16 January 2013

The Elk and Pea. Restaurant Review

| johnboy
Join the conversation
31
goat enchilada

Do you see that there? That’s a goat enchilada!

How can anyone see a goat enchilada on the menu and not try one?

Let me tell you it was seriously delicious too.

The Elk and Pea is on the ever more hip Lonsdale Street in Braddon and describes itself as an “eating house”. With some of the interior salvaged from the remains of the burned out “Parlour” (New Acton) it’s got an airy comfortable feel, friendly on the ball staff, and a quirky tex mex menu.

If not for the irresistible enchilada I might well have succumbed to the allure of the fish taco.

elk and pea

The tacos go for $7, most of the lunch mains were around $16 and the dinner items clock in around the $22 mark.

Sitting outside today with a Corona had much to recommend it.

My luncheon companion had the hamburger which he rated as the best he’s had in the Civic area (and of near-brod qualities).

Well worth checking out.

(and yes there are lots of vegetarian options, but ignore them and try the goat)

Did I mention that goat enchilada was sensationally tasty?

Two mains and a brace of Coronas came out at $47 well spent.

Join the conversation

31
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest
Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd6:56 am 22 Jan 13

Enchilada even…

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd6:54 am 22 Jan 13

The Dark said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

The Dark said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

The Dark said :

That enchilada looks awful. Also, nice of them to open a texmex ‘eating house’ only 5ish doors down from Zambreros, Rude.

On a related note, my (slightly hopeful) Prediction – like so many other hipster places, it will be closed within a few months.

Don’t know much about food, huh?

I’m sorry? What do you do for a living?

The Dark said :

That enchilada looks awful. Also, nice of them to open a texmex ‘eating house’ only 5ish doors down from Zambreros, Rude.

On a related note, my (slightly hopeful) Prediction – like so many other hipster places, it will be closed within a few months.

I’m not sure that Zamberos has exclusive rights to the overpriced tasteless burrito market although they are certainly a leading exponent. Competition benefits the consumer

Regardless of who has ‘rights’ to anything, its still a dog move to go and open a business specializing in what an established business a few doors down specializes in, it’d be like opening a bike store next to Onya bike, or and irish pub next to the phoenix, its attempting to make money by bringing down another business, Competition benefits noone if the smaller competitor goes out of business, leaving the more costly business running.

I’m sure you can tell by my user name I am a professional eater.

Now by using such bogan terms as *dog move* you have thrown out any culinary credibility you had. Maybe stick to maccas?

I’m not going to respond to the other posts, just you.

I’m an apprentice chef, that’s what I do for a living and before that I worked in a high turnover cafe catering almost exclusively to public servants and afew years previous, i even worked at an afterschool care centre washing dishes, trusted with children, so no, don’t typecast me as some sort of bogan or lesser form of person, don’t let 1 phrase paint you a picture of me, it’s just stupid.

Also, as a professional eater, I’m shocked you don’t know more about the people that cook your food, do you think that everyone in the hospitality industry acts like Jamie Oliver or Nigella Lawson? No. Do you think that people working in an incredibly stressful, exhausting, demanding Industry are all sunshines are rainbows? No.

And now think, if that’s how it is on the professional side of things, what are the staff at somewhere such as maccas like?

Maybe you shouldn’t eat out at all, f*ck, who knows who might be making your food.

I see as a apprentice you must still have a lot to learn then. Maybe head on down to elk and pea and ask them how to much such a delicious burrito? You should be trying to cram in as much knowledge as possible.

As for the rest of your post….what exactly was your point you were trying to make? That cranky peeps can also be chefs or cooks? I don’t care about that, as long as my food is delicious.

Oh and btw, if you don’t want to be seen as a bogan on a public forum, maybe don’t use their language?

rosscoact said :

Have you ever noticed that certain businesses congregate in the same area? That is because more people come looking for product A if more shops in a specific area are selling said product A.

You may notice that there are several Camping/outdoor shops in Braddon, similarly bike shops. This is a good thing and would be welcomed by each retailer.

In contrast is Pratt’s Tackle Box in Belco. Many years ago Dr Pratt had an employee who decided to open his own tackle store two doors up for some ‘healthy competition’. Twenty years later Pratt’s is still there. His competitor lasted six months.

On the other hand, goat enchiladas …

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

The Dark said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

The Dark said :

That enchilada looks awful. Also, nice of them to open a texmex ‘eating house’ only 5ish doors down from Zambreros, Rude.

On a related note, my (slightly hopeful) Prediction – like so many other hipster places, it will be closed within a few months.

Don’t know much about food, huh?

I’m sorry? What do you do for a living?

The Dark said :

That enchilada looks awful. Also, nice of them to open a texmex ‘eating house’ only 5ish doors down from Zambreros, Rude.

On a related note, my (slightly hopeful) Prediction – like so many other hipster places, it will be closed within a few months.

I’m not sure that Zamberos has exclusive rights to the overpriced tasteless burrito market although they are certainly a leading exponent. Competition benefits the consumer

Regardless of who has ‘rights’ to anything, its still a dog move to go and open a business specializing in what an established business a few doors down specializes in, it’d be like opening a bike store next to Onya bike, or and irish pub next to the phoenix, its attempting to make money by bringing down another business, Competition benefits noone if the smaller competitor goes out of business, leaving the more costly business running.

I’m sure you can tell by my user name I am a professional eater.

Now by using such bogan terms as *dog move* you have thrown out any culinary credibility you had. Maybe stick to maccas?

I’m not going to respond to the other posts, just you.

I’m an apprentice chef, that’s what I do for a living and before that I worked in a high turnover cafe catering almost exclusively to public servants and afew years previous, i even worked at an afterschool care centre washing dishes, trusted with children, so no, don’t typecast me as some sort of bogan or lesser form of person, don’t let 1 phrase paint you a picture of me, it’s just stupid.

Also, as a professional eater, I’m shocked you don’t know more about the people that cook your food, do you think that everyone in the hospitality industry acts like Jamie Oliver or Nigella Lawson? No. Do you think that people working in an incredibly stressful, exhausting, demanding Industry are all sunshines are rainbows? No.

And now think, if that’s how it is on the professional side of things, what are the staff at somewhere such as maccas like?

Maybe you shouldn’t eat out at all, f*ck, who knows who might be making your food.

I reckon Zambreros would be more worried if Subway or, say, Snag Stand moved in a few doors down. They’re probably not overly concerned about the goat enchiladas and fish tacos down the road…

The Dark said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

The Dark said :

That enchilada looks awful. Also, nice of them to open a texmex ‘eating house’ only 5ish doors down from Zambreros, Rude.

On a related note, my (slightly hopeful) Prediction – like so many other hipster places, it will be closed within a few months.

Don’t know much about food, huh?

I’m sorry? What do you do for a living?

The Dark said :

That enchilada looks awful. Also, nice of them to open a texmex ‘eating house’ only 5ish doors down from Zambreros, Rude.

On a related note, my (slightly hopeful) Prediction – like so many other hipster places, it will be closed within a few months.

I’m not sure that Zamberos has exclusive rights to the overpriced tasteless burrito market although they are certainly a leading exponent. Competition benefits the consumer

Regardless of who has ‘rights’ to anything, its still a dog move to go and open a business specializing in what an established business a few doors down specializes in, it’d be like opening a bike store next to Onya bike, or and irish pub next to the phoenix, its attempting to make money by bringing down another business, Competition benefits noone if the smaller competitor goes out of business, leaving the more costly business running.

Have you ever noticed that certain businesses congregate in the same area? That is because more people come looking for product A if more shops in a specific area are selling said product A.

You may notice that there are several Camping/outdoor shops in Braddon, similarly bike shops. This is a good thing and would be welcomed by each retailer.

The Dark said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

The Dark said :

That enchilada looks awful. Also, nice of them to open a texmex ‘eating house’ only 5ish doors down from Zambreros, Rude.

On a related note, my (slightly hopeful) Prediction – like so many other hipster places, it will be closed within a few months.

Don’t know much about food, huh?

I’m sorry? What do you do for a living?

The Dark said :

That enchilada looks awful. Also, nice of them to open a texmex ‘eating house’ only 5ish doors down from Zambreros, Rude.

On a related note, my (slightly hopeful) Prediction – like so many other hipster places, it will be closed within a few months.

I’m not sure that Zamberos has exclusive rights to the overpriced tasteless burrito market although they are certainly a leading exponent. Competition benefits the consumer

Regardless of who has ‘rights’ to anything, its still a dog move to go and open a business specializing in what an established business a few doors down specializes in, it’d be like opening a bike store next to Onya bike, or and irish pub next to the phoenix, its attempting to make money by bringing down another business, Competition benefits noone if the smaller competitor goes out of business, leaving the more costly business running.

i can’t really be bothered finding references to back this up but i’m pretty sure i read once that it actually benefits both (or more) businesses when similar eateries open in close proximity to one another because it creates a bit of a hub and draws more people to the zone, thereby benefiting both (or more) businesses with increased traffic. that’s why you’ll see fast food establishments opening up sometimes right next to each other.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd7:01 am 18 Jan 13

The Dark said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

The Dark said :

That enchilada looks awful. Also, nice of them to open a texmex ‘eating house’ only 5ish doors down from Zambreros, Rude.

On a related note, my (slightly hopeful) Prediction – like so many other hipster places, it will be closed within a few months.

Don’t know much about food, huh?

I’m sorry? What do you do for a living?

The Dark said :

That enchilada looks awful. Also, nice of them to open a texmex ‘eating house’ only 5ish doors down from Zambreros, Rude.

On a related note, my (slightly hopeful) Prediction – like so many other hipster places, it will be closed within a few months.

I’m not sure that Zamberos has exclusive rights to the overpriced tasteless burrito market although they are certainly a leading exponent. Competition benefits the consumer

Regardless of who has ‘rights’ to anything, its still a dog move to go and open a business specializing in what an established business a few doors down specializes in, it’d be like opening a bike store next to Onya bike, or and irish pub next to the phoenix, its attempting to make money by bringing down another business, Competition benefits noone if the smaller competitor goes out of business, leaving the more costly business running.

I’m sure you can tell by my user name I am a professional eater.

Now by using such bogan terms as *dog move* you have thrown out any culinary credibility you had. Maybe stick to maccas?

DrKoresh said :

johnboy said :

NoAddedMSG said :

I would go there again, but I would not take people who think about cost and value rather than the overall experience.

I find “no arseholes” to be a good policy in general.

Am I wrong in inferring that you guys are essentially saying you’re willing to pay more ‘just because’? I don’t have a problem with higher cost if it’s obviously going somewhere, like good service and ingredients. But it just strikes me as self-gratification when they do it because the owners are pretentious, looking to price-gouging because they want to make their establishment seem ‘classy’ (or even worse, ‘trendy’). People should have the decency to do their wankery in private like the rest of us.

To rephrase, if by “overall experience” you mean things that cost money and are tangible, like good service, ingredients, decor etc. then I agree with you, but if you just mean ambience or the like, then I’m asking for a ‘please explain?’.

Also, +1

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

The Dark said :

That enchilada looks awful. Also, nice of them to open a texmex ‘eating house’ only 5ish doors down from Zambreros, Rude.

On a related note, my (slightly hopeful) Prediction – like so many other hipster places, it will be closed within a few months.

Don’t know much about food, huh?

I’m sorry? What do you do for a living?

The Dark said :

That enchilada looks awful. Also, nice of them to open a texmex ‘eating house’ only 5ish doors down from Zambreros, Rude.

On a related note, my (slightly hopeful) Prediction – like so many other hipster places, it will be closed within a few months.

I’m not sure that Zamberos has exclusive rights to the overpriced tasteless burrito market although they are certainly a leading exponent. Competition benefits the consumer

Regardless of who has ‘rights’ to anything, its still a dog move to go and open a business specializing in what an established business a few doors down specializes in, it’d be like opening a bike store next to Onya bike, or and irish pub next to the phoenix, its attempting to make money by bringing down another business, Competition benefits noone if the smaller competitor goes out of business, leaving the more costly business running.

johnboy said :

NoAddedMSG said :

I would go there again, but I would not take people who think about cost and value rather than the overall experience.

I find “no arseholes” to be a good policy in general.

Am I wrong in inferring that you guys are essentially saying you’re willing to pay more ‘just because’? I don’t have a problem with higher cost if it’s obviously going somewhere, like good service and ingredients. But it just strikes me as self-gratification when they do it because the owners are pretentious, looking to price-gouging because they want to make their establishment seem ‘classy’ (or even worse, ‘trendy’). People should have the decency to do their wankery in private like the rest of us.

To rephrase, if by “overall experience” you mean things that cost money and are tangible, like good service, ingredients, decor etc. then I agree with you, but if you just mean ambience or the like, then I’m asking for a ‘please explain?’.

Madam Cholet10:53 am 17 Jan 13

Just on goat meat – underrated definitely, but I find it’s got quite a strong smell when raw, which sort of puts me off. I’m not sure it’s more sustainable than any other meat though.

johnboy said :

NoAddedMSG said :

I would go there again, but I would not take people who think about cost and value rather than the overall experience.

I find “no arseholes” to be a good policy in general.

Yes, but sometimes you just have to put up with your in-laws and the people from high school who your spouse is still oddly attached to.

NoAddedMSG said :

I would go there again, but I would not take people who think about cost and value rather than the overall experience.

I find “no arseholes” to be a good policy in general.

A couple of us headed along last night for dinner. First up: good service, certainly above what I would expect. Food was tasty, but I felt there was a bit of a mismatch between price and quantities/complexity of food for some (not all) of the dishes. The jerk chicken was excellant, but the fish tacos would be better described as small vegetable tacos with garnish of deep friend fish, and were a bit disappointing. All up I would say tasty food that is a bit different to the usual fare, but recognise when you go there that you are paying a premium for the quirky factor.

I would go there again, but I would not take people who think about cost and value rather than the overall experience.

The Dark said :

…On a related note, my (slightly hopeful) Prediction – like so many other hipster places, it will be closed within a few months.

Wow, you really are Dark! Hahahaha!

AAMC said :

……..the same reason I won’t eat at Babar, no elephant.

Shouldn’t Barbar be serving lamb? 😛

Lastly, the name Elk and Pes sounds more like a Pommie pub than a Texmex?! I thought they’d be serving Ploughman’s lunches and pork pies! Hipsters……

The Dark said :

That enchilada looks awful. Also, nice of them to open a texmex ‘eating house’ only 5ish doors down from Zambreros, Rude.

On a related note, my (slightly hopeful) Prediction – like so many other hipster places, it will be closed within a few months.

I’m not sure that Zamberos has exclusive rights to the overpriced tasteless burrito market although they are certainly a leading exponent. Competition benefits the consumer

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd9:18 pm 16 Jan 13

The Dark said :

That enchilada looks awful. Also, nice of them to open a texmex ‘eating house’ only 5ish doors down from Zambreros, Rude.

On a related note, my (slightly hopeful) Prediction – like so many other hipster places, it will be closed within a few months.

Don’t know much about food, huh?

That enchilada looks awful. Also, nice of them to open a texmex ‘eating house’ only 5ish doors down from Zambreros, Rude.

On a related note, my (slightly hopeful) Prediction – like so many other hipster places, it will be closed within a few months.

bikhet said :

Will they serve you if you’re not wearing black?

Dunno, never tested them 😀

Will they serve you if you’re not wearing black?

That sounds great, was considering it on Saturday when at LSR picking up the weekly half kilo of Johnny Cash beans but got distracted by a toddler hopped up on raspberry and choc muffin and cappacino foam

Their logo looks like a peacock (or hen?) rather than your actual vegetable.

Do they serve elk? and/or peas? if not I won’t eat there (false advertising)……..the same reason I won’t eat at Babar, no elephant.

c_c™ said :

Any horse on the menu?

Not on the menu!

Any horse on the menu?

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd4:43 pm 16 Jan 13

Sounds awesome and will try it out.

Brods is hugely over rated btw and should not be used to scale burgers.

geoffappleby said :

Can’t find a menu online. Would be interested in seeing what else they offer, but I’m not going there just to find out.

Tex Mex! Fish Taco! Burger mmmm.

They had some ribs with an orange sauce on the dinner menu that were calling out to me.

And an array of salads both meaty and otherwise.

So, it was good then?

I hear the elkchilada is even tastier.

It looks a little like a troll face…but perhaps that’s because I know it contains goat.

But thank you for using the words ‘vegetarian options’…hope it didn’t cause too much pain.

geoffappleby3:21 pm 16 Jan 13

Can’t find a menu online. Would be interested in seeing what else they offer, but I’m not going there just to find out.

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.