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The Bicycle Thief
Categories: Restaurants Italian Restaurants Canadian (Traditional) Italian, Canadian (Traditional) [Edit]
1475 Lower Water StHalifax, NS B3J 3Z2
(902) 425-7993
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 10 pm
Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy, Trendy, Upscale
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
56 reviews for The Bicycle Thief
Review Highlights
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"The wine list was diverse and well priced." In 9 reviews -
"The dessert cart is to die for, so many many options of..." In 6 reviews -
"We shared the salumi board and the polenta." In 3 reviews
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56 reviews in English
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Review from Jim L.
5/10/2012
Came in on a busy Friday night and was promptly seated by very helpful staff at the bar. Bartenders were very willing to walk through the menu, which was overwhelming not because of length but because there were at least three items in each category that looked truly fantastic.
Had seared scallops in a chili sauce, lobster ravioloni in a delicious red cream sauce, and lemon meringue pie for dessert. Portions were just right -- not too big, but certainly enough to be very filling. The real highlights were the sauces, which had me using up the entire bread basket to sop after both the appetizer and the entree. It is crowded and can get loud, but that is a small price to pay for such quality. Next time I'm in town, will definitely be going back. -
Review from Tina H.
5/16/2012 6 photos
Very nice atmosphere. Dark, candle-lit with the perfect amount of wood accents.
Delicious, solid food. I decided to go with the seafood zuppa which had lobster, mussels and shrimp. Quite delicious.
This is a perfect date spot if you want to impress your date with delicious food paired with delicious drinks in a romantic atmosphere. -
Review from KC B.
St John's, NL
4/3/2012
Enjoyed a great meal here on Saturday, March 24th, 2012 with a few friends while visiting Halifax. I was amazed at the quality of the food as I had anticipated that a restaurant that size and that busy would have either slow service or poor quality. I was very wrong! The four of us all sampled small amounts from each other's meals so I was able to taste a wide variety of meals. Here's what I thought.
Appetizers:
* Pumpkin & Butternut Squash soup with garlic Grana Padano croutons, crumbled crispy prosciutto -
This was perhaps the finest soup I have ever tasted. It was not creamy as I had anticipated, but even as a broth soup it was incredibly flavorful and I recommend to anyone. Top notch.
*Radicchio & Savoy cabbage, warm garlic pancetta dressing, toasted pinenuts, grated parmigiano -
A delightfully enjoyable salad with fantastic flavor that left me wanting more.
Entrees:
*Double smoked bacon wrapped Pork Tenderloin, braised homemade Salsiccia & savoy cabbage stuffing,
Pan roasted, sweet Marsala wine reduction
Didn't love this entree. I'm not a fan of "soft" or "slimy" bacon though and it's hard to wrap crispy bacon around a tenderloin so I get that. I just didn't love the sauce as it tasted generic and like something from a Kraft bottle. This was my friend's entree though so it wasn't all bad. This was the low point of the meal for me.
*Pistachio honey-crusted Atlantic salmon, oven roasted, Wildflower honey fresh herb beurre blanc
This was very, very nice. Even for someone who is not a big fish eater I very much enjoyed this salmon dish.
*Organic Chicken breast Supreme, Truffle-laced Wild mushroom Arborio risotto stuffing,
pan Jus white wine spiked caramelized Shallot sauce
The chicken was MY entree and I loved it. I've never had a better sauce for chicken in my life and the risotto stuffing was fantastic. My only recommendation with this or any meal would be to replace the bland mashed potato with some roasted baby potatoes / roasted red potatoes.
*Peppercorn crusted Beef Tenderloin Tagliata, carpaccio-style, drizzled with E.V. olive oil, 12-year old Balsamic,
whole Mushroom & Vidalia onion sauté, sea salted hand cut Frites
This was excellent. The steak was incredibly juicy and tasty. The flavor was popping. The hand cut frites have a distinctive and unique flavor that I enjoyed.
*Dessert:
All of the desserts seemed to be big enough to share (2 people) and I imagine they change them frequently or have add ons. We enjoyed the best carrot cake that I've ever had. It was very moist and packed amazing flavor.
Overall: I'd give 5 stars with my only major recommendation being that The Bicycle Thief do away with the bland mashed potatoes in favour of roasted potatoes. Wine is also fairly expensive.
But overall great service, speed and quality. It's a MUST EAT -
Review from Jas A.
Lower Sackville, NS
5/15/2012
This place gets a lot of hype in Halifax, and I can see why! I was treated to dinner at Bicycle thief for my birthday, and was pleasantly surprised at how helpful the employees were even when they were busy! I ordered the pistachio encrusted salmon which was a large proportion and very tasty. My date ordered the rack of lamb and said he would absolutely order it again. The only reason I didn't rate it 5 stars is because I was less than impressed by their calamari. I have had better in Halifax. Besides my appetizer, I will definitely go back.
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Review from Deanna S.
3/30/2012
I had the pleasure of visiting Halifax for a month on a business trip. Over the course of the month, I had visited a variety of different restaurants. The Bicycle Thief was my favourite.
We went on a Friday night, and naturally, it was busy. However, I live in Downtown Vancouver where every restaurant is busy all the time. I'm used to it. The decor is super chic, and gives the whole place a cool, calm, and collected feel. You could dress up or dress casually and not feel out of place either way. Even though there's a lot of hustle and bustle going on all around you, it's still very intimate. They have the tables laid out so that even though you are close to your neighbours, you don't feel overcrowded. It makes me sad to read complaints by other Yelpers, claiming that it was "too loud." I thought that the the high volume really added to the atmosphere. This was the place to be.
I had just come from a wine-tasting, so I was all wine-d out and went with a cocktail instead. I can't remember the name of the drink that I had, but it was served in a martini glass, with a rose syrup and a tiny dried rose floating on top. It was really good!
For dinner, I had the peppercorn crusted beef tenderloin tagliata. It was REALLY good! The prices are high, but I'm always ready to exchange money for quality food.
I promise you that if you are a hip person who loves to go out to an equally hip restaurant, the Bicycle Thief will not disappoint. Go go go!!! -
Review from Ally G.
Bedford, NS
2/22/2012
It's funny, I never thought I would leave my husband for a sandwich, but there you have it. Surprising, but I'm finding life with my delicious steak sandwich from The Bicycle Thief satisfying and passionate. We have nice cuddles and watch American Idol together.
The affair started innocently enough over lunch with friends. Typically, when ordering food I either go for pasta or sushi. This is not a funny joke. I either eat pasta at any restaurant or sushi at a sushi restaurant. Interesting, I am not.
Someone suggested the steak sandwich and since I'd had a glass (ok, two) of prosecco, I decided to be a Wild One (just like in Flo Rida's new song! Check it!).
People of Halifax and visitors from afar: THE STEAK MELTS IN YOUR EVER-LOVING-MOUTH. I'm not kidding. I didn't bite it just to see!
It was the most scrumptious, delightful sandwich I have ever had the pleasure of putting in my face. The fries (or frites?) were also lovely, but the sandwich totally trumped the plate. It was like bringing Leo DiCaprio and Channing Tatum to lunch. You appreciate Channing, but you can't get past Leo. Get it? Leo=steak, Channing=french fries...no?
The service was fantastic, atmosphere delightful - despite being a very busy Friday lunch. Thanks to my designated driver from the group for allowing me the opportunity to engage in alcoholic beverages at 12:30pm on a Friday.
This is a must-visit restaurant. -
Review from Jeff P.
Eastern Passage, NS
2/18/2012
Been meaning to write this review for too long, so forgive my lack of delicious detail.
Suffice to say, the Bicycle Thief does not disappoint. Read on for pleasure.
My wife treated me for my birthday last month. Even though I'm a "sure thing," she wanted a fine-dining experience, but not require us to be too dressed up for our drinks and dancing to follow.
To solve both needs, that meant the Bicycle Thief.
I remember fondly the tuna tartar most of all. Can I just say: succulent! Freakin' incredible. Like, take a bite, your face relaxes, sit back, close your eyes, and really enjoy it. Yes, that good.
I won't go into such feeling with each of our dishes, but we splurged on two courses each. The only reason we turned down dessert is because we were absolutely stuffed.
I hope if you go, you'll enjoy as much as we did. Leave it to them to make sure of it.
Any drinks and dancing afterward are your responsibility.
-jeff -
Review from Matt J.
Halifax, NS
4/16/2012
I had heard so many great things about The Bicycle Thief that I was ecstatic when I heard our office would be going there for a dinner meeting. We showed up there around 5pm and stayed until around 9. The whole time the waitresses were attentive and the wine glasses were never empty. The service was top notch, especially considering we had about 30 people in our party.
There were always appetizers available, which were good for the most part. The charchuterie plates and tempura style veggies were tasty, although the tempura seemed a little over done. The calamari was quite good though! It seems to be tough to find well cooked calamari in Halifax for some reason.
The main dish is where it fell a little flat I found. I had veal scaloppine. It was not great; the sauce tasted like $0/.99 Ragu from the store and there was too much of it slopped on top of the veal, I couldn't taste the meat.
I'm really hoping this was due to the large party I was with and not a real reflection of the type of food being served here. I am really hoping I'll get a chance to try The Bicycle Thief again soon as the wine list is fantastic and the decor very enticing. -
Review from Meghan W.
1/7/2012
I visited on a Friday night with my husband and we haven't been there since it was Bish, the spot holds special memories for us and it didn't disappoint. We ate and we ate, I have so much to say I'll have to make a list:
Calamari: Large serving of perfectly fried rings (no chewiness) with an aioli dipping sauce. Tender morsels from heaven.
Tuna tartare: Large serving of tuna with avocado, cream and crustini. Light, fresh and well balanced.
Whole herb stuffed fish: a beautifully plated whole grilled fish, you don't get that much around here. I think people don't like to look into the eyes of their food but and if you serve my husband a whole fish he will love you forever. Cooked perfectly with mash and veg.
Veal scaloppini: Three cutlets of melt in your mouth scaloppini with a wonderfully fresh tomato sauce, the same mash and veg as above.
Caramel cake: Oh god I love the Bertossi's bakers, really if there's no baker on site that can measure up to these fine folks I don't get dessert! Double yum with yum on top.
Additionally we had wine by the glass from their ample wine list with lots of price points. Our server was lovely and all the servers worked their asses off, it's a busy hip place!Listed in: People in Your Neighborhood…
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Review from Tiffany T.
Halifax, NS
12/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
OK, I am going to have to go again soon and hope that I enjoy it better. There is still hope, because I really want to love it.
We went for the bf's birthday dinner with some family. We were seated over to the right beside a large table, probably about 18 ladies. They were extremely loud, making it very difficult for anyone at my table to have any sort of conversation. The decor is lovely and I love all of the pictures on the walls. I must also comment about the restrooms, I loved having my own concealed stall!
I had the gnocchi, for the first time ever. It was OK, but not what I was expecting at all. One of my fellow diners had some as well, and said she had better.
I had the stuffed organic chicken as my main which was accompanied with fresh veggies; carrots, brocolli, tomatoes and mashed potatoes. The veggies were fantasic and cooked just perfect. The chicken was OK, but definitely lacked something. I'm not really a mashed potato fan, I would have opted for rice which I admittedly expected rather than potato, yes I should have asked.
I must say that everyone else enjoyed their meals, with no complaints. The bf had the peppercorn steak (which looked awesome), accompanied with fries which were MOUTH WATERING!
Creme Brule for desert. THE BEST DAMNED CREME BRULE I HAVE EVER HAD. Thank you Vanessa for the recommendation!
I never saw the bill, but one would imagine it was pretty high.
Try the Blue Mojito, it was pretty tasty.
So yes, I will return and will opt for an entirely different meal and hope that it goes better. I will stick with my desert -
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
11/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Give me a delicious, 3 or 5 oz pour in the roundest stemware I've seen, and I'm just saying, I'll be a wee bit giddy. I'll still be giggling, even if the wine is a tich more extravagantly priced than I would have liked when our reservation comes complete with a waterfront view. Yep, I was feeling like a rockstar.
It's okay that they moved us to accomodate a larger party. I'm happy to swish away. But then our bread got a bit forgotten in the shuffle, which may have been a blessing in disguise when I recount the robustness of the rest of our meal, which was worth every penny!
Arugula and papaya salad with goat cheese - crisp, sweep, and you know, cheese - yum! The bite I had of my dining buddy's savoury Italian crepe left a little to be desired, texture wise. I'm just saying, a bit more crunch than the amaratti cookie crumbled, doesn't do any harm. All was saved though with my entree.
GET. THE. LASAGNA. Béchamel, the mushrooms, the freshly made pasta. GET. THE. LASAGNA.
And then when I didn't think I could eat another morel, they brought out the dessert menu and on it was what I had been tipped off to already. PEANUT BUTTER GELATO. There it was, complimented by a sundae, completed with chocolate fudge and whipping cream. I wish I could say that I ordered it. But, alas, I was stuffed. So they brought it to us as a scoop of gelato.
Oh, heavens, Bicycle Thief, you gave me my peanut butter Halifax fix, an unforgettable lasagna and a magical view. I couldn't ask for anything more from you, except for maybe seconds. See you next time!Listed in: Sprinkled With Haligonian…
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Review from Bailey W.
Halifax, NS
3/16/2012
DELISH! I've had the pleasure of eating here twice earlier in the fall and I enjoyed every bite. Although the food was unforgettable what I remember more was the excellent service I received. A friend of mine and i chose to sit outside on a chilly night and along with our appetizer our server brought us beautiful pashminas to keep us warm.
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Review from Kenny T.
Toronto, ON
11/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
What a great find - on a recent trip to Halifax we stumbled on this place - I had low expectations, given past meals in Hali - good but not great...but was blown away. The space was dark and cozy with a full crowd on a Tuesday night...lots of energy and local vibe...definitely not a quiet or sleepy spot.
Our server was great - had a yummy take on a Tom Collins...my colleague had a cool cocktail too. The wine list was diverse and well priced.
We over-ordered a bit...hard menu to narrow down...so many great options and all generous portions...The seafood was extremely fresh and a totally modern take...I would be able to go back weekly and not get bored if I lived in Halifax!
Try it out...these guys could give any restaurant in the big smoke a run for their money... -
Review from Colette O.
Bedford, NS
I am incapable of not eating here. When asked where we should go, The Bicycle Thief has quickly become my default. I adore the atmosphere, the location (the fact that it's on the waterfront and not downtown), the food, the bar and wine menu and, as is the case with all Bertossi Group restaurants, the impeccable, but never stuffy service.
Having spent an awful lot of time, and consequently money, at this joint, let me share a few tips to maximize your experience here:
1. Make plans to linger - the atmosphere is beautifully lively. There's something really special about the rhythm of this restaurant, so plan to stay and enjoy it as much as you enjoy the food and drink.
2. Sit at the bar - if only for the first part of your visit. It puts you at the centre of the restaurant and gives you a bird's-eye view of what's happening. Plus, the folks behind the bar won't fail to disappoint. Ask for a Pink Diamond Fizz and the rest of your night will be set, I assure you. Oh, and don't be shy to eat that truffle popcorn and the homemade potato chips. Stellar.
3. Eat the risotto - for heaven's sake, make sure someone at your table orders this. It's a different type every day and no one in the city does risotto better than Maurizio.
4. Drink the Brunello - to get Brunello by the glass is a complete treat. The price tag is hefty by comparison to some of the other wines, but it's completely worth it in my opinion.
5. Order as you're ready - this is a philosophy I tend to employ anywhere I go, but I especially appreciate it here. Order your app (or First Gear, as they call it) only. Eat it. Then order what you feel like next. This not only supports my reco in point #1, but I think you'll enjoy your meal much more. The menu is large and a bit overwhelming, so ordering everything at once can sometimes mean that your second course doesn't complement your first as much as you thought it would. I really believe you'll enjoy your evening far more by doing this. And don't worry, they're never behind in the kitchen. You won't wait that much longer by doing this.
6. Make reservations - you'll be hard-pressed to get in, otherwise.
Regardless of how you engage in your experience here, I don't think you can ever go wrong. So, walk, run or, ahem, bike to the Bicycle Thief if you haven't already made its acquaintance. Regardless, just go. -
Review from Sue A.
10/22/2011
For one of Halifax's most talked about restaurants, The Bicycle Thief is overrated. I recently went with a group of ten friends for a 40th birthday party.
Yes, it has a fun ambiance (the night we were there it was chaotic bistro), but it was as noisy as all get out. We spent most of the evening yelling at each other and a few in our party have hearing issues so they had difficulty chatting.
The service was as slow as molasses. Our server was very nice and apologetic for what obviously wasn't her fault. With a full house, there should have been more wait staff on.
I had a salad (Rucola, hazelnut dusted local Goat cheese, papaya, Wildflower honey vinaigrette) which was nice enough but nothing special. It seemed to have an excess of dressing.
Then I had my most disappointing course, the lamb chops. There were only three chops and they were heavily sauced with something akin to barbque sauce, making it more about the sticky sauce and less about a delicious cut of meat.
Dessert was just alright. I ordered what the waitress said was one of the house favourites, a layered cake made with lots of brown sugar and butter. It seemed to have a bit of a commercial taste to it and was so sweet I couldn't finish it and I have a major sweet tooth.
The Bicycle Thief was fun to try but I wouldn't be in a hurry to return unless someone else was paying. For the price and the quality of the food, it was a disappointment.Listed in: 30 Day Yelp Challenge
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Review from Daniel O.
10/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
We were a bit weary about trying The Bicycle Thief given its location in the tourist-heavy harbour of Halifax. But due to a recommendation from an Insta-friend (Instagram follower), we decided on checking it out.
Arrived at the tail end of lunch service, restaurant was pretty empty, which suited us fine. Greeted promptly at the door and shown to a great table next to the window with great views of the harbour.
First thing I noticed was how incredible the restaurant's interior is: cozy furniture, warm lighting, fireplace, I felt like I was dining in someone's home. Their flatware is beautiful, their plates have a silhouette of a dapper gent with a bike (the bicycle thief).
Having spent the day walking Halifax, we were famished and ready to eat. Ordered drinks, I had a negroni ($9), Mark had a gin based cocktail with rosemary (also $9). Both were great, but I did find it strange that my negroni was served in a martini glass. Our drinks arrived quickly along with a basket of housemde focaccia served with red pepper hummus. The focaccia was delicious, crispy on the exterior, soft and moist on the inside. I could have eaten the entire basket on my own.
We started with The salumi board ($12), a generous portion of cured meats including panchetta, porchetta, sopressata, prosciutto, bresaola amd was served with grissini, homemade giardiniera and olives. All were super tasty but would be better if they were sliced a but thinner which would make the larger cuts easier to eat.
As with almost all our other stops on the trip, we both ordered lobster rolls ($15). Being the priciest of all we sampled, I had high expectations. And they were completely met. The roll was stuffed with a super delicious lobster salad, full of large chunks of tail and claw. The side of fries was also very good, crunchy and salty on the outside and super potatoey on the inside.
Service was very good, our server was knowledgeable, made recommendations and was super friendly.
Loved The Bicylce Thief. Everything was perfect: food, service & ambience. Can't to to check it out again when back in Halifax. -
Review from Ann M.
Halifax, NS
12/20/2011
I am new to Yelp, but felt I had to go back in time to a few months ago to my first visit to The Bicycle Thief. I made a reservation there for the evening of the Port of Wines festival. It was insanely busy, but I was happy to find that the service was incredibly quick. The server was a total pro, and each course arrived with perfect timing.
I started with one of the best cocktails I've had (South End Cocktail), incredible calamari and unbelievable dish of steak and lobster-- both done to perfection. Homemade sorbetto for dessert followed by espresso. It was one of the most satisfying dining experiences I've had.
I can't wait for an opportunity to go back. -
Review from Rosalyn A.
Halifax, NS
11/23/2011 3 Check-ins Here
They can steal my bicycle anytime!!
My boyfriend and I decided to try this place out for our date night. It was noisy, but not irritating. The restaurant is quite romantic, especially when you get to sit by the window facing the harbor! Now the food, oh lord the food...the lamb practically melted in my mouth, and the Cassis spirited lamb jus OH GOD YES. It was so perfect in so many ways. Cooked perfectly, not over seasoned. The mashed potatoes were perfect, the veg cooked PERFECT. It was all, well...PERFECT! :D
You will definitely enjoy this restaurant, with the wine list that is big, the staff that are awesome, everything about it will make you fall in love!
Now to find a way to eat here every week.... -
Review from Ben B.
Oh yes. Oh yes yes yes. The Bicycle Thief and I are officially besties.
After a few more visits over the past few months - a few drinks here, a few apps there - I have to say that this incubator of Italian indulgence is only getting better. From the gorgeous Bishop's Landing patio with rustic communal tables, to my recent introduction to the truffle and parmesan popcorn that they stash up at the bar, I think it's officially safe to say that I'll never say no to a trip to The Bicycle Thief.
While I barely think it's even necessary for me to shower the food with any more praise, I finally got to try the mushroom lasagna topped with truffle-infused béchamel sauce and nearly had to be forcibly removed from my plate. An absolute winner among lasagnas! The Fritto Misto (lightly fried cauliflower, artichokes, and green beans) is usually my go-to starter although I'm sad that they ditched the sage leaves from the selection...
But more than just the food, I think I'm even more impressed by their creative cocktails. The Sparkling Sidecar is absolutely stunning, the blueberry mojito (I think that's what it was...) is a treat-and-a-half, and the Arugula Fizz is delightfully fresh.
When can I move in?Listed in: South Endery, The Waterfront Strip, Italiano, New Restaurants 2011!, Haute Halifax Cuisine
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/10/2011
Ah yes, the restaurant that has been rocking the city since February...I can't believe it took me so… Read more »
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Review from Ed D.
2/17/2012
If you go there, be sure to order a drink at the bar called "Snuggles With Lisa". It's a blend of lemoncello, vodka and gin - and unbelievably tasty.
Anyway, Bicycle Thief started things out on the right foot with perfectly mixed "Snuggles With Lisas". They really shifted into good review territory with the house-made potato chips that they serve at the bar.
When our table was ready, we split an order of the sweet-pepper studded crab-and-fish cake appetizer that was to die for. We followed that by splitting the radicchio and rucola salad that had a slight smokey flavor - but oh so incredibly light. For my main course, I had the ravioli and my wife had the pistachio honey-crusted Atlantic salmon. The ravioli was that - a single ravioli...but not your tiny, Chef Boy-R-Dee size - it was about 5 inches long and stuffed with lobster and chives and flavor that's making my mouth water just remembering it. My wife's salmon was excellent, too - we both were very pleased with out meals, and even though we were there on Valentine's Day, the service was still excellent. We enjoyed some of their Seghesio Rockpile '09 zinfandel - and even though we both had a fish dish, that Seghesio would go well with almost anything - even a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!
Finally, you absolutely must try the Callebaut chocolate mousse. Callebaut is not only the greatest chocolate maker in the world, their chocolate makes the best desserts, too. I know this from experience: I make a chocolate-chip cookie using Callebaut dark, unsweetened powder that gets raves all the time...and the only secret ingredient I use is the Callebaut. Anyway, the mousse is a "hit".
Bicycle Thief is also on my list of "must visit again" when I'm back in Halifax. -
Review from R N.
Halifax, NS
10/22/2011
We have been waiting for the buzz around the bicycle thief to die down as we are not the sort to make reservations. We headed here around 9:30 on a Friday night, and the place was buzzing! But not so much so that we weren't seated right away. The clientele is older established types (my partner called one table 'The Young Avenue Improvement Society') and yuppies. Our server was very nice, but the food was only OK. The salad was mediocre, but the minestrone was nice. The vegetable fettuccine was tasty, but made from dry pasta and out of season asparagus. My partner did enjoy his short rib, and the server and kitchen were very accommodating of our dietary issues. Both my Manhattan and the cherry sorbet were too sweet. All in all: over-priced and under-whelmed.
After 9pm dining in Halifax is always difficult, and that means we will probably be back at the Bicycle Thief at some point. If we had other options, never again. -
Review from Vanessa J.
Halifax, NS
Updated - 9/17/2011
It was a beautiful late summer day, so my mom and I decided to go for lunch at the Bicycle Thief. We were first seated in the inside. and the restaurant looks as beautiful during the day with the sunlight, as it does in the evening. Inside it was the professional lunching "see and be seen" crowd. As we were sitting down we saw a spot on the patio free up so we were able to nab it. The patio had a slightly more relaxed feeling, and because two cruise ships were in, the boardwalk was bustling.
Our server was great, and we each started off a glass of wine from the rather large wine by the glass list. I had a Pinot Noir and my mom had the Nova 7. We each ordered the same dish, the red ravioli which was given it's red (more pinkish really) hue by being dyed by beets, which gave it a slight sweetness. It was filled with creamy marscapone, ricotta and spinach and had a light cream sauce. It was really good and really filling, when the dish arrived, I thought it looked like a small portion, but it was deceiving, I had to give my mom my last ravioli.
What I love that they have for lunch (and maybe now at dinner too) is a dessert menu, instead of either having to see the cart, or go off the servers memory. The desserts this time around were much more appealing to me, and presented better than during my first visit. I went with the servers suggestion of the chocolate mousse torte and it was delicious, full of a creamy chocolate mousse that reminded me of all of the ones I had living in France. My mom had the creme brule and really enjoyed it, it was a tad on the runny side, but the sugar crust was amazing.
Overall, this is a great spot for lunch and the prices are very reasonable. This spot is up there with Gio as my favourite fancy lunch spot.Listed in: The Sweet Spot, Fancy Pants Dining
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/26/2011 ROTD 8/31/2011
I tried the Bicycle thief for my dad's birthday. Overall the experience was great, a welcome… Read more »
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Review from Sara M.
Williamswood, NS
2/26/2012
Very delicious! Everyone at our table was very happy. Delicious bread, appetizers, mains, good portion sizes, excellent service, nice decor. Some minor complaints: creme brule was overcooked and not creamy enough; fennel orange salad was bland; firs two courses came very fast, then mains took too long. Our biggest complaint: music was too loud, making patrons having to speak over it, which I'm sure some people like (party atmosphere), but within our party of 5, we could not hear each other accross the table. This is enough for me not to go back, but that is just me. For a 3 hour meal, I want to be able to have nice coversations without yelling.
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Review from Heather k.
9/9/2011
Wowie, Zowie! BEST LOBSTER RAVIOLI EVER. Seriously, what the heck? It's almost worth a relocation to Canada. My friend had the veal and I've never seen someone devour veal that quickly. Reservations recommended. Great service, Great wine list, half bottle options, large layout on the water, nice ambiance, clean bathrooms.
My vote: 5 star, eat here, now.Listed in: Halifax, a Chicagoan's…
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Review from Navoda S.
11/12/2011
I love when a restaurant lives up to its hype. Nothing is more saddening to me than looking forward to a good meal and being thoroughly disappointed. But have no fear, this was not the case here!
The decor is simply stunning. One of my friend's even threatened to 'occupy' the restaurant just because she loved the look of it so much! As many other reviewers have noted: it is loud. This is not the kind of place you go for a quiet dinner. As the evening continued it got even louder and there were points when we were struggling to hear each other. This is the only reason it did not receive 5 stars.
The menu: There is an extensive (and slightly expensive) wine list, but if you are coming to BT you may as well go all out! The star here, however, is the food. Good grief it was good. I mean seriously good - dream about it when you fall asleep kind of good. I had a starter of jumbo shrimp that was in a garlic, cream and cognac sauce. It had an almost sweet taste and the sauce was great for using some of the focaccia to sop it up with. As a main, I had the beef short ribs which were indeed fall-off-the-bone. No knife needed and the polenta and mushrooms were an excellent companion to the beef. For dessert I had a very delicious lemon meringue pie. Classic and phenomenal. The others at the table tried out the calamari, the fritto misto and the minestrone as starters and the carbonara special and radicchio salad as mains. Let's just say there were no complaints from the table.
Definitely try this place out, but make reservations first. You'll be hard pressed to get in without one. Also don't forget to take your time to enjoy the meal - you are paying enough, you may as well get your money's worth.Listed in: Food worthy of death row...
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Review from Karen S.
6/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I consider myself lucky to have "stumbled" into this place. Or maybe destiny? We had last minute change to dinner plans and I suggested this, having heard good things from fellow yelpers. The place was packed with folks and some in our party were decidedly underdressed, but they were able to find us a spot. (Note: Make a reservation) Again, folks, destiny.
The atmoshpere is loud, pleasant, with a distinct nautical theme of warm woods, and other adornments that makes you feel like you are in the cabin's captain on an 18th century sailing ship.
The wine list is very impressive--with a decent selection by-the-glass as well. They have a wide range of wines with a touch of age on them, and thus very drinkable. Amarone, Rioja, southern Rhone...the good stuff. And from notable vintages, too, like '04 (now sold out) tempranillo, '06 Amarone, etc. The cocktails are intriguing as well--I had a coffee cocktail for dessert (the Spanish). Delish.
Foie Gras Quebecois--the words roll off the tongue like the savory pate itself. I'd heard of the quality of it down in Texas, even, and it did not disappoint. Nicely sliced with toasted baguette slices to give it some structure--and a glass of Sauternes (yay wine list again!). I topped it off with the main meal of fresh Nova Scotia lobster (half) and a perfectly done tenderloin in a reduction sauce. Scallops, lobster soup, a cioppino stew (with half a lobster) were enjoyed at the table--the restaurant was the highlight of our week-long trip.
The service was impeccable. I've got to say that my colleagues and I were about the most difficult group of people to handle, and our waitress did it like a champ. This place is pure restaurant WIN.Listed in: Best Culinary Experiences Ever
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Review from Laura H.
Halifax, NS
8/13/2011
After reading everything about this place, I was very curious to try it. After fulfilling that curiosity on a recent weekend night, I will not be going back, at least not for dinner. Here's why.
1. Front door traffic jam. I have not seen this much chaos since stepping off the 6 train during rush hour at the Canal Street Station. Walking into the Bicycle Thief at 9pm on a weekend apparently means being greeted by several large groups waiting for tables, servers attempting to get to and from the to the bar, diners trying to get in and out of the bathroom, and one tween boy wondering aimlessly in circles. In my attempt to stay out of the way I was budged two times by other patrons also waiting to talk to the hostess, who was hiding at the end of the bar with a understandably harried expression.
2. Totally underwhelming atmosphere. This place is not hip, intimate, cozy, or conducive to any feeling whatsoever except perhaps hunger and bewilderment. The large, open space and clientele made it feel like I was at an unusually nice rehearsal dinner at the wedding of a distant relative. Not that there's anything wrong with that, if that's what you're looking for.
3. The food is great but not THAT great. Not over-$100-for-dinner-for-two great (& that's without desert).
Glad I went to try it out, but next time I want a fancy dinner I'll look for someplace more intimate and a little more off the waterfront. -
Review from Andrew F.
Halifax, NS
6/21/2011
As far as waterfront dining is concerned, I would have to say that this is one of the more refreshingly unique establishments that I have come across in Halifax in the last little while. I had heard a lot of positive things about Bish (the previous owner of the space that is now occupied by the Bicycle Thief) but unfortunately I never had the chance to try it out. So, I figured I would test out the new contender, to see what all the fuss was about.
So, first of all, let me say that I don't generally frequent restaurants like this one, due to the fact that I am still a student (though I only have one year left in my undergraduate) and my wallet weeps whenever I spend too much on an evening out. However, I haven't been on a dinner date in a long time, so my date and I figured that a restaurant on the waterfront would be the perfect spot for a romantic evening together.
In regards to the food, no complaints here!
Our appetizer was the artichoke, cauliflower and asparagus that was fried and rolled in rosemary bread crumbs, served up with a side of olive oil. It was a small portion, but it packed a nice punch and acted as a nice introduction to the rest of the meal that was to come.
As far as our mains go, I ordered the Lasagna, and let me tell you - it was DELICIOUS. I don't usually order pasta dishes at restaurants in fear that I won't be able to get up from my chair afterwards, but it was the perfect portion. One modest sized piece of lasagna packed a serious punch. It was cheesy, creamy and velvety smooth. I can't think of anything negative to say about it.
My date ordered the Maple Crusted Salmon, that came with mashed potatoes and steamed veggies. I managed a steal a small bite of the Salmon, and it was extremely delicious, as well!
All in all, it was an enjoyable meal, that left us full, but not too full. A lot of people go to restaurants these days expecting to pay next to nothing, for the biggest possible portion. The problem with this is, that you get typically get crappy food. This was not the case here. We paid around $60 (including a tip) for the both of us, and we left with happy tummies and smiles on our faces. I would most certainly come back again! -
Review from Lisa B.
Dartmouth, NS
11/18/2011
The Bicycle Thief... I had heard such great things about the restaurant and I finally experienced it myself. I was impressed with atmosphere. It was cozy and welcoming. Staff greeted us friendly and offered exceptional service throughout the evening.
The quality of our meals were outstanding and worth the money--I don't say that very often. I would highly recommend the restaurant for a group booking or a dinner date. The one downside of the restaurant was the noise level, but it's okay. As long as you know you're not going to for a quiet dinner. -
Review from Cadence M.
Halifax, NS
8/23/2011
I have to say I was really impressed with The Bicycle Thief. As a vegetarian I'm usually subjected to menu items that are an after thought since most nice restaurants don't seem to have many options other than a heavy garlic pasta dish. I was delightfully surprised to see there were lots of yummy options available for someone like me! I had what I believe was a papaya salad which I'm pretty sure was made by angels because it was one of the best things I've ever eaten!
The dessert cart is to die for, so many many options of deliciousness!
My only complaint would be that our table was a little too small and so all the food we ordered didn't quite fit and we were a little bit cramped. But other than that our waiter and service was great, food came out fast, all in all a great experience. -
Review from Laura M.
Dartmouth, NS
3/16/2012
I visited here on a Saturday night and definitely needed a reservation. There was just two of us, but I was happy I called around 4:00 because they were only able to fit us in at 8:30. If you are going with a larer group, defintely call earlier in the week for a weekend reservation. I absolutely loved the atmosphere! It was very cozy, a little loud, but we liked this because it gave us privacy. The place was jam packed, always a good sign and the service was wonderful. Our server was helpful with describing menu items and making suggestions and happily chatted with us about the restaurant as it was our first visit and we had a couple questions. Now for the food! OMG The rigatoni with sausage felt like it melted in your mouth! I love Italian food, but this was another level of good. The scallops we had as an appetizer were to die for as well. The drinks were quite pricy, but the peach bellini and glass of wine I had were worth it. I came into work raving about this place on Monday and can't wait to go back an use a gift card I was recently given as a gift.
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Review from Amy W.
4/11/2011 ROTD 6/17/2011
I was a huge fan of Bish and was heartbroken to hear it was closing, but excited to check out its replacement, The Bicycle Thief. We headed over on Saturday evening for the first time. We had to take a fairly early reservation - 5:30 - and the place was busy even so early in the evening.
I ordered the arugula salad and the lasagna and both were fantastic. The lasagna looks tiny - don't be fooled. It's rich and truffley and decadent. I went from thinking "This needs to be about three times bigger" to "This needs to be about three times bigger, but if it were, I would definitely die." I didn't sneak bites from other people's meals at the table but everything looked delicious. One of our group is vegan, and our waitress was helpful in pointing out some vegan options to him.
We all commented on the comfiness of the chairs and the coziness of the fireplace we happened to be seated next to. Service was good and quick, with our waitress making recommendations about wines and the aforementioned vegan dishes. Great views of the harbour and Bishop's Landing. It's not too-too pricey either. Awesome choice for a date night or a dinner or dessert out with friends!
Ah yes...dessert. We saw the dessert cart making the rounds several times and everything looked incredible. I was so deep in my cheesy truffly fat coma I couldn't bear to eat another bite but I would definitely go back just for a cappuccino and a slice of this flourless chocolate cake I keep hearing about! -
Review from Jill M.
4/25/2011
I don't think words can describe how much I enjoyed my first meal at The Bicycle Thief. Five stars? Not enough. Not only was the food divine, but the atmosphere of the restaurant is very hip and relaxed, yet still classy.
I began with the baby arugula salad, which has hazelnut dusted local goat cheese, papaya and wildflower honey vinaigrette. It was absolutely lovely. My dad had the oysters, which I didn't try but he said they were fantastic. I also tried the pumpkin risotto, which was a special. It was so completely to die for that I wish they'd make it a regular menu item.
I ordered the lasagna for my main, but this is no typical lasagna. It is, to quote the menu "Handmade lasagna layered with wild mushrooms, young Montasio, mascarpone, baked with truffle infused béchamel". In my words? It's freakin' heaven. Creamy, rich, decadent, delicious. I savored every bite.
My companions ordered the duck and the lobster stuffed ravioli, and gave both dishes rave reviews.
The Bicycle Thief also offers an extensive wine list and, even more up my alley, a wide range of cocktails. I ordered the Bicycle Thief Bellini, which was to die for.
The Bicycle Thief managed to please on every level. It's high end, but fun, not pretentious. The food is impeccable, but not overpriced. You could be on a romantic date or partaking in a group dinner and find the atmosphere enjoyable either way.
Mark my words, if I ever strike it rich or win the lottery, I'll be making a standing, weekly reservation at this place. -
Review from Sarah M.
Halifax, NS
5/3/2011
Having read the rave reviews about The Bicycle Thief, I had high expectations before I even arrived. I`m pleased to say they weren't only met, they were exceeded! The atmosphere was lovely, the service fantastic and the food incredible. Five stars!
To start, my boyfriend and I shared the snails and the salumi tray. I have to say the thought of eating snails grossed me out, but I reluctantly tried them. They were delicious. The brandy and bbq in the sauce made the dish. The salumi tray was predictably scrumptious.
For my "high gear", I had the lobster raviloni. This was possibly the best pasta I've ever had. Even if you're not a huge lobster fan, I still think you should try it. The cream sauce drizzled over it was fantastic.
For desert, we shared the banana and peanut butter cake with whip cream and chocolate sauce. Could there be a better combination? By the
way, all of the desserts are à la carte - a great selling tool!
I almost forgot to share my cocktail experience. You must get the Pom Pom! It`s got pomegranate juice, ginger and mint, to name a few ingredients. I also tried the Rosemary Pink Diamond Fuzz which was also very good. I had a sip of the Blue Mojito, but it was too sweet for my liking.
Simply put, The Bicycle Thief is superb. I can`t wait to go back. -
Review from Greg B.
Dartmouth, NS
4/18/2011
Tried the Bicycle Thief on a Friday lunchtime. The place was very busy, but we were seated immediately which was a nice surprise given how much business they were doing. The decor and atmosphere here is really unique - call it eclectic, call it baroque, it is like no other restaurant I have ever visited and I quite liked it. You are close to your fellow diners but not uncomfortably so and the noise level is moderately high but not painfully loud as in the case when Il Mercato (for example) is very busy.
One thing I noted after a few minutes was that this wasn't the clientele you find in the typical corporate chain restaurants. From the businessmen in their expensive suits to the socialite ladies who lunch to the hipsters with their funky eyeglasses, this is certainly a step up from the run of the mill. As you scan the room you're likely to notice some faces you recognize from the news or from the culture/entertainment world. Just a cool place.
The plates on the table are custom-logoed and the cutlery is substantial, a good sign. The service was initially quite prompt and drinks were quickly provided. The lunch menu is a subset of their main evening menu but still offers a good array of choices.
My companion and I decided to share an appetizer and each ordered a salad for our mains. Some good bread arrived quickly followed by the polenta appetizer, which was very tasty but not what we expected in that the polenta was very soft, almost the consistency of porridge, and not the firmer style we both expected. Still, aside from the awkwardness of eating it in a shared mode, it was very good.
Unfortunately the experience hit a few bumps from there on out. Probably because they were so busy, our mains took a long time to arrive. Our server was a bit of a gruff guy and didn't seem the type you would want to push too hard - maybe a bit too authentically European for that. Eventually he did deliver the salads and I have to say we were both slightly disappointed. The rare beef salad was a pretty typical romaine salad topped with some beef strips and was deemed good but not great. My seafood (lobster, shrimp and crab) salad was tiny - appetizer size really, with maybe 3 arugula leaves and a couple of avocado slices accompanying a couple of shrimp and tiny portions of lobster and crab. It was tasty, but just way too small for a main. Disappointing but good for my waistline.
As a newspaper reviewer noted, they have an extensive wine list yet offer no local wines. You can argue either side of that issue equally well, but for a place that will do a heavy tourist business during the season it would be good to have some local offerings for expectations sake if nothing else. Without those, our visitors might leave with the wrong impression of our burgeoning wine industry.
So on balance I would give them 5 stars for atmosphere and decor, and 3 for the food based on that one limited trial. That would normally result in a 4-star rating, but I'm knocking one star off for their lack of local wine. Hopefully they'll change that, and hopefully I can try some other menu offerings that will let me revisit my review. -
Review from James F.
Dartmouth, NS
9/7/2011
Just an awesome experience. The food didn't blow me away - but it was definitely very tasty!
I was more wowed by the atmosphere. The places is packed with class. People are dressed in suits, and it's clear that all the lawyers and doctors of the city eat here.
This is the place to be if you feel important.
And I love the idea of having a dessert cart rather than a dessert menu - makes you want to indulge much more! -
Review from Asheley R.
Halifax, NS
I'm really not a fancy pants kind of gal but The Bicycle Thief has such a solid location it's almost a must-to-check-out kind of place. In celebration of our friends 30th birthday we headed down to the waterfront to check it out. The website paints you a pretty historical picture that is perfectly mirrored on the inside. With picture upon picture on the wall of history, this establishment makes you want to eat and wander! It is absolutely gorgeous inside and you don't have to be as nearly as fancy as I had imagined. It's almost like a fine Italian dining pub experience. A confusing mixure of words that hopefully paint a picture? We sat at a fairly big table to the left of the entrance and I was strategically placed by a HUGE bookshelf of cookbooks. I therefore wasn't a very good socialite and stuck to ogling over the amazing recipes on the case. Needless to say the ambiance and atmosphere is A1 and excites me a little bit. Not that it is entirely key, but the washrooms were phenominal. I could've spent half the evening in there.
The majority of the items at the Thief are from the sea with a couple red meat options to boot. We had already eaten and just settled on a beverage and the Mussels. They were deliciously prepared in a tomato based sauce with basil pesto. They also had very scrumptious croutons within the mixture that as you can imagine soaked up all the flavours left in the pot-- yum! My only complaint was the fact we didn't have a bowl or anything to put the empty shells in (sorry for dirty-ing your table cloth). Our drinks came in some pretty classy-rugged glasses that seemed to please all the gentlemen at the table. A couple of my other friends ordered the jumbo shrimp with cognac and the slow roasted ribs with polenta. Everything was fantastic even though the shrimp was a 'little bouncy' when chewed and perhaps cooked a little too long. The birthday boy's fries were sent around the table and I must say they were gourmet with a capital 'G'. Seasoned with what I presume was garlic salt and served in a white cup, I would've stopped the rotation around the table and finished them there on the spot. I also managed to snag a nibble of the cake which was white chocolate, creamy, and luscious even. Yeah I went there, called a cake luscious. The rest of their dessert menu had me wishing I just ordered 3 courses of dessert all night.
Service wise I was very impressed, we were late diners at around 930-10 and our meal were brought out within 20 minutes by a whole crew of servers. Of course the menu is a bit on the pricier side with 10-16 bones for an appetizer. But that is to be expected based on the freshness of their ingredients. They have a stellar wine menu with choices that would make even the biggest wine connessieur scream: "off the hook." Not to mention the crazy list of cocktails!
My only request would be for there to be more chicken on the menu!Listed in: Pretty Penny
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Review from Jordan P.
Halifax, NS
11/28/2011
Great food, loses one star due to the noise level. The music is turned up way too loud, we were unable to carry on a conversation across the table. Good spot if you enjoy yelling.
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Review from Cheryl C.
9/8/2011
Stopped for lunch here and yum.
We had two different glasses of wine - both were great. The pappardelle with rabbit was just perfect. The pasta soft but not at all overcooked and the rabbit very savoury.
Lovely afternoon and lovely outdoor seating.
Cracking. -
Review from Eleanor B.
Dartmouth, NS
2/28/2011 4 photos
So it's taken me forever to write my Bicycle Thief review, but it definitely wasn't due to anything negative. We went there for my friend's 28th birthday on Thursday, and I thought it was fantastic (although the three martinis I'd had before dinner might have helped that along).
We had a big group, and kept adding people, and I can't gush enough about how welcoming the staff were and accommodating of our requests. I thought the wine list was large enough to offer choice, but not overwhelming and Boyfriend had a lovely zinfandel that we'll have to go get ourselves. I had wild mushroom risotto (excellent), Boyfriend had spaghetti with clams and sausage. I quote, "sausage was amazing." And when two of the clams were empty, waiter came out with four steaming ones to replace them. I also managed to sneak a taste of the local striped bass they had on special, which was unbelievably delicious. Really really yummy.
One of the owners was in the restaurant that night, and she was lovely, gracious and helpful. They've also got a bar menu, which is smaller and less expensive, like that option a lot. Overall, I loved the experience and I think once they've worked some service kinks out, I think it'll be a great addition to the waterfront.
