Durty Nelly’s Authentic Irish Pub
5221 Sackville Street (at Argyle)
Halifax
406-7640
Rating: ****
Signature Dish: Baby Back Ribs
Signature Drink: Guinness
Dinner & drinks for 2: $50
Durty Nelly’s deservedly just won the Nova Scotia Restaurant Association’s award for best design and décor. Designed and built in Ireland, and reconstructed here, this large and welcoming pub is divided into cozy dining areas with one very long bar. There’s lots of wood and impressive detail.
The menu features Irish specialties and regular pub food. We choose Breaded Chicken Wings ($10.99) —Thai Chili variety — with blue cheese parmesan dip. The wings are meaty and nicely cooked but are sweet with none of the expected zip. Our server tells us people complained. (Note to diners: Thai + Chili=heat.)
The Pan-fried Haddock ($14.49) is fresh, delicious and satisfying. The carrots, broccoli and cauliflower are all cooked al dente and there’s a scoop of traditional colcannon (mashed potato and cabbage) and dill-caper butter sauce.
The Rack of Jameson Lacquered Baby Back Ribs ($15.99) are fall-off-the-bone tender, served with coleslaw and the pub’s own yummy “fat chips.”
Our server is cheery and efficient. The place fills as we sip our brew. We’re not in Ireland, but we could be.
Dining out
OPA THE BEST
Opa Greek Taverna, 1565 Argyle St., was awarded the Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia award for Best Restaurant November 12, while Fid of Halifax and Lunenburg’s Fleur de Sel shared honours as Best Small Restaurant.
AWARD WINNERS
Onyx, 5680 Spring Garden Rd., has won the Restaurant Association’s award for Best Wine/Beverage Menu while Waterfront Warehouse (RCR Hospitality Group) was awarded the Green Restaurant Make-over prize, valued at $25,000.
