I've written about Halifax before a few times because it's just such a lovely place to go, and this time was a particularly enjoyable one because it does my heart good to see restaurants I care about being able to do the work they do so well. The Executive Chef of Halifax, Seadon Shouse, is marvelously talented in skill and creative ideas. Though the indoors is off limits now for seating, the design of the restaurant itself is beautiful and that feeling of peace and loveliness spills out onto the outdoor patio area where we now are able to sit and enjoy the views of the Hudson while eating the delicious dishes that arrive from the exceptional kitchen. Chef Shouse was not there the day that I visited, but the Chefs in the kitchen are superlative and everything was wonderful. The staff are so friendly and knowledgeable, and though the restaurant had a small number of staff on the day I was there, we were all so well taken care of that I never would have known how hard they were working because they do their jobs so well and with such a commitment to excellence. As I was leaving I asked our server, Marlon, for his name because he had been so outstanding and I wanted to make sure to mention him when I wrote this post. The Manager was also terrific, but I didn't have a chance to ask her for her name because she was busy helping to seat new arrivals.
Because I love the food at Halifax so much and I hadn't been there in a while, I ordered a variety of different things, and I'll let the pictures do the talking because the beautiful food is even better than it looks. I will say that the Smoked Salmon Flatbread was wonderful not only because of the delicious bread itself and the wonderful combination of flavors, but the house made smoked salmon as always was of the highest quality. The Gem Lettuce Caesar Salad was simply lovely, with the finest of white anchovies and freshest of crunchy lolla rossa under a flavorful and not overpowering dressing, topped with perfect house made parmesan croutons. The Salt Cod and Shrimp Fritters with saffron aioli and herb salad were so good that my friend who said he would only taste a small piece just to try one had two. The Bolognese of veal, beef and pork ragu over fresh saffron rigatoni with parmesan was one of those dishes that was so satisfying, the pasta perfectly al dente and the sauce richly flavorful while still somehow being light.
Though their cocktails are always delicious, the day was a warm one and so I decided to keep it lighter with a lovely glass of Sauvignon Blanc from their excellent wine list. For dessert we shared the Strawberry Rhubarb Shortcake with candied orange, whipped cream and pistachio which arrived looking so lovely that it made the already beautiful afternoon feel like a party. Strawberry shortcake is one of my favorite things, and rhubarb is too, and though I knew it would be good, I was delighted to see and taste that the shortbread was really shortbread. I just wrote recently in a post on Instagram that no one makes strawberry shortcake the way I like it, and when this one arrived and I tasted the various flavors that melded so perfectly together, I felt like I'd finally found someone who not only understood the delicious creation that strawberry shortcake really is, but who had made it in a way that was unique and memorable. Halifax is a true gem and I'm so glad to be able to visit again. Sitting on their patio and enjoying such a lovely afternoon gives me the feeling that these long months are opening up into a much brighter tomorrow.
Halifax
At W Hotel
225 River Street
Hoboken, New Jersey
A Safe and Convenient
Contactless Menu
Blessings,
Jannie Susan
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