HALIFAX

Halifax is situated inside the lobby of the W Hoboken at 225 River Street, placing it smack dab in the middle of all the action of what is quickly becoming “New York’s Sixth Borough.” The main dining room has stunning views of the Hoboken Riverfront so getting a table right against the front windows is something you will never forget, especially after dark. There’s also a stunning wood bar with Art Deco inspired ceiling high shelves right at the dining room entrance and a large private event room.

My recent visit included a quick chat with very “hands on” Executive Chef Sheadon Shouse, who hails from Nova Scotia, and was quite impressive. This is a guy who amazingly goes out to Montauk, LI to bring home water and dry it out for sea salt to use in Halifax’s dishes! The affable Chef Seadon is famous for his seasonal, coastal-inspired cuisine that emphasizes locally sourced and sustainable ingredients, with a strong focus on seafood and techniques like curing and smoking.

The Starters section of the Halifax menu includes items like Dressed and Naked Oysters and Poached Shrimp Cocktail, but the core idea is a grazing-style spread meant for the whole table, with a strong emphasis on seafood and charcuterie. Some of the seafood comes from unexpected places—for instance, the Naked Oysters are from Barnegat, NJ and my dining guest was blown away by their taste and freshness saying she could eat three or four dozen in one sitting if she had the chance (she usually prefers oysters from colder waters so this is saying a mouthful).

Under Starters you’ll also find dishes like Fritto Miso, Maine Mussels, Clam Chowder, both Asparagus and Mushroom Toast, Bluefin Tuna Crudo, Spring Vegetable Salad and Baby Romaine Caesar. Compared to the boards, these are less about sharing and more about beginning your meal with something simple, fresh, or comforting, while still keeping that coastal, seafood-forward theme consistent across the menu.

I tried the Spring Vegetable Salad which featured that most amazingly soft and fresh burrata in the center and some of the crunchiest radish and arugula that I have ever eaten. The fresh, lightly boiled spring peas and sunchoke chips were perfect for additional spring fresh texture and flavor. The Mushroom Toast was another item that I devoured with relish—the local mushrooms are lightly drizzled with EVOO and placed on dark house sourdough, put in the oven until light golden brown and then served with house made ramp butter and Parmigiana.

FROM SALMON TO SAFFRON RIGATONI
At Halifax, the entrée selection not surprisingly leans heavily into coastal New American cuisine with a strong seafood presence—options include Pan Seared Salmon with lentils and seasonal vegetables, Nova Scotia Halibut with a bean cassoulet and chorizo, and a rich Seafood Risotto packed with shrimp, mussels, clams, and squid.

There are also elevated house made pasta dishes such as Saffron Rigatoni with local lobster, coral butter and trumpet mushroom, Three Cheese Ravioli with seasonal vegetables including asparagus, spring peas and maitake mushrooms, and Ricotta Gnocchi with mushroom Bolognese, tomatoes and Parmesan—which obviously portray a mix of lighter and more indulgent choices.

For heartier appetites, the menu rounds out with meat-focused plates like Smoked Amish Chicken with house made bacon, pearl onions, oyster mushrooms and carrot in a red wine jus, Grilled Pork Chop with spring vegetable ragu, In House Dry Aged New York Strip Steak with sea salt shoestring fries, arugula salad and Parmigiano and New York Strip Steak with carrot puree, pearl onions, local mushrooms, a sweet potato and chimichurri sauce for a more classic steakhouse feel.

I had the New York Strip Steak and I was as in love with the carrot puree that my meat was laying on and side of contrasting crunchy pearl onions as the steak itself. Overall, the entrée section of the Halifax menu balances refined seafood dishes with comforting pastas and substantial meat options, so they’re keeping the menu upscale while still approachable and varied. There is truly something for everyone—you will even see lots of kids and teens with simple tastes finding items that they love like flatbread pizzas and burgers.

DESSERTS TO DIE FOR
Halifax’s desserts are polished but still comforting, with a mix of fruit-forward and rich, indulgent options. The core lineup includes dishes like Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake served with chocolate ganache, whipped cream and peanuts, then there’s a Brown Butter Torte with chocolate cake, a brown butter cookie brownie and caramel sauce, and a warm pile of sugarcoated Cinnamon Apple Fritters served with brown butter ganache and coffee anglaise, salted caramel, and hazelnut ganache. On the lighter side there is Lemon Blueberry Mousse made with lemon sponge cake, honey comb and whipped cream and Berry Panna Cotta with lemon curd, orange shortbread crumble and fruit pearls. There is also a rotating selection of ice creams and sorbets.

I love decadent desserts above all else so you know that my guest and I had to share both the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake (which was even creamier and richer than it looked) and the Cinnamon Apple Fritters (which was a particularly large portion of about eight fritters served hot from the oven). I was in sugar heaven and will return to Halifax just for both these items and some of their freshly ground custom blend coffee.

A POLISHED AND SOCIAL CROWD
The Halifax guests tend to be a polished, social, young professional and “occasion” crowd—think late-20s to late-30s people who work in NYC (finance, tech, consulting) but live nearby, mixed with hotel guests and business travelers who want something convenient but still upscale; it skews smart-casual to dressed-up, especially at dinner or brunch, with groups of friends, date nights, and small celebrations rather than wild nightlife. The waterfront setting plus farm-to-table menu and cocktails naturally attract people who are willing to spend a bit for ambiance, views, and a more refined but still approachable vibe.

BOP OVER TO ‘BOKEN
Why should you visit Halifax in the W Hoboken? I’d say because it delivers that rare mix of serious food, standout views, and an elevated but approachable vibe. You’re getting farm-to-table coastal cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients, creative cocktails, and a menu that feels refined without being overly complicated, all set in a bright, stylish dining room with high ceilings. Can I mention the stunning waterfront view one more time here? You get the unusual view of seeing the lower part of Manhattan light up at night and it’s a lot different than the classic midtown view full of skyscrapers although you get to see some taller buildings like the Freedom Tower.

For more information on Halifax, go to halifaxhoboken.com