Big Day Downtown, The Series Episode 2

I mentioned before in a previous post, how excited and lucky I feel to share with you the first season of Big Day Downtown, The Series.  In my last post, we explored some of the great restaurants that downtown Halifax has to offer.  In Episode 2, we take on some of the great things to do downtown, after dark!

This is the nightlife episode; I chat with Aime Moore at the Casino Nova Scotia about some of the great events they host, as well as with Mimi Breslow from the Dalhousie Swing Dance Society about a fun initiative that's in 'full swing'!

I hope YOU can get out and experience some of this cool stuff; The DSDS is a lovely group of people, and there is a plethora of affordable events going on all the time at the Casino.  See you downtown!

Get your city fix with Big Day Downtown: The Series on EastLink TV. EastLink Magazipremieres on EastLink TV Sundays at 7:00 pm and is also available in HD on EastLink OnDemand.

Check the full schedule:

http://www.eastlink.ca/EastlinkTV/Programs/EastLinkMagazine.aspx 

Brunch at The Armview

My gal pal Heather and I met up last week for a good, efficient working breakfast.  If you're not aware of it, you should really check out her business Twin Bridges Photography.  She and her work are awesome!!

Anyhow, we're talking about food here, so I'll get to the good stuff.  Originally heading out for brunch at the Heartwood Cafe and Bakery, we were pretty bummed to see that it was closed (which I've since found out was for renos - not permanently).  Since we were in that end of town, we opted for The Armview instead.  I've heard tons about this place, but had never been - carless, I normally stick to restos within walking distance.  

When we arrived, we were greeted by a sweet server who kept our coffee mugs full.  Heather opts for the breakfast sandwich; the Chebucto with bacon, egg and cheddar cheese served with a fruit cup for $8.

 The Chebucto

   I have to admit - I had a bit of food envy.  Look how delish!!

I, as per usual, tailored my order!  I chose the Senorita ($11); poached eggs, avocado and salsa served on slices of tomato as opposed to the English muffin.  I'm always nervous about my benny being drenched in the sauce so I always have it served on the side as well.  This was a pretty good breakfast.  Forget about food groups, I had all the food textures covered; rich & creamy (avocado/Hollandaise), fresh & spicy (tomato/salsa) and salty and crispy (home fries).  Speaking of crispy, those home fries were perfect - for my taste that is.  I'm very particular about my potato products; they MUST have a crispy exterior!

The Senorita

This was a great spot to stop for breakfast - whether working or just enjoying time with good friends.  I think I'll make these two feet do some walkin and stop by another time soon!

New Fave Meal at Hamachi Steakhouse

A couple Saturday nights ago, Mitch and I ended up at Hamachi Steakhouse.  We had just come home from an all-day, around-town excursion and did the usual Saturday night dance of: Take out? No take out. Grocery store to pick up ingredients and make dinner? Too lazy.  Go out to dinner? Done.

After several back and forths, we realized that we had vouchers for the Hamachi Group, so we chose the Steakhouse on the waterfront for dinner.  Unfortunately, the clock on the stove has remained an hour ahead since last Fall's time change (don't judge me) so when we called and said OK to 9pm dinner, thinking it was 8pm....we had a really long wait!

When we finally got down and seated, it was 9 on the nose, and we placed our orders pretty quickly!  This is a great space to go on a weekend night because the place is always rocking with Teppanyaki - the practice of the chefs cooking your dinner on the slab grills in frount of you.  There were about 4 full tables and the hootin' and hollerin' made turned our dining experience into full out dinner theatre!

If you're lucky enough to know my pal Anthony, you'd be jealouse, as he was our server for the night.  We started off with a bottle of wine and sweet-talked A into sweet-talking the chefs into making our (typically) deep-fried platter into a grilled one. We had the Seafood Assortment ($15.99) and instead of panko breaded scallops, calamari and shrimp, we had succulently tender seafood that really shone!  It was served with both tonkatsu sauce and house made ponzu; deliciously mysterious asian flavours.

Seafood Assortment (sans Panko breading)

Mitch loves steak, and often ends up ordieng one whereever we go; and when in a steakhouse....  He ordered the Teriyaki Striploin (8 oz.) served with sauteed veg and a side salad.  It was a pretty good steak for $26....Although I think that I had the better plan!

Teriyaki Striploin

I decided on the "Your Choice" salad - which is like: the BEST salad deal in Halifax!  The 'choice' here is that you can select from steak, salmon, shrimp, tuna, chicken, etc. to top this tasty bed of greens. The salad itself is comprised of spinach, tomato, cucumber, carrots, bean sprouts, edamame and shiitake mushrooms (one of my absolute favorite things) for just $11.99!  This is all served with Hamachi's house-made apple vinaigrette.  I get mine with rare steak and it's fantastic - waaayyy better than a $26 steak, in my opinion, but then again, there is a slight variation in appetites between Mitch and I.

 Your Choice Salad w/ steak

This salad is so good that I get it again that very week when we host a work function at Hamachi.  This time, I order the salmon option.  It's equally delicious and filling.  I've found a new love here.

 Your Choice Salad w/ salmon

Big Day Downtown: The Series

Two summers ago, I was invited by the Downtown Halifax Business Commission to participate in their newest initiative, 'Big Day Downtown', which served to highlight business in Halifax's downtown core.  The premise of the campain was to give 30 bloggers in Halifax $100 to spend in downtown Halifax.  We filmed my BDDT and here is how I spent it:

Then, in the summer of 2011, I was asked again to participate - this time, the tag line of the BDDT campaign was 'Try Something New', and so I did.  You can check that experience out here.

Find out what's happening in Downtown Halifax. Discover hidden gems or rediscover old favourites. This series explores food, music, events, fashion, art, culture, entertainment, issues, good causes and cool products and services.

The inagural episode, of course, is all about food!   In  this episode, we travel to Morris St. to visit Morris East, a wood-fire grilled pizza place with tons of personality an great food!  I chat with owner Jenni Dobbs and Head Chef, Lauren Marshall, AND, I get to try one of their incredible pizzas!  Next, I travel to Bistro Le Coq, on Argyle St. so sample some french fare.  This is a lovely resto, full of charm, and cream...and butter!  I'll with Chef de Cuisine, Ashley Davis  and get to try Le Coq's incredible Poulet Roti.  Bon appetit!

Get your city fix with Big Day Downtown: The Series on EastLink TV. EastLink Magazipremieres on EastLink TV Sundays at 7:00 pm and is also available in HD on EastLink OnDemand.

Check the full schedule:

http://www.eastlink.ca/EastlinkTV/Programs/EastLinkMagazine.aspx 

Also, check out Big Day Downtown: The Series on the Facebook page, LinkedIn and on Twitter!

We’ve also linked the episode to Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/DowntownHalifax

LinkedIn:

http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Downtown-Halifax-Business-Commission-3950156?trk=myg_ugrp_ovr  

For Tweeting:

http://tinyurl.com/8ycclv7

Hart & Thistle - TeamBuy's new deal!

I’m super excited to write this post as a first-time TeamGal!  I’ve been recruited to write and do reviews of various restos, cafes, etc. in Halifax and then report the experience as the TeamBuy deal goes live.

The Hart & Thistle on Halifax’s waterfront is a favorite spot of mine during the summer, when I can sip one of their micro beers on the sun-drenched patio.  I’ve even done some writing there from time to time – with beer in hand, of course.

This time, it’s 4:00 pm on a Saturday and there are only a few people inside.  It’s really nice though; a bright, comfortable spot to get some work done as I wait for my company.  The piano player seems to have a fondness for Elton John – which is fine by me.

I ask to order a micro-brew and the server describes the two current brews; Mad Man – at 7% alcohol, an IPA and Rocket Man – at 8%, a double IPA.  Appropriate, given the tunes!  I taste them both and decide I’m partial to the Mad Man; it’s a bit more zippy than the other, and with nothing yet in my stomach, I’m wise not to start on a 8% brew!

When my bf arrives, he orders a Muddled Cucumber ($6.09) and the Calamari immediately; panko crusted, it's served with tomato jam and sweet chili mayo.  Served on a slate tile, the pile of squid is tender and the batter, crisp.  We gobble them up quickly, piling each bite with the sweet mayo and yummy tomato jam.

As the server clears our plates, I order a pint of Stella Artois, while Mitch gets a Keith's.  We put in our orders for the 2-piece Maritime Fish n' Chips ($12) and an 8 oz. NY Striploin ($18).   

The lightly battered haddock is tasty; it's crisp and not too greasy.  Served with PEI russet fries and a house-made tartar sauce, I managed to eat one whole piece and then pick the batter off the other.  The quality of fish is excellent and the tartar sauce is delish.  

Mitch's steak is served with frizzled onions, vegetables of the day and horseradish potatoes. The steak is great - full of flavour.  The vegetables are the highlight of this dish for me though; they're al dente, so the carrots, cauliflower, asparagus and green beans still have a slight crunch.  The horseradish potatoes are OK - we think that they're not that fresh.

Believe it or not, after all that, we're still able to consume, so we decide on the dessert sampler platter ($15).  Another tile appears with a selection of the Hart & Thistle's desserts; a piece of bread pudding, a chocolate brownie in a pool of caramel sauce and a lovely oval-shaped disk of chocolate pate.  In the center, there's a small bowl of vanilla bean ice cream and a dollop of whipped cream with fruit.  This is a bad idea...but oh, so good!  I normally go for salty over sweet, but having had my fare share of salt tonight, this is a lovely change.  The brownie is dense and chewy, the bread pudding has a subtle caramel flavour and the chocolate pate tastes like the centre of a Lindt truffle.

We practically roll out of the restaurant, but it was a great way to spend a Saturday evening.  I love the Hart & Thistle on a hot summer's day, but now I love it on a cold winter's night as well!  

Make sure to check out today's TeamBuy: $35 of food for $17!  Click on the following link to see today's deal! http://bit.ly/wd6qev 

3rd Annual Rare & Fine Wine Tasting

Last year, my 2nd on the Savour food & wine Festival committee was my first year to attend the Rare & Fine Wine Tasting.  Though I was still a student in the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) program, I knew that I was in for a treat.

This event showcases - as the title implies - rare and fine wines.  These are wines that aren't normally carried in Nova Scotia's wine stores; either in the NSLC or in the private wine stores, so they really are 'rare' to the NS market.

This year's Rare & Fine Wine Tasting will be held at the Casino Nova Scotia this coming Friday, February 17th With about 20 wines to sample; from crisp, bubbly Champagnes, to chewy Cabernet Sauvingnon and everything in between, this event is sure to have something(s) to tempt every palate whether your preference is for red or white.

It's a bit late to get your ticket for this year, but mark your calendars next year for the third week of February; whether you're a wine conneseur or an enthusiast, this event is the one for you!  Check out this great selection of photos from Halifax photographer; the lovely Kelly Neil here!

My Birthday Dinner at Morris East

I love birthdays.  I enjoy buying presents for people and wrapping them up into beautiful parcels to present to them on their special day.  I (obviously) also relish the dining aspect of birthdays; whether it's a simple cake or an elaborate 5-course meal, I love the celebration that's involved and making the Bday boy/girl feel special.

And I love it when it's MY birthday!  I'm one of those people whose birthday falls right on the cusp of the Christmas season.  That's right - my bday falls within the 12 days of Christmas, on January 5th.  When I was younger, I always guilt-tripped my parents into a really good birthday present.  Of course, I did offer the obligatory, "thanks mom for your 9 months of incubation, labour and putting up with me during my teens", but I also got away with making my birthday last a whole week instead of just one day.

I've since met a little bird who makes her Bday last a whole month - but that's another story all together!  This broad did help me celebrate one of my birthday days, as did my colleagues, and then my boyfriend's colleagues... 4 birthday cakes/desserts in all!  Needless to say, I was birthday'd out by mid-January, so I think a week's worth of celebrating is still fine enough for me.

The best part about this Bday though, was my dinner at Morris East.  I agonized over this decision for several days prior - pouring over menus at Gio, Da Maurizio, The Bicycle Thief, CUT, etc... But when I sat back and thought about what I wanted, it was something simple; something that I don't eat very often: CARBS! I wanted to unabashedly eat them with no care for the aftermath.  So where to go in this city for a good feed of carbs?  Morris East- for some wood-fire grilled pizzas.

When we arrived at 8:30 pm on the Saturday night following my Bday, we started off with some tasty cocktails.  I had the Patsy ($11) with citadelle gin, St. Germain elderflower, rosemary syrup, lemon and sparkling wine, while Mitch had the Winter Mojito ($10.50) with amber rum, muddled limes, fresh mint, drunken cranberries and soda.  I think my drink was so delicious because it combined some of my favorite bevys all-in-one; gin, St. Germain and sparkling wine.

As we sipped, we put in some orders for appetizers to share; the Vinaigrette Caesar ($9) and the Stuffed Portobello Cap ($9).  I'd had the Caesar before and it's my favorite one in Halifax.  Made with a light, lemony vinaigrette as opposed to a heavy creamy dressing, the simple flavours really stand out here.  The portobello mushroom  cap was delicious - I had a hard time passing the plate over.  The tender mushroom was topped with creamy melted bocconcini cheese, a smokey roasted tomato and an inventive pesto.

Vinaigrette Caesar   

Caesar w/ smoked bacon, sourdough croutons & preserved lemon

Stuffed Portobello Cap

w/ wood-fired Portobello mushroom, bocconcini cheese, 

artichoke cashew pesto, slow cooked tomato & herbs

With the appetizers cleared away, there was just a minute's wait before our pizzas arrived.  They were huge - divvied up into 6 slices each.  I knew what I wanted days before; the mushroom pizza ($16) with 3 different mushrooms and truffle oil.  Mitch ordered the Off The Bone ($18) with 3 kinds of meat and house smoked cheddar.  The pizza crusts were soft and irresistible.  Once the toppings were gone, I drizzled the crust in Morris East's chili oil and enjoyed every last crumb.  We swapped several slices before packing up a couple to go.  

Off The Bone

braised pork, Oulton's Farm sausage, sopressata, 
house smoked cheddar, Propeller Bitter Tomato Sauce

Mushroom

portobello, button & oyster mushroom, garlic, 

Parmesean, microgreens & truffle oil

I would have been happy finishing the meal with coffee, but Mitch likes to go all out on special occasions, so we ordered two specialty coffees with a macadamia nut liqueur and asked them to surprise us for dessert.  They chose the rich chocolate torte, and it certainly was rich.  The plate was drizzled in freshly sqeezed OJ and dusted with cocoa, then topped with a slice of chocolate-dipped cake.  That was the best part - the hard chocolate shell on the outside that cracked beneath my fork.

Rich Chocolate Torte

citrus caramel, canilla bean chantilly

And then I made a wish - but that's a secret!

We had a great night out at Morris East and the food was fantastic.  And while we did feel that some items were a little steeply priced, the meal was a good value overall.  We also brought our own wine - a pinot noir to go with my mushroom pizza - and the corkage fee was just $15.