Local Tasting Tours Halifax

Now that I have your attention.........  I want to tell you about Local Tasting Tours! A new business in town. Last week I went on the very first taste tour in Halifax and it was worth every delicious morsel! Basically, it is a 90 minute walk full of foodie stops and stories. The tour I participated in takes us along Barrington Street.

It starts at the Fish Shop at Pier 20 ( in the Halifax Seaport Market) and after a yummy repast of smoked salmon, breaded haddock tips and fries, we headed out the door. Next stop was Uncommon Grounds where we sampled seedy oatcakes and learned about buying local and the story behind their successful "uncommon" biz.

Emily Forrest, a friend of mine, is the owner and leader of Local Tasting Tours. She did a great job entertaining and informing us all along the way. There is more to the tour than I will write about here, after all I want some of it to be a surprise if you decide to enjoy it.

This tasy morsel was from Morris East where the chef came out and told us a bit about her story and food philosophy. There were about seven different things going on with that mouthful, I had it without the meat and was still delicious!

We stop in front of Government House for a wee snack of Rum Runners cake and learn the history of the place and share a few laughs at the stories told.

This tour is the perfect balance of walking eating and talking:)

We proceed along Barrington Street until we get to Ciboulette. There we had stinging nettle soup and their most wonderful signature biscuits. The chef served us herself and we discovered the serendipitous story of how she came to be there. The food eaten on this tour varies a wee bit depending on the day but it was ALL delicious and one leaves feeling very satisfied.

I recommend it! $25 per person and a fun relaxing way to spend an afternoon, meet some new people and learn a bit more about this terrific city. You book your tickets online or can call 902.818.9055

Pavia Gallery, Espresso Bar and Cafe

Doesn't that look pretty? One day last week a friend and I went out for a small hike and a visit to Pavia Gallery Esspresso Bar and Cafe . This is a place I have been wanting to visit for AGES but just never seemed to find the time. Disgraceful really because it is not very far from where I live! It is named after a small town in Northern Italy.

You can find it at the juncture of Herring Cove Road and Purcell's Cove Road. We were there on a sunny Thursday afternoon and it was quite a bustling little spot. People coming and going. That is my big black bag getting it's fifteen minutes of fame, didn't even see it in this pic!

 Mmmm, treats..
The cafe always has an exhibit up on the walls. This one was fascinating! UK artist Ian Gilson who now lives in Herring Cove, has his first show in Canada. Read a review about it here. Photographer Alison Sanford also has some pictures on display in a little gallery at the back of the cafe.

Each of the wee boxes holds a tiny skeleton diorama. So curious and intriguing to look at.

Say Hi to Christopher Webb, the owner of this friendly cafe and a great artist in his own right. He is manning the super duper coffee console. I have to say, the coffee is AMAZING. They bring it in from Florence, Italy. Mokaflor is a small family coffee roasting business and Pavia are the only distributers in Canada. SO delicious.

Add what did I have for lunch? Roasted veggie panini!

After our little interlude at Pavia, we then drove around the corner to the Herring Cove lookoff and enjoyed a lovely walk along the coast.

Again, I wonder why I don't do this more often! (no excuse)That's a house on the bottom left.

 Aah, can't you feel that salty fresh air and hear the surf?

weekend escapery

Well, I finally got out of Dodge and spent a terrific weekend away from the city! I was worried that it wasn't going to happen but Saturday, the last day of July... I scooped my mum up and off we went.

First stop was the Hubbards Market. I have never been before and what a delightful busy spot. Music, flowers, food, veggies, crafts, something for everyone. The only disappointment was that two bloggy friends, Anna and Kirsten were not selling there this weekend! Missed you.

Fresh garlic! Aren't the colours great.

We then popped into the Trellis Cafe, also in Hubbards for a quick pick me up to help us on our way. Delicious food, art and occasionally live music! Hi Debra!

A cup of tea each and we shared this succulent apple cinnamon bun. Wow. Melted in our mouths. So good yet so bad:)

We then hopped into my trusty red car and eventually arrived here.....

to be continued....
Part 2 here