A few years ago, the day after our wedding, we gathered with friends and family at Durty Nelly’s for day drinks and pub fare. We were a mixed group when it came to age and tastes, but our friends from away always ask to revisit when they’re home.
We revisited recently following an invitation from Durty Nelly’s to come try their new brunch menu.
The Irish pub on the corner of Argyle and Sackville is popular for the night life crowd, but we find much of the pub’s cozy charm is more easily enjoyed during the day. The big, well-worn wood and leather booths are comfortable, large windows allow lots of natural light, and the pace is more relaxed.
They also make a mean Caesar, or, rather, Caesars. Durty Nelly’s has a Caesar menu with six different options. We selected the two Caesars made with local spirits by Nova Scotia Spirit Company’s Blue Lobster Vodka and Willing to Learn Gin.
The gin option was topped with skewered feta-stuffed olives, and the drink was sweet at first with a lot of spice in the aftertaste. While I usually ask for more spice in my Caesar I was glad I hadn’t – the Blue Lobster was spicy and salty, a definite kick in the pants.
The brunch menu was made up of hearty Irish-inspired options. We both wanted the fried fish cakes but decided to order two different options to share so I ordered the eggs benny with smoked salmon (you can opt for ham, bacon, or mushroom and spinach instead).
Our favourite part was the fish cakes (no surprise since that was what we were both craving) but the baked beans and house-made brown soda bread were also very good. I liked the home fries a lot, too. They were big, crispy, and salty on the outside and soft like mashed potato inside. I should have ordered soft poached egg for the Benny and I wasn’t crazy for the hollandaise but it was still an enjoyable meal.
Our server was great, something that’s been consistent about all my Durty Nelly’s experiences. This is classic Maritimes hospitality. Friendly, welcoming, and relaxed, full bellies and a chance to catch up with friends.
Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 am – 2:00 pm. If you want to really get the full Maritime experience, stick around for the afternoon when Durty Nelly’s hosts Sunday music jam sessions from 3-6pm.
As mentioned above, Durty Nelly’s invited us to try their new brunch menu. They waived the cost of our meal. As always, opinions in this post are our own.
Website: http://durtynellys.ca/
Location:
Durty Nelly’s
1649 Barrington Street
Halifax, NS
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