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 officially shut its doors to make way for a new Bertossi Group restaurant, La Frasca Cibi & Vini. “I think number one thing is it’s a huge moral boost for staff,” says Stephanie Bertossi. “How do you say, go out with a bang?” Looks like the gold medal for 2014 just went up for grabs.