My wife and I stopped in for lunch while in the area on some errands. There's not a ton of seating…read morewhen the patio isn't open/the weather isn't great, but we were able to snag the last table. The menu isn't big, likely due to a small kitchen, with a handful of breakfast and lunch options. Most are fairly standard diner/cafe fare, although British items like their sausage roll and Cornish pasty stuck out as unique offerings. I went with the daily special, a Caribbean-themed breakfast. The salt cod and provisions (slang for local fruit and veg) ties in well to Maritime cuisine thanks to shared colonial roots and the historical shipment of salted fish from the here to the Caribbean. It was served skillet-style (sans skillet) with chunks of potatoes, tomato, plantains, green onion and more topped with two sunny-side-up eggs. The salty hit of fish paired well with the savoury bowl and a little bit of heat added further depth. A roll on the side may or may not have ben particularly Caribbean, but it was great for sopping up the tasty sauce. My wife is an infamous fan of sausage rolls, so that was an easy choice for her. Paired up with one of the day's soup specials - roasted red pepper - it became a proper meal. The meat-to-pastry ratio was quite generous, and the light char at the end of the roll reminded me of the burnt end/open-ended egg rolls in Ottawa. Some mushy peas completed the ode to Britain. The roasted red pepper soup was velvety smooth and delicious. It's easy to see why Stone Soup Cafe is popular with both locals and tourists alike, with a little bit for everyone, and a creative flair to keep things interesting, while nailing the execution.

One of the best flatbreads ever!! Service with a smile, lovely dining room and a warm welcome from…read morethe owner. Will be back soon!!

Since burgeoning central/northern Nova Scotia food and drink empire Nook and Cranny opened their…read morethird branch in Pictou last spring, I'd had drinks and snacks on their patio, but never had a proper meal inside until recently. It was quiet on a Monday evening, and being Pictou County, we were lucky they were open at all. The space is quite open, with thick wooden beams stealing the show, while grey laminate flooring is an almost jarring contrast of modern, lowest price tag renos against the sturdy old bones. We were promptly looked after by the friendly staff, and while I was tempted by some of the monthly specials, I stayed onside with their regular menu, to get a feel for how their regular items. The menu rides a fine line - it's not too small (there's several each of apps, soups/salads, sandwiches and mains) but not so big that it's overwhelming or you're thinking that everything is just coming out of a Sysco freezer bag. While pub standards like burgers, fish and chips and a club sandwich all appear, some effort definitely went into the menu's creation. You're not going to see jackfruit tacos, brisket grilled cheese and mushroom "bruschetta" everywhere! I went for a more standard item, the Mushroom Jack burger, on my aforementioned mission to gauge their kitchen, while my wife opted for the Cranberry Coconut Chicken. With the Monday crowd (or lack thereof), our food was soon before us, and none too soon, given our appetites! My Mushroom Jack burger was quite well executed - honestly, it was much better than I expected it would be. What can I say, a string of mediocre-at-best pubs in Pictou County over the years have left me jaded! The patty was thick (8oz) but not overcooked, or too densely pressed. The mushrooms had an herby hit that paired well with the savoury truffle aioli, and spinach brought some vegetal vibrance. The Monterey Jack cheese lent its salty goodness, while the toasted bun held up well against its messy contents. Across the table, my wife's Cranberry Coconut Chicken was an impressive-looking plate. The dish is gluten-free, which means that the Chex (yes, the cereal) coating on the chicken is gluten-free. Go Chex? Life-long learning, people! Stuffed with herbs and goat cheese, it was definitely more flavourful than your run-of-the-mill chicken breast. A rice pilaf and roasted veg rounded out the dish, while a thin cranberry and citrus sauce brought sweet and tangy notes for contrast, although by the last few bites were swimming in it. On a return visit on a more lively Friday night, it looked like the menu had gotten a refresh, with a whole new slate of tempting items. I stuck to a traditional East Coast offering though - the fish cakes. I checked to make sure they were made in-house (they are), as although I have a perverse love of the High Liner, from-frozen, 99% potato, "fish" cakes, that's not what I want at a restaurant. The fish cakes came on a hefty portion of maple baked beans. No skimpy 2oz cup of beans here! I'm no baked bean connoisseur, and if I were I would deserve to be mocked relentlessly, but these had a good balance of sweet and savoury, and were nicely cooked - they weren't dry and grainy, nor cooked to mush. As for the fish cakes themselves, the respectably-sized cakes had a wonderfully crisp breading, which housed a plesant mix of fish and potato, with discernable shreds of haddock. The flavour profile had a noticeable fish flavour (unlike our friend High Liner's) without being *fishy*. The side of house-made green tomato chow provided a lightly tart and sweet foil for the savoury elements of the dish, with a chunky consistency that puts the store-bought chows that are mainly sugar and vinegar to shame. With food that follows through on the menu's promise of better-than-average pub grub, I can see why The Nook and Cranny is spreading across my neck of the woods, and I look forward to return visits on their patio on warmer days PS. Extra points for maintaining great social media communications and an up-to-date website, which most small town restaurants are decidedly *not* good at.

The Staff were really friendly . We decide to eat on the patio over looking the water. We started…read morewith a starters of nacho kettle chips . Which was amazing . My wife had the pan fried haddock. Which was tender and tasty. Our friends had taco which were also amazing . I had the mussels which were meaty tender in white wine and garlic. Which was amazing with a basket of fries . Which was amazing . This was a fantastic dinner and strongly recommended The Nook and Cranny. We will be back - this is where the locals eat

Visited this restaurant in New Glasgow NS. It is located in the downtown area…read more We were seated promptly. The service was great as was the atmosphere. We enjoyed the cauliflower appie and the seafood chowder and teriyaki bowl.

Having been back in New Glasgow for a few months now, we've started to cycle through more…read morerestaurants, after hitting old favourites and new-to-us spots fairly thoroughly. A return(s) to East Avenue was inevitable, and certainly looked forward to. It has to have one of the most beautiful restaurant interiors in northern Nova Scotia - exposed brick, soaring ceilings, and walls dotted with paintings by local artists. For our first visit of 2023, I had the Tamis anghang ($20). Filipino for "sweet and spicy", this is a slightly fancier, single-serving version of sweet and sour chicken. Replacing the cloyingly-sweet sauce at most Chinese-Canadian restaurants, East Ave's Thai chili sauce is much more balanced, with a light punch from the hot pepper that livens up your taste buds but won't scorch them. The chicken was cooked with a deft hand, and the crisp batter held up until the last bite. My wife's duck ragu gnocchi ($29) was a hearty meal, with an impressive amount of rich, shredded duck and fluffy sweet potato gnocchi. If that wasn't enough, shredded parm added even more umami. The sauce was a bit thin and served overly generously, which made the dish a bit soupy, but was otherwise quite delicious. Bonus points for this dish and many others having gluten-free options! They had an impressive crowd for a Tuesday evening and that plus a very large group that came in just after us seemed to make for somewhat uneven service. A return visit had us targeting their patio, sadly one of the few in the non-Pictou towns of Pictou County. Step it up people! We just wanted some mid-afternoon snacks, so we went for a couple appetizers. The fried sweet chili cauliflower ($15) was a tasty app. The mild crunch of the cauliflower gave further crunch to the crisp coating, which did wilt under the slathering of sauce. Said sauce did have a bit more bite than most sweet chili sauces out there, but it won't have you breathing fire. Our kale Caesar salad (side size, $10) was a bit on the healthier side than our deep fried app, and pleasant departure from the standard formula. The mix of kale and romaine paired the strengths of both greens, while chickpeas and tomatoes brought added couloir, flavour and texture. And don't worry, there was still bacon, shaved parm, and a hearty dose of dressing. East Avenue continues to put out generally great food in a killer atmosphere (both inside and out), and I love how much this new business has brought and added to the food scene in the area.

Receiver Coffee's Victoria Street location nails that relaxed, inviting coffeehouse vibe--warm…read morewood, plenty of light, and a mix of locals and visitors starting their day. We sat outside, enjoying the summer air and watching the downtown hum along. The food here leans simple but thoughtful. The Island Hot Cake was fluffy and satisfying, and the Fry Up breakfast (with bacon) hit all the right notes--especially the potatoes. Maybe it's just PEI magic, but even as a side, they stand out. Our lattes and matcha latte were smooth and well-crafted, and the pacing felt unhurried in the best way. Service was friendly without being overbearing, and it's the kind of place where you can linger with your coffee without feeling rushed. If you're in Charlottetown and want a reliably good breakfast with a quality cup of coffee, Receiver is worth the stop--especially if you can grab a patio seat.

If I found myself living on Prince Edward Island, I have a feeling this would be my go to coffee…read moreshop. For starters, the setting of the historic building they're in is adorable and cozy. Once inside, you'll find a modern and clean space filled with baked goodies, fresh bread and fabulous coffee. We fought the urge to buy the maple cream whoopie pies. I also was eyeing the tofu lemongrass bowl on the "meal menu". Their breads also looked delicious- I was eyeing the molasses oat bread. We ended up buying a maple cappuccino and a maple latte -and they were sooo good. They also offer a dog friendly patio out front. If you find yourself here for a cruise, this is a five minute walk (or less) from the port. Don't miss out!

Great home cooked food! Cashier was friendly and helpful and the breakfast was delicious!read more

Only the locals know about this little market that's also a homestyle diner…read more When I am visiting family in New Glasgow, this is my FAVOURITE spot to go for breakie or brunch, because the quality of this greasy spoon plate of breakfast cannot be matched. The last time I was there, my jaw actually dropped at the size of the two over easy eggs on my plate! I'm sure they come from a local supplier - these wouldn't fit into the normal grocery store egg categories. Hashbrowns are also phenomenal. And, I don't know another local diner in the area that gives you a breakfast plate with homemade, thick cut toast, dripping in butter along with breakfast meat that will go above and beyond any other diner's attempt to satisfy. Trust me, this plate of awesomeness is not for the faint of heart, but it's bar none the best breakfast in all of Pictou County. Opt for the sausages - you won't be disappointed. And then make sure who ever is with you gets the bacon. Cause you'll obviously want to try a strip of that, too. Service is laid back. Coffee is fine - it's diner quality, and that's fine by me. The floors creak and the locals pretty much have assigned seating. Tables are small and the ceilings are low, but it's all part of the atmosphere, folks! Don't forget to pick up a few baked goods from the general store. Pies, rolls, breads and other yummy items are always fresh baked and are completely drool-worthy. Enjoy!

Service and food are way above average here. They go out of their way to customize your meal if you…read moredesire. The wait staff are friendly and make breakfast, lunch or dinner a pleasant experience. I highly recommend this restaurant.

After moving back to the county, a return to Appleseed was inevitable. We swung by for a late…read morelunch, after the hordes of kids amped up from the arcade next door had mostly left. Now that I'm back on the East Coast, I can both trust fish at restaurants more and pay less for it, so I went with the salt cod fish cakes ($17). You know how they say your plate should have lots of different colours of food? Well this was NOT that. While this meal won't win any awards from the Canada Food Guide, it did well by my taste buds. The fish cakes themselves were loosely packed and had a pleasant punch of salty fish, and the green tomato chow brought a contrast of sweet and tangy to the mix. The side of beans had a smattering of what appeared to be bacon in it, and were just the right doneness - not chalky or mushy. Thumbs up! The corn beef hash was a bit greasy, but it was delicious - crisp bits of beef and potato with sauteed onions - it's hard to go wrong here. My wife went for the diner staple, meatloaf ($17). After this meal it became her go-to dish at Appleseed, and I can see why. The generous slab of meatloaf is light and moist, and a slathering of mushroom and onion gravy makes it even more hearty. Ultra-smooth whipped potatoes are a classic pairing, done picture perfect. A medley of veg likely came out of a massive freezer bag, and while a diner fixture, it's one that could be easily replaced with any sort of seasonal veg that is prepared in a better manner than steaming. On our return, I went with the hot chicken sandwich ($17). The roasted chicken was moist and tender, although a little sparse. A hearty slathering of gravy was good, and not too salty. I really appreciated the thick, quality bread that stood up well against the onslaught of gravy. As always, their shoestring fries were spot on. I doubled down on diner decadence and got a strawberry milkshake ($6.50) to drink. Appleseed gets a tip of my cap for using the classic milkshake glass, plus topping it with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. Further bonus points for the extra bit of milkshake coming in the aluminum cup it was mixed in. It was a thick, tasty treat. I still wish Appleseed was in a better location with an interior that called back more to its cozy diner peers rather than strip mall industrial chic, but you can't win 'em all. It's still not easy to get more creative, casual food in Pictou County, so Appleseed is definitely an asset to the local food scene.

On my first visit to Monarch since moving back to New Glasgow, my wife and I came on the evening…read morethat they debuted their new spring/summer menu. The ABC salad was a tasty good mix - spring mix, roasted apples, bacon aioli, cheddar curds and cornbread croutons. The star of the show was definitely the bacon aioli which had a killer smoky flavour and elevated the dish. Pulled pork sandwiches have been an ubiquitous menu item for more than a decade, but Monarch did well by it with a savoury pork that wasn't mushy and overcooked and a red cabbage slaw that was flecked with coconut for a unique take on a standard pulled pork pairing (PPP). Bonus points to Monarch for the GF option for the bun, not to mention how much of the whole menu can be made GF! A side of crunchy thyme chips were everything you'd want in a chip and a nice textural contrast to the sandwich. My coconut haddock was a wonderfully well-executed dish - flaky fish and a crisp, coconut crust that wasn't *too* coconutty. A dill aioli added a tartar-esque flavour, and the roasted potatoes were an herby complement to the fish. The coconut slaw made another tasty appearance. On a return visit, we were there on one of Monarch's monthly wine nights. At four courses - each with a paired wine - and a $60 price tag, this has got to be the best quality per dollar in town! The meal started with a rhubarb and radish salad. The fresh, local veg and tart vinaigrette paired well with an acidic Ontario Riesling. For the main, a cut of Red Mountain beef tenderloin was *so* tender and although tenderloin isn't always the most flavourful cut, the quality of the locally-sourced meat stood out. Roasted veg and a pop of vegetal brightness from pea shoots rounded out a delicious dish. A Chilean Carmenere had a really unique flavour profile; I'm admittedly not familiar with the varietal, but it stood up well to the beef and was of great interest on its own. A cheese course eased our taste buds back down and an Australian chardonnay had a big enough flavour to hold its ground against the salty umami of the aged cheese. To cap our delicious meal, a loose apple and rhubarb tart, with a healthy (figuratively) dollop of whipped cream was a great send-off with mix of sweet and tart, and the crumble breaking up the soft apple and rhubarb. A lightly sweet sauv blanc with a hint of acidity finished off the wines. Monarch is a star on the local food scene and if you're not darkening their doorway, you're doing your taste buds a grave disservice.

We are traveling as a group on motorcycles on our way to Cape Breton island. We booked rooms at the…read moreMaritime Inn, and decided to stay on site for cocktails, and a bite to eat. Best decision ever! We enjoyed the seating on the patio. Our server, Antra, was phenomenal with her service, and her bubbly personality. Our orders were spot on, and her menu suggestions were outstanding! I would give her 10 stars, if possible. She is truly a great person! The establishment is blessed to have such a dedicated employee! The food was excellent, they even offered free samples of wood fired pizza that they will be launching soon. That too, was outstanding. Overall, we had an excellent experience.

Good for a casual dinner. The carrot cake was delicious, the chicken and mushroom penne was also…read moregreat but I found there were too many bacon pieces for my liking :)

This fixture of Blue Acres has been around for longer than I've been present on this plane of…read moreexistence, so it's with deep shame that I admit that it was only this spring that I tried it for the first time. While looking for a quick lunch on a sunny Saturday, I was right behind a few other people who just got their food as I was ordering, putting me at the front of the queue. Owner and sole staff member Donna guided me through the highlights of her menu and I settled on the hamburger platter. Several minutes of wonderfully pleasant chit chat with Donna followed while I watched her prepare my food like a well-oiled machine. My food was soon ready, coming tightly packed on a heaped paper plate for me to eat in my car, although you can get it secured for a trip home or elsewhere. The crinkle cut fries, while unsurprisingly from a bag, were spot on, with shatteringly crisp exteriors and light, fluffy interiors. The burger was diner-style par excellence - steamed bun; a beefy, hand-made, griddle-cooked patty; melty cheese; sauteed onions, and some bite from mustard and relish. I should have nixed the ketchup to dial back the sweetness, but this was still a great little burger. A cup of house-made coleslaw was of the creamy variety, but still had a bit of tang to it, which helped cut through the rich meal a little bit. On my return visit, I went with the fish and chips. While it's a box that a lot of restaurants feel they have to check, and they do so poorly with from-frozen, pre-battered fish, I heard that Donna batters it in-house, so I was looking forward to trying it. This was a very good order of F&C. The batter was light and airy, and the two-piece was a good amount of food, with the pieces like the half filets that you'll see around, rather than the one gargantuan piece of fish that pubs often have for shock value. The fish was firm, but tender and flakey and I don't know if tartar sauce was forgotten or isn't offered, but I truly just enjoyed the fish on its own. Ceilidh Drive-In is among a dying breed of old school greasy spoons that do the simple stuff well, and while it took me a while to get there, it won't be long before I'm back.