. From your fast food staples to a surprisingly varied international selection (Korea Garden Express, A Taste of India, Sushi, You and Me, and don’t forget Ray’s Best of Food…
Best Wine List
1579 Grafton, 444-4777 First runner up: Sebastien’s Bistro Second runner up: Bish World Cuisine
Fuck Halifax
There is nothing ever going on in this city. I am a Toronto native and I am missing the big city so badly right now. I look through the coast and can never find anything to do, accept for ghost walks. This city is taking the life out of me, can you help, because your…
Breaking: court rejects former school board members’ appeal
The court of appeals rejected an appeal of the dismissal by lower courts of six Halifax school board members who were dismissed by Education minister Karen Casey. Whatever the legal issues involved, the political precedent is horrible. Elections become meaningless if those elected can simply be removed on a whim of the education minister. Sure,…
Park on Mars
On Wednesday, July 9 at 6pm, local artist and one of the masterminds behind the homegrown 161 Gallon Gallery, Ryan Park releases It wanted to teach the world to sing (in perfect harmony) at Eyelevel Gallery (2063 Gottingen). Park’s drawing project involves “abstraction, information, aesthetics, politics, media and lots of X-acto blades, glue, cutouts, coloured…
Elect to Nocturne
On October 18, after you’ve recovered from the excitement of voting in the municipal election (it feels good to make a big X), the fun is far from over. Starting at 6pm, downtown Halifax will be alive with Nocturne, the city’s first late-night arts festival. Modelled after the all-night Nuit Blanche, which takes place in…
the night before
Listening to Dennis Wilson before I go to sleep. I dread those 8 hours I have to endure tomorrow. They are the least productive moments of my day. At one point I was wildly unhappy, everything I did was a waste of time. I could bitch books full. traffic, assholes in stores, street kids, bouncers,…
Punk rock on the canvas
“oi, oi, oi.” “wickedly punx.” “i was a teenage werewolf. punk forever.” You wouldn’t normally see comments like these, or references to a Cramps song in the guest book at an art gallery, but if you peruse through the pages at Michael Lewis’s show Holidays in the Sun, at the Hydrostone Gallery until July 6,…
Bruce McDonald talks Tracey
On July 8, The Tracey Fragments—the other Ellen Page movie—will be released on DVD, for another dose of Halifax’s favourite local celebrity success. Prior to Juno’s release, and with a short stint at Empire Park Lane theatres in November 2007, The Tracey Fragments is what Canadian director Bruce McDonald (Roadkill, Dance Me Outside, Hard Core…
Savage Love
Q:My boyfriend and I both like porn and toys, and we’re obviously open about everything and often play with them together. But recently he posed an interesting question that left me feeling like a prudish conservative: If virtual-reality technology’s developed such that one can have a sexual encounter with a computerized person (insert favourite famous…
A vote for sustainable government
Despite ample evidence that we’re destroying our environment and, thus, our future, our elected leaders don’t care. They should. According to a poll conducted in April, Marketing & Research Intelligence Association found 88 percent of Atlantic Canadians feel fighting global warming should be top priority, the highest rate in Canada. If we care so much…
Best Bartender
The winner of this year’s Best Bartender has both the chops and experience to justify the win. Working at Mosaic since it opened in late 2006, Cooper Tardivel has been bartending for 12 years, since he was 18, in watering holes and swanky joints as far flung as Vancouver, Mexico. Australia and Fiji, and he…
Best Catering
Editor’s note: With its latest Best Catering win in 2008, Scanway was elevated to the Best of Halifax Hall of Fame. Passersby on Quinpool Road can stop to admire bright, fanciful wedding cakes through the window. Leafing through Scanway’s catering menus you will find everything from simple picnic baskets to food for elaborate receptions. Scanway…
Best New Restaurant
In September of 2007, father and son team Leo and George Christakos fired up the ovens on the corner of Windsor and Almon, and a great neighbourhood cafe was born. From the start, it was clear the Brooklyn Warehouse was getting it right where its predecessor Vivo had not—in the kitchen—and, rising to meet a…
Best Chef
For Craig Flinn, cooking locally and seasonally isn’t a trend. “It’s the way food is and always has been,” he says. Flinn changes the menu at Chives to reflect seasons that last only five or six weeks. June’s strawberries, rhubarb and asparagus will give way to July’s carrots, turnips and beets, and come September there…
Best Restaurant
Asked why her restaurant is so popular, having won Best Restaurant in The Coast’s Best of Food poll for 3 years, Jane Wright ponders for a few minutes, hemming and hawing over an answer, then says, simply, “I don’t know! “I’m fond of saying, ‘You’re only as good as your last meal,’” explains Wright at…
Best Mussels
Editor’s note: With its latest Best Mussels win in 2008, Five Fishermen was elevated to the Best of Halifax Hall of Fame. General Manager Gary McDonald is very proud of every one of the Best of Food awards his restaurant has won. And it’s won many. So many, in fact, that this year The Coast…
Closing the Atlantic Gateway
Thank god for rising oil and gas prices. SUV sales are down, people are getting leery of suburban sprawl, businesses are trying to use less fuel. The sorts of changes that environmentalists have been advocating for years—to fight global warming—are now going mainstream because of a little pain at the pumps. The end of the…
Dexel develops front porch blues
The 19th century apartment building with the distinctive wraparound veranda on the corner of Hollis at Morris Streets may be headed for demolition. Dexel Developments Ltd, owner of the site, has a proposal with the city to redevelop the property, including two adjacent buildings of similar design. The proposal calls for a single 10-storey complex…
Mardeen plays waiting game
When Mardeen emerged in 2005, releasing the critically acclaimed EP Friends Don’t Love, it wowed listeners with their tightly arranged pop songs that seamlessly bounce from hooky guitar crunch to catchy jingle jangle, accented by their characteristically anthemic vocals. Deepening the sound on their new debut LP, Read Less Minds, Mardeen’s layered vocals paint engagingly…
Wanted
The nerd-empowerment fantasy Wanted, based loosely on a graphic novel by Mark Millar and J.G. Jones, turns a nobody into a trained killer. As nerd fantasies go, this one’s caught up in eighth-grade aggression. The hero never fucks his sex-symbol assassin mentor (Angelina Jolie): Wanted is purely about social vindication by way of guns and…
WALL-E
It’s easy to see the great movie in WALL-E, but it’s dispiriting how fast it lets it go. Though it hits at a level above less-ambitious summer fare (The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, The Happening), the awareness of the film’s potential hurts it. For the first half hour, it’s at its peak. The basically speechless…
