My Auntie Laima (my mom’s sister) and Uncle Meinhard drove all the way to the east coast to bring me a fancy sewing machine and show me how to use it. She also helped me use this machine to teach me the basics of sewing. While they were here, we went on a few foodie adventures together. Some were definitely better than others. Here are some postcards from our ugly, OK and awesome dining adventures.
The OK
The first place we took Auntie Laima and Uncle Meinhard though was the classic choice for fancy dining in Halifax: The Five Fishermen. Beautiful ambiance, wonderful service and sometimes fantastic food.
I made a reservation to sit by the wall of stained glass to get the full experience.
It had been a while since we had been there so I was happy to see their famous all-you-can-eat-salad-and-mussel bar was still around. Some mussels were great, others lacked flavour.
Auntie Laima encouraged me to get the full lobster dinner. I was a bit nervous because of my hand pain and weakness but when I found out the chef would break it down for me entirely? I said, yes please!
We found the lobster to be quite good but some of it was very tough. Uncle Meinhard enjoyed his long-awaited Lobster Thermadore.
Reg said his steak was pretty good but that I make it better, which was very sweet of him. He ordered his with a glistening peppercorn sauce.
I was hoping for more with my sticky toffee pudding. Perhaps it was the apples on the bottom that just changed the flavour and dynamic too much for me. It was very tasty but again, I have had better.
We had excellent service and the ambiance and atmosphere at The Five Fishermen was wonderful, as always. For the price though, I had higher expectation when it came to the quality of food. We did have a fantastic evening together though catching up over surf and turf dinners.
The Awesome
After eating out two times and still not being completely satiated with fabulous-enough lobster, Auntie Laima and Uncle Meinhard went to Clearwater Seafood: THE place to buy lobster. From what I have surmised in asking around, lobster fishing season does not officially begin until November. At Clearwater though, they are able to fish all year round by changing the routes they use. They bring fresh lobster in every day and they had just finished making a batch of…
… lobster claws! Which Auntie Laima and Uncle Meinhard cracked open on our deck.
While they got the lobster ready I worked on grilling the giant T-Bone steaks!
A total family effort except Reg hid from the smell of lobster downstairs. He is not a fan.
Our last dinner together we feasted tirelessly! I did have to do some crushing of lobster arms which resulted in one particular limb flying through the air and sliding across the floor. Fun!
Definitely the best lobster I have had in a very long time. I am absolutely impressed with the quality at Clearwater Seafood. Uncle Meinhard made sure we had more than just protein for dinner by going out to Pete’s Frootique for gourmet salads.
Yes, I ate that entire plate of food plus lots and lots of lobster. I am a social eater and when family is around, there is no stopping me!
Turns out the best food, as usually, was had at home. I do enjoy going out for dinner but there is nothing like a family feast at the dining room table with lots of laugher and fantastic company.
Oh and Reg said this particular steak was definitely better than what he had at The Five Fishermen. I have to say, it was pretty darn awesome.
You really can’t beat a home-cooked lobster meal.
Glad you had fun.
So true Sandy, it’s the best!
“The Battered Fish” must have had kitchen turnover and the good cooks left. Inconsistency kills good restaurants’ names. Hey, even Gordon Ramsay’s London restaurant just lost both its Michelin stars due to inconsistency.
I know, it’s crazy Debra! I couldn’t believe it. The company wrote me and apologized which was really nice. It might be a location issue and I hope they fix it!