Cafe Tryst opened last month at 86 Portland in Dartmouth. The new restaurant is co-owned by Alex Auld-Blake and Pernell Blake, former owners of Coffee & Colours in Barrington Shops (sold to Johnny Anjoul March 31). Chef Pernell Blake was looking to expand his repertoire with the new restaurant, creating such Caribbean- and Canadian-inspired entrees as spiced and grilled Cornish hen, pan-roasted quail and roasted pork loin with tropical fruit. As for the name, “Tryst is kind of like a meeting place or rendezvous kind of thing,” says Auld-Blake. “And it doesn’t necessarily mean a rendezvous between two lovers, it can be a rendezvous with your friend or with your mother…. A restaurant can be so much of a social environment, and what better place to meet for a quiet evening or an enjoyable lunch.”
Ladies of the surf
One Life Surf School celebrates its official launch June 3 at the Seahorse Tavern at 9pm. One Life is the first women-owned, women-operated surf school in Eastern Canada and was founded by Beth Amiro, Marcelle Drake, Jen Jackson, Becky Jeppesen, Juel McCallum and Caralee Murphy. All six instructors have worked for the various local surf shops, and “We realized that the surf community lacked resources for women who surf and women who want to surf, so we have joined forces to do something about it,” says McCallum. One Life instructors will guide surfers of all levels through the waves at Lawrencetown Beach. “There’s so much ,” says Murphy. “You have to learn about the ocean, the swells, your gear, how to take care of your gear, how to put it on, what to do, communication with other surfers, safety and etiquette is huge in surfing: whose turn is it, where you’re allowed to surf. It’s amazing how many little things you just don’t know if you try to do it on your own.” For more information or to book lessons call 880-SURF.
More fun on the water
East Coast Wakeboarding opens this weekend at White’s Lake in Prospect. The wakeboarding school has a booth set up in White’s Lake Convenience Store at 3273 Prospect, and owner and instructor Michael Sampson looks forward to bringing “the fastest growing water sport in North America” to the Maritimes. Wakeboarding is like waterskiing on a snowboard, using the wake of the boat as a ramp. Also like waterskiing, wakeboarding isn’t an easy sport to go out and try, unless you have access to waterfront property and a speedboat. Sampson is hoping to open the sport up to anyone who wants to try it. “I’m trying to bring it to people who wouldn’t have access to it,” says Sampson, who expects most customers will be first-timers. Sampson also offers wake skating and tubing, and is available by day-rental to teach at cottage parties.
Helping homes
Habitat for Humanity’s new ReStore at 121 Ilsley celebrates its opening on June 3 from 11am to 2pm with a ribbon cutting, BBQ and do-it-yourself demonstrations. The ReStore sells new and “gently-used” articles, including building materials, appliances, furniture, flooring, hardware, doors, windows and lighting. Habitat for Humanity provides tax receipts for donated materials and can arrange for local pickup. In addition to raising funds for Habitat homes, the ReStore benefits the environment by diverting goods otherwise headed to landfills.
Micro gold
Propeller Brewing Company won two gold medals at the 2006 World Beer Champion- ships, an ongoing competition judged by Chicago’s Beverage Testing Institute. The Institute awards medals based on a beer’s score out of 100 points: 96 or more is platinum, 90 to 95 is gold, and so on. Propeller IPA (the brewery’s newest beer) and Extra Special Bitter (Propeller’s flagship brand) are the golden brews. “We are extremely pleased and honoured to be recognized for the quality of our ales,” says John Allen, president of Propeller Brewing Company. “Our customers have always embraced the Extra Special Bitter and we have an extremely loyal following for our IPA.”
Father to son
Captain Eli’s Restaurant & Lounge at 6100 Young changed names three weeks ago and is now Michael’s Bar and Grill. The new name is not a result of new ownership (Michael is the name of owner Eli Hage’s eldest son), but
Congratulations
The Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Network presented their Entrepreneur of the Year award to Jude Major, owner of Katie’s Farm Organic Dog Bakery. Major’s products can be found locally at the Farmers’ Market, and will be avaliable at a forthcoming retail outlet in Metro Dog Wash on Cunard. Katie’s Farm is Canada’s first certified organic pet bakery. Major received her award at the EDN’s 10th Annual General Meeting last month.
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