Speaking of food! I am flying into Halifax on Wednesday pre-Zap, where should I dine on Wednesday night, and if anyone attending Zap wants to meetup, let me know, would love to learn about Halifax. Also, I plan to drive East on Thursday towards Cape Breton, and ultimately catch the ferry around Friday noon getting to Zap site around 5 P.M. All suggestions regarding places to see, to stay on Thursday night and what to do and where to eat will be gratefully appreciated!

My wife and I had dinner at McKelvie's last week while on a quick visit to Nova Scotia and it was great. I had a jambalaya and some wonderful chowder, and we were there early enough for the reduced rate so it was all reasonably priced. McKelvie's is on lower water street and near Historic Properties (or maybe that area is considered part of it now?) It's across from the Maritime Museum and also close to Keith's brewery which has a fun tour through some of the original buildings. If you are taking the ferry, then the town of Pictou is a nice visit, and Fortress Louisbourg is a very cool destination in Cape Breton. Watch out for the signs around Truro though, many of them are still knocked down from the hurricane.

There is a restaurant on Blowers St. in Halifax called La Cave that's located underground in a sort of catacomb setup. Last time I ate there the food was excellent, and the ambience (as long as you're not claustrophbic) was second to none. Good to make reservations, I think. Blowers St. is very near the Halifax Public Library main branch, and is right downtown. If you drive around long enough, you'll find an on-street parking space. If La Cave doesn't work out, there's a great sushi place two or three doors down. There's also a Thai place, almost immediately next to La Cave, but I've never eaten there.

If you're trying to get directions in downtown Halifax to where La Cave is located, just ask anyone where "that intersection with the pizza places on all the corners" is -- that will put you about 2 doors up the street from La Cave.

When I lived in Halifax, two Italian style restaurants I enjoyed were as follows:

da Maurizio's
1496 Lwr. Water St.
near the waterfront & historic properties.
da Maurizio's is a true "special occasion" place with good wine and good service.

Cafe Chianti, 5165 South Street in the South end, a good few blocks down from da Maurizios. Cafe Chianti is kitchy italian but cozy and fine dining, with candles in Chianti bottles, checkered table clothes, nice red wine...you get the idea.

And finally, Bish World Cuisine ( www.bish.ca ) is a nice choice too, lots of seafood if that's your thing.

Info on both are found at: http://www.eatinghalifax.ca/cat/water.shtml

Bon appetite!

Pete's Frootique, in Bedford (at the Sunnyside Mall) is a worthwhile Halifax-area visit if you want to get food "to go" -- a picnic, or just to eat in the car. It's a great grocery store, with a brash personality, and a wide selection of foods from all over. Stop at the juice bar on your way in (or out).

Good suggestions - try Maple if you can get in. Snazzy eats by a guy with a show on the Food network (Can. version). Rogues Roost, Queen and Spring Garden, if you like hoppy ale. Try a donair at King of Donair on Quinpool if you want some real Halifax. Greek family supper diner - the Spartan on Quinpool. Breakfast diner - Ardmore Tearoom still on Quinpool. [La Cave was where a guy was taken if she was interested in the mid-80's - just say "pizza corner".] For staying Thursday night on the road, if it is still open, Liscome Lodge on the eastern shore is nice if you want NS woodsy nearish the shore. Go to the Lord Nelson in Halifax if you like older hotels with good service.

I suggest you look up "Opa!" for the most amazing Greek meal you could dream of. I wouldn't think twice of heading to Halifax just to eat there.