Tribute

Had an absolutely amazing experience at Tribute on Saturday. The staff was just so welcoming right from the second I walked in. I had a seat at the counter and they gave me the end seat which was nice as I get overwhelmed being surrounded by people. It is a fairly crowded space and on the louder side which might have normally be rough with my anxiety issues but I was so engaged watching the chefs and engaged by the staff in conversation I didn't have any issues. I went with their tasting menu which was a four course meal. Also ordered a mocktail. I don't remember everything in it except clementine juice and a bunch of mint leafs. It was good, I would have been happy with just water. The chef working right in front of me, my waiter and the guy who kept topping up my water glass were very nice chatting with me more than I would expect (not just how are you enjoying things, actual conversations) which was nice since I was dining alone. Going above and beyond. The first course was tuna with arugula, fennel, cucumber and a bone marrow aioli. It was delicious, the greens even more than the tuna but the tuna was lovely and especially with that bone marrow aioli. Second course was balanzoni which was a stuffed pasta with mortadella and ricotta and served with a brown butter sauce with Parmigiano and hazelnuts. I would have preferred it with just the ricotta or with mushrooms or something besides the mortadella but it was still very tasty. Next was the star of the night. There were two main course options, one was halibut with pork belly in a Japanese curry and that is what I originally ordered. Pork belly and some sort of Asian flair, I am going to get that 9 times out of 10. But sitting in front of the grill watching the steaks I changed my mind and went with the steak. That was the best decision I made all weekend, maybe all year. I ordered mine rare and it was served with polenta, eggplant, tomato, ramps and zucchini and a slightly sweet sauce. The flaked finishing salt on the steak just took it to another level. So frigging good. Eggplant has become one of my favourite foods and it was amazing, the tomatoes, the polenta, the sauce, even the zucchini which I am not really a fan of was good. I wanted to lick my plate, I didn't. I wanted to order another one, I didn't do that either. Just the best dish I have had in a long time, I want to go back for it again. The final course was a miss for me. I am not a big dessert lover. In hindsight, doing the tasting menu probably not the best option for me when there is an al a carte option. The dessert was a butter cake with preserved blueberries and which chocolate. It was not for me. They offered to bring me something else, I said it wasn't necessary as I was happy with my meal but Peter my waiter brought a sweet potato doughnut with apples, bourbon caramel and cream cheese. That didn't do it for me either. I felt bad, I am sure they were great but just not for me. Even with a less successful final course I would go back tomorrow in a heart beat. Just such a fun experience. Even taking out the food, I just had fun watching the chefs cook. With my one mocktail, the tasting menu, tax and tip it was $175 and I think it is well worth it.

Bebbington shoots… he scores! Congratulations Chris on a phenomenal restaurant experience. Outstanding food and beverage. Special emphasis on the handmade pasta dishes. Suggest trying all of them. The meat and related prep/infrastructure in the restaurant is also impressive. A very special restaurant for Halifax. Highly recommended!

Absolutely divine ! Yesterday I spent a lovely night dining at this place. We got a table for 5 pm ( because it was pretty husy afterwards as it should ! ) the table give just enough room to move and fresh roses on it . The menu seemed with a few options the waiter told us it changes regularly, we ordered a gin tonic and wine to start and we were amazingly surprised of the look and the taste of the dishes . We started with The tuna, wich is very peculiar : they explained they made layer of dehydrated watermelon and tuna that brings a unique flavor to the dish, then went ahead with the panisse topped with some chickpeas , served with generous salad with parmesan over it , the panisse temperature was warm so it was perfect to have it right after the tuna. On our main we chose the roast chicken and it was so tender , the tenderloin was the best meat I had in a while ( and I just got back from Paris yesterday lol ) the polenta was very tasty and the chili sauce that cones with this dish is very good . Careful i am used to eating spiicy so the sauce on that meat brings a kick to it : I loved it. Although I messed up the wine pairing . The sauce is a chili sauce with honey . I ate that dish very slowly because it was absolutely delicious. Such a shame we didn’t have any more space for desert but will definitely come back

An amazing experience on the Halifax waterfront. As soon as you enter you know you’ll be taken care of in the cozy restaurant. The service is at your every need and very knowledgeable about all menu options. I had the watermelon tuna app and it was a mind blowing experience. Never had anything like it. Then the best beef tenderloin plate I could imagine. It totally surprised me. Just wow. A must go.

We had an incredible experience at Tribute! All the food was incredible, but the steak and gooey butter cake was mouth watering. The only hitch was the cell service/wifi. I couldn’t get my phone to load to pay for my parking on time (took 40 mins). By that time I paid, it was too late and I had to end the night with $115 boot on my car! Made for an extra expensive night. Shout out to our server Peter and all the staff, so knowledgeable and friendly!

We had a solid experience overall at Tribute - beautifully plated dishes, inventive flavours, and a refined vibe. That said, I was a bit underwhelmed by the tasting menu compared to the regular à la carte options. Even on the regular menu however, the dishes leaned more towards small bites rather than actual courses, and for the premium price, I expected slightly more generous portions. What I recommend: -Smeraldini alla panna: rich, silky, and the parmigiano crema was to die for. -Funghi tortelli: bursting with deep savouriness and umami from the cheese and mushroom - one of the best pasta dishes I’ve had in Halifax. -Crab bisque: just what you’d expect in a bisque, but done very well. I would recommend this as an app and skip the bone marrow arugula salad, you can’t really taste the bone marrow in the sauce. -Steak: standard choice, but not a standout. If you’re thinking of ordering it to share, you’re better off doing the tasting menu with the steak add-on for better variety and overall value.

I spent my first night in Halifax dining at Tribute and it was hands down the best restaurant of my entire Halifax trip! I tried the chefs tasting menu and it blew my mind. Each course was unique, plated to perfection and so delicious. I especially loved the ravioli and the dessert. Not to mention, the entire staff was amazing and very knowledgeable with the wine selections. (Also best espresso martini I probably ever had). 10/10 fine dining restaurant that you must try when in Halifax!

Had a wonderful time at tribute. Delicious dishes from the watermelon tuna to the steak and crafty drinks. Exceptional service and accommodating chefs. Will return next time I visit Halifax.