Eastside Social

Joey Skeir and his wife Cherie Stinson don’t order meals when they go out. Instead, the two native Nova Scotians and coastal foodies make eating with one another a communal event.

That’s what their Leslieville restaurant is all about, sharing and a mutual love for all things that feel like home, turned up a notch.

Being from the east coast, they wanted to go with a nautical theme for their restaurant that was “not in your face,” says Cherie, who is a professional interior designer. In fact, you may have seen her on Restaurant Makeover.

The décor is quirky coastal with a slice of city; a wall of fish taxidermy painted black is a perfect example of that. The theme also shows in the restaurant’s signature drink, a bright pink rum punch with huge ice cubes served to guests in vintage bowls with individual ladles and quaint tea cups (they’ve been collecting these dishes for months before opening their restaurant in June 2013).

“The punch is very potent and delicious,” Cherie says. It’s a good take on a social drink, especially enjoyable at social hour every Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.