Farmer’s Daughter, Yarralumla

Farmer’s Daughter at the Yarralumla shops is looking a bit different these days. It’s less busy and the menu has changed, but it is open daily (except public holidays) (7-3pm weekdays, 8-2pm weekends) and is still a great spot for breakfast or lunch within an easy distance of the Woden business district.

The atmosphere is inviting and there is plenty of seating. The dishes are good value and well sized for sharing.

The salads are interesting and beautifully presented and if teamed with a side of one of the Artisan breads ($2.50 per slice of toast/bread), could even be a light lunch for two modest appetites.

The Grilled Lamb Salad ($14.50) is particularly delicious with rare roasted leg of lamb, rocket, zucchini ribbons, pearl barley (just the right amount), and the fresh peas,
pine nuts. mint and pomegranate really make it special.

The Vegetable Salad ($14.50) is a little sweeter but also lovely with roasted sweet potato, baby spinach, lentils, feta, toasted almonds, parsley, dried cranberries and pepitas.

Both are served with the house dressing which is pomegranate and blood orange vinaigrette.

For a more substantial dish, the Spring Chicken ($18.50) is good with a lemon and thyme chicken breast with fresh panel salad of tomato, spanish onion, cannelloni beans, crunchy bread, basil and parsley.
It would be particularly good for sharing.

Interesting breakfast options are also available all day and the include:
Smoked Trout Roesti ($18.50), Grilled Field Mushrooms with a cress and rocket salad, toasted pearl barley, feta and salsa verde ($16.50), Swey crepes served with passionfruit curd, fresh strawberries, toasted coconut ice-cream and spring flowers ($16.50).

There are also delicious sounding sandwich options like a BLT with dijonaise on handmade caramelised garlic bread $14, Salmon Bagel with cream cheese, dill and capers $12.50, Grilled vegetables with fresh rocket, tomato and olive tapenade on dark artisan rye $9.50.

Service is very quick (great for a workday lunch) but if you are really in a rush, there are ready to go options that include salads, frittata, pies and sandwiches as well as a range of macarons $3.50 and sweet delights $4.50-$7.50 in the display case.

It is also possible to BYO wine ($2.50 per person, but free corkage on Fridays).

Bookplate National Library, Canberra

Encouraged by Her Canberra to try the newly managed Bookplate at the National Library, it is clearly still a great spot for lunch or coffee.

The wonderful view of the lake form the terrace, the stained glass windows and a changing and interesting menu make it a winner.

Dishes are beautifully presented and well sized for sharing.
It works well to combine a tasty ‘large plate’ option with a side salad for extra greens for two people.

The Graziers Platter $21.50 is delicious and includes spressa salami, prosciutto, marinated olives, tuna and prawn pate (very yummy), giardiniera, buffalo mozzarella and tomato salad served with crusty bread.

It partners well with a Rocket and Parmesan Salad side with Balsamic Dressing $6

Another good combination that went past is the Spiced pumpkin, chickpea, mesculin leaves and labneh salad with house made dukkah $19.50 and a side of crusty bread and butter $6.

The bookplate also has a wonderful range of gorgeous cakes and desserts.

Wheat & Oats – going from strength to strength

Wheat & Oats, in Colbee Court, Phillip is quickly developing it’s menu and specials, making it a very welcome new addition to Woden lunch spots.

It’s excellent value, especially for holder of the Canbera Entertainment Book who are offered a 25% discount.

The regular menu includes a very excellent goat curry $13

..as well as a range of sandwiches, a chilli and chicken wrap.. $10…

…a burger, Raman noodle soup, bruschetta and vegan salad and all day breakfast options.

But perhaps it’s the changing daily specials that are the most interesting and tasty…

…including a Lamb Wrap $10…

…Chicken Schnitzel Burger $8.50..

…Quiche $4.50…

..Quiche with salad $10..

…Salad alone $7.50..

Wheat and Oats, Phillip – first look at a new Woden lunch spot

Wheat and Oats has fairly recently taken over the spot in Colbee Court Phillip that used to be the home of the very popular Chocolate Olive.

It’s an easy 10 min walk from the Woden CBD and has well priced dishes, warm and friendly service and an attractive decor that makes it a good option for a work day lunch.

It is also very helpful that breakfast dishes are available all day.

Chilli Chicken Wrap $10

Chicken, salad, cheese and spicy relish hot pressed sandwich $10

There are also a number of salads and options ready to take with you..

…some specials

…and sweet treats.

Wheat and Oats also generously offers a 25% discount to Canberra Entertainment Book holders, and at the moment there is a 10% discount until June 30 for everyone.

Unlike many Phillip lunch spots, Wheat and Oats is also open on weekends.

Monday to Friday, 7:30am till 3pm

Saturday, 8am till 2pm

Sunday, 9am till 1pm

Fox and Bow, Farrer, a top Woden lunch spot

Fox and Bow is a new-comer to the southside dining scene, having only opened four months ago at the Farrer shops but quickly making it’s mark as a top pick.

It’s a delightful addition to the Woden weekday lunch options, offering a lovely open and stylish setting that is particularly nice in good weather, but certainly will be cozy and welcoming when it becomes colder.

The welcome and hospitality of host Alex is warm and memorable. He is keen that you try his carefully prepared coffee, so much so that it’s not unusual for him to even provide a complimentary cup so you don’t miss out.

The all day brunch menu is full of well priced interesting, creative and original dishes that combine flavours, textures and colours beautifully.

Serve sizes are generous and easily shared to try a wider range of taste experiences.

There are also some good value smoothies and shakes on offer that sound and look amazing and a range of slices and cakes.

Within easy driving distance of the Woden business precinct, it is obviously already immensely popular so it’s a good idea to book ahead.

Open daily, 7am-4pm weekdays and 8am-3:30pm weekends.

El Cubano $13 – Cuban sandwich of slow cooked mojo pork shoulder, shaved ham, raclette cheese, American mustard and pickles served with a side salad – a truly delicious combination of flavours, that is way too good to only order once.

Many thanks Sweet Little Pecan $14.50 – Honey roasted sweet potato, avocado, grilled haloumi, BBQ’d corn, roast peppers, toasted pecans and lime – a wonderful combination of textures (especially the corn and pecans), flavours (particularly the haloumi) and colours

Tilley’s – Lyneham

Tilley’s at the Lyneham shops is a Canberra icon.

Huge on style and atmosphere, even a coffee and maybe some cake (cake is $8 a slice) is a treat experience.

A short but interesting menu and specials are on offer.

Breakfast looks especially good, particularly the locally made sourdough bread with poached eggs and hollandaise $9.90.

Hello Cafe, Campbell – a quick look at brunch

Hello Cafe at the Campbell shops is another suburban gem. Staff are always warm and friendly, coffee is good and the menu range is good and well priced. A very pleasant spot. Open early for breakfast and lunch. Closed Sundays.

Gryphons, Griffith, Canberra

Located at Griffith shops, the parking is easy. Gryphons is also open at very useful times, e.g. lunch Sundays, breakfast.

The pulled pork burger is delicious, $18. The pizza (e.g. Little Tokyo pizza, a special, $20 with prawns, pumpkin, karaage chicken and katsu sauce), also good.

The couches and lounge chairs are a cozy option. Not BYO, but the Forest Pinot Gris $8.50/glass is consistently good. Good to know if ordering steak, be aware that it seems to often be more rare than expected.