
Jason MacPhee
Wine Category Manager
Local Restaurant + Valentine’s Day Pairing ❤️
Pair with Calamari from Mappatura
If I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life it would be Calamari, and you already know I take Lambrusco very seriously. Terry’s Calamari at Mappatura with a bottle of Chiarli Vecchia Modena Lambrusco is what dreams are made of. The Lambrusco’s bright acidity, fruity notes, and lively bubbles make it a perfect match for Terri’s savoury Calamari. The wine’s effervescence cuts through the richness of calamari, while its touch of sweetness compliments the spicy tomato sauce.
Side bar – If you want a cocktail to start your night, replace the Prosecco in an Aperol Spritz with this Lambrusco and you’re in for a real special treat.
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Lucas Mader
Category Manager for Beer, Refreshment, & Spirits, Cicerone
Local Restaurant + Valentine’s Day Pairing ❤️
Pair with Weekly Fried Chicken Sando from CHKN Chop
If you can’t watch your partner crush a giant fried chicken sandwich and fries while drinking a beer, do you even love them? My friends always say that my wife must really love me because she’s watched me eat french fries and somehow still loves me. So I say that fried chicken (with bun or without) is a true valentines day food. Wash it down with a smooth and crisp dark lager (like this lovely Modelo Negra) and you’ve got yourself a winning combo.
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Kathryn Harding
Director of Customer Experience, Sommelier
Local Restaurant + Valentine’s Day Pairing ❤️
Pair with Lonza di Tonno ai Pistacchi from Ristorante a Mano
This is one of my favorite dishes in the city! The tuna is always perfectly seared to a rare finish, and the lightness of the lemon cream spaghettini makes the dish both satisfying and refreshingly light—it almost feels healthy! This dish pairs perfectly with Lenotti Le Folaghe Lugana. The wine is fresh and unoaked, with enough weight and texture to complement the tuna. The notes of apricots and almonds carry through to the palate and pair perfectly with the pistachio crust. This is a dish you absolutely shouldn’t miss—or a perfect one to recreate at home. Buon appetito!
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Alanna McIntyre
Product Specialist, Sommelier
Local Restaurant + Valentine’s Day Pairing ❤️
Pair with brunch from Edna
Edna has a great brunch menu and if you are sharing plates with your loved one(s) then sparkling wine is going to pair with pretty much anything. Nova Scotia is well known for its high quality and delicious sparkling wines; those produced in the traditional method offer complexity at an incredible value that you won’t find elsewhere. Benjamin Bridge’s NV rosé is made from L’Acadie Blanc and Chardonnay with some Pinot Noir bringing that pale blush and light red berry fruit notes to blend. Celebrate your loved one while you show some love for local wines with this lively, fresh and balanced Nova Scotia bubbly.

Gaby McCotter
Retail Manager
Local Restaurant + Valentine’s Day Pairing ❤️
Pair with Tapas from Matadora Tapas Bar
Ah, Valentine’s Day. A day for love, laughter, and… tapas? Absolutely! Forget the stuffy prix fixe menus and dive headfirst into a delicious adventure at Matadora Tapas Bar. Having had the chance to travel in Spain, this way of eating is truly an experience and culinary adventure. Sharing small plates with your sweetheart is the perfect way to say “I love you,” especially when accompanied by a bottle of Telmo Rodriguez Basa. The palate is fresh and vibrant, with great citrusy notes. Just try not to fight over the last patatas bravas – things could get messy!
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Ryan Almeida
eCommerce Manager
Local Restaurant + Valentine’s Day Pairing ❤️
Pair with Tiramisu from Ristorante a Mano
Whether you’re staying in and ordering takeout this Valentine’s Day or snagging a restaurant reservation at your favourite local spot, I strongly recommend you end your night with some Tiramisu from Ristorante Amano. I love making this dessert from scratch but its hard to replicate Amano’s version; pair this with a glass of Vin Santo and you’ve got yourself a combination that’d be hard not to love. Get it?
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Kate Fraser
Retail Supervisor, Spirits Specialist
Local Restaurant + Valentine’s Day Pairing ❤️
Pair with 12oz Bacon Wrapped Tenderloin from Mic Mac Tavern
Best steak in town, I’ll die on that hill. I will go to the Mic Mac Tavern any day, with anyone who wants to go. The steak is exceptionally seasoned and best cooked medium rare. Side that with loaded mashed and a 9oz pour of Malbec? You’ve got yourself a great evening.
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Stefan Nielsen
Retail Supervisor, Sommelier
Local Restaurant + Valentine’s Day Pairing ❤️
Pair with Bistecca alla Fiorentina from Tribute
Another contender for best steak in town (see Kate’s staff pick this month), Tribute is the place to be right now and the massive 45oz PEI T-Bone steak (serves 2-4) is the pièce de résistance on their menu. A big, smoky steak is just begging to be paired with a powerful, structured, complex red wine with lots of fruit and pronounced tannins. Having ordered a Nebbiolo with this very dish, I can confirm that this pairing is not only a good one, but it in fact slaps. Langhe Nebbiolo is designed for more of a “drink-now” vibe: no need to cellar or decant, just pop, pour, pair, and praise (me, for suggesting this).
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Matt Hodgson
Retail Supervisor
Local Restaurant + Valentine’s Day Pairing ❤️
Pair with Bologna Sandwich from The Narrows
The Narrows is possibly my favorite place to eat in the city. From the cozy atmosphere and friendly staff to the stellar food and drink menus, I can’t say enough good things about it.
Every meal I’ve had there has been nothing short of exquisite. I might even argue that they serve the best fried chicken sandwich in the city. But today, we’re here to talk about the bologna sandwich. Holy moly. House-made with pickles, mustard, and cheese sauce, it’s a must-try. I highly recommend getting the double meat—and to go with that, you’ll want a little amaro.
For amaro, I usually reach for Nonino. Enjoy it in a Paper Plane or sip it on its own to help digest that behemoth of a sandwich you just conquered.
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Genny
Customer Service Sales Associate, Sommelier
Local Restaurant + Valentine’s Day Pairing ❤️
Pair with Beef Tartare from Field Guide
Beef tartare is one of those dishes that I always enjoy but would never think to try to make at home, so I usually go for it if I see it on a menu. I always go for it at Field Guide, whose take on the dish changes seasonally, but always involves some element of bright aromatics and textural variety to liven up the dish. With beef tartare, I still want a red to bring some depth to the pairing, but I wouldn’t want anything too heavy. Cousin Oscar is a pinot noir and cinsault blend from the French Languedoc region. Lifted notes of cherry, strawberry and gentle florals and silky tannins pair well with the tender, savoury experience of the meal.
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Fernando
Customer Service Sales Associate
Local Restaurant + Valentine’s Day Pairing ❤️
Pair with Lechon Kawali from Bearly’s
On top of some of the best music in Halifax and their heart-warming staff, Bearly’s also has a wonderful selection of Filipino food on their menu. I walk in, find a seat, and before I know it a pint has apparated in front of me. One order of Lechon Kawali – deep fried pork belly with green beans and steamed rice- and I become one happy Fern. I almost always get an Olands (it’s tradition), but if I could I would pair my dish with one of my favourite lagers: 2 Crows’ AC Light Lager. Beers and fried food are an excellent pair so get yourself some take-out and give it a go. Definitely stick around for their live music if you get the chance. All are welcomed at the House of Blues.
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Daniela
Customer Service Sales Associate
Try Something New Under $30
Pair with Frozen Pork Belly Bao Buns
Is it a new year already? Where did 2024 go? Is time’s ephemeral nature bringing more and more existential questions to your mind? If you’re too busy with philosophical thoughts to cook, how does pork belly baos sound? All you need to do is defrost them (buy them first), then steam ‘em and pop open a bottle of Chiarlo Barbera – medium bodied, with delicious ripe red fruit notes and refreshing high acidity to match the pork belly’s fat. If you make enough of these, that counts as dinner (source: yes) and you’d have more *time* to keep immersing yourself into those philosophical reflections. Cheers!
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Allie Barter
Customer Service Sales Associate
Local Restaurant + Valentine’s Day Pairing ❤️
Pair with Swedish Meatball Platter from IKEA
Galentine’s Day is all about good food and better wine. My friends and I are planning to cook a full Ikea dinner featuring all their staples; swedish meatballs, gravy, mashed potatoes, peas, and a hint of cranberry.
To pair with the delicious and affordable meal, I have chosen the Maison Albert Pinot Noir. It is a super easy drinking pinot with juicy notes of cherry and raspberry, and is rounded out with a subtle hint of vanilla.
Grab a bottle, take a quick trip to Ikea, and enjoy a feast with your friends!
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David
Customer Service Sales Associate
Local Restaurant + Valentine’s Day Pairing ❤️
Pair with French Fries from McDonald’s
Sometimes love means candlelight and a big fancy dinner, and sometimes love means eating McDonald’s on the couch together with a cozy movie on the tv (Notting Hill? Sense and Sensibility?). I say a cold McDonald’s French Fry pairs beautifully with the Blomidon Cremant – crisp and refreshing, this local sparkling is a soft and inviting alternative to a classic Nova Scotia sparkling, with a clean streak of acidity to compliment flavours of citrus and fresh orchard fruit.
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Ireland McDonald
Customer Service Sales Associate
Local Restaurant + Valentine’s Day Pairing ❤️
Pair with Bruschetta
I love date night for many reasons: spending time with people you love, enjoying the restaurant atmosphere and most importantly, bruschetta! I usually scope out my restaurant picks based on this simple but fantastic appetizer, so my wine of choice has to be just as fabulous- enter Vette Sauvignon Blanc! Vibrant, fresh, and zesty acidity that will elevate the rich olive oil and garlic notes, harmoniously match making this combination! Enjoy!
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Erica Priolo
Customer Service Sales Associate
Local Restaurant + Valentine’s Day Pairing ❤️
Pair with Maritime Seafood Fettuccine from Port Pub
This wine is clean and crisp, with a subtle fresh baked bread component due to 15 months on lees before disgorging. Port pub offers a generous portion of high quality seafood in their pasta sauce, perfect to fill you up and so good you’ll be bound to return for more. Cozy seafood fettuccine with bone dry refreshing traditional method bubbles is a pairing well worth sharing with those you love.
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Michael Kamras
Customer Service Sales Associate
Local Restaurant + Valentine’s Day Pairing ❤️
Pair with Duck Leg Confit from Brooklyn Warehouse
Choosing one Valentine’s Day meal to rule them all is ludicrous, so I have to go with the most surprisingly delicious meal I’ve had out recently! This duck just melts in your mouth; this is one opulent cut of meat and it is just cooked to perfection. The sides on the plate balance out the richness of the meat to begin with, but Stema Pinot Noir will make it even better! Its acidity will cut through the rich fat, while some of its fruity and subtle tertiary notes make it perfect to augment those sides.Do yourself a favor and get the mussels too. I know that’s technically more than one dish, but I don’t care. It’s worth it.
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Maida
Customer Service Sales Associate
Local Restaurant + Valentine’s Day Pairing ❤️
Pair with Spaghetti & Meatballs
A simple yet delicious dish! I mean you can’t go wrong with pasta and what better way to enjoy it than with an organic Italian red wine. Ama Rosso has notes of juicy blackberry, slight spice and herbs allowing it to pair perfectly with not only this dish but with a lot of your favorite Italian foods. At just $20 a bottle, you can’t go wrong grabbing this wine to pair with your Valentine’s Day dinner.
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