Cabin Coffee, Halifax

Cabin Coffee, Halifax

• Coffee house vibe, check.
• Laid back, slightly spacey service, check.
• Big comfy chairs and couches, check.
• Whacky decor, check.
• Incredible baked goods, check.

Yup, Cabin Coffee is the real thing. But, unlike a lot of local coffee place hangouts, the coffee is actually pretty good. Staying just a block or so away, I went to Coffee Cabin a number of times and at different times of day. At lunch, they offered a good selection of soups (I had the tasty chili one day) as well as sandwiches.

As noted above, the baked goods were tasty (if a bit adventerous - the cinnamon roll was an interesting failure), the muffins and scones were outstanding.

Highly recommended.

Meal: Snack/Breakfast/Lunch
Date Visisted: 13-17 August 2010
Rating: ****
Address: 1554 Hollis St., Halifax, NS B3J 1V3, Canada
Website: N/A

Not Today: Beaver Tails

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

This post introduces a new feature: Not Today.

Not Today will be posts about places that I didn't eat and probably will never go to (or food dishes that will be permanent pass bys).

To kick off Not Today, we have "Beaver Tails". Not sure how pervasive this dish (?) is in Canada, but basically, it's a big flat piece of fried dough (roughly shaped like a "beaver tail") and covered in gooey sweet stuff of your choice.

Did I want a beaver tail? Not today!

Seen in: Haliifax
Date: 14 August 2010
Some other day probability: 1 out of 100

Dofsky's does mussels

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Dofsky's Urban Grill

Off to Halifax for a family wedding and when in the Maritimes, one must have mussels!

The rehearsal dinner was at Dofsky's, a nice comfortable spot which offered three different styles of mussels. I went with the "home" version, which was white wine, tarragon, and a touch of cream. An interesting blend, but not sure if I liked the cream. Still, quite tasty and a nice large serving (appetizer on the menu, but made for a full meal). I added a Caesar salad to compliment the ebony mollusks.

Of note was the selection of Nova Scotian wines. I'd never had one before. At dinner, there were two options, a red and a white. I went with the Marechal Foch which was quite good.

(sorry no mussels pictures ... they were too dark!)

Meal: Dinner
Date Visited: 13 August 2010
Rating: *** 1/2
Address: 1583 Brunswick Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J3P5, Canada
Website: http://www.dofskysgrill.com/

Salty's, a savory taste of Halifax

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Salty's

One couldn't ask for a nicer spot and day. Right on the waterfront at the Halifax boardwalk and a beautiful, clear and sunny day.

We had an outside table with a water view and stayed mostly with a seafood meal for lunch.

I went with the fish and chips (not something I usually get, so it would be a change). Haddock seems to be THE fish here in Halifax and that's what they were battering up at Salty's. The batter was nicely textured and the chips nice and crispy.

The fish and chips were served with tartar sauce, but was brought malt vinegar on request.

The other entries at the table, maple salmon, tuna sandwich, seafood chowder, all received good reviews.

Meal: Lunch
Date Visited: 14 August 2010
Rating: *** 1/2
Address: 1869 Upper Water Street, Halifax, NS B3J 1S9, Canada
Website: http://www.saltys.ca/

United 7644: IAD to YHZ, a Haiku

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

United 7644: IAD to YHZ, a Haiku

Well, what can you be written about a plastic cup of Mott's Tomato juice that hasn't been said a thousand time before by quills magnitudes sharper than mine?

And so, I won't try ... but wait, no, just a short haiku:

Mott's Tomato Juice.
In cup, with ice, plastic cup.
The can? Ah, on cart.

Meal: Beverage
Date Visited: 13 August 2010
Rating: N/A
Address: In the air
Website: http://www.united.com

R.I.P.: D'Acqua

R.I.P.: D'Acqua

D'Acqua had a great, if cursed location. This address on Pennsylvania Ave. has been the site of a number of restaurants over the years, but none seem to really stick.

With an Italian cuisine, it would seem a natural power lunch hit. But I'm afraid I never saw it full.

My one lunch there was alright, but not great. I had mussels in a tomotoe sauce - always a mistake, just too messy to really enjoy. The bread was really good though!

Meal: Lunch
Rating: N/A
Date Closed: 3 November 2009
Address: 801 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004
Website: N/A

R.I.P.: Bluepoint

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

R.I.P.: Bluepoint

On the site of the former location of John Harvard's, Bluepoint seemed to have a lot going for it. But it just never seemed to get going.

Went there for happy hour a number of times and there was always a good crowd. Nice filet sliders and drinks priced to go.

But the dining room never seemed to get a crowd (or even close to full). Generally, service was good and the food ok (a pecan crusted tilapia was good).

This is a great location, but it needs something to match that.


Meal: Drinks/Lunch/Dinner
Rating: N/A
Date Closed: Early 2010?
Address: 1299 Pensylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004
Website: N/A