Very European and for a Distinctive Clientele

The Bicycle Thief

1475 Lower Water Street, Halifax,

Nova Scotia B3J 3Z2, Canada

902-425-7993

http://bicyclethief.ca/

After many people told me that I have to try it at least once in my life, I decided to beg my husband to take me to that restaurant. He told me that we should have made a reservation weeks ago, or we might ending-up without a table. I risked it ! We went and lucky for us, we just sat at the bar for a cocktail and within minutes of our arrival. We got a table, outside on the boardwalk. It was a very nice summer evening. Next to us was a young family with 2 young kids (well-behaved and socialised I should add),  it was the only family that we have seen while we were there (personal opinion , it’s not the place to bring young children, if they are not use to that scene). It’s a place for a more specific type of clients (Distinctive Clientele), at a certain point, I was feeling like an outsider, but slowly I transformed into a princess and enjoyed every minute of that marvellous evening.

Right away, the first moment you walk-in, it’s a huge wow…all that luxury, lots of gold accessories, crystals, silverware , nice lustrous woods, chandeliers and imported lamps . The style is European classic (romantic) , grandiose. Worthy of the ”  Vie de Chateau” .

The service was remarkable , from the very first minute that you open the door until the minute that you leave. The service is impeccable, the staff ( I think they were hired because of their beauty, they are all gorgeous, the kind of beauty that you still try to pick-up your jaw on the floor) . Beside being pretty, they are making everything possible to please you, you don’t have to ask for anything, they know what you need and when you need it (butter, bread, water, more wine, etc.).

The food, amazingly fabulous, fresh, tasty, well-seasoned, perfectly cooked to your taste, the wine is the exact temperature it should be (not that I was carrying a thermometer with me but still).

For me, it was not the best meal I had in all my life  , but one of the best. The price is average for that kind of meal. For 2, main courses , dessert , a bottle of wine and a glass of port (350$) .

The only negative I have to say about my evening, is that I have lost my real Gold and diamond Belly-button ring (Spiral) , probably when I went to the ladies room; I went back the next morning and the told me that they didn’t have it. I believe that a lady must be very happy with her new jewellery . Bling Bling! That left me with a sour taste , a broken heart and a hole in my budget (I had to find another jewellery to replace the other one).

In resume, I loved my experience and I would recommend to anyone who can afford it .

Before I go, just a little suggestion to the ladies, be careful with you expensive jewellery , keep them on you.

 

 

Luxuriant and Delicious…for the eyes and the palate

The Five Fishermen

1740 Argyle St, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2W1, Canada

(902) 422-4421

http://fivefishermen.com/

Impressive, would be the first word to describe my initial impression. It was my first time at that restaurant, my husband was at a Criminal Lawyers convention and that Restaurant was suggested to them. We were taking a long walk by the end of the week, when we decided to try them (at least go in and see if the menu fits our taste and wallet).  Without a reservation , showing up and asking to see the menu. We sat down on a little cushioned bench in front of the oysters tank (yummy right away). They have two different menus, one for the upstairs (where it’s more like the gourmet food ) and the first level (more casual and lounge food). For what we wanted to eat the evening (and my husband was feeling romantic). Telling the waiter, that we would like to go upstairs finally. He told us that lucky for us a few table were still available.   

From the moment we got upstairs, it was a huge WOW, the decors are sensational, lots of wood, chandeliers, crystals, elegant curtains , utensils, dishes, in resume;  it’s all dedicated to please the most difficult clients. Like my title says, it’s luxuriant for the eyes and the palate.

They have a real nice selection on the menu, from aged steaks, fresh fishes, sea food, and many other delicatessen . The wine list is exhaustive (from 50$ to 360$ a bottle) , same thing with the cocktails, or liquor selections. Note: The fresh oysters are fresh and succulent.

We have had a great evening, the food was excellent, the wine divine, I finished with a cognac that was as delicious as everything else.

The only negative point, the staff…when we arrived one of the host was playing role’s game with the oysters (I told him to stop playing with my food). Then our waitress got confused with our choice of wine ( she brought the bottle at the table , opens it then got all confused, took it back to the kitchen after filling our first glass, then came back to apologized saying that it was the wrong wine, but pour us some more as an apologies…then came back to the table still confused and apologizing , we told her that it was our choice since we’ve ordered, it was the wright bottle of wine ) … after that incident , I don’t know if she was still feeling bad about what happened with the wine , but she dropped some water on the table and on me when filling our glasses.

With all this said, I would not hesitate to return. It’s expensive, but it is well worth every pennies.

Tip: it’s usually crowded, so you better make a reservation at least a couple days before .

Price: $$$

Value: 5 out of 5

Venue: 5 out of 5

I would recommend absolutely !

Another Tourist Attraction

Salty’s 

Waterfront  Historic Properties,

1869 Upper Water Street, Halifax, NS

Located in the Historic Properties area, the location is perfect, right on the waterfront. Can’t ask for a better spot for you late afternoon drink. I tried it in July , on a very hot summer day, during the jazz festival. My husband and I were expecting to have a late afternoon drink and possibly have our dinner at that location. We were sitting in the patio area, with a view on the Historic Properties and not on the water. The place was crowded with tourists (families). It was noisy! We knew it was going to be busy and noisy, but we were expecting perhaps a little less then that. We had a drink and decided not to eat there ( from what we could have seen in the other guests plates, it looks fatty and un-healthy), after looking at the menu a couple times and noticed that it was fast-food, we just decided to leave. From my point of view, it’s over-priced and is a typical attraction for tourists.

The positive: Licenced Patio with 180 seats, wheelchair access, 2 level restaurant.

If your on a tight budget, just go for a visit, take your pictures and eat somewhere else.

Judged by what you wear

Spirit Spa,

5150 Salter St #200,

Halifax, NS B3J 1V4

(902) 431-8100

I was at the Jazz festival in July 2014, having a glass of wine. Dressed in my summer clothing (short-shorts and a tube top). I felt like having a manicure and a pedicure (it’s summer and it’s a very hot day), mid-afternoon. One of the staff members at the festival gave me a card, when I asked for a reference on where to go. So , I walked-in, only a few clients were sitting down having some treatments. I tried to catch the attention of one person, when finally she came to me, I asked her is they would have time for a manicure and pedicure, or at least the manicure. She looked at me Head-to-toe and said nop! ” we are fully booked, and I asked what about tomorrow? still she replied “we are fully booked , we might have something next week” , So Ladies, if you want to have some personal cares done at the Spirit Spa, wear your Christian LouBoutin shoes and your Dior couture Clothing. I should have wear my LouBoutin shoes, but I was wearing my Soda’s Sandals (more appropriate to walk on the waterfront boardwalk!

I would not recommend , unless you call to make an appointment, so you will not be judged by your clothing’s.

A Gemstone among the Rockies

View from my Hotel room Suite.Lake Louise, Alberta Canada  April 24-27th 2008

Fairmont Lake Louise , Alberta Canada

111 Lake Louise Drive
Lake Louise, Alberta
Canada
T0L1E0

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TOLL FREE:            1(866) 540-4413
 International Numbers

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TEL             (403) 522-3511
FAX (403) 522-3834
E-MAIL chateaulakelouise@fairmont.com

http://www.fairmont.com/lakelouise

Traveled (couple)

I went to the Fairmont Lake Louise, From April 24-27  in 2008, it was for the last weekend of the ski season ( a long weekend of celebrations, good food, social activities , etc.) . We first got the the Calgary airport (Ottawa-Calgary) then I rented a car and drove to the Fairmont, I could have used a shuttle, taxi or other services to get to my destination, but it was very easy to get there ( about 45-60 minutes drive), and I have no regret of doing so . The view is spectacular, at first you see the city and the outskirt of Calgary , then you see farms and ranches, when suddenly you see mountains from a far distance and the further you drive the more mountains you see, and could this be it? Yes, it’s the famous Canadian Rockies! I turned to my husband and asked him to pinch me, even today I recall exactly the image of me with my jaw  dropped to my knees, I was that impressed with what I was seeing!

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise , is located  as you can guess ..in the mountains, so while we were approaching our destination, the snow was falling (just a light dancing snow), it was around 4 PM, so we were still able observe the neighborhood , everything was magical!

At Destination, we got to the entrance  where we were greet by a valet , he took the car and drove away with it , then we go accompanied at the reception desk , what a sight to see, so much luxuries and extravaganzas , I almost felt under-dressed for the check-inn procedure (LOL), no, sincerely it’s the top of the line in that category of  Hotels , is a AAA Four Diamond Award and has a  four diamond formal dining room (Fairview Dining Room restaurant) . At the Fairmont you will also find , a boutique,  a 24hr Chateau Deli ,  Lago-Italian restaurant, Walliser Stube, Poppy Brasserie, Lakeview Lounge, Glacier Saloon,  a tea-room ,  and If you can’t find a place to eat , well they have the in-room dinning service .  On the more well-being aspect of your trip , they have  a spa, a health-club, a heated-pool and so much more.

At last, when you decide to go outside, you can’t help it your head will spin, so much to do , depending on if it’s the winter or the summer, you will find so much to do, well it’s even too much to do, because you could stay there for a month and will still find something new to do . From trekking, skiing, ice-skating,  swimming, climbing, walking, golfing, horse-back riding, etc.  You think of an activity, well they must have it!

The rooms and suite , are perfect in every way , with a view everywhere you are, comfortable as you can imagine, no complaints on the pillows or the mattress, the size of the room was as big as a house itself ( it was a suite) .

Would I recommend this destination? Yes absolutely, you have to do it at least once in your life.

Tips: Tip recommendation ( Gratuity) 5 $ for the valet if you have a car, 2$ ea piece of luggage,  at the restaurants it’s the same amount as the amount of taxes you are paying or more if it surpassed your expectations.

Value 5* ( very expensive but you get what you are paying for)

Location 4* ( far if you go by plane, then have to drive to the destination, but worth the trip)

Activities 5* ( for everyone)

Food 5* ( many choices for the whole family)

Services 5* ( staff remarkable)