Stories

The One about the Four-poster Bed, 365 Islands and a BBQ Sauce

By: Meghan Cadue

I like things that have an air of mystery to them; I think it adds to the excitement and romance of an occasion.  So when my husband and I decided to explore the Southern most part of our province, despite the foggy and rainy conditions, I was filled with visions of old inns and hotels nestled closely to the water, blurred and mysterious with the fog.

So you’ll imagine my surprise when we pulled into the parking lot at the Ye Olde Argyler Lodge and the picture in front of me was right out of Wuthering Heights – a beautiful, distinguished house, blurred slightly by the mist and fog, with an expansive garden reaching out in front of it, and the sound of close-by water. I threw the car door open (why end the dramatics now) and was hit immediately by the fresh, salt air.  As we carried our bags inside, we realized that the expansive garden was a mix of flowers, various lettuces, countless herbs and even some vegetables – this was certainly a good omen of things to come. Read more »

Lobster with a View

By: Meghan Cadue

Have you ever wanted to just get out of town? Load the kids/dogs/husband in the car, sneak away and drive? If any of you are shaking your heads ‘no’, I’ll give you a few minutes to actually think about it…

There, I knew you would say yes.

So my husband and I did just that – we loaded up the car and hit the highway.  There are certainly some very unique things about driving in Nova Scotia. One of these unique little tidbits is that you won’t get very far before you hit shoreline.  What is an even more delicious tidbit, is that every now and then you’ll find a beach where you can enjoy some quintessentially Nova Scotian fare.  So, if in the near future, you decide to take one of these drives, and that drive happens to be to Nova Scotia’s south shore, be certain to check out the Quarterdeck on Summerville Beach. Read more »

Walking the plank has never been so delicious!

By: Mike Kennedy

Not to be confused with the relatively recent fad act of planking (lying face down with arms to the sides of the body, in unusual public spaces and photographing it), planking (in the culinary world) is the act of unleashing the delicious natural flavors present in wood, often cedar, using it as natures cooking sheet to broil or barbeque salmon to perfection.

Planking salmon is more than the preparation of a meal. It is equal parts art and science. To do it right, planking requires the careful blending of ingredients to achieve the perfect flavour. Quality ingredients are only part of the equation – there is also the selection and preparation of the plank itself. Wood must be carefully selected, carved, sometimes soaked or smoked and dried. The preparation process itself used to take hours for the chef…until Cedar Bay Grilling Company, a Blandford, Nova Scotia based company took it upon themselves to change salmon history. Read more »

Exceeding Grape Expectations

By Mike Kennedy

Over my life, I have considered myself to be many things: a bit of a geek, a mediocre endurance athlete, a budding karaoke world champion…the list goes on.

One thing I have never thought of myself to be is a wine connoisseur. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a great tasting glass of wine to compliment a meal and I can’t help but take notice of the growing variety of locally produced product here in Nova Scotia – which is why today’s trip to Blomidon Estate Winery is so exciting. It’s just that I didn’t learn much about wine etiquette and the formalities of tasting while studying to earn my chartered accountant designation (although I did learn about the tax implications of wine-related research and development…admittedly not as tasty). Read more »

Gourmandises Decadence at the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market

By Meghan Cadue

Decadent… have you ever actually looked up the word? I took a spin on the web and Miriam Webster provided me with a little guidance:

dec•a•dent adj. characterized by or appealing to self-indulgence <decadent pleasures>

Now to many the act of self-indulgence, the very act of being decadent, would be thought of as being something special.  Something you treat yourself to; a thing to be savored.  Now I certainly subscribe to the belief that there are somethings that should be kept for special occasions – that 18 year old scotch we bought 2 years ago that my husband has squirreled away in the liquor cabinet – but I do think we place too many wonderful things in the “decadent” category.

So here is my recommendation: take a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, head down to the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market and spend a few minutes in front of the cases at Gourmandises Avenue Chocolaterie.  Trust me – the desire to treat yourself will be overwhelming.
Read more »

All Aboard for a Unique, Memorable Stay on the Northumberland Shore

By Mike Kennedy

Admittedly, “Caboose # 5 would be just perfect for you” is not something I’ve ever heard when reserving accommodations.  After speaking with Carol at the Train Station Inn in Tatamagouche, I knew my Northumberland shore weekend was on the right track. Having made a reservation to eat in a dining car and sleep in a Victorian themed caboose, it was clear this would not be a typical getaway. The Inn brings together locomotive heritage, local food and Maritime hospitality to deliver a unique package – perfect for a weekend getaway to explore the less discovered, yet incredibly beautiful, Northumberland Shore – one of Nova Scotia’s many hidden secrets. Read more »

The Library Pub: Lessons in Burger Perfection

By: Mike Kennedy

Perched above Main Street in Wolfville, The Library Pub is a classic Irish public house with a cozy feel. It offers a vast selection of beer, wine and drinks alongside a diverse “not your average pub food” menu featuring many locally produced ingredients. Seating about 30 normal sized people or 10 members of the Acadia Football Team’s Defensive Line, the pub is a known hotspot for informal musical performances throughout the week, offering a welcoming stage to local artists and budding East Coast stars alike.

As a proud Acadia alumni (’05), The Library Pub is my own little version of Cheers. Okay, maybe not everyone knows my name, but I am always glad I came. A trip to The Library Pub guarantees running into someone I know. Whether it is a former classmate, professor, current student, or Drew MacNeil, the Pub’s hospitable owner, chances are, things will be getting nostalgic before the night is through. Read more »

Local Food, Brews & Views at The Port Pub

By Mike Kennedy

Imagine a place where you can savour carefully prepared local food and sip on-site crafted beer, while taking in a view of one of the sites competing to be one of the new 7 wonders of the world.  You can do all of these things simultaneously at The Port Pub in Port Williams, Nova Scotia. Opened in 2007, The Port Pub prides itself on minimizing “food kilometers”, making every effort to use local ingredients and to serve as a pillar of the community.

Driving across the dykes from Greenwich, The Port Pub comes immediately into view as you cross the Port Williams bridge… a red beacon of local-deliciousness nestled against the Cornwallis River. I’d been there before –after a long day of cycling in the Valley, there is no better place to refuel and re-hydrate (or dehydrate – as the Sea Level Brewing Co. beers are irresistible after a day of pounding the pedals). Read more »

Tale of a Thursday Night Date Night…

By Meghan Cadue

We all lead busy lives. I know that I for one would be lost without several day planners, multiple phones and the brightly coloured sticky notes that adorn my desk, phone and even walls.  We’ve become some very scheduled people.  So I made the decision to schedule a date night (how romantic of me!) with my husband. We scrolled through a couple of potential places and we settled on jane’s on the common. Read more »

The Blomidon Inn: A Perfect Romantic Staycation Location

By: Mike Kennedy


I often take for granted the sheer beauty that exists in Nova Scotia. Caught up in the hustle of a busy work schedule, at times I forget about countless scenic places to visit, and a rich history that can be experienced within an hour’s drive of Halifax. One such destination is the stunning Annapolis Valley: home to Acadia University, a wine industry that is garnering international attention and some of the most spectacular views in the province. This past weekend, I decided to take my girlfriend Kelly on a staycation off Exit 10 on Highway 101, planning the weekend around a stay at the historic Blomidon Inn in Wolfville. Read more »