Happy Hour at The Pedler, Campbell

The Pedler has happy hour 4-6 pm every day!

…offering Beaumont Chardonnay and Cabernet Merlot for $5 a glass.

The Flatbread $13 with grilled zucchini, goats curd, grilled shallots and dried chilli is just so very good. The flavours just go so well together, it’s delicious. Such a great value, tasty nibble to share with a drink and I’m glad it’s till on the new menu.

And the new menu has this equally delicious Pan Fried Haloumi $15 with red onoin jam, Pedro Ximenez glaze and fresh oregano served on a garlic crostini (which is yummy!)

…and I just love the friendly casual service!

If you end up staying longer, there’s some great looking mains that are very well priced!

The Pedler – such a great asset for Campbell

The Pedler describes itself as Campbell’s first local pub!

But it’s so much more…open 7days from 7am it’s great for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, coffee, a wine and share plate or dessert ( the Peach and Mango Melba looked great at the next table).

We tried the Prawn Betel Leaves $16 for three, with galangal, toasted coconut, green mango in a nahm Jim and coconut dressing ….

…..and Prawn and Chorizo $16 in a tomato, chilli and basil sugo with grilled sourdough.

Both were good and I’d certainly order them again.
The mixed berry and mango smoothie was very pretty. I’m not a smoothie person, but I can see this would be a good choice if I was $7.50.

The Pedlar is, as it claims…a gathering place offering a stylish and approachable setting ….but it also has very friendly and accomodating service. Charging my iPhone ( in between the photos !) was no trouble at all.

The wine pours are very generous and wine by the glass starts at $7.

Share plates range from $13 – $17, but I also like the idea of sharing $24 Chese board with three cheeses, fig paste and broken pane croccante with some extra warm sourdough with smoked butte $5.

You can just walk in, but it is very popular so it’s wise to book on 0477533488.

I just know I will be back….often!

The Chifley Bar & Grill, Barton – my new favourite for lunch @chifleysbarandgrill

The Chifley Bar & Grill at Hotel Kurrajong, my new favourite for a weekday lunch in Barton.

I love a great setting for enjoying a meal and Hotel Kurrajong does heritage so very well.

With all its great style and service you might expect a high price tag, but surprisingly the menu is similar to what you would pay in most eateries.

Being a hotel restaurant, it is open every day from breakfast to around 10pm and staff are very flexible to cater for a large range of appetites and preferences.

Sandwiches are around $15 and arrive with Chips and aioli….

The roast lamb with grilled vegetables, Harissa and Mayo is good, but I think any of the sandwich choices would be excellent.

For a light lunch there are also salads or dessert to choose from for $15 -$17.

Stone baked bread with Pepe Saya butter is $4, and sides like the amazing pear and pecorino salad with baby spinach and candied walnuts are $8.

For two modest appetites it’s perfect to share a sandwich and a pear and pecorino salad.

Wine starts at $8 a glass.

I will definitely be back for another pecorino salad and I’d love to try the stone baked bread!

Briscola Pizzeria, Canberra City

Briscola Pizzeria is a warm and friendly spot to share pizza and red wine on a chilly Canberra Evening.

Offering BYO wine at $4.50 per head and a 25% discount to Canberra Entertainment card holders, it’s also good value.

Gianni is a welcoming and warm host who is keen to help you choose well.

One large pizza per two people is perfect. These range from $25 to $30.

Good choices are…

Pulcinella…. with mascarpone + gorgonzola + pancetta + fresh pear (medium shown $23.50)

Toscana….. with mozzarella + mushroom + grilled eggplant + roasted red capsicum + artichokes + basil pesto (vegetarian) (large shown $27)

Gran Sasso…..with bocconcini, italian sausage + grilled eggplant + mushroom + black truffle oil (medium shown $21)

Which are better choices than the…

Scampi…with bocconcini + garlic prawns + sautéed zucchini + cherry tomato + chilli (medium shown $23.50)

Puttanesca…. with bocconcini + salami + anchovies + capers + black olives + chilli gran sasso bocconcini + italian sausage + grilled eggplant + mushroom + black truffle oil (medium shown $21)

It’s tempting to also order the gelati ($9 for two scoops/$12 for three scoops) flavours like salted hazelnut, zabaglione or orange blossum and rose water, or an affogatto ($9-$13) but it’s also a very satisfying evening just enjoying the pizza and wine.