- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Fiasco Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Canadian (New) Canadian (New) [Edit]
1463 Brenton StHalifax, NS B3J 3S7
(902) 429-3499
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
11 reviews for Fiasco Restaurant
11 reviews in English
-
Review from Chrissy M.
Halifax, NS
11/7/2011
I went to fiasco for the very first time in September with coworkers. What an amazing experience - both atmosphere and food! As we were being treated, I went for four courses and lots of wine. I am not an adventurous eater when it comes to seafood, in fact a can of tuna is about all the seafood you will ever see me eating. I tried the smoked salmon with marscapone and caramelized oniones - loved the cheese/onions but I guess I am just not a fan of smoked salmon. I shared calamari with a friend and it was my first time having it.. FABULOUS. I never would have thought I'd enjoy it but it was simple amazing. I doubt I will try it anywhere else, I don't want to ruin my first experience!
I also had macaroni+cheese that was akin to grown up, gourmet KD. Followed by a delicious beef tenderloin with mushroom risotto.. I was in heaven. By the time dessert rolled around my senses were a bit compromised but I had a pretty delicious dessert as well, I just cannot remember what it was.
When dining out I tend to go to pubs and less expensive places but this was a great treat and next time I go out for a quality meal and want the experience to go with it, it will be at fiasco! -
Review from Ben B.
You know how they say people buy a Mercedes when they want to look rich, but that the actual rich people just buy Lexus?
That's kind of what sums up the difference between Fiasco and other high-end restaurants. Rather than being on the list for a special occasion or a splurge, Fiasco seems to be the place to go when you've just got it. You don't need pretense, you don't need ass-kissing, you just want really nice things. And those kind of things? Well, you'll find them a plenty at Fiasco.
When we arrived for a nice meal out on my birthday (for us it WAS a Mercedes situation, rather than a Lexus - just so we're clear), tables were filled with people who all seemed to know each other whether it was through business or just from being a regular at this luxury bistro. Now, this would have been off-putting had we not been treated exactly as special as everyone else in the joint. Service was welcoming, professional, but also just downright likable from start to finish.
Our starter cocktails were delicious (don't ask questions: just get the Fiasco martini), freshly baked bread and butter with chives was a nice treat, and that was before the three-courses of outrageously delectable food that was ahead. And I mean Jem-levels of outrageous. THAT'S HOW GOOD THIS FOOD IS.
Tomato and cinnamon soup with provolone, flash-fried calamari with house-made aoili, grilled Tuscan vegetables, warm chicken salads, vegetable ratatouille with melted brie, beef tenderloin on top of a risotto croquette...we were practically delirious by the end of the second course, and ready to pass out by the arrival of the third. In fact, I could only muster a pathetic four bites of my final dish which leads to my biggest regret: kidding myself into thinking I could handle three courses. Next time I'd definitely just pick two.
Sure - it's pricy. But each course is almost a meal in itself; this is not one of those places where a plate comes out with four bites on it. Each dish means serious business. With two cocktails, a bottle of wine, and three courses each, our bill came to just under $200 before tip which we actually felt really good about. Sure, it's not for everyone or for every night, but we left completely impressed and satisfied with what we got for our money.
And a last, frivolous point: over the course of the night we watched two people, not dressed as waitstaff, helping out all over the place. From shining silverware, to busing tables to help out servers, they turned out to be the owners who were right there to support their staff from start to finish. Makes me feel even better about dining out when you get the sense that staff are well taken care of too!Listed in: Haute Halifax Cuisine, The Birthday: 26
-
Review from Bailey W.
Halifax, NS
9/16/2011
Went here a few weeks ago with some friends. Intimate, what I like to call cozy-chic and of course it was delicious! I'd been told the calamari was the best in the city and it did not disappoint. I also had the soup du jour - tomato with whipped cream (yes whipped NOT sour) and cinnamon. It was a party in my mouth. I also enjoyed copious amounts of red wine. I will definitely return!
-
Review from Ajay R.
9/8/2011
Visiting Halifax for the first time and wanted to see what the city had to offer. Fiasco knocked it out of the park. The place has a great setting and atmosphere. Over the course of a 2.5 hr meal, it was full but not over crowded. There was a nice buzz but not so much that you couldn't have good conversation. I had the 4 course tasting menu which was an excellent bargain. The first course was a seared tuna with a spicy linguini, very original. Next was a salad which was okay. Then the entree was the grilled lamb which was excellent. The dessert was a hazelnut and chocolate cheesecake. I was very impressed by this meal. I'd give it 4.5 stars if I could.
Listed in: The Great Canadian Hit List
-
Review from Brittney K.
Halifax, NS
12/17/2010 1 Check-in Here
Came here with my fiance for our 3 year dating anniversary (yeah...it's been a while), and overall I really enjoyed the service we received here.
I have to be honest, though; went I first stepped inside, I realized that this place wasn't at all what I had envisioned per se. I kind of figured that this place would be subdued and romantic-ish, with older guests and such (though they do keep the lights down low- which I guess is romantic, right?). To my surprise, this place was actually featured a lively atmosphere and a young dynamic of patrons about my age or younger. Kinda made me grateful I wore my sequins instead of pearls!
The food here is impeccable- and there's lots of it! Typical of a traditional Italian-style meal, you can expect several courses of rich food, so bring your appetite. For the first course I tried the calamari, (which IMO is the best selection on the Fiasco menu) and I sampled some of my fiance's salmon-quite tasty. For the second course we each had a salad, and for the main course I tried the lamb and my fiance tried the duck- both of which were tasty. We didn't indulge in any desserts (did I mention that the courses feature LOTS of food?), but we did have a bottle of chardonnay to compliment the meal. The waitress wasn't the most wine savvy, but it was all good, since my fiance and I are somewhat knowledgeable when in comes to wine and spirits, and we know the Latour's nice.
The best dining here is the melanges of seafood available at the restaurant, and definitely the warm, rich and savoury sauces (my compliments to the chef- the sauces are to die for!) . Worth the price tag!
My one little issue with the restaurant is that we didn't really get to hang around for very long like we do at other restaurants. Almost as soon as we finished our meal and announced that we were not having any dessert, the waitress promptly arrived with the bill, and with that we were out. But otherwise excellent dining experience!! -
Review from Kent P.
6/9/2010
Fiasco is my favorite restaurant in the world.
Quietly regarded by those who know their shit in Halifax as the place to go- it's not cheap- but it's worth whatever it costs.
The menu is meat heavy- not a lot of choices for vegetarians who aren't OK with fish (there's usually a risotto for them on the mains)- if you're alright with that let's continue.
Favorite item- the sean penn pasta.
Apparently sean penn was in town filming something or other and came into the restaurant describing his ideal dish. It was such as success it became a mainstay.
It's a garlic/chili spaghetini dish with a piece of steak on it.
Simple but sooooooo good.
I usually switch out the steak for a filet of blackened halibut, but the classic is excellent, too.
The husband/wife owners Martin and Mary-Beth share reponsibiltiy of head chef/host manager and are super friendly. Martin is in there making sure shit is cooked right, and his czech accent/proclivity for hip and tight fitting t's/ducati make him a hit with the ladies. Mary-Beth is friggin' hotttttt, too. So they're basically all-stars.
There's also an option to get the chef to make whatever's on his mind called Martin's Drill. It's market priced and 4 courses...if you're up for adventure- it's the way to go.
Notable items to check out:
-Warm spinach salad
-The calamari
-The pheasant
Usually the restaurant is filled with docs, big time (for halifax) ballers, and generally sweet individuals trying to impress chicks (me).
Czech it out.
Patpatpatpatpatpat
Six out of five pats
PatListed in: Halifax
-
Review from D B.
Halifax, NS
7/13/2011
Fiasco is an awesome restaurant. Everything is done and done right. It is a relief every time we go there (which is not nearly enough) with the peace of mind that our food and service will be beyond expectations. Martin and Mary Beth are amazing hosts who have the knowledge and will to make everything go as planned. I hope they stay in the restaurant business for many years to come as they can write a book on how to run a successful restaurant. This is a no brainer for great service and food - nuff said.
-
Review from Laura P.
Toronto, ON
6/9/2010
Fine dining on a high note, Fiasco is a classy spot for those up for an indulged body of cuisine. Carefully cultivated, serious dishes are mostly meats, however, one cannot deny the special touch this menu and Halifax resto provides.
Located on the Spring Garden side-street of Brenton, Fiasco maintains a low-key community presence. Those who go, love it... and those who go often, must be fairly comfortable with spending. High in prices, the menu is high in quality... so for some, this may be a bit of a trade off.
Not a spot I'll head on the regular, my Aunt took my sister and I here during her last visit, and it was a nice time. Professional service and inspired atmosphere were a highlight, and the menu overlook provided with quite a spectrum.
Local fish and meats are a definite pull, and seem to be a custom aspect of front-running restaurants in our city. Yay, local. Calamari, smoked Atlantic salmon, tiger prongs, scallops, mussels-- there is lots of fresh fish on this menu! Specialty meats such as duck, lamb, steak and pheasant also make their way onto the list, and everything appears with tasty accents of sides and spices.
T begin, I opted for the Warm Spinach Salad, sans the bacon bits. A lovely choice with its rich balsamic topping. My main dish was the Thai curry flavoured halibut, which was mouthwateringly marvelous. Overall luxury.
Rich in flavour and high class service, this is not a spot for the everyday. A meal at Fiasco will cost a pretty penny, although it does deliver an opportunity to relish in a splendor of the senses. I'll gladly head back for a celebratory occasion, and order up some well fused fish. -
Review from Courtney M.
Halifax, NS
11/13/2009 1 photo
Fiasco is an ideal environment for a special occasion or intimate evening. The pricing alone is somewhat prohibitive of anything other than a 'shmancy' dinner option. If you have an anniversary, birthday (or hey, if you're anti-establishment and enjoy celebrating Tuesday) head to 'Fiasco' for some extremely delicious food!
Unfortunately for 'Fiasco' a bit (a dollop if you will) of pretension has snuck into this fine dining establishment. The fact that their outdoor sign labels them "a superlative experience" is indication enough that the folks at 'Fiasco' take themselves pretty seriously. Honestly, I think it's that the affected nature of this place just gives me a bad vibe. For all they know I'm a millionaire, so why ignore me like the poor/recent grad that I am?
The food at 'Fiasco' is delicious enough to surpass even the most exultant of owners though! Expect to head in for a European style meal, with multiple courses eaten over the course of a leisurely evening. I particularly recommend the tiger prawns in Hennessey cognac, garlic and cream. The lamb entrée is also divine. -
Review from Toby M.
Halifax, NS
2/13/2011
Well, what can I say. Fiasco used to be one of my favourite restaurants. However, recently, the prices have gone way up and the service has gone down. The food is still very good, but with other great choices in Halifax, we've taken our business elsewhere!
-
Review from Brian S.
Halifax, NS
1/25/2010
Martin is amazing, his food is perfection.
