Six Star Magazine Six Star Magazine Spring 2017 | Page 21

SPRING SUMMER
2017
CANADA
NS 1867
CANADAS OCEAN PLAYGROUND
A FEAST FOR
THE SENSES
BY MARTIN RUIZ SALVADOR
Together with his wife, Sylvie, this top chef runs Fleur
de Sel, arguably the top fine-dining establishment
in Nova Scotia. The couple has also brought Salt
Shaker and the Fish Shack to the casual dining
scene in Lunenburg. Their innovative approach was
featured in the Spring 2016 issue of Six Star.
I grew up on the South Shore of Nova
Scotia in a small town called Blandford.
At age 12, we moved to Halifax where I
met my future wife and partner, Sylvie.
Halifax is where we grew up together
and where, to this day, we continue to
have the same group of friends from the
old days. The nightlife in Halifax is really
something to see. Here, you can enjoy
East Coast hospitality at its best with live
music on the waterfront.
During my culinary education in the
1990s, we lived in many beautiful places,
including France and Ireland. And though
we travelled extensively, we continued to
be amazed by the beauty of our home,
Nova Scotia. Its rugged coastline, white
sand beaches and music are unforgettable.
The amazing talent in our kitchens,
the craft beer scene and our thriving
vineyards showcase that, although we are
small, we are also rich, proud and diverse.
In 2004, we came back home and
settled in Lunenburg. If you only had a
couple of days to experience Nova Scotia
this year, without a doubt you have
to go to Lunenburg! It’s only an hour
from Halifax, but is so special. This is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to
its incredible architecture, but it’s also on
the water, so it has amazing views and is
close to some of the finest beaches on the
East Coast.
When in Lunenberg, a fresh seafood
meal is a must (we humbly suggest Fleur
de Sel, the South Shore Fish Shack or the
Salt Shaker Deli) and so is a glass of Nova
Scotia wine. There’s nothing quite like
enjoying a great meal accompanied by
the glorious sight of the Bluenose and the
harbour.
If you can’t make it as far as Lunenberg,
another great spot is Wolfville, a beautiful
little town on the Bay of Fundy, with its
red clay coastlines and giant tides. The
Gaspereau Valley and all of its thriving
wineries surround this little gem. The
wine scene in Nova Scotia is so exciting
at the moment; if you can take the Magic
Winery bus tour, be sure to try our
sparkling wines.
Nova Scotia is our home. Now that we
are parents, my wife and I understand
the importance of “home” on another
level. Our son will grow up in place that is
safe, beautiful and unique — to us, this is
irreplaceable.
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