After bursting onto the East Coast music scene with a multi-award-nominated debut album in 2021, P.E.I.-based singer-songwriter Brandon Howard Roy recently surprised listeners with a new single from his forthcoming sophomore album. If “Give Me Love” is any indication of what’s to come, we think it’s safe to say the multifaceted musician is more than likely to continue his upward trajectory toward stardom.
Perhaps even more exciting, Roy recently announced that he will soon be embarking on his first Canadian tour. As a former student of Sheridan College’s prestigious Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance program, Roy has a knack for connecting with crowds and putting on wildly entertaining performances.
We recently had the chance to catch up with Roy to talk about his favourite food and drink spots in his home base of Charlottetown.
Breakfast
As you open the door to this wonderful spot, you know from the first second what you’re going to get. Friendly service, food that comes out at the speed of light, and it’s gonna be just greasy enough to scratch that itch that brought you there in the first place.
Sunday mornings are my favourite, where the line out the door includes a wide array of Charlottetown residents: from revelers you may have seen at the bar the night before piecing together the parts of the night they may have forgotten over bacon and eggs, families of young athletes celebrating the big win with milkshakes and fries, and folks who have just left church and are chatting over coffee and a piece of carrot cake.
Maid Marian’s truly holds a special place in every Islander’s heart, and their more-than-fairly-priced Robin Hood Breakfast is an excellent nod to their fairytale namesake.
Brandon’s Pick: Robin Hood Breakfast with bacon, eggs sunny side up and a chocolate milkshake.
Lunch
While P.E.I. is best known for being the best spot in Canada to spend a summer, those of us who live here year-round know that we spend nine months of the year in full on soup season and are blessed with many options.
Saigon Pho is tucked away between a taxi stand and a string of bars on Kent Street and, in my opinion, offers the best Vietnamese food on the Island with charming service and secret recipes that must be tasted to be believed. If you’re craving it in a pinch and don't want to make the trek downtown, no one delivers faster!
Brandon’s Pick: Pho Tai, pork spring rolls and a glass of lemon water.
Dinner
Its slogan makes three promises written in large capital letters across the entire restaurant: beer, food, vinyl, and on all three, it delivers in spades.
With a menu that changes every two weeks (from Japanese fusion to British pub fare to tropical cuisine and everything in between) and local craft beers that change by the keg (sourced from the best breweries in PEI and around the Maritimes) Hopyard is as much a living, breathing testament to the best in Atlantic Canadian hospitality as it is a restaurant.
Be sure to look through the extensive vinyl collection featured prominently in the heart of the space and bring your request up to one of the bartenders who will be happy to put it in the queue.
Brandon’s Pick: Any refreshing local APA, any dish with Hopyard’s fried chicken, Lizzo’s Cuz I Love You spinning on vinyl.
Drinks
Once upon a time, before all the local cafes chased the big bad corporations out of the downtown core, this spot was a Starbucks. It’s now owned by Upstreet, one of Charlottetown’s favourite craft breweries, and houses my favourite spot to grab a drink with friends whether it’s an afternoon pint, a pre-dinner cocktail or to see some great local entertainment and dance late into the night.
Upstreet features a great craft beer, cider and seltzer selection from all over the Island, as well as a dreamy selection of curated cocktails and mocktails. Upstreet’s new non-alcoholic beer Libra comes in half a dozen varieties and proves you don’t have to sacrifice both flavour and alcohol. Press ‘the button’ in the bathroom, I dare you!
Brandon’s pick: Pear & Pep mocktail with a shot of gin. And then, grab a 6 pack of Rewind vodka seltzers for wherever the night goes next!
