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tess
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5687 charles st, halifax
902 406 3133
Waitress holding plate of food
Bottles of alcohol
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Welcome
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The back-yard patio is open this Victoria Day weekend! Come enjoy some lunch or brunch in our little getaway. With Mother Nature’s blessings the patio will be open Friday Lunch (11:00-2:30) Saturday Brunch (9:30-2:30) and Sunday Brunch (9:30-2:30)! What a great way to enjoy the long weekend! The patio will be open these same days and times until the end of the month (weather permitting), with extended hours to come as the days get warmer and the nights get shorter!

About
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Owner Liz Cunningham moved to Halifax from New York City 12 years ago. After working in the television industry for 32 years, she finally realized her dream of opening a neighborhood restaurant in September 2009.

Her friend and local contractor, Rod Malay, had just finished building “The Nile House” on Charles Street and there was a space available on the ground floor. Liz jumped at the chance. The building is not only beautiful, but green with its geo-thermal heating and cooling as well as its green roof – facts that Halifax diners appreciate.

Before long, Liz, friends, and family all pitched in to choose colours, refinish chairs and paint walls. Liz remembers the camaraderie. “It was a real labour of love and a collaborative effort.”

Over the bar, visitors comment on a beautiful framed picture of Tess, the owner’s mother, for whom the restaurant is named. The reproduction of a 1937 New York newspaper ad features Tess modeling a fur coat for sale at the remarkable price of only $29.98!

Liz recalls, “We just couldn’t settle on a name for our restaurant. One day, about a year before we opened, my partner said, “Why don’t we name it tess after your mom and hang the newspaper ad in the restaurant?” We did.”

tess: a friendly, warm, and cozy neighborhood spot is fast becoming a hit with Haligonians who come back time and again.

about

If you are interested in receiving tess’s monthly e-newsletters, please use our sign up form below. Our newsletters will contain information about upcoming events & specials at the restaurant, as well as fun tips and recipes. In addition, each month we will be offering a coupon special. We will not share your information with anyone else and you many unsubscribe at any time.

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Menu
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Please choose a menu below:

Brunch 9:30am - 2:30pm* Lunch 11:00am - 2:30pm** Dinner 5:00pm - 10:00pm*** Beverages all day Wines all day Dessert all day

*The Brunch menu is available Saturday and Sunday.

**The Lunch menu is available Tuesday through Friday.

***The Dinner menu is available 5-9pm Tuesday through Thursday, and 5-10pm Friday and Saturday.

Brunch: 9:30am-2:30pm Sat & Sun

Crepes

Crepes Benedict
Two poached eggs & house made hollandaise with your choice of the following:
Traditional with slowly baked glazed ham 11 GF
w/Brothers smoked bacon & brie Cheese 13 GF
w/Maritime smoked salmon 14 GF
w/spinach, tomato & mushrooms 12 GF
Any Benny can be served on a fluffy Belgian waffle or a house made tea biscuit instead of a crepe

Western Crepe 11 GF
Scrambled eggs, peppers and ham served in a crepe and topped with cheddar cheese. Substitute spinach, tomato & mushrooms for ham add 1

Omelet of the Day 12
See Blackboard

Sausage & Eggs Crepe 12 GF
Sweet Williams breakfast sausage cooked with caramelized apples & rosemary folded in a crepe with dill cream cheese scrambled eggs

Hueovos Rancheros Crepe 13 GF
Poached eggs in a crepe cup, topped with pulled pork and salsa fresca w/a side of sour cream.

All savoury crepes served with aside green salad and a potato cake. Potato cakes are not vegetarian

Sweet Crepes

Bananas Foster Crepe 9 GF
Bananas, brown sugar & butter flambéed and served over vanilla ice cream on top of a sweet crepe

The Euro 9 GF
Banana, Nutella, caramel and chantilly rolled in a sweet crepe sprinkled with toasted almonds

Crepes Suzette 9 GF
A Classic! Flambéed orange segments with butter, sugar and orange liqueur served over 2 sweet crepes. Any sweet crepe al a mode add 1.50. All sweet crepes served with chantilly whipped cream.

Everything Else

Seafood Cakes Benny 13
Two poached eggs on Tess' seafood cakes (see black board) with house made hollandaise. Served with side salad and a potato cake.

Margaret’s “Steak n’ Eggs” 12
Two fried eggs on top of Margaret’s homemade meatloaf, served with side salad and a potato cake. My friend John’s mother’s meatloaf recipe, good old-fashioned Cape Breton Cooking!

Nova Scotia Home-Style Breakfast 14
Your choice of scrambled, poached or fried eggs (2), house made baked beans in molasses, sourdough toast, and your choice of ham, bacon or sausage. Served with Tess’ potato cake.

Tess’ Quiche in a Potato Crust 8
Featured on Food Network Canada's "You Gotta Eat Here".

Croque Madame Panini 12
Glazed, Nova Scotia baked ham with swiss cheese on Boulangerie LaVendeenne's Focaccia, topped with an over easy eggs and drizzled with our Dijon mustartd sauce Featured on Food Network Canada's "You Gotta Eat Here"

Tess’ Breakfast Sandwich 10
Open faced Foccacia sandwich topped with 2 over easy eggs, Brothers smoked bacon drizzled with maple Sriracha chilli sauce and topped with fresh cilantro.

French Toast 8
Made with Boulangerie LaVendeenne apricot honey bread. Served with butter, maple syrup & fruit.

Sides

Sweet Williams Sausage 3

Brothers Smoked Bacon 3.50

Sourdough Toast 1.50

Homemade Jam 1

Tea Biscuit w/ Butter 2

Fresh Fruit Cup 3.50

Hollandaise 1

Maple Syrup 1

GF = gluten free filling. If you prefer a gluten free crepe please inform your server.



Lunch: 11:00am-2:30pm Tues - Fri

Soups & Starters

Soup du jour Cup 4 / Bowl 6

Insalata Carprese 11
Fresh Basil, mozzarella cheese and tomatoes drizzled with Liquid Gold Olive Oil and Balsamic, Served with Crostini.

Caesar Salad 10 / small 6
Crisp Romaine lettuce tossed with maple glazed pancetta, seasoned croutons and Tess’ Caesar dressing with a kick. Finished with grated Asiago. Add warm sliced chicken 3.

Greek Salad 12 / small 6.50
Cucumber, red onions, Feta cheese,, Kalmata Olives, Bell Peppers, & fresh Oregano tossed in house red wine vinaigrette.

Spinach Salad 12 / small 6.50
Fresh baby spinach, sliced hard boiled egg, cremini mushrooms, red onion, & shredded Swiss tossed in a warm bacon dressing.

Fresh Cucumber & Melon Salad 9
Diced English cucumber & fresh melon with Feta cheese, green onions, & Coriander in Tess' House Citurs Lime Vinaigrette.

Ceaser Salad10
Crisp Romaine lettuce tossed with maple glazed pancetta, seasoned croutons and Tess' Ceaser Dressing, finished with grated Asiago Cheese
Add sliced NS Free Range Chicken 3.50

Tess’ Warm Brie 9
Served with Kalmata olives, roasted garlic, baguette slices and crispy green apple. Note: Gluten Free, Vegan crackers may be substituted for baguette.

Tess' Tossed
See Blackboard



Lunch Entrees

Cuban Panini 12
Meadowbrook Farms oven roasted ham and pork, thinly sliced and grilled on sourdough baguette with sliced dill pickle smoked Gouda & our house roasted tomato aioli.

Vegetarian Panini 11
Artichoke tapenade, roasted red pepper, sautéed mushrooms, grilled zucchini, hot banana peppers, shaved red onion and jalapeno Havarti on La Boulangerie Olive Ciabatta with our house roasted tomato aioli.

Roast Beef Sandwich 13
Thinly sliced oven roasted Getaway Farm beef on baguette with mushrooms, cheddar cheese, shaved red onions, jalapenos, and jalapeno aioli for a little extra kick!

Grilled ABC Sandwich 10
Tart Granny Smithy Apple, Brother’s double smoked bacon, and Applewood Smoked Cheddar on LaBoulangerie multi-grain bread with our house roasted tomato aioli.

Tess' C Cubbed Sandwich 9
Old White Cheddar, sliced cucumber and house made tomato chutney

Curry Chicken Wrap 9
Roasted chicken, diced apples, celery, raisins and red onion tossed in house made curry mayo wrapped in a crepe. Prepared on Multi-Grain Bread or Baguette add 1.

Coquilles St. Jacques18 Featured on Food Network Canada's "You Gotta Eat Here"
Sea Scallops seared with baby spinach and mushrooms with Tess' creamy Emmenthal cheese sauce.

All Tess’ sandwiches & wraps are served with a side green salad and house made coleslaw.

Tess' classic crepes

Spanokopita 9 GF
Baby spinach & Feta cheese in a light garlic cream sauce folded in a savoury crepe. Add warm sliced chicken 3.

Portobello 12 GF
Portobello mushrooms marinated in white wine & cumin wrapped in a savoury crepe with roasted red peppers, wilted spinach and red onion cream cheese.

Crepe Cordon Bleu 13
Slices of slow roasted chicken, glazed ham & tomatoes with our house Dijon mustard sauce finished with melted Swiss cheese.

Chicken Florentine 12 GF
Slow roasted chicken, baby spinach & Swiss cheese finished with a light cream sauce with a hint of garlic.

Smoked Salmon Crepe 13 GF
Locally smoked Atlantic salmon, fresh dill and capers with shaved red onion and red onion cream cheese.

Coquilles St. Jacques 15
Sea scallops seared with baby spinach and mushrooms with Tess’ creamy Emmenthal cheese sauce, this classic now served over a bed of rice.

Tess’ Classic Crepes are served with a mixed green salad, or you can substitute a side Caesar or Quinoa salad for the mixed green salad for 2.00.

All crepes can be made with a Gluten Free Batter, Please advise your server if this is your preference. (GF denotes Gluten Free Filling)

Dinner: 5:00pm-9:00pm Tues - Thu & 5:00pm-10:00pm Fri & Sat

Salads & Starters

Soup du jour Cup 4 / Bowl 6

Insalata Carprese 11
Fresh Basil, mozzarella cheese and tomatoes drizzled with Liquid Gold Olive Oil and Balsamic, Served with Crostini.

Caesar Salad 10 / small 6
Crisp Romaine lettuce tossed with maple glazed pancetta, seasoned croutons and Tess’ Caesar dressing with a kick. Finished with grated Asiago. Add warm sliced chicken 3.

Greek Salad 12 / small 6.50
Cucumber, red onions, Feta cheese,, Kalmata Olives, Bell Peppers, & fresh Oregano tossed in house red wine vinaigrette.

Spinach Salad 12 / small 6.50
Fresh baby spinach, sliced hard boiled egg, cremini mushrooms, red onion, & shredded Swiss tossed in a warm bacon dressing.

Fresh Cucumber & Melon Salad 9
Diced English cucumber & fresh melon with Feta cheese, green onions, & Coriander in Tess' House Citurs Lime Vinaigrette.

Tess Warm Brie 9
Served with Kalmata olives, roasted garlic, baguette slices and crispy green apple.

Duo of Dips 9
Served with Boulangerie LaVendeenne bread or Gluten Free crackers or fresh crisp veggies.

Bruschetta Board (serves 4-6) 18 / 1/2 portion 9
Toasted Olive Ciabatta bread with roasted garlic, goat cheese, marinated tomatoes & Arugula drizzled with Liquid Gold’s Tuscan Herb Olive Oil. Add Roasted Chicken to 1/2 Bruschetta for 3 / Add to full Bruschetta for 6.

Pate (see black board) 10 (serves 2)
Available with gluten free crackers instead of baguette


Our House Vinaigrette, Dijon Sauce, Emmenthal Sauce and Caesar dressing are now Available for sail

Tess’ Dinner Entrees

Catch of the dayMarket price



Louisiana Grill 15
Sweet Williams Andouille sausage, roasted chicken, bell peppers, onions & penne pasta tossed in a rose sauce and baked. Served with toasted baguette.

Pasta and Warm Brie with Scallops 18
Pasta with warm brie, roasted garlic, tomatoes & basil tossed with olive oil and topped with seared sea scallops. Served with a side salad and baguette.

Beef &Brie Wrapped in Bacon 18
Meadowbrook Farms beef stuffed with mushrooms, wrapped in bacon, finished with brie cheese & caramelized onions. Served with sweet potato mash and side veg.

Nova Scotia Pork Tenderloin 16
Meadowbrook Farms honey ginger marinated pork tenderloin. Served with rustic mash and side veg.

Nova Scotia Lamb 17
See special list

Tess' Seafood Cakes 16
See special list

Corquilles St. Jacques 18
Seared Sea Scallops cooked with baby spinach and mushrooms in our creamy emmenthal cheese sauce.

Lighter Fare

Spanokopita 9 GF
Baby spinach & Feta cheese in a light cream sauce. Add warm sliced chicken 3.

Portobello 12 GF
Portobello mushrooms marinated in a white wine & cumin marinade with roasted red peppers, wilted spinach and red onion cream cheese.

Crepe Cordon Bleu 13
Slices of slow roasted chicken, glazed ham tomatoes with our house Dijon mustard sauce finished with melted Swiss cheese.

Chicken Florentine 12 GF
Slow roasted chicken, baby spinach & Swiss cheese tossed in a garlic cream sauce.

Smoked Salmon Crepe 14 GF
Locally smoked Atlantic salmon, fresh dill and capers, with shaved red onion and red onion cream cheese.

NOTE: All crepes can be made with Gluten Free batter, please inform your server if this is your preference.

GF denotes gluten free filling.



Substitute a side Caesar, or Quinoa salad or mixed green salad for 2.00.

Beverages: All Day

Coctails

Caesar or Bloody Mary (1oz) 6

Mimosa 7
4oz Sparkling Wine & orange juice

Chocolate Martini 9
1oz Vanilla Vodka, .5oz Kahlua, .5oz Baileys

Bacon Caesar (1oz) 7

Joe’s Frappe (2 oz) 9
Vodka (1.5 oz), Pineapple juice, Cranberry juice, & (.5 oz) Chambord. Shaken with ice (A concoction of my dear friend Joe from Brooklyn!)

Tessmosa 9
Sparkling Wine (4oz), Orange Juice and (.5 oz) Ironworks Cranberry Liqueur

Beer

Keith’s, Keith’s Light 5

Stella, Corona 6

Local Micro Brews by the bottle

Garrison Hop Yard

Nut Brown

Propeller Porter

Bitter

Local Micro Brews On Draught: Ask your Server 6/Pint

Spirits 4

Liqueurs 5

Premium Spirits 6

(All 1oz pours)

Non-Alcoholic

Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Diet 7Up, Ginger Ale, Club Soda 2

Juices 3
Tomato, Pineapple, Cranberry, Orange, Apple, Grapefruit

Milk 2% or Soy 2

Perrier (330ml bottle) 2.50

Brewed Iced Tea with house made lemon syrup 2

Java Blend Organic, Fair Trade Coffee 2.75
Fog City Blend or Swiss Water DeCaf

Tea 2.25
Orange Pekoe, Green, Mint, English Breakfast, Chamomile, Earl Grey, Chai Spice, Lemon Ginger, Orange Pekoe De-caf, Earl Grey De-caf

Wines: All Day 5oz Glass / Half Litre / Bottle

Whites

House White: Pinot Grigio (Italy) 6.50 / 10 / 27

Avondale Sky Bin 14 Riesling (Nova Scotia1) 9 / 12 / 36
Slightly off-dry with flavors of citrus, green apple, and a touch of honey.

The Springs Sauvigon Blanc(New Zealand) 8 / 11 / 34
Crisp with flavors of lime, gooseberry, and grapefruit.

Jost Eagle Tree Muscat (Nova Scotia) 9 / 12 / 36
Aromatic with prefumed scents of wild flowers and honeysuckle.

Vega Sindao Chardonnay (Spain) 8 / 11 / 34
Creamy and smooth with tastes of ripe melon and citrus with vanilla notes.

Reds

House Red: Merlot (Italy) 6.50 / 10 / 27 (L)

The Springs Pinot Noir (New Zealand) 9 / 12 / 36
Vibrant with strawberry, raspberry, and cherry, soft and silky.

Fontella Chianti 9Italy) 8 / 11 / 34
Smooth with bright red cherry and a touch of violet.

Salentein Malbec 9 / 12 / 36
Lush with dark fruits like plum and blueberry with fig and a touch of smoke.

The Lackey Shiraz (Australia) 8 / 1 / 34
Display of rich dark fruits with pepper and licorice.

Bubbles

Villa Teresa Organic Prosecco 7 / - / 33
Flavors of candied green apple and citrus.

Dessert: All Day

The Euro Crepe 9
Banana, Nutella, Caramel & Chantilly Wrapped in a Sweet Crepe Sprinkled with Toasted Almonds.

Crepes Suzette 9
A Classic! Flambéed Sauce of Butter, Sugar, Orange Juice & Orange Liqueur Served over 2 Sweet Crepes with Chantilly.

Bananas Foster Crepe 9
Bananas, Brown Sugar & Butter Flambéed and Served Over Vanilla Ice Cream on top of a Sweet Crepe.

Dessert Trio 9
3 Individual House Made Sweets, ask your server.

Crème Brulee 6
Silky Custard with a tosted Caramel Top served with Chantilly.

Tess' Tart 6\7
See Blackboard for the Cef's Creation. Served in a flaky pastry with chantilly

Specialty Coffees 7.50
Java Blend’s Fog City or Organic Decaf Served in a Sugar Rimmed Glass Chantilly.
Classic Irish – Irish Whiskey Sweetened With a Couple of Brown Sugar Cubes
Nutty Irishman – Bailey’s & Frangelico
Spanish – Tia Maria & Rum
Monte Cristo – Kahlua & Grand Marnier

Tess
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“Where you can dine with friends, even if you come alone!”

At tess we believe in simple food made from scratch, using locally supplied ingredients whenever possible.

We are proud to support other local small business, including:

  • Avondale Sky Winery
  • Boulangerie La Vendeenne
  • Bridge Brewing Company
  • Brothers
  • Fisherman's Market
  • Goldwater Seafood
  • Garrison Brewery
  • Java Blend Coffee Roasters
  • Konrad's Foods
  • Luckett Vineyards
  • Meadowbrook Farms
  • Propeller Brewery
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The Best Brunch

The Best Patio

Backyard Patio

New York Vibe

You Gotta Eat Here

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Feel free to stop in and see us, we always love to have visitors! Or, if you just have a question for us, just fill out the form to the right and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

Sun 9:30am-2:30pm
Mon Closed
Tue–Thurs 11am–2:30pm
Fri 11am–2:30pm and 5–10pm
Sat 9:30am–2:30pm and 5–10pm

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Bookings
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Whether it’s a Cocktail Party, Sit Down Dinner or Buffet Style Dinner you are thinking about, let tess host it for you
.

Our restaurant can accommodate private groups of up to 32 guests. Our chefs will plan the menu with you; all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the evening with your guests. Whatever the occasion – birthday, retirement, wedding, a private evening at tess’ is a great way to host a stress-free party.

Backyard Patio – In the warmer months our beautiful private backyard patio is available for bookings as well. This space can accommodate up to 50 people in a unique setting.

Perhaps it’s an early morning business breakfast you are looking to host, we can help there too. Continental style, hot buffet or a combination of both are available.

Photography by Keenan Goddard-Donovan like usfollow usget our updates © tess 2012