19 June 2015

After a delicious 'meal' not an artistically perfect 'morsel'

| mjconley
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We have eaten at 20 or so restaurants in Canberra and several top-rated ones serve ridiculously small portions. Last one, when the mains arrived the good wife and I spontaneously looked at each other and laughed.

So we would like to enjoy a meal sized portion, where haven’t we tried yet?

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Wilburs at the Hackett shops. Just the right balance between taste and portion size.

Word of warning though, we love taking the kids, as do a lot of other locals. Head there a bit later if you prefer to escape the sound of small people when you’re eating.

devils_advocate4:44 pm 22 Jun 15

AKIBA (City)
Maelstral (Weston)
Brodburger (Kingston)
Turkish Delight (Belconnen)
De Browes (Narrabundah)
Rock Salt (Hawker)
Saffron (Manuka and Kingston)

Alexandra Craig11:37 am 22 Jun 15

Maya123 said :

How big was the plate the meal was served on? Plates are getting larger, and a meal can appear smaller than it actually is, leading people to eat too much, while thinking they are normal proportions, or if a normal proportion is served, thinking the meal is too small. I suffered this effect recently in a restaurant. I was served a meal on a large plate and I looked at it and thought, that’s not much, but it was, as I couldn’t finish it. However, I imagine most people would have managed to finish it. Here is some interesting reading:
http://foodpsychology.cornell.edu/outreach/large-plates.html

http://www.vegkitchen.com/nutrition/how-the-size-of-dinner-plates-affect-portion-control/

http://www.divinecaroline.com/self/wellness/portion-size-then-vs-now

A good diet trick is to eat your meals on small plates. If it’s all piled up it makes it seem like you’re eating heaps.

Dame Canberra10:40 am 22 Jun 15

The Smoque sharing platters go a long way, if you’re into southern American barbecue food.

Elk and Pea do really generous sharing plates (the jerk chicken and pork babyback ribs are extra delicious), and one sharing plate plus a couple of entrees is usually more than enough for my (very hungry) partner and me.

For breakfast or lunch, Elemental in Braddon serves up filling dishes that don’t look outrageously huge but are surprisingly filling. Get the pork belly burger for breakfast and you’ll see what I mean.

If you’re after something a bit more fancy, I’ve always been impressed with the banquets at The Ottoman. If you’re still hungry after that, I can’t help you!

The American diet advice: if your face completely covers the portion with nothing showing past your chins, then you are eating in the wrong place.

How big was the plate the meal was served on? Plates are getting larger, and a meal can appear smaller than it actually is, leading people to eat too much, while thinking they are normal proportions, or if a normal proportion is served, thinking the meal is too small. I suffered this effect recently in a restaurant. I was served a meal on a large plate and I looked at it and thought, that’s not much, but it was, as I couldn’t finish it. However, I imagine most people would have managed to finish it. Here is some interesting reading:
http://foodpsychology.cornell.edu/outreach/large-plates.html

http://www.vegkitchen.com/nutrition/how-the-size-of-dinner-plates-affect-portion-control/

http://www.divinecaroline.com/self/wellness/portion-size-then-vs-now

If you want really big portions – unlimited in fact – you can’t beat the Eastern Tiger all you can eat in Phillip, opposite Westfield Woden Plaza. Definitely the best value for money in Canberra at the moment.

Holden Caulfield8:32 pm 21 Jun 15

This one’s for you -> https://kfc.com.au/menu/chicken/9-for-995-on-tuesdays/

More seriously, the serving sizes at The Dock in Kingston are very generous and as far a pub grub goes it’s usually pretty good too.

central cafe, queanbeyan

Alexandra Craig4:23 pm 21 Jun 15

Any particular cuisine you’re after? And does it have to be a ‘fancy’ type establishment?

Santa Lucia in Kingston has pretty decent portion sizes, Punjabi Hut in Manuka does an awesome banquet (unlimited rice and naan), Zen Yai in Civic was decent last time I was there, eightysix in Braddon doesn’t have giant servings of food however I’ve never left there feeling hungry.

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