Behind every great restaurant, there is an owner with an even greater story. Whether it’s a celebrity chef
yearning for the comfort of cooking at home again (see Atlantica restaurant, Newfoundland), a passion for
sourcing the freshest local ingredients (The Wooden Monkey, Nova Scotia) or a mix of the two, there is no
doubt the East Coast has a rich culinary history. In New Brunswick, venture into another establishment
(King’s Head Inn) that takes a lot of care in preserving the history of the dining experience in Atlantic
Canada, with timeless meals prepared in an authentic 19th-century setting. Each of our top five picks has
something for everyone, and every taste.
Atlantica Restaurant
38 Beachy Cove Rd., Portugal Cove St. Phillip’s, N.L.
Atlantica is more than a place to enjoy a fine meal; rather, its reputation for exquisiteness is prided on it
being an experience. Headed by executive chef Stephen Vardy, the menu is a class above your average
surf-and-turf place. With Vardy at the helm and a dedicated staff furthering the restaurant’s fine food
tradition, Atlantica offers a chance to escape the ordinary and experience food as art. A Newfoundland
native, Vardy has designed a menu that focuses on fresh seafood, prime cuts and ingredients from local
purveyors. Their attention to detail is evident in every dish, from the “House-Made” Lacquered Pork Belly to
the Bamboo Steamed Steelhead Trout, ensuring each choice is an experience worth repeating. After returning
from a long-time, successful career in Ottawa, Vardy today continues to win over his patrons with his charm
and passion just as easily as he did such stars and executives as the Rolling Stones, Wayne Gretzky, Casper
Weinberger, Liam Neeson, Joni Mitchell, Rick Mercer, and politicians including prime ministers and
premiers.
The King’s Head Inn
5804 Route 102, Prince William, N.B.
Have you ever wished you could travel back in time? The ambience of the King’s Head Inn helps grant that wish
to its patrons — wrapped up in a spectacular, unforgettable experience. The Inn is located in the heart of
Kings Landing Historical Settlement, a 19th-century living history museum. Everything in the village is time
period-appropriate, and the King’s Head Inn is no exception, giving visitors to the award-winning site a
truly 1800s experience, as the wait staff are all in period dress and the menu adheres to the typical fare of
that time.
The meals are traditional and simple, and what travellers in 1800s New Brunswick could expect at an inn,
explains public relations officer Krista Rae. The most popular item at the Inn, she says, is the homemade
molasses brown bread — many loaves of which visitors bring home tucked under their arm.
Typically, the settlement sees a variety of visitors — from the summer tourist to businesses, families and
couples — depending on the time of year. In addition, the King’s Head Inn has a diverse range of
offerings, such as Victorian Christmas, Valentine’s Day and All Hallow’s Eve dinners, group opportunities and
a “Daily Bill of Fare” for those who pop in for lunch as they visit the historic village. With enough to
please any historical buff, guests may not even feel that it is 1855 again when they can relax in the
soothing, warm, amicable atmosphere.
Nectar Social House
62 Ochterloney St., Dartmouth, N.S.
Former B.C.-based film industry pro-turned-accomplished restaurant owner Rae Kraushar says at the time, she
could never have imagined leaving one set for another scene. With the change in location, including a
brand-new career, came the highly anticipated Nectar Social House in Dartmouth. Even the name choice for the
establishment hints at something sweeter, like the joy of setting a goal and reaching it. Hence, the vision
for her chic, gourmet restaurant was born. With dishes such as Heirloom Roasted Beet Salad (featuring local
beets) and Seafood Thai Curry Penne, Nectar offers local delicacies with global influences.
With over 18 years of experience in her former career as an art and production designer in Vancouver,
Kraushar cites the need for personal change as what drove her decision to move back to her hometown. In many
ways, the dining experience is a testament to the owner’s spirit. “You can never imagine how satisfying it is
to actually stand in a place that was once only an idea,” she says. “The initial vision for Nectar has far
surpassed itself. All I could see, before the restaurant was created, were people eating food and drinking
wine; I had not anticipated that we would be a part of wedding engagements, wedding ceremonies, wedding
receptions, baby showers and so many more celebrations that at times may be a person’s most important and
memorable experience of their lifetime.”
Undoubtedly, this level of attention to culinary greatness would have had some part in Halifax Magazine
dubbing Nectar the newest “hot spot.” Few could argue against, with a mouth-watering menu that offers as much
variety as it does elegance.
Lakeside Restaurant @ Inverary Resort
368 Shore Rd., Baddeck, N.S.
As a member of Taste of Nova Scotia, Lakeside Restaurant at Inverary Resort is sure to offer guests a
memorable dining experience. Succulent seafood, pasta, lamb and garden-fresh salads are prepared for you by
expert culinary staff. And the service is as impeccable as the food, says Glen MacDonald, director of sales
and partnerships. In addition to Lakeside Restaurant, Inverary Resort offers further dining options including
a Scottish-style pub and what is described as “the greatest selection of wines, beers and ales on the
Island.”
While the main lunch and dinner venue is located waterside at Lakeside Restaurant, Flora’s Dining Room in the
main lodge is currently utilized for breakfast service, MacDonald explains, as well as group tour, conference
and special event dining. Start your day off right with a delightful breakfast while taking in the
breathtaking view of the Bras d’Or Lakes.
The Wooden Monkey
1707 Grafton St., Halifax
The Wooden Monkey is described as fulfilling a noticeable gap in the current Halifax restaurant scene,
providing a long-awaited place for health-conscious connoisseurs to enjoy a delectable meal. This notion is
enhanced by the realization that daily soups are made with spring water, as well as by the uniquely
made-from-scratch breads, pizzas and desserts. The restaurant’s commitment to creating a truly
community-oriented business continues with live music, local art and a lovely summer patio.
The knowledge, passion and desire for healthy eating needed a venue for owner Lil MacPherson — a place to
reach out to the masses. From the restaurant’s inception, MacPherson, also a mother of two, had a strong
desire to show the people of Halifax that she could run a successful restaurant that would not only serve
great fresh food, but also support local farmers and small businesses. The Wooden Monkey’s menu then is based
on the fundamental belief that small, organic farmers are among the best stewards to take care of our earth
and are essential in delivering the food that needs to be produced.
More than a venue, their dishes are a promise delivered from Nova Scotian farm-produced beef, chicken, pork
and lamb (all of which is free-range and/or all-natural), along with organic grains, flours and locally grown
organic veggies. Much to patrons’ delight, you will not find any microwaves or deep fryers in the kitchen,
but rather, environment-cleaning products, biodegradable cups and take-out containers.
