A $20 banquet idea for a large group Christmas Party

If you are planning a Christmas Party for a large group (like a work team or Branch) but need to stick to a budget so that everyone can afford to come, then a $20 three course Bangladeshi Banquet including corkage, may be your answer.

Taste of Bangladesh offers food that is a hit with everyone who visits. It’s great value with large sharable serves, there’s no corkage charge on beer or wine and Shafique, your host is very keen to be flexible to meet your needs.

Special dietary requirements can be met easily. Most options are gluten free, some also dairy free and the spiciness of dishes can be easily varied.

A $20 per person plan could include:

Complimentary pappadoms to start

Entree:

1 onion Bhaji per person $1.75 (4 pieces for $7 and $1.75 each for extras) with tamarind chutney and mint chutney

Mains:

1/2 Cheese and spinach naan per person ($1.75)

4 Dishes per 5 people $12.30 per person

Good choices are:

Dum Murgh (chicken)

Fish Bengali

Palak Paneer (vegetarian)

Chicken Biriyani

2 serves plain rice per 6 people (this enough if also getting a Biriyani) $1 each

1 Raita per 7 people $0.50 each

Dessert

1 serve Gulab Jaman (halved pieces) and 1 serve Mango Kulfi per four people ($2.25 per person)

Free corkage on wine and beer

And for those who would prefer something different, there’s also a range of good pizza for $12 like the Tikka Pizza (may also be an alternate entree).

Taste of Bangladesh and India, Manuka – perfect for a large group

Taste of Bangladesh, in the Style Arcade Manuka is a good spot for a larger group lunch or dinner, such as a work Christmas breakup.

The food is excellent, value is outstanding and the hosts Shafique and Fahana happily accommodating, as they just want you to enjoy their food and hospitality.

There are tables in a more private area, that is quiet, well carpeted and great for chatting. The lighting and music can be adjusted to suit you.

Suggested shared menu for a group of 20 ($20 per person including free corkage)

(Order medium spice level to cater for most people).

To start:

Pappadoms

Mains:

5 x Dum Murgh – boneless chicken marinated in special herbs and spices and cooked on a slow fire

5 x Fish Bengali – Snapper fillet cooked with eggplant in Bangladeshi spices

5 x Palak Paneer – Cubes of cottage cheese with spinach in a mildly-spiced curry

10 x Plain Naan

10 x Rice

Dessert:

Tasting plate of Mango Kulfi x 5 & Gulab Jaman x 10

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Pho Phu Quoc Vietnamese Restaurant, Dickson – one of Canberra’s best

Pho Quoc just to be one of Canberra’s very best eateries. It’s no wonder it gets so busy. In fact they are moving to larger premises around the corner in June.

Corkage is cheap at $1.10 per person and serve sizes are truly generous.

They spring rolls really are very good (4 for $5.90)

So is the Birdnest Seafood $19.90 (would also be good with chicken $16.90) a birds nest made of shredded potato (yummy) filled with braised seafood and vegetables.

The Garlic Prawns in Claypot $21.90 (12 prawns) is very good and would be a good alternative to the very good Pepper Fish in Claypot $21.90.

The Crispy Skinned Chicken is not quite as good a pick as the others $15.90.

Rice serves are very generous ($2 per person) and prawn crackers are complimentary.

A good menu for 4 to share is:

4 spring rolls $5.90

Birds nest Chicken $16.90 or Seafood $19.90

Garlic Prawns in Claypot $21.90 or Pepper Fish in Claypot $21.90

Caramelised Pork and Prawns $18.90 or Caramelised Pork $16.90.

3 serves rice $6

Total cost of food: Approximately $71 ($18 per person)

25 % disount for holders of the Canberra Entertainment Book ($13.50 per person)

Corkage $1.10 each extra.

Open for Lunch and dinner 7 days.

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Best of the Best – Favourite eating spots in Canberra

Favourites for Curries

*Taste of Bangladesh (for Onion Bhaji, Cheese and Spinach Naan, Fish Bengali, Dum Murgh, Chicken Biriyani, Palak Paneer, Gulab Jaman, Mango Kulfi and BYO no corkage, complimentary poppadoms)

*Copper Chimney (BYO Corkage $6 per bottle of wine)

*Malaysian Chapter – for Nonya Prawn and Pineapple Curry, Nasi Lemak, Roti Canai for an entree – BYO $3 per person

Chomolungma (for momos, Dal Bhat – BYO $2 per person)

*Taj Agra Dickson (BYO $4 per bottle)

Favourite for Nepalese

Chomolungma (for momos, Dal Bhat – BYO $2 per person)

Favourite for Vietnamese

*Pho Quoc – (BYO $1.10 per person)

Favourites for Thai

Kinn Thai – for Kinn’s Dishes, BYO $3 per person

Thirst – (BYO about $10 per bottle but not on Mondays and Tuesdays)

*Baan Latsamy – for crispy eggplant with chicken and seafood for entree , BYO $5.50 per bottle

Chong Co – for Beef Massaman, Green Chicken Curry, Chicken and Cashews with Chilli Jam Stir-fry, Pork Prik Khing – BYO $3 per person

Favourite for Ethiopian

Global Café, BYO no corkage

Favourites for Sri Lankan

Ceylon café, Farrer

*Camellia (currently moving) (BYO $10 per bottle)

Favourites for a very special occasion

Courgette (BYO $15 per bottle)

*Sage (BYO $15 per bottle)

Yet to try but have heard good things:

Italian and Sons

Favourites for a rather special occasion

*Pistachios – for the tasting entrée trio $20 and tasting dessert plate $20 (good to share) – $7 per bottle corkage

*Chairman and Yip – (BYO $10 per bottle)

Akiba (for soft shelled crab/ pork belly buns, dumplings and mango and coconut sticky rice with macadamia and palm sugar ice-cream) No BYO

Eight Six (expensive drinks though)

Yet to try but have heard good things:

Elk & Pea

*Ox Eatery

CIT Restaurant (No BYO but wine $5 by the glass)

Favourites for a bit more upmarket

*Urban Pantry (BYO $5.50 per person)

*Copper Chimney (BYO $6 per bottle)

Kinn Thai (BYO $3 per person)

Favourites for lunch in Woden CBD

*Belluci’s (for the $19.90 lunch special including a wine/beer)

*Flavours of India

Chong Co

Urban Bean

Favourites for lunch close to Woden CBD

Favourites for lunch under $10 close to Woden CBD

*Wheat & Oats (for the daily specials on display and the goat curry)

Whisk Bakery & Patisserie (for the pies, toasted focaccia and gourmet sandwiches and soup and roll)

Favourites with young children

The Mandalay Bus (summer only) (BYO no corkage)

Snapper – best in Summer (BYO no corkage)

Brodburger – best in Summer (BYO $2.50 per person)

Taste of Bangladesh (for Onion Bhaji, Cheese and Spinach Naan, Fish Bengali, Dum Murgh, Chicken Biriyani, Palak Paneer, Gulab Jaman, Mango Kulfi and BYO no corkage, complimentary poppadoms)

Broddogs at the Hamlet (BYO no corkage)

Global Cafe (BYO no corkage)

Dickson Dumpling House (BYO)

Favourite deals

Thirst ( for the Street Stall Banquet $14.90 on Monday and Tuesdays when all entrees and mains are two for the price of one ($10 BYO but not on Mondays and Tuesdays)

Treehouse Bar (for the Wednesday $10 gourmet hot dog and house wine/beer/cider, Thursday two for one gourmet burger and house wine/beer/cider, Friday two for one starters and tapas and happy hour $5 drinks)

Debacle two for one pizzas on Mondays and Tuesdays (no BYO)

The Parlour Wine Room – $16 Lunch special including wine Tuesdays to Sundays (no BYO)

Yet to try but have heard good things:

Edgars Ainslie, $15 Monday to Wednesday meal and drink

Favourite dinners $15 and under

Taste of Bangladesh (for 2 people order- 1 Samosas (2 pieces $7 , 1 Cheese and Spinach Naan ($3.50), 1x Fish Bengali ($16.50) /Dum Murgh ($15.50)/ Palak Paneer ($14) and 1 x rice ($3) – BYO no corkage, complimentary poppadoms)

The Mandalay Bus (summer only) (BYO no corkage)- under $10, get a range and share

Snapper – best in Summer (BYO no corkage) for fish and chips under $10

Brodburger – best in Summer (BYO $2.50 per person) (for Baby Brodburgers around $9 – (try Baby Brodsalmon with blue cheese)

Global Cafe – for the meat combo on injera read with rice to share between two $18.90 (BYO no corkage)

Broddogs at The Hamlet (BYO no corkage)

Chomolungma (for momos, $15 Chicken Dal Bhat – BYO $2 per person)

Pizza Gusto – Pizza $20 to share between two BYO no corkage

*Café Arirang – for Pork/Chicken Kathu Set and Seafood pancake (BYO $4 per bottle)

Ceylon Café, Farrer

Favourite for Yum Cha

Akiba

Favourites for ice-cream

Frugii Dessert Laboratory – two flavours house-made ice-cream in cone or cup $5

Thirst – house-made ice- cream and sorbet $2.90 per scoop

Favourites for dessert

Akiba for mango and coconut sticky rice with macadamia and palm sugar ice-cream

Frugii Dessert Laboratory – two flavours house-made ice-cream in cone or cup $5

Yet to try but sounds good:

*Hungry Buddha for Gulab Jaman ice-cream, pistachio ice-cream (made by Frugii) and nepali rice pudding ice-cream $7.50 each

Favourites for breakfast/brunch

Favourites for coffee

Koko Black – for cappuccino with chocolate flakes on the side

The Merchant – for the house-made almond crossiant $8.50

Tilley’s Lyneham

Yet to try but have heard good things:

Two Before Ten

Favourites for groups (should have carpet)

*Taste of Bangladesh (BYO no corkage)

*Copper Chimney (BYO $6 per bottle)

*Baan Latsamy (BYO $5.50 per bottle)

Favourites for Sunday lunch

The Merchant – for the baguettes, sharing chattuecuterie plate – no corkage if purchased from the Prohibition Shop

Bookplate at the National Library

The Parlour Wine Room – $16 Lunch special including wine Tuesdays to Sundays

*Cork Street Café, Gundaroo –especially for wood-fired pizza (BYO $2 per person)

Autolyse, Braddon

*38 Expresso

*Favourites in the Canberra Entertainment Book

Pistachios (BYO $7 per bottle)

Chairman and Yip (BYO $10 per bottle)

Urban Pantry (BYO $5.50 per person)

Me & Mrs Jones (BYO $5.50 per person)

Pho Quoc (BYO $1.10 per person)

Copper Chimney (BYO $6 per bottle)

38 Expresso

Sage (BYO $15 per bottle)

Baan Latsamy (BYO $5.50 per bottle)

Café Arirang (BYO $4 per bottle)

Belluci’s

Malaysian Chapter (BYO $3 per person)

Cork Street Café (BYO $2 per person)

*In the Canberra Entertainment Book ($60 per book) offering 25% discounts or two for one offers

Taste of Bangladesh, Manuka – an excellent Chicken Biryani!

Just when you thought you’d had the very best at Taste of Bangladesh, something new makes it to the favourites list!!

Once you have the Chicken Biryani $15.50 it’s impossible to order just plain rice again.

And the Bhoona Beef $15 is tender and has a tasty sauce, good for a change but just misses the ‘favourites’.

Still on the favourites list though, is the Cheese and Spinach Naan $3.50. This is a must have, always.

Palak Panner $14 is popular with many and a good choice for variety.

2 mains dishes, a Biriyani and two naan are plenty for four people.

With complimentary pappadoms and no corkage, the value is very hard to beat.

Add a warm and cozy setting, home style hospitality, close and free at night parking in the Medical Centre on Furneaux Street and there is no better spot for a winter night out.

Favourites to date:

Entree

Onion Bhaji

Mains

Fish Bengali

Dum Murgh

Chicken Biriyani

Palak Paneer

Sides

Eggplant Bhorta

A close second:

Bhoona Beef

Goat Curry

Taste of Bangladesh – a perfect menu for 12

After much trialling of different dishes the very best combination at Taste of Bangladesh for a group of 12 just has to be:

Pappadoms to start (complimentary)

Entree:

3 serves Onion Bhaji (12 pieces) with tamarind chutney and mint yogurt ($7 each serve)

Mains:

3 serves Fish Bengali, medium spice level ($16.50 per serve)

3 serves Dum Murgh Chicken , medium spice level ($15.50 per serve)

3 serves Palak Paneer, medium spice level ($14 per serve)

4 serves rice ($3 per serve) (5 or 6 serves for larger appetites)

6 Cheese and Spinach Naan ($3.50 per serve)

3 serves Eggplant Bhorta ($5 per serve)

Dessert:

3 serves Gulab Jarman ($4.50 per serve)

3 serves Mango Kulfi ($4.50 per serve)

Total cost per person: $17.75

Free corkage for BYO wine

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Trying some entrees at Taste of Bangladesh, Manuka

Still a favourite, Taste of Bangladesh can’t be beaten for value and hospitality.

Shafique and Fahana always make sure you enjoy their food and prepare dishes freshly and with passion. Serves are generous and corkage and pappdoms are complimentary.

The Fish Bengali is still a top pick and Dum Murgh. Palak Paneer and Goat Curry are excellent too.

But the Fish Korma $16.50 is very delicious and I suspect the chicken, beef or lamb korma would also be very good. It’s also a milder dish for those who prefer less spicy dishes. Worthy to be added to the favourites list.

The Beef Vindaloo $15 is very tender and flavoursome, but quite spicy.

The cheese and spinach naan $3.50 is exceptional.

But don’t miss the wonderful Onion Bhaji (4 for $7) served with tamarind and mint chutney and mint yogurt. These are crisp and morish, a truly delightful surprise.

The Samosas are also good at $7 for two, but it’s hard to beat the Onion Bahji.

Perhaps the best shared menu for four includes:

Papadoms to start

Entree:

1x Onion Bhaji with tamarind and mint chutney and mint yogurt $7

Mains:

1x Fish Bengali $16.50

1x Dum Murgh $15.50

1x Palak Paneer $14 or Beef Korma $15

2x Cheese and spinach naan (2x $3.50) (quartered)

2 serves rice (2x $3)

Dessert:

1x Gulab Jaman $4.50 (halved)

1x Mango Kulfi $4.50

Total including free corkage: $76 ($19 per person)

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Taste of Bangladesh – a menu for six larger appetites

Taste of Bangladesh is such good food and warm home-cooking hospitality at great prices, that it’s an ideal place to pick for a family with active, rapidly growing members or group with larger appetites.

While pappadoms won’t fill much space, they are great to nibble on with a glass of BYO wine (free corkage) while you reach a consensus on the ordering.

Choose one dish each to share between up to six people, or one dish less if also planning dessert, along with one rice and one naan per two people.

3 plain naan, cut into quarters.

One serve rice

Two serves rice

The Dum Murgh $15.50 is always a winner

So is the Fish Bengali $16 (with eggplant and tomato)

The Goat Curry $15 has lovely flavours

But then every dish is good, including the Kadai Prawns $16.50

And Kadai Vegetables $14

Also interesting to try are some of the side dishes, like the Fish Borta $5. This little extra can be shared between six and adds a little extra spicy (very, but you can ask for less heat) crunch to the meal. It’s ideal to order as an extra, if there are just two of you sharing one meal with rice and naan.

There are three desserts, all $4.50 per serve which are good to share as a tasting experience.

The Pesta Kheer (Milk pudding with Sultanas and Pistachios, served warm) is nice..

But it’s heard to beat the Gulab Jaman..

(halved for sharing)

and the Mango Kulfi

Two serves pictured here.

Taste of Bangladesh – another menu for five to six people

Taste of Bangladesh and India is one of Canberra’s best casual dining spots and great place to head with a few friends for a weeknight catch-up.

Start with the pappadoms ($2 for 4, but often complimentary) and a glass of BYO wine (free corkage).

Three dishes is just about the right amount to order for 5-6 people with modest appetites.

Palak paneer $14, Eggplant Marsala $14, Goat Curry $16, two serves rice, three serves naan cut in half.

The Goat curry $16 has an excellent flavour and the meat very tender. However, being on the bone, it can be a little harder to share in a group (but still doable).

The Palak paneer $14 is very good too

…as is the Eggplant Marsala $14 ( but it is similar to the excellent Fish Bengali dish, so be careful not to double up on flavours)…

2 serves rice is enough for 5-6 people

Naans are delicious and huge (half each is plenty for one person)…

If you still have room for something sweet, the mango lassi $3.50 is delicious.

And a mix of Gulab Jaman ($4.50 for two whole pieces, but also 3 for $6, halve them to share) and mango kulfi $4.50 for about 6-7 pieces, makes a great group dessert.

The coffee is not as good, being instant, but try the marsala chai instead.

While you can’t leave disappointed because every dish is a winner, the Dum Murgh ( chicken) and Fish Bengali are two dishes that are very hard to top.

Yarralumla Halal Pide House, Yarralumla – a great large group idea for an Anzac Day lunch

Ordering Turkish Banquets is an excellent idea for catering for a large group at home.

Adding a few extra touches and re-plating can give the meal a whole new look.

A Turkish lunch is particularly wonderful on Anzac Day to remember the special relationship between Turkey and Australia in the Great War. It’s a great way to get family or friends together after the formalities and share what is such an important time for so many.

Add a few special ANZAC traditions like vegemite on Turkish bread, a Gunfire breakfast (coffee with a shot of Bundaberg rum or condensed milk (whatever was available at the time)),Two Up, and of course ANZAC biscuits!

(Cinnamon Scrolls has a recipe for Anzac Biscuit Sandwiches with Coconut Butter Cream which sound very luxurious if you’re looking for something extraordinary to make dessert particularly special!)

There are several spots in Canberra to order from including the Yarralumla Turkish Halal Pide House who deliver free of charge within 15km – outside of that area a $25 surcharge applies.

Probably a good idea to give a minimum of 1 day’s notice if you will be ordering quite a number of banquets.

Yarralumla offers particularly nicely presented salads as well as the usual options included in most Turkish banquets.

Only order what you need. One banquet per three people may well be enough if you are adding your own dessert, extra vegetable crudités for the dips and perhaps adding a few extra garnishing ingredients to the salad.

Often the basic banquet is the best and most versatile.

For example, the Yarralumla Halal Pidehouse Banquet includes:

A selection of dips, pide bread , kabak, falafel, salad, rice, lamb skewers, chicken skewers and mixed pide – $40.00 for 2 banquets then $20.00 per extra banquet.

Cold starters:

Dips Humus • Beetroot • Carrot • Eggplant • Cucumber

with some extra Vine leaves stuffed with rice, onion, tomato and olive oil $1 each added for variety