What’s Cooking: June 19 – 25
From resorts and inns opening across the province, free coffee, and plenty of contests and giveaways, you don’t want to miss this week’s updates! Keep reading for a seasonal grocery list, a sweet summer recipe, and information on upcoming virtual and in-person events!
Resorts and Inns
This past weekend marked the re-opening of many resorts and inns across the province. With safety being a top priority, these staycation destinations are working hard to provide you with luxurious amenities and dining experiences. Amherst Shore Country Inn, Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa, Pictou Lodge Beach Resort, Quarterdeck Beachside Villas & Grill, Fox Harb’r Resort, Inverary Resort, Liscombe Lodge, Oak Island Resort & Conference Centre, Argyler Lodge, Chanterelle Country Inn & Cottages, Castle Rock Country Inn, Lane’s Privateer Inn, and White Point Beach Resort have now opened their doors to the public!
To raise even more excitement, Oak Island Resort & Conference Centre and Salty Dog Sea Tours have put together a giveaway package to welcome you back to their newly renovated resort. The contest closes on June 30 at 5 p.m., check out their Instagram (@oakisland4season) for how to enter!
The staycation giveaway package includes:
- A two night stay in an oceanside chalet
- Daily breakfast for two
- A boat cruise for two around Oak Island with a bottle of local wine and a gourmet picnic
- A welcome basket of goodies with a bottle of bubbly!
Tatamagouche Brewing Co.
Last week, Tatamagouche Brewing Co. celebrated their 6th anniversary with the launch of five new beers! The Guava Heist Berliner Weisse, Kitty Clyde DIPA, Instinct Brett Pale Ale, Observe Brett Lager, and Remused Sour Ale are now available online and in-store. On top of this, they released a limited edition Sixth Birthday Pack for $60, with an original price of $75. Cheers to six years!
The Barn Coffee and Social House
On Thursday, June 25, The Barn Coffee and Social House is hosting a Free Coffee Day in order to give thanks to the local community. Any regular size coffee or Americano is free of charge all day long!
Annapolis Cider Company
Annapolis Cider Company is hosting their annual #TapIntoSummer photo contest weekly throughout July and August! You can win a 3-pack of your favourite ciders delivered right to your door, and winners get the chance to be featured on display at the Cidery! Head over to their Instagram (@drinkannapolis) for details on how to enter.
The Canteen on Portland & Little C Takeout
The Canteen on Portland & Little C Takeout is now open for dine in (by reservation) and takeout service! Pre-order takeout online and pick it up from the Little C patio or stop by for lunch from Wednesday – Friday 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., and takeout dinners from Thursday – Saturday 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
They’re working to safely expand their hours in weeks to come, so make sure to keep an eye on their website! In other news, if you’re a food network fan, The Canteen chef and co-owner, Renée Lavallée, has just announced she will be returning to the second season of Wall of Chefs!
L’Acadie Vineyards
L’Acadie Vineyards is now open! They’re offering crush pad tastings by appointment and daily curbside pick-up from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. They’re celebrating the good news with the release of their new certified organic 2019 Estate L’Acadie. The wine has peach and passion fruit aromas with distinct orange zest flavours, it’s the perfect summer drink!
Just Us! Coffee Roasters Co-op
Just Us! Coffee Roasters Co-op has launched a Just! Share campaign with hopes of spreading positivity across the country. You can now send a full size bag of coffee with a personalized message to anyone in Canada for $4.95, the price of a latte. To show someone you love them a latte (and that they deserve coffee!), order here:
Garrison Brewing Company
Garrison Brewing Company’s limited edition Tall Ship Pack is now available at the Seaport and Oxford Taproom stores! The pack includes four specially marked HFX Wanderers FC cans and a face mask for $19.95. A portion of the proceeds are being donated to United Way Compassion Fund.
Boxing Rock Brewing Company
Imagine having an entire taproom for you and a few of your closest friends, Boxing Rock is making it happen. If you’re looking for plans on the July 3 and 4 weekend, make sure you enter their Private Taproom Experience Contest! Details on their Instagram (@boxingrock).
The Carleton
Thursday, June 25th at 4 p.m. The Carleton opened its doors and summer patio for dine in on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The popular live music venue and restaurant will once again be offering live music, full table service, and a takeout menu option.
Opening weekend, The Carleton will be featuring free evening performances by Michael Dalton (Thursday 6 – 9 p.m.), Jordan LeBlanc (Friday 6 – 9 p.m.) and the Tevon Tynes Trio (Saturday 7 – 10 p.m.).
Liquid Assets & Wines of Nova Scotia
Liquid Assets and Wines of Nova Scotia have teamed up to bring you a deal on the new 2019 vintage of Tidal Bay wines. Choose Tidal Bays from Sainte-Famille Wines, Grande Pre Wines, Benjamin Bridge, Gaspereau Vineyards, Luckett Vineyards, Jost Vineyards, Lightfoot & Wolfville, Mercator Vineyards, or Blomidon Estate Winery. They’re letting you mix and match 6 of your favourites from the collection for a set price of $125!
Restaurants Open for Dine In this Week
June 5th marked a special day across Nova Scotia – our local restaurants were given permission to safely re-open for dine in service! Here is a list of Taste of Nova Scotia members who have opened or are opening this week for dine in:
- White Point Beach Resort
- Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa
- Avondale Sky Winery
- Amherst Shore Country Inn
- Oak Island Resort & Conference Centre
- Pictou Lodge Beach Resort
- Inverary Resort
- Chanterelle Country Inn & Cottages
- Liscombe Lodge
Seasonal Grocery List
Summer is finally here and it’s bringing an abundance of local produce to your plate! We’re making your next grocery shopping experience easy by providing you with a list of seasonal ingredients and goodies which come from incredible local producers across the province.
Local Guide
- Strawberries:
- Agri-Growers Ltd: Available at Sobeys, Atlantic Superstore, and Independent retailers.
- Country Magic: Available at Sobeys, Atlantic Superstore, Independent retailers, and Walmart.
- Millen Farms: Available at Sobeys and Independent retailers.
- Noggins Corner Farm Market, Masstown Market, Stirling Fruit Farms Ltd., any other of the Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia
- Asparagus:
- Rhubarb:
- Cucumber:
- Agri-Growers Ltd: Available at Sobeys, Atlantic Superstore, and Independent retailers.
- Den Haan Greenhouses: Available at Sobeys, Atlantic Superstore, Independent retailers, Valufoods, Foodland, Freshmart, and No Frills.
- Stokdijk Greenhouses: Available at Sobeys and Independent retailers.
- Noggins Corner Farm Market, Masstown Market, Stirling Fruit Farms Ltd., any other of the Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia
Upcoming Events
Drink Atlantic Cocktail Festival
Drink Atlantic Cocktail Festival is a premier event celebrating and supporting Nova Scotia’s cocktail industry. This year, due to the current climate, the event has been moved online! Every weekend from June 13 – July 5, there will be free Zoom seminars at 12 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
On June 27, make sure you catch Rum 201: A Deeper Dive into Rum featuring Compass Distillers and Ironworks Distillery. On July 4, L’Acadie Vineyards and Barrelling Tide will be discussing the idea of ‘what grows together, goes together’ in the seminar Love for Local: Sparkling Wine Cocktails. For more information and links to the seminars click here.
Re-Open City
Since 2012, Open City created by I Love Local HFX has been the kick-off to the summer season for Halifax’s local shops and restaurants. Whether it’s back door takeout being served by some of the city’s top chefs, live entertainment, or rare deals at local shops, you never know what Open City has to offer.
In 2020, the organizing of Open City has been handed to Develop Nova Scotia, with a few adjustments. As Nova Scotia reawakens, the name of the event is now Re-Open City, and it’s taking place over four consecutive weekends, starting June 27 and ending July 19, with the goal is to create a warm, welcoming, and exciting atmosphere across Halifax.
Featured Recipe: Strawberry Cider Cocktail
The sunshine has finally made its way to Nova Scotia and the weather has been hot! Enjoy this refreshing Strawberry Cider Cocktail on those hot afternoons – featuring local cider, Steinhart strawberry vodka, and local, Nova Scotia strawberries.
How to Keep Supporting Local
With our province continuing to open up, there are plenty of opportunities to support local during this time! Whether it’s drinks on a patio, buying fresh local produce, planning a staycation, dining in, or ordering takeout – our Get Your Hands on Local page has you covered! Check it out to see how you can support local in any way you desire.
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