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.

All around AMAZING! Im quite particular about my food and drinks, and this place did a fantastic…read morejob of creating a summer fresh, delicious and creative menu (with great service). I had minor critiques, but overall was in love and would return and recommend to anyone. Food: We started with the bread and mussels. Best mussels we've ever had, as they were cooked perfectly (and fresh) and the broth was heaven. The bread pairing was perfect to soak up all the buttery broth goodness. Next was the Shrimp Bao. The bread was fluffy and light, and shrimp was at chilled room temperature, perfect for a summer day. A good flavour of celery in case you dislike that, but I'd still suggest you try it! Finally we had the Zucchini and Beef Tartare. Zucchini didn't wow, though still fresh and summer minty vibes. Beef Tartare...hands down best we've ever had. The Asian fusion incorporated was perfect. Closed it out with a Strawberry & Cream, which albeit simpler was well done. Drinks: Go for them all. Very creative and they can walk you through tasting notes perfectly. Milk Punch (method; not actually milk; recommend), Strawberry Basil Negroni (strongly recommend; not traditional negroni alcohol forward), Eucalyptus Sour (subtle, calm and collected; recommend), Corn Star (be adventurous, as the chipotle is super subtle; worth the risk; recommend), Vesper (again, not alcohol forward; recommend). Atmosphere: Cozy and charming, yet the accents are vibrant and energizing. Indoor volume is medium, and great for a family, cocktail, date or a "i want a nice drink/bite" any day of the week.

Hipster spot that has small plates and larger plates and great drinks. My whiskey sour was just how…read moreI like it--shaken a lot. I wasn't that hungry, so I got two bao buns. Holy moly was that mushroom bao bun delicious. An explosion of flavor. Husband's scallops were delicious as well.

This is a really cool speakeasy. In order to get in you need to find the email address to request…read morethe secret phrase. When you get that you are given admission thru the "cover" restaurant. We came in on a Saturday night when they opened at 7pm. We were escorted down around 7:15pm. Neat way to enter the actual speakeasy. Once in you are greeted in a dimly lit "library" with a bar. There was 50's jazz which added to the ambiance. Bar tender and servers were very friendly and attentive. Ordered a few special drinks. (See pictures). Overall a great speakeasy experience. Glad to have found one in Halifax.

You can't get in unless you know the password that is delivered via email when you are on the email…read morelist. We walked in said our password and they were 40 mins late on setting up on Saturday Halloween eve. Only servers can allow you in. Atmosphere is dungeon library with 1950s music. Drinks are $15-17 each. We ordered: - Grandma's Boy ($17): 3/5 similar to Old Fashioned. A very simple straight up old fashioned that didn't have much complexity. - The Last Barman Poet ($17): 3/5 tequila based sour. A bit savoury because of the spices. Not that complex either. Overall: Such as shame as the atmosphere is amazing. Compared to a lot of restaurants with cocktails, this one is pricier and less amazingly prepared. We were disappointed with the selections and that's why we only tried 2 and left.

Happy hour drop in. At the bar. Very nice staff, great service. Comfortable. Nice music, good…read moreoysters (happy hour deal) and delicious beef tartar

Sat at the bar and had lunch. It's more of a tapas menu and the food was excellent. Enjoyed…read morewatching the impressive drink making skills of the bartender. Nice casual bar vibe but not divey. Well run establishment.

Oysters were some of the freshest I've tried, service was very friendly. Elevated but relaxed…read moreatmosphere.

do not let at here. We had a dozen oysters which were good…read moreand a bottle of wine which was also good but it goes downhill from here. unfortunately our server was not knowledgeable, she had to check with any questions we had. we had to ask for our wine. she did not pour it for myself. I ordered the fish tacos which we're supposed to have halibut but it was as literally minuscule serving of it. The tacos were very small. we ordered a mac n cheese wth chicken chicken. it was supposed to be a main course but it was as a very small portion and just ok. we also ordered a kale ceaser which was very salty. o very disappointing as it claimed to be high end. Not so! Would not recommend. So many other restaurants to enjoy.

The service was good and the ambiance was quiet. It was early in the evening but it appears to be a…read morenice spot to come and have a drink and chat with friends. The bartender was great and Lexi K makes a great lemon drop martini.

Fine. I concede: The Bitter End has long sunk below the five-star rating it once deserved in my…read morebooks. Once upon a time, this was a gorgeous, classy space where you could order one of the best cocktails in the city. Unfortunately over the years, the rest of the city has grown up and the Bitter End has stayed exactly the same. Today, their martinis (that are actually sugary cocktails in martini glasses) fail to compete with some of the craft cocktails available elsewhere, the service often borders on apathetic, and the food never quite recovered from the menu reduction that happened several years ago. I could get over one or two of these things, but not all three at once. It's not all bad though. Sometimes you'll get a nice server, you'll almost *always* get an attractive one, I dig the soundtrack and DJs that they bring in, and they do boast prime patio real estate in the summers.

One of my favorites in Dartmouth. Service and Food are incredible. Shrimp pasta is delicious. Get…read morethe Charity Cookie to end your night. Cheers!!

We officially begin our three-week Canadian adventure in Halifax, Nova Scotia with lunch at Side…read moreHustle, an Asian fusion restaurant that turned out to be the perfect way to kick off our trip. The Asian fusion entrées looked outstanding, but we had come to Nova Scotia Hoping for fresh seafood. Then my eyes landed on "Fish Tacos". My heart skipped a beat. When our server told us they were prepared with haddock, the Hallelujah Chorus immediately began playing in my head. Haddock is native to the cold waters off Nova Scotia, so it simply doesn't get any fresher than that. As an added bonus, we ordered the garlic aioli fries, generously sprinkled with Parmesan and Romano cheese. While our meals were being prepared, our server, Jacob, completely won us over with his warm personality, attentive service, and fascinating insights into life in Nova Scotia. At the time, we were the only guests in the restaurant, and he laughed as he explained that 32°C was considered a bit on the warm side for the locals. If they weren't working, he said, they were probably at home enjoying the air-conditioning! Then our food arrived. It was beautifully plated, but the presentation was only the opening act. When I took my first bite ... oh my goodness! It was without question, the most delicious fish taco I have ever eaten. Even my 74-year-old taste buds perked up like my kitty when she hears the rustling of her treat bag. Every bite delivered a delicate crunch, followed by moist, flaky, haddock, complemented by sweet, pineapple bits, pickled jalapeños, avocado aïoli, and a light dusting red pepper flakes. The balance of flavors were simply extraordinary. Honestly, I can't imagine a better fish taco. The restaurant itself is equally inviting. Natural wood finishes create a warm relaxed atmosphere. that makes you want to linger. The portions were generous. The prices are reasonable and Jacob's outstanding hospitality elevated the entire dining experience. If your travels bring you anywhere near Halifax, do yourself a favor and stop by Side Hustle in Dartmouth on the other side of the bay. It's one of those delightful culinary gems that you'll remember long after the last bite and one we will enthusiastically recommend to anyone visiting the Halifax/Dartmouth area of Nova Scotia.

The Drawing Room has become almost a regular piece of conversation and an assumed destination for…read moreme lately, thanks to the discovery of this secret bar on Yelp a month ago. Not yet is known about the upstairs-from-the-Henry-House bar yet other than it's wonderful decor and fancy drink menu. This isn't a beer-drinking spot, folks. This is where you go to feel important, share some drinks with a few friends and enjoy a couple hours of elegancy without feeling out of place. The Drawing Room has a timeless feel to it. You could be having a flashback to any period over the last hundred years and know that no matter what year you're in, you're enjoying it like royalty. The drink menu offers martinis, wines, and drinks of all sorts. I ordered a Burie'd Mojito, which was white rum, an assortment of berry juices and mint leaves. It was fantastic! My second drink was a vodka-based green lime drink that was just as delicious. Mind you, the drinks are $10+ so unless your wallet is loaded, don't come here to join it. Of course, the Drawing Room isn't the type of environment to get drunk but the drinks are made strong so be wary of your perception because you may be surprised once you stand up.

This place really is as good as it gets. You walk into the Henry House and there are no signs to…read morelead you in the direction of this hidden upstair gem. Either go through the front door and keep going up or walk through the main dining room and go to the left to the staircase and go to the top and you are there. The room is dark, atmospheric and filled with exposed beams, dark leather chairs, a cozy fireplace and a menu inspired by different time periods. The bar staff is friendly and know their drinks. My favourite is a Negroni, a delicious blend of campari, gin and vermouth. A perfect place for a date night or a few drinks with some close friends.

What's open on a Monday evening for food can be really hit or miss, so when I was looking for a…read morepre-trivia meal in the lower part of the North End, The Duke's had little competition in the area and ingloriously won by default. This space used to be the Foggy Goggle, and it's gotten a little bit of a freshening up since then, but the narrow bar still has a cozy feel. There was a handful of other customers, but unsurprisingly it was relatively quiet. The menu is moderately-sized for a pub, with several each of apps, sandwiches and entrees - enough to give you a good selection but not so much that you're overwhelmed with choices. In non-American chain restaurant boycott times, I'm a big fan of Wendy's bacon mushroom melt, so it was an easy choice when I spotted the "Mushroom Peppercorn Burger" on the menu. My bowl-loving wife opted for the Mexican Rice Bowl, one of several dishes that are gluten free or can be made so. A moderate wait later (shout out to what appeared to be the lone cook in the kitchen doing his best), and our food was before us. My burger was a messy sight to behold, with the peppercorn-dotted gravy posing from the burger and onto the plate. More importantly, it lives up to its visual appeal! The gravy was a stole the show, with the prominent, peppery bite playing off the rich, velvety gravy. Bacon and frizzled onions added some crunch, while melty cheese and mushrooms amped up the umami. Somehow, the bun withstood the onslaught, although this burger was absolutely a multi-napkin affair. My side Caesar salad was perfectly adequate - nothing to write home about, but nothing to complain about either. My wife enjoyed the mix of flavours and textures in her Mexican rice bowl, and although the grilled chicken portion was good and generous (and blessedly not from-frozen, diced chicken), the rest of the bowl ingredients were a bit lacking. A little more rice would go a long way to fill things out a bit more, with limited effect on food costs. Our next time back also found us coming by on another quiet, Monday evening before trivia elsewhere. Spice bags are a bit of a "thing" in Ireland, as a post-bar meal that originally Chinese takeout spots served up, and then they propagated to other restaurants and eventually beyond Irish borders. Some pubs in Halifax have picked up the low-key trend as well, which isn't surprising since at its core, it's just chopped up chicken fingers, fries and seasonings - all of which pubs typically have anyway. The Duke's version eschews the takeout bag roots of the dish and gets messier with a sweet chili sauce, as well as a curry mayo on the side. I'd definitely prefer to see the fries and chicken tossed in a dry rub so that they can stay crispy, and the cloying, commercial sauce just isn't necessary. If you're looking for some deep fried and indulgent, this is your fix. The Duke's has charming bones and some interesting items on the menu, but some small tweaks could easily elevate their offerings and make this a great local for the neighbourhood.

Wow, I cannot say enough good things about this place. The food is amazingly good, but most…read moreimportantly the bartender, waitress and manager are welcoming, kind, and fun. As a woman dining alone, or ordering carry out while enjoying a glass of wine, it was such a safe space. Thank you Dukes Public House for your hospitality.

Everything we had was delicious! Egg fried rice, wings, edamame, chicken dumplings, and lamb stir…read morefry. They were accommodating with our food allergies as well.

Looking for non-pub fare, we decided to take a chance on Toridori which is located a stone's throw…read moreaway from the waterfront. We were greeted warmly by Leslie who gave us "front-view" seats to the open kitchen. What a treat to see dish-after-dish of sumptuous looking food. We were assisted by Opal (appropriately named because she was a gem!) who was friendly, patient and knowledgeable about the menu. We decided to share two dishes. The pound of red Thai curry mussels was sooo good. It was served with 5 pieces of toasted bread for dipping into the mildly spicy curry soup/sauce. The generous Hanoi bun cha platter was a combination of rice noodles, tender, perfectly seasoned thin pork slices, 4 pork patties, and 4 pieces of spring rolls. It came with a basket of lettuce, cilantro and that delicious Vietnamese dipping sauce that was made even tastier by what I think were cloves of pickled ginger. Throughout the meal, Opal came by just the right number of times to check if we were satisfied or needed something. We loved our experience here and highly suggest you try it out. You'll be very happy.