A lot can change in fifteen months. And a lot can stay the same.

Back in Halifax for a couple of days after my sister’s wedding in the Annapolis Valley this past summer, my wife and I hit a few favourite haunts in our former neighbourhood. We also took some time to experience a few new things in a city that means a lot to both of us. Not surprisingly, one of the first places we revisited was the central library downtown. We had lived two blocks from here and we both used it as a second living room. The view of the city and the harbour from the library is something we both miss.

The fifth floor space in the library was probably my favourite non-bar space in the city. I had sat in one of those chairs by the window back in December 2015 preparing for an interview that would lead to me taking my job in Saskatoon.

The library, and this entire neighbourhood is something I miss. Standing on the roof of the library on an unusually beautiful June morning, I could see the ocean, the harbour and our old condo building and thought of all of the great memories from our time in Halifax.

From a favourite to a first, my next stop was at the downtown beer garden by Stillwell that didn’t exist when I lived in Halifax. A late spring afternoon and a new to me beer from New Brunswick turned this outdoor location into a quick favourite for me. If I still lived in Halifax, you’d be able to find me sitting here for much of the summer.

I wasn’t a stranger to the other Stillwell location on Barrington Street when I lived in Halifax. A lot of Saturday afternoons I’d pull up a stool and do some work or writing while enjoying a pint or two. In all my travels, this place is my favourite beer bar and no trip to Halifax is complete without an Atlantic Canadian beer here. I wish I could pack this place up and move it to Saskatoon.

It’s almost unbelievable that it took me until June 2017 to have my first donair, a staple of Halifax’s late night (read: post last call) gourmands. Spiced lamb, tomatoes, onions and an almost sickly sweet sauce – it was an experience, a good one in which to finally partake, but probably not one I’ll repeat any time soon.

More my speed was a return to Krave Burger on Spring Garden Road. Once Ace Burger moved out of our neighbourhood, this became our go to spot for a burger and fries. It was also a place Dad and I would meet up at from time to time for a weekday lunch.

Seafood, I’ve missed you. My wife and I have had so many great meals over the years at Bicycle Thief. It was our favourite “fancy” (it’s not really that fancy) and celebration restaurant. On our last night in Halifax, every selection we made from the menu was seafood – mussels, a seafood risotto and Halifax’s best calamari was delicious and just like old times.

And mere steps away, with bellies full, another of our favourite things about Halifax – an evening walk along the harbour. On this night, even bundled up against unseasonably cool temperatures, you couldn’t wipe the smiles from our faces.

A favourite, indeed.