Pretty much the perfect little restaurant has opened in the north end. Chez Tess (5687 Charles) is tucked half a block off Agricola Street in the Nile House, which I had never heard of before I went hunting for the rumoured creperie Monday. It’s a marvelous building, with two apartments above the ground floor restaurant, which itself is tastefully and simply decorated.
Owner Liz Cunningham was too busy handling a packed opening day lunch crowd to speak Monday, but I tracked her down Tuesday night and learned she spent 32 years in the television business, first at ABC in NY, then at CTV here in Halifax.
Cunningham speaks of the need for more neighbourhood restaurants in Halifax. “janes on the common was really the first one,” she explains. “I live in the north end, and I really feel like I’m getting in on the ground floor of something big happening here, with everything that’s going on on Agricola Street.”
She worked for janes for two years when it first opened, but otherwise has not been in the restaurant business. “We have two great young chefs who have come up with an amazing menu,” she explains.
Crepes include sweet and savoury varieties, a beef and blue cheese “man crepe,” three veggie crepes, thee seafood crepes and others. Chez Tess also offers french onion soup and a seafood chowder, as well as a dessert line.
Hours are Tues-Thurs, 11:30am-8pm; Fri, 11:30am-10pm; Sat, 9:30am-10pm; Sun, 9:30am-3pm. A brunch menu is offered on the weekend.
Cunningham hopes to soon have live entertainment one Sunday evening a month, but those plans are still in the works.
This article appears in Sep 17-23, 2009.
I was there on the opening day with other three friends. We had soup and each one of us ordered different crape dish. Four of us were sampling from each plate. we all admired and loved the way of service and the taste of the soup and crape dishes. At the end we’ve ordered coffee and a sweet crape plate, we asked to divid the sweet on three portions, which it was done perfectly. It was really a surprise for us to see that the price of the sweet crape had been divided on the three bills, that was cool and smart. I’m sure this nice cafe spot will do great business. Wish the owner and her team all the best.
Samira Meshal
I stopped in there today for lunch with my toddler. There was a good mix of singles, young families, and tables with people of all ages. The food was quite good, but the staff was amazing. I’ve never felt so welcomed in a restaurant in this city, and they were wonderful at making sure all of their patrons were being taken care of. I would definitely go back there.
Took my mom there for lunch. The service was delightful and food delicious! Will definitely go back. They served mom’s dessert with a wee candle on top in celebration of the special day. I recommend it!
This is by far the nicest, most reasonably priced, somewhat upscale but not snobby, well staffed Restaurant I have had the pleasure to frequent in a LONG time.
An instant Classic… and oh my word leave room for desert, the cheescake to die for and I have NEVER had better Creme Brule…
A wonderful addition to this neighbourhood. The staff is among the most friendly (yet not aggressively so) I have come across. The food is outstanding, unique and exceedingly reasonably priced. For those that wish to avoid gluten, the knowledgeable staff will pleasantly ensure that your order is prepared entirely with buckwheat. We are fortunate to have Chez Tess as an addition to the neighbourhood.
My husband and I were at Chez Tess today for lunch, this beautiful little place is tastefully decorated & the Staff is amazing,Now for the food it is out of this world delicious, I had the best ever delicious Ham & Cheese crepe with Ricotta cheese Salad on the side Raspberries that brightened the plate with color,My husband had Sausage & Egg crepe with Salad on the side that looked amazing & tasted delicious, We left & came back later for the French Onion Soup very tasty with lots of flavor, I couldn’t leave without trying desert O My Goodness If you’ve never tried the Strawberry Shortcake you really have to, this dessert is to Die For & Our Son made the desert look like it was out of a magazine with his Creativeness,We would like to Thank Our Son Nick, The Owner Liz who was a pleasure to meet, & The waiter Dale for The Wonderful Pleasant Atmosphere & Delicious Food that Chez Tess has to offer,we’ll be back many times.
My sister discovered Chez Tess by accident and is hooked. She took me there for supper tonight and I must say-It was delicious!! Yummy warm mushroom salad, followed by Coquille St. Jacques crepes then topped off with a delicious dessert. Food, service and ambience were great! I will be back and will definitely recommend this quaint spot to friends!!
Amazing atmosphere — I loved the artwork on the front porch (mirror pieces in the ceiling). This restaurant certainly has promise, if the appearance and staff are anything to go by.
such a lovely restaurant, so special.