Almonak — Restaurant in Halifax

Tried here for lunch twice in the last couple of weeks, both two hot summer days around noon. The place was about half full each time. Friendly service, definitely a bit more prompt the second time than the first. Nice, bright casual atmosphere with some interesting wall patterns, some greens, open concept kitchen, sweets on display at the counter. The food is very good. Menu pages are separated by afternoon bowls, brunch, shared plates, desserts, drinks. I first tried the Lentil & Roasted Mushroom bowl ($16 lentil ragout, cured yolk emulsion, goat ricotta, sunny side egg, roasted mushroom). These are reasonable portioned meals for lunch, not a lot of food, but somehow still filling. Full of different flavors and textures, as one can tell by just reading the ingredients. My friend had the TV Dinner bowl each visit ($17 Almonak loaf/meat, kernel corn, sun-dried tomato truffle, fingerlings) and really enjoyed it. We sampled each other's and agreed, both very tasty. 2nd visit I tried the Ginger Shrimp bowl ($17 green curry, artichoke, 5 or 6 shrimps, coconut ginger, micro mussels, sherry vinegar, eggplant arugula). Bit of spicy kick to it, with an obviously strong Thai taste, very enjoyable. Their iced chai latte was quite good/smoky, and their wellness late with matcha was nice as well. We WILL be back for more lunches, and hopefully other times of day as well. 3rd visit: lunch on a drizzly Wednesday. Tried the Chickpeas bowl (braised chickpeas, smoked tofu, curry miso broth, yams, granola, cucumber $16.5). I saw nor tasted any cucumber whatsoever, but the dish overall was my favorite so far. Lots of flavor, and probably one of the more filling bowl items on the menu...I was very full when done. Busier this lunch time than my prior to visits, but no wait for a table. 4th visit: a cloudy Thursday for lunch in August at about 11:45. The 'Not Grandma's Potato Salad' (caramelized russets, molten cheese, sous vide shallots, mustard, mission olives, caramelized cabbage $15) was good, but maybe not as good as the first few dishes I had. Reminded me more of an over-sized side dish, strong flavor, and even filling, but lacking something? The loudness of people talking in here was much louder than noticed previously. 5th visit: breakfast in June 2021, so awhile since my last visit. (Thanks, covid). Don't have a full description of the avocado + toast, but found it perfectly satisfying for 10am on a relaxing Saturday morning. Served on focaccia, radish slices, I think they said a pomegranate jam? The server recommended adding an extra poached egg on top, which I definitely agreed was a good idea. Automatically comes with a side salad, so a healthy meal out vs your popular greasy plates for hangovers. I just got basic black coffee and a homemade espresso cookie for dessert (good!), so found my bill of $24ish a bit expensive, but whatever. I'm still happy coming here if it's not too busy and noisy. Most recent visit: there were no small tables left on Mother's Day morning at about 9am, and bar seating isn't physically comfortable for me, so they offered the option of the patio. I jumped on it as it was chilly out, but I rather that than over-heating in a busy restaurant with a heavy sweater on. As soon as I grabbed a table as the only person outside, the best guy server was right there taking my order and incredibly friendly. (Book guy, you know who you are LOL). Anyway, the vegan breakfast hit the spot and was also appropriately for outside. Roasted red pepper hummus with bread, slices of Real Fake Meats "bacon" green salad and lots of tasty home fries. I also added a flight of three aliolis (a dill, a red pepper & a 3rd that I forget the type) added such variety of flavor that I loved every bit of this meal. This particular...

I really hate to post a bad review. With all the positive reviews I'm wondering if we had an off evening. We dined there last night and immediately we were told we had to sit on the patio without reservations (no problem). We saw all the tables around us were offered blankets but we weren't (ok, we asked for one). The atmosphere inside was well decorated, modern, very hip. Outside was fine. No complaints here. It took awhile for our server to greet us - and it didn't seem too busy at this point so not entirely sure what the hold up was but ok, we are still happy at this point. I am pregnant so unfortunately I wasn't partaking in any of the cocktails but enjoyed a nice roobios tea. My friends started off with a Yazz Flute and a Young and Fashionable. Both appeared watered down and were filled to about 1/3 rd of the glass which seemed fine for the whiskey based but unexpected for the Yazz Flute. The Young and Fashionable came with a fruit fly in it - but it's Halifax and summer so we were somewhat forgiving and just removed it. My friend enjoyed an Alchemist next which was pretty, not watered down - overall fine. Which led us to wonder if we were given someone's discarded cocktails. But nooo....someone wouldn't do that? Well, I'm not so sure. There was a 4 top near us who mistakenly had two plates delivered to their table. Once the server came back to check and realized the mistake I watched her take it back inside and give it to the correct table. WHAT?! That food is dead at this point and has been at someone else's table - you have to remake that. (Speaking as a former server). Nope, someone ate food that had been sitting at someone else's table - possibly touched, who knows. Which is why we then became suspicious of our 1st round of drinks but they just switched to wine. And they drank a few glasses since we waited an INSANE amount of time for our food. We arrived at Almanak around 6 put our food order in around maybe 6:45? We got our food at 8. We ordered 5 plates which wasn't nearly enough for 3 people. Presentation was pretty but the wait time really put a cloud over the meal at this point and we left underwhelmed and unsatiated with a $200 tab. Maybe some kinks need to be worked out or it was just a bad night of service but I have no plans to go back any time...

🍽️✨ Indulge your senses in a culinary haven like no other at Almonak – where innovation meets tradition, and every dish is a work of art that beckons you to savor the moment. 🍽️✨

From its inception, Almonak has been more than a restaurant; it's a gathering place that brings the community together, uniting food enthusiasts and brunch aficionados alike. Their vision was simple yet revolutionary: reimagine classic brunch dishes in a way that awakens your taste buds and elevates your dining experience to new heights.

Nestled in the heart of the neighborhood, Almonak is a beacon of flavor, welcoming you to explore tastes you've never imagined. If Eggs Benedict holds a special place in your heart, you're in for a treat like no other. The Benny, a symphony of flavors and textures, stands tall as their most sought-after dish. And don't even think about passing up the opportunity to pair it with their signature Mimosa Flight – an eclectic journey through fresh-pressed juices that dances on your palate with each sip.

For those in need of a caffeine boost, Almonak's talented baristas are ready to craft the perfect latte, cappuccino, or iced coffee to complement your brunch experience, whether you're savoring the moment in-house or taking a piece of Almonak's magic with you on the go.

The commitment to quality shines through in every plate, as Almonak sources the finest ingredients to curate a dining experience that's nothing short of spectacular. Biscuits made from scratch, locally sourced produce, and handcrafted cocktails are all part of their exquisite repertoire, delivering a symphony of rich flavors and stunning presentation that leaves an indelible mark on your memory.

To all the regulars, first-timers, and friends of Almonak, your patronage is more than appreciated – it's cherished. This family-run establishment is a testament to the power of shared experiences, from small moments to grand feasts. So, whether Almonak is already your cherished go-to or you're about to embark on your first culinary adventure, prepare to be captivated by a North End gem that's more than just a restaurant; it's a cherished memory waiting to be...