Eliot and Vine, which opened at the corner of Cunard and Clifton in Halifax in the spring of 2016, is the brainchild of longtime TV producer Johanna Eliot, a Food Network veteran who’s shot celebrity chefs like Michael Smith. She owns the restaurant’s building (her production company, Ocean Entertainment, occupies the upstairs units), so when the clothing store downstairs gave notice, she decided to put her extensive food and wine knowledge to use and open an elegant-yet-casual spot with European flair. She gutted the space and added marble countertops, Mediterranean-blue banquettes and tiled floors sourced from Montreal. “It’s beautiful, but not so beautiful that it feels precious,” says Eliot of the space. “Above all the goal was to make it feel comforting and welcoming.”
In addition to being the go-to “date night” spot in Halifax, they’ve also hosted a few intimate wedding receptions with up to 70 seated guests. Eliot and her team will work with couples to develop custom menus—sticking to their locally sourced, European-inspired philosophy. “It’s not a big menu because we want everything to be incredibly fresh,” says Eliot. Though the offering changes daily, couples can expect dishes like sous-vide lamb shank with Moroccan-style pilaf, or olive oil–poached halibut with fried cauliflower and caramelized onion. Overall, Eliot says the bridal vibe is the opposite of that of a huge hotel. “Couples like having their wedding here because it’s personal, it’s individual.”
2305 Clifton St., 902-332-1557, eliotandvine.com
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