Rock Island Café

[Continuing a week of pre-Earth Week celebrations, this recycled post comes from my now defunct Blogger site. I know a lot of you come over here for the food as much as for anything else and this gem of a restaurant deserves a revisit in the not too distant future. In the meantime, enjoy details from our first tasting last fall.]

Photo credit: Nodame from Flickr

Halifax, for the size of city that it is, has a surprisingly large number of restaurants. Over the years we’ve seen many come and go and some that have stood the test of time. My biggest complaint is that we often just see more of the same.

In fact, we’ve got more Greek and sushi restaurants than I’m really interested in thinking about. So, when I heard of Rock Island Café opening its doors on Quinpool Road, I was very eager to try out the Bermudan fare.

The place is hard to miss with the two trees outside, the sea green stucco exterior and coral starfish highlighting the name. The interior is surprisingly small but quaint. The decor is like a living tourism ad, with flat screen TVs on the wall to entice you with images of Bermuda. Seating is cozy.

First off, the service was superb. The wait staff was knowledgeable and super friendly. While waiting for a friend to join us, Cokebaby and I ordered a beverage called a swizzle, which is rum and fruit punch. Refreshing.

Then we chowed down on fishcakes. Now, Cokebaby is from Newfoundland where pretty much everyone has their own recipe. His are made with salt cod and other secret ingredients but wind up fluffy and melt in your mouthy. The ones at Rock Island Café were like none that I’ve tried before. They were spiced and perfectly crisped on the outside, and served with a sweet sauce on the side. Honestly, I can’t even describe how wonderful this starter was and it only made my belly long for more new tastes.

For our main meal, Cokebaby went with the chicken rotti and salad. Our friend had the vegetarian version. At the start of the evening the wait staff apologized for the lack of ginger beer due to an error by their supplier but toward the end of the meal announced that the new shipment had just arrived. So Cokebaby ordered a dark & stormy which was ginger beer and rum. They were both very happy with their meals but I have to say I didn’t even bother taste testing their meals because I was presented with a spectacular fish chowder and a giant salad.

The chowder was unlike the thick creamy stuff I’m used to eating on the East Coast. It was in a rich brown gravy and served with bottles of sherry and rum that were meant for pouring as I saw fit. Absolutely a wonderful chowder and the sherry was a brilliant addition. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of ordering a large Rock Island salad which, although tasty, was far too big after having eaten so much already. The salad had a lovely combination of shrimp, avocado, and asparagus in a creamy dressing which was served on the side.

Overall, we were all very happy and full by the end of the meal. We didn’t have a chance to order dessert as we were off to an event but I can certainly see going back there again.

They definitely need a website and to get listed in the phone directory though. There’s nothing worse for an obsessive foodie than not knowing what to order beforehand!