Holiday hours for the Victoria Day Long Weekend
Queen Victoria will be 191 on Monday—and she’s still lookin’ good. We’re all thrilled about it, for the day off work many of us will enjoy. May 24 will be a Statutory Holiday for the feds—lucky bastards—but it’s not statutory for the rest of us. That said, it’s a holiday for most, while tourist-related businesses…
Queen Elizabeth in Halifax, June 28-30
Apparently a lot of you think I’m wrong to care that Queen Elizabeth will be in Halifax June 28-30, during the navy’s centennial. Yes, I know the Monarch is irrelevant to Canada and its government, but so are your arguments. This woman is one of the most consistent pop culture icons of our lifetime. Well…
Summer Love
To all the hot, tanned bodied, hali boys who seem to hibernate during winter, and only come out when the warm sun is shining, i friggin love you . 🙂 —Blark
The oldest bar in town…
I love you, your cheap beer, and awesome staff. The atmosphere is perfect and it’s always a great time with great people. You’re by far my favorite bar and I love bringing people there. Thanks for letting me spend my student loan money on your cheap beer, I can’t think of a better way. —Lutes…
Metro Bus Drivers
What’s up with transit drivers lately? Once in a while you’ll hear a story about one of them being nice and courteous but for the most part they are tired grouchy assholes. I understand they have a demanding job (sitting on your ass cutting people off all day), but for fuck sake’s cheer up a…
To Access Hell
Thank you so much for charging me for all those parking tickets for that woman who stole my license plate, and thank you to the Police for not reporting the plate stolen when I called months ago. Thank you tax commission for charging me 780 dollars tax for a 2005 Impala with 378 thousand kilometers…
Where have all the gayboys gone?
I’m gay and single and would like to meet people. But why is it so hard to meet guys in this city? Where can one guy meet a decent guy around here besides the clubs and skeezy internet dating sites? I’m not bad looking and consider myself to be friendly, very considerate, intelligent and always…
No lesbian chat-slut ads?
Why are there only late-night TV slut-chat ads directed toward hetero males? You know the ones… scantily clad bimbos smiling, writhing and talking on the phone inviting guys to call them. Where are the chat-slut ads for lesbians, hetero females, gays and the trans-gendered? Not that I’d call. Just noticing the inequality of opportunity offered…
Dear Section 4C
If there’s a spoon in the toilet, don’t shit in it! 20 of us have to share that bathroom ffs. —Pretty Kitty
To all you dumbass parents
To all you dumb-asses out there who get your kids to chase the ducks and ducklings in Public Gardens: just take the fucking picture and move on. Don’t have your kids running after the baby ducks for a half hour at a time! Try to imagine in your puny little minds that maybe the ducklings…
I remain alone
Why is that all my buddies have girlfriends or friends w/benefits at all times, and I gotta keep getting busy with my palm? No I don’t wanna prostitute! I want what my buddies got: a woman to spend time with and have regular sex with! I was just recently told that I keep asking out…
Environmentalists welcome Sable announcement
Federal and provincial governments announce Sable Island will be designated a national park after extensive public consultations.
CITY MAIL responds
I received mail from CITY MAIL today, responding to yesterday’s blog post about the mystery mailbox that has appeared in Halifax. Here’s the letter: [image-1] [image-2] I still have no idea who CITY MAIL is, but that’s obviously part of the plan.
TD Building re-design proposal revealed
Toronto-Dominion Bank wants to nearly triple the size of its 18-storey Barrington Street tower. The plan calls for the demolition of the Macara-Barnstead Building on Granville Street, a registered historic property that dates to the 1820s. Architect Bill Anwyll unveilled the plans last Thursday before the Design Review Committee. That committee reviews all building proposals…
The Little Things
Walking to work on College Street this morning at 7am, I look down to see a perfect red apple sitting in the middle of a tree stump. It was a strange thing to see but still very cool. —Loving Halifax’s Quirkiness
Background Noise
Just heard this free internet talk show for the first time, completely hilarious, props to the 4 Halifax gents that do it!! Keep at it boys! You rock! —Barnaby Castles
Fish cakes
Yes indeed the fish cakes with a side of beans and toast are by far the BEST IN HALIFAX!!!! Thanks to the friendly server for the GREAT service. I’ll be back:) —Sincerely, Happy
Stars on houses
What is with every second home displaying a giant star on the house? Is this a religious symbol? Seriously… it looks so tacky. Leave the Christmas decorations for Christmas and have some class Nova Scotia. —Star hater
Sad state of society
To the residents of Halifax, for that matter to the inhabitants of Earth: On my regular morning drive to work, while driving thru to get my coffee, I noticed a young woman standing by a pay phone. With a suitcase and several smaller bags, it was very apparent she was having a bad morning. She…
Hey Dickhead(s)
Feeling good about yourself for taking half the railing on my wheelchair ramp at my cafe? Tough guy(s) eh, pat yourself on the back with your knuckledragging arms you worthless piece(s) of shit. Grow the fuck up and grab a clue. Karma fuckface(s), karma —Chef Motherfucker
Really? A Batting Cage?
To the 150 or so West End neighborhood residents who recently showed up to vent their frustrations about a BATTING CAGE constructed at Larry O’Connell Field on Chebucto Road: ARE YOU F**KING SERIOUS? The first time I drove by I remember thinking how I would have given ANYTHING to have a batting cage in my…
Yellow Ferrari of Shame
I can’t hustle up any real emnity here, but this goes to the guy in the bright yellow sportscar who has been driving around Halifax the last week or so: Dude, we all get it. You’re a real cocks-man. You have a five o’clock shadow and nice button up shirts and wear shoes with no…
How Many Licks Does It Take to Get Lil’ Kim to Alderney Landing?
style for miles? She’s the Black Barbie, she’s Biggie’s ex-girlfriend, she got the magic stick, she has a filthy mouth, she’s been to jail a bunch of times and she really likes plastic surgery. Yes, Lil’ Kim is coming to Alderney Landing on Wednesday June 23 at 8pm. Tickets are on sale starting today through…
You’re so Vain…
As far as I can tell I am allowed to put whatever I want in my status report. If i want to say I’m ‘drinking coffee’ or ‘picking my arse’ it’s my status update and I can put whatever I want. Why is it some people think everything is all about them? I put in…
Noah Pink joins Xavier Dolan and Atom Egoyan
Halifax filmmaker Noah Pink is in good company. Today, at Cannes, he participated in a panel discussion with Quebec filmmaker Xavier Dolan (Les amours imaginaires), who some consider the second coming, and Atom Egoyan. Pink’s African hip-hop drama ZedCrew is part of the festival’s Directors’ Fortnight. Look for a story in Thursday’s Coast. We’re also…
Classified Nominated for Three MMVAs
The MuchMusic Video Award nominations have been announced, and Classified is up for three of them. His nods are below. Full list of nominees here. The show airs live on Sunday, June 20 at 9 pm.Post-Production Of The Year Classified f. Maestro, Choclair & Moka Only — Quit While You’re Ahead (Half Life Records/Sony Music)Post-Production:…
Get a Sneak Peek at Obsolete Records
Ian Fraser is the man behind the north end’s newest record shop Obsolete Records, and he has updated the store’s Facebook group ahead of its grand opening this weekend (Sat May 22nd to be exact.) He has a list of new releases that you will drool over for a little bit (Lighting Bolt! Quasi! Sage…
4 Important Halifax Artists According to Aux.Tv
So this popped up on my Twitter feed today (I’m tweeting like a motherfucker these days because I’m giving up Facebook, which is like giving up smoking and becoming addicted to jelly beans) – Aux.tv has unveiled their “4 Halifax Bands You Should Check Out” list. The people that they have gotten behind are Rich…
Bear is Back
It was Atlantis, Chopin and the Crown Diner, and now it’s been reported that Ray Bear, former chef at Gio and at his own Barrington Street resto—the eponymously named Bear Restaurant at civic address 1241—will be opening a more casual eatery (than we’re used to from him) in June on Salter Street, where those three…
Head Over Heels
People say that long distance doesn’t work, can’t work. But we’ve proven that if it’s real, it can. I love and miss you, Squirt! —Dori
Thoreau
I do hope you find what you are looking for. If isolation doesn’t give you all the answers, and you could use a real friend, I’m here. —Can’t help but care
Hali’s Redlight Runners
What the fuck is wrong with you people? I see this every single day at least 5-6 times a day. People running red light after red light. It’s not the “Oh I’ll speed up way too fast and just barely make the yellow light” idiots that I’m talking about. It’s these morons who just blast…
Your BED is for sleeping
Thank you to the frizzy-haired goof on the morning blackjack bus downtown today… Everything you did in your state of slumber made my Monday morning commute totally awkward, causing me to rue the very fact that I even left my bed. First, you had to go and put your bag on the seat beside you…
My friend the gossip bag!
Forget the fact that we’ve been friends since the age of 15 because it doesn’t matter anymore. You obviously have nothing better to do than pry into my life and now my boyfriends. You pick apart the lives of others waiting and watching to see if they screw up so you can run around gossiping…
Taxpayer expenditure for four-pad arena still secret
The Halifax Regional Municipality continues to refuse to tell us how many millions of taxpayer dollars it is paying an American-owned private firm to operate the new four-pad arena in Hammonds Plains. Coast readers will recall that the city contracted with Nustadia, Inc.—a subdivision of the Ohio-based Cochran Group, with Nustadia’s corporate offices in Calgary—…
CITY MAIL appears over the weekend: But what is it?
Over the weekend, a strange box has appeared attached to a telephone pole near The Coast’s office, at the corner of Cunard and Creighton Streets: [image-1] Upon further inspection, the box has this note attached to it: [image-2] The note reads: It is easy to write your city with CITY MAIL CITY MAIL is an…
Laura Chenoweth shows again
“Being a local clothing designer and using Heroine’s space/boutique is an ongoing experiment of how to sell clothes locally—without the crazy retail overhead!” writes Laura Chenoweth, reminding us she’s offering you another chance to check out her clothes, Friday May 21 and Saturday May 22, at Heroine (5775 Charles Street, 420-0328) from 11am-6pm. Expect fresh,…
Mother and Duckling Saviors
To the people who stopped traffic and ushered a mother duck and her four ducklings across a busy intersection and back into the Public Gardens: Bravo. Random acts of kindness such as this are inspiring. —RobertoBerto
Much Thanks
To the woman and the man who helped me carry my bags along Queen St, thank you! I was tired and really struggling to get them home. —K.
2 Names That Should NEVER Appear Together
This one’s for the girl working in Scotia Square… I was eavesdropping on your story and you were kind enough to repeat it for me and it was so good I have to pay it forward… Your African-American-Canadian friend gets payback on the condescending and bitchy staff at her tanning salon: she storms out in…
Wonderful High School Friend
We’ve evolved much since then. Abundant institutional obstacles and employment challenges aside, I admire your success in developing geeky interests into real talent. Although the banter has always been reciprocal, only recently have I been intrigued beyond an intellectual level. Your initiative and taste are compelling. Full of desire yet free of expectations, I am…
Wallet Withdrawl
To the individual who pointed out that my wallet had fallen out of my pocket dirty dancing at reflections last night: I thank you again. I know it must have been kind of awkward to interrupt, but it’s people like you that make me love this city. I hope the karma returns to you! —Blinded…
Thank you for The English Beat in Halifax.
The English Beat were Great! And a big thank you to the folks responsible for bringing them to perform. Thanks to The Beat for coming too as one show had been canceled earlier this year. You guys rocked and the age range of the crowd reflected the appreciation for your talent. Way to go everyone…
You’re such a stupid driver!
To the ornery middle age man who complained to me that it “was a tight fit” to get by us on Kent Street yesterday, and I’d like to say that if you can slow down NEXT TO ME IN THE TIGHT FIT and BITCH to me about it, it’s really not as tight as your…
That’s getting insane
Well, it happened again. Almost expected by now. You talk to this girl, share a drink, she seems to show some interest. Later in the night, you make out. And then she tells you that, yep, you’re nice but she’s got an AWESOME BF she ABSOLUTELY loves… Well, thanks, but if I knew that before,…
What the hell? Don’t you know where your going, before you get behind the wheel?
Ok you drive up the 102 from Bedford to Hamonds plains in the left lane, then just as you get to the ramp you fly across in front of two other drivers to get off! Like, what the hell? Did you not make that trip a 100 times? If not there Karney lake and Chain…
Get out of the passing lane!
It’s not just the left lane on a 100 series highway it’s called the passing lane for a reason, FOR PASSING !! So next time you find your slow ass there and the car to the right of you is there for say 5 minutes then realize you are not passing and get the fuck…
Missin you.
I just left Halifax and I miss it so much. I can’t wait to live there again someday, but, I miss you more. I can’t wait to see you again you crazy swede! I’ll continue to experience Halifax vicariously through you. Love you! —Canoe
Two loves!
First, thank you to the stranger who contacted me about my lost bus pass/student ID/gym membership. I dropped all 3 in the Black Market and thought they were gone forever. I really appreciate that this stranger did not keep them. Second, to the bus driver who helped the elderly man cross the street on Thursday.…
Which way did he go?
Ok, I understand not every city or town has a round-about/rotary/traffic circle. I also understand that subsequently not everyone has driven through one. However, I’d like to send a big huge thanks out to the idiot who thought it would be a good idea to drive the wrong way around the Armdale rotary yesterday. Thanks…
Introduce it then shut up!!
Why is it that DJ’s always feel the need to talk over the intros to songs? We don’t want to hear your sorry excuse for attempted clever banter we want to hear the DAMN SONG!! Do you think you’re cool or talented being able to talk just up until the singer begins? You’re NOT. You’re…
Bagel?
A open letter to the bakers in HRM: Bagels are not meant to be made from standard bread dough. I am tired of getting bagels that are essentially bread in a circular shape. Bagels are dense, moist and chewy, not soft, dry and squishy. I”m really trying to support local businesses, but when you make…
Charming
To the obnoxious man who was so rude to my co-worker late this afternoon – I feel sorry for you. It must be hard going through life with no social skills. However maybe you should buy yourself a photocopier to save us all the grief next time. —Being polite isn’t hard
Yo Rodeo sale this Sunday
Yo Rodeo is having a print sale this weekend, Sunday from noon to 5pm, at their studio in the training centre, 5557 Cunard Street, 2nd floor hallway. I have two Yo Rodeo prints on my wall and can I say, it makes the place.
Product of the week: Seabright Soul’s wearable dioramas
If you’re like Lisa Simpson and you take your dioramas really seriously, you’ll love Seabright Soul (seabrightsoul.com). Lisa MacDormand creates tiny shadowbox pendants—-about the size of a matchbox—-out of two tiny panes of glasses soldered with lead-free sterling silver. Inside, she builds miniature three-dimensional worlds out of images, gems and other whimsical finds. Spotted: wee…
Carbon Arc’s film footprint
Memories of Wormwoods How often have you had the conversation about how great it would be to have an independent rep cinema in Halifax? Well, filmmaker Siloën Daley has decided to do something about one of the city’s biggest shortcomings: “I really want Halifax to have an independent cinema space, it’s been too long talking…
She’s our dancing queen: Gwen Noah
In arts terms, 20 years of surviving is its own tiny miracle. This weekend Gwen Noah Dance is celebrating two decades with Here, a performance at Neptune Studio Theatre (nightly at 8pm, May 13, $50, May14-15, $25). Not a typical retrospective, Noah sorted through years of contemporary dance pieces, pulling select movements and excerpts into…
Sims and Allen: Precious things at Mary E. Black
Catherine Allen, Inflate. Greg Sims, Gestate. Sterling silver, resin, cubic zirconia. Jewellery designing is generally a solitary task, but for the show re:growth at Mary E. Black Gallery, artists Catherine Allen and Greg Sims opened up dialogue around their practices, sharing ideas, materials and tools. This is conceptual adornment with thought: Sims slyly riffs on…
Picnicface’s Roller Town gets distribution
Yesterday we received word that one of our favourite trailers for a non-existent movie may soon get the big screen that it deserves. D Films, a Toronto-based indie distributor, has acquired Canadian rights to Picnicface’s first feature-length film, Roller Town. While the comedy troupe is still patiently waiting to hear back about funding from Telefilm,…
Friday Five: Corn Party
It’s Friday – who doesn’t love completely arbitrary lists about things that are vaguely related to each other (but not really)? Oh, I do. It’s getting summery in Halifax, beer is everywhere, the fat child across the street is on his bike again, the cats are out fighting and making love in the north end…
It’s (kinda) good to be back
After two weeks on vacation, I return to a city with dismal, chilly weather, and a job I can barely stand. Yet The Coast lovin’ and bitchin’ makes things a bit easier. (Mos of) You guys rawk. —*Mind Snap*
Love The Coast
You guys rock. —Not-so-cranky cranky
Rarest thing in Halifax?
Please, Thank You, You’re Welcome, Excuse me, etc. —Sincerely yours
On Patrol
[image-1] What’s wrong? Collapsing stone pillar, St. Matthew’s United Church. Who’s responsible? Dora McGrath, 423-9209. Remarks Reader Ronwyn Damora sent this photo of the collapsing stone work at the foot of Spring Garden Road, between the church and the Maritime Centre. McGrath said it started collapsing about a week ago. The church operates on a…
Wintersleep
Thanks for coming to Halifax before May long weekend. It’s been a while, and my last few experiences of your brilliance were tarnished – fraught with Calgarian apathy among the audience in that lame town. Welcome home, can’t wait to hear your new stuff live. And in a fun city. —Sully
Love for the Cube on the 102!
Driving to work this morning my car decided to blow a tire on the churned up blacktop of the 102. Managed to make it to the shoulder and stood for an hour trying to figure out what to do… no cell, and where the hell is the jack for this car? As car after car…
Cletus
… and to add to the jaw-dropping weird day, Dear Cletus, was that after over hearing your conversation at Canadian Tire, and walking away, then randomly deciding, “Hm, Moxies looks alright” and going out of my way, only to run into you and hear that your day was much the same, riddled with cosmic happenings,…
Library glances, strange romances
We’re worlds apart now but I’m still thinking of you, missing your humour and that spark we both felt. We played games with each others hearts and minds, why I will never completely know but I wanted to tell you that I forgive you for everything – for not saying goodbye, for leading me astray.…
To my Art
In less than two weeks you have made me happier than I ever thought possible. After so long waiting, we are finally together.. I love you with all my heart, Just never give me a reason to leave and I wont ever will. —Peaches
Anyone feel a breeze?
Ok, i get that low slung jeans/pants are all the rage these days. Young, old, big, small they all seem to be wearing them. Lovely. Cracks of all sizes there to greet me where ever I go. However, to the chick hanging on to her guy on the back of his crotch rocket going down…
Honk if you’re in immediate danger
Today I was on the 10 going down Gottigen St when a lady with a baby stroller wanted to cross the road. The bus driver slowed and stopped at the painted, clearly marked crosswalk. The lady started to cross and almost reached the left side of the front of the bus when OUT OF NOWHERE…
Dear protesters,
BE MORE SPECIFIC! There were a group of approximately 20 men wearing old fashioned costumes (possibly war costumes?) protesting (I assume) downtown. They were wearing signs that said “Pro Life” and just before I approached them to express my disgust it suddenly hit me. “What’s with the old fashioned, possibly war, costumes?” and “Why are…
Re-stocking fee
Retailers: telling your customer they will be charged a 10 percent re-stocking fee for any returns is something you should tell them before they make a purchase not after. —Fail
To the Midnight Shit Bandit who lives in my ‘hood . . .
I step off my front porch to get the morning paper and I have to dodge the huge pile of crap that your dog left there during his walk last night. This pisses me off because my front porch is thirty feet from the sidewalk. It also indicates to me that you are an ignorant…
Your construction zone stinks!
I don’t plan to go out for a nice lunch or supper just to have to deal with loud hammering, sawing and the smell of paint and stainer at a restaurant and be kindly told I am welcome to go downstairs… the noise lingers and the smell travels. Why don’t you close for renovations instead…
Email navigation buttons/links are just plain fucking wrong
I wonder whether we will ever see email navigation buttons placed in proper canonical order. Conventional wisdom predicates that to go into the past one must go “backward” hence, the “older/previous/prior” link should appear leftward, and have a left arrow (or up), and link to a message that arrived at a LATER juncture. It really…
Dog “Lovers”
Do ya love your dog? Do you love your dog so much that you’d die a little if anything happened to that wonderful feeling of pure unconditional love that only your lovely dog can give? WELL THEN WHY THE FUCK DO YOU LET THEM HANG OUT THE WINDOW OF YOUR CAR? Seriously… are you all…
Stop blaming each other
I sincerely doubt the ability to clean up this oil spill. It is absolutely disgusting, and the industry has directly caused countless losses of life and natural resources since its inception. Is oil really worth destroying ecosystems that span international boundaries? Is it really worth the lives of the workers? Is it really worth the…
England is Screaming
rich aucoin mind control As we speak, the Ghost Bees, Joel Plaskett and Rich Aucoin are all hanging out in Brighton, England with the likes of Groove Armada and Broken Social Scene, hopefully sharing bottles of Patron and cackling over their eventual domination of the world. They’re playing at the Great Escape Music Conference and…
Open Up the Gates
last summer i went swimming… Steve Gates knows about starting from scratch. Last year, the Caledonia frontman and “closet folkie” put out a solo album, A Bee in Her Mouth, mixing and mastering it himself and selling it off the stage after his shows. After teaming up with Toronto-based producer John Critchley, Gates re-recorded some…
Best Burger
The Peanut Butter Burger. It’s one of those things where when you first hear of it—peanut butter on a burger with bacon, cheese, tomato and lettuce—you can’t quite believe it, but the religious transmutation from heretic to believer is a joy to witness. We suggest you initiate someone you care for as soon as possible.…
Best Patio
On a clear day, from the rooftop patio at Your Father’s Moustache you can see eternity. Or, at the very least, the bottom of your beer mug, before you request another. If it rains, as it often does in our Halifax summers, lounge in the spacious dining room overlooking Spring Garden Road, and enjoy the…
The Good News About Armageddon
We’ve been talking about end times for so long—probably since the beginning of time—it’s lost its point. PEI native and Toronto-based poet Steve McOrmond’s titular work re-sharpens it. Across 38 pages, with curt and cutting writing, he reminds us the end of things, time, people, relationships, plans for a day or a life, the world,…
Best Breakfast
Fighting off a challenge from Cora’s, Coastal maintains its dominance in the Best Breakfast category for another year. There are plenty of reasons for this: Owner and chef Mark Giffin’s amazing food, the friendly energy that suffuses the intimate Robie Street room. Or, we could heap all the credit on The Elvis, that monument to…
Best Indian Restaurant
At press time, the fate of the Taj Mahal is uncertain, following a fire at its South Street location in January that closed the place. Despite that, Coast readers anointed the restaurant in the inaugural Best Indian Food category, which should be a big vote of confidence to the owners to find a way to…
Best Kid-friendly Spot
Grabbing a second victory in this category, the Oxford Street cafe solidifies its standing as a family friendly community hub, with great coffee and tea, plus fresh baked goods to go along with the toys, kids’ play area and kids’ specials on the menu. Drop by, congratulate them on the five candles stuck in their…
Best Sandwich
Pete Luckett continues to shine as the salad and sandwich dude. His deli counter, Pete’s To Go Go, draws in the downtown lunch crowd with heaping piles of fresh ingredients, assembled in front of you, both warm and cold. The Power Juice Bar brings the amazing, fortifying fruit smoothies that give you a jolt of…
Best Clayton Park Area Restaurant
Another super-close race is taken by the defending champion, Sushi Nami’s second location. A more family-friendly and casual place than the originating downtown restaurant, SNR has now spawned a third location in Dartmouth, which should please sushi lovers on that side of the harbour. The love had been earned through reasonable prices, great service and…
Best Barista
Open since November 2009, the Two If By Sea Cafe has made such a huge impact on the complexion of downtown Dartmouth, it’s drawing folks from across the harbour. On the afternoon we speak to Zane Kelsall—co-owner with Tara MacDonald—there’s not a free seat in the place. The coffee is excellent and the cookies and…
The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine
In this compelling look at 2008’s world financial meltdown, The Blind Side author focuses on a few money managers who won big when Wall Street bet wrong. Along with a tale of oddballs battling the system, you get an easy-to-swallow education. “The subprime mortgage market had a special talent for obscuring,” Lewis writes. “Alt-A was…
Best Campus Eats
A long-adored staple of the Dalhousie University experience, Jerry “The Dawgfather” Reddick has been serving up hotdogs and veggie dogs to hungry students since the late ‘90s in all kinds of weather. A jovial, boisterous fellow, The Dawgfather is loved for both the great hotdogs (along with the wide selection of condiments) and the generosity…
Best Middle Eastern / Persian Restaurant
Every year they’ve been open, Mezza has won a plaque as voted by Coast readers. The first year it was Best New Restaurant and since then, Best Middle Eastern/Persian (though Tarek’s was close this year to stealing the crown). Mezza’s brilliance in atmosphere, service and food keep us all coming back for the magic they…
Moving Upstream
Local music collective Upstream Music Association is turning 20 this week, and to celebrate, they’re going back to their roots. The association was formed in 1990, and played its first show at Saint Mary’s University Art Gallery. Now, still going strong two decades later, the birthday party includes a retrospective exhibit at the gallery, culminating…
Best Salad
Pete Luckett continues to shine as the salad and sandwich dude. His deli counter, Pete’s To Go Go, draws in the downtown lunch crowd with heaping piles of fresh ingredients, assembled in front of you, both warm and cold. The Power Juice Bar brings the amazing, fortifying fruit smoothies that give you a jolt of…
Best Milkshake
The Peanut Butter Burger. It’s one of those things where when you first hear of it—peanut butter on a burger with bacon, cheese, tomato and lettuce—you can’t quite believe it, but the religious transmutation from heretic to believer is a joy to witness. We suggest you initiate someone you care for as soon as possible.…
Best Desserts
Again Il Mercato gets a hat trick of awards for the third year running. That’s got to be some kind of record. We said it last year and we’ll say it again: it speaks to a consistency of quality in the linguini, the tomato, the fromaggi, the atmosphere, the excellent service and the high quality…
LCD Soundsystem
When James Murphy mournfully lamented “New York, I Love You,” bringing the much-praised Sound of Silver to a close, few expected to hear from LCD Soundsystem again. Is it any wonder then, that when a copy of This is Happening turned up online before the release date, many fans ignored Murphy’s plea to wait? Happening…
House bound
Throughout David Hoffos’ Scenes from the House Dream, solitary individuals appear in life-size and small scale. The visitor encounters the former type sitting at different points along the walkway, throughout this built environment, an evocative funhouse. They appear via video projection on plywood cutouts painted black. “The strange cutout figures in the space,” nods Sarah…
Best Sushi Restaurant
Since arriving on the scene in 2001, Hamachi has expanded to multiple locations around town—most recently Hamachi Grill and Sushi House on Portland Street in Dartmouth—with no drop in quality, if repeated and multiple wins in this category are anything to go by. Whether your pleasure is sashimi or nigiri, hirame or hotate, maguro or…
Best Late-night Food
There’s something about the photos of construction workers atop the Rockefeller Center, the intimate booths and the stellar pizza and fried appetizers that draws the vampires and other nocturnal creatures who like to congregate in the wee hours to this long-running Quinpool fixture. The sports on the TVs and friendly bar service don’t hurt, either.…
Best Bakery
For those who don’t know, Didier Julien is a master baker, patissier and choclatier who apprenticed in France before moving to Nova Scotia 26 years ago. His delightful baked goods are prepared fresh early every morning in Chester and transported to the Hydrostone location first thing, while also available at Pete’s Frootique in Bedford and…
Best Cole Harbour Restaurant
Over a decade in business, and those who know quality know this eatery just off Cole Harbour Road. Popular standards of the Irish diet are regular specials, including corned beef and cabbage, liver and onions and prime rib with Yorkshire pud. The comfortable chairs for lounging as well as plenty of tables makes for an…
Best Pasta
Again Il Mercato gets a hat trick of awards for the third year running. That’s got to be some kind of record. We said it last year and we’ll say it again: it speaks to a consistency of quality in the linguini, the tomato, the fromaggi, the atmosphere, the excellent service and the high quality…
Paper Beat Scissors
There is a certain haunting quality to Paper Beat Scissors, perhaps it’s the struggle found within singer-songwriter Tim Crabtree’s voice, or the movement of the music. In moments Paper Beat Scissors echoes early Radiohead, while in others there are hints of Caribou and Grizzly Bear. The melody on the album’s title track, “Flicker,” is as…
Best Donair
As many know, the Pizza Corner location of King of Donair shut down in the spring. Hopefully it’s not for good—a sign out front says “under renovation.” But even a temporary closure will have many a nocturnal Haligonian crying into their beers, knowing that an essential part of their night—the all important booze-blotting donair—will need…
Best Thai Restaurant
Whew, this was a close race, with Cha Baa squeaking a win over Talay, which took it last year. Kim Hong Dao and Chitsanupong Prathumma should be thrilled as owners of both Thai palaces, though Cha Baa is the newest, serving since summer 2007. For us, we’re fans of the green curry, the masaman curry…
Best Seafood
As one of the premiere seafood restaurants in Halifax and still going strong, you should expect a special experience at Five Fishermen, starting with the mussel and salad bar—complementary with every main course—and one of the great wine lists in Halifax. They boast “from the sea to the skillet in the same day,” which speaks…
Best Smoothie
Pete Luckett continues to shine as the salad and sandwich dude. His deli counter, Pete’s To Go Go, draws in the downtown lunch crowd with heaping piles of fresh ingredients, assembled in front of you, both warm and cold. The Power Juice Bar brings the amazing, fortifying fruit smoothies that give you a jolt of…
Best Chicken Wings
For the second year running Bubba Ray’s has held the mantle of Best Chicken Wings in Halifax, those delicious fried treats that go so delectably well with big-screen sports and beer. It would be hard to argue the bar, decorated with 30-plus multiple flatsceen monitors, skimps on variety, with 60 wing sauces to choose from…
Best Restaurant (Outside The HRM)
For the inaugural award giving a shout out to restaurants further afield, this excellent South Shore haute cuisine eatery owned by Sylvie and Martin Ruiz Salvador takes it. A quick look at the seasonally changing entrees gives all the clues to their success: How do Lunenburg scallops, rabbit ravioli or lamb trio sound to you?…
Solomon Burke
Solomon Burke ❱ Nothing’s Impossible (E1 Music/The One World) This album could’ve, perhaps should’ve, been attributed to Solomon Burke and Willie Mitchell, the producer behind Al Green, in particular. Mitchell passed away in January (his sons and proteges Boo and Archie completed the project). Green’s voice stood tall with Mitchell’s steady 4/4 drums, clarion horns…
Best Fish & Chips
A quintessential neighbourhood fish and chips joint, Phil’s started on Purcells Cove Road, though that western location has been closed for a couple of years now, leaving the Quinpool spot as the only place to get what Phil Perrin’s cooking up. The decor isn’t what you’ll remember, it’ll be the crispy batter and succulent fish…
The Trotsky leaves farce at the door
Don’t be fooled by the title or the premise—The Trotsky is neither a political screed nor a broad farce, despite the fact that it concerns a Montreal teenager who thinks he’s the reincarnation of communist hero Leon Trotsky. With help from star Jay Baruchel and a cast of fine Canadian actors, writer-director Jacob Tierney has…
InFullBloom Spring Fair & Green Garden
It’s spring time, and the folks at Imagine Bloomfield want to celebrate with a spring fair that’ll sprout a native perennial and heirloom seed sale, local vendors and family activities. “It’s to celebrate gardening and the take on helping Bloomfield bloom,” says Susanna Fuller, co-chair of Imagine Bloomfield. The blooming Fuller talks about is that…
Best Health Food Store
Reports of financial woes at the head office—Planet Organic is headquartered in Edmonton—hasn’t slowed things down at all at the Halifax location, which has been a repeat winner in this category for years. The store’s fresh produce, organic food, deep selection of vitamins, supplements and the friendly, informed staff is what keeps the store buzzing…
Best Dartmouth Restaurant
n their second year of business, Nectar takes on all comers and takes the prize for Best Dartmouth Restaurant the second year running. That’s pretty impressive, a sign that whatever it is they’re doing, they’re doing it right: It’s in the brunch, lunch and dinner menus—try the beef carpaccio or the Thai curry penne—the sparkling…
Best Italian Restaurant
Again Il Mercato gets a hat trick of awards for the third year running. That’s got to be some kind of record. We said it last year and we’ll say it again: it speaks to a consistency of quality in the linguini, the tomato, the fromaggi, the atmosphere, the excellent service and the high quality…
Best Brew Pub
You’ve got to drop in to try their sensational ales, but given Rogue’s frequent appearance in this category, that’s what Coast readers have been doing. They’ve been sipping the various ales (red, brown, raspberry wheat, cream and IPA) or maybe one of the seasonal special offerings (Russian imperial stout, oatmeal stout, barley wine, pilsner and…
Best Fish Cakes
Coast readers have dished openly about the food in this place, which, along with the welcoming 176-year-old historic building, probably accounts for the popularity of the pub: We’ve never been in there when it’s quiet, and we’re in there all the time. In the winter especially, you’d be hard pressed to find a cozier spot,…
Letters to Juliet‘s love story is a chore
In Verona, Italy, Shakespeare’s Juliet is a kind-of Ann Landers for the romantically confused and brokenhearted, and Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), on vacation with her chef boyfriend (Gael Garcia Bernal) replies to an ancient letter, imploring Juliet for advice. The author, Claire (Vanessa Redgrave), travels to Sophie —dragging along her prick grandson (Charlie Egan) for Sophie…
Shakedown Combo’s rockabilly genes
Davey Lee Goode reveals a surprise over the phone. Asked how the members of his band, The Shakedown Combo, met, he chuckles. “That’s kind of a closely guarded secret: We’re a family.” It’s tough to figure that out from their website, but Gill Goode, vocalist (pictured), and Davey, guitarist, are married, and they moved to…
Best Shawarma
We have a theory as to why Venus has owned this category for a few years. Sure, there’s the authenticity of the shawarma and the freshness of the ingredients (chicken or beef, tomato, lettuce, pickles, pickled beets). But we think the real draw is that unbelievable garlic sauce. It’s like nothing found in nature, a…
Best Place To Watch The Game
For the second year running Bubba Ray’s has held the mantle of Best Chicken Wings in Halifax, those delicious fried treats that go so delectably well with big-screen sports and beer. It would be hard to argue the bar, decorated with 30-plus multiple flatsceen monitors, skimps on variety, with 60 wing sauces to choose from…
Best Bartender
“I wouldn’t say I’m really the best at anything,” says the modest McLean about his skills as a bartender. “I’m just consistent.” After about seven years working at Mexicali Rosa’s, being consistent has earned him the appreciation of the staff and the ownership. “I do make drinks well, I serve well and I’m a supervisor…
Hole
Courtney Love’s been on everyone’s dead pool for years, but Nobody’s Daughter proves that there’s still some snarl left in the lady, though it’s a little cracked and worn. The album is just OK —unmemorable, but not the wreck some critics predicted. “Skinny Little Bitch” tries too hard to reclaim that former Hole sound—it already…
Frog Eyes
Frog Eyes’ Carey Mercer doesn’t make his music easy to like, even though there’s much to like about it. From the manic, affected vocals to the sprawling, distorted arrangements, his songs bleed passion—so much so that sometimes his pop sensibilities just can’t contain it all. Almost half of the songs on Paul’s Tomb: A Triumph…
Word is Out: Stories of Some of Our Lives
In honour of International Day Against Homophobia, the Toronto International Film Festival’s Movie Night in Halifax will be screening the 1978 landmark documentary Word is Out: Stories of Some of Our Lives. The first feature length documentary about gay and lesbian individuals made by gay filmmakers, it’s comprised of interviews with 26 North Americans of…
Best Vegetarian-friendly Restaurant
Lil MacPherson and Chrtistine Bower’s restaurant rocking the corner of Grafton and Prince offers dishes with organic and locally grown ingredients as part of their culinary manifesto. As they explain on their website: “By using locally grown organic produce we not only ensure the quality of the food we serve so far as this is…
Best Liquor / Wine Store
The in-house sommelier Alanna McIntyre is the one to consult for what’s good in wines, both international and local. For The Coast’s Green Halifax she explained why Nova Scotia white wines are especially fine. “Our grapes retain a vibrant acidity…for aromatic whites,” due to the cooler weather. Though wine is their niche, it isn’t all…
Best Sackville Restaurant
Open four years, Tom’s has nabbed the Best Sackville Restaurant for three, as long as we’ve been giving it out. That’s a pretty great run, and it shows no sign of stopping, as the large family joint—it can seat up to 200 people—keeps packing them in for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Owners Dimitri and Tina…
Best Fries
In 2008, Bud and Nancy True decided to pack it in and retire from the French fry truck business. But unforeseen circumstances brought them back for an encore, one more season in summer 2009. Last we heard in September they were going to try and sell the business and finally leave it behind. If they’ve…
Best Beer Selection
No disrespect intended to the distinguished runners-up, but they’d need a landslide of votes to even come close to the kind of numbers Maxwell’s is pulling down. With 60 beers on tap and many more available in bottles, they’re the real King of Beers. Have you tried the gluten free La Messagere? How about Fruili…
Michou
“I got kicked out of music lessons when I was a kid because I wasn’t learning anything, I was just writing my own stuff,” says Mike Hargreaves, vocalist for Michou, a pop-folk band from Windsor, Ontario. He can laugh at that now: Having just opened for Dashboard Confessional (an artist Hargreaves says is one of…
Playing Pirates
“I would rather vote for a pirate,” proclaimed one proud Haligonian on Q104, “than a crook!” That was Tyler Jacquard’s favourite answer to the station’s question: “Would you vote for the Pirate Party?” “That was some wonderful feedback.” More importantly for Jacquard, it was “wonderful” exposure for the east coast Pirate Party, a sparse community…
Best Use Of Local Ingredients
Lil MacPherson and Chrtistine Bower’s restaurant rocking the corner of Grafton and Prince offers dishes with organic and locally grown ingredients as part of their culinary manifesto. As they explain on their website: “By using locally grown organic produce we not only ensure the quality of the food we serve so far as this is…
Best Steak
Vegetarians, look away. This is a celebration of the ne plus ultra of meat-lovin’ deliciousness. How does a sirloin sound to you—maybe the Teriyaki or Oscar or the Red Pepper—grilled as you prefer, from the practically wriggling Blue Rare through to very well-done Chicago? Or if you’d like, go for a New York striploin, peppercorn…
Best Chowder
A genuine upset this year, with perennial runner-up for Best Chowder, Jane Wright’s joint at the corner of Cunard and Robie, taking the prize from the longtime chowderheads on the Bedford Highway, even though the Esquire was recognized in Saveur magazine recently for its chowder. Nice job, jane’s! The other winning category it’s well-known for…
Best Ice Cream / Gelato / Frozen Yogurt
Ah, we appreciate the nostalgia, but Dio Mio is gone. After almost 20 years of whipping up gelato magic, even expanding to Dartmouth Crossing, the business is but a cool and sweet memory. All those crazy, wonderful flavours now only exist in our minds. First Runner-up: Cows Second Runner-up: Il Mercato Ristorante Related Stories
Best Cheap Drinks
A message to students: With $10 pitchers of beer all day every day, this is the place you need to be to kick back and relax and spend some of that loan money. If you don’t spend at least some of your student loan on beer you’re ignoring a longstanding university tradition and your grades…
Best Pub Food
Coast readers have dished openly about the food in this place, which, along with the welcoming 176-year-old historic building, probably accounts for the popularity of the pub: We’ve never been in there when it’s quiet, and we’re in there all the time. In the winter especially, you’d be hard pressed to find a cozier spot,…
Tierney’s town
Jacob Tierney’s The Trotsky comes across as the product of a filmmaker with a singular vision. It’s a movie based on a bizarre conceit and a quirky character, sprinkled with off-kilter humour and fuelled by oddball energy. Tierney could probably reapply these ingredients to several different plot recipes and build a career as Canada’s answer…
Seducing the gun-shy
Q I’m a mostly gay male with a boyfriend who is also mostly gay. We are into BDSM—we are both tops and sometimes play with other sub men. I say we are “mostly” gay because we do like to fuck/top submissive women once in awhile. We haven’t done this a lot, and never together because…
Best Place To Satisfy A Sweet Tooth
Not unlike a visit to Willy Wonka’s Factory, Freak Lunchbox is a multi-coloured, multi-odoured, multi-flavoured garden of delights. And yes, they do carry chocolate bars in which may contain a Golden Ticket. We’re big fans of the huge selection of Jelly Belly jellybeans, all those exotic flavours—even buttered popcorn—but not licorice. It doesn’t stop there,…
Best Brunch
A genuine upset this year, with perennial runner-up for Best Chowder, Jane Wright’s joint at the corner of Cunard and Robie, taking the prize from the longtime chowderheads on the Bedford Highway, even though the Esquire was recognized in Saveur magazine recently for its chowder. Nice job, jane’s! The other winning category it’s well-known for…
Best Asian Grocer
With two back-to-back wins for Best Asian Grocery, Tian Phat—just up the road from Mount Saint Vincent University—is capping off more than a decade in business with a ton of recognition from Coast readers, who appreciate the shop’s healthy supply of Chinese, Vietnamese, Flilipino, Thai and Japanese ingredients, including spices and dried goods, as well…
Best Cocktails
It’s right there in the name: “Bitter End Martini Bar & Restaurant.” When it’s in your name, you’d best be very good at what you do, and Coast readers agree, for close to a decade Bitter End has been the martini joint in Halifax, offering the gin and vermouth standard along with a host of…
The English Beat with The Idlers
Today’s philosophical question: When is a Hole not Hole, but Courtney Love plus a band? Same could be asked about The English Beat, playing a rescheduled show Thursday at the Paragon. This version of the popular late-1970s ska band features founding member Dave Wakelin, who now lives in the States—not to be confused with Ranking…
Best Crew Of Regular Customers
“We wanted to create a place that was friendly, inviting and different from the norm, a neighbourhood pub that offers fantastic food, great service and a feeling of comfort for everyone,” say the owners of Finbar’s, Michael and Pamela Casey, who’ve run the place since October 2004. Clearly their plan is working, given this award,…
Dumbing down news
After decades of neo-liberal assault, our public institutions are in sad shape, none more so than CBC. A recently leaked survey of 24 CBC national radio reporters revealed that 95 percent felt morale was lower than it had ever been during their careers. Yes, 24 is a small sample for any survey, but this one…
Best Stall At The Halifax Farmers’ Market (Prepared Foods)
Fanny Chen has been in Halifax for over 20 years, serving Chinese dishes at her restaurant and Saturday morning stall, much of which is made from the fresh ingredients purchased at the market. Is a happy symbiosis, as we shop for those same ingredients ourselves, we can enjoy their coming together for delicious assemblies in…
Best Chef
Though Fid went through some big changes in 2009—a shift from fine dining to something stylish but a bit more casual—chef Dennis Johnston is still in charge of the menu, which continues to be stuffed with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. “I’m still cooking,” he says firmly. “Not to snap any suspenders, but a person’s style…
Best Lunch Specials
Over the eight years since they started Ko-Doraku, chef Shuji Manabe and his wife Misao have honed an impressive model of efficiency. Lunch only, cash only, they’ll serve 250 customers on a busy day, with help from just one employee. The Japanese menu includes standing specials like the $5.25 vegetable sushi plate, and there’s a…
Best Martini
It’s right there in the name: “Bitter End Martini Bar & Restaurant.” When it’s in your name, you’d best be very good at what you do, and Coast readers agree, for close to a decade Bitter End has been the martini joint in Halifax, offering the gin and vermouth standard along with a host of…
On tap with apps
Best of Food results are in, which got us to thinking—where are good spots to go for budget-friendly happy hours when you want to both eat and drink? The four spots below boast decent deals, but if you know of any more, put your typing where your mouth is and let us know at thecoast.ca.…
Best Tea
It’s with some bittersweet emotions that we announce this year’s winner, especially since it is a defending champion of The Coast’s Best of Food Best Tea title. That’s because the popular teahouse run by Becca Babcock has recently closed, as was reported in The Coast’s Shoptalk column. We bid you adieu, Cargo & James—we hardly…
Shared visions
“It’s mostly the private sector that has solved problems,” Pam Cooley tells me over breakfast at the Ardmore. Cooley is the marketing half of CarShareHFX. It’s the latest venture in an impressive career of social enterprise—for-profit companies designed for the public good. Cooley has worked to safely return Guatemalan refugees from camps in Mexico, and…
Best Stall At The Halifax Farmers’ Market (Produce)
One of the biggest, greenest tables at the Market, Ted Hutten brings a host of fresh herbs and vegetables, with specialty items for local Asian restaurants, depending on the season. Inquire after spinach, beets, onions, squash, kale snap peas, fennel, broccoli, nappa cabbage, eggplant, zucchini, kohlrabi, carrots, spinach, leaf and Boston salad mixes, cilantro and…
Best Server
Though Fid went through some big changes in 2009—a shift from fine dining to something stylish but a bit more casual—chef Dennis Johnston is still in charge of the menu, which continues to be stuffed with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. “I’m still cooking,” he says firmly. “Not to snap any suspenders, but a person’s style…
Best Pizza Pie
This category has been owned by Salvatore’s for years, and despite a late charge from Morris East, the Hydrostone Market mainstay remains the pizza pie champion. And what keeps them in the winter circle with Coast readers? Maybe it’s the thin crust, maybe it’s the surfeit of fresh ingredients, the gourmet combinations of flavours expertly…
Best Coffee (Espresso-based)
For decades Java Blend has been bringing us the best coffees from around the world, with an evolved consciousness for the environment, a keen eye for organic blends and a strong sense of community responsibility and involvement. Those of us unable to globetrot at a moment’s notice can still get a taste of cultures far…
Best Caesar
Referring to an article in The New Yorker, co-owner George Christakos explains the philosophy at Brooklyn Warehouse: “‘Casual, yet serious food.’ That’s an important idea, those two things. I mean, you could go in for lunch one day in a dress shirt and the next day you could be painting your house and come in…
Woman & Scarecrow
Back in 2006, I did my first theatre review for The Coast. The play was The Donahue Sisters by Irish playwright Geraldine Aron. Coincidentally, it was the first production by a brand new theatre company called LunaSea. I loved it. Flash forward four years, and I am again watching LunaSea perform a play by an…
Best Restaurant
Though Fid went through some big changes in 2009—a shift from fine dining to something stylish but a bit more casual—chef Dennis Johnston is still in charge of the menu, which continues to be stuffed with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. “I’m still cooking,” he says firmly. “Not to snap any suspenders, but a person’s style…
Best Pizza Slice
Another frequent winner in the Best of Food pizza stakes, Sicilian has the slices that people love. And not to take anything away from those hefty wedges, the succulent sauce and the terrific cheese, but the Pizza Corner location is a big part of the appeal, too, because pizza and donairs are the choices most…
Best Coffee (Regular)
For decades Java Blend has been bringing us the best coffees from around the world, with an evolved consciousness for the environment, a keen eye for organic blends and a strong sense of community responsibility and involvement. Those of us unable to globetrot at a moment’s notice can still get a taste of cultures far…
Best Atmosphere
Referring to an article in The New Yorker, co-owner George Christakos explains the philosophy at Brooklyn Warehouse: “‘Casual, yet serious food.’ That’s an important idea, those two things. I mean, you could go in for lunch one day in a dress shirt and the next day you could be painting your house and come in…
Best Diner
What we like about the Armview is the combo of retro decor with a thoroughly modern diner menu, with plenty of your milkshake/sandwich and fried delights, but also including avocado wraps, scallop noodle salad and cheeses blue or gouda slathering your burger. Oh, and it’s worth noting that at press time, the extension to the…
Best Cafe
Open since November 2009, the Two If By Sea Cafe has made such a huge impact on the complexion of downtown Dartmouth, it’s drawing folks from across the harbour. On the afternoon we speak to Zane Kelsall—co-owner with Tara MacDonald—there’s not a free seat in the place. The coffee is excellent and the cookies and…
Best Poutine (Original)
Lots of folks think of Alexandra’s when they think pizza, but for the second year running they’ve taken the poutine award. We suspect that —not unlike Bubba Ray’s recent dominance on the chicken wing front—Alexandra’s impresses with both quality and variety. Depending on your taste, request Greek poutine, Italian poutine, steak poutine, donair poutine, chicken…
Best Hot Chocolate
Another victory from the good people at Just Us! for their hot chocolate, made from the same organic, fair trade cocoa beans as their popular chocolate bars, produced at the facility in Grand Pré. Sure, they’re best known for their commitment to the environment and their excellent coffee, with two cafes in downtown Halifax—on Barrington…
Best Chinese Restaurant
Great Wall has owned the Best Chinese and Best Dim Sum categories for more than 10 years, so we thought it was time to give them at least one. And so, from here on, please note that Great Wall, serving quality Cantonese and Sze-Chuan cooking to the people of Halifax since 1984, has been elevated…
Best Wine List
Here’s what you’d find in the CUT cellar: Nine ports and dessert wines by the bottle, six by the glass, 15 red and whites by the glass, 59 white wines by the bottle and 159 reds by the bottle. These are wines from all over the world; France, Italy, USA and Argentina, as well as…
Free Will Astrology
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) “I can’t live the button-down life,” says Homer Simpson. “I want it all: the terrifying lows, the dizzying highs, the creamy middles.” Born May 10, Homer is unusual for a Taurus. Many of your tribe love the creamy middles but are quite content to live without the terrifying lows, even if…
Best Ribs
The eatery, located at the southern-most reaches of Barrington, just at the park where it intersects with Inglis, has made a big impact in the four-and-a-half months it’s been open. “Things are great,” says proprietor Cindy Wheatley, who saw the opportunity for a new culinary trend to thrill Haligonian bellies. “The ribs and the pulled…
Best Club Sandwich
On a clear day, from the rooftop patio at Your Father’s Moustache you can see eternity. Or, at the very least, the bottom of your beer mug, before you request another. If it rains, as it often does in our Halifax summers, lounge in the spacious dining room overlooking Spring Garden Road, and enjoy the…
Best New Restaurant
The eatery, located at the southern-most reaches of Barrington, just at the park where it intersects with Inglis, has made a big impact in the four-and-a-half months it’s been open. “Things are great,” says proprietor Cindy Wheatley, who saw the opportunity for a new culinary trend to thrill Haligonian bellies. “The ribs and the pulled…
Best Microbrewery
Last we heard, propeller was growing at a rate of 20 percent a year and is the best selling microbrewery in Nova Scotia. Makes you wonder when they cease being a microbrewery and just become a brewery, don’t it? We haven’t the space to get into semantics, we’re just going to congratulate the Gottingen Street…
Best Dim Sum
Editor’s note: With its latest Best Dim Sum win in 2010, The Great Wall was elevated to the Best of Halifax Hall of Fame. Great Wall has owned the Best Dim Sum and Best Chinese categories for more than 10 years, so we thought it was time to give them at least one. And so,…
Starfish Properties Student Art Awards Exhibition
Amelie Proulx, a just-graduated Master of Fine Arts student from NSCAD, can pursue her work with a bit more breathing room, thanks to a new art award she won last Friday. The Starfish Properties Student Art Award, created by David B. Smith, president of NSCAD University, and Louis Reznick, is in its inaugural year and…
Red Cliff
A Chinese historical war epic of the first order, John Woo’s return to filmmaking at home received a five-hour running time in its release there—earning a record box office —but this version is in the two-and-a-half-hour range. Maybe some of the drama was lost as a result in this, the austerity edition, where some of…
Iron Man 2 suits up to entertain
With a somewhat jumbled script disappointing fans of the 2008 Iron Man, the new film does arrive with the same qualities that made the original such a delight. Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark has a twitchy intelligence, an impish need for attention and a tendency to let his dark moments of the soul to play…
Best Bedford Restaurant
Ooo-ee, there’s some competition for this plaque. The distance between the winner and the two runners-up was a handful of votes, but The Chickenburger takes it again by a beak. What more is there to say about the classic diner, 70 years old in 2010 and providing great food to Bedfordites for generations? Maybe we…
Best Cookie / Cupcake / Doughnut
Open since November 2009, the Two If By Sea Cafe has made such a huge impact on the complexion of downtown Dartmouth, it’s drawing folks from across the harbour. On the afternoon we speak to Zane Kelsall—co-owner with Tara MacDonald—there’s not a free seat in the place. The coffee is excellent and the cookies and…
Best Bargain
“An unassuming little storefront at the intersection of Oxford and Bayers hides one of HRM’s best-kept secrets,” wrote former Coast food queen Liz Feltham of the Westcliffe. The secret is out. The hardcore north end denizens have spoken. With so many reasonable, tasty meals eaten, we all are learning about this joint, located in the…
Best Greek Restaurant
The undisputed King of Greece, Opa rules this category yet again, offering the best in mezethes, saganaki, spanakopita, briam, mousaka, souvlaki, lamb, chicken, halibut and more, presented in a bustling, warm dining environment that’ll make you feel like you’ve been transported to the shores of the Aegean. While the downtown location is still a gem…
Best Fine Dining
It seems that Craig Flinn of Chives and Dennis Johnston at Fid Resto just trade off every year, with Best Chef and Best Fine Dining, though Fid has gone a little more casual these days. Maybe that means star chef and author Flinn will own this one for awhile, his much- admired dishes of locally…
Halo: Reach
Releasing in the fall of 2010, Halo: Reach looks promising. Currently in a beta stage which ends May 19, all you need to play is a Halo: ODST disc and plenty of free time. The big changes? New weapons, equipment, game modes, customizable armour and matchmaking, which will probably be copied by every future online…
Robin Hood puts on his tights too seriously
Ridley Scott’s austere take on the legend of the Sherwood Forest prince of thieves has movie-goers recalling their feelings toward other notable adaptations of that man in tights. Versions of Robin Hood have ranged from grinning silliness (Mel Brooks’ spoof and the 1973 Disney animated romp) to sincere adventure (Errol Flynn’s classic 1930s portrayal, Sean…
Big Gottingen Street News: Backpackers hostel, Alteregos cafe poised for major expansion
[image-1] There’s yet more big news on Gottingen Street, as a stalwart business owner prepares to take on a major expansion Two weeks ago we reported on plans to build two 100+ unit low-income apartment buildings on Gottingen Street, one on the site of the former Diamonds bar, the other at the much-neglected Mitchell’s Environmental…
Stephen Kimber crowned
The Coast was up for five awards at last Saturday night’s Atlantic Journalism Awards. With Coast colleagues Stephen Kimber and Tim Bousquet both nominated in the feature writing category, competition might have gotten ugly. But at the awards gala the whole Coast contingent, which included Kimber, Bousquet (also nominated for continuing coverage) and Sue Carter…
Circular decision
Regional council Tuesday committed Halifax to the brave new world of…roundabouts. Roundabouts have been ubiquitous in most the rest of the world for decades, if not centuries—and are recognized as a sensibly safe traffic control device, but North America is slow on the uptake. Only in the past few years have traffic engineers embraced roundabouts,…
HRM buys Cow Bay lot for surfer access to ocean
Seeing a line of surfboards stacked against parked cars on Cow Bay Rd., while surfers cling to the roadside in a scramble to pull on their wetsuits, is something most locals are used to. The surfing community has been trespassing through Cow Bay residents’ yards for years to ride one of Atlantic Canada’s few world…
