Nova Scotia 2013

John's Island, Nova Scotia

I made my second annual excursion to Nova Scotia last month. It was cool and rainy compared to last year, but I enjoyed catching up with friends and colleagues. Like last year, I arrived via Halifax and traveled immediately to the Annapolis Valley. From there I made multiple excursions to the Eastern Shore and the southern coast. I had the chance to try several new food items (including moose sausage). I also revisited some favorites from last year (fiddleheads and salt fish) and tried a number of new restaurants. Here are a few that I would recommend to anyone traveling in the area:

1. Henley House Pub - Sheet Harbor, NS
This is a cute little spot on the coast that I've visited three times. The first two times I came wondering in very late...dirty, cold, and tired. The kitchen was all but closed. Nonetheless, the staff was very friendly and provided a nice selection of bar foods. It wasn't until I made a regular meal-time trip that I realized what a gem this place really is. It was packed with locals (always a good sign), and the service was great. The menu is a mix of traditional Maritime favorites and British pub fare. I had a house specialty, the Maple Curry Chicken Penne. It was so good that my colleague threatened to lick her bowl and mine (don't worry we stopped her). I would highly suggest this place if you're traveling along the Eastern Shore. http://www.thehenleyhousepub.ca/

2. Library Pub - Wolfville, NS
Wolfville lies near the heart of the agricultural region of Nova Scotia and houses Acadia University. There are several pubs around town, but the Library Pub is probably the most "grown up." I don't mean that it's stuffy, but you won't get trampled by undergraduates on the way to your table. More importantly, the menu is a step above the usual chicken fingers. There's an eclectic vibe, a good selection of beer and wine, and a tasty menu. My friend and I each had the pesto pizza, and I'd order it again if I had the chance. The Library Pub is right downtown and easy walking distance from
campus.

3. Troy -  Wolfville, NS
This was a brand new restaurant when I visited. I usually hesitate to review restaurants that are too new because I don't want to send people to a place that might not be there long term. This isn't a commentary on the restaurants themselves so much as an industry that is frankly brutal to beginners. In this case, however, I'm going to be optimistic. Troy seems to be a very traditional Greek/Mediterranean restaurant with a variety of spicy and delicious foods. I'm not experienced with this type of cuisine, and for that reason, I really appreciated the number of sampler options they provided for folks like me. These allow new visitors to try a variety of things and learn what they like. This is just the sort of approach that is needed to introduce a new community to ethnic cuisine. I wish them luck in the coming year!

4. Dobbit Bakehouse - Musquodoboit Harbour, NS
Because I work on the Eastern Shore quite a bit, I travel through Musquodoboit Harbour fairly often. On the main drag through town, there is a bakery with the most delicious food. A friend tipped me off about this place before I arrived last year. I didn't think I would see it, but when I did, I was so surprised that I had to pull over and turn around. I'm really glad I did. Just grab a cinnamon roll or cookie and a cup of tea on a cool spring day, and you'll know what a trip up the coast is supposed to feel like.

5. Naked Crepe - Wolfville, NS
There's nothing particularly regional about this restaurant, but it's still a great way to start your day. They have an extremely diverse selection of sweet and savory crepes that extend way beyond the usual breakfast applications. I had a smoked salmon crepe with a poached egg to start and a banana nutella crepe to finish....The only thing I couldn't find on the menu was the stretcher I needed to wheel me out. Again, this restaurant is right on Main Street in Wolfville, an easy walk from campus. http://www.thenakedcrepebistro.ca/

If you want to know more about my experiences in Nova Scotia, please visit my two posts from June 2012. Before I conclude, I need to send out a huge thanks to the wonderful people who invited me into their homes and their lives over the last two years. It's a been an amazing journey, and although my research there has ended, I'm sure this is not really good-bye. See ya soon, eh!

Photos by Jenn Ballard