Harbour City Bar & Grill: A New Berth for Local Cuisine

I have always loved the energy of hotels.  Being amidst the hustle and bustle of people travelling is very alluring to me, so I was eagerly anticipating a visit to the recently renovated Harbour City Bar & Grill  located in the Delta Halifax.

A stunning wine display welcomes guests inside. Lit with funky lighting, there is an inviting mixture of modern and casual lines, light and dark wood tones and a sleek black granite bar. I can see how the space comfortably transitions throughout the day. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the restaurant opens at 7 a.m. and serves up until 11 p.m.

 
I happily relax into a high back leather booth where I meet with executive chef Les Stevens and food and beverage manager Adam Bower. Both are obviously proud of their new ‘home’, where they showcase a heavily locally-sourced menu.

I am pleased to find an entire page in their extensive wine list dedicated to Nova Scotia wines and choose a glass of Lucie Kuhlmann from Gaspereau Vineyards. The bar also carries both Garrison and Propeller craft beers, Ironworks Distillery spirits and has a cocktail menu infused with creative concoctions.

Adam takes me on a tour of the restaurant and my eyes are instantly drawn to shelves of jars housing an assortment of pickled and preserved fruits and vegetables. Although chef Stevens is classically trained, he proudly reveals that his grandmother has passed on generations of recipes for these bottled delights which he incorporates into some of his dishes. I love this nook of nostalgia and in the near future they will be available for guests to bring home.

As a treat from chef Stevens, I am brought a sample of the Medjool Dates which are found on the lounge menu. The meaty dates are stuffed with the wonderfully pungent Dutchman’s Dragon’s Breath blue cheese, wrapped in double-smoked bacon and are accompanied with sweet honey and crisp micro shoots. These tasty morsels would easily become a party favourite and I already want to rename them ‘make me drool’ dates.

After my friendly server, Ginette, brings me warm crusty bread with roasted tomato butter and an amuse bouche of chicken mousse atop roasted tomato marmalade, I start thinking that I had better pace myself…

For an appetizer, I choose the Nova Scotia Lobster. How could I pass up a butter poached tail and claw? Sitting artfully arranged with parts of the shell, the delicate meat rests on homemade crispy brioche with a creamy fresh herb emulsion, tenderly crisp peas and asparagus.

Chef Stevens and I clearly agree on one thing, butter makes everything better.

All of the main courses are tempting but I decide to go with local pork tenderloin which has been brined in sugar and salt then pan-roasted to a mouth-watering medium. It is anything but short on flavour. Some of the displayed pickled beets are used to create a tangy coulis paired with rhubarb compote, which combines deliciously with the pork.

Not one to dismiss a perfectly cooked vegetable, the little fingerling potatoes are expertly prepared. Little touches of fresh beet shoots and beautifully seasoned – this is definitely my kind of food.

First and foremost chef Stevens wants Harbour City Bar & Grill to be known for making “really good food”. Stevens’ creative passion for using local ingredients is easily felt and he is quick to compliment the skills of his culinary team and in recognizing the collaborative effort behind the scenes at the restaurant.

One of the unique items at the restuarant is a modern granite induction table. Chef Stevens will be creating specially designed menus, incorporating the induction table, which will allow for even more memorable dining experiences. Electromagnetic energy heats the food directly, keeping it at the perfect temperature right at the table. It would be the perfect location for a fun fondue party!

My affinity for hotels has been reignited and I am already looking forward to returning to the Harbour City Bar & Grill. The restaurant continuously offers feature menus, and even will validate two hours of parking.

They have just launched ‘tis the season to be festive’ for office parties, your New Year’s plans or to celebrate the holidays with friends and family. You can follow their events and menu changes by joining them on Facebook or Twitter or calling their festive hotline (902-492-6414).

Whether you are staying at the Delta Halifax or just want to experience something special, you won’t be disappointed in trying out this downtown gem.