Stayner's Wharf Pub & Grill
Variety: Casual Dining
Address: 5075 George Street
Date Visited: Sunday, September 15, 2013
Orders: The Louisianan, Almond Cashew Chicken, Granny Caesar Smith Salad
Taste: 7 + 7 + 7 = 21/30
Portion Size: 8 + 8 + 9 = 25/30
Presentation: 10 + 9 + 7 = 26/30
Value: 4 + 9 + 9 = 22/30
Service: 7 + 9 + 7 = 23/30
Bonus: -
Minus: 1
Final Grade: 77% (Good)
(Scoring:
100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good,
60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40%
to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: P was in town for a visit from Britain so after a day trip to the south shore, we showed him around the waterfront before dinner. We decided to stop by Stayner's Wharf for dinner. We opted to sit outside and in hindsight were very glad that we chose to do so - the jazz from Jeff Goodspeed & Friends was great, but it was very loud inside which would have made it difficult to chat. The service was okay - a little slow despite a relatively light customer base (it was about 7:30pm when we arrived), and the tables around us were all pretty dirty, so it's possible that they were short-staffed. We were also a little freaked out by the plastic owls hanging above us, undoubtedly to scare pigeons away (might do the same to some customers!) - hence the negative point. By and large, the meals were good, and we invited P to join in the review (after all, he insisted on paying!). None of us were overly impressed by the taste - good, not great - but the portion sizes were reasonable. J's "Louisianan" was a bizarre crunch breaded chicken served over some garlic corn and other stuff - it looked like the big claw from U2's 360 tour, hence the 10 for presentation. T and P appreciated the value, but J felt that his was far too expensive for what it was, presentation be damned. P's Caesar Salad with Granny Smith apple was unique but not mind blowing. Of the lot, it's fair to say that T was the most satisfied with her meal, but none of us walked away disappointed. Overall, not a flawless meal, but a good one.
Final Verdict: Who knew glorified chicken fingers could be presented in such an interesting fashion?
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Review #51 - Bramoso Gourmet Pizzeria
Bramoso Gourmet Pizzeria
Variety: Pizzeria
Address: 6169 Quinpool Road
Date Visited: Thursday, August 15, 2013
Orders: Patio Pizza with Garlic Fingers, Pepperoni & Pineapple Pizza
Taste: 7 + 8 = 15/20
Portion Size: 7 + 8 = 15/20
Presentation: 7 + 8 = 15/20
Value: 7 + 8 = 15/20
Service: 7 + 8 = 15/20
Bonus: 2
Minus: -
Final Grade: 77% (Good)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: Out-of-town friend L was looking for a good place to eat. Neither of us had tried Bramoso before but we'd heard good things, and we were all in the mood for pizza. It was a gorgeous afternoon and we were thrilled to be able to get space in the comfortable chairs on the patio (hence the bonus point from each of us). In honour of this score, J ordered the Patio Pizza, featuring mango, prosciutto and avocado, while T preferred pepperoni & pineapple. J also ordered some garlic fingers for the table (they were decent). T & L went in to order first while J stood guard on the patio, and found the staff fun and engaging. When J went in afterwards, he found the staff kinda aloof. No matter. The pizzas arrived fairly quickly. T found hers to be tasty but nothing overly special. J took a risk - mango and avocado on a pizza? - and quite honestly, it was neither good nor bad. It just didn't seem like he was eating pizza, more like some vegetables on baked dough with a little bit of oil and cheese. All said, it was a nice meal but nothing spectacular. Not our favourite pizza in town, but certainly not our least!
Final Verdict: Awesome patio but pass on the patio pizza!
Variety: Pizzeria
Address: 6169 Quinpool Road
Date Visited: Thursday, August 15, 2013
Orders: Patio Pizza with Garlic Fingers, Pepperoni & Pineapple Pizza
Taste: 7 + 8 = 15/20
Portion Size: 7 + 8 = 15/20
Presentation: 7 + 8 = 15/20
Value: 7 + 8 = 15/20
Service: 7 + 8 = 15/20
Bonus: 2
Minus: -
Final Grade: 77% (Good)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: Out-of-town friend L was looking for a good place to eat. Neither of us had tried Bramoso before but we'd heard good things, and we were all in the mood for pizza. It was a gorgeous afternoon and we were thrilled to be able to get space in the comfortable chairs on the patio (hence the bonus point from each of us). In honour of this score, J ordered the Patio Pizza, featuring mango, prosciutto and avocado, while T preferred pepperoni & pineapple. J also ordered some garlic fingers for the table (they were decent). T & L went in to order first while J stood guard on the patio, and found the staff fun and engaging. When J went in afterwards, he found the staff kinda aloof. No matter. The pizzas arrived fairly quickly. T found hers to be tasty but nothing overly special. J took a risk - mango and avocado on a pizza? - and quite honestly, it was neither good nor bad. It just didn't seem like he was eating pizza, more like some vegetables on baked dough with a little bit of oil and cheese. All said, it was a nice meal but nothing spectacular. Not our favourite pizza in town, but certainly not our least!
Final Verdict: Awesome patio but pass on the patio pizza!
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Hfxfoodreviews Top 50
Since our first bite on April 15, 2010, we're pleased to have reviewed 50 Halifax dining establishments. We're also thrilled to have more than 1,300 followers on Twitter!
Our scoreboard is below - all scores are out of 100. Our average score is 77, which is also our median score.
Thanks for following! We'll be back with our next reviews soon!
(* denotes restaurants that have since closed...)
Chabaa Thai Restaurant 100
Mongolie Grill 96
Thai Ivory Cuisine 96
Il Mercato Trattoria* 93
Curry Village Indian Restaurant 91
Darrell's Restaurant 90
Mexico Lindo 90
Bearly's House of Blues and Ribs 88
Woody's Bar-B-Q 87
Boneheads BBQ 85
It's All Greek To Me* 85
Rock Bottom Brewery 85
Rogue's Roost Restaurant and Brew Pub 85
China Town Restaurant and Lounge 84
Swiss Chalet Rotisserie and Grill 84
Cheese Curds 83
The Keg Steakhouse and Bar 83
Morris East Restaurant 82
Flipburger 81
The Foggy Goggle Restaurant and Bar 78
Applebee's* 78
botaniCa restaurant* 78
Pizza Delight 78
Smitty's Family Restaurant 78
Mexicali Rosa's 77
Mr. Chang’s Chinese Food Emporium* 77
Silver Dragon Restaurant 77
Brewdebaker's Tap and Grill 76
Indochine Banh Mi 76
Jerusalem Cafe* 76
Cafe Istanbul 75
The Italian Market 75
Lady Hammond Bar and Grill 75
Victor’s* 75
Vinnie's Pasta Bar 74
Waterfront Warehouse 74
Cantina Mexicana 73
Kempsters Cookhouse and Eatery 72
Cousin's Restaurant 71
Taj Mahal* 70
Jungle Jim's 69
Boston Pizza 68
Steak And Stein Family Restaurant 66
Lions Head Tavern and Grill 65
Jean's Chinese Restaurant 63
Argyle Bar and Grill 62
Gatsby's Bar and Eatery* 59
Hamachi Mura 55
Athens Restaurant 54
Jack Astor's Bar and Grill 32
Our scoreboard is below - all scores are out of 100. Our average score is 77, which is also our median score.
Thanks for following! We'll be back with our next reviews soon!
(* denotes restaurants that have since closed...)
Chabaa Thai Restaurant 100
Mongolie Grill 96
Thai Ivory Cuisine 96
Il Mercato Trattoria* 93
Curry Village Indian Restaurant 91
Darrell's Restaurant 90
Mexico Lindo 90
Bearly's House of Blues and Ribs 88
Woody's Bar-B-Q 87
Boneheads BBQ 85
It's All Greek To Me* 85
Rock Bottom Brewery 85
Rogue's Roost Restaurant and Brew Pub 85
China Town Restaurant and Lounge 84
Swiss Chalet Rotisserie and Grill 84
Cheese Curds 83
The Keg Steakhouse and Bar 83
Morris East Restaurant 82
Flipburger 81
The Foggy Goggle Restaurant and Bar 78
Applebee's* 78
botaniCa restaurant* 78
Pizza Delight 78
Smitty's Family Restaurant 78
Mexicali Rosa's 77
Mr. Chang’s Chinese Food Emporium* 77
Silver Dragon Restaurant 77
Brewdebaker's Tap and Grill 76
Indochine Banh Mi 76
Jerusalem Cafe* 76
Cafe Istanbul 75
The Italian Market 75
Lady Hammond Bar and Grill 75
Victor’s* 75
Vinnie's Pasta Bar 74
Waterfront Warehouse 74
Cantina Mexicana 73
Kempsters Cookhouse and Eatery 72
Cousin's Restaurant 71
Taj Mahal* 70
Jungle Jim's 69
Boston Pizza 68
Steak And Stein Family Restaurant 66
Lions Head Tavern and Grill 65
Jean's Chinese Restaurant 63
Argyle Bar and Grill 62
Gatsby's Bar and Eatery* 59
Hamachi Mura 55
Athens Restaurant 54
Jack Astor's Bar and Grill 32
Review #50 - Darrell's Restaurant
Darrell's Restaurant
Variety: Pub
Address: 5576 Fenwick Street
Date Visited: Friday, August 9, 2013
Orders: Hen Den' Burger, Original Pita Club
Taste: 9 + 10 = 19/20
Portion Size: 8 + 10 = 18/20
Presentation: 8 + 10 = 18/20
Value: 7 + 10 = 17/20
Service: 8 + 10 = 18/20
Bonus: -
Minus: -
Final Grade: 90% (Excellent)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: We kinda butted heads on this one. T loves Darrell's, and her philosophy when it comes to this particular review was that this restaurant is the best in its class in Halifax. As such, she gave it a perfect score - perfect taste (loves the Darrell Fries), portion size, presentation, value and service. J thinks that Darrell's is pretty good and, yeah, it serves some of the tastier food in town. Still, he's never quite blown away by any of the categories - including on this trip. It's not that there was anything wrong, there just wasn't anything that truly set it apart from the other great joints in town. To be clear, the Original Pita Club is a quality sandwich, and the Hen Den' is a heck of a burger (lettuce, cheddar, bacon, chipotle mayo, guacamole, lettuce and a fried egg), but it is the most expensive non-lamb or turkey burger on the menu, and almost $15 (same as the Pita Club), eating at Darrell's is usually kinda pricey compared to other pubs in town. Regardless, one flawless review + a pretty good review = a really good review, vaulting Darrell's into a tie for fifth place in our hfxfoodreviews leaderboard!
Final Verdict: Great pub food vaults Darrell's into a tie for 5th place on our leaderboard!
Variety: Pub
Address: 5576 Fenwick Street
Date Visited: Friday, August 9, 2013
Orders: Hen Den' Burger, Original Pita Club
Taste: 9 + 10 = 19/20
Portion Size: 8 + 10 = 18/20
Presentation: 8 + 10 = 18/20
Value: 7 + 10 = 17/20
Service: 8 + 10 = 18/20
Bonus: -
Minus: -
Final Grade: 90% (Excellent)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: We kinda butted heads on this one. T loves Darrell's, and her philosophy when it comes to this particular review was that this restaurant is the best in its class in Halifax. As such, she gave it a perfect score - perfect taste (loves the Darrell Fries), portion size, presentation, value and service. J thinks that Darrell's is pretty good and, yeah, it serves some of the tastier food in town. Still, he's never quite blown away by any of the categories - including on this trip. It's not that there was anything wrong, there just wasn't anything that truly set it apart from the other great joints in town. To be clear, the Original Pita Club is a quality sandwich, and the Hen Den' is a heck of a burger (lettuce, cheddar, bacon, chipotle mayo, guacamole, lettuce and a fried egg), but it is the most expensive non-lamb or turkey burger on the menu, and almost $15 (same as the Pita Club), eating at Darrell's is usually kinda pricey compared to other pubs in town. Regardless, one flawless review + a pretty good review = a really good review, vaulting Darrell's into a tie for fifth place in our hfxfoodreviews leaderboard!
Final Verdict: Great pub food vaults Darrell's into a tie for 5th place on our leaderboard!
Friday, August 2, 2013
Review #49 - Mexico Lindo
Mexico Lindo
Variety: Mexican
Address: 3635 Dutch Village Road
Date Visited: Friday, August 2, 2013
Orders: Fiesta Plate (Burrito, Quesadilla, Rice and Beans)
Taste: 9/10
Portion Size: 10/10
Presentation: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Service: 9/10
Bonus: 1
Minus: -
Final Grade: 45/50 x 2 = 90% (Excellent)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: T is allergic to onions and there really isn't anything safe on the menu for her, so while she was out of town, I (J) took the opportunity to visit the best authentic Mexican cuisine in town. I was not disappointed! The salsa with the complimentary opening tortillas was burn-your-lips-off hot, which was enough to scare away the weak-willed, but definitely not a problem here! Decided to go with Combo 7 to get a taste of a couple of different menu items. I was able to snag the last Tepa Burrito of the night - a delicious spicy potato and sausage concoction that really hit the spot. That plus the rice (had corn in it - yum!) and beans were more than enough to fill me for tonight, leaving the intriguing Halifax quesadilla (cheese, ham, lettuce, tomato) for tomorrow's lunch. Bonus point for offering delicious Jarritos Mexican pop instead of the standard Pepsi/Coke fountain varieties - the grapefruit was delicious! I only wish that they'd add tamales to the menu...
Final Verdict: Best Mexican cuisine in town, but brace yourself for the spicy salsa!
Variety: Mexican
Address: 3635 Dutch Village Road
Date Visited: Friday, August 2, 2013
Orders: Fiesta Plate (Burrito, Quesadilla, Rice and Beans)
Taste: 9/10
Portion Size: 10/10
Presentation: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Service: 9/10
Bonus: 1
Minus: -
Final Grade: 45/50 x 2 = 90% (Excellent)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: T is allergic to onions and there really isn't anything safe on the menu for her, so while she was out of town, I (J) took the opportunity to visit the best authentic Mexican cuisine in town. I was not disappointed! The salsa with the complimentary opening tortillas was burn-your-lips-off hot, which was enough to scare away the weak-willed, but definitely not a problem here! Decided to go with Combo 7 to get a taste of a couple of different menu items. I was able to snag the last Tepa Burrito of the night - a delicious spicy potato and sausage concoction that really hit the spot. That plus the rice (had corn in it - yum!) and beans were more than enough to fill me for tonight, leaving the intriguing Halifax quesadilla (cheese, ham, lettuce, tomato) for tomorrow's lunch. Bonus point for offering delicious Jarritos Mexican pop instead of the standard Pepsi/Coke fountain varieties - the grapefruit was delicious! I only wish that they'd add tamales to the menu...
Final Verdict: Best Mexican cuisine in town, but brace yourself for the spicy salsa!
Review #48 - Smitty's
Smitty's Family Restaurant
Variety: Diner
Address: 1490 Martello Street
Date Visited: Sunday, April 28, 2013
Orders: Wake-up Special, Maple Sausage Special
Taste: 8 + 7 = 15/20
Portion Size: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Presentation: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Value: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Service: 9 + 9 = 18/20
Bonus: 1
Minus: 2
Final Grade: 78% (Good)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: Wow, sorry, forgot to post this review. Good thing we take notes! Better late than never? Anyway, we happened to be downtown on a Sunday morning and decided to stop by Smitty's. There was a big line but it moved pretty fast. J is usually a sucker for their skillets, but decided to go for the Wake-Up Special, which is your standard two-egg/bacon/pancake/juice kind of a deal. Hard to screw it up - it was fine but nothing overly special. The Maple Sausage special was similar, but had maple sausage instead of bacon and hash browns instead of pancakes. The maple sausages weren't the greatest - meat that's a little too sweet to eat isn't that neat. The service was good and bonus point for not seating us next to the screaming toddler. The two negative points, however, are due to the cleanliness of the bathrooms - there wasn't a toilet in the joint (men's or women's) that didn't have a floater. Ew.
Final Verdict: Solid standard breakfast, but for god's sake check the washrooms!
Variety: Diner
Address: 1490 Martello Street
Date Visited: Sunday, April 28, 2013
Orders: Wake-up Special, Maple Sausage Special
Taste: 8 + 7 = 15/20
Portion Size: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Presentation: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Value: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Service: 9 + 9 = 18/20
Bonus: 1
Minus: 2
Final Grade: 78% (Good)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: Wow, sorry, forgot to post this review. Good thing we take notes! Better late than never? Anyway, we happened to be downtown on a Sunday morning and decided to stop by Smitty's. There was a big line but it moved pretty fast. J is usually a sucker for their skillets, but decided to go for the Wake-Up Special, which is your standard two-egg/bacon/pancake/juice kind of a deal. Hard to screw it up - it was fine but nothing overly special. The Maple Sausage special was similar, but had maple sausage instead of bacon and hash browns instead of pancakes. The maple sausages weren't the greatest - meat that's a little too sweet to eat isn't that neat. The service was good and bonus point for not seating us next to the screaming toddler. The two negative points, however, are due to the cleanliness of the bathrooms - there wasn't a toilet in the joint (men's or women's) that didn't have a floater. Ew.
Final Verdict: Solid standard breakfast, but for god's sake check the washrooms!
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Review #47 - Bearly's House of Blues and Ribs
Bearly's House of Blues and Ribs
Variety: Pub
Address: 1269 Barrington Street
Date Visited: Saturday, March 23, 2013
Orders: Burger Week Special (Texas Burger with Fries)
Taste: 9 + 9 = 18/20
Portion Size: 9 + 9 = 18/20
Presentation: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Value: 10 + 10 = 20/20
Service: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Bonus: -
Minus: -
Final Grade: 88% (Excellent)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: In the midst of the Burger Week euphoria, clearly we forgot to post this review. Better late than never, right? Anyway, as referenced in our Burger Week Special, despite having lived around the corner, J had never ventured into the iconic blues house, though T had visited on occasion during her university days. Anyway, the $5 Burger Week special was the Texas Burger with fries. Automatic 10 out of 10 for value, there! They were excellent burgers (nice kick with a particularly soft and fluffy bun), decent fries, and the meal was filling but not super-greasy so we didn't feel like arse for the rest of the day. You REALLY don't want to eat a burger that makes you not want to eat another burger during Burger Week, right?
Final Verdict: Though it's usually $11.75, it's definitely well worth that. Enjoy!
Variety: Pub
Address: 1269 Barrington Street
Date Visited: Saturday, March 23, 2013
Orders: Burger Week Special (Texas Burger with Fries)
Taste: 9 + 9 = 18/20
Portion Size: 9 + 9 = 18/20
Presentation: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Value: 10 + 10 = 20/20
Service: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Bonus: -
Minus: -
Final Grade: 88% (Excellent)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: In the midst of the Burger Week euphoria, clearly we forgot to post this review. Better late than never, right? Anyway, as referenced in our Burger Week Special, despite having lived around the corner, J had never ventured into the iconic blues house, though T had visited on occasion during her university days. Anyway, the $5 Burger Week special was the Texas Burger with fries. Automatic 10 out of 10 for value, there! They were excellent burgers (nice kick with a particularly soft and fluffy bun), decent fries, and the meal was filling but not super-greasy so we didn't feel like arse for the rest of the day. You REALLY don't want to eat a burger that makes you not want to eat another burger during Burger Week, right?
Final Verdict: Though it's usually $11.75, it's definitely well worth that. Enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
