skip to main |
skip to sidebar
When in Halifax, Nova Scotia, it seems almost a crime to not visit a seafood shack-type establishment. Would that be considered a touristy thing to do? We seemed to addressed this with the Mike's Pastry post in Boston. Well, we didn't end up eating lobster with a mallet out on a picnic table. Rather, we went to the Bicycle Thief right along the waterfront in Halifax. Not only is it not a seafood restaurant per se, it is more of a pasta place. But it came highly recommended by more than one person.
We started off with the Lobster Chowder which was pretty pricey for $14.00. When it arrived, the portion size was fairly large as the bowl was pretty deep. It was rich and creamy with a little tomato tang. Interestingly, it was an excellent creamy vegetable soup with generous bits of celery, carrots and onion (which weren’t mushy). However, it didn’t taste like a lobster chowder. In fact, there was very little in the way of lobster meat at all.
Moving onto my 6th Lobster Roll, I shared one with Elaine. This one was very different than the ones I’ve had so far as it was a mix of lobster meat, celery, parsley and mayo. Hence there was much more texture and crunch. I’m not a huge fan of this type of lobster roll as I find the lobster gets lost. In this case, it was overwhelmed by the amount of salt used. I did like the soft and warm bun though and the lobster was definitely fresh. The side of fries were more like crisps, but good nonetheless. I also shared the Seafood Spaghettini which was on point with lots of garlic and chilis. Hence, the flavours were intense and appealing. The pasta was al dente while the seafood was prepared properly including the buttery seared scallops.
Viv had something along the same lines with the Linguine with Seafood. Once again, the ingredients were prepared properly including the meaty shrimp that had a firm snap. The noodles were nicely al dente and salted. As for the sauce, it was tangy and bright. Both of our kiddies decided on the same dish (oh the horror!) in the Cheese Ravioli. This was also good with tender pasta pockets with lots of well-seasoned ricotta. The filling was moist, but hardly wet or soggy. They were topped with a tangy tomato sauce that was flavourful and impactful.
Costanza’s oldest son had the Gnocchi with bacon in tomato sauce. Although the sauce looked incredibly tart, it wasn’t at all. In fact, it was super mild and thick. However, the bacon really came through with both a crunch and saltiness. As for the gnocchi, they were soft and tender while not mushy. His other son had the Spaghetti and Meatballs which was a huge portion sporting meaty and lean meatballs. These were not dry and well-spiced. The pasta was al dente like the other dishes while the tomato sauce was balanced, well-seasoned and mild.
Costanza had the Fried Chicken Sandwich. The chicken was fairly moist and well-seasoned, but the coating was not crunchy at all. Exacerbating the problem was the overabundance of mayo. On the other hand, it wasn't terrible either as it ate okay as a whole. In fact, most of the dishes were quite solid, especially the pastas. With that being said, the lobster roll and chicken sandwich weren't particularly memorable.
The Good:
- Tasty Pastas
- Beautiful location
- Attentive service
The Bad:
- Other dishes were average
- A little pricey
We've all seen Peggy's Cove before on TV, in paintings, pictures and on the internet. The place is picturesque and is just bubbling over with Canadiana. Another one of my bucket list items, it was our first destination once our ship docked in Halifax. We went straight to the car rental office (in the train station across the street) and hightailed it there. We originally planned to stay only an hour but ended up enjoying the beauty for more than 2 hours. Sometimes the seemingly simplest, less glitzy places is where you can enjoy yourself the most...
So far, the cruise yielded a good selection of appies and entrees, but the menu this time had probably the least appealing appetizers. As such, I got the most interesting item in the Venison Sausage Soup which was not as salty as I would’ve guessed. Rather, it was pretty mild with a good amount of flavour from the sausage and veggies. I found it clean and fairly tasty. The Tomato & Mozzarella Salad with toasted foccacia was less than inspiring with not enough dressing to add any impact to the dish. The cheese was fresh and texturally on point while the tomatoes were fine too.
It was great that Costanza’s youngest son got to order something off the adult menu in the veritable Spaghetti and Meatballs. This was an elevated version consisting of al dente spaghettini laced in a fresh tasting and mild tomato sauce. However, the meatballs were lacking, not in flavor, but texturally, they were really mushy. The rest of the kiddies all went for the Short Rib which was fall apart tender. It wasn’t exactly melt-in-their-mouths, but it was soft and still a bit meaty (which was a good thing). The reduced braising sauce was full of depth and meatiness as well as being properly seasoned.
For myself, I went for the Seared Black Cod which was nicely prepared. The meat was still buttery and flaky despite being a little overdone (black cod is generally a forgiving fish). It was well seasoned and sat on a bed of wilted spinach which was a tad salty. I would’ve liked to see the spinach less cooked though. I also had the Veal Tenderloin which was attractively grilled and super moist. I found it mildly seasoned while the tasty jus was lacking in quantity. I found the polenta underneath a bit stiff, but well-seasoned.
For dessert, the Snicker’s Cake literally took the cake. Although the chocolate cake was a bit dry, the peanut cream and chocolate ganache made up for it. Furthermore, the lack of sweetness of the cake nicely balanced the cream. Hence, the cake was aromatic and not as sweet as it appeared. Costanza thought this was one of the better slices of cake he's had in awhile. On the other hand, the Pear Crepes were downright terrible. Not only was it bland, the crepes were akin to thin cardboard. We were not sure how they managed to mess this up so badly.
For myself, the Hazelnut Mousse was airy and light while of course not very sweet (well it could be sweet, but they used a moderate amount of sugar substitute). I found the hazelnut to be a little fake tasting, but okay nonetheless. Viv had the Peach Crisp which was okay but lacking in varied flavours. It was mostly sweet and not very hot. So really, the temperature had a major impact where there was no aroma nor activated flavours. Other than a few highlights, this unappetizing menu did deliver on its promise of mediocrity. I would learn a little later on a subsequent Holland America cruise that one of the midweek meals would be just as blah as this one.
I've seen countless pictures of Peggy's Cove and it has always been on my bucket list. Finally, we were able to make it out there as we rented cars near the pier in Halifax. We had planned to stay only for an hour or so, but the scenery was so seductive (yes, really), that we ended up leaving over 2 hours later. The view and surroundings were so iconic and Canadian that we couldn't get enough it. Oh and also, I stopped for yet another lobster roll at Maritime Pasty as well as some dessert from Dee Dee's next door.
I found the Lobster Roll to be heavy on the bread and low on the lobster content. Hence, it ate heavy due to the bottom side of the roll which was all bread. The bread was not overly dense, as it was fresh and soft, but just that it was without filling lead to this heaviness. As for the lobster, the chunks were rather small while still buttery with a light rebound texture. There was very little mayo which was a good thing. On the side were some chips, pickle and slaw.
Costanza lined up at the next window and went for Dee Dee’s ice cream with the Mixed Berry consisting of blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and blackberries. It was mostly smooth with a few ice crystals. I found it thick and rich with only a purposeful amount of sugar. The berry flavours were impactful and apparent. Considering the location of the ice cream shop, this was more than acceptable and actually bordering on very good.
He was not done there though as he got a Root Beer Float for his son. This was the beneficiary of bottled root beer which meant it wasn’t watered down nor syrupy tasting. The same smooth and creamy ice cream added a nice body to the float. I'm not sure if any of these items were a good choice right before dinner, but what the heck, we were on vacation! Oh and also, why not stop at a tourist trap? This was the very definition as there were limited services at Peggy's Cove.
The Good:
- The fact we had anything to eat beyond the actual restaurant at Peggy's Cove was a plus
- Okay considering the tourist trap thing
The Bad:
- Not bad, but if we were to compare...
I guess hitting up The Pinnacle Grill on our first night and then subsequently being treated to our first formal night dinner at The Rotterdam main dining room, our expectations were rather high. If the food was anywhere close to previous experience with Holland America aboard the MS Oosterdam, then the rest of our meals would be more than acceptable. With that in mind, we set our sights on dinner on day 3 back in the main dining room.
At first, Viv’s Carpaccio of Beef Tenderloin looked rather strange and not very promising. However, looks were deceiving as the meat was buttery and melted-in-our-mouths. There wasn’t a whole lot of seasoning other than the olive oil, a tiny bit of parm and mustard on the side though. We also had the Smoked Seafood Sampler featuring smoked trout, mackerel and scallop. I found the items to be relatively smoky and well-cured, but the salmon was rather dry. The mackerel was fairly buttery as well as the scallop. The apple horseradish sauce on the side was not overly strong, which paired nicely with the smoked seafood.
The best appie of the night was the Salt Cod and Lobster Cake as it was fairly mild-tasting. The texture of the cod was surprisingly moist (as moist as it could be) while the lobster content was minimal. We loved the crispy well-seared exterior which was also well-seasoned. The tartar sauce worked well with a creamy and light tang. Costanza’s son had the Shrimp Corn Chowder which was creamy and sweet. The small shrimp were buttery and added another layer of natural sweetness. Although the menu described the cream on top a brandy whipped, we couldn't taste much of it.
For my entree, I had both the Boston Lager Strip Loin Steak and the Sauteed Pork Chop. I could definitely taste a lager finish with the well-seasoned steak. It was really tender and well-rested. Although it was succulent, the steak was more medium, than medium rare. I found the sauce to creamy and impactful. The pork chop on the other hand was somewhat dry (although not dry enough to be inedible). It was well-seared and seasoned. I liked the flavourful and meaty reduction as well as the plum chutney. I loved the chewy kale as well as the tender quinoa. It was salty though.
Viv and Elaine had the Bucatini with Duck which was excellent. The pasta was nicely al dente and not clumpy. On top, the shredded braised duck was tender like confit and incredibly rich in flavour. There was a meaty depth that penetrated the noodles. The kiddies had the Rosemary Roasted Chicken which was relatively moist, even the white meat. The skin was somewhat rendered and tasty. The gravy was also very flavourful with a meaty depth and saltiness. The red skin mashed potato was creamy and garlicky. As much as the brussels sprouts were rather pale, they were not mushy.
Costanza’s son had the Broiled Halibut with lime-tarragon aioli. By first looks, it appeared to be well-prepared. Sadly, it was dry though mostly due to it being probably frozen. It was nicely spiced with an herbaceous acidity. Underneath, the quinoa wild rice mix was chewy and well-seasoned. On the other hand, Costanza’s Grilled Salmon was practically perfect being nicely seared and buttery flaky inside. It was also well-seasoned with an herby ginger-cilantro pesto that had a slight sharpness. This dish was surprising as fish can be very hard to prepare on a large scale.
For dessert, the Alize Cake was soft, airy and light. The passionfruit mousse in the middle was creamy and not overly sugary. The sponge cake was also soft and light. Loved the fruit compote on the side as it added a burst of sweet tanginess. We didn’t enjoy Elaine’s Warm Chocolate Cake as it was dense and mealy. It was rather bland as well except for a minor chocolatey bitterness. Even the promise of bourbon whipped cream didn't add much to the dish. However, the fresh blueberries were tasty...
On the other hand, the Mango Blueberry Crisp was really good with big hits of fruit while just sweet enough. We liked how visually we could see the fruit and hence as a result, the dessert was not without substance. To top it all off literally, the topping was buttery and crunchy. Compared to our first 2 meals so far, the 3rd night was hit and miss. To be fair, it was still pretty good considering cruise food can often be glorified catered fare. The attention to detail was there at the very least.
After a solid meal at The Pinnacle Grill, we settled into our assigned table at The Rotterdam main dinning room. The second night of the cruise happened to be the first formal night. So we dressed up to the nines for our meal (not that I love being in a suit while eating). Turns out that it wasn’t a good experience as someone smudged whipped cream all over the back of my brand new jacket. At the very least, they paid for my dry cleaning. Yet at the same time, this was not something that was necessarily impressive either.
Getting to the food, I began with the Escargots with garlic and butter. This was a pretty classic preparation with sinfully tasty melted butter. There was enough garlic and cheese for full impact and flavor. The snails themselves were soft, yet not mushy. I would’ve liked more crostinis to soak up the sauce. I guess I could've just ate it like soup... Yet, I also had the Creamed Artichoke and Carrot Soup, so I didn't have to eat all that butter... This was nicely pureed where it was smooth, yet at the same time had chunks of artichoke and carrot added for texture. The soup was creamy and naturally sweet.
Viv decided on the Salad of Arugula & Frisee and it was pretty good for a salad (since we are rarely impressed with any salads...). The ingredients were fresh while the balsamic vinaigrette was balanced and impactful. Loved the sweet elements such as the pear and Mandarin organges that helped balance the taste. Viv also had the Orange Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail which was similar to the one I had at The Pinnacle Grill being meaty with a firm snap. Loved the natural sweetness as well as a light saltiness. Interestingly, the accompanying dip was a cilantro lemongrass aioli. It was aromatic and not acidic like cocktail sauce.
For my entree, I had the Rack of Lamb with tomato couscous and garlic pearls. The meat was prepared a nice medium (it wasn't overdone) which meant the natural juices were still there. I found the lamb to be succulent and tender while nicely seasoned. I thought the cous cous underneath was also good texturally and flavor-wise. Viv had the best dish being the Maple-Lacquered Duck Breast which was tender and well-seasoned being the right balance between salty and sweet. I wish the skin was rendered more though. Underneath, there was corn-cranberry pudding, candied figs, braised Swiss chard and cider-vinegar sauce. There was an abundance of sweetness that was balanced by the sauce.
My daughter went for the Yellowfin Sole Fillet which was lightly coated and pan fried. The batter was a bit soft, yet mildly seasoned. The fish itself was soft and not overdone, but there needed to be more of the sauce vierge since the dish was bland and somewhat dry. On the other hand, the smashed potato crab gallette was excellent being soft and slightly crisp on the outside while appealingly salty. The rest of the kiddies had the Baked Ricotta Stuffed Shells which were blessed with a tasty and fresh garlicky tomato sauce. It was tangy and sweet while bright including plenty of basil. The shells were slightly soft, but not mushy where the ricotta filling wasn’t too wet either.
For dessert, almost everyone had the Chocolate Souffle which were mostly collapsed. However, they weren’t dense at all. Flavorwise, they were good being semi sweet while accompanied by a creamy and tasty chocolate sauce. It was sweet, but not too much. I had the Black Forrest Cake and it was very light featuring fresh whipped cream. The cake itself was moist while not overly chocolatey. I wished the cherries were more tangy though. But this was not bad considering it was a sugar-free option. Overall, this was a pretty solid meal for the main dining room. Definitely a cut-above that of the most recent cruises I've been aboard Royal Caribbean and Norwegian.
Originally, I was going to pay the Lazy Lobster a visit in Bar Harbor, Maine on our first port of call on our cruise. However, it turned out to be out-of-business. It really didn’t matter as we ended up on a trolley tour of the place for 2.5 hours. We weren’t aware that the place was a playground for the rich and famous! While returning back to the pier, the driver pointed out Downeast Deli which featured a $12.95 lobster roll. We made it out there despite early dinner reservations a few hours later.
I chose the Classic Lobster Roll prepared cold for this time since the last 3 were hot and buttered. For the price, the roll was decent in size. It was more of a snack size which was fine by me. Despite this, the amount of buttery and fresh lobster meat was substantial. I liked how there was only a light amount of mayo. I found the bun to be a bit denser than I would’ve liked.
I also decided to try their Lobster Stew featuring the same amount of lobster found in the roll. It was mainly prepared lobster meat added to a buttery and creamy broth. I found the lobster to be on point just like the roll being sweet and springy. However, the broth was forgettable as it was too rich and not really tasting like anything. Lastly, I got the New England Clam Chowder as well. It was pretty thick, yet not overly creamy. It was slightly briny and not really full of any ingredients. I found very little in the way of clams or potato. So as you can see, the lobster roll is the main thing to get here. The other items were pretty forgettable.
The Good:
- Inexpensive
- They don't skimp with the lobster
- Friendly people
The Bad:
- Clam chowder lacks ingredients
- Stew broth not appetizing
Posts
When in Halifax, Nova Scotia, it seems almost a crime to not visit a seafood shack-type establishment. Would that be considered a touristy thing to do? We seemed to addressed this with the Mike's Pastry post in Boston. Well, we didn't end up eating lobster with a mallet out on a picnic table. Rather, we went to the Bicycle Thief right along the waterfront in Halifax. Not only is it not a seafood restaurant per se, it is more of a pasta place. But it came highly recommended by more than one person. 
We started off with the Lobster Chowder which was pretty pricey for $14.00. When it arrived, the portion size was fairly large as the bowl was pretty deep. It was rich and creamy with a little tomato tang. Interestingly, it was an excellent creamy vegetable soup with generous bits of celery, carrots and onion (which weren’t mushy). However, it didn’t taste like a lobster chowder. In fact, there was very little in the way of lobster meat at all.
Moving onto my 6th Lobster Roll, I shared one with Elaine. This one was very different than the ones I’ve had so far as it was a mix of lobster meat, celery, parsley and mayo. Hence there was much more texture and crunch. I’m not a huge fan of this type of lobster roll as I find the lobster gets lost. In this case, it was overwhelmed by the amount of salt used. I did like the soft and warm bun though and the lobster was definitely fresh. The side of fries were more like crisps, but good nonetheless. I also shared the Seafood Spaghettini which was on point with lots of garlic and chilis. Hence, the flavours were intense and appealing. The pasta was al dente while the seafood was prepared properly including the buttery seared scallops.
Viv had something along the same lines with the Linguine with Seafood. Once again, the ingredients were prepared properly including the meaty shrimp that had a firm snap. The noodles were nicely al dente and salted. As for the sauce, it was tangy and bright. Both of our kiddies decided on the same dish (oh the horror!) in the Cheese Ravioli. This was also good with tender pasta pockets with lots of well-seasoned ricotta. The filling was moist, but hardly wet or soggy. They were topped with a tangy tomato sauce that was flavourful and impactful.
Costanza’s oldest son had the Gnocchi with bacon in tomato sauce. Although the sauce looked incredibly tart, it wasn’t at all. In fact, it was super mild and thick. However, the bacon really came through with both a crunch and saltiness. As for the gnocchi, they were soft and tender while not mushy. His other son had the Spaghetti and Meatballs which was a huge portion sporting meaty and lean meatballs. These were not dry and well-spiced. The pasta was al dente like the other dishes while the tomato sauce was balanced, well-seasoned and mild.
Costanza had the Fried Chicken Sandwich. The chicken was fairly moist and well-seasoned, but the coating was not crunchy at all. Exacerbating the problem was the overabundance of mayo. On the other hand, it wasn't terrible either as it ate okay as a whole. In fact, most of the dishes were quite solid, especially the pastas. With that being said, the lobster roll and chicken sandwich weren't particularly memorable.
