Hot and Sour at Hamachi Kita

On a beautiful, sunny afternoon earlier in May, Mitch and I went out for some brunch.  We got ready and went out without coming to a consensus as to the resto.  He was all for the Pad Thai at Fid and I wanted eggs; specifically a delicious, inventive, spicy egg dish at The Coastal.  I won.  

We walked from the South end of Barrington all the way to Robie and sat outside to enjoy a coffee and check out the menu while we waited for a table. At this point, Mitch confided some essential info: that he "wasn't in the mood for eggs." So I rolled my eyes, paid for my coffee and racked my brain to determine a place that would make us both happy.  We settled on Epicurious Morsels in the Hydrostone where I could have brunch and he, a savoury dish.  Of course, we arrived just as the brunch service was ending, so we went next door to Hamachi Kita, where Mitch got: the Pad Thai.  It all comes full circle!

Pad Thai ($13.99) 

w/ shrimp, stir-fried rice noodles, egg, bean sprouts 

and chili Pad Thai sauce

The Pad Thai was very nice.  With the peanuts, sauce and bean sprouts, it had elements of fresh, crunchy, sweet; all the things you look for in a good noodle dish.  The portion was pretty good too. 

Green Curry Vegetable Puffs ($7.99)

fried egg roll wrappers filled w/ 

sweet potatoes, corn, peas and served w/ a sweet Thai chili sauce

Tom Yum Hot and Sour Soup ($6.99)

herb broth w/ lime leaves, galangal, tomato, lemon grass, 

mushroom, shallot and shrimp

My green curry puffs were OK; though not something I'd likely order again.  The flavour was nice, but they were a bit dry and the serving size - for $8 - left much to be desired.  The Tom Yum soup on the other hand, was just that: yummy.  I expected tiny shrimp, but was pleasantly surprised at the size of the prawns and the fact that there were at least four in the bowl.  There was a great contrast in flavour here too; spicy with a touch of sweet, and the fresh cilantro gave the bowl a burst of bright freshness.


This was a pretty good lunch on the fly.  I wouldn't order the curry puffs again, but I'd definitely go for the Tom Yum soup on a crisp winter's night.  The Pad Thai was pretty delicious too - and on that note, stay tuned for my next post featuring Pad Thai at Fid!

2 courses are better than one at The Bicycle Thief

A few weeks ago, I met a couple friends on Friday night at one of the Bishop's Cellar  wine tastings.  From there,  we met another (new to me) friend, and spent the evening at The Bicycle Thief. It was great to spend an evening talking almost exclusively about wine with my girlfriends...but the food was also a perk to the evening!

Two-Minute Flash Friend Calamari w/ 

garlic & sundried tomato aioli ($9)

I decided on one of my favourite 'bites' as I call them; calamari.  I love these little bite-sized treats; they serve as a great start to a meal, or as the perfect snack when out for a drink.  They are also an exceptional pairing with a bit of bubbly!  The bites were (not surprisingly) delicious; very light and crisp and with the squid being cooked well.  The aioli on the side was creamy and slightly sweet; a lovely compliment.  

Tuna Tartare w/ avocado, sesame cucumber spaghetti & 

pickled ginger wasabi cream ($14)

My friend opted for the tuna tartare, which I've had before.  She asked for very little sesame oil, which was a good idea, since they tend to over-indulge in that dish and it overpowers the tuna.  

Radicchio & Savoy cabbage salad w/ warm garlic pancetta dressing, 

toasted pine nuts and shaved Parmesean ($10)

As I often do when I go out to dinner, I pair a protein-based app with a salad.  This way, I have two plates of lighter fare as opposed to a heavier main course.  And let's face it: two plates are better than one!

This was the radicchio salad.  It should be called the 'radicculous' salad because it is just that good!  Earthy, bitter greens in a warm panchetta vinaigrette with crunchy pine nuts and salty Parmesean cheese?  I was in love; I finished every last bite.  My friend also had the Rucola, hazlenut-crusted goat cheese and papaya salad with a wildflower honey vinaigrette ($10), but I wasn't quick enough to grab a shot.  

I was pretty full by the time we left the BT - on treats that I would definitely order again. I had 2 completely different, filling plates at under $10 each, with the salad being one of the more inventive ones I have tried in Halifax. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day is one of the busiest days in the food and beverage industry - right up their with Valentine's Day.    While it's wonderful to take mom out to brunch to celebrate her special day, why don't we celebrate mothers every day?

Take mine, for example.  Recently, my ma's been earning bonus points in the 'amazing momma' category.  With some of the hard decisions that I've recently had to make, she's been a wonderful listener, has given advice without being pushy, and has filled me to the bring with her "you can do it!" support.

One of my favourite memories of spending time with my mother was when we used to bake together.  We started when I was little, making Duncan Hynes chocolate cakes for birthdays; and she always let me lick the beaters - sometimes my sis was there and I had to share!   When I found a similar card to the one below, I giggled aloud in the store; my mom was and is great - she always made sure the mixer was not only off, but unplugged!

Happy Mother's Day Momma, and to all those incredible women out 

there who do the world's hardest job everyday - usually, with a smile! :)

3rd Annual Slow Food Spring Supper

It's that time of year again! On Saturday, May 5th, Slow Food Nova Scotia will host its 3rd Annual Spring Supper, presented by Taste of Nova Scotia and Wines of Nova Scotia in support of Slow Food Nova Scotia, the Canadian Chefs' Congress and Slow Food International's 1000 Gardens in Africa Project.

After two extremely successful years, Slow Food Nova Scotia is back with its third annual Spring Supper. Billed as the down home, no fuss, culinary event of the season, this year's dinner will feature 11 of the region's top chefs working together to bring you a staggering 7-course, locally-sourced Nova Scotian church supper unlike any other! All courses will be paired with Nova Scotian wines. Local food producers, brewers, vintners and foodies alike will round out this incredible evening. This event is open to the public.

Participating Chefs/Restaurants include: Chefs Craig Flinn (Chives Canadian Bistro), Dennis Johnston (Fid Resto), Roland Glauser (Charlotte Lane Café), Renée Lavallée (The Feisty Chef), Chris Velden (The Flying Apron Cookery), Jason Lynch (Le Caveau), Earlene Busch (Chanterelle Country Inn), Martin Ruiz Salvador (Fleur de Sel), Luis Clavel (Atlantica Hotel) and Zane Kelsall & Tara MacDonald (Two If By Sea Café). This is a remarkable volunteer effort as all the chefs, servers & organizers donate their time and work collectively towards spreading the Slow Food ethos of good, clean and fair local food for all.

The Details:

When: Saturday, May 5th, 2012

Where: Christ Church Community Center, Lower Level, 61 Dundas Street, Dartmouth, close to Two If By Sea Café and just up from the Ferry.

Tickets: $85 each ($75 Slow Food members) + HST, available at Chives Canadian Bistro, Brooklyn Warehouse & Two If By Sea Café (Dartmouth location), Cash or cheque, in-person only.

Ticket price includes the 7-course dinner paired with Nova Scotian wines. Cash bar during reception (Garrison Beer & a Nova Scotian signature cocktail featuring Ironworks Distillery).