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Chives Canadian Bistro
Categories: Restaurants Canadian (New) Restaurants Gastropubs Canadian (New), Gastropubs [Edit]
1537 Barrington StHalifax, NS B3J 1Z4
(902) 420-9626
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 5 pm - 9:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
33 reviews for Chives Canadian Bistro
Review Highlights
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"I've met Chef Craig a couple of times, have and love his..." In 3 reviews -
"...buttermilk biscuits with butter and molasses on the side." In 3 reviews -
"The standout was the lobster crusted haddock which was..." In 3 reviews
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33 reviews in English
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Review from Valerie S.
Dartmouth, NS
5/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've always avoided this place because I thought it was too expensive, but in all honesty it was on par with the rest of the places I go. My husband met me at work and surprise whisked me to this lovely place on my birthday, what a treat!
At 5:00 the place was pretty empty but we got a cozy nook and I got a bench seat which I LOVE. The decor is subtle and the light is perfect, and the music just soft enough :) After reading the menu I got really excited to see all the lovely local flavour and we dove right in. I ordered the proscuitto wrapped haddock with springtime risotto, my husband got a curried lamb shank and we split an appetizer of homemade sausage with lentils and a delish tomato chutney of some sort. BUT..
My love of free bread knows no bounds, but this place has biscuits. HOT biscuits with whipped butter (nice soft butter that just melts onto the yummy warm biscuits) and the most delicious molasses I have ever had. It was so good, I melted!!
Our appetizer was amazing, and our meals were just lovely. I scarfed down what I could and took the rest home with no problems. I would have loved to try dessert but I had birthday cake waiting for me at home :)
Can't wait to return, the service was lovely and our water was kept full, the only con was that the bathrooms were located all the way down in the basement which was quite a hike! -
Review from Kathy J.
Halifax, NS
5/1/2012 ROTD 5/11/2012
This past Valentines Day (well a few days later) I may have had the best meal I've ever had in the HRM. Chives is that good. The service was stellar, the atmosphere is both inviting and romantic, and the food, well no wonder they've been collecting those awards for over ten years.
The appies, a braised short rib and flash fried oysters, were both beyond amazing. So many flavors and textures married together so perfectly. I am making myself hungry just thinking about it. For mains, we enjoyed the braised local lamb and a trout dish off a featured Dine Around menu. Again, both incredible in execution and taste. I don't even like lamb and I could have devoured the entire lamb shank. For real. And do I even need to mention dessert? A moist flourless brownie with peanut butter gelato, dulce de leche, chocolate sauce, and candied peanuts. OMG is right.
Sure, a trip to Chives may be pricey because, lets face it, you want the wine and the appy and the main and the dessert. But so very worth it.Listed in: Local Love
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Review from Helena S.
North End, NS
3/1/2012
Last night marked my second visit to Chives, in order to sample their fixed, 3-course meal for the Dining Around NS festival. I remember the other meal I had year very fondly, so I came with high hopes, and wasn't disappointed.
First came the biscuits. So much nicer than starting with bread, and they really are perfect. I make a mean biscuit myself, but these are so light and fluffy, while also being rich and buttery. Perfect. And I love that they're served with molasses and butter.
The fixed menu gave you a few options for three courses. I started with the beef short rib, which was drool-worthy. The meat was incredibly tender, the cheddar polenta and small bit of tomato ragu complemented it perfectly, and the hickory sticks were a fun little twist and super tasty. My parter started with the spinach/mixed green salad, with bacon, and grilled mushrooms. It was large, and hit every note perfectly.
I got the steelhead trout, while my partner tried the pork schnitzel. I think my choice was best! The trout was divine, perfectly cooked, sitting atop a little pile of cabbage in a cream sauce, with some coins of fingerling potatoes, and tiny squares of pickled beet peppered about. I grew up eating pickled beets on the side of every sunday dinner, but had never had them served like this, and I loved it. They were nice little bright punches every few bites. So good.
The schnitzel was good (the hollandaise sauce it was served with was incredible), but the side of "alpenmacaroni" seemed a bit bland. Maybe it just seemed so in comparison to everything else, which were all hit out of the park.
The dessert was fine, but didn't quite live up to the high level set by my first two courses. I have no real complaints about it, but it didn't wow me either. I think the peanut butter ice-cream was overpowered by the chocolate cake, which was a little too soft for my preference, but I did love the candied peanuts.
The wine pairings were all lovely, though I did drink the dessert wine separately, as I found the appleness of it strange in tandem with the chocolate.
I can't wait to come back again! -
Review from Meghan W.
5/14/2012 1 photo
Thanks for kickin' it up a notch on day two of Open City, I got my Chives burger and it was delish! We got there before opening time but they were already grilling up a storm. Craig Flinn and his staff chatted with us while they cooked and we skipped down to the waterfront to eat our take aways. Nice attention to detail, yum!
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Review from Charles T.
Halifax, NS
2/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
I finally made it to Chives tonight. Thanks to his involvement in Slow Food Nova Scotia I have known about Craig Flynn for awhile and have been a fan of the work he does, so have been excited about the prospect of eating at Chives.
The night lived up to my expectations in so many ways. First the service was some of the best I have ever had at a restaurant. The staff was attentive but not so much that they were constantly interrupting our conversation which I find sometimes happens. The decor was nice, I know nothing about interior design and really don't care about the decor, but it was nice. The tables were a great size. I often hate sitting at the small tables at some restaurants have. By the time you get plates and a few glasses on it, there is no room.
My friend started with the Spinach and Arugula Greens Salad with double smoked bacon, grilled portabello mushrooms, old growler gouda and truffled caper aioli. I had the Balsamic Glazed Beef Short Rib with cheddar polenta, smoked tomato ragout and hickory sticks.
The salad was large and impressive and she enjoyed it very much. I was very impressed with the look of it, although I did not try it. My short rib was heavenly. Beautifully glazed and so tender. Just a stunning plate of food.
With both went for the Pork Schnitzel with Swiss "alpenmacaroni", market vegetables and grainy dijon brown butter hollendaise. This is where the lose a star for me. I think I has having a bit of buyers remorse not going with the trout by the time the plates were served. I so rarely order the same thing as the person I am dining with but I had a hankering for a piece of pork.
The pork was a little clammy and a little tough compared to schnitzels I have had in the past. Also felt it was a little under seasoned. I found the hollendaise too lemony for my tastes and was really all you could taste. The Swiss alpenmacaroni was a little dry, although I liked the flavour a lot. Just needed to be a little more saucy for my personal tastes. I noticed someone else had sent it back while we were eating after a couple bites. I just found the dish underwhelming, not bad to the point it had to be sent back, just lacking and it had me wishing I had gone with the trout.
For dessert we have "THE PEANUT BUSTER" which was a warm flourless chocolate cake, chocolate ganache, candied Virginia peanuts, dulce de leche and peanut butter ice cream. I am not a dessert person, rarely eat them and almost and almost never enjoy them, just have a limited sweet tooth. But this was delicious. Very rich, but very good. I almost ate the whole thing which is almost unheard of with me and a dessert.
My friend had the wine pairing with her meal and loved the wines. I couldn't tell you what they were but she really enjoyed them.
By far the best part of the meal though was the simple but wonderful biscuit with butter and molasses. It was perfection. I found it a little pretentious serving them in a brown paper bag, but it was forgiven when I took a bite. I love biscuits and love molasses on them even more. I would have been happy with a meal of just the biscuits and molasses.
All in all it was a wonderful experience. I loved everything about Chives and what it represents. I would love to give it five stars and am tempted to even though I didn't enjoy the main, but as an experience it was my favorite dining experience in some time, and that includes a couple restaurants I have given five stars to. The service alone really warrants five stars, just a fabulous place to enjoy a meal! -
Review from Jim C.
12/14/2011 ROTD 2/21/2012
My first time here was within the context of a staff xmas party, so I have no idea how stuff cost in the end - just happy I was able to be part of the party.
First impression after climbing the stairs was "oh, smaller than I thought".
the bar had Garrison red & St-Ambroise Blonde on tap and I noticed a safe door, a big one.
I stuck my head inside and saw the cutest table for two I've ever seen. Then I noticed that this was the wine cellar. Guys, this is where you bring your lady friend for the special moment - the kind where you get on your knee.
Meal started with their buttermilk biscuits with whipped butter & molasses. They served it warm inside a paper bag. Sorry mom, these biscuits were awesome.
Next was roasted celery root & Parsnip soup - wow.
Second course was panzanella stuffed tomato salad. Served cold, this was the first time I ate such an item.
Main course was basil pesto stuffed chicken breast. Presentation was great. At the end of it, I was satisfied...but wait desert!
Warm chocolate cake with eggnog creme brulee. Holy Moley. very small portion, but extremely delicious.
Needless to say that if you want an interesting menu sourced locally as much as possible, then this is a good option.
Servers were friendly and quick, being on Barrington means quick in & out by cab or if you are parked nearby at the Metro park.
I'd probably call ahead to make reservations during those busy times of year such as xmas or feb 14 just to be on the safe side. -
Review from Hannah S.
Halifax, NS
12/6/2011
December 4th, 2012 marked 10 years of casual, fine dining in Halifax brought to us by the incredible team of Chef Craig , Chef Darren, George and their prompt, polite and friendly staff! I am a firm believer that no Birthday should be limited to just one day - heck, I take a full month - so I decided to see how much Chive's I could squeeze into their birthday week (and if you've ever tried their food - you'll know that a diner will never leave here hungry)! On Monday, I stopped by Ciboulette Cafe for Chef Craig's famous Broccoli Salad. On Wednesday, I dined at Chives pre-Prince. On Thursday, I sent my parents in for dinner since they dine out a lot and hadn't been in far too long. On Friday, I recommended Chives to 3 different people. And on Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending their Birthday Party and trying all kinds of Chive's 'special snacks'! Not a bad week if you ask me!
A friend (who is also a Chef) said to me the other day, "I feel like Chive's makes the food I dream about and the food I never knew existed". This is 100% true, I feel like Chef Craig always come up with combinations of my favourite things or use familiar ingredients in a way I could never imagine.
The menu changes on a regular basis in order to keep inline with local buying practices - but it encourages be to revisit the resto at least every 3 months since you never want to miss out. Do yourselves a favour when ordering and make sure everyone gets something different as you will definitely want to taste everything and you might not get another chance!
Some Chive's favourites over the years include:
Craigs Heirloom Tomato Salad - from his own garden
Pulled-pork and back bacon perogies
Heirloom Beet & pear salad with goat cheese
Cajun Oysters - I hope these never leave the menu!
Mediterranean lamb - also a fave out of Craig's cookbook
Seafood Risotto with huge scallops and lobster - YUM!
Braised beef short ribs - seriously these things were life changing!
and most recently....
Sesame seared Swordfish with orzo and veg -
Review from Melanie M.
Dartmouth, NS
10/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been to Chives a couple times now, and I must say I'm very glad Halifax has a place like this. I'm struggling between rating it 4 or 5 stars.
My first Chives experience was the summer before last. I had wanted to try Chives for years, so I finally threw caution to the wind and decided to have a splurge night. I convinced a friend that she too deserved a splurge, and we both thoroughly enjoyed our experience. I can't remember exactly what I ordered, but I remember that I loved it. I also remember the suggested wine pairing was bang on. And the freshly baked buttermilk biscuits with butter and molasses on the side? Perfection!
Honestly, I don't remember much else about the evening. The memory of an amazing meal seems to obliterate all other details, so I remember little about service etc. Chances are service was fine if I don't remember.
Last month, I took my parents here for their 40th anniversary with the help of a Groupon. Our server was fantastic. He was super helpful and answered all of my parents' questions patiently (they are meat and potato people, so their questions ranged from 'What is polenta?' to 'What is risotto?'). As we were ordering, I mentioned the Groupon because some places require you to present it upfront. He very graciously waved it away, saying his motto is food first, details later. And when the time came to pay later on, there were no problems at all.
We had checked out the menu online beforehand, and I knew exactly what I wanted. When we opened up our menus, however, they were completely different. This is a HUGE pet peeve for me. I had such a hard time choosing what to get because everything sounded amazing. I finally went with the Lobster Crusted Haddock. My mom chose the Roast Chicken and Mushroom Pasta, and my dad ordered the Pork ' N Polenta. My meal was delicious, don't get me wrong, but I suffered major food envy when I saw the other two dishes. Particularly the Pork 'N Polenta. And my parents raved about their meals! My mom rarely raves, so this is huge. Mine was great, but not quite rave-worthy to be honest.
Later that evening, Chef Craig Flynn tweeted that he had launched the new fall menu that day. So that explains why the menu online was wrong. I can cut them some slack here, but ideally the new menu should have been posted that day.
I love the way they use the space here, and the atmosphere is perfect. I'd love to eat in the vault someday - I think it would be wonderful for an intimate dinner. I also appreciate their commitment to locally sourced ingredients.
Chives gets bonus points for using Open Table. I love being able to make a reservation online, especially when the establishment in question doesn't open till 5pm.Listed in: 30 Days of Yelp, Splurge-worthy Dining
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Review from Mel H.
8/23/2011
I've eaten here twice now, and can honestly say, both meals were amongst the best I have ever had in a restaurant.
On the most recent visit the place was bumping busy on a rainy Monday night, which is great to see. Service was friendly and efficient. I wouldn't say overly warm, but then again we weren't there to be entertained by the service.
And the food? Oh the food. SO good.
The homemade biscuits that come in little paper bags with butter and molasses are freaking delicious. I hit up the daily special which happened to be one of my favourite things of life- seared rare tuna (with basmati rice and a local veggie stirfry). My dining companions had beef, lamb and pork dishes with various delicious accompaniments.
This place does tend to be very meat-centric but I have also found the staff and kitchen to be extremely accommodating which is a rare quality for an upper scale resto.
All in all, great spot if you're looking to go out for a nice dinner.Listed in: The reasons why I love this…
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Review from Ashley P.
Halifax, NS
4/17/2011
I went here with 3 friends after hearing raving reviews from one of them who told me that we MUST go.
Once arriving in the restaurant and looking at the menu, I quickly deduced that this was not very vegetarian friendly... There was a total of one option for non-meat eaters; Risotto...
With mushrooms.
I loath mushrooms, so I politely asked the waitress to exclude them from my dish. Now at this point I must admit that the atmosphere is quite nice, a bit dark though but nice and molasses on bread was pleasing us all while waiting on our food.
Now here comes my list of issues that I have with Chives...
My plate comes out and of course there are GIANT mushrooms all over (and barely ANY other veggies) and on top of this, my rice was very undercooked, crunchy and bland. To say the least I didn't eat much of my overpriced meal.
My friend that had been there before swore that the food was better last time she came and the other said that her meat was pretty good (some kind of steak I believe).
Anyway, I must say I'm not at all inclined to go back, especially after paying $28 for that meal. -
Review from Desiree M.
Halifax, NS
4/1/2011
We went here for a post-valintine's day night out, and the place was nearly empty (maybe sunday nights aren't busy?) but the food was delicious.
It felt kind of weird when the waitress checked to make sure we had reservations for an empty restaurant, but we did get our pick of seats. By the window it was. The waitress mentioned that it might be a bit chilly at that spot, and to let her know if she should turn on the heat. I did mention, a little later on, and then watched as she pulled out a portable mini heater, positioned it towards us, and plugged it in. Also a little strange. Why don't they have actual heating in the whole restaurant?
Other than non-food issues, we had a great experience. They gave us buttermilk biscuits to start, and I don't think I've ever had any better. I ordered the winter vegetable tandoor, and it was impressively delicious. This place is definitely gourmet, at least in taste. I would come back, but not to the window seat. -
Review from Rhonda D.
Halifax, NS
2/23/2011
LOVE Chives
LOVE chef Craig
LOVE the food
LOVE the atmosphere, great (friendly, attentive) service, and how special you feel when you're sitting in this awesome little piece of Halifax, eating the best thought-out dishes and fresh, local food - LOVE!
I wish Chef Craig and his staff all the best in the future and I hope Chives is around for a long time so we can keep enjoying this wonderful bistro and all it has to offer =o)
If you haven't been yet - GO! You won't be disappointed :) -
Review from Ben B.
12/19/2010 1 Check-in Here
Between three or four visits to Chives, I've had a wide range of experiences that make it hard to boil this review down to a star-rating. All in all, I do have a soft spot for this haven for local gourmet but I recognize that it struggles with consistency.
The atmosphere itself is lovely - located centrally on Barrington Street, walking up the stairs to its loft-like feel lets you take a breather from the noise of the city and feel slightly removed for a cozy, intimate experience. The single table located in their antique vault is a sight to be seen although I can't imagine it's easy to book for your party, although the same could be said for those overlooking the street.
The menu is based on local, organic ingredients meaning that the selection changes by the season to ensure the freshest supplies - so don't go falling in love with anything because it probably won't be there the next time. Like Lindsay K. mentioned below, it's not particularly vegetarian-friendly but on multiple occasions I have been able to ask my server for something made special and they've been very accommodating, once even bringing a sampler platter incorporating a mixture of vegetarian delights from across the menu.
The service can be hit or miss which can make the price point feel higher or lower depending on how your night has gone, but overall this is one of few places in the city where you can find creative cuisine. -
Review from Lacey H.
5/6/2010
During the holiday season, I was lucky enough to be taken to this restaurant as part of a staff function. Everything was being taken care of, so alas, I was free to choose without ever having to look at the price tags.
Upon entering and approaching the host stand, I was greeted and had my coat taken. Chives boasts the kind of service that makes you feel fancy; extremely professional career waiters and waitresses who are veterans to the business and know the ropes. We were directed to our party, and after settling in, I peered about and took the place in.
The decor is a strange melange. It's not quite in keeping with the upscale menu offerings and overall chichi vibe that this restaurant purports to exude. The wine was flowing freely from an abundance of bottles, and the various servers working our table were quick to top off glasses. I don't think my glass ever went dry - talk about attentive service!
I ordered a tasty salad to start, and unfortunately don't remember the exact specifications. I reckon there was goat cheese, as well as some warmed root veggies. I do know that it was extremely tasty, however, pricey. It was a good thing I wasn't paying or else I may have been taken aback by the small portioning.
My main course consisted of an orzo pasta dish with a creamy sauce capped with a large portobello. I'm not a mushroom connoisseur, but when you're a vegetarian, sometimes options are limited. The dish was expensive, but was expertly prepared and quite appealing. Again, I wouldn't have been so easily pleased had the dough been coming out of my own pocket.
Everything was served in a timely fashion and the service remained wonderful throughout the visit. The food was pretty good, but overpriced for what I received. I think the prices would be better justified if the restaurant's decor and ambiance were more upscale and less chincy. Overall, an okay time; however, I definitely wouldn't consider it one of Halifax's top eateries. -
Review from Martine M.
Tantallon, NS
12/21/2010
I booked the upstairs private room at Chives for a work function earlier in December. The size was perfect for the 12 people who attended. They loved the food and dedicated service, and the laid-back atmosphere made for a perfect evening.
There was a minimum charge for the room and food & beverages, but this size group was able to exceed it by a bit.
The exterior isn't much to look at these days (I miss the awning!), but don't let that keep you from walking through the doors.
P.S. Because of another comment related to their washrooms, I purposely checked out the women's washroom. It was small but looked clean to me! -
Review from Courtney M.
Halifax, NS
11/7/2009 1 photo
With so many restaurants, pubs and bars in Halifax, I wonder how places like 'Chives Canadian Bistro' manage to survive.
For one thing, the menu is limited and expensive. Most of the appetizer options will run you $10 and the entrée's $30. That's about $5-$10 more than most comparable restaurants in the area. On to the limited menu: with only seven entrée options you are almost exclusively limited to heavy meats like the 'bacon wrapped pork tenderloin' and the 'steak plate.'
The last time that I was in Chives our server was pretty unaccommodating as well, if I remember correctly. It seemed as though she did not know the answer to a couple of our basic queries, and moreover, didn't understand how to direct our questions. Ie: "Let me just go as the chief/manager/senior server."
The deserts were the sole source of redemption in this meal. Quite good, although not worth it when you realize that two of them have rung you an extra $20 on your bill.
There are so many good restaurants in Halifax; Chives needs to lower their prices and diversify if they want to stay competitive. -
Review from christian C.
10/1/2011
Strange entry way into this place off of a main downtown street. Space inside though was interesting; full of art work, bright, with a found object chic.
The "fresh out of the oven " biscuits were excellent.
The "Cajun" oyster appetizer just didn't work. While the oysters were large (massive!), there was just too much going on for this dish to come together in a coherent whole.
The sesame crusted tuna entree over orzo was quite good. The lamb mykonos was also well down and came together in a tasty Mediterranean sort of way (although it could have used more veggies).
The evening ended with a surprised visit from a rodent who scampered amongst our feet. When brought to the attention of the staff, they weren't at all surprised. "It's what you get in an old port town." Hmmmmm. -
Review from Dr. H.
Halifax, NS
8/26/2011
Good stuff with seasonal menu..it is kinda pricey, but this is the type of place you go for a special night out. I had the pork tenderloin (bacon wrapped) and I'd order it again
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Review from Katie F.
9/19/2010
3.5 stars
Hubby and I were here for a private function and they handled the group well. The portions are a good size and the menu has a nice selection for dinner. Service could be improved (and the bathrooms could DEFINITELY use a reno since it leaves a bad impression) which would make this more of a 4 star.
Overall the food was good. I liked the little chive biscuits that they serve in a little paper bag as their bread service - fitting for the name!
I had the pecan butternut squash soup to start and I loved the little pecan additions... very tasty! Salad course was pretty average. For my main, I went with the halibut which was just average. I did love my dessert though - a flourless chocolate cake topped with peanuts and peanut butter ice cream.... LOVE!
Nice selection of Nova Scotian wines and I was happy to have a glass of the NOVA 7 here that I heard a lot about.
Summary - Chives is a moderately pricey resto that I wouldn't come back to next time I'm in town. -
Review from Laura P.
Updated - 6/13/2010
My second Chives experience far surpassed the first. Between waves of good art and one hot wait staff, the aesthetics are surely covered. Ambient delights collect amongst the restaurant's settings, and it seems to be a spot for large parties and intimate dinners alike.
Cordial service to a tee. I'm talking "hand behind the back as the wine is poured" sort of thing. The service is provided with eased strategy-- one that blends into the background and reappears at the most convenient of times. This particular family function included continuous wine refills, prompt plate service, and water to quench the thirst.
A table of 12, we were never lacking. Dang, these people know how to give an experience-how could I not see it all before? The timeliness; the perfection of every meal (many rave, rave reviews amongst our party); the presentation ... Chives was spot on last night.
I ordered the Spinach Salad to start, and a Veggie Tandoori as my main dish. This salad has an extra zest to it, and complimented the combination of goat cheese and pecans perfectly. The veggie dish was the only non-meat option, but it was pretty delicious. But Chives: It would be nice to have a few other options for next time.... just sayin'. Risotto, topped with sauced 'n' seasoned sweet potatoes, pine nuts, and a battered lychee topped with a strawberry-rubbarb jam topping? It all made for an exciting and inspired experience.
Chives has vision and puts out some very unique dishes. Presentation in both food and decor is immaculate, and service is top notch. A little more emphasis on veggies would knock this puppy up to 5 stars. I hope to be back.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/7/2010
Chives prides itself on its use of fresh, local ingredients and exciting seasonal menus. It appears… Read more »
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Review from Johnny L.
Toronto, ON
7/16/2010
The Lady and I reluctantly came here on our last night in Halifax after finding that every other place we wanted to try was closed for a holiday. I can't understand the mediocre reviews of Chives that are on Yelp because this was the best restaurant we tried during our stay.
We arrived without reservations but were able to get seated at a great little table tucked away in a corner overlooking the street. It felt like we were in our own little room. The only drawback of Chives is the decor. It looked as if they had the dishpig paint the place. Nevertheless, the food was outstanding.
This was one of the only times in our relationship that we've ordered the exact same thing. Not surprisingly, however, we both raved about each course. The standout was the lobster crusted haddock which was simply a killer dish.
As with all the places we visited in Halifax, the prices were completely reasonable for the top notch food on offer. -
Review from Jay F.
Bedford, NS
7/2/2011
Had the PEI braised short ribs and couldn't have been happier. One of the best plates of food I've ever had.
The service was mediocre though. The staff was friendly enough, just slow to take our order.
I'll definitely be back. -
Review from Nick B.
Halifax, NS
10/28/2010
Went to Chives a little while ago for dinner with my coworkers - I had heard lots but never been. What a wonderful experience, even with a large group the servers were very attentive, offered lots of suggestions and overall the experience was excellent. Food was excellent, portions perfect. I had the scallops and fish cakes, as well as mussels to start, and left perfectly sated.
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Review from Anders K.
Hamilton, ON
3/18/2010
well I've been eating in Halifax for a few years now and I've tried just about every nice place. This one is tops for me. It has a nice atmosphere and layout, great menu and wine, and nice prices. Mains ran between $19 and $35 or so. I had a piece of fois gras first, which they source from an ethical producer, which is AMAZING because I just love this meat but don't like forcefeeding. My main was the portobello mushroom cap over risotto, and dessert homemade icecream, plus I had a trio of local icewines to go with that.
I like that the chef goes for local ingredients and seasonal dishes, and it's not pretentious. -
Review from Katie M.
Halifax, NS
5/16/2010 1 photo
On several occasions downtown I've made a mental note to check out Chives, this little restaurant on Barrington Street. I only recently ate here for the first time, and I was a little disappointed. In my opinion, Chives is a little bit like a movie that opens to critical acclaim (in that it is raved about and has won many awards) but can't manage to fully win over an audience in this city.
The food was delicious don't get me wrong, but it was more pricey than I was expecting to pay. At a typical Halifax restaurant you will find a number of affordable options on the menu (think smaller sandwich and pasta dishes) and maybe a few more pricey entree dishes. At Chives the menu is divided into only three types of dishes; appetizers (about $10 each), entrees (ranging from $20-$30) and desserts.
The limited menu selections and the pricey main courses both work against Chives. Their use of locally grown produce is admirable but doesn't explain why it costs an arm and a leg for a meal. This is a place I would only recommend to the pickiest diner, anyone else should save themselves some cash and choose another downtown eatery. -
Review from Laura O.
Halifax, NS
1/25/2011
Chives Birthday Celebration (via http://www.halifood.com)
Written June 1, 2010.
Two dear old friends of mine, who happen to be twins, celebrated their special day with a small dinner gathering at this fine Halifax bistro. Surprisingly it was my first visit to Chives this past Saturday evening, and what a fine evening it was. We arrived on time to find that our table was not ready; lingering diners in our area were just not ready to let go. The many servers who made contact with us and apologized for our wait were very gracious. Wine was poured and tentative seating arrangements were made. We hardly noticed the wait.
Seated in the upper area (I love the intimate interior of Chives by the way - small, historic, and cozy quarters meet trendy new designs and art) we began to mull over the small yet carefully constructed menu. Our server Linda greeted us, poured our water, informed us of the specials, and was not put off in the slightest by our group's disjointed arrivals, questions, or indecision! A very professional lady.
Once decisions were made and more drinks were poured (wine for some, mojitos for others) the much anticipated brown paper bags arrived at our table. I had heard of these brown paper bags and the supposedly delicious homemade biscuits that awaited us inside. My expectations were exceeded. Accompanied with butter and molasses with an adorable little spoon, I anxiously dressed my tea biscuit and chowed down. Delightfully tasty, the nostalgic flavour and texture of homemade tea biscuits were the perfect start to my evening. Falling apart and melting in my mouth with buttery goodness, I have to admit, they were a close second to my grandmother's tea biscuits. This was, however, my first experience with molasses on top... and hopefully won't be my last.
Up next - mains. As a seafood-eating vegetarian, I found Chives menu limiting in my options. The special of the evening was a Lobster-Crusted Halibut on top of a Doubled-Smoked Bacon Risotto. If not for the bacon I would have gone for it - I don't like making modifications on something designed so strategically with its flavour combination. Both friends sitting on either side of me were ordering the Lobster and Scallop Tagliatelle, obviously I couldn't also order this, as lack of diversity at the dinner table is one of my long-standing and generally misunderstood pet peeves. I opted for what appeared to be the token vegetarian option on the menu - the Vegetable Tandoor - and was very, very pleasantly surprised.
My delightful looking Vegetable Tandoor arrived: a sweet curry ragout of sweet potato chunks and chick peas on top of a red lentil and coconut rice with cashews, caramelized onions, topped with a fried green tomato and apricot chutney. The dish was garnished sparingly yet effectively with halved cherry tomatoes. Overall, I truly enjoyed my selection. Mind you a bit of moisture on the bottom of the plate might have been nice - maybe a bit of however they flavoured the rice (coconut milk is one of my all-time favourite ingredients) could have worked; the rice was bone dry. Both the flavour and texture combinations in this dish were spot-on. The sweet curry, richness of the sweet potato, cashews and chick peas complimented nicely with the acidity of the fried green tomato. The green tomato was crispy and delicious, paired perfectly with that syrupy sweetness of the apricot chutney. Topped simply with fresh greens. Definitely not the mandatory veggie option that I was half-expecting. I ordered the suggest pairing - Bodegas Centenarian, a full-bodied Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon. This was spicy, green peppery on the nose. I found black currant, red berry, earthy and full-on in the mouth. Rest assured, the wine stood up to the richness of the dish.
Generously offered a bite (with an adequate amount of lobster) from the birthday girl to my right, I did indeed sample the Lobster and Scallop Tagliatelle. What can I say about this? It might be your traditional creamy seafood pasta dish that you would find on almost any menu in any downtown Halifax bistro, however, the amount of seafood alone I think sets this one apart. The creamy sauce was rich and tasty, the chopped fresh chives on top were fitting. This was also a satisfying dish.
The birthday girls were treated to a Warm Chocolate Peanut Buster, which was a rich flourless chocolate cake accompanied by a peanut butter ice cream and topped with candied Virginia peanuts. Sparklers were atop these celebratory offerings and we sang happy birthday, as any decent birthday dinner companions do. I did manage to sneak a bite of this as well. The moist and spongy texture of the cake took me by surprise. I am not one to usually indulge in dessert and definitely not something as rich as flourless chocolate cake. I enjoyed the peanut butter ice cream thoroughly! A rich and flavourful ending to an inspiring meal. -
Review from Ruth D.
Halifax, NS
2/9/2010 5 photos
It's taken us a while to get to eat at Chives, not sure why. I've met Chef Craig a couple of times, have and love his cookbooks and really love that he not only is committed to using local ingredients, but he also promotes the source on his menu.
The service was terrific - leisurely but not too slow, if you know what I mean. We decided to try their DineOut Halifax prix fixe dinner. Four courses for $40 plus $15 if you wanted the wine pairings. Each course was visually lovely and I don't know how they make their maple balsamic syrup, but it's awesome. First to accompany the famous Chives biscuits that are presented in a paper bag and then drizzled over the squash soup. We would have licked the bowls clean, but we were in public.
Both main courses - pesto chicken for him and roasted sea trout for me had Chives signature risottos - mine with sun dried tomatoes, his with chorizo.
Dessert was a dolche de leche mousse tart that was so pretty and very tasty.
Way too much food for us but we did look over at the table next to us that chose dishes from the menu - the Normandy mussels - Fresh Indian Point mussels with Tideview cider, rosemary, honeycrisp apple, roast garlic cream looked awesome and they were definitely raving about it. And the Mediterranean lamb shanks at another table had me drooling as a main.
Next time.... -
Review from Lindsay K.
Halifax, NS
2/13/2010 1 photo
With a name like Chives I would assume the restaurant to be a little more vegetarian friendly, but I would assume wrong.
The menu mainly consists of meaty stuff like steaks, lamb and seafood. I was happy to see the portabella mushroom cap as a main dish. It was delicious and juicy, although a little expensive. Most of the menu items are actually pretty expensive. It seems like more of a 'special occasion' place than a regular joint.
The service is generally pretty friendly and the experience is nice. I'd recommend Chives as more of a date-night place than anything. -
Review from Colin B.
Bedford, NS
9/18/2010
I have to say that I disagree with a couple of posters here. For me, Chives is the best restaurant in Halifax bar none. I have never been disappointed with a meal here, and I've eaten here over 30 times in the past 7 years. There have been a few meals that haven't been sublime, but most were in that category.
I especially disagree with the 'expensive' label. In my opinion, Bish, Gio, daMaurizio, the Press Gang, the Five Fishermen are 'expensive' for Halifax; whereas Chives, Fid, Brooklyn Warehouse, Il Mercato, Jane's on the Common, Estia are 'moderate'. In the 'inexpensive' category (but also good) would lie Turkish Delight, Morris East, Tarek's, Mexico Lindo, Salvatore's, etc. One shouldn't compare restaurants outside the categories they fall into, although having said that I've found Chives's quality to be better than Bish, and equal to Gio on many occasions. I have also had bills at Moxie's and Jack Astor's (chain, nondescript, nothing special places surrounded by big-box stores) that have equalled or exceeded my bill at Chives.
One thing I should note: I never get wine or other alcohol with my meal and I seldom order 3 courses, because it's usually too much food. Generally I have a glass of water and an entree, occasionally dessert. If you're ordering 3 courses and a bottle or two of wine at Chives it could potentially be very expensive...but that's your option :) -
Review from helen a.
7/9/2011
We ate dinner tonight and ate marsh greens which were wonderful. The home baked biscuits with Crosby's table molasses was yummy. Amanda the server explained the vegetarian strudel and the haddock with a topping of lobster and breadcrumbs. Her service was professional. We had a local Keiths beer. It was our first meal in Halifax after we journeyed from Newfoundland where seafood is unbelievably fresh. Coming from Pennsylvania, USA- this dinner spot would be a destination for anyone who wanted really flavorful food.
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Review from Louie R.
8/14/2011
Chives was an unexpected delight ! Everything was excellent! As good as it gets. From the home made biscuits to the wine list to the lamb and salmon that we had it was all perfect.
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Review from R N.
Halifax, NS
3/14/2009
We were excited to try Chives as we had heard good things, especially about their commitment to local ingredients. But the experience was disappointing. The service was polite, but not especially friendly. The wine list had a good selection of Nova Scotian wines, and I liked the one that was recommended to me. I liked my risotto, but my boyfriend's lamb pot roast, although it started out well, was dry for the last few bites. The chocolate cake was SO bad. All in all, we would give it 3 stars, but, like many restaurants in Halifax, you have to pay a fortune for a very mediocre experience. It's just not worth it.
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Review from Su C.
10/28/2010
Ate here twice during a trip to Halifax. The food is well-executed and tasty, the wine list includes some wonderful local ice wines, and the waitstaff are attentive and friendly.
