Mera Cafe + Bar is big on storytelling

FOOD + DRINK

Mera Cafe + Bar is big on storytelling

It’s a bright Halifax afternoon, and Mera Cafe + Bar head chef Sunpreet Singh takes a break from the kitchen to survey the scene: The Barrington Street restaurant he and co-founder Khushkaran Chahal first teased in October is buzzing with the final rush of lunch patrons, a day into its opening. Above the cafe’s music—light, atmospheric—a din of coffee orders and table conversation unfolds. A steady stream of new diners filters in through the cafe’s entrance.

It’s a surreal moment for the longtime chef and first-time restaurateur, even if he’s loath to dwell in the spotlight.

“It’s a team effort,” the slim, tattooed chef says, speaking with The Coast from a lounge chair in the cafe’s entrance. “The whole team came together: Everybody doing a little piece here and there.”

Having honed his culinary chops working in the kitchens of Hawksworth and Vij’s in Vancouver—the latter awarded a “Bib Gourmand” distinction by Michelin—Singh is banking on bringing something different to his new home in Halifax: A focus on fresh, farm-to-table fare, where the story is as much about the food’s origins as it is about what ends up on the plate or in the morning cappuccino.

Martin Bauman explores Mera Cafe at The Coast. 

Need to know

☀️ Today's weather: Heavy rain amounting to 30mm-40mm. A high of 11C and a low of 9C.

💨 Halifax’s Air Quality Health Index and the smoke forecast.

💻 The Province is investigating after the personal information of some Nova Scotians was leaked during a global privacy breach.

🌳 Here’s an update on the ongoing provincial travel and activity restrictions.

🎨 Support4Culture is a proud supporter of arts, culture, and heritage in Nova Scotia, including the Nova Scotia Book Awards. See the impact Support4Culture makes here.*

🎭 Frenchy's the Thrift Musical is sold out, but a Festival Pass will give you a guaranteed seat. Plus, 15 other shows at STAGES Theatre Festival!*

🥳 You're invited to the North by Night Market! On Jun. 9 enjoy a DJ dance party, good eats, vintage finds, local artisans, and lots of North End flair!*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY FEED NOVA SCOTIA

Raffle for a cause!

Feed Nova Scotia’s 50/50 raffle is back and it’s a great chance to support your community and win!

Buy tickets now and help Feed Nova Scotia address the immediate need for food and advocate for meaningful policy changes that address the root causes of food insecurity.

Good luck!

License # AGD-326140-23

On The Coast

SPONSORED BY DOWNTOWN HALIFAX

Summer may be just around the corner, but why wait?

Get out and enjoy all that downtown Halifax has to offer now. Stroll 4.4 km of boardwalk at the Halifax Harbourwalk, grab a cold drink on a patio, and browse unique shops for one-of-a-kind finds. Downtown Halifax is the place to be as the weather warms up.

Keep up to date with what’s happening downtown at DowntownHalifax.ca.

In other news

🩺 The Province has updated its online healthcare data. You can now find updated info on family physician recruitment, the number of working doctors and more on the Action for Health website.

💰 The Province has announced a one-time grant of $2500 for small businesses impacted by the wildfires.

🚐 This past Friday individuals whose properties were affected by the wildfires had the opportunity to join a bus tour and view their land. CBC has the story.

👗 Read how people from around the country have donated over 100 prom dresses to high school students affected by the wildfires.

☎️ The annual IWK Telethon for Children has been rescheduled for later this summer.

⛽️ Nova Scotia has altered its fuel regulations to better reflect Canada’s carbon pricing measures. Read the full release here.

🚨 Police were called to a Barrington Street Tim Hortons this past Friday for reports of an injured individual. Upon arrival, police found the body of a deceased man.

Sure things

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

🗓 The Legacy Song Project: Hear the stories of 8 Atlantic Canadians and explore love and loss through film and music with Sarah McInnis at The Stage at St. Andrew’s | June 7 | 7pm | $30.

🗓 Scotia Festival of Music: Check out Highlight Concert 8 at the Joseph Strug Concert Hall featuring the works of Franz Doppler, Francis Poulenc and William Walton | June 6 | 7:30pm | $32-$37.

🗓 St. George’s Plant Sale: Spruce up your space or your garden with some perennials, annuals and house plants from the Saint George Round Church’s annual plant sale | June 9, 3pm-6pm & June 10, 9am-noon | Free admission.

Find more Halifax events in The Coast listings

Shop talk

🦁 Lion’s Head Tavern has opened The Terrace for the season!

Eat this

🍟 Why settle for poutine when you can try Tusket Falls Brewing’s newest menu item: loaded fries. The dish is made with Cajun fries, Monterey Jack cheddar, mozzarella, cheese sauce, chicken tenders, bacon, Pico de Gallo, lime crema and onions.

🍦 The Dairy Bar has dropped a new flavour. Stop by and try the Malted Chocolate. It’s made with malt chocolate soft serve, toffee and topped with fudge sauce.

Drink this

🫐 Try Sourwood Cider’s new Blueberry Wine made with Nova Scotian-grown blueberries!