Bella Vista, on Emu Bank Road, overlooking the lake is open for lunch weekdays and dinner Monday to Saturday.

Service is attentive and efficient, BYO is offered at $4.50 per person.

For a group dining together, it’s worth considering one of the lunch banquets ($17.50 /$24.50) that may also be available at dinner, by prior arrangement (minimum 10 people).

Lunch Banquet Menu B $ 24.50

Entree

Calamari Fritti
Crumbed calamari rings fried and served with fresh lemon wedges, Tartar sauce and chips.

Frittata Toscana
Vegetarian omelette bites grilled with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. (This is very delicious).

Pizzettine – Thin pizza fingers with bacon and cheese on tomato base with herbs. (Needed a little more flavour).

Mains

Farfalle Medici – Toasted button mushrooms, bacon, onion and garlic in a creamy sparkling white wine sauce.

Tortellini panna – Sautéed beef pockets with bacon and fresh ground black pepper in a creamy parmesan flavoured
sauce.

Pasta Primavera -Seasonal vegetables simmered with olives, capers and sun-dried tomatoes in a creamy “Pomarola”
sauce.

Fusilli Arrabiata – Mildly spicy tomato, garlic and basil sauce studded with pitted “Kalamatta” olives. (A favourite)

 

Penne Casa – Pan-fried ham pieces with garlic and chilli then tossed through a tomato and cream sauce.

Serve sizes of the pastas are very generous, and it’s possible to take any extra left, with you.

Desserts are beautifully presented and very generously sized, ideal for sharing between two. (These are not included in the $24.50 banquet)

PJ O’Reillys is conveniently centrally located, on the corner of West Row in Civic, Canberra City centre.

Meals are well priced ($18 – $27 approx) and serve sizes generous. Wine by the glass is also well priced starting at $6.
In addition to the menu, there are blackboard specials. The Lamb Shank special was delicious and a bargain at $23 for two shanks.

Weeknights also have regular specials (e.g. Monday is Atlantic Salmon with Sav Blanc night $20 (usually $24).

The Eye Fillet at $27 (not as good value or as nice as some other meals).          Atlantic Salmon $18

PJ O’Reillys also offers two meals for the price of one, in the Canberra Entertainment book (but not on the weeknight specials).

However, it has to be said, that it’s noisy (footy on TV, trivia night, drinkers after work) and you never forget that you’re in a pub.

Kusina is Canberra’s only Philippino cuisine restaurant.
Family run, the service is thoughtful, friendly and attentive.

The decor is casual, but very homely and pleasant.
Ready to chat about traditional dishes and styles of cooking, wait staff are helpful and as engaged with ordering as any fine dining experience.
I tend to agree with the reviewer who decided none of the dishes on the menu will disappoint.
Everything seems to have interesting and unique flavours and textures, a real education and pleasure.

Stand out dishes were the Ukoy (prawn fritters) and the Sizzling baka (beef rib curry).
But the Halo Halo is great for dessert as a Philippino must have specialty.
Dishes are well sized for sharing and good value. Kusina also offers a 25% discount with a Canberra Entertainment Book voucher.

Pritong talong – fried eggplant, tomato, red onion, salted duck egg, garlic sauce (5 pieces) $9

Ukoy – prawn fritters, sweet potato, tofu, bean sprouts (3 pieces) $9.50

Sizzling baka -sizzling beef rib curry (excellent) $20    Crispy pata – deep fried pork hock $22

Chicken inasal – grilled half chicken, lemon grass, garlic, ginger, soy sauce $20

Garlic rice (2 serves) $4 per serve
Plain rice (2 serves) $3 per serve

Halo Halo – sweet corn, coconut jelly, red beans, sweet banana, shaved ice, milk, ube ice cream $9

BYO wine corkage $4.50 per bottle

Specials

Kids Eat Free – 5-7pm Tues-Sat, drink, meal from kids menu and ice-cream for 2 children, 8 years or younger dining with at least one adult (min spend $25)