Ask RiotACT: Restaurant/venue for small milestone birthday celebration?

Thanks Ezy – it is a sixtieth birthday!

For a 16th – I’d suggest something like Locale in Deakin. They have an outdoor area there that will work – the pizza is great, the desert is even better. The staff are friendly and the environment is fun. Sounds like what you are after!

Lemon Grass Thai restaurant woden, had my birthday dinner there last year, excellent place for it. Convenient location, free parking on site, good food, byo drinks, restaurant shaped well to accommodate a small party this size away from the other guests.

Thank you for your comments – lots to think about – I must admit I have been wanting to try Pomegranate and the reviews are excellent. Then again Pialligo Estate is also looking good. The dinner is for a for a sixtieth birthday – decisions, decisions.

If they can accommodate you, Pomegranate in Kingston. Hands down best consistency of experience/value for money in Canberra. If cost is a factor, Kinn Thai is a close second (but that’s in the city). They have kind of a segregated dining area for largish groups (10 should be fine if you can get it booked). They also have a sizable outdoor area.

I vote Piallago Estate. They have an awesome set up although if you get down wind of the pig shed it can be a bit whiffy. Haha

Some options to consider…
Jones & Co
Cinnabar
Pomegranate
Otis Dining Hall
Aubergine

The first three have spaces or dedicated private areas suitable for large groups.

10 is fine in most restaurants, but bigger groups in restaurants can be a disaster, unless they have a private dining room or they undertake to have an appointed supervising waiter for the evening. Clubs best cater for large groups and you can join the Yacht Club for very little. They have a private dining room or seem to ably handle big groups in their main dining room and may accommodate drinks on the lawn beforehand.

I’ve been to two small functions over the years at Ottoman in Barton. They have private function rooms of various sizes, and you can have drinks in the courtyard beforehand. I haven’t been to a party in one of the pavilions at Pialligo Estate but they look stunning and would allow you to make the most of the warmer weather as they open out to views over the vineyards. Both of these options are probably at the upper end, price-wise, though. Hopefully other readers can come up with suggestions at various pricepoints and closer to Woden/Southside as per your request. Good luck, and happy birthday to the person meeting the milestone.