28 September 2006

Pollies' haunts

| johnboy
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With Parliament returning soon where’s a good place to go spotting these rare birds?

Parliament House of course, the Griffith shops Vietnamese Retaurant, the Holy Grail, any other suggestions?

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Where do the gay members hang-out?

You could find Dick Adams at any of Canberra’s all you can eat buffets

And Mar’n Ferguson, linguist extraordinaire and sometime pasta gourmand, has been seen reciting difficult phrases from the menu in Santa Lucia.

Probably because the chef there is Lefteros Keftedes.

About a year ago, spotted Democrats and ALP senators dining together at the Greek place downstairs from Greater Union Manuka. Have spotted pollies there a few times (mostly lefties).

Sen. Ray has been observed – from a safe distance – brandishing the cutlery in Cipriani.

kim beazley has said his favourite food is KFC

Ottoman is now in Barton in that old purpose built public-service cafeteria building. Portia’s is certainly the place to go pollie-watching.

If they ate at Oasis snack bar in Fishwick they could wined – dined and err cough cough – all for nix

Well, when other people are paying for your food, it makes sense to dig in and enjoy as much of it as possible…

Not that I’m suggesting that all pollies and press gallery types are wined and dined all over the place – but a fair few of ’em are.

He’s not the only one, Thumper,
Portly frames abound amongst these people. Press Gallery types too, I might add.
Why?

I don’t think the Atlantic ever got its mojo back after James Mussilon left and opened Aubergine.

The Ottoman is now in Barton, just back from King’s Ave.

Additionally (I should not rush posting) Atlantic was not all that old a building.
I remember when I was a 1st year at the Village Chef in Manuka (Circa 1997) and watched them build the Atlantic building. Wonder why they buldozed it ? It always seemed busy – but then in my experience – a lot of restaraunteurs have poor money management.

Ottoman moved locations – the old place it was is called Verve – but ottoman still exists somewere inner south (anyone got a location?)

Yes I understand Beazley is a regular customer of Charcoal Grill.

And i thought that they sold out the Ottoman?

I gather The Charcoal Grill is pretty popular with the older frontbenchers. I saw Kimbo there one night.

Danman – the Atlantic is gone, gone, gone. Not only is the restaurant gone, but the building is as well!

Alice Russel-Wallace8:34 am 28 Sep 06

Portia’s Place in Kingston. It’s always fun counting the number of bottles of vino any given pollie or staffer will put away during the course of an evening.

When I lived in Lyneham, I would always see Lauren (Jackson?) from the Capitals and Sonic made many an appearance there too.

We used to go there in summer just to sit in the beer coolroom to cool off for 10 or so minutes while buying beer – good stuff 🙂

captainwhorebags7:51 am 28 Sep 06

I’ve seen Bob Brown having lunch at the rose garden cafe (adjacent to The Lobby restaurant, in the rose gardens of Old Parliament House). Speaking of, The Lobby is supposedly a popular haunt and also at the pricey end of town, The Ottoman is apparently popular for political deals and diplomatic wining & dining.

Oh, and back in about 2001/2, I was in line behind Brian Harradine at the Woden Coles. Thrilling stuff.

Any backstreet of Kingston/Manuka after 11.00pm. Don’t know about Fyshwick, it’s a possibility I guess.

Err being ex trade chef – I would say – The Lobby – The Boathouse – My Cafe – ottoman cuisine – Juniperberry err what else – maybe that cafe at the nat gallery and the one at tht nat meuseum (sp?)- I would have said Atlantic in Manuka – but I am thinking that has gone now. Any reports on that ?

Surely too there has been extensive new locations popped up since I was in the trade ( 3.5ish years ago ? )

Oh a big one would be the VIP kitchen and squadron 7 at the (old) RAAF base – used to be a shift worker chef there – it was not much fun.

That would be the Holy Grail thumper but thanks for the precise and useful intel.

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