I have many routines during the week; laundry, dishes, baby, husband and lunch at New Fortune. This is the place that makes me feel like I'm back in Toronto, enjoying a big, steaming bowl of Pho in some small, off the beaten path Vietnamese restaurant. I swear by the Pho here, not to mention the spring rolls. But, I must admit that I enjoy the v-18 (as I like to call it); rice noodles with bbq pork and spring-roll, that I douse with sambal and rice wine vinegar. During the last few weeks of my pregnancy, I could be found sitting at the table nearest the fish "pond", telling Holly (the server), "Gimme my usual, and make it extra spicy!" in hopes that a daily dose of rare beef pho with tripe would bring on contractions and get the baby outta me.

Needless to say, Baby Zoe made her first appearance at New Fortune merely days after being born, and has been a regular fixture ever since. If you're lucky, you might also catch a glimpse of other regulars such as Dennis of Fid Resto, or his staff. Nick of Canesp and his wife or brothers, and of course my husband, Doug, and his co-workers, the 'Janices' and/or Alain. All I can say to sum this place up is, it is worth the drive to Clayton Park, and once you've had New Fortune, you'll always have good fortune thanks to Thu, the chef/owner of one of Halifax's best kept secrets.