showing 21 to 30 of 71
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Best Chowder
on November 7, 2019 at 1:00AM
Gold Winner The Canteen
Silver Winner Esquire Restaurant
Bronze Winner Evan's Fresh Seafoods
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And with each bowl boasting mouthfuls of both smoked haddock and smoked bacon, it’s not overly surprising Renée Lavallée’s chowder remains one of the hottest and most-ordered dishes on her menu, and is the city’s gold-winner for the second year running. “People love it because it’s not a gloopy, thick chowder, it’s fairly light,” says Lavallée of The Canteen’s beloved bowl. She adds that this year—as if it needed the boost—the dish’s appearance on the Food Network’s Big Food Bucket List has sent even more folks on a mission to try it. “It’s a people pleaser.”
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Best Cidery
on November 7, 2019 at 1:00AM
Gold Winner Chain Yard Urban Cidery
Silver Winner Lake City Cider
Bronze Winner Annapolis Cider Company
“We strive to make ciders on the drier side and to be inventive. We’re always looking for different fruits and ingredients to use,” says Michael Lim of Chain Yard’s resume, which includes making somewhere in the vicinity of 60 ciders since debuting as Halifax’s first urban cidery in 2017. While he’s stoked that his business stole the gold in the the first ever appearance of the Best Cidery category in the Best of Halifax, he says the fact category was a necessary addition to the readers’ choice survey is a reminder of the province’s flourishing scene. And that in itself is worth celebrating. “We’re definitely honoured, but really overall we’re excited for the cider industry.”
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Best Clayton Park Area Restaurant
on November 7, 2019 at 1:00AM
Gold Winner Mezza Lebanese Kitchen
Silver Winner Tako Sushi & Ramen
Bronze Winner The Lower Deck
As one of Halifax’s best neighbourhoods for hidden gem restaurants boasting varying cuisines and dining experiences, the competition in the Clayton Park category is fierce. The best ramen in town? Authentic Chinese food? Korean hot pot? Local takeout chain Mezza Lebanese Kitchen flattens the competition for the fourth year in a row, with its falafel bowls, shawarma platters and Halal donairs keeping Haligonian diners cruising Lacewood Drive for a bite of something fresh coming back for more.
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Best Cocktails
on November 7, 2019 at 1:00AM
Gold Winner Lot Six
Silver Winner The Middle Spoon Desserterie & Bar, Halifax
Bronze Winner Bar Kismet
The people behind the bar are what make the cocktails at Lot Six work so well, says manager David Lynds. “They are so serious about perfecting their craft,” he says, “it’s impressive.” Most menus take about three months from original concept—often just one idea that then drives the whole direction of the menu—to the printers, and then your palate. “The bartenders are always playing with different concepts. If they get their hands on a new spirit they’re constantly trying new combinations.”
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Best Coffee
on November 7, 2019 at 1:00AM
Gold Winner Java Blend Coffee Roasters
Silver Winner Two If By Sea Cafe
Bronze Winner Weird Harbour Espresso Bar
“I think a lot of our focus has been good value for money: We’re not charging eight dollars a latte and we’ve always been committed to quality,” says Jim Dikaios of Java Blend’s gold win. The owner of the longtime north end caffeination station recently sold to the owners of Bedford’s Cortado Tasting Room. “It was a bittersweet decision but the timing was right and the guys taking it over are really solid coffee people,” Dikaios adds. “The woman who wrote our our press release said something that stuck with me. She said: ‘I don’t know if you know this, but you’re not selling your business. You’re selling Halifax’s business.’”
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Best Cookie / Cupcake / Doughnut
on November 7, 2019 at 1:00AM
Gold Winner Vandal Doughnuts
Silver Winner Layers Cakes
Bronze Winner Fortune Donut
No matter if it’s the sweet-and-simple pink frosting and sprinkles of The Homer or a more intricate offering like the Skor bar cheesecake doughnut, the hoodlums at Vandal are always frying up something delicious to satisfy the sweetest of teeth. The pink boxes these treats are packed in act as a warning call: Open and inhale, or have serious regrets. Choose wisely, Halifax.
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Best Craft Brewery
on November 7, 2019 at 1:00AM
Gold Winner Nine Locks Brewing Co.
Silver Winner Garrison Brewing Company
Bronze Winner Good Robot Brewing Co.
“I think a lot of our focus has been good value for money: We’re not charging eight dollars a latte and we’ve always been committed to quality,” says Jim Dikaios of Java Blend’s gold win. The owner of the longtime north end caffeination station recently sold to the owners of Bedford’s Cortado Tasting Room. “It was a bittersweet decision but the timing was right and the guys taking it over are really solid coffee people,” Dikaios adds. “The woman who wrote our our press release said something that stuck with me. She said: ‘I don’t know if you know this, but you’re not selling your business. You’re selling Halifax’s business.’”
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Best Diner
on November 7, 2019 at 1:00AM
Gold Winner Pleasant Street Diner
Silver Winner Ardmore Tea Room
Bronze Winner The Armview Restaurant & Lounge
Tommy and Stephen Fatouros opened Pleasant Street Diner three years ago, but you’d swear it’s been there for decades. That’s probably because, as Stephen says, restaurant business is in their DNA. “My brother works in the front-of-house and I work in the kitchen and it’s all we know. This is our life—we wouldn’t be doing it if we don’t enjoy it,” Stephen says. “We learned from our parents to always treat people with respect, you have to appreciate the people that come to the doors.” He credits his staff, customers, parents and wife as part of Pleasant Street’s success, and thinks both the food and the noisy, upbeat atmosphere keep people coming back. “We love what we do here. We’re not perfect but we try to do our best every time.”
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Best Desserts
on November 7, 2019 at 1:00AM
Gold Winner Sweet Hereafter Cheesecakery
Silver Winner Antoinette’s Cheesecake
Bronze Winner Vandal Doughnuts
“As one of the staff here, I love working here. It has such a nice family feel to it—it’s a comfortable and homey yet decadent experience,” says assistant manager Emily Rhyno about what makes Sweet Hereafter a winning choice for Best Dessert. “We see people on date nights, people coming in with friends to hang out, students on study breaks to treat themselves, special occasions, people who want to come in and relax with coffee, a book and a piece of cheesecake.” The any-excuse/all-occasions feel, combined with a rotating cast of flavours, makes for a fun experience anytime, she adds. Her favourite slice of all, though? Salted caramel.
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Best Dartmouth Restaurant
on November 7, 2019 at 1:00AM
Gold Winner The Canteen
Silver Winner Mic Mac Bar & Grill
Bronze Winner The Wooden Monkey
Business and life partners Renée Lavallée and Doug Townsend may not be from Dartmouth, but they’ve certainly made it home over the last 15 years. While The Canteen takes home nine (yes, nine) Best of Halifax awards this year, including Best Restaurant, the approval of their neighbours might be the biggest compliment of all. “Our biggest fans are the old Dartmouth people,” says Townsend. “Because of their support from day one—for TIBS dinners and cooking classes—we have those people to thank for making it all happen.”
