Another Restaurant question post...

old canberran said :

sepi said :

Plaka in Mawson, and Charcoal Grill in Civic are both good, both for food, and also for the bizarre feeling of going back in time to about 1962.

I’m surprised to read that the Charcoal Grill is still going. It used to be the best steakhouse in Canberra back in the 60’s. Started by a copper and his wife.
One of my favourite restaurants is the Vietnamese at Page shops. Great food, great prices.

Yeah, I remember mum saying how a night out at the Charcoal Grill was a real special occasion back in the day, haha.

Went to the Vietnamese in Page plenty of times too back in the mid 70s.

I still miss the Vietnamese from O’Connor Shops where All Bar Nun is now. Yes I know it’s now at Griffith Shops, but I can’t walk there from my house!

@ant #72 – I believe the Lobby is still around, but the last time I went there (about 18 months ago) it was quite underwhelming. Such a shame, it used to be quite good.

@Pommy #73 – I agree. Fekerte’s is very good.

I love the food at Fekerte’s (Ethiopian. Dickson), but it’s not really the sort of place you would go for a posh night out dining.

The food, however, is first class.

Is The Lobby and Hill Station still open? Those two were always good for special dinners, with the nice atmosphere, quiet service and reliable food.

Astro, interested in your picnic!

Pommy bastard said :

Disposable said :

I have heard great stuff about Rocksalt but checked their menu and didn’t find anything I could eat, I’m very high maintenance. After reading that I will definitely give them a go.

What do you mean by this, can we have a clue?

It means I have special dietary requirements.

+1 iori, ruby. it is a little expensive by the time you have enough of their dishes to satisfy the desire to try so much of their menu, plus the sake, which is de rigeur, but ultimately always delicious. i have heard that tasuke recently changed management and style – anyone been to try it out since? it was always the best real japanese food in town, as in, bog stock local restaurant in japan kinda place.

Back on topic people.

Iori on East Row in Civic has been a favourite of ours since we moved here a few years ago. The decor is nothing flash, but if it’s a special event you can sit in the Japanese function area, though you’re likely to be close to other diners which might not be what you want for an intimate dinner. However, the food is absolutely delicious, generously served and reasonably priced, and the green tea cheesecake is to die for. The service has never been anything less than stellar. You do need to book, however. I have seen plenty of people who just show up turned away due to being fully booked.

We had Wagyu sukiyaki set menu last time and it was really, really good.

Coming in a bit late here but astrojax @ 14, Doyles!? That’s one place I would avoid for seafood. For a truly great seafood experience in Sydney it would have to be Pier.

Dunno about good seafood down here though.

yah! (though this is the genuine nut article…)

d’oh!

ahh, not a pulsebag – beaten to the frontrow! [though technically, this is a pulsebag… oops.

…will give some thought to an autumn picnic and post it up soon, probably in glebe park to make access equitable…

I was once luck enough to attend a ‘guerrilla’ dinner party on the lawns near OPH. Table for twelve, chairs, tablecloths, candles drinks and canapés before settling down to three courses au plein air.

A little more organisation than a picnic, but achievable nonetheless.

I will look forward to your post astro.

[pulsebag] ‘must admit to…’ – guess i must admit ‘to’ something, not just blankly admit, unless it be guilt… 😉

Danman,

+1 for Sun Doo in Duffy for excellent value at the cheap end of the scale.

I tried to go there last week on Thursday night and again on Friday and it was closed. I hope it is not permanent.

Disposable said :

I have heard great stuff about Rocksalt but checked their menu and didn’t find anything I could eat, I’m very high maintenance. After reading that I will definitely give them a go.

What do you mean by this, can we have a clue?

so in all this chatter have we ascertained where elena will dine for ‘her’ milestone???!!

and see, if we had pm facilities on ra we’d have some chance of cat herding for a food event… [taps fingers on chin…]

will give some thought to an autumn picnic and post it up soon, probably in glebe park to make access equitable [marking civic as relatively ‘central’…] – would that appeal? would be a ‘cook, come and share’ sort of deal, i’d imagine.

and ant, i’m sure two posts doesn’t qualify for ‘nutbag’ status; probably more ‘pulsebag’ as they’re softer and not quite as nutty…

must admit having not yet given rocksalt a go – will have to rectify that given the rating it seems to get from other learned rioters. would also add charcoal grill and green herring into the mix for ‘occasions’ – very deliberately un-home and always a bonza feed.

old canberran said :

I’m surprised to read that the Charcoal Grill is still going. It used to be the best steakhouse in Canberra back in the 60’s. Started by a copper and his wife.

We used to share the back alley and courtyard with the owner, I’m not sure if he’s still running it, he was a keen customer of the original owner, and when it went on sale he bought it.

I used to see the deliveries of veggies and meat at teh back step, and they were absolutely top notch. You could have entered this stuff in the Show.

OC the Charcoal Grill was still doing well when I last visited – probably around 14 months ago.

The steaks are excellent and the menu hasn’t changed much in the 20-odd years that I have been going there. I guess that in a world of business make-over’s and trendy one week – deserted the next venues the Charcoal has simply stood by it’s business model of excellent steaks cooked just like the customer likes with a good selection of wines to match. It works.

Sun Doo at duffy shops, dodgy 1960’s decor and reasonable service, but kick arse food and prices for a suburban asian eatery

sepi said :

Plaka in Mawson, and Charcoal Grill in Civic are both good, both for food, and also for the bizarre feeling of going back in time to about 1962.

I’m surprised to read that the Charcoal Grill is still going. It used to be the best steakhouse in Canberra back in the 60’s. Started by a copper and his wife.
One of my favourite restaurants is the Vietnamese at Page shops. Great food, great prices.

Rocksalt is going to be my evening meal tonight, with Mrs Danman, its been a few years between drinks there and turning 31 today we are keen to check out the changes.

Peachy said :

+10 for Rocksalt at Hawker. Staff were excellent and knowledgeable and the chef kindly made up something special for me as I’m a bit high maintenance. For something off the cuff it was amazing!! They also do a degustation menu and have a great wine selection.

I have heard great stuff about Rocksalt but checked their menu and didn’t find anything I could eat, I’m very high maintenance. After reading that I will definitely give them a go.

I agree with the opinions here about Mezzalira and definitely Firestone. Two restaurants I will never be visiting again.

If you are ever dining at Rocksalt I heartily suggest you take up the recommended wine for your dish. The last time I ate there we did just that for each of our three courses, and were very impressed by the congruence of wine and food.

I adore Rocksalt, and am also in for a RiotACT food event if I have finished my diet by then.

I am also in for a riotact food event.

+10 for Rocksalt at Hawker. Staff were excellent and knowledgeable and the chef kindly made up something special for me as I’m a bit high maintenance. For something off the cuff it was amazing!! They also do a degustation menu and have a great wine selection.

As for my two bobs worth; Ottoman and Sabayon (West Row) at the pricier end of the scale, and Lime Leaves (Lowe St Q’beyan) – around $35-40 a head for two courses, corkage and a couple of beers as of last Friday. oh, and he Indian at Narrabundah shops also does a fine meal, at a very very resonable price.

On a similar theme I’d suggest that the two best value lunch feeds in the city are at the Indo (the Waldorf building) and the Korean in Centrepoint. $10 and simply great food.

Sorry to break the news, Ms Cheeky, but Element has bitten the dust. I gather it’s under new management and is now called EU (with a ring of stars around the ‘EU’ ie European Union). I’ll test drive it and post a review.

ROFLCOPTER

jessieduck said :

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy said :

Central Cafe in Queanbeyan. Fantastic food, beautiful decor. Amazing service.

+1 I go for the decor alone.

There aren’t many restaurants I’ll get dressed up for, but Central Cafe’s one of them.

The wine list is something special as well.

+1 for Rubicon – great food, service is just as good…they won an award recently for their wine list too.
+1 for Ginger Room – awesome desserts last time we went!

Mezzalira’s food has been fantastic over the last 4 years and I normally struggle to finish 3 courses and bread(I personally like smaller dishes), but I agree the service has really dropped off lately (they lost one girl who’d been there for a few years and it’s a real shame, she was great!)

Plaka is as close as you’ll ever get to actual time-travel. I recommend it.

Pulp Kitchen in Ainslie- much classier than its name …

Plaka in Mawson, and Charcoal Grill in Civic are both good, both for food, and also for the bizarre feeling of going back in time to about 1962.

Plaka in Mawson – http://www.plaka.com.au

And I’d like to (in a 2 post nutbag way) support a food event.

Mezzelira just got a rave review in today’s Canberra Times Greedy Guts Guide.

I have to say, I’ve never had a bad or even mediocre meal there. Although I admit not going since they went on their tiny serves kick.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy said :

Central Cafe in Queanbeyan. Fantastic food, beautiful decor. Amazing service.

I used to really enjoy going to Central Cafe, but the last two times Ive been there (my boss used to live in Queanbeyan so we went out there for dinner sometimes), the deserts have had mould on them. Both times they replaced it for free, but it still left me questioning whether Id go back again.

I also recommend the Rubicon or the Ginger Room (although its been a while since I went).

A colleague of mine recently was taken to Sage for her birthday and was very impressed (and she is a bit fussy).

In reply to Astrojax, I like nothing more than cooking up a storm, glass of wine in hand with a few mates around. I would happily support some kind of food event.

I love Element in Griffith. Based on two visits, the food, service and atmosphere have been great. Also sent a foodie friend there who also spoke highly of it. It’s a pleasure to eat in a restaurant where the service matches the food. Mmmm, pork belly.

And the prices are good. Not sky high, you don’t need a second mortgag to pay for it. Three courses plus wine for two people was about $150.

I shall peterh. I haven’t been there often so I wasn’t sure if it was the norm, as I said though, the food tasted fantastic. I would go there again.

Qualified chef in a former life.

Bel said :

We had Indian Affair a few nights ago and were a little disappointed by the quantity of food. There was a very small amount of chicken floating in the sea of sauce and we expected a little bit more for the price. I must admit that it tasted fantastic though so if you do go there just order a little bit more food than you think you may need.

bel,

make sure that you let the owner know. last time I received a butter chicken with the tide out, there was very little sauce, i mentioned it. The next one I purchased was perfect, and has been ever since. Indian affair go that little bit further re customer service, they appreciate all feedback.

If you do go to Rubicon…ask for Owens bourbon oysters, not usually on the menu & truly amazing.

Their regulars, not there*

Gungahlin Al said :

Mezzalira got a very good write-up in CT today. However, I beg to differ.

I beg to differ with your review.

I always leave completely stuffed full after going to Mezzalira.
Excellent food!

The service however, I have to agree. It used to be amazing, but there ‘regulars’ have all gone now and the last few visits have resulted in ‘average’ service. (Still better than a lot of places in Canberra, but not what it used to be)

Rubicon I enjoyed, if you’re on that side of town.

it’s good, but there are better places. get thee to lanterne rooms, or rubicon, i say…

I’ve been to all three and for me Anise just does the whole package consistently – the food, service, wine list, staff product knowledge, the venue … It’s … it’s the vibe really…

but yum – who’s up for a gourmet riotact roving meal some time – or picnic?

You’ve been around long enough to know organising us lot is like hearding cats … but if you want to try then go ahead.

actually, while we’re here talking gourmandy, who here is a bit of a fan of cooking up the odd (or even) kitchen storm?

Me. Love to cook.

Sage got smashed on the RA for its p.ssweak Valentines Day effort.

it’s good, but there are better places. get thee to lanterne rooms, or rubicon, i say…

but yum – who’s up for a gourmet riotact roving meal some time – or picnic?

actually, while we’re here talking gourmandy, who here is a bit of a fan of cooking up the odd (or even) kitchen storm?

Yeah, it really is!

Anise. Anise. Anise. Anise. Anise.

… and to that list I would add: Anise. Anise. Anise. Anise. Anise.

It really is that good!

This thread makes me not want to cook tonight.

Anise. Anise. Anise. Anise. Anise.

It’s that good! Honestly.

Otherwise, any of the James Musillon options (Courgette, Sabayon, Water’s Edge). His ex-restaurant Aubergine should also still be a safe bet, although I’ve not been there for a couple of years now.

I have also heard good things about On Red at the summit of Red Hill, but have never been there myself.

> Firestone at Dickson

We went for a work lunch there recently…not impressed at all. The pizza I ordered was ok, certainly not great though…& the salad was really quite ordinary. Service was lacking also.

Firestone at Dickson

Hopefully it has changed for the better since this thread

The Chef at Sage has recently joined the the team at Grazing in Gundaroo, yet to hear anything good or bad since he left sage…. Anyone been there recently (Last 3 months?)

Mezzalira got a very good write-up in CT today. However, I beg to differ.

Yes the food was mostly good, some great. But the quantity was stunningly small, with really high prices. Try $25 for a ravioli entree – with just one ravioli! And mid $30s for mains not much bigger than an entree – my prawn meal had a grand total of 3 prawns on a little pad of mash and some sauce. But the plate was really big so where do I get off complaining…

And do you get silver service for these prices? Nup – just the usual know little uni student sticking their elbows in your face. When we went there were only 3 or 4 other tables going, yet when I went to pay, the waitress asked what table I was from???

Oh – and while there, a rather sweating cook came out with a phone cocked under his ear and grabbed a fistful of made up envelopes down from an overhead shelf, pulled one out and put the rest back – looked like a classic “the cheque’s in the mail – honest” phone call scenario.

We are not large people, but when we got home it was straight into the fridge looking for something to eat.

We had Indian Affair a few nights ago and were a little disappointed by the quantity of food. There was a very small amount of chicken floating in the sea of sauce and we expected a little bit more for the price. I must admit that it tasted fantastic though so if you do go there just order a little bit more food than you think you may need.

the one at the gorman house markets in ainslie – Sage?? I think

AMAZING!!!!!!!

Great atmosphere, wonderful food, starched tablecloths etc.

astrojax said :

list is long in cbr for a good meal at a nice swank-ish place.

best food is to be had at places like rubicon (griffith), lanterne rooms (campbell), chairman and yip (civic), axis (museum), corgette (civic) though some other choices for a slap up celebration are aubergine (griffith – over-priced and over-rated, but nice surrounds and good service), jehangir (swinger hill – if you want indian), anise (west row), benchmark (civic – already cited above), mezzalira (west row, but i have heard distressing news of its latterly decline), the place in the hyatt whose name eludes me now (in the corridor half way back…)

happy b’day and bon apetit

(personally, opt for lanterne rooms – you won’t be disappointed)

have to challenge jehangir, think that indian affair is so much better.

I have never heard a bad report for indian affair, the food and service are excellent.

astrojax said :

seafood buffet, mde workalot? try the coast somewhere!

don’t know of any good ones in cbr; might have to ask mssr workalot to transport you appropriately to sunny sinney and find somewhere in manly or by the harbour somewhere – doyles?

Will be doing the coast seafood buffet over Easter – what can I say, I’m greedy 🙂

Thanks for the tip – if there is no places in Canberra, I think I will mosey on up to Sydney.

seafood buffet, mde workalot? try the coast somewhere!

don’t know of any good ones in cbr; might have to ask mssr workalot to transport you appropriately to sunny sinney and find somewhere in manly or by the harbour somewhere – doyles?

Delissio’s in Braddon is great, or if your on south side then Turkish Grill in Erindale

My personal favourite is D’Browes in Narrabundah – it’s the place we always go for special occasions. Otherwise Rubicon is also excellent. I have heard that Kingsleys is very expensive for the food served.

I’m looking at going out for dinner for my birthday too!

I wanted to find somewhere with a seafood buffet – Rydges Lakeside used to do one but now it seems to be only Seafood Degustation, which is not the same…

I’m tossing up between Kingsleys Crab and Steakhouse or Redsalt. Any opinions welcomed.

Another vote for the Rubicon in Griffith…also Chairman & Yip. We tried Axis @ The National Gallery once…it was ok, but quality didn’t seem to match the price. THat was several years ago though.

+2 for Rocksalt

Firestone at Dickson. Anise in Civic.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy said :

Central Cafe in Queanbeyan. Fantastic food, beautiful decor. Amazing service.

+1 I go for the decor alone.

list is long in cbr for a good meal at a nice swank-ish place.

best food is to be had at places like rubicon (griffith), lanterne rooms (campbell), chairman and yip (civic), axis (museum), corgette (civic) though some other choices for a slap up celebration are aubergine (griffith – over-priced and over-rated, but nice surrounds and good service), jehangir (swinger hill – if you want indian), anise (west row), benchmark (civic – already cited above), mezzalira (west row, but i have heard distressing news of its latterly decline), the place in the hyatt whose name eludes me now (in the corridor half way back…)

happy b’day and bon apetit

(personally, opt for lanterne rooms – you won’t be disappointed)

Central Cafe in Queanbeyan. Fantastic food, beautiful decor. Amazing service.

I’ve been toChairman and Yip in Civic a few times recently and to the Lanterne Rooms in Campbell. Both offer a sound return on your investment and I recommend them heartily.

+1 for Rocksalt. I found the staff friendly and knowledgeable and the food was divine.

Benchmark in Civic is faboo

What side of town you on ?

I live in Gunghalin and my best locals are Rocksalt (Hawker Shops), Grazing (Gundaroo) and Green Herring (Federation Village).