There is a new place to eat on Spring Garden, down below the Moustache where the old Dooly’s was.
I was there twice in the last little while and was tipped that it existed by an ad in the Coast. When I was there I had brunch, it was Sunday morning after all. They have a decent brunch menu at decent prices. I had the omelette that comes with whole grain toast and home fries. And not the home fries that you expect to get from Smitty’s or such, but real pan fried potatoes with onions. They were delicious.
What’s the Hook
The Rockbottom Brewery seems to be a brew pub, but from what I have heard they cook the wort at another location and then only the final stage of the brewing process is taken place on site. This is different compared to the other brew pubs in Halifax including, The Granite Brewery and Rogues Roost(someone needs to get these guys a modern websites)
“To run great restaurants…for the benefit of our Guests, our Community, and Ourselves.” – From the website.
Why would you go?
Both times that I was there to eat the service was first rate. The lady that was serving us the first time was awesome. She was very keen on letting us know all of the offerings of the place, and showing us the evening menu. The second time they didn’t really go out of their way in terms of service, but they were friendly enough. I think that there was a hot guy sitting at the bar.
As for the seating atmosphere, it is a big change from the Dooly’s, in a very good way. It still feels “hard” like a lot of the new places popping up, but the lighting helps to offset this to make the place feel more welcoming. I also enjoyed the seating, there are high booths with foot rests and comfy lounging chairs which makes the place comfortable enough for me to hang out for extended periods.
What will Stop You
There was one evening that I got to stop in to try out the beer on tap. It was a cold night near the end of December and the hockey game was on. I didn’t want to dare to try the other sports pubs on Spring Garden as I knew they would be packed, and I only needed to catch the third period. This meant it was the best chance to check out the beer at the Rockbottom.
Hated it.
I am not sure if it was just that it was one of their first batches and that they haven’t quite got the hang of it, but I had the ale and my GF had the IPA. The ale seemed very fruity and the IPA had none of the kick that we have come to expect from the Garrisons, Propellers and Granite Brewerys of the world. HUGE disappointment. Oh yeah….and the game was on MUTE. WTF we are in Canada and they our Junior Team was playing an important game.
I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt and give it another try in the near future, but I am not going to make a special visit on my way home. But if I am thirsty and am close I will give it another try.
So what do I Really Think
Value – 3/5
Really middle of the road. not expensive but you can get cheaper brunches elsewhere
Menu Selection – 3/5
Again they have select items that I assume they are going to make really good. It seems like a chef inspired or developed menu which is not necessarily a bad thing. Everyone will find something on it.
Food – 3/5
Great food. Everything that I had and everyone else that was with me had was cooked perfectly and tasted amazing. The fired potatoes were amazing and omelettes full of great stuff, and the omelette eggs were REAL. Not for a carton.
They would have gotten a four (4) if it wasn’t for my disappointment with the beer.
Service – 3.5/5
Like I said above, we had one that was amazing (5) but another that was at best a 3. Not that she was bad, but she really didn’t go out of her way.
Atmosphere – 4/5
I really enjoyed sitting in the place. It was damn near empty every time I was there, and the fact that there are a lot of hard surfaces it might get loud when it is busy.
Overall – 3.5/5
Decent but not amazing. It is high enough that I will recommend it to people to give it a try out. If they can get their beer tasting better, unless that was the way it was supposed to, then I will be revisting this review.
What do you think?
So have you been? What did you think about the place? Let us know.
Cheers,
JM
I started going to the rockbottom after i couldn’t get in to the Moustache cause the were so busy and I loved it! I thought the beers were amazing. I agree that the IPA could have had a bit bigger kick and asked the bartender about it and he told me that the next batch would have a bigger kick. I guess they are working out some new bar kinks. I loved the stout though! it was my favorite.I love their pizza’s too. I haven’t found any others in the city that can compete. Some of their sandwiches could use some improvement, I had the roasted veggie and it didn’t have much flavor, but the smoked salmon panini is amazing!! I’d go every day just for that!
The only food that I have had was the brunch and like I said it was great. I will have to try their pizza, but I don’t think that anywhere can beat Morris East. If you haven’t been there give it a try. I will be writing a review of it next time I am in.
And the beer at the Rockbottom, I guess I will have to give it another try. Maybe it was just the first batch blues and they have improved.
I’ve been a bunch of times and thought it was great. Loved the food every time. The desserts are fantastic – esp. the warm gingerbread. I don’t drink beer but they have an excellent wine list at very reasonable prices. Love the cozy stone fireplace. It’s definately my new favorite hang out.
I really like the atmosphere at the Rockbottom.
I will have to try out the gingerbread next time I am there. I am always looking for new places to go for dessert.
The Rockbottom was awesome. I went there with some lovely old friends of mine and I have to say like Bret, ” Its got it going on”. Food was great, beer ( especially the wheat) was top notch – they have perfected their craft and the services was fantastic. It was nice to see some clean, handsome male servers in a pub atmosphere for a change. The real kicker was the atmosphere which was cozy and sophisticated. The music was also at a great level for conversation so you didn’t have to keep yelling, “Wha?” like a 90 year old Nan making cookies with EverSweet margarine. The sausage dip was my favorite dish and the manager was my favorite eye candy. Cheers Rockbottom I am looking forward to my next visit to Halifax.
MCan
I went to Rock Bottom for my 21st birthday. It wasn’t my first choice. I tried to make a reservation at Rouge’s Roost only to have my attempt declined: “I’m sorry, we don’t take phone reservations.” So, when we showed up the place was moderately busy, just no open tables next to one another, I tried to make a reservation in person (showing the people wanting to eat and explaining that we’re in the industry – so tip wise it was to their benefit). They still declined my attempts and told me to just go somewhere close to pass time and periodically check in for an opening. Yeh right. No.
So, the gang of us went to Oasis down the street (right across the way from Rockbottom) in search of an affordable menu in an environment that would accept our energy and excitement. Oasis was not friendly, the sever seemed to forget about us, and the bartender mixed our drinks behind him – in the refrigerator. Odd, I know. We got hungry and didn’t want to test their kitchen – a call was placed to Rockbottom about a half hour from their closing time and our situation was explained to them.
Not only did the staff encourage our business, but they kept the kitchen open late for us, and rearranged the whole dining room floor for us. We were not only tolerated, but treated first rate. The three gentlemen working (Buck, Aithen and the bartender who’s name slips my mind) were superb. Our every need was met and on a timely fashion. I’m a vegetarian, and there were plenty of options on their menu for me. Their prices are affordable. And the atmosphere was unbeatable.
I will certainly be bringing my business back to Rockbottom. Stellar service.
“We have big mouths, as you already know, and we’re going to talk about this place!”
Restaurant is very nice, well laid out. However if you are looking for the menu from the website linked in the review, you’ll be surprised. This place has nothing to do with the American franchise except for the name and the fact they brew their own beer. Too bad, the one I went to was fantastic, great beer which you could purchase in growlers to take home and a vastly more comprehensive menu.
WOW!!!!!! I took my wife to Rockbottom for dinner on Friday evening. We were a little skeptical, when we realized it was a brewery. We were so pleased that we went in anyway. Beautiful. Our server Christine made the experience unforgettable. we started off with the provecal mussels, awesome. The dinner just kept getting better and better. Our server made several visits to our table to ensure that we were enjoying everything. I had the stuffed haddock, and my wife had the portobello chicken,both good choices. All in all the atmosphere, service and the value for the money were well worth it. I believe this will become our new favorite place to enjoy dinner and bring our friends to. Thank you so much.
Rick
We had the stuffed haddock with lobster and the pork tenderloin stuffed with goat cheese in a cherry sauce. It was amazing! Entrees came with roasted veggies and potato and portions were very filling. Prices were very reasonable and the atmosphere is very clean and nicely decorated. Our waitress was very sweet and we didn’t wait long for our meal.
I would recommend this place to anyone looking for good food that’s healthy and fresh. Can’t wait to go back!
Just to let you know, you are quoting the wrong restaurant website. The Rock Bottom website for the microbrewery and pub here in Halifax is http://www.rockbottombrewery.ca/.
Excellent thanks.
I will change that up shortly.