Decided to check out one of the top bars in Canada in my hometown of Dartmouth. Downtown…read moreDartmouth had changed so much since growing up - it's now the cool place to eat and drink as opposed to somewhat sketchy in the past. Located mid way up Portland Street. Very cozy, intimate environment with an energetic crowd the night I went. Mostly bar seating although there are about 4-5 tables - the most you could probably seat are four people. Had a couple of cocktails - amazing. Food was mostly seafood and extremely fresh, prepared well and innovative - see pictures. Price was reasonable for food of this quality. Will definitely return. Tip - you should probably make reservations. There's a patio in the Summer as well

I'd been living in Dartmouth for a couple months before I finally made my first visit (cut me some…read moreslack, unpacking takes time!), with my wife and I stopping by after work on a Friday. I'd call it happy hour, but Dear Friend is too popular and upscale to bother offering a happy hour, so let's go with the Quebecois term, cinq à sept. I began my weekend wind-down with one of their house creations, All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down). It seemed fitting giving my age demographic, and it was one of the few specialty cocktails with whisk(e)y in it. With an ingredient list even longer than its irreverent title, it combines Jim Beam rye, Hennessey VS cognac, beef tallow (!!), cedar and bayberry leaf. After an impressive rundown from the bartender on the work that went into creating this drink, I thoroughly appreciated it's warmth and depth of flavour on a cool fall evening. The beef tallow made for a velvety smooth mouthfeel, without having globs of fat floating in the drink, and the cedar and bayberry added herbal undertones that contributed without overpowering. For some solid sustenance, we stuck to the bar bites section of the menu, although they do have bigger apps and full-size entrees. Marinated olives were an easy choice, while the falafels beckoned with their deep-fried crispness. To round out our trio, we had to go with the house Party Mix. The Party Mix came out first, and deviates from the classic chip mix by combining sweet and savoury, with caramel popcorn, spiced cashews and mini chocolate truffles. It was endlessly snackable, and great for having a drink at the bar over great conversation with your significant other. I'm not one for the standard black or green olives that come out of ungodly large food service containers, but I've been slowly warming up to higher tier olives, and Dear Friend's very generous bowl was a great bar snack, bordering on small meal. The dish that disappeared the quickest was the falafels. This was partially because they were so damn good and there waere four pieces, as opposed to the other two dishes. They came in finger-form, as opposed to the small pucks/balls that are more commonly seen, and the extra surface area allowed for an even crispier bite, while a delicious cashew tahini cream that lent to the familiar falafel flavour, but with a certain je ne sais quoi. That's right, French twice in one review - I'm fancy AF! Small bits of pickled cauliflower and a delicate layer of microgreens brought brighter flavours to play off the richer note of the falafel and tahini. It's now a local cliché to talk about how much downtown Dartmouth has changed over the past decade or so, and Dear Friend has been one of the standard bearers of that continued change these past few years with their thoughtfully crafted beverages and shareable bites.

We just got two order of the blandest smallest pan fried haddock one with gluey mashed potato's and…read morethe second with way over salted fries. No veg. Husband waited for take out and. Drove 1 minute to our house and it wasn't hot. The fettuccine Alfredo was disgusting. Thick Super al dente and sauce tastes like from a grocery store bottle. Will never order again. Rudy and olive and Finbars fish is 100/10. Compared to sou western. The price for pasta is almost the same as il mercardo. Which is amazing. We order out a few times a week and will never never order for here again. Gross. Grosss hate not supporting our neighborhood restaurant but it was a total waste Of 100 dollars. Don't waste you hard earned cash!

Made a reservation for a 65th Birthday celebration, sent invites, did up special printed attire…read morepertaining to restaurant and birthday person, ordered a cake. 10 days later I was told they double booked. This was not just an every day gathering. It was a 65th birthday. They offered to change the date. Ahh. Ok you change your birth date. Booked somewhere else. Not reliable.

The Naked Oyster is only about a year old, located in a great space along Mahone Bay's main drag,…read morewith a open and inviting atmosphere and a great patio overlooking the bay. Service was excellent, professional and quick. Maybe too quick, our appetizers arrived before our drinks. The menu is innovative but still traditional. Fish and Chips, mussels, oysters, chowder along with burgers and sandwiches, including a lobster roll on a locally made croissant. But also Pad Thai and a Bulgogi Rice Bowl. All of our dishes were wonderful. But what most impressed me is the extensive gluten free menu, complete with a fryer and gf batter for the fish & chips and fish tacos.

Mahone Bay is a short and scenic drive from Lunenburg (15-20 minutes). We intended to visit…read moreRebecca's, but it was closed. Fortunately, the owner of our Inn told us that The Naked Oyster recently opened and is a sister restaurant to Rebecca's. What a beautiful experience it was! It was very busy but there are several places to sit comfortably outside. The Adirondack chairs were very nice, with a view of Mahone Harbor. After a bit of a wait, we were seated. The service was excellent. I can't imagine I'll ever experience a more delicious chowder than their Captain's Chowder, a creamy clam broth with generous portions of scallops, mussels and haddock. We also had a half dozen local oysters that were perfect. High marks for the Caesar Salad too. I would put this on the "can't miss" list for the area.

Foods and service were amazing. Traditional Bahamian food. The ambiance was also very warm and…read moreinviting.

DO NOT EAT OR SUPPORT THIS RESTAURANT! The owner is unprofessional and did not provide good…read morecustomer service at all! We inquired about services from this restaurant and the owner did not deliver so we requested a refund which the owner promised to pay back and never did ! He just took our money without providing services and also talked about how we annoyed him in the process of inquiring about his services . We also ate there and the food is overpriced $42 + tax so roughly $50 for just a chicken dinner that included rice and two sides ! This is extremely expensive especially for just ONE meal . You can go to anywhere else and get a meal, a drink and an appetizer for that price! The restaurant is extremely small and not easy to locate. We even asked the Cheesecake place next to it if they knew that this restaurant was beside them and they said that they had no idea. I wouldn't recommend going to eat at this restaurant and spending your money here! The owner is not a good person. I could even see if the food was priced decently, but it's not worth your money , spend it elsewhere!

We rolled into Halifax late on a Tuesday night, and Highwayman was the only place still open--and…read morethank god for that. It's a cozy, dimly lit spot with a great vibe for late-night drinks and tapas. The food was solid--I've had tapas in Barcelona, so I won't say it matched that, but for Halifax? It impressed. It was our first meal in the city, and it set the bar high. What really stood out was the service. Genuinely warm, unrushed, and personal. The staff took time to walk us through the menu, share recommendations, and made us feel truly cared for--no sense of "we're winding down," even though we came in late. If you're looking for a relaxed spot with great service and a strong late-night vibe, this is it. Halifax could use more places like this.

Very good scallops and I liked the ambience and vibe. Best place in Halifax! I liked very muchread more

The food was mediocre. Salmon was overcooked and lacked flavor. Prime rib was stringy and the knife…read morewas very dull so had to fight the beef throughout the meal. It felt like it was fighting back. Service was very "quick" and seemed like the restaurant was entitled to my business as compared to earning it. Bill was close to $200 and it basically was "just to eat" as compared to "a dining experience". Nice ambiance but just was not worth it.

Service was slow to begin with, but the server was busy billing a large table so it was nice that…read morethe bartender came to bring us waters during that. Food was all great! I just didn't love the oysters (probably just from the area the came from, but also lost a lot of the juice when shucked).. the toppings for it were great. We also had the wonton nachos (amazing! Would love them bigger) & for dinner the 3 others had chipotle steak (only 1 loved the chipotle aspect) & I have the regular sirloin, which was great! Mashed potatoes & veggies were better than my usual steak restaurant of choice. I also got the Oscar to come with my steak. I waited a long time for it.. (my mom was almost done eating by the time it arrived) & they forgot the bernaise sauce to go with it so I also had to wait for that. Overall, I did really like the atmosphere and food but service needs a little more work. I will be back!

One of the hipster restaurants in downtown Dartmouth on Portland Street. Huge interior with plenty…read moreof table and bar seating. Wasn't terribly busy the Saturday night I went - probably because between Christmas and New Years. Tried a variety of appetizers and shareable. The chicharron and Brussels sprouts were stars. The Mac fries weren't bad. Had the Hustle Fried Ride with pork belly. Beautifully presented with good flavour - rice was a bit saucier than I would have liked. Great service, nice ambience. Will go back to try their Sunday brunch!!!

Feb 7 & Apr 18…read more Side Hustle's move to downtown Dartmouth from their original location in Cole Harbour was only just before my wife and I moved back to Nova Scotia. So unlike many places that opened during our exile in Ottawa, when we tried it out, it still felt like we were getting in on the ground floor, rather than playing catch-up to an established local favourite. The interior is sleek and modern, with warm tones of wood contrasting against a very black and white colour palette, and the pops of verdant green from the many plants are a literal breath of fresh air. Like many of its contemporaries, the menu at Side Hustle is casual but chef-ed up - a smash burger and fried chicken are approachable items, while a good chunk of the rest of the menu is either overtly Asian, or gets a dash of Asian ingredients - beef udon, fried rice and chicken wings with a fish sauce caramel, garlic and Thai chilis. The drink list has a little bit of something for everyone, but not so much that you're going to get analysis paralysis. There's several local beers and ciders on tap, plus some cans, specialty cocktails, and an assortment of local and imported wines, as well as an impressive selection of non-alcoholic drinks and NA cocktails too. Everything sounded so good, we decided to go with a handful of smaller dishes - dumplings, cucumber salad, Brussels sprouts and the Mac fries. The dumplings stayed with the classic ingredients of pork and chives. The meat was tender and juicy, with supple and pliable wrappers. A pleasant mix of lightly tangy black vinegar with the heat of chili oil added layers of flavour to the already delicious dumplings. The Brussels sprouts weren't a big serving for the price tag, but they packed in *tons* of flavour and textures with crispy shallots, mint, a smattering of Thai chilis (you don't need a lot!), and their "funk sauce". It was a little funky, a little fruity, and it did take away the crispness of the charred sprouts, but it definitely tasted good! The cucumber was a surprise hit - your taste buds get livened up with crispy shallots, chili oil, and maple tahini, while getting bursts of freshness from the bites of cuke. If I recall correctly, the Mac fries have been a mainstay of Side Hustle's menu since before their days in downtown Dartmouth, and they absolutely deliver! It's got a couple chopped up smashburger patties, cheese, special sauce that you'll get sued for if you give it a certain name, onions, pickles and good ol' shreduce. All of this was heaped on top of incredible, hand-cut fries that somehow stayed crisp to the last fry. It's a decadent dish that's shareable, but that doesn't mean you have to! On a return visit on a bustling Friday evening, we stuck to portions that were better suited to two people, although the veg was a bit more scarce this time around. I opted for the beef udon noodles, while my wife tried to resist the temptation, but succumbed to the Mac fries again. The composition of the beef udon came together fantastically. The shredded beef had the warmth of its five spice seasoning paired with a subtle but noticeable tingle of Sichuan peppercorns, some heat from chili oil, crunch and a mild funk from pickled daikon, and the thick, slurp-able udon noodles that got wonderfully coated in the aforementioned ingredients, as well as a savoury sesame sauce. Some bok choy and green onion kept this from being solely meat and carbs, but we know who the stars of this dish were. The Mac fries were once again familiar perfection, and really are much better than their namesake inspiration, as they're cooked with much more skill and don't make you feel gross afterward. Side Hustle is quickly becoming a go-to spot for us for quality casual food, and it's one of the many reasons we're loving our new Dartmouth digs.

Right on the harbour where the ferry comes in from Dartmouth. Friendly staff, nice patio. I was…read moreexpecting Mexican food, but this is a Spanish restaurant.

Very freindly service and all of the 8 meals were delicious. There were two different paellas and…read moreboth were fabulous. Great ambiance.

I can't believe I have not written a review on this place yet when. Moving from a megacity, I have…read morehad my fair share of tacos and mexican food. This place is a refreshing addition to the number of restaurants in Kentville. The food is phenomenal. The owner who are super friendly and welcoming, makes sure to have local produce and food items included in their menu, like the locally grown delicious mushrooms, or locally raised beef/pork. Not your typical taqueria but great atmosphere, delicious food. You can have your pick of taco, quesadilla, burrito, in a bowl, or salad, or even in a bag of chips! Every dish is different as you can choose whatever protein and toppings you'd like. Their homemade sauces/salsas are also very good along with the local nova Scotian hot sauces available to add to your taco/burrito/quesadilla for that added extra zing. Aside from the food, they also have a very good drink menu. Real good thirst-quenching margaritas that you can get in different flavors as well. They have also partnered with a local brewery to come up with their own brew - the mexican lager. Every visitor we get, I make sure to bring them to this place and everyone always says they love the food. If you are in kings county, make sure you stop by and get your fill of their delicious food!

Finally, another awesome restaurant in Kentville with REAL food! Fresh, local ingredients with…read moretacos made to order. The space is small with limited seating, but there is also a small bar top and a great patio right on Main Street (Highway 1). Love the variety of options and super happy and friendly staff. There's an all day breakfast and even a taco paddle (8 tacos of your choice for $50) which is great for sharing with friends to make it super affordable! The bar menu is amazing with so many local options as well as 0% choices. Order food and drinks at the counter - no table service. Love that the space is accessible and easy to get in and out of. Parking right out front on Main Street or the large grocery store parking lot right next door.

Great food and beer. The kitchen was slow with our order but we weren't in a hurry and were…read morepleasantly surprised to get a free dessert! We would definitely recommend this place!

Visiting from the States and our host recommend the MPH. Service was excellent. Our server was…read moreknowledgeable about the menu and made great recommendations. Food was delicious and portions perfect. Great experience!