showing 1 to 10 of 75
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Best Atmosphere
on November 1, 2018 at 1:00AM
Gold Winner Lot Six
Silver Winner The Bicycle Thief
Bronze Winner EDNA
When people think of the vibe at Lot Six, it’s always all about the atrium says manager Sarah Amyotte. “When we first opened everyone was in awe of the glass roof, but as we grew out of the terrible twos and into the terrific threes, it’s more about paying attention to the things people like, and not letting the other things slide,” she says. “General upkeep and not just relying on the glass roof.” She credits the staff for making the atmosphere at the bar worthy of solid gold, for reading the room when it comes to little things, like music choices. “We do our best to be as engaging and having as much fun as possible, every night is a little different in the space.”
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Best Bakery
on November 1, 2018 at 1:00AM
Gold Winner Vandal Doughnuts
Silver Winner The Old Apothecary
Bronze Winner LF Bakery
“Twenty-eighteen blew our minds,” says Nicole Tufts, who opened Vandal Doughnuts with partner Sonia Gillies-da Mota just about a year ago. Little did they know that their little dessert-focussed counter inside no-frills north end institution Gus’ Pub would take the city (and its Instagram feeds) by storm and beat out the competition to win a hat trick of Best of Halifax awards.“We tapped into something truly special with Vandal that brought out the best in us and our creativity,” Tufts adds. Now that is a crowning achievement.
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Best Bar
on November 1, 2018 at 1:00AM
Gold Winner Good Robot Brewing Co.
Silver Winner Durty Nelly's Authentic Irish Pub
Bronze Winner Stillwell
Good Robot Brewing Co. has shot up from last year’s bronze to take gold in this category. “It’s obviously humbling,” says co-owner Josh Counsil. “We never set out to be the best bar in Halifax.” With movie screenings, charity nights and D&D sessions, a trip to Good Robot usually involves a little more than sitting at a bar. If Halifax’s votes are any evidence, people are totally down with that. “We basically created the bar and the brewery we wanted to drink at, and it’s flattering that there’s other people who are like us weirdos.”
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Best Barista
on November 1, 2018 at 1:00AM
Gold Winner Jeremy Waterman, Low Point Coffee
Silver Winner Dan Weir, Weird Harbour
Bronze Winner Laura Arsenault, Java Blend Coffee Roasters
It’s been eight years since Jeremy Waterman started his career in coffee at Starbucks, and he’s come a long way, baby. When he’s not pulling drinks at Dilly Dally, the winning barista is growing his cold brew company Low Point Coffee with his pals and, most recently, exploring the art and science of roasting—a skill he’ll hope to put to use at his own cafe someday. “We’re hitting what seems to be our limit and then pushing past it. We thought we’d maybe make a case of coffee every week, and we’ve grown to 40 or 50 stockists around the city,” Waterman says of how the ever-growing Low Point keeps him eating, sleeping and breathing beans. “It’s already gone so much farther than I expected; we thought it would be a fun little hobby to take on.”
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Best Bartender
on November 1, 2018 at 1:00AM
Gold Winner Lindsay Jones, The Middle Spoon
Silver Winner Shane Beehan, Lot Six
Bronze Winner Nicki Brown, Good Robot Brewing Co.
After a year of slinging creative cocktails on the drink competition scene, Lindsay Jones knows a thing or two about what it takes to win over a panel of discerning palates—or, apparently, hundreds and hundreds of readers. A familiar face at The Middle Spoon and its secretive sibling bar, Noble, Jones started serving drinks to make an extra buck before realizing she totally loved it. Now, she’s working as hard as she can to be the best bartender possible—not only in your eyes, voters, but on the national scale. “I love competing. It’s such a great way to grow as a bartender,” she says of the many contests she’s taken part of in 2018. “It’s amazing to think there’s actually people out there voting for me, who know who I am. It makes me want to do my job even better.”
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Best Bedford Restaurant
on November 1, 2018 at 1:00AM
Gold Winner Il Mercato
Silver Winner The Chickenburger
Bronze Winner Finbar’s Irish Pub
The Bedford iteration of Il Mercato has been treating local lovers of Italian cuisine to big-ass pasta dishes, full-bodied glasses of wine and towering desserts for 15 years, putting mall restaurants around the municipality to shame with its very un-mall atmosphere. Maybe it’s the clinking wine glasses, the lively dinner conversation or the stylish decor, but it’s easy to forget you’re in shopping centre on the Bedford Highway and not holed up in a noisy nook on a cobblestone side street in Florence. Sure, the sprawling patio overlooks a parking lot—but you’ll be so distracted by your food you might not even notice the 80 buzzing by.
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Best Beer Selection
on November 1, 2018 at 1:00AM
Gold Winner Stillwell
Silver Winner Battery Park Beer Bar
Bronze Winner Good Robot Brewing Co.
It’s been nearly five years since this Barrington Street beer bar opened its doors and wowed beer nerds and curious drinkers alike with their wide array of options. And co-owner Chris Reynolds says thanks to that maturity, the sky is the limit when it comes to experiments and special events. “We’re ever-balancing blowing the locals’ minds with imports but having our own minds blown by our neighbours,” he says, calling a bit of a creative workshop for the staff. “I’m wondering when it’ll become less fun because it hasn’t at all yet.” Join in on the good times with the Stilly staff and regulars at anniversary festivities on November 17.
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Best Breakfast
on November 1, 2018 at 1:00AM
Gold Winner Ardmore Tea Room
Silver Winner The Coastal
Bronze Winner Mary's Place
What makes a good breakfast? Salty or sweet? Should pancakes come served with syrups or meats? Do you like your eggs scrambled, poached, fried or over-easy? Is it gonna be bacon, ham or bologna? These waffles and omelettes are anything but routine. Have your choice of eggs Benedict, or try breakfast poutine. Once again Ardmore Team Room holds its reputation steadfast as it takes home gold for the city’s Best Breakfast.
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Best Breakfast Sandwich
on November 1, 2018 at 1:00AM
Gold Winner The Coastal Cafe
Silver Winner The Canteen
Bronze Winner The Ardmore Tea Room
We added this new category to the roster in 2018, but it’s an old favourite who takes home the honours. After 11 years of serving “breakfast, brunch, whatever” the itty-bitty Coastal Cafe—known for its eternal packedness and incredible, creative brunch dishes—keeps its breakfast sandwiches on the menu, always, for a reason: The people freaking love them. Who’s to say if voters put Mark Giffin’s spot on top for the The Durty Burd (eggs with habanero buffalo chicken, bacon, ranch, havarti and guac) or The McCoastal (a maple sausage, coastal sauce, ketchup, eggs and havarti combo), but we’ll declare it a win-win.
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Best Brew Pub
on November 1, 2018 at 1:00AM
Gold Winner Good Robot Brewing Co.
Silver Winner Chain Yard Urban Cidery
Bronze Winner Battery Park Beer Bar
In the last year, Good Robot’s beer has become more accessible outside its location on Robie Street—craft-lovers can find cans of a few Good Robot fixtures at other storefronts. But folks continue to flock to Good Robot anyhow. “By and large, I think what separates our company is the people,” says co-owner Josh Counsil, referring to the 35-or-so staff members. “Anywhere there’s joyful people working, it’s going to be a joyful place to be.” The booze probably doesn’t hurt, either.
