A December getaway, without breaking the bank

October was a hustle: a wonderful time of family and anniversary partying. November’s schedule, planning ahead for December’s holiday season, was no less busy. But there was no questioning or negotiating with the task logged in my daytimer for November 28th. “Plan a getaway”. Soon: before the holiday season. And to make sure this plan would be executed, I flipped ahead in my best-friend Moleskine weekly notebook- journal to December 7/23 – “go away somewhere overnight – even if it’s by myself”. Factoring in Derryl’s busy work schedule, if need be I was totally okay with going solo . I booked AirBnB accommodations for Dec 7th and 8th – about two hours from home, in the Halifax-Bedford area.

Yay – Derryl was also ready for a break!

December 7th we pulled out of Dodge with overnite bags, a survival kit with coffee (and AeroPress), herbal teabags – and added some fruit, cheese, bread and red wine en route. The plan was to eat at restaurants new-to-us ; determined by reviews from the Curated Food and Drink Magazines I have been saving for “such a time as this.”

A couple work-stops for Derryl on the drive to Halifax, a.k.a. “we’re going right by, I need to pop in for just a few minutes” (which he amazingly pulled off!) and by early afternoon we were in Halifax. Lunchtime: we headed downtown to Verano Food Purveyors – a blend of Mexican-Venezualan cooking and flavours.

Yummylicious! Corn Empanadas for me. Derryl had Patacon: a traditional South American sandwich held by 2 thin crispy slices of sweet plantain – a vegetable specialty flashback from his childhood experience in the West Indies.

After a farewell chat with Verano’s hospitable family-owners, we headed to Derryl’s pick for a wee  chocolate fix, Rousseau’s specialty shop. The double-dose-caffeine visit was exquisite.

Choosing a box of ten ‘delights’ to take home wasn’t easy – neither was the self control to ration them to last for a few days!

A walk on the Halifax waterfront would have been great but a nasty wind convinced us otherwise: we checked into our accommodations, reads books, enjoyed hot tea. Then off for supper to Kofuku Japanese + Thai: for me a delicious veggies with tofu in a flavourful broth. Derryl gave me a hard time about the white rice (which he adores, and knows I prefer brown) but when in Japanese restaurants, I do as they do…

Derryl’s similar hot-pot dish with lamb was delicious. As was the conversation with our server: who hails originally from China, recently moved from Vancouver to Halifax, and is hoping to soon pass her driver’s license test. Talking to, meeting people is so interesing!

After a lovely lie-in next morning; followed up with kickstart coffee and fruit, we were off for brunch. The Osney Café & Social is basically a small, intimate room within a well-seasoned building; with a doorway leading to a hallway with space for more tables, a nearby washroom, and doorways accessing other attached businesses.

I resisted peering through the kitchen window; loved the sassy sign posted on the door. Yummy food notwithstanding: we were in a funky, fun place.

Grilled mushroom and cheese melts with Americano Misto coffees hit the spot. Before leaving, curious how the restaurant got its name, Graham – one of the owners – shared the charming, romantic story. Check it out on their website. Better yet, visit the Osney and get the scoop for yourself!

Full disclosure: our “city getaway”, with its access to Big Box Stores, did include shopping. Our lists were specific, we chatted with other folks in the check-out line-ups (gratefully not ridiculously long) and we were in and out in record time. We had some daylight left and I had been missing outdoor exercise. In spite of a brisk wind and icy trail – I used trekking poles that are year-round residents in the car – we both appreciated a short loop in the Hemlock Ravine: just off the Bedford basin.

Game to try yet another ethnic cuisine, we followed through on a interview we’d seen a few weeks earlier: on CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation), Fatimah (owner/chef) from Efty Dishes had impressed us with a confident presence and enthusiasm for her West African dishes. Derryl and I thought “why not?” In a small strip-mall, we tracked down the restaurant: an unassuming room with a cooler of cold drinks, a wall adorned with wooden African animal decorations, an order counter, several tables with chairs; one of them occupied by three children sharing a game ‘on their screen’ while Mom waited for a take-out order. We had no idea what to order – for Derryl to pick up later – but Fatimah’s daughter behind the counter had suggestions for us first-time customers. Fatimah poked her head through a small opening from the kitchen to say hello – how fun to have a wee chat as energized as her interview on CBC. Such fun!

Jollof rice with barbecued chicken, and Efo Rio Soup with Beef. Very flavourful, just enough spice. The round ball is pounded yam, Derryl and I agreed that has to be an acquired taste: overall, an interesting African cuisine adventure.

Packed our bags next morning – we’d used all our coffee and tea – and before driving home went to a downtown Saturday farmer market for breakfast. Korean rolls with coffee; an excellent combination for “when at the market …..”

Wandering through the aisles I sampled hard cider, learned about and purchased a soy candle from an enthusiastic vendor, gawked at the size of cinnamon rolls people were actually buying. And bought Derryl a potato pancake; who instead of exploring was stationed at one of the few available tables with his coffee, watching and visiting.

This was the last call for our getaway. Time to get home: our ‘cuisine-cruise’ wasn’t over yet: we were joining neighbourhood friends for a Greek supper! My contribution, spanakopita, had been made and froze ahead of time but needed to be cooked.

The getaway was just what I’d hoped for: what I needed, including all the contrasting food flavours.

Today, December 23rd, as bedrooms are being readied and food preparation lists are being checked and ticked off – I am looking forward to a houseful of family. And the familiar turkey and trimmings of the holidays.

May you all have a great Christmas – I will be popping back here in 2024. As always, thank you for reading.

Love and God Bless,

Karen