Slaymaker & Nichols Gastro House

In September 1864, delegates from the British North American colonies gathered at the Charlottetown Conference to discuss the idea of Canadian Confederation, and found that the town had a rival attraction. Slaymaker and Nichols' Olympic Circus had arrived at the same time, and the circus, with its acrobats, horses and clowns, filled hotel rooms and drew crowds. The story goes that the town was so full of visitors that some delegates slept on the steamship that brought them, and that public attention was divided between the serious business of nation-building and the bareback riders in the ring. Historians still enjoy the anecdote, and it gave this Charlottetown gastro house its name.

Slaymaker and Nichols Gastro House stands at 82 Fitzroy Street, in the historic part of Charlottetown, a short walk from the waterfront and the main sights of the old town. It combines a restaurant with an inn, and the theme is a playful take on the colourful world of the 19th-century circus. It is open year-round, which makes it a convenient choice in any season, and a terrace gives guests somewhere to sit on summer evenings.

A gastro house is a place that offers more refined food than a typical pub, often with creative dishes and a good selection of drinks. In Prince Edward Island this has an obvious advantage, because the island is a source of excellent seafood, from mussels and oysters to lobster, along with potatoes, beef, dairy products and fruit. Menus change, so check them before visiting, but the emphasis in such venues is usually on local ingredients prepared in an inventive way. The accommodation upstairs allows visitors to stay in the middle of the city, within walking distance of Confederation Landing, Province House and the shops and restaurants of the downtown.

The building has the look of a heritage property in a city that takes its history seriously. Charlottetown is known as the Birthplace of Confederation, and nearby Province House, where the 1864 conference met, is a National Historic Site. A walk through the town gives a view of Victorian houses, churches and public buildings, and the circus story adds a light note to that history.

The gastro house is useful for travellers who want a central base with food, drink and a story, and it suits couples and groups of friends. Hours, menus and room rates vary, so check ahead.