Terry Vassallo and Simone Mombourquette are humble veterans in Nova Scotia’s restaurant scene, but after paying their dues—making their marks on locally loved spots like Lunenburg’s Trattoria Della Nonna and Cafe Chianti— the pair are fulfilling a dream and opening their own spot. “If it’s a poker game, we’re all in,” says Vassallo, with a […]
Cafe Chianti
Posted inFood + Drink
Turkey Leftovers Risotto
Serves four Ingredients 5 cups chicken or turkey broth (turkey stock is best but chicken will do) heated to near-simmer 1 cup white wine or unsweetened grape juice (best if wine) 2 ½ cups short grained high-starch Italian rice (Carnaroli preferred) 1 white large white onion and 3 ribs of celery, finely diced. (This is […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
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 […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Taj Mahal reopens
Closed since a January fire that shut down three restaurants, including Thai Chin and Cafe Chianti, we’re pleased to report that Taj Mahal (5175 South Street, 492-8251) has reopened, so expect to find your murg makhani, your dhaba gosht masalaedar and your tandoori machi, all available once again. No word yet on when Thai Chin […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Barrington Street shuffle
[image-1] There’s a retail shuffle going on on South Barrington Street. Cafe Chianti has moved into the former Bear space in the YWCA building (1241 Barrington Street). Then, Uncommon Grounds, having closed its Upper Water Street cafe, has moved all the furnishings and equipment to the former Cargo and James space in the same building. A couple of blocks up, renovations on the Freemasons Hall building (Barrington & Salter) continue, and a sign on the window announces a new Korean restro in the works.
Posted inNews + Opinion
Downtown openings, closings and buildings
We smell a trend. Joining Boneheads in the southern BBQ restaurant scene is Q Smokehouse & Southern Barbeque (1580 Argyle Street, 407-4006), offering ribs, chicken, brisket, wings, sandwiches—including pulled pork, and even Louisiana po-boys—as well as delectable collection of sides, salads and desserts. Plus, it is licensed. In other resto news, Café Chianti, formerly at […]