Erin McLaughlin

In Halifax, Nova Scotia, magical moments happen all the time. And there’s nowhere better to experience them than at the Mystic restaurant and the Muir hotel – perhaps the most special hotel in Canada. The story begins along Halifax’s historic waterfront, a place that has been shaped by centuries of maritime activity. There, you’ll find Queen’s Marque, a neighbourhood development that brings together boutiques, cafés and fine-dining restaurants in a series of contemporary buildings.

Chef Michael Angeloni has been working in restaurants all his life. But he says that the Italian fine dining restaurant, Notte, is the place he’s always wanted to open. Previously known as Amano Trattoria and Notte Trattoria, it was also the site of ELLE Gourmet’s Italian Food and Wine Event last year. Angeloni himself made fresh pasta in front of the guests, which became delicious tasting plates that embodied true cucina Italiana.

If one of your first thoughts when you’re uncorking a bottle of wine is “oh no,” we get it. Bottle openers can be unwieldy, and using them often results in broken corks or—even worse—crumbled bits landing in your wine. But finding a corkscrew that does exactly what you want it to with little effort can erase any doubts when you’re reaching for your next bottle. Here’s what some top wine pros recommend to get the job done.