If one more idiot blows their horn on the former Armdale Rotary, now Armdale Roundabout, I may have to go get one of my dad's old guns out of lockup and use it. I am not talking about them blowing their horn at me, just in general. It is like everyone suddenly has decided they are Italian, and now have some God given right to hit another car, rather than touch a brake pedal on their way through the thing.
I have driven in England, and in Norway, where roundabouts are more common than four way stops and traffic lights here, so listen for one second: The key is remembering to be in the correct lane on the roundabout part. On the outside lane, you exit the next chance, thereby freeing up the outside lane for vehicles to move into (while signalling that lane change) so that they can then exit at their next opportunity.
Being on the roundabout does give you the right of way over vehicles not yet on it, but not over others who are also on it. Once there are two vehciles on the circle, normal lane right of way conventions apply. You can't change lanes indiscriminantly any where else. Or turn right from the left lane at a light. And you still have to indicate your planned movements by the use of your turn signal.
Exiting from the inside lane, as many people seem to want to do when entering from the Bay Road and exiting to Quinpool, does not work that well right now, and that is one of the things that will hopefuly be addressed in the upcoming design project HRM have recently advertised for the roundabout. For now, anyway, if you want to go to Quinpool from the Bay Road, use the right hand lane on entering the circle. Traffic from the left lane can then move over to the right after you exit and take Chebucto. There should be a quick slip ramp for Herring Cove Road, but almost no one goes there anyway.
Let's get back to being Maritimers, and hit the brakes before the horn!
And finally, there are still crosswalks there, and pedestrians we'd all like you to not run over.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Friday, December 22, 2006
O'Carroll's - the Return on my Birthday
I went back to O'Carroll's on my birthday, having a quiet lunch alone to contemplate my sorry existence. I chose the aforementioned fish cakes, after being assured by Bruce that they were indeed made there, by Colin. Yummy.
Had a few pints, including Pumphouse Scotch, Propeller Bitter, and Pumphouse Winter Warmer, and then a few of my friends arrived.
Needless to say, the evening continued apace. I started at 2 pm, and I think I hit the pillow at 2 am.
Most of the rest of the evening was spent at Rogues Roost, which is essentially my local. I am drawn for the beer, but I still eat there a fair amount. This day, I continued with the brain food theme and enjoyed the always excellent pan fried haddock with a baked potato. Several friends, including my brother and his wife, in from Calgary for Xmas, joined us, and we enjoyed a really great classic pub experience. Close friends in semi intelligent dicussion around great beer.
The evening ended up at home, following a ride in the cab turned birthdaymobile driven by Richard at Dusk til Dawn. Drank Orval with my brother until it was time to acknowledge that I really am now 49, the solstice was over, but I could go to bed secure in the knowledge that the days are now getting longer.
Had a few pints, including Pumphouse Scotch, Propeller Bitter, and Pumphouse Winter Warmer, and then a few of my friends arrived.
Needless to say, the evening continued apace. I started at 2 pm, and I think I hit the pillow at 2 am.
Most of the rest of the evening was spent at Rogues Roost, which is essentially my local. I am drawn for the beer, but I still eat there a fair amount. This day, I continued with the brain food theme and enjoyed the always excellent pan fried haddock with a baked potato. Several friends, including my brother and his wife, in from Calgary for Xmas, joined us, and we enjoyed a really great classic pub experience. Close friends in semi intelligent dicussion around great beer.
The evening ended up at home, following a ride in the cab turned birthdaymobile driven by Richard at Dusk til Dawn. Drank Orval with my brother until it was time to acknowledge that I really am now 49, the solstice was over, but I could go to bed secure in the knowledge that the days are now getting longer.
Lunch at The Cellar
Looking to eat at Il Mercado on this shopping holiday type day, we find it lined up out the door. Where to go? Wait, The Cellar is just around the corner, let's try there!
We are a party of 6, which can be a problem at times. Not today - we get a nice table in the corner, in the back room, which I like for the cosy warmth and overall feel.
Menus are provided, and we sit. And wait. And wait. Finally someone comes with water, I guess trying to make sure no one dies from thirst. We indicate, subtly, that we are ready to roder, and, in about five minutes a server comes to take drink orders. Um, no, we are now ready to order everything, perhpas even recite the menu by heart. But here, the journey takes a good turn.
The server figures it out, and says, OK, sure, let's go. And we get in our food, and drinks orders in one trip, bread (very tasty bread) arrives, and lunch is saved.
Remembering the old Inn at Bay Fortune potato/cheese/bacon strata thing they used to have here, I am happy to find it under the appetizer section. We order from all over the menu, and, with one aberration (they had run out of burgers?!? Huh? How does a restaurant run out of hamburgers at lunch?) everything comes as ordered. The shellfish eaters are happy, the wine by the glass is interesting, and fairly priced,the soups are very good, and flavourful. My spinach salad is yummy, with spicey coated walnuts and mandarin oranges; and the potato strata thing is excellent. The combination of the two, with my Portermill Station Chenin Blanc, makes for a nice, tasty and almost healthy lunch.
I had to leave a bit early, and don't know if the rest of my party got a dessert, but despite the initial feeling of being ignored by the wait staff, this was a good, happy dining experience. On my way out of the place, I see Cathy Levangie, the owner, relaxing at the bar with a glass of wine. I give her a wave, she acknowledges with a brief finger waggle, and I head out into the bright sun.
We are a party of 6, which can be a problem at times. Not today - we get a nice table in the corner, in the back room, which I like for the cosy warmth and overall feel.
Menus are provided, and we sit. And wait. And wait. Finally someone comes with water, I guess trying to make sure no one dies from thirst. We indicate, subtly, that we are ready to roder, and, in about five minutes a server comes to take drink orders. Um, no, we are now ready to order everything, perhpas even recite the menu by heart. But here, the journey takes a good turn.
The server figures it out, and says, OK, sure, let's go. And we get in our food, and drinks orders in one trip, bread (very tasty bread) arrives, and lunch is saved.
Remembering the old Inn at Bay Fortune potato/cheese/bacon strata thing they used to have here, I am happy to find it under the appetizer section. We order from all over the menu, and, with one aberration (they had run out of burgers?!? Huh? How does a restaurant run out of hamburgers at lunch?) everything comes as ordered. The shellfish eaters are happy, the wine by the glass is interesting, and fairly priced,the soups are very good, and flavourful. My spinach salad is yummy, with spicey coated walnuts and mandarin oranges; and the potato strata thing is excellent. The combination of the two, with my Portermill Station Chenin Blanc, makes for a nice, tasty and almost healthy lunch.
I had to leave a bit early, and don't know if the rest of my party got a dessert, but despite the initial feeling of being ignored by the wait staff, this was a good, happy dining experience. On my way out of the place, I see Cathy Levangie, the owner, relaxing at the bar with a glass of wine. I give her a wave, she acknowledges with a brief finger waggle, and I head out into the bright sun.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Fish and Chips in the BLIP Commercial Ghetto
I normally avoid it like the visual and social plague that it is, but every now and then, BLIP, which is to Clayton Park like Clayton Park is to Downtown Halifax, calls me.
Normally it is just the place to go to get your car legitimately stolen, so you can get a new one with the insurance. Just park near the theatres beside a panel van, and "poof", gone like Cinderella's panties in the pumpkinmobile.
This trip it was to try the fish and chips at Freddie’s Fantastic Fish House. They have recently moved from their trailer on the Peggy's Cove Road, where I frequented them last summer, to a very hard to get to, small, and now fatty smelling space on some cul-de-sac with a big survey firm (SDMM) on the end of it. Look for wider survey lines being cut through the woods this winter!!
The fish was very good, clean, fresh, and with a tasty batter that did enough, but not too much. The fries were yummy, but, and this is a first for me in Halifax, they were a bit on the short side in terms of serving size! The fish had one minor fault, in my fishy books - it was a tad mushy. I am not infirm (yet), and I don't want my fish to be (yet). I still have my teeth, you know.
This place was good, and if you ever find yourself in the scorching hell that is the Bayers Lake Industrial Park cum big box haven of the damned, go there for lunch and you will feel slightly better about yourself, despite having defiled your senses by even being in the park.
But Phil's is still the best "Fish and" in my book, and this is my book.
And watch out for fat surveyors.... there are no crosswalks or sidewalks out there, they may be waddling in the road.
Normally it is just the place to go to get your car legitimately stolen, so you can get a new one with the insurance. Just park near the theatres beside a panel van, and "poof", gone like Cinderella's panties in the pumpkinmobile.
This trip it was to try the fish and chips at Freddie’s Fantastic Fish House. They have recently moved from their trailer on the Peggy's Cove Road, where I frequented them last summer, to a very hard to get to, small, and now fatty smelling space on some cul-de-sac with a big survey firm (SDMM) on the end of it. Look for wider survey lines being cut through the woods this winter!!
The fish was very good, clean, fresh, and with a tasty batter that did enough, but not too much. The fries were yummy, but, and this is a first for me in Halifax, they were a bit on the short side in terms of serving size! The fish had one minor fault, in my fishy books - it was a tad mushy. I am not infirm (yet), and I don't want my fish to be (yet). I still have my teeth, you know.
This place was good, and if you ever find yourself in the scorching hell that is the Bayers Lake Industrial Park cum big box haven of the damned, go there for lunch and you will feel slightly better about yourself, despite having defiled your senses by even being in the park.
But Phil's is still the best "Fish and" in my book, and this is my book.
And watch out for fat surveyors.... there are no crosswalks or sidewalks out there, they may be waddling in the road.
Zen and the Art of 50th Anniversaries
Eight people. Four who eat traditional Chinese when they eat out, four who go for sweet and sour chicken balls. Possible, barely - two generations out to dinner in two pairs of pairs.
Zen is up in Clayton Park West, a part of the world reserved for car zombies, that sub race of people who cannot survive without a car. Designed by computer programs, with plans approved by wordprocessors, Clayton Park West is my personal idea of what hell probably resembles.
But even the car zombies have to eat, and sometimes, in the burbs, great food can be found.
I drove, therefore I ate:
Fried dumplings. A bunch of them - yummy. As good as any I have had, including King Wah.
'
Lemon Chicken, stolen from my Mom's plate - nothing special, Fans/Frans in Dartmouth, near BIO, is better.
Ginger Beef, bro-in-law Pete's fave thing from here, for good reason it turns out - I'll order this again. Coated strip of pork loin, double bite size, some heat, gingery, on the sweet side.
Mongolian Beef - great spice with some real death hot lurking then leaving, tender beef, needs more veg than comes with it, but excellent stuff.
Emperor's Pork Ribs - Partly dry pork chops in a BBQ sauce - I want General Tao's Pork, or whatever that guy's name was. Fan's again.
Cashew Chicken in "Brown Sauce". I put the quotes around the "brown sauce" because the stuff was "not brown". It was a freaky fluorescent red sauce that made you feel like an extra in a zombie dracula movie when you wiped your face with a napkin. YIKES! It glows in the dark! It tastes like cherries! Save me, this can't be food! But it is. I ate a bunch. I figure it is miles better than what my buddy Ed had to eat when in China. At least this was not looking back at me, or running on a wheel five minutes beforehand.
And I also ate a whole pile of steamed rice. This was a great meal, with interesting company (OK, it was my parent's 50 Wedding Anniversary and they were there with their actual best man and bridesmaid from 1956. That couple got married later, but on seeing me, chose not to have any kids, at least that's what my Dad used to tell me when I asked). It was "interesting" to see them trying some of the food my sister and her husband, and L and I ordered. My Dad had a look on his face with the Ginger Beef that was just like babies have when they get solid food for the first time. Probably what I looked like with my first beer.
I ate so much it hurt.
Only one light beer all night. Such a nice boy!
So if I ever get stuck out in Hell, at least I'll know where I can eat.
Zen is up in Clayton Park West, a part of the world reserved for car zombies, that sub race of people who cannot survive without a car. Designed by computer programs, with plans approved by wordprocessors, Clayton Park West is my personal idea of what hell probably resembles.
But even the car zombies have to eat, and sometimes, in the burbs, great food can be found.
I drove, therefore I ate:
Fried dumplings. A bunch of them - yummy. As good as any I have had, including King Wah.
'
Lemon Chicken, stolen from my Mom's plate - nothing special, Fans/Frans in Dartmouth, near BIO, is better.
Ginger Beef, bro-in-law Pete's fave thing from here, for good reason it turns out - I'll order this again. Coated strip of pork loin, double bite size, some heat, gingery, on the sweet side.
Mongolian Beef - great spice with some real death hot lurking then leaving, tender beef, needs more veg than comes with it, but excellent stuff.
Emperor's Pork Ribs - Partly dry pork chops in a BBQ sauce - I want General Tao's Pork, or whatever that guy's name was. Fan's again.
Cashew Chicken in "Brown Sauce". I put the quotes around the "brown sauce" because the stuff was "not brown". It was a freaky fluorescent red sauce that made you feel like an extra in a zombie dracula movie when you wiped your face with a napkin. YIKES! It glows in the dark! It tastes like cherries! Save me, this can't be food! But it is. I ate a bunch. I figure it is miles better than what my buddy Ed had to eat when in China. At least this was not looking back at me, or running on a wheel five minutes beforehand.
And I also ate a whole pile of steamed rice. This was a great meal, with interesting company (OK, it was my parent's 50 Wedding Anniversary and they were there with their actual best man and bridesmaid from 1956. That couple got married later, but on seeing me, chose not to have any kids, at least that's what my Dad used to tell me when I asked). It was "interesting" to see them trying some of the food my sister and her husband, and L and I ordered. My Dad had a look on his face with the Ginger Beef that was just like babies have when they get solid food for the first time. Probably what I looked like with my first beer.
I ate so much it hurt.
Only one light beer all night. Such a nice boy!
So if I ever get stuck out in Hell, at least I'll know where I can eat.
O'Carroll's - My New Downtown Pub?
Went to lunch at O'Carroll's with PK. On the way in the door I am greeted by the former bartender/manager from John Shippey's. In a very friendly manner (gee, did I tip that well?); and the owners are both behind the bar, schlepping drinks. Now I like that. It means that you get the service the owners want you to, doesn't it?
Beer selection, on tap, is great. I mean really good - enough to keep it fresh, but with a good selection of styles. They have Pumphouse beers from Moncton, Propeller, Garrison, and some OK imports. Bruce (one of the owners) tells me if they don't move a keg in a couple of weeks, that's it. I'm there with that.
The wine by the glass selection looks interestng, and is not small (about 6 each of red and white). This merits a return, which may happen a week later (check for future posts).
My lamb burger is really good, moist all the way through, good fresh bun, good stuff on it, including tzatziki, and some miny sour cream, maybe? The fries are OK, but a bit droopy. From real potatoes.
PK's fish cakes arrive in a cloud of suspicion. They look too good to have been made there, and the breading looks too "perfect" to be anything but a frozen pre-made product. This does not look good. After tasting, he is convinced that they are not mass produced, and could be made there.
I don't know if Colin, who was the chef at O'Carroll's the last time I was in the restaurant, is still there, but I know he has the "chops" to turn out fish cakes that look that good. The verdict? Still some uncertainty, but if the things were outsourced, then the source is pretty good. PK certainly ate them all.
And I'd do the lamb burger again. Right now!
We'll see how the New Year works out, but I could be very comfy reacquainting myself with Heather (Bruce's partner in more ways than biz) and the staff in this place.
Beer selection, on tap, is great. I mean really good - enough to keep it fresh, but with a good selection of styles. They have Pumphouse beers from Moncton, Propeller, Garrison, and some OK imports. Bruce (one of the owners) tells me if they don't move a keg in a couple of weeks, that's it. I'm there with that.
The wine by the glass selection looks interestng, and is not small (about 6 each of red and white). This merits a return, which may happen a week later (check for future posts).
My lamb burger is really good, moist all the way through, good fresh bun, good stuff on it, including tzatziki, and some miny sour cream, maybe? The fries are OK, but a bit droopy. From real potatoes.
PK's fish cakes arrive in a cloud of suspicion. They look too good to have been made there, and the breading looks too "perfect" to be anything but a frozen pre-made product. This does not look good. After tasting, he is convinced that they are not mass produced, and could be made there.
I don't know if Colin, who was the chef at O'Carroll's the last time I was in the restaurant, is still there, but I know he has the "chops" to turn out fish cakes that look that good. The verdict? Still some uncertainty, but if the things were outsourced, then the source is pretty good. PK certainly ate them all.
And I'd do the lamb burger again. Right now!
We'll see how the New Year works out, but I could be very comfy reacquainting myself with Heather (Bruce's partner in more ways than biz) and the staff in this place.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Citadel High vs. Citadel Hill - Urban Design
I've had two different people point out to me recently how much the new high school blocks the view of Citadel Hill as one drives from the Willowtree.
So I walked down Bell Road towards it - wow, they are right. Just about when you reach the CBC building, the famous landmark isn't a landmark anymore.
Although you can see it clearly from the far end of the Common by Cunard and Robie.
It really is a shame the school could not have been put on the old St. Patrick's site.
But it would never have made it on the QE site. I have seen plans already for a new emergency services extension from the Infirmary extending right over on to the Queen Elizabeth site - just like relatives waiting for the old girl to die, making plans with what to do with the estate.
So I walked down Bell Road towards it - wow, they are right. Just about when you reach the CBC building, the famous landmark isn't a landmark anymore.
Although you can see it clearly from the far end of the Common by Cunard and Robie.
It really is a shame the school could not have been put on the old St. Patrick's site.
But it would never have made it on the QE site. I have seen plans already for a new emergency services extension from the Infirmary extending right over on to the Queen Elizabeth site - just like relatives waiting for the old girl to die, making plans with what to do with the estate.
The Local Joint
I suppose that janes on the common is my true local restaurant, but I can't bring myself to think of it as "a joint". That title falls more to Freemans New York on Quinpool, where the crowd is relaxed, and somewhat changing, and the pizza really good, if you like the style of crust they do (which I do).
This place always impresses me in that they have Garrison and Propeller beer on tap, and it is always fresh when I visit. The staff are usually very professional, and very down to earth, which I find makes me very comfortable.
We sat near the bar, and I got a pint of Propeller Bitter very promptly, and we ordered a salad, Mousakka for L, and a Pizza for me, large enough to take some home for someone's lunch the next day.
I had to promise that I would not watch the sports on TV, and I managed OK with that, although I admit to being distracted by two couples over in the corner. I may be wrong, but they sure looked like two big guys in off the rigs for some shore time R&R (nudge nudge wink wink say no more) with two of Halifax's finest "best girlfriends your money can buy". When the girls came by on a trip to the ladies room (travelling in pairs), they got close enough to strengthen my initial suspicion. But I could be wrong.... They could be teachers, or something...
The salad (a simple caesar) was competent - most likely dressing from a big plastic pail, but OK, and the Romaine was fresh, the croutons snappy. It took a while, but the pizza arrived (with another Propeller) in fine form. The crust here is fluffy and crispy at the same time. Very bready. The meats on it come shredded, and evenly distributed over the pie - just very good "za".
Joe, the manager of Ginger's, was at the bar having a beer and a snack, and I said hi on the way out. Like me, this place is close for him, and as he said, "there's just something about the place I like". I agree.
Maybe it is all the brass rails in there, reminding us of our training days, learning to drink in the bars downtown.... Or maybe it is just the entertainment over in the corner.
This place always impresses me in that they have Garrison and Propeller beer on tap, and it is always fresh when I visit. The staff are usually very professional, and very down to earth, which I find makes me very comfortable.
We sat near the bar, and I got a pint of Propeller Bitter very promptly, and we ordered a salad, Mousakka for L, and a Pizza for me, large enough to take some home for someone's lunch the next day.
I had to promise that I would not watch the sports on TV, and I managed OK with that, although I admit to being distracted by two couples over in the corner. I may be wrong, but they sure looked like two big guys in off the rigs for some shore time R&R (nudge nudge wink wink say no more) with two of Halifax's finest "best girlfriends your money can buy". When the girls came by on a trip to the ladies room (travelling in pairs), they got close enough to strengthen my initial suspicion. But I could be wrong.... They could be teachers, or something...
The salad (a simple caesar) was competent - most likely dressing from a big plastic pail, but OK, and the Romaine was fresh, the croutons snappy. It took a while, but the pizza arrived (with another Propeller) in fine form. The crust here is fluffy and crispy at the same time. Very bready. The meats on it come shredded, and evenly distributed over the pie - just very good "za".
Joe, the manager of Ginger's, was at the bar having a beer and a snack, and I said hi on the way out. Like me, this place is close for him, and as he said, "there's just something about the place I like". I agree.
Maybe it is all the brass rails in there, reminding us of our training days, learning to drink in the bars downtown.... Or maybe it is just the entertainment over in the corner.
Art and Chives
A friend's new son-in-law had his art on display at Chives, downtown. She was going down to the viewing and planning on snacking while there. In fact she siad, "they were encouraging you to eat". Surprise, surprise.
That was more than enough reason to go, and despite the horrid weather, and L's pending dance class in the early evening, off we went.
The stuff on the walls was, well, pretty cool. Argyle Fine Art impacting on my life again, after last Friday's By The Glass wine and snacks event in the gallery, but with three new artists. And right in Craig Flinn's wheelhouse. Jason's stuff is made from styrofoam, and he gets some interesting textrues, and lighting effects on platter of it that are without scale, looking one moment like the surface of a planet from afar, and at another moment like the mud beneath your feet at low tide on the Bay of Fundy.
Not having a lot of time, I had a glass of Trapiche Pinot Noir, and ordered the bacon wrapped pork loin, with cheese perogies, red cabbage and roasted carrots. The food was wonderful, and if I could have changed anything it would have been to give me more of that cabbage! (and maybe make the perogies a bit cheesier, to match my sense of humour).
We scampered off into the night, L to her dance class, and me to an evening of brown bagged weird wines with a couple of my wine geek friends. Scuppernong! Morrocan red; Finger Lakes Riesling; and New Zealand Merlot.
Life is so tough sometimes....
That was more than enough reason to go, and despite the horrid weather, and L's pending dance class in the early evening, off we went.
The stuff on the walls was, well, pretty cool. Argyle Fine Art impacting on my life again, after last Friday's By The Glass wine and snacks event in the gallery, but with three new artists. And right in Craig Flinn's wheelhouse. Jason's stuff is made from styrofoam, and he gets some interesting textrues, and lighting effects on platter of it that are without scale, looking one moment like the surface of a planet from afar, and at another moment like the mud beneath your feet at low tide on the Bay of Fundy.
Not having a lot of time, I had a glass of Trapiche Pinot Noir, and ordered the bacon wrapped pork loin, with cheese perogies, red cabbage and roasted carrots. The food was wonderful, and if I could have changed anything it would have been to give me more of that cabbage! (and maybe make the perogies a bit cheesier, to match my sense of humour).
We scampered off into the night, L to her dance class, and me to an evening of brown bagged weird wines with a couple of my wine geek friends. Scuppernong! Morrocan red; Finger Lakes Riesling; and New Zealand Merlot.
Life is so tough sometimes....
Monday, December 11, 2006
janes on the common - dinner out
I already commented on how good jane's is for lunch, but last week we put it to a real dining out test. Dinner for four, during the busy time of the evening, around 7:00 pm. I think I have mentioned this mentioned before, but I am known there, as it is practically in my back yard.
Just one night after eating at Chives, we went out to jane's with my golf buddy Geoff and his wife Judy. After a preparatory drink and we walked over around 7 on a Wednesday night for dinner. It was about 15 minute wait for a table, but we did OK, and got the big old dining room table.
The specials on the board usually intrigue me, and this evening was no different. I ended up ordering both the soup and the main from the special board. Other choices around the table differed, except that most of us opted for the soup, advertised as "four onion and potato".
The wines, all served by the glass, carafe or bottle, I help the place choose them, so I cannot really comment fairly on them. Suffice to say they were served promptly, and were not corked. The odd thing about the service for the entire evening, for me, was that we seemed to be served "by committee". I know this is done in other places, but I am not used to it here, normally dining as a twosome, or even alone at the bar, I am more used to one person busing, and another doing the rest.
The soup was very tasty, and I ate it quickly, despite having ordered a bowl (I would normally order a cup). My only quibble was that is was more a gruel than a soup. Is it still called soup if you take out a spoonful and the hole you made isn't filled in by what remains in the bowl? It was hearty, and tasty, and hot. Darn fine soup, or gruel. My Eagle Tree Muscat was great with it.
My main course was a breaded veal, with the carbohydrate of the day and mixed veg. It was here that I was a bit let down from past performances at this restaurant. First, I count sweet potato as one of the things that counts as a side veg, not a main course carbohydrate. I don't really like it in any large amount, and here it was, taking the rightful place of real potatoes, rice, perogies, whatever! The veal was OK, but not as interesting as I have come to expect the food here to be, and a bit on the tough side. Chewey.
I have to point out that my dining companions fared better than I, enjoying their courses from the regular dinner menu. But one of my rules - the special HAS to be as good, or better than anything on the menu - was broken.
I took a chance and tried a white wine, the Boira Pinot Grigio from the Veneto, and it showed quite well with the veal, showing off the body this wine has while staying the course with adequate acidity.
Desserts were, as usual, just about perfect. This is one of the best places for those of us with a sweet tooth in the city. Creme Caramel done right.
Of course, as always with jane's, the finale, and maybe the best part, is the bill. $147 for four people each with three courses and three of us drinking wine.
And even better, Geoff picked up the tab. There was some very serious business discussion we had during dinner, of course.
Just one night after eating at Chives, we went out to jane's with my golf buddy Geoff and his wife Judy. After a preparatory drink and we walked over around 7 on a Wednesday night for dinner. It was about 15 minute wait for a table, but we did OK, and got the big old dining room table.
The specials on the board usually intrigue me, and this evening was no different. I ended up ordering both the soup and the main from the special board. Other choices around the table differed, except that most of us opted for the soup, advertised as "four onion and potato".
The wines, all served by the glass, carafe or bottle, I help the place choose them, so I cannot really comment fairly on them. Suffice to say they were served promptly, and were not corked. The odd thing about the service for the entire evening, for me, was that we seemed to be served "by committee". I know this is done in other places, but I am not used to it here, normally dining as a twosome, or even alone at the bar, I am more used to one person busing, and another doing the rest.
The soup was very tasty, and I ate it quickly, despite having ordered a bowl (I would normally order a cup). My only quibble was that is was more a gruel than a soup. Is it still called soup if you take out a spoonful and the hole you made isn't filled in by what remains in the bowl? It was hearty, and tasty, and hot. Darn fine soup, or gruel. My Eagle Tree Muscat was great with it.
My main course was a breaded veal, with the carbohydrate of the day and mixed veg. It was here that I was a bit let down from past performances at this restaurant. First, I count sweet potato as one of the things that counts as a side veg, not a main course carbohydrate. I don't really like it in any large amount, and here it was, taking the rightful place of real potatoes, rice, perogies, whatever! The veal was OK, but not as interesting as I have come to expect the food here to be, and a bit on the tough side. Chewey.
I have to point out that my dining companions fared better than I, enjoying their courses from the regular dinner menu. But one of my rules - the special HAS to be as good, or better than anything on the menu - was broken.
I took a chance and tried a white wine, the Boira Pinot Grigio from the Veneto, and it showed quite well with the veal, showing off the body this wine has while staying the course with adequate acidity.
Desserts were, as usual, just about perfect. This is one of the best places for those of us with a sweet tooth in the city. Creme Caramel done right.
Of course, as always with jane's, the finale, and maybe the best part, is the bill. $147 for four people each with three courses and three of us drinking wine.
And even better, Geoff picked up the tab. There was some very serious business discussion we had during dinner, of course.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Smoked Out at Tom's
It was something I just had to do. I mean growing up in the clubs and bars in Halifax the past 30 years, tobacco smoke had always been a part of the environment. Until recently, when we have rounded up all the sinners and put them into little terrariums to smoke their brains out, and if we can trick them, give us even more of their money by playing the fruit machines.
But someone rained on the party. Seems it was not enough to win, the anti smoking Nazis had to grind people's faces in it. Of course, there has been little thought as to what will happen now - my guess is that we will see an increase in cancer from second hand smoke, as those people who used to puff in the bars that has smoking areas will now do so at home, and poison their kids, instead of other smokers, and consenting adults.
I have seen people who really really want to quit, but just can't. I never did, but I have witnessed true addictions.
Of course, the businesses who depended on smokers are now faced with having to change or go out of business. Tom's Little Havana is known as a cigar bar. But no more. You can't use that product there anymore.
Last Thursday, November 30, was the last chance to light up in semi-private in Nova Scotia, at least legally. This was one of those things where I had to attend. I go to Tom's a lot, because I have friends who have the habit, not because I like to have my clothes smell like shit the next day.
I sat at the end of the bar with two off-shift staff, Denise (my long time buddy) and Rachel, who I know only in passing, and Penelope, who most people in the downtown recognize. We had a lot of fun chatting with all the people who came in for a last smoke, or just to see smoke in a bar. Half of Halifax's bar staff visited. Owners of other bars and restaurants, former staff, people who used to be in the biz (including Tom himself) and a bunch of familiar faces from the old Thackery's/Duck/Jury Room days. And a whole pile of irrelevant political types, too.
The cigars were on for 1/2 price - so I smoked a wee one (OK, 2), just for the occasion. They went great with Garrison Brown Ale.
At the end, sharing a cab home with Penelope, we could only agree that it was worth it to have been there, to witness the passing of an era.
The next day, a normally busy Friday, there were only 25 people in Tom's at 6:30. But I bet the already fabulous food tasted better.
But someone rained on the party. Seems it was not enough to win, the anti smoking Nazis had to grind people's faces in it. Of course, there has been little thought as to what will happen now - my guess is that we will see an increase in cancer from second hand smoke, as those people who used to puff in the bars that has smoking areas will now do so at home, and poison their kids, instead of other smokers, and consenting adults.
I have seen people who really really want to quit, but just can't. I never did, but I have witnessed true addictions.
Of course, the businesses who depended on smokers are now faced with having to change or go out of business. Tom's Little Havana is known as a cigar bar. But no more. You can't use that product there anymore.
Last Thursday, November 30, was the last chance to light up in semi-private in Nova Scotia, at least legally. This was one of those things where I had to attend. I go to Tom's a lot, because I have friends who have the habit, not because I like to have my clothes smell like shit the next day.
I sat at the end of the bar with two off-shift staff, Denise (my long time buddy) and Rachel, who I know only in passing, and Penelope, who most people in the downtown recognize. We had a lot of fun chatting with all the people who came in for a last smoke, or just to see smoke in a bar. Half of Halifax's bar staff visited. Owners of other bars and restaurants, former staff, people who used to be in the biz (including Tom himself) and a bunch of familiar faces from the old Thackery's/Duck/Jury Room days. And a whole pile of irrelevant political types, too.
The cigars were on for 1/2 price - so I smoked a wee one (OK, 2), just for the occasion. They went great with Garrison Brown Ale.
At the end, sharing a cab home with Penelope, we could only agree that it was worth it to have been there, to witness the passing of an era.
The next day, a normally busy Friday, there were only 25 people in Tom's at 6:30. But I bet the already fabulous food tasted better.
Drinking for Special Olympics
One of these days they are going to make drinking an Olympic sport, and then it will really be special.
Until then, we have our own annual Special Olympics fundraiser to keep us happy.
Everyone brings a wine that is special to them in some way, plus some cash for the privilege of tasting everyone elses' wines. This year the goal was to raise $1,200, and gosh darn, we did, raising $1,250 for this worthy cause.
The best part, even better than the wines, which were great, was listening to people explain why the wine they brought was special to them. This is a great equalizer, as something as sweet and innocent as Leah saying hers was the first good wine she ever drank, to something as complicated as Kevin's story about a Duke and Duchess and Nazi collaborators, all bear the same relevance, and interest.
We had a great time. I'm looking forward to it again next year.
Until then, we have our own annual Special Olympics fundraiser to keep us happy.
Everyone brings a wine that is special to them in some way, plus some cash for the privilege of tasting everyone elses' wines. This year the goal was to raise $1,200, and gosh darn, we did, raising $1,250 for this worthy cause.
The best part, even better than the wines, which were great, was listening to people explain why the wine they brought was special to them. This is a great equalizer, as something as sweet and innocent as Leah saying hers was the first good wine she ever drank, to something as complicated as Kevin's story about a Duke and Duchess and Nazi collaborators, all bear the same relevance, and interest.
We had a great time. I'm looking forward to it again next year.
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