Where to find fresh Calamari in Halifax?

I also dream about the calamari at Fiasco...I've had calamari at several places in Halifax but none even come close to it!

jezebella73 in Atlantic Canada

best bet for main dish at Pintxos?

Two friends and I are going to Pintxos while visiting MTL next week. I've been checking out their menu and their "menu dégustation" looks like the way to go (in terms of getting good value).

But I'm wondering which of the mains is the best one to go with...I'm open to any of them but would like some opinions from other diners.

OR, would we be best to just order four-five pintxos and share. My understanding from other posts here is that the plates are smaller than the average tapas and not really intended for sharing (much less between three people).

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

jezebella73 in Quebec (including Montreal)

Weekday breakfast/brunch at Le Cartet/Byblos

Thanks to both of you, kpzoo and isa1 -- that definitely fills in the blanks and makes our decisions easier (Le Cartet on Sun; Byblos on Tues). Thanks also for the note about timing. 9:30 might be a bit of a stretch depending on how much dancing (and drinking) we do on Sat night but at least we'll know what to expect if we arrive after that.

Thanks again!

jezebella73 in Quebec (including Montreal)

Weekday breakfast/brunch at Le Cartet/Byblos

My friend are I are interested in having breakfast/brunch at both of these spots -- one on Sunday morning and the other probably on Tuesday morning.

Does anyone know if they still serve their full breakfast/brunch menu on weekdays? Or is it something they only do on weekends?

I understand from reading other posts that both get quite busy on the weekends (esp Le Cartet)... Is there a golden hour at which they just get packed (e.g., some places are fine if you go before 10 am but after that you have to wait forever to get seated)? Also, are they just as busy on weekday mornings?

Thanks in advance!

jezebella73 in Quebec (including Montreal)

Nova Scotia for 1

If you're interested in lobster, check out "Lobsterpalooza" (http://www.lobsterpalooza.ca/). As someone else mentioned, your best bet would be to go to a church supper or a similar event -- no one would blink an eye at you being alone b/c they'll all be too busy eating lobster and mussels and chowder, lol. This would definitely give you an "authentic" seafood experience.

If you're interested in a great "foodie" experience, I would recommend Chives (www.chives.ca). They focus on using fresh, seasonal ingredients and are big supporters of local/regional producers. In fact, it's very common to see Chef Craig Flinn at the Halifax Farmers Market on Saturday mornings, scoping out the fresh produce and it gets you wishing you were dining there that night!

As for Cape Breton, I have to mention the Herring Choker on the main highway (105) just outside of Baddeck (before it if you're coming from Halifax) in Nyanza. It is a great little bakery/deli that offers amazing sandwiches (it's the only place I know of where you can have a hunk of Brie added on to any sandwich) including a mean lobster sandwich and the *best* oatcakes anywhere, IMHO. (Oatcakes are quintessential Cape Breton fare). Check their website at http://baddeck.com/herringchoker/

Someone below mentioned the Five Fisherman -- while it is on the casual side, they do right by their guests in terms of seafood. They have an all-you-can eat mussel/salad bar to start out and their menu items are usually solid. Another notable seafood joint is McKelvie's near the Historic Properties.

The Coast is Halifax's free weekly paper and its food critic, Liz Feltham, also has a website with past reviews from the paper. Check www.thecoast.ca (archives also) and www.foodcritic.ca for past reviews (though be warned they are not date-stamped).

Hope this helps some...Have a great time in Halifax and CB and post some reviews when you get back!

jezebella73 in Atlantic Canada

The Ninth Floor

I've been reading about a restaurant in the old Eaton Centre called "The Ninth Floor". According to the wikipedia entries

Any local insight is greatly appreciated!

jezebella73 in Quebec (including Montreal)

afternoon tea in Montreal?

Thanks for the endorsement of the GdO...I think it's where we'll go. While the "high tea" experience was what I was looking for initially, my main priority is a "good" tea so I'm willing to let go of the silver tea service, etc.

It's too bad that you didn't enjoy Tea & Sympathy in NYC...I went in March 2004 and again in May 2005 but I only had their afternoon tea on the first trip (it was amazing). I opted to order a regular lunch dish on the second trip b/c I found the afternoon tea too much for the first time around!

Thanks for the tip on Alice's Tea Cup...I'm not planning on visiting NYC anytime soon but a friend of mine (who I went to T&S with both times) will be there later this month so I'll pass your recommendation along to her.

Cheers!

jezebella73 in Quebec (including Montreal)

afternoon tea in Montreal?

Thank you so much, kpzoo...For both the updated details and the pics. It seems like it's a very reasonable afternoon tea for the $20 price tag -- the quantity of food is on par with other teas I've had elsewhere and the presentation looks nice. I'll definitely consider it. Again, thanks for the update!

jezebella73 in Quebec (including Montreal)

afternoon tea in Montreal?

Thanks for the link...I'm really interested in customer reviews...

The place in NDG sound nice too -- obviously not the high-end, silver tea service kind of deal like I originally descibed. As I'm also a fan of this style of afternoon tea (Tea & Sympathy in Greenwich Village, NYC being my favourite of this variety)...so I'll definitely keep it in mind though! Thanks also for the heads-up re: their hours and reserving in advance.

jezebella73 in Quebec (including Montreal)