Halifax drivers need some lessons
Attention Halifax auto drivers: there is no need to pull left before turning right, nor pull right before turning left. Do you back up before driving forward? If you’re really too lazy to tun your steering wheel either direction more than 1/4 turn, please take the bus. If you can’t figure out what I’m bitching…
Grocery rules need to be followed
I was at a well known food store in Spryfield the other day. Found everything I was looking for (no thanks to the lifeless staff) and headed towards the 10 items or less check out. Should have gone to another check out as the fat biker ahead of me had at least 17 items. I…
Enough about your money problems
Short and sweet I’m so tired of people always complaining about money, and not having enough….yet they buy Tim’s, or smoke, or go out for lunches or have anew outfit every week or go partying… Maybe you should look at your spending habits before you go and complain you have no money! Or maybe you…
Hey hey, hey ladies…
Please kindly remember to remove any feminine products from your undergarments before using public washer/dryers. The next person doesn’t care to fish out your panty liners while the washing machine is filling up with water. At least it was clean…I think…I hope… —Ohh Public Laundry Woes
I hope it shits in your lap
You prat! Weaving all over the road because you’ve got a dog in your lap and can’t control your huge truck while it wriggles around. When you weaved across the solid yellows lines into the path of a motorcycle coming the other way, that’s when I called the police. I thought you must be hammered…
Basement Versailles
$ 1400.00 for a ‘beautiful’ basement apartment? Seriously? It’s dark, moldy and cold, and has awkward lay out. I don’t care if you put granite countertops in the cramped kitchenette–it’s NOT an ‘executive’ residence–it’s a freakin basement! Halifax Landlords need to check their greed with a wakeup call. Otherwise known as rent control. Just because…
Hey hey, hey ladies…
Please kindly remember to remove any feminine products from your undergarments before using public washer/dryers. The next person doesn’t care to fish out your panty liners while the washing machine is filling up with water. At least it was clean…I think…I hope… —Ohh Public Laundry Woes
Can you tweak to yourself?
To the youngish couple on the bus on Saturday – Can you tweak to yourself? No one was staring at you… sober the fuck up before you take public transportation. —Hate Druggies
J&R Grimsmo’s flower power
It’s almost summer, so J&R Grimsmo (1533 Barrington Street, 446-6335) wants to make sure you’re wearing flowers in your hair. The boutique is holding a workshop on June 5th (from 6-9pm) to show you how to make a one-of-a-kind, paper flower crown— the ultimate summertime accessory. Hair accessory designer Nicole McInnis of Oh Dina! will…
Dartmouth gets a slice of Big Life
Soon, you’ll be able to get baked on Portland Street. John Dalton, owner and president of Big Life Whole Foods, has been selling healthy and delicious baked goods from the Historic Farmer’s Market every Saturday since 1995 and now the little bakery that could is opening a new, permanent location in downtown Dartmouth. Big Life…
Worst roommate ever
We knew each other through highschool and I had no idea you were actually the worst possible person imaginable so here’s some advice: Stop writing your shit all over Facebook and maybe a girl would take you seriously, and do yourself a favor – extreme chick moaning while having sex is not cute, sexy or…
I hope you’re happy… (hour)
I had two serving jobs, which paid badly, and just kept me alive. Then out of nowhere, a “nice” restaurant calls me, and says to quit my jobs and work full time there. What a great opportunity, right? Now, despite being the least experienced, I carried my own weight and then some. I was very…
Idiot parker
To the blonde lady at the big mall in Dartmouth on Sunday who was parked in a handicapped spot with her preteen daughter, you suck. Did you not notice the elderly couple driving around, who also had a handicapped permit, looking for a spot in the handicapped spots? When we questioned you as to why…
This is how you get deleted
Stop posting so many freakin pics of your boyfriend. We get it – you have a boyfriend, you love him, he makes you so happy. But please, if you don’t want your friends to unfriend you, stop plastering his face in our newsfeeds. He is butt fucking ugly! No really, he’s not an attractive man.…
To those apathetic
I don’t have to tell you things are bad. Everybody knows things are bad. It’s a depression. Everybody’s out of work or scared of losing their job. The dollar buys a nickel’s worth. Banks are going bust. Shopkeepers keep a gun under the counter. Punks are running wild in the street and there’s no one…
It’s time to do away with councillor slush funds
This is interesting. Councillor Waye Mason this morning announced a “participatory budgeting process to distribute $92,000 in capital funding to the community.” Mason is referring here to the money budgeted to each council district for discretionary spending on capital projects in the district. Traditionally, the councillors themselves have decided where the money goes. Before the…
WTF is going on in the media?
When did it turn from news and verifying stories to The National Enquirer. I’m no Rob Ford fan or a fan of Toronto but how can a couple of “journalists” look at a fuzzy video from a dope dealer and report that Rob Ford was smoking crack cocaine. The dope dealer wants $200,000 for this…
Do you hear the words coming outta my mouth!?
I wish my girlfriends would stop calling me to talk for two solid hours every stinkin’ worknight. I have a busy schedule, work long hours and don’t have time for these gab-fests about your boyfriends and boring lives. When I say, ‘Girl, I gotta go now’ and you keep talking at me for an additional…
Girl
I can’t wait until you try to come back, girl. When things don’t work out for you. What the hell are you trying to do to me? What the hell are you trying to prove? —J
Inkwell’s tried, tested and TWO
Inkwell Modern Handmade Boutique & Letterpress Studio is having a birthday party and you’re invited—the unique Halifax business is turning two years old! To commemorate two years in business, the adorable shop is hosting an open house this Saturday, June 1 from 10am until 5pm. Don’t have time to go out and buy a birthday…
Renovations at hostel/cafe…
…blow. It’s so depressing how everyone in this town wants to sterilize every environment. The ‘new’ renovations in one of my fave cafes/hostel are about as old as can be. Transforming a unique space with character into….one bigger room (still not that big) with four walls. Why?? It’s boring, impersonal and cold. What do people…
The bottom dwellers
If you recycled or composted, cats and raccoons would not be ripping open the TWELVE BAGS of garbage that you accumulate every two weeks. Between the two of you you can’t seem to get it togeher to figure out when collection day is, so that sometimes we are left with a disgusting parking lot of…
Carcass crossing
Listen, even with the absence of white paint on the road, crosswalks exist at every intersection. Just follow the sidewalk. Crazy concept, right? Unmarked crosswalks? Mind-blowing shit. I still have the right of way. You are just displaying your idiocy and assholeness not only by failing to yield, but by waving your hand around like…
Not to be a conspiracy theorist, but…
This senate expense scandal is really bothering me, on numerous levels. I have the usual layer of disgust at politicians that essentially steal from taxpayers. Skepticism about who we really have running our country. Frustration with the sense of entitlement these people have. Annoyance/ anger/ disgust with the other “public servants” who help cover their…
Once again: cyclists vs. cars
“I hate you cyclist. I hope you get run over!” she yelled as she drove by. Really? Such a serious threat towards a cyclist? There is no need for this kind of aggressive behaviour. There are 2 lanes on Robie, skilled drivers would simply changed lane and pass a cyclist without thinking twice. Robie is…
Should never have moved!
I hope that wherever you are you have small bugs crawling in your mouth as you sleep. The only reason I even moved in with you was to help you out. You loved that apartment there and didn’t want to have to give it up so I took the sublet. One week after moving in…
Thanks for the band-aid
To the kind lady who saw that my hand was bleeding at work, thank you so much for the band-aid! I was content to dig about for the first aid kit, and you noticed. It seriously brightened my whole week. Swing by again if you read this, and ask if I’d like to get coffee…
Poochsicles
What is it with people sending their dogs into lakes in April and May to fetch a stick or toy? If the water is not warm enough for the owner to swim in how is it warm enough for the dog? Not cool. —Howlin’ Hounds
Do it under the bus
I was truly shocked to see a bus driver put the pedal to the metal last week on Spring Garden Road on an amber light, racing through the intersection at the Public Gardens. The light turned red before the arse-end of that bus had even entered the intersection! And it’s not the first time I’ve…
Never wrestle with a pig
I want to learn about, enjoy, and even take part in tattoo culture, but ladies mud wrestling? I refuse to pay any money to support that. Why not have a wet t-shirt contest while you’re at it? I suggest replacing this anachronistic embarrassment with something all sexes and ages can enjoy. —Every Fucking Year
The Hair Attic’s turning heads
Jason Gilbert and Lisa Myers have left the holy grounds of Jay Wells Salon (1673 Barrington Street) for new digs uptown. The pair opened a new hair salon on May 1 called The Hair Attic— located on the top floor of 1539 Birmingham (406-8003), hence the attic. The new, stylish spot has exposed beams, a…
Can of fish
Who decides to chow down on a can of fish on the bus??? Then he drank the juice from the can! I was gagging! what if people had allergies? How inconsiderate must someone be?? —Grossed Out
Scared of a plastic gun
So how many idiots jumped on this one as an actual threat to our safety? Well, let’s see.. the government, media and even the citizens that have been brain washed by the government and oil conglomerates. Because remember, plastic is a waste by product of fuel production. Now I will try and explain this simply…
I can’t stop thinking about you
To the boy with the amazing smile that lights up a room – I can’t seem to shake the thought of the connection that we immediately had. We met volunteering at a certain fast food related house and since that magical first encounter you’re all I think about 🙂 I just wanted to let you…
To jail with you, Sir Bottle Bum
I sort my recycling to make it easier for you, Sir Bottle Bum. Deposit bearing containers in one bag, the rest in another. This weekend I left them outside my door, in my back yard, on private property. Out of sight of the road. Under a deck, in fact. My collection day had not yet…
That kid deserves better
To the toddler holding the hands of two adults who cavalierly walked through a red light at rush hour at Hollis and Sackville, flipping me off as I blasted on my car horn to get their attention, scaring you but earning their spite. You deserve better than these sorry excuses for grown-ups who just about…
Presenting, the 12th annual Best of Food Awards
Oh, hi everyone. Happy Thursday. And Happy Best of Food day! You dined and dished on your favourite bars and restos in town, and after much tabulating we’re serving up the results. Old reliables! Big upsets! Major meal inspiration! Find it all HERE. Thanks again for voting, Halifax. You’ve got great taste.
Dear server’s nightmare
Friends of the owner, beer and wine reps alike… I know you are entitled to everything free that you can get your hands on, but not only are you taking advantage, stealing up free time I could be spending with paying customers…you also don’t tip? On top of that you think you deserve the best…
Wreck of a Ford
Does it not bother people to the point of anger that: 1. The mayor of Canada’s biggest city, the “face of Canada” is a crack-smoking train wreck that won’t even deny the accusations? 2. The Senate has been funnelling money legally and illegally from public coffers for years and no-one bats an eye until the…
Best Restaurant
Gold Winner Brooklyn Warehouse Silver Winner Chives Canadian Bistro Bronze Winner The Bicycle Thief Inhabiting an an increasingly iconic little spot in Halifax’s west end, Brooklyn Warehouse has made quite the name for itself since opening in 2008. Its unique and seasonally inspired rotating menu items in combination with its warm, inviting atmosphere make it…
Best Middle Eastern / Persian Restaurant
Gold Winner Tarek’s Cafe, north end Silver Winner Mezza Lebanese Restaurant Bronze Winner Cafe Istanbul Holding the silver spot for the last couple of years, Tarek’s has upped its game and finally stolen the gold from longtime winner Mezza. With an incredibly comprehensive menu, Tarek’s offers a range of dishes that anyone can enjoy…and we…
Best Lunch Specials
Gold Winner Dhaba Casual Fine Dining and Express Silver Winner Cha Baa Thai Restaurant, Halifax Bronze Winner Piatto Pizzeria + Enoteca Dhaba Casual Fine Dining has been a lunch time hit for the Bayers Lake business park employees since it opened doors July 2011. Co-owner Faizal Junun chalks that up to the affordable prices: their…
Best Craft Brewery
Gold Winner Garrison Brewing Company Silver Winner Propeller Brewing Company Bronze Winner Bridge Brewing Company Garrison has hopped its way over Propeller, taking first place this year. Brewmaster Daniel Girard credits the victory to the synergy of the staff at Garrison. “All members of the staff contribute to our success,” he says, adding that he…
Best Bartender
Gold Winner Jeffrey Van Horne, The Bicycle Thief / Untitled Eats Silver Winner Jenner Cormier, The Middle Spoon Desserterie & Bar Bronze Winner Kelly Jo Dugas, Finbar’s Irish Pub Bicycle Thief bartender Jeffery Van Horne has been mixing drinks for five years, and still loves every minute of it. He says, “It’s not just about…
The Things We Need
What does it take to be happy? It’s the sort of question that changes depending on who you ask. For Aaron LaShomb a series of whimsical acrylic paintings explore possible answers in The Things We Need. In some, like “Higher Learning,” where a turtle sits atop a tower of burning books or “Prizes,” which features…
Best Cafe
Gold Winner Two If By Sea Cafe, Dartmouth Silver Winner Java Blend Coffee Roasters Bronze Winner Just Us! Coffeehouse, Spring Garden Props must be given to ambiance of Two if By Sea. With its large winding spiral staircase, high ceilings and adorable knitted mug warmers, this Dartmouth cafe wants you to feel at home. Famous…
Best Italian Restaurant
Gold Winner il Mercato Trattoria, Halifax Silver Winner Ristorante a Mano Bronze Winner daMaurizio Fine Dining Since 2002, il Mercato has been owning gold for Best Italian restaurant—although this one will be its last. The Spring Garden legend, best known for traditional dishes, fresh pastas and sweet desserts (most famously their true Italian gelato), has…
Best Pasta
Gold Winner il Mercato Trattoria, Halifax Silver Winner Vinnie’s Pasta Bar Bronze Winner Ristorante a Mano Collecting its second gold of 2013, downtown’s recently departed il Mercato wins for Best Pasta. Its true-Italian-inspired dishes included handmade ravioli, seafood linguine with garlic in white wine cream sauce, pesto penne with sundried tomatoes and arugula…yep, our mouths…
Best Martini
Gold Winner The Fireside Bar/Restaurant Silver Winner Bitter End Bronze Winner Onyx The Fireside has earned its spot at the top of the podium for it’s creative martini concoctions. With 22 delicious options, it’s sure to have a martini for you. From the mint-chocolate-flavoured After 8 to the fruitier (and very cleverly named) Tequila Mockingbird,…
Best Server
Gold Winner Shannon Carrigan, Finbar’s Irish Pub Silver Winner Alexa Atkins, Fid Resto Bronze Winner Kim Larkin, Darrell’s Restaurant Something about Finbar’s keeps people coming back and it might have something to do with its servers, who’ve been snagging the title for Best Server for the past few years. Twenty-four-year-old Shannon Carrigan, who’s worked at…
Get All Dressed Up!
Halifax, ditch those old threads and get all dressed up at a live auction and fashion show that will provide guests with the perfect chance to help out a great charity, while simultaneously upgrading their wardrobe. Auctioning off more than 75 designer dresses and 20 pairs of designer shoes from the likes of Badgley Mischka,…
Best Bar
Gold Winner Tom’s Little Havana Silver Winner Durty Nelly’s Authentic Irish Pub Bronze Winner Lower Deck, Halifax A neighbourhood watering hole perfectly tucked away downtown, Tom’s Little Havana scores by keeping it simple. Looking just as it did when it opened over 15 years ago, with charmingly distressed decor and as bar’s owner Tom Wile…
Best Thai Restaurant
Gold Winner Cha Baa Thai Restaurant, Halifax Silver Winner Talay Thai Halifax Bronze Winner Baan Thai Restaurant When it comes to foreign cuisine, it’s all about authenticity. Luckily that’s in large supply at Cha Baa Thai. Winning for the second year in a row, the downtown location of this local chain offers generous $10 lunch…
Best Pizza Pie
Gold Winner Salvatore’s Pizzaiolo Trattoria Silver Winner Morris East Bronze Winner Bramoso Gourmet Pizza If you’re sitting and home contemplating where to order a delicious, cheesy, authentic Italian-style pizza, ponder no further—Salvatore’s is your answer. Winner of this category for 11 years straight, the dynasty of great pizza holds strong. Salvatore’s knows how to turn…
Best Caesar
Gold Winner Brooklyn Warehouse Silver Winner Tom’s Little Havana Bronze Winner Your Father’s Moustache “The wasabi Caesar does surprisingly well in these awards considering the city has so many great bartenders,” says co-owner George Christakos. “The reason ours is so tasty is because we treat the drink like we treat an item coming out of…
Best Atmosphere
Gold Winner Brooklyn Warehouse Silver Winner The Bicycle Thief Bronze Winner Obladee, A Wine Bar The Brooklyn Warehouse’s laid-back atmosphere—including tin ceiling tiles, reclaimed pallet wood and locally hand-painted signs—feels a little bit 1932 (when the building was built) and a little bit 2013. And it now includes a bright new patio, which brings a…
Fast & Furious 6
Possibly the most consistent American fantasy film franchise comes roaring back into theatres with Fast & Furious 6. Getting a little too old for this shit, F&F6 finds Vin Diesel’s Dominic Toretto bringing his crew of superhumanly gifted car thieves out of retirement to rescue ex-girlfriend and previously dead Michelle Rodriguez from a dangerous, international…
Best New Restaurant
Gold Winner Ace Burger Company Silver Winner Cheese Curds Gourmet Burgers + Poutinerie Bronze Winner Piatto Pizzeria + Enoteca Almost one year old, Ace Burger has been a success from the start. The burger haven premiered as a pop-up last May, when Brooklyn Warehouse owner George Christakos decided to take a chance at the simple…
Best Food Truck
Gold Winner Nomad Gourmet Silver Winner The Food Wolf Bronze Winner Bud the Spud An incredibly tight race proves that readers love their food trucks, but Nomad Gourmet grabs the glory. “People are looking for something other than fish and chips when they need a quick bite to eat,” says owner Nick Horne. “Nomad is…
Best Poutine
Gold Winner Willy’s Fresh Cut Fries & Burgers Silver Winner Smoke’s Poutinerie Bronze Winner Cheese Curds Gourmet Burgers + Poutinerie Wouldn’t we love to be at a party catered by these three restaurants? No doubt it’d involve a kiddie pool full of gravy. Despite long lists of delectable poutine variations from the competition, Willy’s yet…
Best Wine List
Gold Winner Obladee, A Wine Bar Silver Winner The Bicycle Thief Bronze Winner Chives Canadian Bistro It’s no surprise that this quaint little wine bar has pulled in Best Wine List victories three years running. Whether you’re a fancy-pants wine connoisseur or someone who usually drinks wine from a box, this extensive wine list is…
Best Campus Eats
Gold Winner Pete’s ToGoGo, Dal SUB Silver Winner The Gorsebrook Lounge Bronze Winner The Dawgfather There’s no doubt that Pete’s knows how to do a salad. With so many delicious ingredients and dressing choices, the possibilities are endless. And what about the delicious soups and sandwiches that can be amped up in combo form? Having…
Broadway, here I come
The Aeolian Singers of Halifax are taking a step in a new direction. The choir will be performing a new original production written by former music educator Eleanor Hall. The night will showcase a medley of Broadway classics from the 1940s to present day with full choir numbers and soloists. Members of the choir will…
Best Diner
Gold Winner The Armview Restaurant & Lounge Silver Winner Ardmore Tea Room Bronze Winner Westcliff Restaurant & Convenience The Armview doesn’t just seem like the classic diner experience, it is a classic diner experience. The Armview has been around Halifax for over 50 years as a family-run restaurant. Diner foods can be hit and miss…
Best Breakfast
Gold Winner The Coastal Cafe Silver Winner Mary’s Place Cafe Bronze Winner Cora, Halifax When it comes to breakfast, it’s tough to compete with The Coastal’s inspired, standout menu. Winners of this category for four years running, these folks definitely have a corner on the breakfast market. Owner and chef Mark Giffen thinks the restaurant’s…
Best Pizza Slice
Gold Winner Sicilian Pizza, Donairs & Subs, Pizza Corner Silver Winner Salvatore’s Pizzaiolo Trattoria Bronze Winner Alexandra’s Pizza, Halifax Sicilian Pizza is probably the first thing you picture when you think pizza corner. There’s a reason for that. Touting the slogan Home of the Big Slice you know you’re going to get what you ask…
Best Coffee
Gold Winner Java Blend Coffee Roasters Silver Winner Two If By Sea Cafe, Dartmouth Bronze Winner Steve-O-Reno’s Cappuccino Cafe Java Blend has been sweeping this category for the last five years, and it’s easy to see, smell and taste why. Roasting its own coffees right on site, the difference in flavour is quickly noticeable—these brews…
Best Late-night Food
Gold Winner Willy’s Fresh Cut Fries & Burgers Silver Winner Smoke’s Poutinerie Bronze Winner Freeman’s Little New York, Quinpool There is nary a place in Halifax closer to a bar-hopper’s heart than the legendary Pizza Corner, and Willy’s is the sign that shines brightest of all. Mentioning Willy’s to just about anyone will illicit a…
Migrating through heritage
“Everybody has a living story,” says Jae-Sung Chon, architect and curator of Migrating Landscapes. “Whether it’s in the past or present or the future, everyone can talk about their living conditions and architecture is essentially an envelope that hosts these stories.” Migrating Landscapes is an architectural project that hosts the varied migration stories of Canadian…
Best Family Restaurant
Gold Winner Tom’s Family Restaurant Silver Winner Athens Restaurant Bronze Winner The Armview Restaurant & Lounge Tom’s owner Dimitri Panopalis emphasizes home-style, made-from-scratch cooking on his family-friendly menus that run the gamut of hearty food: from seafood to steaks to ribs, wraps, burgers, pizza, salads, kiddie specials and made-in-house deserts, Tom’s has it all—for all…
Best Burrito
Gold Winner Burrito Jax, Halifax Silver Winner Habaneros Modern Taco Bar Bronze Winner Dee Dee’s Ice Cream The main difference between a normal burrito and a Burrito Jax burrito is that the latter is grilled to perfection, according to co-owner Eleanor Delano, who keeps the focus on chopping, dicing and cooking with local ingredients whenever…
Best Pub Food
Gold Winner Henry House Silver Winner The Old Triangle Irish Ale House Bronze Winner Mic Mac Bar & Grill In a city filled with amazing pubs serving Maritime classics, Henry House is the one that stands out—and collects this award for the third year in a row. Nestled inside a historic 1834 building that once…
Best Specialty Coffee
Gold Winner Steve-O-Reno’s Cappuccino Cafe Silver Winner Java Blend Coffee Roasters Bronze Winner Just Us! Coffeehouse, Barrington Walk into Steve-O-Reno’s on a typical morning and the smell of fresh-baked pastries and fresh brewed coffee will greet you before you can say “cappuccino.” Serving up the best in specialty coffee for over 15 years, these Americanos and…
A Few good folk
The band is described as “Joanna Newsom throwing a party with Stereolab at Erykah Badu’s house. In Japan.” And it’s hard to deny, what with frontperson Jessica Stuart’s ethereal voice and her instrument of choice—the koto (a 13-string Japanese zither.) The Toronto-exported jazzy-folk power trio made its debut in 2010 with the critically-acclaimed album, Kid…
Best Fine Dining
Gold Winner Chives Canadian Bistro Silver Winner The Bicycle Thief Bronze Winner da Maurizio Despite chef Craig Flinn’s best efforts, Chives wins again for Best Fine Dining. “Kind of surprised that we win fine dining category because I’ve strived since opening to not be fine dining,” he says. Flinn prefers the term Canadian bistro to…
Best Brunch
Gold Winner The Coastal Cafe Silver Winner tess Bronze Winner jane’s on the common This is the first brunch win for Robie Street’s Coastal Cafe, a category the dearly departed jane’s on the common owned for years. With its straightforward no-nonsense approach, Coastal’s a clear choice for not just morning-after recaps, but every afternoon ones,…
Best Ribs
Gold Winner Boneheads BBQ, Halifax Silver Winner Q Smokehouse & Southern Barbeque Bronze Winner Bearly’s House of Blues, Burgers and Ribs For the meat-loving carnivore, Bonehead’s is heaven on earth—and boy, do they know ribs. With BBQ made daily, this big ol’ rack of baby-back ribs will make your mouth water just looking at it…
Best Tea
Gold Winner DAVIDsTEA, Spring Garden Silver Winner World Tea House Bronze Winner Humani-T Cafe, north end You can stop reading the leaves: the results for Best Tea are in. With over 150 flavours and new blends coming in every month, DAVIDsTEA takes this year’s title. There’s a tea for everyone at this Canadian franchise that…
Hayden’s family ties
Hayden wants to be alone together. After several years, he returns to Halifax with his latest album Us Alone. “So much has changed in my life, but as a musician, not a ton,” says Hayden Desser. “I still go weeks or months not playing at all, I leave the room when people at a party…
Best Hotel Restaurant
Gold Winner Gio Silver Winner Redwood Grill Bronze Winner Ryan Duffy’s Steak & Seafood Once again, Gio takes home the gold. Owned by the Prince George Hotel, the globally inspired menu includes an array of dishes, from Italian gnocchi to smoked elk. “I like to think, regardless of hotel or not, of us as one…
Best Chicken Wings
Gold Winner Bubba Ray’s Sports Bar Silver Winner Oasis Pub & Eatery Bronze Winner Halifax Alehouse Bubba Ray’s wings can’t be beat, literally. Winning its fifth gold in a row, the Spring Garden sports bar offers six styles of wings and 58 (!!!) different sauces. Whether you’re looking for something simple, like original wings topped…
Best Salad
Gold Winner Build your own, Pete’s, Halifax Silver Winner Sweet Apple, The Wooden Monkey, Halifax Bronze Winner Dragon’s Breath, Brooklyn Warehouse Don’t go shopping at Pete’s when you’re hungry, or they’re sure to catch you on the way out with made to order sandwiches, smoothies and—of course—build your own salads. With multiple greens choices and…
Best Milkshake
Gold Winner Darrell’s Restaurant Silver Winner The Chickenburger, Bedford Bronze Winner The Armview Restaurant & Lounge Darrell’s milkshakes bring all the boys to the yard. Actually, they bring all the readers to the poll, knocking out the competition’s thick and delicious concoctions year after year. Owner Dan Joseph’s favourite blend is Peanut Butter Chocolate (us…
Mud
The simplicity of childhood gets washed away in Mud, a Mark Twain-like boys’ adventure fable. When fourteen-year-old Ellis and his best friend Neckbone (a name that never ceases to be entertaining) investigate an abandoned boat, stranded high up in a tree after a devastating flood, the boys find a mysterious drifter whose name is Mud…
Dare to Caravan
Something you might wonder while listening to Halifax-based hip-hop group The Caravan’s eponymous album: who is that remarkable crooner singing throughout “The First Thing I Do”? “Niven Miller,” says MC Kyle McKenna, referencing an obscure Scottish-born gospel singer. “We went up to New Brunswick and we were trying to do a promo where if you…
Best Bedford Restaurant
Gold Winner il Mercato Trattoria, Bedford Silver Winner Finbar’s Irish Pub Bronze Winner The Chickenburger, Bedford With the Halifax version of il Mercato transforming into La Frasca (which is also sure to be delicious), its diehard fans can at least take comfort in the fact that their beloved Italian spot lives strong in Bedford. There’s…
Best Burger
Gold Winner Ace Burger Company Silver Winner Cheese Curds Gourmet Burgers + Poutinerie Bronze Winner Darrell’s Peanut Butter Burger The year’s most interesting category saw burger-loving voters divided between more choices then ever. After years of Brooklyn Warehouse playing second fiddle to the unstoppable Darrell’s, its powerhouse little sister Ace has finally dethroned the Peanut…
Best Sandwich
Gold Winner Pete’s, Halifax Silver Winner The Italian Market Bronze Winner Indochine There’s a reason Pete’s has won this title for the last four years in a row. These are not just sandwiches, they’re next level experiences. None of the garden-variety, cold cut combos here, we’re talking hot sandwiches, like leg of lamb, roast pork…
Best Bakery
Gold Winner Julien’s Patisserie, Bakery & Cafe Silver Winner Boulangerie la Vendéenne Bronze Winner Gingerbread Haus Bakery Established in 1993, Julien’s Patisserie Bakery and Cafe has been cranking out mouth-watering pastries, tantalizing treats and delicious warm bevies for two decade. Nestled in the heart of the Hydrostone Market, this aromatic little spot has the perfect,…
Star Trek Into Darkness
A love story between Kirk/Spock (Chris Pine/Zachary Quinto) barely gussied up as summer blockbuster, Star Trek Into Darkness finds the crew of the Enterprise on the hunt for a super-strong terrorist (Benedict Cumberbatch, thankfully) who’s waging a one-man war on the Federation. Pine and Quinto (Pinto?), refreshing in their first outing, already feel stale in…
Zolkower’s folk hour
“When I think of folk music, I think of a person with a guitar singing about rivers and streams and trees and the wind,” says songwriter Rebecca Zolkower, laughing. “It must be those natural elements because folk music is always simple and stripped-down, talking about real experiences and real things.” But folk is both a…
Best Clayton Park Area Restaurant
Gold Winner Brewdebaker’s Tap & Grill, Clayton Park Silver Winner Sushi Nami Royale, Clayton Park Bronze Winner Dhaba Casual Fine Dining and Express Brewdebaker’s takes this title home for the second year in a row and can now safely call itself the Best Clayton Park Restaurant. What makes this Lacewood Drive eatery so great it…
Best Chowder
Gold Winner Esquire Restaurant Silver Winner Waterfront Warehouse Bronze Winner Salty’s Not much says Nova Scotian fare like thick, creamy, home-cooked chowder. And that’s just what you’re going to get at The Esquire and, as the votes have again proven, nobody does it better. The Esquire’s four varieties of chowder—lobster, seafood, Atlantic fish and corn—all…
Best Seafood
Gold Winner The Five Fishermen Restaurant & Grill Silver Winner John’s Lunch Bronze Winner Salty’s The Five Fishermen has endured the test of time, remaining a popular choice for nearly 40 years when so many other establishments have flipped or folded. “We’ve survived and that’s the most special part,” says the restaurant’s assistant manager and…
Best Smoothie
Gold Winner Pete’s, Halifax Silver Winner Booster Juice, Dal SUB Bronze Winner Humani-T Cafe, north end It is a truth universally acknowledged that a shopper in possession of Pete’s groceries must be in want of a thick, rich, just-blended smoothie. At least that’s how the strategically placed smoothie bar at Pete’s, Dresden Row makes it…
The Company You Keep
Journalists can be such insufferable pricks sometimes. Or so thinks the former domestic terrorist trying to put his past behind him in the quite watchable The Company You Keep. Small-town newspaperman Shia LaBeouf’s fuming with professional jealousy when a former Weather Underground activist is arrested in his own Albany backyard. Making amends to his editor,…
Free Will Astrology
Happy Birthday! Gemini (MAY 21 – JUNE 20) Giant Sequoias are the biggest trees on the planet. Many are more than 300 feet tall and 30 feet wide. Their longevity is legendary, too. They can live for 2,000 years. And yet their seeds are tiny. If you had a bag of 91,000 seeds, it would…
Best Dartmouth Restaurant
Gold Winner Nectar Restaurant & Wine Bar Silver Winner Cheese Curds Gourmet Burgers + Poutinerie Bronze Winner The Wooden Monkey, Dartmouth Owner Ian Hurst says Nectar is constantly reviewing its food offerings, and the menu is in evolution every six months. “Our servers and our kitchen under chef David Clarke are all true professionals and…
Best Desserts
Gold Winner Sweet Hereafter Cheesecakery Silver Winner The Middle Spoon Desserterie & Bar Bronze Winner il Mercato Trattoria, Halifax When you’re looking to satisfy a sweet-tooth craving, Sweet Hereafter is the place to go. It has—brace yourselves—100 different cheesecake flavours. That’s almost too much deliciousness to even fathom. Even Joanne MacDougall, who owns the place…
Best Shawarma
Gold Winner Mezza Lebanese Kitchen, Halifax Silver Winner Tarek’s Cafe, north end Bronze Winner Kababji Lebanese Cuisine, Dartmouth Mezza, the downtown mecca for hungry lunchers and the late-night post-bar crowd, combines pickled beets and turnip, lettuce, tomato, pickles, chicken and garlic sauce (and fries, if you’re wise) in a shawarma to die for. “They’ve had great…
Best International Grocer
Gold Winner Pete’s Frootique & Fine Foods, Halifax Silver Winner Mid-East Food Centre & Cafe Bronze Winner Tian Phat For Halifax, it seems Pete’s is the place to go to find your overseas goods. With its wide range of international foods and products, you can pick up your kimchi and chutney at the same time.…
Best of Food 2013: Editor’s Picks
BEST SPICY Chili Beef, Jincheng Chinese Cuisine “Twice-cooked pork, chili chicken, chili beef and gonbao chicken.” Chef Daigen Zou rhymes off the most popular hot and spicy dishes on the Jincheng menu. The special chili sauce—a chef’s secret—is what he attributes to the flavourful secret of the chili beef’s success. A simple mix of thinly…
All apologies
Q Twenty-one-year-old female here. When we were both 14, my first boyfriend took advantage of me. I wanted to explore my sexuality a little, but things went further than I wanted. One day, we were kissing with him on top of me. We were both fully clothed, and he started rubbing up against me. I…
Best Sackville Restaurant
Gold Winner Tom’s Family Restaurant Silver Winner Chef’s Menu Bronze Winner Hellas Family Restaurant You cool, Sackville, giving props to three classic, non-pretentious eateries that clearly win big in the menu department. Topping this category six years now, Tom’s is a place to bring the whole gang, from nan and gramps to newborn bambino, for…
Best Donair
Gold Winner King of Donair, Halifax Silver Winner Tony’s Donair & Pizza Bronze Winner Mezza Lebanese Kitchen, Halifax It’s good to be king. Actually it’s good to be eating at the King, specifically at the King of Donair. Our voters know what they like and that’s proven year after year—when it comes to donairs, the…
Best Use Of Local Ingredients
Gold Winner Chives Canadian Bistro Silver Winner The Wooden Monkey, Halifax Bronze Winner Fid Resto Chef Craig Flinn says, in the 12 years Chives has been open, he has “been known to work very closely with local farmers, fishers and food producers in Nova Scotia.” And the interest in local food has only increased over…
Best Liquor / Wine Store
Gold Winner Bishop’s Cellar Silver Winner Premier Wine & Spirits Bronze Winner Harvest Wines and Spirits The staff at Bishop’s Cellar is one of the many reasons this local and diverse establishment keeps going gold for Best Liquor Store. Offering their extensive wine knowledge and expertise on all products, the Cellar’s staff make it a…
My childhood prepared me for Halifax
I don’t remember the day I was born, but I’m told it was January 27, 1968. I’m also told I was meant to be a boy, and that my name was Tony before I entered the world at 11:38am. It seemed particularly important that I get this first test right, since I later came to…
Best Place To Watch The Game
Gold Winner Bubba Ray’s Sports Bar Silver Winner Oasis Bronze Winner Boston Pizza, Granville Street Bubba Ray’s general manager Woody Menear has made some good memories at his place of work—opening at 4am for keen hockey fans at the World Juniors this past Christmas, and of course, Sidney Crosby’s unforgettable overtime goal at the 2010…
Best Greek Restaurant
Gold Winner ela! Greek Taverna, Bayers Lake Silver Winner Athens Restaurant Bronze Winner Estia Ela! (which we used to know and love as Opa!) is a go-to classic when it comes to Greek food in Halifax. After last year’s closure of its Argyle Street location—which brought home the gold year after year—it’s Bayers Lake’s time…
Best Fish & Chips
Gold Winner John’s Lunch Silver Winner The Battered Fish, Scotia Square Bronze Winner Phil’s Seafood Stratos Baltas and Fotis Fatouros are the owners behind the steady operation that is John’s Lunch, which has served both Dartmouth denizens and international visitors seeking authentic, delicious fish and chips on the east coast for over 40 years. Baltas…
Best Vegetarian-friendly Restaurant
Gold Winner The Wooden Monkey, Halifax Silver Winner Heartwood Bronze Winner Tarek’s Cafe, north end The Wooden Monkey is no stranger to this award, even though it isn’t a strictly vegetarian restaurant. Matthew Gass, co-owner and acting general manager of the restaurant’s Halifax location, says “We’re very proud of the vegetarian food we offer; we…
Best Place To Satisfy A Sweet Tooth
Gold Winner and Hall of Fame inductee Freak Lunchbox, Halifax Silver Winner Sweet Hereafter Cheesecakery Bronze Winner Sugah! Editor’s note: With its latest Best Place To Satisfy A Sweet Tooth win in 2013, Freak Lunchbox, Halifax was elevated to the Best of Halifax Hall of Fame. When Jeremy Smith and his now-wife Erin first showed…
Get a sneak peek of Stages Theatre Festival
For years Eastern Front Theatre has been making a bang with its SuperNova Fest, but this year they’ve renamed and overhauled the entire package. Stages Theatre Festival is still committed to showcasing some of the best work the Maritimes has to offer theatrically but with a new twist—a focus on “stages,” featuring works in different…
Best Patio
Gold Winner Your Father’s Moustache Silver Winner Hart & Thistle Gastropub & Brewery Bronze Winner Mexicali Rosa’s With a fantastic view of Spring Garden Road and the Public Gardens—and optimal sunshine exposure—it’s no surprise Your Father’s Moustache’s huge rooftop patio takes the top spot again this year. And the restaurant is introducing new menu items…
Best Chinese Restaurant
Gold Winner The Great Wall Restaurant Silver Winner Jean’s Chinese Restaurant Bronze Winner Fan’s Chinese Restaurant The Great Wall opened in 1984 and has been winning for Best Chinese for as long as the Coast has been doing this survey (that’s 12 years). And owner Patrick Wong is there every day for his customers and…
Best Fish Cakes
Gold Winner Mic Mac Bar & Grill Silver Winner Henry House Bronze Winner Emma’s Eatery This year, Waverley Road’s Mic Mac Bar & Grill beats out Henry House and Emma’s Eatery, which took home the title for Best Fish Cakes for four consecutive years. So what gives their fish cakes the edge over the rest?…
Best Beer Selection
Gold Winner The Maxwell’s Plum Silver Winner Henry House Bronze Winner Rockbottom Brewpub If tears of joy don’t fill your eyes simply from looking at The Maxwell’s Plum menu, there’s no helping you. This beer selection will be an absolute game-changer in your drinking career. There’s just an absurd amount of beer, over 60 to…
Best Farmers’ Market Stall
[mage-1] Gold Winner Getaway Farm Silver Winner Schoolhouse Gluten-Free Gourmet Bronze Winner Wrap So D Getaway’s motto is Local. Sustainable. Meat. That basically sums up this popular Seaport Farmers’ Market stall in a nutshell. Committed to grass-fed instead of grain-fed, beef from its farm in Canning is a healthier option—free of fertilizers, pesticides and various…
Best Food Blogger
Gold Winner Feisty Chef Silver Winner eatHalifax Bronze Winner Kelly Neil The Feisty Chef is Renée Lavallée, a trained chef and genius in the kitchen who has been living in Nova Scotia for eight years, contributing to the blogosphere for the last four. What sets Lavallée apart from other food blogs? She feels it’s her…
Best Sushi Restaurant
Gold Winner Wasabi House Silver Winner Sushi Nami Royale, Halifax Bronze Winner Suzuki Restaurant Wasabi House had only been open for just over a year when a small fire in January forced it to close for almost two months. Sushi lovers sorely missed it and, to everyone’s delight, it’s back. “We appreciate that a lot…
Best Fries
Gold Winner Ace Burger Company Silver Winner Cheese Curds Gourmet Burgers + Poutinerie Bronze Winner Darrell’s Restaurant There’s a lot more to making the perfect fry than meets the eye—they can’t be too big or too small, they have to have the perfect texture of crispiness on the outside and softness on the inside and,…
Best Brew Pub
Gold Winner Rockbottom Brewpub Silver Winner Rogues Roost Bronze Winner Hart & Thistle Gastropub & Brewery If you want to enjoy day drinking without the shame, head over to Rockbottom where it always feels like five o’clock. This brew pub’s known for its firkins, round casks carrying the latest brew creation—perfect for sampling with friends at…
Best Chef
Gold Winner Chives Canadian Bistro Silver Winner Maurizio Bertossi, The Bicycle Thief Bronze Winner Mark Gray, Brooklyn Warehouse “So many good people on this list, but Craig Flinn is a treasure,” says one reader of Chives’s chef, who’s taken home many Best of Food honours over the years. With menus rotating by the season, Flinn’s…
Best Gluten-free Friendly
Gold Winner Schoolhouse Gluten-Free Gourmet Silver Winner The Wooden Monkey, Halifax Bronze Winner Heartwood “When you have to eat gluten-free, it can be scary, limiting and a lot of work,” says Jennifer Laughlin, co-owner of Schoolhouse Gluten-Free Gourmet. After her partner, Aidan Brunn, was diagnosed with Celiac disease, the pair were disappointed that many of…
Best Indian Restaurant
Gold Winner Grand Taj Restaurant Silver Winner Curry Village Bronze Winner Dhaba Casual Fine Dining and Express Formerly known as the Taj Mahal, co-owner Meera Jaggi says her restaurant’s name got an upgrade to Grand Taj since “Grand means bigger”—and bigger and better it is since recovering from the damage of two fires. But the…
Best Ice Cream / Gelato / Frozen Yogurt
Gold Winner Dee Dee’s Ice Cream Silver Winner Cows Bronze Winner Humani-T Cafe, north end There’s no doubt about it, Halifax loves its ice cream. And the go-to place for this cold treat is Dee Dee’s, which earns its Best Ice Cream/Gelato for the second year running. With 20-plus flavours of ice cream and sorbet,…
Best Cocktails
Gold Winner The Middle Spoon Desserterie & Bar Silver Winner The Fireside Bar/Restaurant Bronze Winner Bitter End With a menu full of original drinks, it’s no wonder The Middle Spoon snagged this year’s gold for Best Cocktail. Owner Lacey Doherty attributes much of the success to bar manager Jenner Cormier, who creates all the drink…
Best Barista
Gold Winner Zane Kelsall, Two If By Sea Cafe, Dartmouth Silver Winner Marc Comeau, Steve-O-Reno’s Cappuccino Cafe Bronze Winner Laura Arsenault, Java Blend Coffee Roasters According to Zane Kelsall, the recipe for a great barista is, “one part attention to detail and two parts care for the customers—that’s what creates an experience that people enjoy.”…
The Hangover Part 3
The epic conclusion to three quarters of an idea stretched into a trilogy of movies arrives in The Hangover Part 3. To track down the crazed Leslie Chow (Ken Jeong), mob boss John Goodman forcibly recruits the Wolfpack (Ed Helms, Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis). Deviating even slightly from the carbon copy Hangover 2 at least…
Back Stage Pizza passes
With The Marquee Ballroom (2037 Gottingen Street) re-opening it only makes sense that its pizza is making a comeback, too. So, we present to you—Back Stage Pizza , now serving up 18-inch, extra-large pizzas for $15. You can pick up these bad boys on Friday and Saturday nights for now, but soon Back Stage will…
City to buy hundreds of in-line skates
With the warmer weather approaching, The Oval is swapping ice skates to in-line skates. The city is tendering for 612 inline skates and related equipment like helmets. The new equipment should be in place, and ready to rent to the public by July 1, with rentals continuing on until the end of August before switching…
To my main Mac Daddies in OKC
We were stuck in three airports over the last two days trying to get home after the disaster. OKC stranded everywhere in at least two of them. It broke our hearts. We constantly fly Delta (on Delta staff pass) and we urge ALL airlines (Delta, Air Canada, American, United etc…) to give these brave folks…
Tell me it isn’t so
Do some of you still believe that oil and natural gas come from dead animals and grasses? If it were true and it is not, we should have run out of these hydrocarbons a long time ago. You can read all the books you want, but the numbers speak for themselves.The amount of oil and…
Mills’ big move
Mills almost ready to show off its makeover! The popular Spring Garden Road store is receiving everything from new clothing lines to a new logo for its new location at 5640 Spring Garden Road. Deanne MacLeod, Lisa Gallivan, Kath Perry and Candace Thomas—the store’s new owners—are hoping that their new lines will lock down the…
Hospital cake walk
Today I had the rare opportunity to witness the real reason why public wait times at the local emergency rooms are so ridiculously long. Bear in mind that it is a holiday and people become more accident prone on holidays for some reason, therefore there were even more patients waiting to be seen than normal…
Disadvantaged kids
Yet another father got sent to jail for a lengthy term. I’m sure his kids will grow up perfectly and not repeat the cycle without his wisdom and guidance. How about we fix the problem instead of punishing these innocent children. Even better how about we address the issue and not sentence young offenders as…
Guns and dogs
How many more innocent children will get mauled and scarred by these beasts, the pitbulls!!! They are a dangerous aggressive breed that have no place in our world outside of a dog fight. Oh wait, those are illegal so why the hell aren’t the dogs? What’s that you say, blame the owners? Jesus, even the…
Do you even WANT to sell your things?!
I have to assume not, considering out of 10 furniture/appliance ads I’ve asked after, only ONE of you has bothered to respond (thanks, cat lady). The rest of you, wtf? I’ve even emailed the fact that I have real money that I want to give you in case you don’t know how this selling thing…
Grocery hero
About a month ago I was ten bucks short buying my groceries, and you generously helped me out from the next line over. Thank you so much for that wonderful gesture. I was stunned by your kindness and your very handsome face. Paying it forward 🙂 —Starving Art Student
Brand this!
Any organization that has to hire a consultant has not hired the right staff in the first place. Before you go ahead and hire a firm, please note that I will recommend a catchy new logo for HRM for under six figures: Halifax: City of Feral Cats. I will accept a cashiers cheque for $88,478.…
PANOS, “Marred” live at The Coast
A very busy lobby performance where PANOS serenades building caretakers, lingering overtimers and, of course, you.
Whaaaat?
Does everyone remember the VoteMyFundy campaign, wherein Nova Scotia and New Brunswick aimed to garner more tourism for the Bay of Fundy area? Well, while governments ponder the possibility of pissing fracking waste water into that natural wonder of the world, perhaps they could launch a new campaign: FrigMyFundy. —Stunned
Bike route to be rerouted?
City staff wants the proposed cross-town connector re-routed, with bike lanes installed on both sides of Windsor Street. This means the single, connected bike route uniting the north and south ends of Halifax would link Windsor, Vernon and Seymour Streets for cyclists. The original proposal, in November 2010, named Agricola Street as the best option…
Are politicians criminals?
I am a tad bit confused over these politicians over spending, faIse addresses, that not stealing or fraud? Why is it they only have to repay the money back, keep their jobs and their pensions. If that were one of us normal citizens, we would be charged, lose our jobs and have criminal record forever.…
You’ve scooped my heart
We talked for a year before meeting, both needing the time for trust and comfort to grow…but I knew there was something about you. I felt electric when we met (Danger bay! Wet panties and electricity are a perilous combination). I trusted you completely, and loved you entirely. Then you sucked all the oxygen out…
Death wish idiot
To the dickless wonder who just now nearly got himself killed beneath the wheels of my car while riding his mo-ped in between lanes on the Bedford highway at rush hour….your day is coming moron. Passing people on the lane lines and then weaving between cars is a recipe for disaster. I wouldn’t care except…
Red Horizon on the rise
Kris Booth, Frances Leary and Andrea McCullough are the team of three who are representing Nova Scotia in the first annual CineCoup film competition as one of the top 10 finalist teams with their film Red Horizon. In its first year, the CineCoup competition has selected 10 feature film projects, piloted by Canadian directors, which…
Say Domino’s effect
Say Domino returns to Halifax on May 27 and this year, they’re hoping to have the chance to actually play for their Halifax fans. Scheduled to play at Reflections Cabaret (5184 Sackville Street) on May 27 and Gus’ Pub (2605 Agricola Street) on May 28, their drummer is thankfully now of age, so getting in to the bar…
Smash mouth
To the group of friends marching down Argyle Street Friday night singing All Star at the top of their lungs, you absolutely made my night! I hope the rest of your night was as fun as it seemed like you were having when me and my friends saw you! —Know More Lyrics Than I Do!
I love cheap
Moved here from Toronto last year and my one bitch about Halifax is this whole “I love local” crap i see on some stores around here.. Like wtf all you sell is over priced chinese made crap that sells for like 5 dollars in Toronto yet here… you put a “I love local” sticker on…
Bet ya wish you took THAT back, huh?
This is to the insensitive jerk who, after listening to my best friend describe the date from hell she got back from, quoted “Man, I’m so glad I’m not single!” I’m not sure whether or not you meant to be malicious, but you were definitely insensitive and it just rubbed salt in my friend’s wound.…
Silent thank you
I was trying my hardest to put myself back on my feet and I met you along the way. You’re where I want to be. You inspire me to try harder even if you don’t know. I’ll tell you everything someday though and how I feel. —Guitar Writer
Boy
Isn’t it funny how we both work so hard at getting each other’s attention, but then we have no idea how to move forward when we get together…we should try again soon–I’m really craving that Big Bad Wolf side of you;) —Girl
Appalled
In what world is it ok for a network TV to allow commercial air time to a recently convicted aquaculture company? I am there to watch some of your amazing progamming not to be insulted and assulted by blantly wrong and misinformed commercials aimed at the public regarding fish farming acitivities. Your commercial is not…
The Coast obtains a heavily redacted copy of the province’s contract with IBM
Last year, the province signed a 10-year contract with IBM. The deal outsourced the province’s SAP operation to the company. SAP is an acronym for Systemanalyse und Programmentwicklung, a German-created software system that companies, organizations and governments use for planning and managing finances. Before the deal with IBM, the province had an SAP division with…
Dog on duty
Whenever I see you or your golden haired partner at your post, it makes me smile. Most of the time you’re relaxing or asleep on the job, but that’s okay. Thanks for keeping the street safe! —A Regular Passerby
John Devlin’s utopia
John Devlin’s dreams have come true. The Halifax artist’s sketches will be displayed at la Galerie Christian Berst in Paris, France until May 25th. Devlin’s collection, titled Nova Cantabrigiensis, consists of some 300 sketches of his ideal utopian city. He says that if you spliced all the best parts of Nova Scotia and Cambridge University,…
Q&A with Blackbird director Jason Buxton
Spend a day at the movies this weekend, why don’t you? Director Jason Buxton’s Blackbird is thankfully still showing at Empire Theatre Park Lane, and after the Saturday, May 18 evening showing (6:20pm), Buxton will be hosting a Q&A so you can get right down to the business of picking a director’s brain. Film buffs,…
Woo hoo, J-Bru!
Ease into the long weekend with a new track from local hip-hop legend J-Bru. Featuring Classified and Choclair, “Daily Operation” is off J-Bru’s sixth studio album, Stranger in my Hometown.
Oh, America
“License and registration please.” A mountie with a hard beer gut is sauntering towards our car, pen and ticket book in hand. I can tell by the height of his fur beaver hat and purposeful stride that arguing this one is useless—I didn’t even know they gave speeding tickets for $400. That’s like… rent. This…
The Shoe Shop’s 18
Today, one of Halifax’s most iconic bars and Best of Halifax Hall of Famer, the Economy Shoe Shop (1663 Argyle Street), is celebrating 18 years in the business of great drinks, great nachos and an atmosphere that keeps people coming back (or maybe keeps them from leaving). To celebrate the occasion, from 11:30am—just in time…
What to do with the Cogswell Interchange?
Over 200 people joined together at the Marriott Harbourfront Hotel last night to eat tzatziki, drink coffee and discuss whatever to do with that Cogswell Interchange. It was the Strategic Urban Partnership’s Cogswell Shakeup event, which brought in a crowd of private citizens and public officials to hear Cogswell redevelopment ideas from over a dozen…
Carbon foot print
Listen people, don’t worry about your carbon foot print. The talking heads on TV are bought and paid for by the establishment. When I was in Calgary, Al Gore had a convoy of eight SUVs and a bullet proof limo to carry him around, and went on to preach the same message as he always…
And the award goes to…
To the cyclist on the Dartmouth side of the bridge this morning who decided to blitz across two lanes of green-light, active traffic and then give a confused, angry look at the motorist who honked at her, stop being stupid. You almost won a Darwin award. —Knees Still Shaking
Hot damn, SANDJAM is back!
Serves up! Great sports/downtown/summertime news came this morning—for the third year running SANDJAM will be returning to its digs at Lower Water and Salter Streets this August. Some of the top professional junior beach volleyball players on the planet will be duking it out from August 12 through 18 for the Canada Cup, in front…
Sick of our crony gov-ment
So, the government ‘lost’ 3.6 billion dollars (enough to fund the space program or cancer research for the next decade or so) and no one is trying to even look for these funds (WTF?). As of 2013 there is an estimated 35 Million people living in Canada (this number includes all age groups, not just…
Just stop already
A mutual aquaintance informed me that one of you is still saying false and hurtful things about me. I have asked you privately to stop the childishness with no success so I am asking you in a public forum. Regardless of past hurt, I offered my hand in friendship and support to you both. Your…
Walk of pride
So I went to a show Saturday… was having a pretty good time right up until the end. I had made the mistake of going to an acquaintance’s house, because the folks I whose house I was crashing at went. Now yes, I like you and care about you and am really attracted to you,…
You’re worth it
It breaks my heart when people are undervalued by others, and when they undervalue themselves. In these situations, all you have to do is take a deep breath, close your eyes, and remember these three simple words: “Small Claims Court” —Have Walked A Mile In Your Shoes
#10 to nowhere
I wish I could count how many times I’ve been late for work because of Metro Transit. I am a very punctual person, and it weren’t for you shithead bus drivers lining up end to end at Scotia Square, I would never be late. How is it that if someone takes their time getting to…
Why Halifax will never fulfil its mega-port Gateway dreams
The Halifax Port Authority held its annual meeting this morning at Pier 21, to release its annual financial statements, discuss the state of the industry and take questions from the public. I attended out of curiosity, and because I was alerted that investors in the Seaport Market would raise some issues. The port’s senior vice-president,…
Hamachi Dartmouth closes
Sayonara to Hamachi Grill & Sushi House (644 Portland Street, 444-4688). After five years, the Dartmouth location is closed, Teppanyaki table and all. The restaurant is shutting down due to issues with the current economic situation. Hamachi’s loyal following can rest assured the four locations in Halifax and Bedford South will remain open and Teppanyaki…
Money for cats but not for people in need!
Council has approved $40,000 in funding for the SPCA spay-neuter program for cats but yet Stepping Stone’s Executive Director resigns due to challenges with funding. So since when have cats been more important than people? What asshole made this decision? Cats need the funding way more than people who are trying to straighten out their…
Support local!
Halifax theatre people are so exclusive. Why not open your shows to other people? Why not work with other theatre companies for fundraising/promotional help? It is so frustrating when talented people don’t get opportunities just because they didn’t kiss enough ass. And yet, you want everyone to support you and “support local.” Why don’t you…
Not quite a love, but not quite a bitch
I thought we kind of hit it off but you must have thought otherwise. I want to wish you all the best and I hope you get to experience all the awesome and the shitty things that encompass being single before you fall into the occasional bliss that is relationship-ness again. So your exit interview,…
Waiting to get paid
So you asked me to do a specific carpentry job for the business you manage. I do the job straight away ’cause you were in a jam. (three days work) and now you have been giving me the run around for a month and I still haven’t been paid. “Come tomorrow.” “I’ll pay you Tuesday.”…
Parkside Pub’s smoke show
Goodbye Parkside Pub & Grill, hello Parkside Pub & Smokehouse (14 Highfield Drive, 464-1310). The Dartmouth pub is switching its name, and its menu, and installing smokers this week. The new selection will feature a brunch and a series of smokehouse favourites including ribs, brisket, pulled pork as well as a new pasta selection and homemade desserts. Why…
Cafe Chianti’s quarter century
The end of May marks 25 years of Café Chianti (1245 Barrington Street, 423-7471) and the restaurant is launching a new menu to celebrate! With a new chef, Terry Vassallo (who formerly wowed at Lunenburg eatery Trattoria Della Nonna) and 25 new items on their menu, Café Chianti is celebrating its quarter-decade anniversary quietly but…
Online time wasters
Thanks so much for telling me you wanna buy my furniture, then when it comes down to the day you just disappear.. why bother putting the effort in to plan a pickup time with me? What is the point if you don’t even have the decency to say “oh I changed my mind, go ahead…
Online time wasters
Thanks so much for telling me you wanna buy my furniture, then when it comes down to the day you just disappear.. why bother putting the effort in to plan a pickup time with me? What is the point if you don’t even have the decency to say “oh I changed my mind, go ahead…
Worst employer to grace my resumé
If you want to be transferred without consent or consultation, HRM is the job for you. If you want a sudden loss in wages, HRM is your employer. If you’re looking for no advancement, sufficient stress, and bureaucratic bullshit, then look no further! HRM is there! —Long Time No Time
Dalhousie University to build School of Performing Arts
Prospective and current arts students rejoice! Dalhousie University announced the inception of a School of Performing Arts today. “The School of Performing Arts will truly revolutionize the way Dalhousie delivers music and theatre programs through initiatives in teaching and research in the student experience. It will solidify Halifax’s and Dalhousie’s position as a national leader…
FAST LOVE
to the pretty cycling couple with the pretty coloured bikes – i have seen you guys zoom by and i always have to take a double take at the flash of colour. you guys make me happy. —gimme yer bike
Light it up at Mary’s Place Café II
Mary’s Place Café II (5982 Spring Garden Road) is smoking! Well, hookah, that is. The downtown Middle Eastern restaurant now offers hookah from 7pm until midnight every night and there’s a new menu for hookah hours, which includes falafel wraps, chicken shawarma and dips like hummus, baba ghanoush and more. To smoke a hookah, it’s…
Get mono
As Laura Baker-Roberts prepares to hang her artwork for her show monotypes in Lost & Found (2383 Agricola Street), her shadowy, delicately beautiful prints are scattered on the floor of the vintage clothing store. Baker-Roberts explains these monotypes—made through a form of printmaking which uses only one sheet—are actually full of spiritual and cultural significance. While…
Justice for Africville Society pursues legal action against the city
Nelson Carvery, the president of the Justice for Africville Society, is taking legal action against the city, seeking compensation for loss of land in the former black community. Carvery is joined in the suit by 38 former residents and descendants of Africville. In 2010, a settlement was made between HRM and the Africville Genealogy Society. The deal included…
