Pipa Restaurant

Pipa Restaurant is by no means a new establishment but in the past few months it’s quickly become one of my fave spots to eat in the city. Located on Argyle Street, Pipa offers diners an authentic Portuguese and Brazilian experience. Whether you’re having drinks around the bar with friends, tucked away in a cozy corner for dinner, or enjoying dessert in the gorgeous Atrium, there’s a little bit of something for everyone here.

One of the best kept secrets is their happy hour tapas between 4-6 every day. It’s a small tapas menu but everything on it is between $5-6. The portion size is nothing to laugh at either. You can either make a meal of 2-3 dishes or share them with friends. Included in happy hour are $5 martinis, sangria, and the must try caipirinhas. I definitely recommend the Chicken Coxinhas: A popular Brazilian snack; seasoned minced chicken enclosed by savoury dough. Also check out the Black Bean Salad: Black bean, mango & avocado salad with mixed green.

If you’re looking to splurge a little like Cokebaby and I did a couple weeks ago before catching The Beauty Queen of Leenane at the Neptune Theatre, I’d recommend their monthly fixed price menu. Tastes of Goa was the feature in February. The southwest Indian state of Goa has been a territory of Portugal for 450 yers. The cuisine is influenced by both Indian and Portuguese cultures. The three course meal had two options for every sitting so we ordered it all. It came out to $50 per person with wine pairings ($30 per person without). The wine pairing included a red, white, and port. We discovered a fantastic Chardonnay that night from the Miolo vineyard, available at Cristall & Luckett Wine Merchant in Bedford.

I quite enjoyed my selection of food. Ginger Scented Tomato Soup: A flavourful soup with cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, onion & mint. Chicken Xacuti: Unique dish of chicken cooked in a housemade paste of aromatic spices & coconut milk, served with red rice & vegetables. Date & Nut Pudding: served with custard.

The atmosphere is simply charming and the service is casual (but in a good way). One day I hope to finally try the  halibut stew I’ve been hearing so many great things about. Cokebaby already got his fill of feijoada—definitely a choice for the carnivore in your dinner party.

Source: http://eastcoastbychoice.ca/2011/03/10/pipa-restaurant/