The class of 2015 notable restaurants in Halifax
Like any city with a bustling food scene, Metro Halifax sees a lot of restaurants come and go in the course of a year. It's always sad to say goodbye to old favourites, but each year brings its own upside in the form of fresh, new dining establishments. Here are a few of 2015's notable arrivals.
Brenton Grill & Wine Bar
5677 Brenton Pl, Halifax, NS B3J 1E4The decor of this Brenton Place eatery comprises rich, dark colours, but it's spacious and well lit, so it doesn't feel claustrophobic. The menu includes a few Western-style dishes for the unadventurous, but the traditional Persian cuisine is the draw here. The Taste of Persia appetizer platter is a good starting point, if you're new to Iranian food. Try the Fesenjan for your entree; it's a classic Iranian stew with chicken and pomegranate in a nut-thickened sauce.
The Dandelion Cafe
5228 Blowers St, Halifax, NS B3J 1J7The new Dandelion cafe opened in December, in the Blowers Street space formerly occupied by The Paper Chase. The Dandelion has a funky student/artist vibe, also serving as a gallery, convenience store and live-music venue. Keeping with the times, the menu centres on healthy, homemade comfort foods – nothing deep-fried – and desserts. Try the mulligatawny soup, or the offbeat and wonderful grapefruit brûlée.
Il Trullo Ristorante Italiano Ltd
67 Kings Wharf Pl, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0B4With the late-summer opening of Il Trullo, Dartmouth's waterfront now boasts an upscale Italian restaurant to rival those across the Harbour. Situated on Kings Wharf, right on the water, the dining room features a clean, modern interior and glorious views of the surrounding harbour. The thin crust pizzas and handmade pasta are superb – try the pappardelle with local lobster – and the kitchen staff bring modern twists to dishes, such as the basted chicken breast.
Lemon Tree Restaurant
1532 Queen St, Halifax, NS B3J 2H8Halifax already had notable some Turkish eateries, but the Lemon Tree – just off Spring Garden Road on Queen Street – brings something a bit different. The modest dining room, with its simple air and eclectic furniture, feels more like someone's home than a restaurant. That's emphasized by the mom-and-pop service, and by the fresh, handmade food. The kofte yogurt combo is worth a side trip, and the carrot salad is memorable. Catering and delivery are both available here.
Portland Street Crêperie
55 Portland, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 1H1Sometimes you just want something simple and tasty. That's the whole idea behind Portland St. Creperie, a shiny new addition to Dartmouth's resurgent downtown. The space couldn't be simpler, with plain white walls and small tables, and the menu is equally uncomplicated. Order from the list of six sweet and six savoury crepes, then watch as it's made in front of you in the open kitchen. Try one with Nutella or berries and chocolate. The Nova Scotia cheese tasting crepe, filled with three local cheeses, is also a solid choice.
Lot Six Restaurant&Bar
1685 Argyle, Halifax, NS B3J 2B5This ambitious new bar and restaurant opened in June in Argyle Street's historic Carleton Hotel building. The compact-but-select menu was drawn up to complement its craft cocktails and carefully chosen wine list. You can order full-sized entrees here – the beef cheeks are a standout – but the emphasis is on small plates and long, convivial evenings of nibbling with friends. Try the albacore confit or the braised fennel salad, or share the charcuterie plate. The vibe here is trendy and youthful, bringing new life to the landmark location.
Primal Kitchen
1463 Brenton St, Halifax, NS B3J 3S7Primal Kitchen retains the high ceilings and small tables of its fine-dining predecessor, Fiasco, but little else. The punny name – a "primal" is one of the fundamental cuts of meat, to be broken down for cooking or retail – tells you right from the start that this is a meat-centric place. That's not to say you can't order other things, but charcuterie is quite literally front and centre on the menu. It's filled with pates, terrines and all manner of salted and cured specialties. The most distinctive is jerky-like biltong, made from sous chef van Antwerp's father's recipe.
Seventy3 Canadian Fusion
73 Alderney Dr, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 2N7Seventy3 takes over the Alderney Drive space long occupied by La Perla, the much-loved high-end Italian restaurant. The interior is quietly elegant, with plenty of exposed brick and big, comfortable chairs. The menu is also casually upscale, offering straightforward dishes, such as wild mushroom risotto, as well as playful takes – fried oyster taco, anyone? Avocado and lobster club sandwich? – on well-established favourites.
Chi Bistro
5687 Charles St, Halifax, NS B3K 1K5Chi Bistro is fusion of a completely different kind. It took over the space (and many staff) of the much-loved creperie Tess' in early November, and brought in a fresh menu of Asian and Asian-inspired dishes. The style is still casual, and you can still get your crepe fix at brunch, but you'll also be able to opt for buns stuffed with pork belly or a Beijing duck taco. The big difference is that the emphasis is now on small plates and "share-ability."
Battery Park Beer Bar & Eatery
62 Ochterloney St, Halifax, NS B2Y 1C2One of the year's most anticipated openings barely made it under the wire when Ochterloney Street's Battery Park opened in December. It's a joint project of craft beer makers North Brewery and the culinary team responsible for hotspots Brooklyn Warehouse and Ace Burger Co. In Halifax. Executive chef Mark Gray's menu consists entirely of small plates, offering everything from pork belly and Sober Island oysters to rainbow trout "Fish 'n' Chips." Local craft beer, of course, is plentiful.
