Destination Halifax Blog Feed http://www.halifaxsociable.com/1.rss People are talking about Halifax. Read what they’re saying and leave a comment. en-us Thu, 02 Feb 12 11:31:15 -0400Are you Ready for Some Football?With our unseasonably warm winter trucking along, it's hard to believe it's almost that mid-season marker: Superbowl Sunday. Whether or not you're into the big game (just a heads up, it's an East Coast rivalry with the New England Patriots taking on the New York Giants), there's so much happening in the city - you won't want to miss out. Here's a little rundown of some of the events you can take in...

If you're looking for a big night out, travel no further than to Bubba Ray's on Spring Garden Rd. They're famous for their beer, wings, and over 50 LCD flat screen TVs, so you're always going to have the best view of the game. Just across the street, Oasis Pub and Eatery will be hosting their annual Bud Bowl, a party you won't want to miss.

Don't want to commute to the peninsula? Winston's Pub and Eatery in Clayton Park is throwing a heck of an event - for $10 you'll not only get to enjoy the game, you'll also enjoy one of the best buffets in the city, and get a complimentary drink - not to mention a chance to win some awesome prizes.

For those of you across the Harbour, The Muster Station on Portland St. in Dartmouth is hosting a Superbowl Tailgate Party. Watch the game on one of 9 big-screen TVs and try the Tailgate Menu. Prize giveaways include Moosehead tickets!

Football not your thing, but still looking for a night out? The Old Triangle has got live music and, as always, no cover charge!

Regardless of where you end up, the game starts at 7:30pm and has a half time show featuring Madonna and some special guests, so get your jersey on and get ready for a great night!

Now it's time for your best bets:

Friday:
Our Halifax Mooseheads are taking on the Moncton Wildcats - puck drops at 7:00pm, so don't miss out! 
 
Saturday:
It's wing and beer night at the Halifax Alehouse - a pitcher of Canadian Sub Zero and 10 wings for only $11.50 +  tax from 4:30pm - 10:00pm. Stick around afterwards for live music all night long!

Happy football weekend!
 
mg&jb
]]> Thu, 26 Jan 12 10:12:31 -0400Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon - It's a Blast!As the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon (May 18-20, 2012) so wisely puts it, “You wined, you dined and now it’s resolution time!” That’s right, December is a distant memory and it’s time to start training for the biggest annual race weekend in Atlantic Canada.

Race weekend events include a 4.2k Youth Run, 42.2k (gasp) Full Marathon, 21.1k Half Marathon, 10k and 5k. Nordic walking poles are permitted and wheelchair participants are welcome. No matter your fitness level, this event offers the opportunity for everyone to have fun from start to finish line.

Whether you’re a participant or an observer, it’s hard to miss the strong sense of community this event instills in Haligonians. The course is spread out through historic neighbourhoods, scenic parks and waterfronts, and spectators take Maritime hospitality to a new level as they cheer runners on with homemade signs and noise makers. The spirit of fun is something you’ll carry with you long after the race has ended. And it takes a village to raise an event! Over 1200 volunteers assist in making this event a success each year.

Need more convincing? The Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon encourages you to sign up for these enticing reasons:

  • It’s not just a run. Nor is it just a walk. It’s a blast.
  • It’s probably the most fun you can legally have on our city streets.
  • On-course entertainment featuring Nova Scotia musicians.
  • All finishers get a fancy medal.
  • It’s a good excuse to paint your nose blue.

So sign up for the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon and race, cheer and volunteer your way into Halifax in 2012!  

]]> Wed, 25 Jan 12 23:41:15 -0400In the Dead of Winter Music Festival Another week, another fabulous live music option coming your way – ain’t Halifax grand? The In the Dead of Winter Music Festival is an annual acoustic music festival that brings together over thirty artists of both the Canadian and American variety. This festival runs January 25-28 and spans a number of venues, including the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, The Company House and Spatz Theatre.

The goal of the festival is all about uniting a diverse range of acoustic musicians, not only to perform, but to network and build relationships in a professional environment. The line-up is stellar - check out the full schedule. Obviously we’ve got plans to check out a few acts, particularly Martha Wainwright, Andrew O’Brien and Willie Stratton.

Your best bets for this weekend include…

Thursday:
If you like wings, it's your favourite night of the week. The Oaisis Pub & Eatery and Bubba Ray's Sports Bar have you covered.

Friday:
Looking for a fun, local way to kick off your weekend? The Halifax Rainmen have a BIG game this Friday against the London Lightning. A battle between the first and second place teams in the league, it’s sure to be an electrifying evening! Get your tickets.

Saturday:
You can never go wrong with a little Rock & Roll at the Carleton! Only $5 cover for a guaranteed great time at one of the best venues in our fine city.

Until next week,

mg & jb  

]]> Wed, 18 Jan 12 20:42:22 -0400Spotlight on LightsOne thing you’ve likely deduced from previous posts from us is that we’ve got a major soft spot for Canadian musicians. This week we’re looking forward to electro-rock sensation Lights, performing at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium on January 20th. An award winning singer/songwriter with a flare for the synth, Lights is a one-woman show you don’t want to miss (and apparently Haligonians agree - the show has sold out!) She will be performing tunes from her latest album, Siberia – an album which certainly showcases both her personal and artistic growth. Interested in a little preview? Click here or here.

And for the rest of your weekend, here are your best bets:

Thursday, January 19:
Head on over to Durty Nelly's for some live music and your favourite beverage…we recommend the Limerick Lemonade.

Friday, January 20:
Fierce Friday is happening at The Palace featuring DJ Fierce (naturally). The clincher? $2.50 drink specials.

Saturday, January 21:
In a dancing mood? Pacifico has you covered with an eclectic mix of euro-house, top 40, rock and retro $4.50 drinks, $7 cover charge.   

See you next week!

mg & jb

]]> Wed, 11 Jan 12 22:31:32 -0400Yuking it UpProudly Canadian, Yuk Yuk's Standup Comedy Clubs, have been around since 1976 and prominately feature many outstanding Canadian comics. Founded by Canadian icon Mark Breslin, Yuk Yuk's Comedy Cabarets have the best of the funniest, edgiest comics around. Alumni include Howie Mandel, Jim Carrey, Norm MacDonald, Harland Williams, Rick Moranis, Russell Peters, and that's just the beginning. 

This week, Yuk Yuk's Halifax is pleased to feature Wafik Nasralla, with Dave Atkinson and Francois Weber. Considered by many to be "the funniest one-eyed 
Egyptian/Canadian comic around", Nasralla has been making people laugh across Canada for over 10 years with his accessible comedy. 

Yuk Yuk's Halifax is located in the Westin Nova Scotian on Hollis St. - if you're interested in tickets and show times, call 902-429-YUKS for more information. 

And now it's time for our best bets. 

Thursday, January 12:
The Carleton is pleased to announce it's got some great resident Thursday night musicians - none other than Ian Freakin' Janes, with Tom Bloody Easley and Tom Frickin' Roach, and it's all for only $5. 

Friday, January 13:
Kick the weekend off right at the Seahorse with Three Sheet, Like a Motorcycle and the Lucy Grays - it's a $10 ticket, with doors opening at 10pm. 

Saturday, January 14:
The Gig Dogs are heating up the Old Triangle starting at 9pm. Head down to experience the friendly staff, great service and an extensive menu. Best part of all? no cover!

See you next week!

mg&jb

]]> Wed, 04 Jan 12 14:53:13 -04002012 is Our Year in Halifax, Nova ScotiaAre you starting to think about your travel plans for 2012? Or trying to finalize a location and dates for that big conference? Look no further than Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 2012 we’re setting the events bar pretty high for both future years and other destinations.

April 15, 2012, will mark the 100th anniversary of the sinking of Titanic. This occasion will be commemorated through special events and programming that will underscore the impact the Titanic story continues to have on Halifax and the world. Halifax has one of the most moving and intimate connections with the Titanic disaster, playing a key role during the tragedy's aftermath and becoming the final resting place of many of her unclaimed victims. When visiting Halifax, one can experience reminders of Titanic and other courageous stories about our people and their connection with the sea at historic sites such as the museums, cemeteries, churches, and the former homes of Titanic passengers, to name a few. Learn more about this significant chapter in our history by exploring the Nova Scotia Archives’ virtual Titanic exhibit and visiting the Bedford Institute of Oceanography to see a model of Titanic, as it sits today on the ocean floor.

This summer Halifax will once again play host to the Tall Ships Festival, July 19-30, and serve as the only Canadian port of call in the Tall Ships Challenge Atlantic Coast 2012. Tall Ships is one of the biggest, most exciting events to hit our waterfronts. The perfect family event, Tall Ships showcases the best of Nova Scotia’s maritime culture through music, art, food, film and history – you can even board the ships and meet the crew members. Tall Ships kicks off with the vessels gathering in Halifax for a weekend of activities highlighted by the spectacular Parade of Sail. After the ships depart from Halifax, they will continue on to ports around Nova Scotia. With 2012 marking the bicentennial anniversary of the War of 1812, event programming will include a special historical piece to commemorate this momentous part Canada’s history.

The TELUS World Skins Game, a prestigious golf event, will celebrate its 20th anniversary in Halifax, July 29 – 31. Glen Arbour Golf Course, one of Atlantic Canada’s premiere golf destinations, has been selected to host the event that will see five top PGA TOUR Professionals compete. If your heart is on the green, Halifax is the place to be in 2012.

The dog days of summer will see the return of the FIVB World Junior Beach Volleyball Championship, to be held in Halifax August 28 – September 2 at the Salter Lot. Halifax will become the very first repeat host in the event’s 11-year history, with the tournament expanding from 48 teams to 64 and five days to six. Get ready for what’s promised to be a bigger and even better event than 2011’s successful effort!

And that’s not all! Click on the links below to check out these other significant historical milestones we will be celebrating all year in Halifax.

]]> Thu, 29 Sep 11 15:34:28 -0400Mouthwatering Meal at CUT Steakhouse & Urban GrillNot long ago, I received a gift certificate for CUT Steakhouse & Urban Grill - certainly not cheap, it's the kind of resto that I was saving for a very special occasion. With my GC in tow, I knew that I could spend without a care in the world (relatively), which just enhanced the vibe of Marie-Antoinettish indulgence.


Now the best part about this meal was that I invited my best foodie friend and told her NOTHING about the night! I had so much fun taunting her! For weeks I told her how amazing the mystery was going to be. The night arrived, and I went to J's place and was thrilled when she had a glass of sparkling wine prepped for my arrival. We finished that off, called a cab, and I whispered the address to the cabby, who played along with my little game. When we pulled up at CUT, I whipped out my GC and the look on J's face went from confusion, to shock, to sheer delight as she realized what was in store.

We started off with cocktails; mine was my 'usual' a straight-up Grey Goose martini w/ loads of olives. J went with the Berry Foam Collins; gin, fresh raspberries and lemon, shaken and topped w/ Prosecco. Our server quickly followed up our drinks with an amuse bouche-type course; a tangy goat cheese-based dip with crudites, followed by CUT's breadbasket. With a selection of soft savory loaves and crispy breadsticks, it sated our virtually empty stomachs. Sidenote - I rarely fill up on bread in restos, but in RCR Hospitality's restos, the bread is pretty hard to resist!



After much consideration, we finally decided on our orders. As apps, on our server's recommendation, we chose 1 Shrimp Almondine each - he said the dish was very rich and filling. In addition, we ordered the broiled bone marrow to split.

Ah, the shrimp! They were plump and perfectly cooked - not a hint of chewy-ness. These were served on a beurre noisette with (what I think was) a puree of almonds. The contrast of juicy seafood, crunchy almond slivers and crisp breadcrumbs along with the velvety puree, had my tastebuds doing a happy dance indeed. It's not often that you find a dish whose components work so harmoniously together.

The bone marrow...well, it's not for me. I just wasn't a huge fan of the texture, though the accompanying jams were delightful and fragrant!
 
Jumbo Shrimp Almondine
U8 Jumbo shrimp, pan seared w/ almond slivers & garlic, beurre noisette
 


Broiled Marrow au Gratin
Broiled marrow bone topped w/ black truffle cheese,
brioche crisps & fig and apple-cinnamon jams
 

So as to avoid food envy, we both ordered the Kobe Beef rib eye - also on our server's suggestion. More on that later...for our enhancements and starch we chose a potato, mushrooms and onion rings.
 
I knew the o rings were a good choice, as those at Onyx (one of RCR's other properties) are out of this world. While the onion rings were crisp, the mushrooms were tender, with an incredibly earthy flavour and aroma - a fantastic addition to the table. The potato was the perfect combo of both of these textures; a smooth truffle infused mash was wrapped in a layer of crispy potato to form a lovely shell. 
                                                            
Tempura Onions Rings
w/ Smoked paprika-saffron mayonnaise


CUT Pommes de terre
Yukon Gold potato strings surrounding white truffle infused mashed potato

 

Sauteed seasonal mushrooms


You're probably wondering how a 5", 100 lbs. chick put this all away by now, hey? Well, it took a lot of effort, but was absolutely worth it when the melt-in-your-mouth piece of meat arrived. This steak was the epitome of all the characteristics you want in your beef; tender, flavourful and rich, and smooth throughout - without any annoying bits of grizzle.
 
Kobe Beek Rib Eye
Sake & miso rubbed


Holy cannoli


This was a great experience in ways above and beyond the food. The service and hospitality at CUT certainly enhanced the evening and determined that a return trip is definitely in the future!
]]> Wed, 14 Dec 11 18:48:19 -0400La TrinidadeWith the holidays coming up you’re more than likely about to have a bunch of free time on your hands - between the end of exams and all of that accrued vacation, you’re probably itching to ditch your cabin fever and have some fun. Luckily there’s a new venue in Halifax that caters to people like you. 

Open Tuesday through Sunday at 5pm, La Trinidade is here for eats, drinks, and our favourite - dance parties. This Friday be sure to check out TGIF - Thank God I’m Funky - with guest Plaeboi. Starting at 10pm, it’s a night full of funky goodness from hip hop to house and everything in between. This month DJ D-Yazz is joined by special guest Plaeboi - and best of all it’s only $5 and free before 11pm!

And now for our last best bets before Christmas...

Best Bets:

Friday, December 16th: The Company House is hosting their 3rd Annual Open House during their $4 Friday Happy Hour. It’s just their way of wishing you a happy holiday season, and thanking you for your support during the year. 

Saturday, December 17th: It’s time for another Saturday Power Hour @ The Palace! $2.50 drinks from 10pm - 12am, with $3.75 drinks after midnight, DJ Mutts spinning your favourite tunes and 2 huge video screens. 

Sunday, December 18th: The Mellotones - Halifax's hottest R&B soul act - appearing live every Sunday night at Cheers Bar & Grill from 10:45pm - 2:30am!  

]]> Fri, 09 Dec 11 12:12:05 -0400Visit Halifax Mobile App Featured Feature: Special OffersIn case you haven’t heard, the Visit Halifax Mobile App is a must-have this season…and any season! Not only does the App assist you in finding restaurants, shops and attractions near your real-time location and sharing with friends, it also helps you enjoy your Halifax experiences even more with a Special Offer feature.

Picture it: you’re enjoying brunch with friends at one of Halifax’s many fantastic restaurants. What do you do when your bill arrives? Take out your smartphone and open your FREE Visit Halifax Mobile App, of course! After a few simple steps, you find your restaurant has a Special Offer – in this case, 15% off – so you show your screen to your server and voila, you've saved 15% just like that!

Special Offers cover a wide array of categories  from cuisine to touring to accommodations. Offers are changing all the time, so check back soon and often. Want to see them for yourself? Follow these simple steps and get the most out of the Visit Halifax Mobile App, your mobile concierge for Halifax, Nova Scotia.

 

Step 1: Open your App and touch 'Offers' at the bottom of your homescreen.

 
 

Step 2: Tap the blue arrow next to the Offer you'd like to see from the list of Special Offers provided.

 
 

Step 3: Tap the '1 Offer Available' banner at the bottom of your screen.

 
 

Step 4: Simply show your screen to the merchant to redeem your offer.

]]> Thu, 29 Sep 11 15:23:43 -0400An Impromptu Dinner at Fid RestoA while back, a friend and I stopped in to Fid Resto for an impromptu dinner. We were actually on our way to get some sushi when we walked past Dresden Row and quickly changed our plans. It was a chilly night and the atmosphere inside was warm and inviting. It took us a while to make our decisions (well, me really) so we put in an order in for some apps while I poured over the menu.  
 
My friend had the traditional French soup served with rouille and Mozzarella cheese. It was an interesting concoction, and once I was filled in on the process, it made a bit more sense. The fish soup consists of chicken stock and pureed fish bones and the mayonnaise-based rouille with tomato and mustard are meant to thicken it up...not sure where the Mozzarella cheese comes in, but I do know that  it's a delicious antidote to a chilly night.
 
 
I felt pretty special that night. The 'special' was a sushi-esque roll made with snow crab just off the boat. But...since we arrived later in the evening, and there wasn't enough left for the 'special', I got a dish that I'd wager was even better; a snow crab salad. This was one of the best dishes I've ever had in a Halifax resto. The snow crab's texture and flavour was light and delicate. Paired with a variety of ingredients that complimented it beautifully; earthy Shiitake mushrooms, and a selection of herbs used in lieu of lettuce; basil, cilantro and mint, I smiled and sighed with every bite.
 
                                       
 
The Hangar steak was fantastic - just look at it. You have to admit that it's an impressive dish - one I wouldn't even come close to finishing, but my friend had no trouble putting it away. The steak is marinated for 7 days to the desired tenderness and served on a luxurious bed of garlic mashed potatoes. A handful or two of arugula was all that was needed to finish it off.

 
For my entree, I (finally) decided on the halibut. FYI, I was going back and forth b/w this dish and the scallops.  But I've had Fid's halibut before, so I knew it was a sure shot at spectacular - and it was. With a substantial crust and sprinkled with fleur de sel, the delicate fish was flaky and succulent. Served on a bed of crisp fingerling potatoes, a pile of tender steamed fiddleheads added freshness. This dish was nothing if not simple; only a few ingredients, it fact. But it was the simplicity that made it so delicious. That's what I love about Fid; generally, it's 'no fuss'.

Though I was thoroughly satisfied, I let my friend convince me into splitting dessert. We ordered the moelleux au chocolat; a molton lava cake dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with a lovely caramel sauce. Incredibly indulgent, the cake was delicious. Balanced on top was a crisp brandy snap twist; the perfect contrast to the soft, euphoric cake.

 
It's nights like these that make dining out so fun.  We had intended on a $30 or so meal;  pretty standard and low key. But switching it up to make a special night out of an ordinary one will make this dinner a memory, as opposed to a forgettable experience. With so many restos to choose from in Halifax, it's these kinds of memories that will keep me coming back to Fid.
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