I've wanted to come to this restaurant for awhile and it was definitely a huge disappointment…read more We first walked in and waited about five minutes for the bartender to even acknowledge us. She was laughing at the multiple old men at the bar. When we finally got her attention her words were 'you look confused' and I was - there was no sign about where to sit. Once seated my boyfriend got the engine room burger and ceaser salad - the lettuce on the bun was literally browning. I got the turkey dinner daily special and aside from the black hair on top of my turkey, it was dry and has absolutely no flavour. We waited a really long time for a refill. The atmosphere was grungy and definitely didn't feel welcoming. The most attention we received was from the multiple flies around us and our food. I wouldn't recommend this place and definitely won't be back.

This does not look like much from the outside: dingy building, hardly a window, you'd be forgiven…read morefor raising an eyebrow. But inside it's a largeish, busy pub with a dance floor, sports on the TVs, and - probably - lots of busy locals enjoying themselves. It's on the country pub side of things, with lots of wood, neon beer signs, that sort of thing. But the menu is big. My caesar salad was good; my chicken wings (they were on special) were just OK, a little on the thin side. Fast, efficient service. Seems full of friendly locals.

This place is fantastic. The service was wonderful. The food hits the spot. The beer is good. The…read morevibes are right. Recommend!

The clam chowder is the best I have ever, ever had!!!!!! Otherwise I don't want to rate this place…read morebased on tonight, it was saint Patrick's day during a pandemic....just whacked out!...not a regular night. I'd like to come back on a regular night for the clam chowder and then I'd be happy to rate the staff and the facility. I will say, however, that I was disappointed that there were only 2 local beers on tap, everything else was a big national bland errr I mean brand lol

My wife and I were luckily able to get a spot in Townhouse while in the 'Nish despite our lack of a…read morereservation, thanks to the poor weather and coming in at old people, early bird-esque hours. On the upside, we were there for a good stretch of happy hour! The space is cozy, with a pub-like feel from the bar counter you can sit at, as well as a stunning main bar with lovingly detailed, darkly-stained wood. Dark wainscoting rings the room, but the charm of its previous tenants fades away from there, with a generic tile floor and basic acoustic tile ceiling. We indulged in both the liquid and solid offerings on the happy hour menu, with the salt cod fritters ($9) a couple bucks under the regular menu price. Being in town to try things out and not just go for the cheapest items, we ordered from the whole menu, tacking on the beet salad and burrata toast. We decided we'd re-assess our appetites after those three apps. The beet salad ($10) was a colourful display of Nova Scotia's late harvest season, with beautiful, thin slices of purple, pink and golden beets. The kaleidoscope of root vegetables was topped with dots of whipped ricotta, blue cheese, popcorn and pea shoots. Delicate and lightly tart, with contrasting textures of the salty and smooth whipped ricotta and the airy crunch of the popcorn added dimensionality to the dish. Also, it's impossible to go wrong with pea shoots in my books! As my wife isn't a big seafood fan, I had most of the salt cod fritters to myself, and I wasn't complaining. An herby, crisp exterior encased a pleasantly doughy and lightly fishy interior, which was amped up by the fantastic sun-dried tomato and chili oil. The burrata toast ($14) didn't have a whole, massive blob of Italian cheesy goodness, but I should have guessed that would be the case given the price. A guy can dream, right? Crisp buttery focaccia held up well to its caprese-like toppings - roasted tomatoes, pesto and, of course, a slathering of creamy burrata. Bee pollen was noted on the menu and visible on the toast, but didn't register amongst the other flavours. After three very good starters, we decided that we had room for one main between the two of us, and landed on the ricotta gnocchi ($27). I was pleasantly surprised when the plate was put before us, and I saw that the fluffy bundles of carbs and cheese were pan fried, lending a light crispness and more flavour. Most gnocchi dishes aren't too meaty, but Townhouse had a decent portion of bresaola (dry-cured beef) and guanciale (cured pork cheek), letting the thinly-sliced, but big flavours, of the Italian cured meats punch above their weight. Pesto and pea shoots reappeared to bring some vegetal balance to the dish, and a salty hit of Pecorino-Romano rounded things out nicely. Not to be outdone by the savoury parts of the menu, Townhouse's desserts are far from an afterthought. The sticky toffee ($13) was wildly decadent, with the lightly spiced sponge cake begging to sop up the heavenly caramel cream sauce and French vanilla ice cream. Although they could stand to invest in their interior design, Townhouse's kitchen speaks for itself and the well-deserved accolades it has received. A definite 'must' when in Antigonish!

This is a lovely place that we found unexpectedly. We were looking for a restaurant and some people…read moresuggested this place. We thought it'll be an A-pk bar food but we were pleasantly surprised with the quality and the flavors in these dishes! We started with a creative scallops croquettes on a Fuccacia bread, so rich in amazing flavors! The wedge salad was fresh and had a good quality blue cheese on with excellent pieces of bacon. The chicken Karrage with lettuce wraps and couscous salmon were both devine! Had a great chat with the owner and she ensured we ´re enjoying our food and ensured that they do their best to get local products. The Ambiance was great with candles everywhere and service was good too especially the place was completely fully booked. Highly recommend!

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

Always a treat to eat here. First time I ordered the Reuben. A little on the smaller side for a…read moreReuben but done nicely.

Best pub in NS! Food is always excellent especially the "chish & fips". Beer selection is also…read moreoutstanding. Kitchen Party is my favourite. Cozy, cheerful vibe with its stone walls and wood beams. First rate service. Located downtown , street parking on nearby Provost St.

Stopped in here for a late lunch after a meeting. Zero expectations, since I'd never heard of the…read moreplace. Very pleased overall, with good food and service. I'll definitely return when I'm in the area.

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!

Seafood chowder isn't the sexiest food to photograph, but the chowder at Harbour House was a…read morepleasant surprise when a power outage last year forced a change of plans for mine and my wife's lunch. The chowder had tender chunks of lobster, haddock and scallops, and the creamy broth was in the Goldilocks zone of not too thick and not too thin. A lovely roll that was crisp on the outside and had a light crumb was made for dipping! My wife's chicken and brie roll with a tomato and feta soup was a light but flavourful lunch, and a solid deal at just $15. Bonus points to HH for having GF options for all of their buns and pizzas too! On a return visit after we had moved back to the county, I leaned into the pub side of the menu, and tried the house burger, which comes topped with the usual suspects, plus cheese and bacon. It was a good burger - a thick, pub-style patty, melty cheese, crisp bacon, and the bun held up well. Solid fundamentals, if no real standout elements. The fries were of the crispy-coated variety, which I'm a fan of. Oddly, the ends of each fry were much more browned than the rest, which reminded me of fries that you bake at home. Not a strike against them, it just seemed odd. My wife's shepherd's pie was a hearty plate. The spacious casserole dish was packed with meat and potatoes, and given a non-traditional slathering of melted cheese for good measure. I did my husband due diligence and finished off what my wife didn't have room for. Harbour House is doing some above average grub, especially when you know the right dishes to get.

The service was friendly and scenery is nice. The chowder and lobster roll were ok. The burger was…read moreordinary and the fries are not good. The beer selection was fine

When I was in town for a blood donation, I decided to visit Belly Up BBQ as a way to both replenish…read moremy iron levels and try a new-to-me restaurant. There was a small surge of BBQ places in Halifax in the 2010s, and while that eventually died down, it's good to see the trend spread elsewhere to add new kinds of cuisine to other areas of the province. The interior is spacious, with a bar at one end, a section with several booths, and even more tables beyond that. The décor isn't over-the-top with southern US kitsch like many barbecue joints and could easily pass for a regular bar and grill. Normally when I try a BBQ place for a first time, I go all-in on a sampler platter to try as many of the smoked meats as possible. Alas, Belly Up is the only BBQ place that I've been to that doesn't have this option. As a result, I went with the beef brisket platter since that's more unique to Belly Up, and things like ribs and pulled pork can be found at many restaurants these days. It wasn't too too busy when I arrived and most people were already eating, so my food arrived in quick order. The brisket came as two long, thick slices, and the broad layer of fat on top told me I was getting the fatty end of the brisket. There was a bit of a smoke ring around the edges, although I didn't find that it had a prominently smoky flavour. It was spot-on for tenderness though - the meat broke apart easily, but didn't crumble from being overcooked, and each bite was tender and juicy. You get a choice of a few different sauces with your meat (which is served entirely on the side) and the chipotle sauce was savoury and not *too* sweet, but again, I'd prefer a heavier level of smokiness from the namesake pepper. You get two different sides with each entrée, so again I went with some of the more unique options - the corn fritters and the apple coleslaw. The corn fritters were very well executed - crisp on the outside, fluffy and moist on the inside, and with a hint of sweetness. The ginger and jalapeno honey sauce that came with them was also a surprise hit, with a good balance of sweetness and subtle layer of heat. I generally prefer a vinegar-based dressing for my coleslaw to cut through the rich dishes that it's often paired with, but I still enjoyed Belly Up's apple slaw. The additional crunch and sweetness of the julienned apples brought some complexity to what is often the most forgettable part of a meal, and honestly it's just nice to see a slaw that's done in-house instead of coming out of a five-gallon bucket from Sysco. Service was friendly and attentive throughout my meal. There's definitely some tweaks that Belly Up could do to polish their BBQ game, but it's a still a solid option for something different in the food scene in Truro.

Food poisoning! Barbecue ribs were just mediocre…read more Fried fish was what got a sick Free parking lot service was nice. Definitely would not come back.

Great food Great timing…read more Great service , very friendly. Little loud but didn't feel unwelcome.

Somehow, I've forgotten about The Thistle since I've been back in town and it was time to rectify…read morethat with a revisit to this rebranded mainstay of New Glasgow's food and bar scene. I'm not sure when The Thistle rebranded as a "gastropub", but not too much seems to have changed with their menu or interior. Their food offerings certainly aren't the chef-driven, creative stylings of a true gastropub. That all said, I still appreciate that these guys are open seven days a week, and are actually open beyond 7-8:00pm, unlike many other places in town. I ordered the Farmhouse burger, a now-longtime fixture of The Thistle's menu, which harkens back to the Man vs Food days of food eating challenges and mash-ups of over-the-top (and belt) menus. Comprised of a 6oz patty, two chicken fingers, bacon and cheese, it's all your day's recommended calories in one meal - so efficient! My wife went with one of her go-to choices, the pulled pork sandwich. It wasn't too too busy for a weekend evening, with a wet spring day keeping some people home, so we got our food in good time. Gastropub moniker or no, pub burgers can be a bit hit or miss, depending on how much the cooks actually give a damn about their job, but my Farmhouse turned out quite well. The patty had a nice char and wasn't dry and overcooked, while the chicken fingers and bacon added some savoury crunch. I'd generally not a fan of BBQ sauces on burgers, as the cloying sweetness really isn't necessary, but the chipotle BBQ sauce had a good flavour. The cheese was good and melty, and the bun toasted - checking some more boxes in Burger 101. The fries were *incredibly* plentiful. Like Five Guys amounts of fries! They could cut back a good 20% and no one in their right mind should complain. They were on the oily side, however. I'm not sure if this is from the fryer not being up to temp after doing some orders, or just not having a proper double fry, but this was a missed opportunity for my mound of hand-cut spuds. My wife's pulled pork sandwich was a solid execution of what's now a very common sight on bar menus. Coleslaw and lettuce brought a little texture, while a large Caesar salad was shared between us (I shared fries too, I promise!). The Thistle may be trying to pull the wool over people's eyes with this rebranding, but this dependable bar is a town fixture for a reason. This meal was more hit than miss, and for that, I'll give them a star upgrade nearly 10 years (!!!) after I first reviewed them here.

The Blue Lobster is in Stellarton NS…read more We had a fun night out with food and drinks. The mac and cheese was delicious. Enjoyed the Painted Boat (beer). They sell merch including some very nice sweat shirts! Service was great.

1‑Star Review: Blue Lobster Public House Our visit to Blue…read moreLobster Public House was disappointing. The restaurant was understaffed, and the service felt slow and chaotic. We ordered fish and chips with a switch to fries, were told there'd be no extra charge, yet later found a $4 fee on our $115 bill. The food didn't redeem the experience -- the fish batter was burnt, and the meal arrived barely warm. We were hungry and in a rush, so we ate it, but it wasn't worth it. Overall, the place was too busy, the quality was poor, and the value wasn't there. I wouldn't return unless they offered a full complimentary meal to make up for the experience.