Food flying high at the Flying Fajita Sisters

On one of the 'hotter' days in September, I arrived home to my housemate's news that: "We're going to The Flying Fajita Sisters for dinner.  You have 20 minutes to get ready."  Having trekked around the 'hood in the heat all day, I felt less than stellar, but with the thought of an icy cold, salty Margarita in my future, I pulled myself together...quickly.  

We met three of our pals for dinner at 7:30 and were seated at a little table in the garden.  The bonus about restos on GPR is the fact that many of them have an outdoor dining area hidden away in the back.  Most of us ordered a Margarita to start - mine being the classic; lime flavoured with a nice, salty rim.  I ordered it frozen as it goes down slightly less quickly that way. 

The Classic Frozen Margaritas ($13)

And..."when in Mexico"...we also ordered some shots of tequila.  Giving our sever a relative budget and saying "No way(!) to Jose", we asked that she excite our palate with something a little more exotic that the typical shots you'd get at a bar.  What she brought out was heavenly and we ended up with another round later in the night.  The tequila itself was sweet and luscious. With a honeyed texture and beautiful orange blossom notes, the shots were topped with a slice of orange dusted in a layer of cinnamon which brought out the liquid's sweet and slightly spicy notes.

Tequila ($8/shot)

My housemate ordered one of the daily specials: fish tacos.  Though the tacos featured grilled sea bass, the resto had run out and offered red snapper as an alternative. Served with a wedge of lime, citrus served to elevate the fish's flavour and add a nice zing to the dish.  Tender, flaky fish; chunky salsa; creamy guacamole; rich crema, and robust corn salsa were all on offer to be packaged up within the warm, soft flour tortillas.  

Fish Tacos ($18ish)

w/ guacamole, crema, green salad and corn salsa

I wasn't ravenous when we arrived so I ordered something small.  I'm always a sucker for specials because I know that they'll only be available for a limited time.  I decided on one of the other options listed that evening; taquitos filled with potato and chorizo sausage, topped with salsa verde, queso freso and served with a marinated tomato salad.  It was a great little meal: the crispy shell was wrapped around soft potato and spicy sausage; the salsa verde and crumbed cheese added a richness to the dish while the marinated tomato salad provided a touch of sweetness - and a great textural contrast as well.

Taquitos ($12)

 w/ potato, chorizo, salsa verde and queso fresco 

I will definitely be a repeat customer here.  The quality of the food was fantastic, the margaritas were 'just right' and the presentation was really nice for Mexican food - which can admittedly be a little sloppy.  Great service topped off the night.  Once we were all sorted, we headed down the street to The Little Guy - also on GPR, one of Sydney's 'small bars', and a laid-back spot that's perfect for a weeknight drink or a Sunday session.

More MODA!

Last Friday night, my BF and I went out to a late dinner at MODA on Dresden Row.  Neither of us ad been before, but we were looking forward to trying it out.  When we arrived at about 8:30, we were seated at a tiny table for 2 by the window. After quite the  time trying to make a decision, we finally settled on two courses each - although mine were a bit smaller.  

After hearing the specials, there was no way that we could turn down the incredible-sounding soup; a broccoli base with Applewood Smoked Cheddar and pieces of prosciutto.  Mitch does have a weakness for soup and often orders one as a starter, but this one is by far one of the best we've had in a long time.  The broccoli base was pronounced, but incredibly well-balanced with the smokey cheddar and cream.  The prosciutto crisps were like little treats within each spoonful. 

Soup of the Day $9

Broccoli & Applewood Smoked Cheddar w/ Prosciutto

My first course were three jewel-like spheres in the most luxurious tomato sauce I've ever had.  Within the crisp shells, the rice inside was well-cooked and creamy with the earthy flavour of mushroom.  The sauce was a lovely pool; smooth and fresh with a hint of rosemary.  I could easily have had another plate of these.  

Risotto Spheres $11

Mushroom risotto stuffed w/ Asiago cheese

Rosemary Tomato Sauce

The tomato sauce was soo good that I scraped every last bit off the plate!

Holy cannoli!  When Mitch ordered a steak, I didn't think anything of it - he often does.  But neither of us were ready for this meal!  The tenderloin at MODA is the best steak I've ever had in Halifax.  First, it was cooked perfectly and it was also super flavourful and tender.  the steak is served with a couple different options, but Mitch chose the Shopshire blue cheese sauce.  Smothering the steak, it made every bite moan-able.  Instead of a potato on the side, he was allowed to substitute for another starch and chose some spaghetti tossed with loads of garlic and olive oil. 

Beef Tenderloin $32

w/ Shopshire Blue Cheese Sauce

Garlicky Spaghetti

I chose a lighter dish; a simple spinach salad with a lovely warm dressing of honey and Balsamic, dusted with Parmesan.  The menu listed bacon, but I did only find one piece.   

Warm Spinach Basil Salad

Baby Spinach w/ Basil, Smoked Bacon, Parmesan

Warm Honey-Balsamic Dressing

I would certainly go back to MODA again and have recommended it to several people since our dinner.  It's a nice little resto with fantastic service and food, and is a perfect spot for a celebratory meal, or just a really, really nice dinner.

Sun's out at the Foggy Goggle

And...it's fall.  How quickly did that happen?  I went from frolicking in my flip flops and denim cut-offs to having to resort to my space heater at work to take away the chill.  Yes, autumn is upon us, and that means comfort food; thick soups, hearty stews, red wine and no more patios. :( 

But last week, when my friend and I ate on the patio at the Foggy Goggle, there was nothin' but sunshine-y skies and a warm summer breeze.  It was one of those evenings where beer was $2 off and we had nothin but time.  My friend ordered the Man Salad - and that's exactly what it was: a 6 oz. steak cooked med-rare, served on a bed of organic greens with toasted almonds, sun dried cranberries, crumbled blue cheese and red onion drizzled in a Balsamic vinaigrette.  


It's not often that we share the same food cravings, and I've never, ever seen him order a salad in a resto, but this one turned the tables on the 'usual' salad.  The flavour combos were excellent and the textures intriguing.  The steak was juicy and had tons of flavour; the almonds and red onion provided crunch, while the sweet chewy cranberries and creamy, blue cheese were 'besties' in this dish with the tart flavour playing off the pungent one.

While he dove into his vibrant plate, I had the Marinara mussels; a pound of mussels in a spicy marinara with tomatoes, onion and jalapeno.  They were OK - not the best mussels I've had in this city, but certainly not the worst either.  i think that I was hoping for a thicker sauce; which it wasn't.  Still, I ate the whole dish as the shellfish themselves were plump and moist.

I'm sad to see the summer end and to have to head back indoors to dine; one of my favourite summer activities - like half of the people in this town- is to drink an icy cold beer on a patio.  I suppose that's life though, the seasons come and go, and so too must our eating and drinking habits.  I guess I should look on the bright side: now I can sit at the bar and drink red wine/hot buttered rum/Dark n' Stormys/Bailey's/etc. to my heart's content!

P,p,p, patio at Pipa!

One of my favorite restos in Halifax at the moment is Pipa on Argyle St. Actually, since Pipa opened in 2008, it's been a favourite.   It's a husband and wife-run resto that specializes in Brazilian and Portuguese food. One of the things that I find appealing about this spot is the fact that most of the dishes are unfamiliar, and each one is a new adventure! 

As luck would have it, the very day that we decided to head out to dinner and not get into the drink, pitchers of sangria are $5 off.  Obviously we ordered one; white sangria with peaches and strawberries. It was an incredibly hot evening and this delicately sweet bevy was just the thing to quench my thirst.  Since we planned on taking our time, I asked that they put ice only in the glasses so as to not water down our 'punch' .

As is often the way at a spot like this, my eyes were bigger than my belly and I ordered three apps; my friend ordered one plus an entree.  Loving a good game of chance, he often leaves his choice up to our server -  in this case, the owner, who suggested the pork and clams.  He prefaced this meal with more crustaceans, an order of Black Point oysters, while I ordered lobster soup, hearts of palm salad and lamb meatballs.

The soup was broth based with chunks of potatoes and other veg. I checked it out before ordering  as I'm not particularly fond of a creamy chowda on a hot day like this.    It was O.K. There were nice pieces of lobster, but it was lacking in flavour. My friend's oysters were super tasty and sea-salty fresh.  Served with some of Pipa's uber-spicy green salsa they set my mouth to waterin'. 

And then came the entrees; my two small plates and my friend's lovely stew-like pork, clam and potato mix.  The hearts of palm salad was original and refreshing.  Reminiscent of artichokes, the palm hearts were quite tangy after marinating for several hours in a lime-cilantro dressing.  On a bed of mesculn mix with chunks of corn, avocado and tomatoes, this salad was full of flavour and a nice change from other resto's typical salad options. 

The show-stopper was the meatballs.  Admittedly an odd dish; meatballs in a delicious tomato sauce sans pasta, they were served with crispy grilled baguette.  It was a decidedly simple, rustic preparation and it was delicious.  Ground veal was mixed with the usual suspects: garlic, basil and oregano, but the intriguing edition of a baking spice - nutmeg, made them all the more mysterious.  

My pal's pork and clam dish was awesome - and I don't even  like clams!  Pieces of pork and clams in the shell were cooked in a flavourful sauce,  sprinkled with verdant cilantro and served with grilled bread -  which he used to mop up the sauce.  These are some of my favorite meals; where bread is a utensil!

If you are - or even if you aren't adventurous, try heading down to Pipa to sit on the patio this summer, or in the atrium in the winter.  Though there are options for the curious palate, there are also plenty items on the menu for those with a more vanilla palate.  Of the 25+ menu options, only 6 are NOT gluten free, so it's a great spot to take friends and family who are trying to avoid gluten.

I'll say "yes" to Sushi Nami anytime!

One of the only meals that I'll never turn down is sushi.  I have to be in the mood for pub food, pizza, Mexican or fine dining, but it's a rarity when I say "no" to some delicious raw fish. Of late, our favorite spot to go is Sushi Nami Royale.  The quality of sashimi is great - important since we eat so much of it; there is a pretty good variety; and between 3-5 pm and 9:30-11:30 pm, they have a Tsu-Nami menu, where food AND booze is 20% off!  Ding, ding, ding! It's a no-brainer.

We make a serious effort to try different things when we eat at Sushi Nami, but one thing stays the same: the Sashimi Appetizer - a great deal at the regular price of $9.95, and even better when it's 20% off. The pieces of tuna are like candy and the salmon is plump and supple on your tongue.  I'm not a huge fan of the Surf Clam, but do love the little parcels of snapper wrapped around pieces of cucumber.

Sashimi Appetizer $9.95

2 Salmon, 2 Tuna, 2 Snapper & 2 Surf Clam

We also generally try to have a salad (or two!).  On this occasion, we order both the Kani and Sunomono  salads.  SN also does a good size portion of the Hiyashi Wakame (Japanese Seaweed Salad) for $6.95.  The Kani salad is delicious and creamy.  With shredded crab meat, and long strands of carrot and cucumber, I like to twirl it around my fork like spaghetti.  The good amount of avocado adds another creamy layer while also playing the role of the 'cherry on top'. 

Kani Salad $7.95
Crab Meat, Cucumber & Flying Fish Roe

The Sunomono salad is pretty delicious too - but definitely not for the faint of heart as serious octopus tentacles are involved.  Again, the texture of the shredded seafood is what I really love, paired with the slight crunch of roe.  The sauce here is based on soy and is quite mysterious.

Sunomono $9.95

Shrimp, Cucumber, Crab Meat, Octopus & Seaweed

And because a good roll is always nice, we opt for the Spicy Scallop roll which is pretty tasty with the spicy sauce and tempura bits.  A spicy salmon/tuna is a good 'go-to' as well, but the Fusion rolls are really special.   I'll have to make another trip to Sushi Nami soon to illustrate what they are all about!

Spicy Scallop (6pcs) $ 5.95

Chopped Scallop, Green Onion, Tempura Bits & Spicy Sauce

But you can't have sushi without a bit of deep fried...so we try the Karakuchi Shrimp Fry - three large shrimp stretched on skewers and deep fried in tempura batter, then coated with a spicy sauce. What a crunch!

Karakuchi Shrimp Fry 7.95

Lightly fried Shrimp and coated with the house Spicy Sauce

 

This is such a great deal and is really one to take advantage of.  How can you go wrong with a guaranteed 20% off almost everything in your order?  I say "almost" as there is a specific Tsu-Nami menu with limited items, but I'm sure your palate will be more than satisfied with those available.  

Martinis with a Purpose!

I recently went for drinks with a member of the Autism Golf Ball Planning Committee at Onyx. We were there to try one of the three delicious martinis being featured as part of the Drink, Vote & Win! contest. RCR Hospitality, who is a great supporter of the Autism Society and one of the sponsors of the Autism Golf Ball taking place on October 16th at the Cunard Center, has put together a menu of three different martinis at three of their properties and customers can vote for their favourite!

The last day to vote is September 19th, and the winning drink will be announced during the Martini Contest Taste-Off event at Onyx on September 28th. At just $40 a ticket, the evening's festivities will include samples of all three martinis along with yummy appetizers and entertainment. Tickets for the Taste-Off can be purchased at the door and all proceeds retained will benefit the Autism Society.

The three featured martinis are the Thrill Ride, Ring My Bell and Hole in One. I had the opportunity to try all three; the Hole in One goes down dangerously quickly, while the Thrill Ride was a delicious sipper!

Thrill Ride

Onyx's Thrill Ride

A sophisticated cocktail composed of Citrus Vodka topped off w/

Prosecco and a floating shot of Chambord

The Victory Arms' Ring My Bell

A refreshing mix of Vanilla Vodka, Pineapple juice and lime

CUT's Hole in One

A flavourful smorgasbord in a glass with Vanilla Vodka, Coconut Rum, Super Cassis & Pineapple and Cranberry Juices.

Ring My Bell (r) & Hole in One (l)

For more information on the Autism Society's Annual Golf Ball or for the Martini Taste-Off, contact Renee Fournier at fournier@eastlink.ca, or visit the website: www.autismgolfball.com

Wednesday Night at ONYX-The best deal in town!

I've been noticing a pattern about the places that I go for dinner...I LOVE to try new restos, don't get me wrong, but there are certain ones here in Halifax that have that...something. Though I've eaten there countless times before, I have dinner plans on Tuesday at the Brooklyn Warehouse, a place I've been often, but keep coming back to for great food, service and atmosphere. Another spot, and this Wednesday's dinner plans, is ONYX on Spring Garden Road; another resto where service is fantastic and the food is impeccable, it's a 'go-to' spot where I know I won't be disappointed.

The obvious allure of Wednesday at ONYX is the 1/2 price Bar Bites menu, and the lack of corkage fee. That's right, BYOB, and no charge for the service. A deal that is, hands down, the best one in Halifax. A couple weeks ago, some friends (in wine sales) and I had a lovely evening with a nice variety of wines at ONYX, supplemented with some tasty treats.

The boys had steaks, and some oysters were shared, but I went for my absolute fave- the duck Spring Rolls; crispy wrapper enveloping rich, tender meat, accompanied by a tangy dipping sauce. I also went for one of my favorite deep-fired treats, onion rings. I don't know what kind of magnetism onion rings have that always draws me to order them in a fine dining resto, but I simply can't resist them. Case end point: Bish, Ryan Duffy's and my upcoming post on CUT Steakhouse. However, I'm pretty sure that ONYX wins for my fave O-rings in Hali!

Duck Spring Rolls

one of my Top 10 Memorable Morsels of 2009

Onion Rings

Night Out at Niche

As I write this post, I've just realized the amount of bacon and scallops that I've consumed this week! More on that later. While fully milking my Bday as I do every year, I went out with a friend for my 4th birthday dinner at Niche. Though we aimed to partake in the 1/2 price appy fare served on Friday from 4:30-6 pm, we arrived at 6:01 and we stuck with regular prices. Womp, womp!

All was not lost, however, as we chose a crisp pinot gris to pair with our seafood-heavy menu. We were fairly hungry at this pint, so we let our growling stomachs do the ordering and decided on the crab cakes, prosciutto-wrapped scallops and coconut shrimp. After I pleaded my case regarding my calorie-laden week, we tossed a salad in there as well. Get it? Tossed! Lame, OK.

We started with the Risotto Crab Cakes and the Warm Goat Cheese Salad. These were two great choices to start. With a hearty tomato sauce, and a little bit of spice, the crab cakes were a nice contrast to the lighter salad. A slice of warm, toasted baguette, smothered with the tangy cheese was just the utensil needed to mop up the savory sauce.

Risotto Crab Cakes
crab risotto rolled in panko and served w/ a spicy rose sauce

Warm Goat Cheese Salad
mixed greens, mushroom & tomato tossed in balsamic vinaigrette
accompanied by crostini topped w/warm mix of goat cheese and dill

The first appy was something to gush about; tender scallops with their little jackets of crisp prosciutto, sitting in a garlic butter-bath and sprinkled with nutty creamy cheese. I think the photo speaks for itself here.

Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops
scallops wrapped in prosciutto, baked in garlic butter, topped w/ Parmesan

The shrimp were plump and juicy with a great texture contrast from the sweet, crisp coating. This sweetness was nicely complimented by the citrus sauce with a punch of heat from the horseradish. Though I did love the flavour pairing within the sauce, I have to say I've yet to meet a marmalade that I really like. But that's just my taste.

Coconut Battered Shrimp
Black Tiger shrimp breaded w/ a coconut mix and pan fried
served w/ horseradish marmalade

We didn't eat all of our second round, we barely touched it in fact. As soon as it arrived, a food coma quickly set in. We had our server pack it up and we jaunted home to tuck into another bottle of wine. We may not have finished them in the resto, but they were certainly tasty at midnight... :)

Halifax Food & Drink Specials guide

There's nothing better than going out for a good meal. Spending the evening relaxing in good company while sipping a luscious glass of wine and nibbling away at a tasty dish is my favorite past time.

It's even better, when said food & drink are cheap! Therefore, I'm requesting the assistance-of all those who are of the same frame of mind- in creating a Halifax Food & Drink Specials guide. There are many restaurants, bars and pubs that provide these types of deals, but I know that there are way more out there that haven't yet crossed my path.

Help ME, help YOU! Add a comment following this post of your favorite Food & Drink specials, and I'll assemble a list that will guide you, on any night/day of the week, in your quest for gustatory satisfaction!

Happy searching, and thanks a bunch!

~Kristen

Nice Niche

What's better than bacon-wrapped scallops? Nothing- that's what. Actually, while I can think of a few things that might bring me slightly more enjoyment, the contrast of the lush, translucent seafood against crisp, salty bacon is pretty high up there. The scallops at Niche, however are enclosed within an even crispier pork product; a strip of thinly sliced prosciutto that crackles in your mouth while your teeth cut through the smooth scallop.

I had heard mixed reviews about Niche; some friends make it a ritual place to end their week, while others say that it's the worst restaurant food they've had in the city. With such conflicting reports, I felt the need to check this place out and form my own opinion. Truth? I liked it- a lot. The food was great, as was the atmosphere as my friend and I perched on our bar stools sipping on wine and taking in the scene. Happy Hour at Niche is from 4:30-7, and Friday also features 1/2 priced appetizers, meaning you can get a filling meal for cheap - at least it filled us up!

We decided to go for two appys; the aforementioned Prosciutto-Wrapped Scallops drizzled in butter, and a hearty BBQ Chicken Quesadilla. I swept my foodie fears aside when our server brought us two large plates of tasty delights.

This was a pretty great flavor combo. The mouthwatering scallops, dripping with golden butter were indulgent, to be sure, and a nice pairing to the smokey, cheese filled quesadilla. It's bright, rustic flavors of cumin and piquant Cayenne pepper played off of the black bean's earthy base, while the cheeses - sharp cheddar, buttery Asiago (an odd choice here, but whatev...) and creamy mozza melded together to create a irresistible backdrop for the juicy chunks of chicken.

BBQ Chicken Quesadillas

Cheddar, Asiago & Mozza, onions & peppers
w/ black bean BBQ sauce

Prosciutto wrapped Scallops, baked in garlic butter,
topped w/ Parmesan Cheese

So, I guess I've made up my own mind about Niche. I like it, and I'll go again...and bring friends. I'm also looking forward to their patio being open this summer. Combined with HH drinks and Friday's inexpensive 1/2 priced appy deal, there is also the entertainment factor of a smooth jazz ensemble to pleasure your other senses.

Durty Nelly's on a Rainy Saturday

Durty Nelly's is the first restaurant venture of hospitality veteran Joe McGuiness and former St. Mary' University football player Kyle Drake. Located on the corner of Sackville and Argyle Streets, Durty Nelly's takes her name from a similar gal; Durty Nelly's pub in Bunratty Co. Claire, Ireland loved for it's food, hospitality and "craic agus ceol", the Irish term for fun and enjoyment.

Durty Nelly's has been the subject of restaurant buzz as it is one of 13 restaurants across Canada selected to star in an episode of Restaurant 101, a new show premiering on the Food Network and Food Network Canada, with host Chef David Adjey. When I spoke with David, he said that this was a great match. Producers of Restaurant 101 were looking for restaurants with a real "story" behind them. When David pitched the story of Durty Nelly's, an unlikely pairing of Hospitality guru and university graduate teaming up to open an authentic Irish pub, the producers jumped on board.

Durty Nelly's isn't your typical Irish pub, or...come to think of it, maybe it really is. Everything in the restaurant was made in Ireland. That's right; from floor to ceiling, everything was built in Ireland by the Irish Pub Company, packaged up, and shipped to Halifax for assembly. You can't get more authentic than that.

The menu, of course, is reminiscent of any Irish fare that comes to mind, but inherently richer, fresher- better. For DN's I use one of my favorite culinary terms, one I don't throw around lightly, but DN's menu is gourmet comfort food. I had the fortunate opportunity to meet with Chef Adjey and chat about the ideals behind this menu.

Now, in general, I view chefs as rock stars and often get heart palpitations whenever I come into contact with one. But, having a Food Network chef in the vicinity almost gave me a heart attack!

It was clear upon meeting with him that Adjey has care and concern for the meals that he designed, The menu items at Durty Nellys were built "from the ground up", with Adjey and the kitchen staff sourcing meats and veg from local farmers and producers.

Later that week, my friend and I check out the food for ourselves. We order two dishes, and share them both: Kilkenny-battered Fish & Chips, and the Nova Scotia Lamb Stew.

Kilkenny-battered Fish & Chips
w/ homemade tartar sauce

I can say with extreme confidence that this is the best F&C that I've had in Hali. Fresh, meaty fish is enclosed within a light batter with mega-crunch. The chips, "fat chips" as they're called in the resto, are crispy wedges of seasoned potato. The F&C is served with a flavourful coleslaw and a house-made tarter sauce- creamy and with a touch of earthiness from smoked paprika.

Nova Scotia Lamb Stew
w/ bread and butter dumplings

The lamb stew is the epitome of what one would want to eat on a cold, rainy (or snowy) day. Tender chunks of meat in a deep, rich broth accompanied by sweet root vegetables and savory dumplings make for a meal that rivals any of mom's cooking- and granny's too, for that matter.

The pub itself offers a great spot to hang out any night of the week. With lots of beers on tap, and fantastic fare from the kitchen, Durty Nelly's has all areas covered. Add to this the sent of peat moss burning on the fire, a variety of comfy seating to choose from and live entertainment several nights of the week, and you're sure to have fun at Durty Nelly's!

Fun at The Fireside

Some foodie friends of mine are in town, and tonight we had snacks at The Fireside. First of all, the Fireside on a Monday night is one hoppin' place. With all martinis on special for $4.50, taxes in, it's no wonder!

After about 15 minutes of feeling like a lioness stalking her prey, we finally spied a table and settled in with the menu. Since the Fireside's online menu features photos of some of their most popular dishes, I had already decided that I would dine on their seared scallops. My friends chose an order of three cheese nachos with cheddar, mozza and Jarlsberg.

The scallops were served on top of tender, sliced portobello mushrooms. With a fresh salad of arugula and alphalpha sprouts, the dish was completed with a wasabi dijon sauce. The plump scallops had a slightly crisp, caramelized exterior, which was nicely complemented by the tangy sauce. I paired it with Jost's L'Acadie Blanc chardonnay, whose crisp acidity balanced the velvety sauce.

The nachos certainly had potential, but I think a little more effort might be required. It was almost as if the toppings had just been thrown on top. Clearly, they just need a 'lil more lovin'! I have to give the kitchen props though-the idea of Jarlsberg on nachos is mildly euphoric. We were also provided substantial servings of sour cream and salsa. Normally, my portion cups are empty after two scoops.

Once we were seated, the service was good, the place was buzzin, and we definitely had a "buzz" on. Not a bad end for the beginning of the week.

The Fireside
1500 Brunswick Street

902.423.5995
http://www.thefireside.ca/

Onyx: Halifax' best Wednesday night deal!

We decided to do it up at Onyx tonight. The initial thrill was the fact that on Wednesday night, Onyx has, in my opinion, the best 'bang for your buck' in Halifax, with 1/2 priced appetizers. Tonight, though they showcased the food aspect, I have to say that I received some of the best service Halifax has to offer. Not only did our server Jessica recommend some delicious dishes, but she actually presented each dish in detail; how often does that happen?

We were quite ambitious with the menu. We started off with fois gras, the Burgundy sampler, Ceasar salad and the Kobe Beef. Next, we had the Venetian sampler, and calamari. Though I normally love describing everything in detail, there was just too much to describe...So here we go, jot-note form:

-Ceasar Salad; phenomenal- crunchy romaine, lightly seasoned, salty double-smoked
pork belly and crispy Parmesan tuille.

-Burgundy sampler; rich escargot, sweet artichokes and a stunningly prepared Gougere
w/smoked salmon and boursin cheese.

-Fois gras; picture this, the BEST pate you've ever had; sweet and salty, with
pickled yellow plums that explode in your mouth.

-Venetian sampler; spicy sausages, luxurious, creamy asparagus with white truffle
risotto and jumbo seared shrimp.

-Calamari two ways; cooked with a mild salsa verde, and deep-fried with a sweet
apricot sauce.

-Tender Kobe Beef: 'nuff said.

Believe me, I've had delectable treats at Onyx before. But I say with as much enthusiasm as I can: GO, you'll have an evening of great food and great service. Unfortunately, there are not many places in Hali where I can assure you both of these fine things. Fortunately, at Onyx, I can.

Onyx
5680 Spring Garden Road

http://www.onyxdining.com/