Read Part 1 HERE !
After settling into a room with a wonderful view of the next building's rooftop, we set out for our order of business: Food.
After settling into a room with a wonderful view of the next building's rooftop, we set out for our order of business: Food.
A vast assortment of eateries lined the streets of Downtown Halifax, ranging from Chinese, Korean, Middle Eastern (halal), Greek, and more.
We chanced upon an OCO Mart, which I insisted in stopping at. It was the equivalent of a very condensed H-Mart, carrying banana milk and the standard array of Korean groceries. There were no price tags on the products though, so a cost comparison could not be carried out.
We chanced upon an OCO Mart, which I insisted in stopping at. It was the equivalent of a very condensed H-Mart, carrying banana milk and the standard array of Korean groceries. There were no price tags on the products though, so a cost comparison could not be carried out.
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Late lunch was had at a McDonald's with fanciful decor and absolutely no kiosks to maintain the novelty of old-fashioned ordering.
Appetites appeased, the group proceeded with the next item on the itinerary. Despite the dreary conditions, we were set on laying eyes on one of the most representative landmarks of the province.
The drive to Peggy's Cove wasn't a particularly short one. With intensifying rain and weakening cellular signal, this mission only proved more grueling. We drove on eerily quiet local roads for such a lengthy period of time that I had began to wonder whether we were heading in the right direction at all.
But surely enough, the lofty trees eventually faded away, revealing a port and several surrounding houses.
But surely enough, the lofty trees eventually faded away, revealing a port and several surrounding houses.
To describe the setting as merely being "rainy" would be an understatement. Temperatures were much lower than expected, and winds much more powerful. Braving the treacherous coastal conditions in nothing more than a t-shirt, a worn-in cloth hoodie lined with pills, BamBam's Represent cap, and unwavering willpower, I suffered tragic consequences.
View the full album HERE !
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Being exposed for no more than a few minutes, my entire being was already soaked to the core. All electronics were safe, which I owe to my rainproof carrying case, but the rest of me was just one big ol' mess.
We ducked into the souvenir shop after securing as many images as the extraneous circumstances permitted. Saltwater taffy, a vivid yellow Sou'Wester hat, and a couple of cute magnets were some of the items we walked away with. (Thank goodness there was also a bathroom for tourist use.)
Word of note: the unforeseen rainfall caused the surfaces of the rocks to become slippery. To compensate for this lack of friction, it is recommended to wear hiking boots or shoes with deep treads. Besides the short staircase leading up to the lighthouse, there are no handlebars for fall prevention.
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Our first proper meal in the province took place once we returned to the downtown district. A table was reserved for 7:30 PM at the Harbour City Bar & Grill inside the Delta Hotel.
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We arrived just before our requested time slot, but failed to earn acknowledgement from any of the four staff members that passed by. The hostess was running around and assisting members of the waitstaff with order-taking and delivery with complete disregard for our piercing, ravenous glares. It was until closer to 7:40 - 7:45 PM that we were finally seated, and promptly abandoned.
Service was insanely slow. The waitress assigned to our table was amiable and observant, though definitely not the speediest. Entrées were not delivered until long after the starter bread slices and appetizers had been cleared, though we hadn't been asked at order placement time if we wished to have them served simultaneously.
On that note, the starter bread was rock hard; the variation with olives slightly better, but nonetheless stiff and underwhelming. The bucket was accompanied by two variations of butter: one (seemingly) whipped, and the other laced with chives/onions. The latter did not possess an apparent pungency, which was greatly appreciated.
On that note, the starter bread was rock hard; the variation with olives slightly better, but nonetheless stiff and underwhelming. The bucket was accompanied by two variations of butter: one (seemingly) whipped, and the other laced with chives/onions. The latter did not possess an apparent pungency, which was greatly appreciated.
< Pictured above and below: Ginger Ale, Warm Water, Ice Water, Lobster Club w/ Fries, 1 1/4 lb Lobster Supper, Acadian Seafood Chowder, S'Mores Crème Brûlée >
The order that had prompted our reservation was the 1 1/4 lb Lobster Supper. Valued at twenty-nine dollars, the set included a whole lobster, corn on the cob, drawn butter, coleslaw, and a small bread roll. One could also opt in for Local Steamed Mussels, Arcadian Seafood Chowder, and a Dessert of the Day for an additional fifteen dollars. This plate - add-on included - was undoubtedly the highlight of our entire meal.
The order that had prompted our reservation was the 1 1/4 lb Lobster Supper. Valued at twenty-nine dollars, the set included a whole lobster, corn on the cob, drawn butter, coleslaw, and a small bread roll. One could also opt in for Local Steamed Mussels, Arcadian Seafood Chowder, and a Dessert of the Day for an additional fifteen dollars. This plate - add-on included - was undoubtedly the highlight of our entire meal.
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Disregarding the bread roll that was as stale as our starter basket, the lobster accompaniments were formidable. The mini corn on the cob super supple sweet kernels that were brushed with butter and featured an almost indiscernible dusting of sea salt and pepper. No complaints could be made towards the coleslaw. It was refreshing; the usage of vinegar was minimal and neutralized with decent dose of creaminess. Lastly, the drawn butter was EPIC, utterly unlike that of the bland, soul-less fluid served at the Canal Street Market.
The Local Steamed Mussels appeared in a small cup. They were tiny, yet did not reveal signs of having shrunk from overcooking. Likely was it that they had been steamed until just cooked, then tossed lightly in a seasoning blend of finely-chopped onion and specks of black pepper. Not a hint of fishy stench could be perceived.
The Local Steamed Mussels appeared in a small cup. They were tiny, yet did not reveal signs of having shrunk from overcooking. Likely was it that they had been steamed until just cooked, then tossed lightly in a seasoning blend of finely-chopped onion and specks of black pepper. Not a hint of fishy stench could be perceived.
Retailing at seven dollars per cup outside of the Lobster Supper promotion, the Arcadian Seafood Chowder was exemplary of its league. The soup was lightly spiced, growing addicting with each successive spoonful. Its components of "Fresh Nova Scotia haddock, scallops, ice shrimp, onions, celery, potato, and smoked bacon" were delectable and of a great size - large enough to provide texture, while small enough to consume with ease. Moreover, the chowder was of the ideal consistency: adequately substantial yet not too runny.
Last but not least, the lobster flesh was fresh and springy - unlike the rigid nonsense that comes with 龍蝦伊麵 (lobster noodles) at Cantonese diners.
Last but not least, the lobster flesh was fresh and springy - unlike the rigid nonsense that comes with 龍蝦伊麵 (lobster noodles) at Cantonese diners.
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The Dessert of the Day was a positively heavenly S'Mores Crème Brûlée. The oval ramekin comprised of two main layers: a decadent chocolate custard base and generous heap of torched marshmallow fluff. At the surface of the custard was a distinct layer of glazed granulated sugar - just the right thickness for shards of crispiness to emerge from shattering, but not that the pieces would spike a hole in one's mouth. In spite of already being overloaded with fresh shellfish, the allure of the dessert was unmistakable. I did not try the graham cracker accents (as carbs would not relieve feelings of satiation), but the fresh, not-so-sweet strawberries were a nice touch.
Clocking in a nineteen dollars, the Lobstar Club paled in comparison to the Lobster Supper. Generously slathered between two pieces of charred, butter white bread was a creamy mixture of lobster meat and the ingredients of a traditional BLT. The sandwich seasonings were fine, but nowhere near yielding the same satisfaction level as the organic flavours of a whole lobster.
This was far from a good choice, considering we had had our bacon and blt/sandwich fix earlier with three full-sized McD's burgers.
This was far from a good choice, considering we had had our bacon and blt/sandwich fix earlier with three full-sized McD's burgers.
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Bathrooms were situated outside of Harbour City in the hotel lobby, but access was only granted to those with a guest access key. The implementation of this policy would serve to limit the number of non-guest diners tremendously. However, it led me to ponder about where those holding business meals would take their business to.
Tardiness and a short service setback aside, the evening ended with happy tummies and enthusiasm towards the ventures that lay ahead.
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