Owner Liz Cunningham moved to Halifax from New York City 10 years ago.
After working in the television industry for 32 years, she finally realized her dream of opening a neighborhood restaurant in September 2009.
Her friend and local contractor, Rod Malay, had just finished building “The Nile House” on Charles Street and there was a space available on the ground floor. Liz jumped at the chance. The building is not only beautiful, but green with its geo-thermal heating and cooling as well as its green roof – facts that Halifax diners appreciate.
Before long, Liz, friends, and family all pitched in to choose colours, refinish chairs and paint walls. Liz remembers the camaraderie. “It was a real labour of love and a collaborative effort.”
Over the bar, visitors comment on a beautiful framed picture of Tess, the owner’s mother, for whom the restaurant is named. The reproduction of a 1937 New York newspaper ad features Tess modeling a fur coat for sale at the remarkable price of only $29.98!
Liz recalls, “We just couldn’t settle on a name for our creperie. One day, about a year before we opened, my partner said, “Why don’t we name it Chez Tess after your mom and hang the newspaper ad in the restaurant?” We did.”
Chez Tess—a friendly, warm, and cozy neighborhood spot is fast becoming a hit with Haligonians who come back time and again.
