Hart & Thistle

Seanstoppable

Nova Scotia (Canada)

4.22/5  rDev +2.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$$

I will admit that I have been spending a lot of time down at the Hart and Thistle lately. First encountered when the owners invited the beer community down for the first tapping of house beer in the summer of 2009, I have made it a point to go down at least once when a new beer is tapped.

And at the Hart and Thistle, this happens fairly frequently. The brewer there has made a point of not brewing the same thing twice, striving for unique and different tastes to interest the beer advocate groups and regular drinkers alike. This generally results in something new every two months.

But enough about the beer and on to the restaurant itself. The Hart and Thistle has a huge patio, great for those summer afternoons, and a wood stove in one corner of the bar, great for one of those cold winter afternoons. Internal decor is somewhat weird, with a really high roof and an odd wooden owl that surveys its domain of half the bar. Plenty of advertising for the 'local' macro beer, but more often than not you will see fellow patrons with a glass of local microbrews, in part I believe due to the big sign at the entrance mentioning the house ales.

The beers are always fantastic. However, the actually food is a bit hit and miss. Some items are fantastic, such as the chili or thai noodles. Some are usually good, like the fish and chips or the burger. Some are just not good at all, like the nachos. Really, do not try the nachos.

Service has always been great. Servers are generally pretty attentive. They also tend to engage in some small talk, making you feel more welcome.

Prices are a little higher than normal. However, if you order the right stuff it is worth it. Also, it is the only place I am aware of locally that serves a full imperial pint when you ask for a pint. When that pint is something like Double Simcoe Smash, I feel like I am making out like a bandit (a part of that might just be the booze talking though).

All told, the Hart and Thistle has quickly become one of my 'must' places to visit on a fairly regular basis and a definite must for people visiting the city to try out.

02-26-2010 23:53:08 | More by Seanstoppable

Long813

Nova Scotia (Canada)

4.6/5  rDev +11.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$$

Comfortable seating, tons of room, nice patio outlooking the harbour (for the chilly summer days). A few TV's playing sports. There was live music, not sure who the person was that was playing but he was very good, engaged everyone and was just jolly. I've never come and not enjoyed the music. Here almost weekly and I enjoy the musicians who play.

The service was great, the waiters and all other staff were very friendly and provided a warming environment.

The food was good, but a little on the pricey side, but good. I can't recall having a better burger than the Hart Burger, could be my sheltered burger eating life, but I loved it.

Greg's brews are amazing and the tap line consists of a number of Propeller and Garrison beers. Way to keep it local! You don't see to many people drinking Keiths or other macro's here. You come here for Greg's innovation and creativeness. New keg after the last one is tapped, he is always brewing new beers, recreating or inventing something that hasn't been heard of.

I was amazed at the tapping of Messy. I've never seen the place so packed. In such a short time, H&T has gotten it's name out there. The beer pricing depends on what is brewed,

All in all this place will become my new hangout as it provides the friendly atmosphere, great beer and live music. It's also interesting to keep updated on Nash's blog to know what and when new beers are coming on tap.

If there is one place to check out when in Halifax it's this place.

11-14-2009 05:44:56 | More by Long813

Buebie

Minnesota

3.83/5  rDev -7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3 | $$

Located in the hustling bustling shopping area of the harbor, this is a great place to trick the wife into going. She will get hungry and tired from spending all your money at the shops.

Large seating area on the wood deck with many umbrelles to keep the sun off. Also many seats inside with wide large booth seats. The bar is wood lined with several taps.
Some nice looking cute girls on the wait staff. The staff is friendly and quick to return with your food and drinks.
A good amount of natural light comes in through windows, giving you a great view of the harbor. Inside the tanks are displayed well behind glass in an inside room. Upstairs are the mash tuns, also displayed well. Bright copper tanks glowing inside these rooms.
Ample people watching if you sit outside.

The food is alright, not to greasy, big portions. I had a bite of my wifes bacon burger which was cooked to perfection with a generous amount of cheese. The fries come in huge mounds on your plate. I had a pulled bbq sandwich that seemed really small for $13. However the fried did make up for the small portion.

Now on to the beer...

The house beers are something special. Ive said it before and I'll say it again. The 37 hour Simcoe SMaSH is the best ipa I've ever had. The stout on nitro is also a damn fine brew with huge hop aroma. There were severla other local beer offerings, all good. But if you go, grab a few in house brews done up by NASH, they will make it all worth the trip.
The prices on food were a bit spendy, but the offerings list was large.
Check this place out.

08-07-2009 17:32:24 | More by Buebie