Ria Mae's Halifax

An incredible pub. It's everything you want in a classic pub but with a slightly higher-end vibe and more unique feel to it. It's cozy. It's where I want to be in winter.

It's not uncommon to have a traditional band playing beside the fireplace in one of the rooms. You won't be out of place if you show up with your kids, your grandma or your date. It's inside a large heritage house on Gottingen Street and the service is incredible. Did I dream this place up?

I've been telling my wife about this place for months. It's hard to gamble on a new spot, but I finally convinced her to go last week. I dropped her off there to do some work, and within 2 minutes she texted me, "yeah, ok, this is my new spot".

The plant-based egg sandwich. Wtf. It's unreal. Great staff, great coffee. Easy parking.

He's been my Halifax go-to for years. He ran a second salon in NYC and so he's done my hair and makeup in both cities. Sometimes I go see him and just let him choose what to do. You can always trust the result.

Top notch Ethiopian food. Dairy free. Gluten free. Fermented. Delicious. The woman who runs this place is so great, and I think her cooking could compete with any Ethiopian restaurant I've had in larger cities.

Try the vegetarian platter.

Sometimes you want a cozy dark booth with your besties. I've been going here since high school. I'm probably there right now.

Everyone loves Alicia. But not as much as I do. It's fun to follow her, but behind the scenes, seeing how supportive she is of everything and everyone local, just makes her that much more fun to cheer for and be inspired by.

This is a new find for me. I had no idea this gem of a patio existed until recently. It's perfectly hidden from Quinpool Road, and the menu and beer (obvs) are amazing.

The best place to have breakfast with a friend. And a perfect place to go to ditch work and have hangs with your spouse after the kids get dropped off at school. Incredible food and coffee. Great north end location.

Fav crew — I love playing music with these guys. We have so much fun, and I think it really translates in the performances. Catch this show if you can — we'll be all together a few times this summer.