Restaurant Classification

All food service establishments meeting the Taste of Nova Scotia membership requirements will be placed in one of the following categories:

Chef-Inspired Casual Dining

These are restaurants that place a particular importance on their chef and his/her role in designing menus and sourcing food and offering a casual dining experience. The criteria are:

• The chef is engaged in the operation on a regular basis
• The chef designs and develops the recipes
• The chef plans the menu and sources key foods
• The menu is locally inspired
• The menu is reviewed and updated at least seasonally
• Specials are featured frequently, based on local, seasonally available food and local wines and other beverages
• Servers are properly trained:
  • Know the menu well and able to describe recipes, ingredients and sources of local products
  • Are knowledgeable about Nova Scotia foods, wines and other beverages
  • Provide friendly, highly attentive service

Chef-Inspired Fine Dining

These restaurants also meet the foregoing criteria and place a particular importance on their chef and his/her role in designing menus and sourcing food but they offer a more formal dining experience.

Chef-Inspired Fine Dining restaurants must meet all of the above criteria and they must also meet the following additional standards:

• Offer at least one creative/special menu item daily
• Provide at least one complimentary ‘extra’ (at dinner) e.g. amuse bouche, palate cleanser, petit fours after dinner
• Provide linen or cloth table coverings, or high quality, luxury table tops
• Provide linen or cloth napkins
• Provide high quality silverware, crockery and glassware
• All condiments provided in crockery (no packaged condiments)
• Provide a reservations service

The Essence of Nova Scotia

Restaurants in this category would meet all of the basic Taste of Nova Scotia membership standards. They would be recognized as being in one of four subcategories:

1. A Nova Scotia Tradition

A restaurant or take out offering a quintessential Nova Scotia experience. To be in this category, restaurants must meet some combination of the following additional criteria:

• Be a favourite of Nova Scotians
• An oceanfront/oceanview location
• Décor, architecture or entertainment of Nova Scotia character
• A unique food of Nova Scotia

2. International

A restaurant that specializes in the foods of other nations, that offers limited or full service. The Taste of Nova Scotia listing will identify the type of international cuisine.

3. Pub & Eatery

A casual establishment that serves alcohol and a limited menu of food items.

4. Cafe/Tea Room

An establishment that serves tea, coffee and other light beverages, along with light meals, that offers limited or full service.