Little Oink, Cook, another suburban Gem! @littleoinkcafe

Little Oink in Cook is another suburban gem that everyone’s been talking about.

It’s open everyone day Monday – Friday 7am – 4pm and Saturday – Sunday 8am – 4pm and takes bookings (a good idea as it’s small and cozy) and has easy parking.

I loved the friendly and flexible service…

..the cute, relaxed, funky and casual decor.

…all the inexpensive options with low cost add ons $2-4 which were very popular…

….like two eggs any way, on a lovely thick slice of sourdough $10…

….or the Jordo $12 with smokey bacon, eggs, cheese and tomato on a brioche bun.

There’s also good larger meals to share, perhaps with some of the lovely autolyse bread like…

…fantastic Autolyse fruit bread $7

There’s also lemon myrtle tea on the menu!

Two Before Ten, Aranda – a first look @TwoBeforeTen

It’s taken a while to get out to Aranda to see what everyone’s been talking about at Two Before Ten , but there’s just so much to love about this opportunistic spot.

I love the easy parking, the casual, friendly and accommodating staff who are very happy for you to share dishes.

The coffee is roasted on site…

There’s an all day menu with lots of interesting bush tucker touches that includes the Lamb Burger with Slow Braised Lamb Shoulder with Pickled Onions and Roast Capsicum.

The pulled meat was very delicious.

It’s immensely popular but you can book and it’s open any day of the week 7-4 weekdays and 8-2 weekends.

And the prices are great, with lots of inexpensive great looking options like the

Eggs, Poached or Scrambled, with house tomato chutney $11

or $15 with Bacon, Mushroom or Salmon

On my wish list is…

BEAR: Boiled Egg with Smashed Avocado on a Rye Muffin $9

Big Bear (with extra egg) $11

Polar Bear (with salmon) $13

Brown Bear (with mushrooms) $13

Koala Bear (With Native Dukkah) $13

And tosties $11 that are large enough to easily share…

…with Roasted Chicken, Lemon Aioli, smashed avocado and provolone…

…or Braised Wallaby with Sauteed Mushrooms and Bush Tomato Chutney…

….Roast Pumpkin, Sage, Fetta and Spinach.

I’m also keen to try the Three Mills Raisin Loaf with yeasted sourdough (to achieve a lighter loaf) with house milled rye grain and fruit served with espresso butter $6.50

Me & Mrs Jones, Kingston, trying the burgers

The lunch menu at Me & Mrs Jones, includes a range of interesting burgers.

In order of preference they include:

THE KINGSTON BEEF 100% local beef pattie, beetroot, lettuce, tomato, onion, bacon, egg, pickles, jack cheese, aioli and house relish on a brioche bun with fries $22

TEMPURA COCONUT CHICKEN Fragrant coconut chicken thigh, with tangy slaw, sriracha hot sauce and kewpie mayo on a brioche bun with fries $19.00

PORTABELLO MUSHROOM Polenta crusted mushroom, beetroot labneh, peperonata and baby leaves on a brioche bun with sweet potato chips $17.00

There’s also a range of interesting salads.

BYO available and two for one meals for holders of the Canberra Entertainment Book.

Open useful hours:

Monday – Friday 7.00am – late
Saturday 8.00am – late
Sunday 8.00am – 04.00pm

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!

Chifley Bar & Grill, Barton – an update!

It was only last week that I posted about The Chifley Bar & Grill but already it needs an update.

The menu has changed and sadly the Pear and Pecorino Salad and Tasting Plate have dropped off….(but the plate is still on the dinner menu that starts at 6pm).

The prices have also ( understandably) increased…

And it took a little longer…

The pulled pork burger was a good choice though….

…..And the Club sandwich was generous

Still a beautiful and a lovely relaxed flexible spot to meet a friend for lunch, coffee or a drink.

Urban Pantry, Manuka – still a lunch favourite

Always lovely for lunch, Urban Pantry again has a relaxing atmosphere good specials like the Creamy Leek, Potato and Gorgonzola Soup $16…

and offer two meals for the price of one to Canberra Entertainment Book holders.

The Grilled Chicken Burger with oak lettuce, avocado, tomato, pineapple relish, lime aioli, on a brioche bun served with french fries is good for $21…

….but perhaps not as good as the Bourguignon Burger sounds like a better choice with it’s 180g angus brisket patty, onion & mushroom jam, seeded dijonnaise, lettuce, tomato, aged cheddar on a brioche bun with french fries $21. (Next time!)

Space, Woden -the Breakfast Fritters are as good as ever!

Seems like such a long time since I last went to Space and I’ve missed it.

The menu has changed a little and now includes a new Warm Lamb Salad $19.90…

…as well as a Thai Chicken Salad.

But the favourites are still there including the Breakfast Fritters which are as good as ever $19.90.

Little Bird – a top lunch spot in Barton @littlebirdbarton

I was so impressed by my first visit to Little Bird in Barton.

And clearly everyone is…it’s full and busy.
Staff are just lovely…even sending me off with a complimentary brownie…just because its my first visit!

I’ve heard great things about the salads, fish and chips and breakfast. On a cold Canberra day, the soup of the day (pumpkin), pie of the day (chicken and leek), toasted sandwiches, hamburgers and gnocchi all look great going past. I don’t think you can go wrong with the new winter menu.

The Wagyu Hamburger is good and staff don’t blink an eyelid when we ask to can share one. (I love that!)

I’ll be back…often!

Open 7 days: Mon – Fri 07.00-15.00 | Sat – Sun 08.00-14.00

Cnr macquarie st and broughton st, barton act 2600

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Public, Manuka – trying more lunch choices

Public in Manuka is one of the best spots for lunch in the area. There’s both indoor and outdoor seating, friendly staff, efficient service and a range of menu options.

One way of sharing some new options is to order a couple of the appetisers.

The Calamari with roquette, pecorino and balsamic dressing $18 is well sized for sharing and has a great texture and flavour.

The Soft shell crab tortillas with corn salsa and chipotle, also $18, is not quite as good, but again a good size to share.

Canberra Entertainment Card holders need only pay for one meal, so it’s also great value.

Ivy and the Fox, Acton – a new lunch menu

Ivy and the Fox in Old Canberra House has a new menu. There’s till plenty of the old favourites, but a few newbies as well.

The Codfather is now grilled $20.90 for fresh market fish fillet with delicious roasted zucchini, lemon and mayonnaise. Not large enough to share, but perefct for a satisfying but light meal.

The Prawn Tagliatelle $24 is new. The fresh pasta is quite heavy with an oily dressing and dotted with prawns, chilli, garlic, basil and mushrooms. A heavier option, but good for sharing.