🗞️ Foodie Friday

Happy Friday Halifax,

I have big news for you, my Coasties (just something I’m trying out, no?). An iconic writer has joined our small but mighty team and he’s going to bring you the best and most exclusive food and wine content in the province! 🍴🍷

I’m so excited!

Mark DeWolf has been a fixture in the Canadian food and wine scene for more than 25 years. He began his journey working in craft beer, before migrating to the restaurant and wine world eventually becoming a sommelier in 2001 while working alongside chef Michael Smith.  

An opportunity to work as an editor for a large online wine publication eventually led to various editorial roles and he also started sharing his knowledge and love of food, wine, and travel in person with others. A local wine tour company morphed into an international food and wine experience business—which has hosted more than 75 trips to 10 countries and more than 20 wine regions.

For close to 20 years Mark taught sommelier certification courses and has been an active member of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers—spending several years as the organization’s national president—before starting work as content manager for the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale, the world’s global sommelier association.  

And now he’s bringing all of the knowledge to The Coast starting TODAY! Please help me in welcoming Mark who will be bringing us Foodie Fridays—every other Friday—exclusively to you, dear readers! 👏👏👏

Have a safe and restful weekend,

– Julie

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌧️ 15°

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 15°

Next Day: 🌧️ 12°

7-day forecast

🚗 Driving, biking or busing today? Check out the current traffic conditions and ongoing road closures.

FOOD + DRINK

 The Mystique of Mystic

Long before Mystic opened its doors beneath the Rise Again Stairs in Halifax’s Queen’s Marque District there was an air of mystique about the restaurant that would occupy this now iconic symbol of Halifax’s waterfront. Whispers of Michelin star aspirations were already wafting through the local hospitality community. Could Halifax one day be home to one of the 3,500 restaurants worldwide that have earned a coveted Michelin star?

From a practical standpoint, it's unlikely—at least for now.

Regardless of how good Mystic, Tribute, Water Polo, or any other fine-dining establishment in Halifax may be, none are likely to earn a star from the historic Michelin Guide any time soon. 

The venerable French guide made by the tire company to promote road trips only began recognizing Canadian restaurants in 2022, and to date, just 26 establishments—located exclusively in Vancouver or Ontario—have received the globally recognized accolade. Montreal and Calgary are widely considered next in line for review.

The Coast’s Mark DeWolf dined at Mystic and has the full report.

🤔 Need To Know

​​🇨🇦 Just under a week to go before the federal election and the latest polls are showing a decisive lead for the Liberals in Atlantic Canada—the data is showing that the Liberals hold 66% of the vote, 25% plan on voting Conservative and 6% of people are supporting the NDP.

⚠️ Regional police are warning residents of a suspicious man who approached a group of youths Wednesday afternoon in Herring Cove—he went on to compliment the girls on their appearance and offered them gifts and money to get inside his vehicle.

🪲 As temperatures continue to rise, the province is warning people to protect yourself, your family and your pets from the growing tick population—Nova Scotia is home to the blacklegged tick, which is known to transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Powassan virus infection.

🍻 Start with half-price appetizers and $4.50 beers, end with playoff hockey—Habs vs Capitals Game 3 on at The Pint, Argyle Street. Your Friday night plans just made themselves.*

🎉 Who's getting excited about Open City? This annual celebration of the small businesses that make our communities so welcoming, is taking place on May 10.*

😂 Don’t miss out on a fun night of comedy at Ha!ifax Comedy Fest featuring emerging and established comedians sharing laughs rooted in the Canadian immigrant experience!*

*Sponsored Post

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🗞️ In Other News

🚨A 16-year-old boy was arrested earlier this week after threatening to bring weapons to Citadel High School—the teen is expected to appear in court on Thursday for charges including two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and uttering threats.

💸 Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre was in Halifax west Thursday morning—he said his government would scrap a tax that he claims would add $20,000 to gas-powered vehicles starting next year.

🗳️ Some residents of North Preston are feeling disconnected to the area’s new riding saying changes in the electoral boundaries—which merged Preston and Sackville with parts of Bedford—diminished Preston’s input on voting day.

🚨 Police have laid a second-degree murder charge against a 60-year-old man in the death of an 84-year-old man in what’s believed to be Nova Scotia’s latest case of intimate partner violence.

🐠 Staff at Dalhousie’s Aquatron Laboratory have been busy gathering marine animals since last summer—the collection of sea creatures will eventually move into the Beaty Centre for Marine Biodiversity, a new aquarium under construction. 

🚽 Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore says he was caught off guard by Halifax Water’s decision to temporarily dump millions of litres of wastewater in the harbour and Bedford Basin.

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Reel Justice: L’nui’skw spotlight

This year’s Reel Justice film offerings at Mayworks are snapshots of the lives of different Mi’kmaw women’s lives from the past to the present. From traditional stories to  modern women, the creators and subjects of these women’s narratives place a strong emphasis on relationality, family, and cultural engagement. Get your tickets now.

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🗓️ Things To Do This Weekend

Looking for something to do this week? Check out these Coast picks:

🗓 Stars on Ice: Come see your favourite skating stars live in an all-new show, featuring the legendary Elvis Stojko. | April 25 | 7pm | From $32 |

🗓 Halifax Tides FC vs. Calgary Wild: It’s finally here! Come cheer on your Halifax Tides in their franchise opener as they take on the Calgary Wild at The Wanderers Grounds. | April 26 | 6pm | $32 |

🗓 Coastal Dance Theatre Spring Showcase 2025: Don’t miss this unforgettable show of talent, imagination, and inspiration at the annual spring performance. Be captivated by excerpts from the classical ballet Sleeping Beauty, along with a commanding mix of contemporary pieces.| April 26 | 2pm and 7pm | $22 |

🗓 NS Youth Orchestra - Myths & Legends: Symphony Nova Scotia chorus master Joel Tranquilla leads the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra (NSYO) in a performance that invites Soundtrax, Resonance Youth Choir, and Annapolis Valley Honour Choir to sing in this exciting orchestral presentation of glorious myths and legends. | April 26 | 2pm | $30 |

🗓 The Halifax Health & Wellness Spring Show: Dive into an amazing array of opportunities to boost your health and well-being. Whether you are looking to enhance your self-care routine, improve your mental health, or explore the latest products and services in the health and wellness industry, this show has you covered. | April 26 | 10am | $8 |

🗓 Bedford-Hammonds Plains Craft & Vendor Spring Market: This market will feature over 45 vendors offering a wide variety of crafts, handmade goods, local art, and unique gifts. It's the perfect opportunity to support local artisans and find something special for yourself or your loved ones. | April 26 | 10am | $2 |

🗓 Haligonian Vendor Market: Don’t miss the second annual spring market and support more than 35 local businesses. At the heart of this market is a passionate mission – to celebrate and empower small businesses. | April 27 | 11am | Free |

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

➡️ The Atlantic Sea container ship leaves Halifax for New York at 1am.

🚢➡️ The Ijesselborg general cargo ship arrives in Halifax from Moa, Cuba at 7:30am and leaves for Moa at 10pm.

🚢 The Asian Empire container ship arrives in Halifax from Southampton at 11:55am.

➡️ The L’Atalante research vessel leaves Halifax for St. John’s at 12pm.

🚢➡️ The EF Ava container ship arrives in Halifax from Portland, ME at 12:15pm and leaves for Argentia at 10pm.

🚢 The Goldway oil tanker arrives in Halifax from Saint John at 4:23pm.

➡️ The Nolhan Ava container ship leaves Halifax for Argentia at 6pm.

➡️ The Oceanex Sanderling container ship leaves Halifax for St. John’s at 6pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🌶️ Spice your way into the weekend with the Chili Rellino at Antojo Tacos: a crispy, cheesy, roasted poblano pepper.

🍔 Don’t miss Rinaldo’s fun twist on the famous In N’ Out Burger (but in sandwich form): sauteed beef, caramelized onions, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles and special sauce on a fresh hero bun.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🇨🇦 You asked, we answered! There is only one poll that matters—especially at the local level. As politicians and Canadians focus on polls to get a sense of who might win the next election, at the local level, the best gauge of the future is the past. We answer Coast reader questions about election polls, tariffs, interprovincial trade, first-past-the-post, politician pay, and more.

🎤 Braden Lam is exactly where he wants to be. The indie-folk musician who has called Dartmouth home for nearly a decade is nearly two weeks in from releasing his first full-length album, The Cloudmaker’s Cry. It’s a place he never could have imagined himself when he finished university and couldn’t find work at the height of the pandemic. The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer caught up with the Dartmouth-based musician as he prepares to play at the Sanctuary Arts Centre on Friday, April 25.

✏️ Editor’s Note

There will be no Coast Daily on Monday, April 28. INSIDERS will receive their newsletter as usual on Saturday, April 26.

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