Il Mercatos has to be my favorite restaurant in HRM for Italian fare. There are two locations - one in the Sunnyside Mall in Bedford and the other is on Spring Garden Road in Halifax. I've been to the Bedford location on several occassions, and have stopped into the Halifax location, but just for a dessert and coffee. The menu is excellent as is the wine list and they always seem to have specials on that make me start salivating right away. I've always found the service excellent as well.
Thumbs up from me!
http://www.il-mercato.ca/