Fid's Pad Thai: eat-in or take-out!

Since I deprived Mitch of his Fid Resto Pad Thai earlier in the month, I planned a Saturday brunch later in the month to make up for it.  After a good run in the am, we got ready for a day of good food, booze and sunshine - you know, those days when you just wanna get 'day drunk'!

When we got to Fid, we ordered two muddy gin Caesars and reviewed the menu.  Obviously, he had PT on the brain, but I - like I always do - wanted eggs, so I chose the Fisherman's Breakfast w/ smoked salmon and potato rosti.  I forgot my phone so the image quality of these pics isn't fantastic, but you'll get the 'picture'.

The bean soup was fantastic.  Who knew lima beans could be so tasty?  The broth was creamy and rich with a velvety mouthfeel. Served with the soup was one of Fid's crumpets; a little morsel that's just perfect for dipping.

Lima Bean Soup ($6)

The soup was served with Dennis' delicious crumpets

Fisherman's Breakfast ($14) 

I had the Fishermen's Breakfast, which was one of my favourites in Halifax.  With an uber-crispy, savoury potato cake topped with luscious smoked salmon and a poached egg cooked to a medium, all the textural elements were there to please my palate.  I asked for the Hollandaise sauce on the side, into which , I dunked every other bite.  In order to add a bit of greedy to the meal, we also ordered the Simple Salad, which is simple to be are, but with a playful element of popcorn to garnish.  

A Simple Salad ($6)

D's Pad Thai ($14)

Mitch had the Pad Thai, which was perfect.  With tender noodles, crunchy toasted peanuts, crisp bean spouts, egg, scallions and cilantro, this dish is a good balance of hearty comfort food and fresh food.

But the best part of this blog is the great news that I have to share!  Fid Resto is now doing 'back-door take-out!  They're offering just the one dish - the Pad Thai - but at just $10 a pop for the full serving (as compared to $14 in-house), it's a great deal!

We picked up some drinks and settled in on a sunny park bench in the Public Gardens and muched happily away for the better part of an hour.  With that food, the entertainment of a motorized toy boat show, and the background music of a brass band playing in the bandstand, it was a pretty sweet (and cheap) afternoon! 

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.

Post-run dinner at Saege

As of this past February, I joined a running team.  It was a pretty good idea, since I eat out quite regularly - that maaayyy be an understatement!  Anyhow, on this particular running session we had to do hill training!  That's right - the very words made me quiver with fear.  

As it turned out though, it was a cinch.  I ran up and down Citadel Hill 18x, and was barely breathless at the finish.  To celebrate my athletic aptitude...I wanted a drink.  A glass of bubbly was the only thing on my mind, and when Mitch suggested that we go to Saege Bistro for dinner, I happily agreed.

Once inside with my sparkling flute in hand, we made some choices for dinner.  With my metabolism running at a feverish pace (yeah right), I decided to share the Appetizer Tasting Plate ($13) with Mitch and order the uber-delicious sounding scallop entree.

The Appetizer Plate was OK; but I wasn't thrilled.  The crab cake was very nice; light and with a crisp breading, but it was almost falling apart when the dish arrived at the table.  The shrimp was cooked well and had a great, bright and spicy flavour.  I let M have the spring roll as I was saving room for my main event.  

Appetizer Tasting Plate 

Chili  Shrimp, Spring Roll & Crab Cake

Glass of bubbly post-run

When the entrees arrived, I was ready to dig in.  My scallop dish ($22) was excellent.  The scallops were anchored in a creamy butternut squash & pumpkin puree that had just the right amount of sweetness.  Always one to appreciate some veg, the addition of spinach and tomato was a great choice, with the ripe red fruit bursting in my mouth.  I moved one of the scallops to the side of my plate and made a decadent discovery; hidden seductively between the squash puree and the incredibly supple scallops was a slab of salty, delicious Oulton's bacon.  I would, 100%, order this dish again.

Seared Digby Scallops

Braised Oulton's Bacon, Butternut Squash & Pumpkin Puree

Grape Tomato & Spinach

Ah, the bacon!

Unfortunately, M wasn't so lucky the first time around.  I've since convinced him to order his steak 'rare' instead of his usual (groan) "rare to med-rare", as he almost always ends up with a medium-well steak.  Minor rant here, as it's happened at 3 different restos in the last month.  Anyhow, when the second attempt at a rare steak arrived, it was a very nice plate. The meat was super flavourful and tender.  I also put away several forkfuls of the earthy wild mushroom risotto - I could have eaten a whole bowl!

Getaway Farms 6 oz. Striploin $22

Wild Mushroom Risotto & Braised Shallot Jus

Since I have a salty tooth and M, a sweet, I could do without when the dessert menu appeared.  But I did have a taste of his for good measure. ;)  I had mixed feelings about the Vanilla Bean Cheesecake ($8).  On one hand, the blueberry compote was lovely and the luscious lemon cream 'to-die-for', but the cheesecake had a very granular texture that I really didn't care for.  I'd think twice before ordering this dessert, but some of the other options sounded pretty decadent, and were a nice change from other resto's old standards.  

Vanilla Bean Cheesecake $8

w/ Blueberry Compote & Lemon Cream

Even with the minor disappointments of this meal; we had an excellent time.  The atmosphere in Saege is comfortable and unpretentious.  It's one of those casual fine dining spots that allows you to have a great meal at a reasonable price point, but still feel like you indulged. I will go back again, and have a couple times since.  It's well worth the visit - especially if it's scallops that you're craving!

An impromptu dinner at Fid Resto

A month or so ago, a friend and I stopped in to Fid for am impromptu dinner.  We were actually on our way to get some sushi when we walked past Dresden Row and quickly changed our plans. It was a chilly night and the atmosphere inside was warm and inviting.  It took us a while to make our decisions (well, me really) so we put in an order in for some apps while I poured over the menu.  

My friend had the traditional French soup served with rouille and Mozzarella cheese.  It was an interesting concoction, and once I was filled in on the process, it made a bit more sense.  The fish soup consists of chicken stock and pureed fish bones and the mayonnaise-based rouille with tomato and mustard are meant to thicken it up...Not sure where the Mozzarella cheese comes in, but I do know that  it's a delicious antidote to a chilly night.

I felt pretty special that night.  The 'special' was a sushi-esque roll made with snow crab just off the boat.  But...since we arrived later in the evening, and there wasn't enough left for the 'special', I got a dish that I'd wager was even better; a snow crab salad.  This was one of the best dishes I've ever had in a Halifax resto.  The snow crab's texture and flavour was light and delicate.  Paired with a variety of ingredients that complimented it beautifully; earthy Shiitake mushrooms, and a selection of herbs used in lieu of lettuce; basil, cilantro and mint, I smiled and sighed with every bite.

The Hangar steak was fantastic - just look at it.  You have to admit that it's an impressive dish - one I wouldn't event come close to finishing, but my friend had no trouble putting it away.  The steak is marinated for 7 days to the desired tenderness, and served on a luxurious bed of garlic mashed potatoes.  A handful or two of arugula was all that was needed to finish it off.

For my entree, I (finally) decided on the halibut.  FYI, I was going back and forth b/w this dish and the scallops.  But I've had Fid's halibut before, so I knew it was a sure shot at spectacular - and it was.  With a substantial crust and sprinkled with fleur de sel, the delicate fish was flaky and succulent.  Served on a bed of crisp fingerling potatoes,  a pile of tender steamed fiddleheads added freshness.  This dish was nothing if not simple; only a few ingredients, it fact.  But it was the simplicity that made it so delicious. That's what I love about Fid; generally, it's 'no fuss'.

Though I was thoroughly satisfied, I let my friend convince me into splitting dessert.  We ordered the moelleux au chocolat; a molton lava cake dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with a lovely caramel sauce.  Incredibly indulgent, the cake was delicious.  Balanced on top was a crisp brandy snap twist; the perfect contrast to the soft, euphoric cake.

It's nights like these that make dining out so fun.  We had intended on a $30 or so meal;  pretty standard and low key.  But switching it up to make a special night out of an ordinary one will make this dinner a memory, as opposed to a forgettable experience.  With so many restos to choose from in Halifax, it's these kinds of memories that will keep me coming back to Fid.

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.  

Nacho Action at Gatsby's

A couple weeks ago in late June, I filmed a commercial for Nova Scotia Tourism as part of the 'My Nova Scotia' campaign.   On June 17th,  I stood on the corner of Argyle Street across from Durty Nelly's,  in the same position for three hours...on 2 ft. high apple crates.  Yup, that's 180 minutes without moving my lower body - which by the end was wrapped in a tarp to keep the wind off of my tender tootsies.

When all was said and done and we wrapped shooting at 11 pm, all I could think about was a) a calf massage and b) nachos.  By the time I dragged my tired carcass to Gatsby's, I was ravenous and ready to storm the kitchen.  Thankfully, my pal took matters into his own hands and ordered a platter of nachos and a bowl of meaty chili.

That was a pretty good move if you ask me.  Two of my favorite (edible) things are melted cheese and a good bowl of chili.  In the state I was in, a pile of chili topping a cheese-coated, salty corn chip was pure heaven.  A bottle of beer made it all the more blissful.

I feel as though I'd be doing With Bite readers a disservice if I didn't say that the nachos were alright - I remember them being much better.  They have all the good stuff: loads of cheddar and mozza cheese, red and green peppers, tomatoes, red onions, jalapenos and the addition of sweet pineapple if your palate so desires.  I think I was just a tad underwhelmed because the cheese wasn't thoroughly melted.

                                            

The chili was a pretty standard ground beef chili with the usual additions. The server was thoughtful enough to divide the portion into two smaller bowls - she knew where our heads were at. :)

                                            

If this review sounds somewhat negative, it's not my intention.  Gatsby's has consistently good pub fare, but it's just that: Good.  It's not mind blowing, and it certainly isn't gourmet, but it's inexpensive, tasty fare that hits the spot just when you need it to. 

When I'm in the mood for pub food and beer, Gatsby's is pretty go-to, especially on Tuesdays when the apps are 1/2 priced.  In addition to the 'chos and chili, I've also had a tasty quesadilla and a nice bowl of mussels in a white wine-based broth.

Quick fix at Il Mercato

A few weeks ago, well....maybe months, we dropped in to Il Mercato pre-movie for a quick meal.  This was pre-reno, so I'd love to stop in again to check out the new digs! 

Since movie-theatre popcorn was in my imminent future, I decided to go for a lighter meal, in the form of a tomato-based herb-y soup filled with mussels, shrimp and scallops.  The soup - at a mere $9 - ccombined with a piece of toasted baguette and a glass of white wine, ended up to be the perfect snack and a nice alternative to a heavier pasta/pizza.

  

Italian Seafood Zuppa

My friend had the fettuccine dish below; a rich, cheesy sauce and nice salty prosciutto with a pile of perfectly cooked pasta.  Though he really enjoyed the dish, it was a touch too salty for me, what with the Parm and prosciutto being salty already.



Fettuccine, Prosciutto di San Daniele, sweet peas

cream & Parmesean

I'd love to say that we had a good time here, but we left less than enthused.  Though several waitstaff begrudgingly made contact with our table, our server's attitude was less that hospitable.  It's unfortunate that we went out for a nice meal, and felt as though our server resented us for sitting in her section, or...god forbid, asking a question about the menu!

A Warming Meal at Minato

A few weeks ago, we decided to try Minato on Queen Street and have been back a couple times since.  Although I wasn't a big fan of the sushi, I've loved all the Korean dishes that we've tried.  Our favorites have definitely been the rice-based Bee Bim Bap, and the Mandoo Guk, a traditional Korean Dumpling Soup.

On this night out, we stareted with the always good palate teaser, the Shrimp & Veggie Tempura.  I could make a whole meal of this dish; plump shrimp, creamy sweet potato and tender zucchinni deep fried to a crispy goodness and served with a sweet and salty dipping sauce.

Shrimp & Veggie Tempura

The Bee Bim Bap is served in a searing hot stone bowl.  A layer of greens, carrots, bean sprouts and sesame seeds cloak a mound of white rice, which is then topped with a raw egg and served with spicy sauce.   The idea here is that you stir the ingredients around so that the heat from the bowl and hot rice cooks the egg.  I love watching people getting ready to eat this dish - the sheer excitement of a sizzling bowl and the anticipation of the final result as they break the yoke is a pretty good show.

Bee Bim Bap

The Mandoo Guk is a surprisingly filling vegetarian soup that has often been my way to perk up within the last few cold, damp and rainy weeks.  A steamy, revitalizing  broth with earthy mushrooms and plump, tender dumplings is a meal in itself, and fulfills the heartiest of appetites when you add in the served bowl of rice served alongside. 

Mandoo Guk

Light lunch at Il Mercato

A couple weeks ago, a friend and I stopped in at Il Mercato to enjoy a light lunch.  Not really in the mood for the traditional Italian Caesar, I chose a grilled vegetable salad instead.   I'm definitely a meat-eater, but when I make up my mind about what I want to eat - in this case, lighter fare - I can't easily be swayed.  I was pumped for this meal when it arrived in front of me; the portion was plenty, and it was only $10. 

A plate of tender veg with those yummy, smokey char grilled marks were drizzled with a sweet Balsamic vinaigrette.  The 'cherry on top', or in this case, the cheese, was a healthy portion of goat cheese.  The simple flavours and varied textures combined together to create lots of interest in this plate of greens;  smokey, sweet and tangy, combined with fresh, soft and crunchy - these were the elements that kept my palate entertained until the very last bite.  

Sometimes the salad doesn't have to be the starter, if you're lucky, you can find a good one that has all the action as the main event.  

Fidtastic Brunches at Fid

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post on innovative brunches in Halifax.  I love The Coastal Cafe for their yummy eggy, bacony, etc. creations, but another resto who offers crazy-good brunch dishes is a little closer to home - Fid Resto.

This is another multiple meal post, but all of the photos and dishes featured are brunch items available on the Fid Resto menu, and ALL are delicious!

For those looking for a meal a little on the lighter side, you should try The Good Bowl on  for size.  A bowlful of filling, healthy, fresh ingredients culminate into a meal full of flavour!

The Good Bowl

Yogourt, topped with

Apple, Banana, Berries, Dried Fruit, Nut and Nut Butters

If decadent but fresh comfort food is what you're after, this daily special would be just the thing. I know, fresh and decadent in the same sentence? Allow me to elaborate! Fresh, verdant basil pesto, combined with cream created this lovely, lush sauce that blanketed the soft and tender gnocchi.

Today's Special

Basil Pesto Gnocchi

The Lamb Breakfast at Fid are what a protein addict's dreams are made of! The sweet and savoury lamb meat is wrapped around lamb sausages filled that include dried fruit and nuts. Two fried eggs pair beautifully with the sweet tomato jam and yummy potatoes...there was something amazing about the potatoes as well, but I can't quite remember that detail!

The Lamb Breakfast

2 Fried Eggs, Roasted Potatoes, Tomato Jam &

Lamb Sausage wrapped in...Lamb!

A beautiful concoction of warmed blueberries, 
pastry and cream.

I don't think this is on the regular menu, but it reminds me of something my grandmother would have made - just simple, good quality ingredients. This dessert seemed like the kind of snack I'd like to have right before bed - talk about sweet dreams!

My three dining companions decided on the full breakfast. This plate is a ton of food and totally worth the price. The fact that you get a little bit of everything with this dish really evokes the 'full' in Full Breakfast.

FID Resto Full Breakfast

Bacon, Sausage, Fingerling Potatoes, Scrambled Eggs

Crumpets & Roasted Tomato

Ahhhh - this was so good!! A perfectly cooked, hard-boiled egg was enveloped in a sweet and savoury ground meat mixture, then coated with a crispy batter. You could hear the crunch as I cut through. I'd love to say that I made a dent in this, but alas, my little belly could only hold half this and some crumpet...I ended up letting my 22 year-old, rugby playing cousin have it....after he had devoured his own Full Breakfast! Where do men put this stuff?

The Scotch Egg

w/ Crumpet and Fresh Greens

Snacks, Apps and Entrees at Estia

I've eaten a fair amount at Estia on Spring Garden Road in the last couple of months. As opposed to doing individual blog posts, I thought I'd combine the meals to provide a good snapshot of the offerings on the appetizer, entree and dessert menu.

Estia is located in the same spot as the ill-fated Sebastien's restaurant, and the space of the former Deco Restaurant. When I first saw its Aegean blue awning, I thought: "Oh great, another Greek spot in Hali." Little did I know that I'd soon refer to Estia as "The best Greek spot in Hali."

Estia is truly one of those restos that, upon walking through the door, makes your mouth water. The aroma of freshly baked bread is the first scent to meet you. This seasoned caraway bread comes to the table with a zesty lemon-oregano dipping oil to take the edge off your hunger. Now I'm the type of person who generally considers the bread basket as filler, however, I would go to Estia simply for a glass of wine and a bread basket - Yeah, it's that good.

Some of my favorite apps include the Saganaki; melted oeey gooey cheese flambeed with brandy, ans served with THE bread. Another favourite is the crispy calamari, served with the richest, creamiest tzaziki I've ever encountered. Lastly, is the Greek Nachos - a fantastic idea and a dish that lives up to its name. Deep fried pita chips are layered with black olives, green onions, tomato and topped with Mozzarella, Romano and Feta cheese. With cheese that stretches as you pull the thick, hearty chips apart, this dish should launch an all new category of 'Best nachos in Hali'.

Saganaki

Pan-fried kefalogravieria cheese flambeed / Metaxa Brandy

Calamari

served w/ tzaziki

Greek Nachos

Deep-Fried Pita Chips sprinkled w/ Mozzarella, Romano & Feta Cheese

topped w/ green onion, tomato & black olives

served w/ creamy tzaziki

The Greek platter is great for 3-4 people wanting to try a bit of everything. With all the Greek

specialties, the platter provides a taste of the traditional Greek dishes. My personal favorite is

the stuffed tomato.

Greek Platter for 2

Moussaka, pastitsio, stuffed pepper & tomato, chicken & pork skewer.

Served with lemon roasted potatoes, rice & tzatziki

Estia also does a great breakfast/brunch. I only wish I hadn't been so hungry so as to devour my Aegean omelet before taking a photo. However, lunch provides a good mix of options as well. My BF always seems to go for a sandwich/soup combination, so I've pretty much tried them all; Smoked Applewood Cheddar Panini with Pineapple Chutney or the succulent Lamb Burger with Tzaziki and Feta. He tends to pair these with soup; the traditional Avoglemono egg-based soup or the Tomato soup with Lamb and Orzo pasta. The panini below is so tasty, it could almost do without the chicken for a killer vegetarian sammy...again, with the melted cheese...

Grilled Chicken Pesto Panini

Charbroiled Chicken Breast, Roasted Red Peppers,

Melted Provolone and Basil Pesto

And, when you're jonesin' for something light, the Greek salad always fits the bill. A meal in itself, a small salad and one of the tasty soups is a fantastic pairing.

Greek Salad

Romaine, Feta Cheese, Kalamata Olives,

Red & Green Peppers and Tomatoes

I'm not normally one who goes for dessert in restos. A big piece of cake may appeal to some, however, I'd rather use that extra stomach space for savoury items. However, when I dine at Estia, it's tricky to resist the homemade Ekmek. Somehow, this desert contains all the elements of richness; whipped cream, vanilla custard and honey-drenched phyllo, but still appears light on the palate. Sneaky...

Ekmek

Shredded phyllo, honey-syrup, vanilla custard &

whipped cream topped with pistachios and almonds