Bach’s Cafe

For a restaurant/​café on Agricola, just a few steps away from FRED, you still can’t get much more off the beaten path than this bad boy. Bach’s is, as the sign points out, «a place who loves JS Bach, Polar Bears, Music, and Coffee.» Given that I have an appreciation for all of those things –although perhaps not enough to make them my mission statement — I figured I’d give this hole-​in-​the-​wall the olé college try.
A mom-​and-​pop shop through and through, Bach’s is held together by a husband and wife duo who cook, clean, and manage the cash together. They use your average kitchen stove to whip up your meal fresh so it really feels like a visit to a Korean aunt’s place for lunch. The hosts themselves are a hoot. Don’t expect much English from them, but *do* expect to never quite know if they’re fighting with each other or laughing at their own jokes. We may never know.
There are menus everywhere: on the front windows, in plastic stands on the table, taped from cut-​up paper on the main counter, and even some on the upper wall in behind the kitchen. Better yet, they’re all different, so make sure you catch them all before you pick your final order. You can pick from all-​day breakfast and sandwiches, to Korean dishes like noodle soups or rice stir-​fries with kimchi. I would have rathered the noodle soup but since I didn’t find that menu before ordering, I went with the veggie rice.
It was a manageable wait for the food, easier still when you consider that there are literally just the two of them back there. While it arrived no-​frills style on a cafeteria tray, the rice had a brilliant flavour, nice spicing, and fresh veggies. I’m not one to get excited about rice but this one was tasty. I would have liked a few more vegetables but hey — it’s all good.
I try kimchi whenever I go to Korean spots even though I have yet to really enjoy it. This was the closest I came to ‘getting’ it for whatever that’s worth.
Cash and debit only but expect much confusion on the debit front. So basically, bring cash. There was a wireless signal but I didn’t have the guts to ask for the password.
Final notes: not enough polar bears.

Agricola Street is certainly picking up its game. With the new findings of places like Bach’s, it is a treat to stroll along here.
Bach’s is like no other place I have been to. It has it’s own thang goin on here.
If you love classical music through your meal, this place will allow you to bring your own.
The owners here are friendly and the noodles are worth another visit. This whole place has its own vibe, all good. Great owners, great food !

With Agricola Street’s long line of treasures, Bach Café is certainly one of them. Tones of endearment sound from the get-​go, as this venue utilizes its exterior in getting across a few focus interests. What interests, you ask? Well, its a largely stated list of loves including: Bach, Music, Polar Bears and Coffee, of course. An eclectic compilation, but what’s not to love? The owners play on personality and passion, and I can get down with that.
Firstly, classical music in any sort of public setting is an immediate turn on for me. This quaint space becomes an enlightened escape, all in addition to a kind and efficient staff.
The standard café fare isn’t anything too spectacular, but the noodles are delish. Warm up with some classical tones and a noodle dish? Its appetizing enough.
Overall, Bach gets points for personality. Its the quality of atmosphere and the presence of staff that makes me love it so… and the nonchalance of elegant musicality to keep me coming back for repeats.

A craving for noodles can be hard to satisfy in Halifax, but Bach’s café can do a good job of satisfying that craving with its Korean noodle dishes. The shop itself is a rather mind-​boggling mélange of homey kitchen and high-​end audio gear. Lunch can take a bit of time to prepare on the plain old electric kitchen stove, but you can spend that time enjoying the music and staring at the old stereos.
One of my favourite things about Bach’s (aside from the friendly owners) is the sign on the side of the building, which reads: «Bach’s Café: A Place Who Loves JS Bach, Polar Bears, Music, and Coffee…»
Who couldn’t love a place who loves those things?