- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Ristorante a Mano
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11:30 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Trendy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
32 reviews for Ristorante a Mano
Review Highlights
-
"Oh - and be sure to ask them if they have any Bread Pudding." In 3 reviews -
"...Tartufata - wild mushrooms, truffle oil and roasted onions." In 3 reviews -
"...effortlessly flavourful and the gnocchi was divinely soft." In 5 reviews
Loading...
32 reviews in English
-
Review from Meegan D.
North End, NS
3/9/2012
My spouse Tara and I visited a Mano for our second time as a dessert spot this week. We had excellent dessert experiences on both occasions.
This time we were there in the late afternoon. There were a few other dining groups, but around 2:30pm was a relatively quiet time to enjoy dessert.
We loved the atmosphere and serving staff on both occasions. The Operating Manager served us and remembered us from our first visit back in the fall.
Our first visit we enjoyed gelato together. This time Tara tried the Nutella Crepe with vanilla gelato and I tried the double chocolate cake (gato). Both were amazing. Tara's crepe was warm and perfect and the combinations of yummy warm nuttella and the melting vanilla gelato was incredible.
My chocolate cake was moist and delicious. The glacee on top was thick (not creamy) and an excellent compliment. If you like chocolate (not too rich) than I recommend it. It would be great with a side of gelato as well.
We had our dessert with a latte each which was served in a tall glass wrapped with a napkin a bow to save your hands when the glass got hot. It was charming and a perfect latte. They have a full espresso bar to enjoy.
Can't say enough about how wonderful both of our experiences at A Mano have been. We are looking forward to returning to try out their dining menu. -
Review from Navoda S.
3/4/2012 ROTD 4/28/2012
I've only been to a Mano twice and the first time, although I was impressed with the decor the food didn't blow me away. This time however, boy did they change my opinion! The atmosphere is still really great - black and white movies on plasma screens and cozy tables for small groups with a great view.
We got there without a reservation so we did need to wait at the bar for a bit - but we all ordered drinks and chatted with the bartender. Before we knew it our table was ready our drinks were taken to our seats and we decided to spend all night here. We ordered apps to share, big mains and tall desserts and every last one of them were delicious! I ordered the calamari, beef tenderloin and the coppa meringata and let me tell you they were all a sight to behold. Plus they tasted amazing!! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals (and their drinks) and before we knew it we has spent 4 hours there.
The prices are decent - pricey for some, but it doesn't have to be if you choose wisely (not that I ever do). It does get a little lively (aka loud) in the evenings but honestly that's kind of what I'd expect from a good Italian restaurant. The service is good and they will take your cue on the speed you want your meal to take, which is much appreciated!Listed in: Food worthy of death row...
-
Review from Ellen B.
Updated - 2/12/2012
I'm adding an extra star to my original two-star review. Mike and I wandered into a Mano after the ice wine tasting at Bishop's Cellar on Feb. 10. It became apparent I was too tipsy to go much farther. What can I say, I'm a cheap drunk!
Since it was a Friday night there were only seats at the bar available, and I must say I'm glad we were seated there. The bartender was by far the best "server" I've ever had there. She was friendly, knowledgeable, fun to watch make drinks and generally more on the ball than the other servers. In fact, after our meals were brought, she kept having to collar servers to take care of us while she was busy, you know, bartending. It was pretty funny watching her have to ask for help repeatedly from her co-workers, who seemed completely oblivious to all the food-ordering patrons seated at the bar.
The food was OK, as it was during my previous visits. It was the bartender who made our meal a pleasant experience.Listed in: Low, Baby, Low, Mmmm, Italian
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
12/19/2011
Because I love Il Mercato so very much (both locations, I'm not discriminating), I thought for sure… Read more »
-
-
Review from DL M.
Lake Echo, NS
Updated - 5/14/2012
As an update, my friend called the day after our visit and spoke to the manager who invited us back for a visit. We went back a few weeks later, and when we arrived a reference was made to our previous visit and where we had sat. I felt a little awkward because it was clear that we had been discussed and I won't speculate on what kind of words might have been used.
I had Medaglioni di Manzo con Funghi di Bosco and it was quite yummy. My friend had linguine vongole e pancetta, of which the clams were countable and she found a shell. I must confess I can't remember what the third of us had. We all had desserts; mine was Torta al Formaggio con mandorle e caramello, which was quite yummy and reminds me of why my pants seem to be shrinking.
The food was good, the service was very nice, and the manager certainly did her best to make our second visit way better than the first. I really want to be wax poetic on how great it was, but I'm not feeling it. The place was very busy on both of our visits, so I'm pretty sure they won't miss me!1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
4/20/2012
This was my first visit to A Mano, and I had high hopes. A woman in my office loves this place so I… Read more »
-
-
Review from Vanessa J.
Halifax, NS
2/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
I have to confess, I don't think of this place often, but I always end up having a good meal here. Owned by the Bertossi group, you're in good hands.
The restaurant is dark and always busy, and fairly noisy too. Service is usually fast and friendly. On my last visit, I ordered the handmade pumpkin filled pasta. It had a brown butter sage sauce and toasted almonds. It was awesome, so so good, and it was at a reasonable price of $15. The portion size wasn't huge, but it left me room for dessert. I had nutella filled crepes with vanilla gelato - yum! Really delicious.
I need to think of this place more often!Listed in: The Sweet Spot
-
Review from Katelyn A.
Halifax, NS
12/30/2011
These Hali-famous restauranteurs are like culinary royalty, and I still get butterflies whenever I stroll into one of the Bertossi's fine eateries!
Here's the scoop: My family is slightly argumentative (or "downright bonkers" as my boyfriend puts it), so getting SIX Allen girls to agree on ONE restaurant is a triumph in itself. I promised the family that a Mano was awesome, so it was on me if anything went wrong.
Spoiler alert: Nothing went wrong. It was awesome!
The food: With the holidays behind us and the Visa bills ahead, my family was understandably budget-consious. Although the prices were a bit higher than they'd hoped, they were thrilled with the generous portion sizes and recognized the value.
My aunt is allergic to blue cheese, so we swapped the gorgonzola on the Pear Crustinis for goat cheese... heavenly!
The drink: I had a classic gin martini and it hit the mark perfectly. It was "just a touch dirty" (as I always request but rarely get at many restaurants).
The service: While our server wasn't really warm and fuzzy, we had no complaints.
The atmosphere: It's always slightly embarrassing dining with my family because we spend most of the evening trying to yell over each other. Fortunately, this wasn't an issue at a Mano. The restaurant is always boisterous, and we fit right in. -
Review from Eleanor B.
Dartmouth, NS
1/8/2012
A Mano has been on my list to visit for a while now, so I was almost (almost) thrilled to hear that the Goggle was being renovated and was closed last Thursday -- gave us a perfect reason to change things up and head down the hill to have some Italian.
First impression -- lovely setting, very cozy and warm on a brisk January evening. I walked in and the smell of garlic butter practically had me swooning. It was on the busy side, even for a Thursday, but we were seated promptly and I had my glass of red in hand in a jiffy. Our server was enthusiastic and helpful -- and I can't judge her for interrupting our conversation really... Boyfriend's sister and I are the chattiest two people ever, so I can't imagine there was ever an appropriately silent moment to come to our table. She did what she could.
I had a starter of flat bread with truffle oil and (my substitution) goat cheese. While the provolone probably would've been yummier, this was really good and just what I wanted (lots o' bread and cheese). Also tried some of the crostini with pear and Gorgonzola and that is truly amazing. Even if you're not a fan of blue cheese, the balance of sweet pear and tangy blue cheese is PERFECT. Definitely a must-try.
I had the Italian seafood soup as a main, and it was equally perfect. Though I should probably preface that by saying I'm addicted to this kind of soup, so I may be a bit biased. Lots of mussels, one clam (I think for presentation), and I wasn't sure what the fish was that was included. Some kind of whitefish certainly, but didn't seem like haddock, so I was at a loss. My only mini complaint is that it only had one scallop and one shrimp (boo) -- but this isn't surprising, since it is an appetizer dish. If it was listed as a main, I would've been angry. Not as unreasonable for an appy.
I'll definitely be returning to A Mano, if only to try an actual main next time. -
Review from Mel H.
12/10/2011
Italian food is my favourite. My last meal on earth would be a Margherita pizza- so it's not entirely shocking that I am a fan of a Mano.
After a somewhat off-putting phone conversation to make a reservation (Me: "Hi, I'd like to make a reservation for 2 people at 7pm on Friday". Employee: "Ok, so Friday at 7:45 for how many people?" Me: ".....") I was impressed the reservation actually existed.
The place was packed and we had to wait a few moments for our table- no big deal. Our sever was super- gave us what we needed, had a personality but wasn't all up in our business. And the food?
Delicious.
We split the Bruschetta Miste (3 different types of Bruschetta.) to start- it was tasty, but not huge and kind of awkward to share. My friend had a pasta of some sort- it looked tasty and I (of course) had the Margherita pizza. My only complaint would be they were a little scarce on the cheese. I get that it's not supposed to be smothered in cheese like the pizza you get at a typical pizza shop, but a few more dollops would have still been ok. For dessert we split some kind of awesomeness with gelato, chocolate and Baileys. I have no idea what it was called but it was pretty much the stuff dreams are made of.
All in all, despite the restaurant being very busy and loud (in a good way.. I am a big fan of the hub bub) we didn't once feel rushed and the food didn't take too long. Hurray! -
Review from Cheryl C.
12/10/2011
Ristorante a mano is a nice Italian restaurant. It very much reminds me of the local Italian places where families will go on a Sunday night (or as our friend Alex in Abruzzo says "It's Sunday, it's cold and raining, what do you do? Go to the restaurant!"). It's busy and noisy, as are family restaurants in Italy.
The food is decent but in repeated visits, it's never wowed me. The menu, especially in terms of pasta, seems very weighted to cooking styles in regions of NOrthern Italy where you get more butter and creamy foods.
The pasta is fresh, but I found it somewhat overcooked - too soft and without enough bite, which iI have noticed there before. My partner had beef tenderloin and had to ask the waitress if she wanted to know his cooking preference. She said "we usually just cook it." We also had to ask for water, it was never offered.
It's a fine place to take your family and have a nice meal that won't blow you away, but won't be terrible either. -
Review from Lori M.
Revisited a Mano on Friday evening. Greeted by Kelly who remembers my husband and I each visit. I smiled immediately as I walked in because for me, a Mano is like coming to a friends house for dinner.
Lets get to the meal, shall we? My starter was the funghi crimini farciti. Mushrooms stuffed with prosciutto, herbs, stuffing... They were plentiful, and flavourful... Two of my favourite things. Distinct meatiness from the mushrooms and prosciutto with the deliciousness of garlic and the freshness of herbs. Great combo. Husbands starter was their meatballs (from their spaghetti) and while no longer on the menu as a starter, they will happily make it for you upon request. He loves them and will not share at all!
Main dishes. I most often have pizza. Asparagus pizza to be exact - again not listed on the menu but they will create one for me if I ask (and you too!!). I actually opted for the vegetariana and was not disappointed - lord ricotta is nice on pizza. Veggies were roasted and caramelized to a Lori Approved level!!! Husbands choice? Tortellini al prosciutto. I tasted it .... delisioso !!!
I ended with the cappuccino (Illy with lots of crema) although I lusted after the nutella crepe. Ahhhhh. There's always next time.
Meals with beverages was about 60ish dollars. Pretty good for date night!1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
11/4/2011
Visited tonight and must say we were pleasantly surprised. I had the crostini with pears, gorgonzola… Read more »
-
-
Review from Leslie F.
When it comes to good food, the Bertossi Group doesn't really mess around, which is why I will never say no when someone suggests that we head to A Mano for a meal. The salads are amazing - if you're an arugula lover, you better believe that their Salata di Rucola is the stuff dreams are made of. Arugula, almonds, avocado, and all things delicious go into this salad. It could make a pretty decent meal on its own. However, I'm not one to do things half-ass, so I also like to get in on some pizza action. The Pollo (chicken) is my go-to, but the Vegetariana is also delicious. The service is good, the prices are decent, and the food is great. You should go there.
Listed in: South End Eats
-
Review from Kimberley M.
Halifax, NS
12/2/2011
When I want great Italian ambiance and fantastic food, A Mano is one of my favorite places in the city. Yes, I can't eat everything on the menu (lots of delicious dairy and gluten abound!), but I can find plenty of pleasing options that fill my belly. Everything is fantastic, I swear.
I love the staff; they are warm, friendly and often have a great sense of humor. It'll feel somewhat familial, I bet.
Now, getting back to the "ambiance". I love it, but some people dislike the fact that when it's busy, it's busy, and at A Mano, busy means noisy. The place is more clamor than quiet, but I like the bustle and celebration that seems to be present along with the sights and sounds. Not the place to go if you want a quiet dinner for two, though. Lunches are quieter than dinner, and it's a great pick if you want a nice lunch in a great setting at a relatively quick pace, if you are in the area.
Mostly I pick a place to dine on the guarantee of something tasty and the knowledge that I'm going to have a good time with whomever I'm dining with. This place makes that happen every, single time!Listed in: Date Night!, It's a Party!
-
Review from Kent P.
8/4/2011
This place is a turn in the right direction for the Halifax restaurant industry. Lots of selection, a bustling atmosphere, Mano's decor is dark and has great views of the waterfront. It is usually busy- so unless you get table #1 which is a little secluded, it can get quite loud.
The menu is well layed out and split into: apps/antipasti, meats/fish/pasta, and pizza. It was expansive.
Opted for a spinach salad with avocado, bacon, and some nuts which was fresh, of large portion, and tasty.
Split the spaghettini with chilis, garlic, olive oil,and a splash of tomato. The pasta was a tad overcooked and the noodles seemed a lot closer to spaghetti. The splash of tomato was a pretty heavy splash, and the sauce was a lot closer to a red based sauce rather than oil,as I expected.
For a main I had some halibut with arugla and a cream sauce. The amount of fish and the quality of it was impressive....reminded me of how much I like eating seafood in the Maritimes.
Our server was very friendly but made a few small errors...nothing too serious though.
Not on par with with some of Italian places in other Canadian cities...but a sign of better things to come in Halifax, I think. -
Review from Nick B.
Halifax, NS
Well, it's fitting that my 100th Yelp review is a five-star. And A Mano definitely deserved it based on my experience last night. Entertaining friends in town, I managed to steer them away from the tourist trap Five Fishermen, and we decided, with their kids in tow, to check out A Mano. I made a quick call ahead to get them started on putting a table together, and they quickly had somewhere for us to sit.
Here's what I liked - a friendly, attentive staff that kept good track of what we wanted, and managed to not make us feel rushed even though throughput is clearly important for them. The menu is well put together, not too overwhelming but with a lot of variety. A lot of starters were on offer, and we picked a few on the recommendation of our server.
The food, excellent. My wife and I had pasta dishes, tortellini and gnocci. Great portions, great tasting food, and the presentation was quite good. The pizzas were amazing - we had four different ones come out, far too much for the seven of us so we left with leftovers. Literally nothing that I tried there last night was anything but incredible, and as I generally remark, why hadn't I gone sooner. I think I have a new favourite downtown. -
Review from Jill M.
10/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm a fan of Ristorante a Mano, yet I don't visit it very often. Why? Well, I guess it just comes down to options. If I'm craving pasta, I tend to head to Il Mercato and if I'm craving pizza, I tend to stop at Morris East. But I've enjoyed my two visits to A Mano, so perhaps I'll have to try it a few more times and re-evaluate.
I've ordered the same pizza both times I've gone to a Mano - the tartufata, which has bechamel sauce, mozzarella, wild mushrooms, caramelized onions and truffle oil. It was basically made to please me, and it's delicious. I also enjoyed my cocktail, but I was disappointed that we didn't get any bread while we waited for our meal like you do at many other restaurants.
Next time I go I plan on trying the gnocchi, which I hear is great - maybe it'll convince me to go back more often.Listed in: I Heart Carbs, Viva Italia
-
Review from David H.
11/25/2011
I want what he had.
I ordered the veal and it was dry. It didn't have any sauce with it and it was two little cutlets. I made it through one and the veal itself wasn't overly dry but with the breading it was too much for me.
I enjoyed the wine and my dining companion thoroughly enjoyed his chicken and pasta dish. I forgot what he had but I wish I had it too.
If you ignore my review and eat here then please don't get the veal. Try something else, and if you want to be safe the chicken and penne dish was toothsomme (or so I heard).
They have plenty of interesting wine to try but I wouldn't rely on the waitstaff to help you. Friendly staff but not very knowledgeable and when they are busy the staff has trouble managing the workload and you will feel abandoned. -
Review from Colette O.
Bedford, NS
10/26/2011
This is one of the most lively restaurants in the city. And if you've been to any family-run trattoria in Italy, you'll know that makes it pretty darned true to its namesake and offering. I love the energy here, but admittedly, it's not for everyone. If you're looking for a quiet place to bunker down and share a deep conversation, I'd pass. But, if you're looking for a great location to be boisterous and laugh with friends, this place is perfect.
a Mano's wine list is always great and I find they tend to feature beautiful Italian wines that you can't always find at other locations - I've had Vernaccia, Montepulciano and Barbara D'Alba there, all of which tend not to make their way onto other wine lists in the city.
I also find that the longer they're around, the better and more refined their menu gets. Since the first iteration of the menu when the restaurant opened to my visit today (and many, many others in between), I'm consistently more and more impressed and satisfied by what they offer. Their handmade pastas are always delicious (try the Arrabiata and the Gnocchi), the soups are belly-warming and satisfying and their daily fish special is always incredible. I tend not to get a pizza when I go here because I love everything else so much more, but they're always great, too.
Oh, yes, and save room for dessert. The gelato is exceptional and the daily bread pudding has made its way back onto the menu. Eat one, both, or take it home, but don't leave without having something.
Make sure you call ahead for reservations (even by 24 hours or more), as the place fills up fast and you'll be lucky to walk in on a Friday or Saturday night to find a seat. -
Review from Andrew F.
Halifax, NS
6/27/2011
Ristorante a Mano is cozy, warm and welcoming. However, the food and overall experience didn't wow me like I expected it would.
We decided to walk-in on a Friday night, which was our first mistake. It was extremely busy, and it look a lot longer than we expected to get a table without a reservation. Mind you, the wait time has nothing to do with the 3 out of 5 stars rating. It was our fault for not calling ahead of time, but hey, if your stomach is calling out for Italian food, you have to do what you can to satisfy it, right?
Another thing about a Mano - it is VERY noisy. Don't get me wrong, it is what I expected from a popular Waterfront Italian restaurant on a Friday night, but because of the noise level, I wouldn't consider a Mano the best date or casual dining destination, due to the fact that intimate conversation (or conversation in general) may prove to be somewhat difficult.
Let's jump right into the food. My friends and I started off with the Sgabello Appetizer. It was cheesy, gooey and tasty, but for the price, I was expecting something a little less greasy and a little more refined. It reminded me of something you might pick up at a Pizza Delight.
Moving onto the main dishes, I went with the Margherita Pizza (I felt the need to try one, as we had the opportunity to watch the chefs work their magic while we waited for our table at the bar). My friends ended up getting Pastas, which they seemed happy with for the most part.
My pizza, was slightly disappointing. I wouldn't say it was awful, but it didn't stand out as anything special in my mind. I thought to myself, "If a place can't master the classic, what is to be said about the rest of their offerings? The crust was uninspired, the sauce was a little plain, and the overall presentation looked a little lazy. To be honest, I felt like I could have made something similar in my own oven at home.
Enough ranting about what I didn't enjoy, let's get onto the dessert. I was told that a Mano had amazing desserts, so I managed to save some room for a scoop of Gelato. WELL, let me tell you, this was the best Gelato I have had in Halifax! Our server suggested the Skor and the Pistachio, but considering how much I love Pistachio-flavoured desserts, I went for it. It was divine. That one heaping scoop of Italian Ice Cream brought everything together for me.
Despite the fact that I didn't enjoy the pizza all that much (Salvatore's cannot be beaten, it seems), I would go back to a Mano to try one of their mains or a pasta dish next time. OH, and another dessert is in order, for sure!
After all is said and done, though, I was expecting a lot more from the popular Waterfront Destination. -
Review from Mike B.
Updated - 3/28/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Update!!
Went back to a Mano. It was much busier this second time although the service was actually much faster, although unfortunately that didn't allow for as much one-on-one with the server so it didn't feel as warm but it was busy period.
I, once again, got the lasagna. Not quite as soupy this time but still otherwise the same. Pleasant, but not the best I've ever had. And, as promised before, I asked for the flourless chocolate torte this time. Much to my disappointment, it has been permanently removed from their menu because it wasn't very popular. I was so let down... but I had the chocolate pound cake again and it was still good. Comes covered in the same raspberry drizzle with a dollope of whipped cream that the torte likely would have had. Either way, I'm glad I know. :)Listed in: Lasagna Fantasies
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
3/16/2011
Despite living in Halifax for nearly a decade, I have never taken it upon myself to eat at any of… Read more »
-
-
Review from Andrew P.
3/26/2011 1 photo
This was the first stop on my new Yelp Guerrilla campaign, last night for an early dinner before "The Drowsy Chaperone."
Never one to turn down Italian before a musical, I complied.
The atmosphere was cozy with warm red and mustard yellow walls, great natural lighting, and a stunning view of the harbour.
However, it was a little hard to hear what my friends were saying so I often had to cup my ears, but all the same, it was no louder than I expected.
I enjoyed the abundant young trendy people who attended to give a real European flair to the experience.
After I heard that the gnocchi was highly praised, I ordered the gnocchi bolognese for my dinner, and can I just say "wow."
The sauce was effortlessly flavourful and the gnocchi was divinely soft.
Next, it was time to order dessert, and after I had walked by the waterfront sign many times, ordered the homemade blood orange sorbetto. The sorbetto was quite flavourful, and was a great palate cleanser.
The only disadvantage of Ristorante a Mano, was the lack of bread at the table. Any one who grew up surrounded in Italian restaurants, such as in Albany, knows the greatest joy of the meal is dipping soft, warm bread with a crispy crust in a thick savory sauce (or even a piccata sauce!) This left a delicious sauce at the bottom of my bowl, that I had to scoop out with a fork! Such a shame...
I would recommend Ristorante a Mano for perhaps a 10th date, or with old friends and a glass of wine. The high volume of the ambient conversation, doesn't lend well to a quiet, get to know you chat. So come on down and get a great italian meal, and yes, if you stop by, do as the experts do and get the gnocchi! -
Review from Ben B.
12/15/2010 1 Check-in Here
With a more welcoming, community feel than its popular sister restaurant Il Mercato, A Mano really does feel like a hint of Italy in our city. That does mean that the place can get quite loud and boisterous in the evenings (so intimate discussions should probably be taken elsewhere) but it adds to the charm.
I find their pizzas to be a bit hit-or-miss. One favourite combined buffalo mozzarella, caramelized onions, mushrooms and truffle oil which I just about want to bathe in every time, while another (the bianco or blanco) sounded much better on the menu than what arrived at our table. Their gnocchi, on the other hand, was delightful and the best I've found since the loss of Piccolo Mondo.
Their service is always quite lovely and their waiters are more than happy to help you out with anything that you need. Oh - and be sure to ask them if they have any Bread Pudding. I don't believe it's on the menu (I've heard rumours they keep it to special requests for regulars, but maybe they were just trying to make me feel important), but it's unbelievable. They tend to change it up from night to night, but whether it's their maple version or with chocolate chips, it's out of this world. -
Review from Colm M.
4/14/2011
Dined here with my wife. We've had much better. Granted, we were in Italy at the time. And it has improved marginally on the taste meter since the first visit. But really, and we aint bein pretentious here--this food had no taste the day we got back from Italy!!!! We had just had home made pisci with wild boar in Sant Fiora, followed by a desert that was glorious-- chestnut puree, a dash of real cocoa, a touch of cognac, some fresh cream...all mushed together on a plate by a fabulous Italian waiter -unpretentious but incredibly professional.
Honestly...you can smell the food in the air and in the plants and animals in the fields around town all over Tuscany...you can pick up a bit of earth from beneath your feet, and it has a touch of the wondrous smell you'll find in something balancing on your fork later in the evening. Man...that's FOOD!!!!
We didn't meet the cook in the kitchen, but apparently she has been there for years. I'll get back to you with the name of the place soon. I'd give it six stars.
Here it is--Il Barilotto. No website. Worth the search!!! -
Review from Vanessa J.
Halifax, NS
9/27/2011
Pizza is great, definitely most bang for the buck but you might wanna save some bucks n consider Peters pizza instead.
Tried an actual entree (Stuffed chicken breast and roasted veg - $20) was sorrily disappointed. The same dinner at Chives left my taste buds elated and i was very satisfied. A Mano's was pathetic. One small chicken breast (i mean, insultingly small) 3 small roasted potatoes (3cmx2cm) 2 slices of carrot and 3 of the thinnest peices of aspargus ive ever seen in my life! they fit between the prongs of my fork.
Seriously, A Mano, you can do better than this, especially for the high cost and we were with a party of 21 people...insulting. -
Review from Sabrina B.
Halifax, NS
1/28/2012
Been there twice. Once a mouse ran across the floor, next time, mouse ran up a curtain. Told the staff a mouse ran up the curtain, they said, "happens all the time." Good to know.
-
Review from Laura P.
4/29/2010 5 photos
Ristorante a Mano is owned by the Bertossi Restaurant Group, who are the same folks responsible for up-scale emporiums Il Mercato and Bish. A Mano takes on a bit more of a relaxed palate-- specializing in pizza pies-- while assuring the same posh dining and cultivated cuisine as other venues.
The owners are Italian and have been in the business for many years. As their most recent endeavor, A Mano has been open for about 3 years now and is still going strong. Its lovely waterfront location and elegant indoor dining offer a touch of ambiance with its Italian Pizzeria flavour.
Vegetarian pizzas here are magnificent. Eggplant, artichoke, roasted sweet peppers and caramelized onions with fresh basil and ricotta? Yes please! There are other veggie friendly pizzas to pick from, as well as a whole menu of pasta, specialty meat dishes, soups and starters. Amano's offerings are rich and made with care,
Good wine is always available as well, as Bishop's Cellar is just a corridor away! This is a wonderful spot for quality eats and a fine dining atmosphere without breaking the bank.Listed in: Best Veggie Pizzas
-
Review from David W.
10/16/2010
The Ristorante a Mano is located on the upscale Bishop's Landing waterfront. It features a scenic view of the harbour along one face of the restaurant. The majority of the seating with in the restaurant is with out much of a view. Various Italian inspired quotes decorate the restaurant. It's well lit and warm inside though they've obviously tried to make the restaurant Italian pizzeria styled but more upscale which doesn't totally work for the effect they desired.
Primarily known as a pizza place, I strongly recommend sticking to their specialty. Home-styled with thick crusts and cheesy toppings its hard to go wrong. Their pastas on the hand, particularly the gnocchi was overcooked and fairly bland despite the server's strong recommendation for it.
As mentioned by others, the fresh lemon cheesecake has become their reputation for desserts and would suggest you not miss it no matter how full you may be afterward.
The slow service, coupled with an incident where the server forgot both my main and dessert order, along with their pricing made this overall experience nothing to write home about. -
Review from Amy W.
5/10/2011
I always enjoy going to A Mano, especially in the summer when the patio is open. And I always eat the exact same salad - the Rucola, which has avocado, mango, and slivered almonds as well as greens and a lime dressing. On date nights we usually also split a pizza. My favourite is the Pollo (roasted chicken, red peppers) - some of them are a little light on the toppings and not quite as tasty (I'm looking at you, Bianca.) Nevertheless it's a great spot - cosy, friendly, great food, not too crazy expensive, and very accommodating to vegetarian and vegan guests.
-
Review from Ruth D.
Halifax, NS
Be warned, this place is packed in the summer. Perfect location - Bishop's Landing near the cruise ships, doesn't hurt. The service is friendly and, although you can eat on the terrace and people watch, I prefer to visit off tourist season.
The food is fresh and the prices are just right! Typically, my husband will order pizza - lots of carnivore choices for him. I favor the pastas and even though every dish looks tasty, I usually end up with the Spaghettini Frutti di Mare.
It's a great place to chill with friends. -
Review from Lacey H.
5/21/2010
Any restaurant located within the chic Bishop's Landing scene, automatically garners points because of location. I love this little area, ripe with upscale shops and restos, as well as a magnificent waterfront view.
Ristorante a Mano offers a bright dining room, albeit quasi-subterranean. The colors are splashy and vibrant, and upon entry, you'll be greeted by a display case teeming with delectable sweet escapes. With gelato, tiramisu, and cognac laced bread pudding, not to mention lemon cheesecake, the dessert offerings are enticing enough that you may simply choose to skip the main course.
I advise you however, to not skip dinner and instead, have it all! The crostini antipasti with pears and gorgonzola is swoon worthy, while the vegetarian pizza is plump and tasty - and of course, the rucola salad with papaya and avocado is fresh and delightful.
The prices are fair for the high quality offerings, and the service is attentive and helpful. Their wine selection is always rotating, but they do a nice job at picking out specific varietals to go with your chosen dish. Ristorante a Mano is a great spot in a lovely part of town.
Cin cin! -
Review from Ang M.
Halifax, NS
10/13/2009
I like the food at this place a lot, but even more than that, I like the atmosphere. A little crowded, a little busy - but not so noisy that you can't hear your table-mates- a little dark. Fast, friendly servers, and gourmet pizza like you crave in your dreams.
My favourite dish is the Pizza Tartufata - wild mushrooms, truffle oil and roasted onions. The first time I had this, the flavours struck me as unexpectedly rich and delicious. I've had it a few times since, with slightly less flavour impact - maybe they're skimping on the truffle oil? - but it's still an enjoyable and original dish.
Lots of other tasty and unique pies to choose from, and some excellent desserts, including several fresh gelatos ,round out a good meal here. -
Review from Shawna D.
Chester, NS
5/21/2010
Pizza - if you make Pizza, we will get there eventually. Having walked by here a few times throughout the winter, it was time to stop in to check out this neat spot.
I can see why it gets packed in the summer, prime location a great food, enhanced by terrific atmosphere. What else can you ask for.
We ordered the pizza of course. It was fabulous! I am not sure why, sometimes I think our family was born in the wrong part of the country, we love pasta and Pizza is at the top of the list.
Prices here are reasonable and the food great. The staff is pretty upbeat and always wearing a smile. -
Review from Jay D.
7/11/2010 1 photo
Great place. Pizza crust and toppings were great, sauce a little lack luster. We also had Mista salad and Pear and Gorgonzola crostini.
