Mr Wei’s , Canberra City – good choices for a pre-theatre dinner

Mr Wei’s is conveniently close to the canberra Theatre making it a good spot to try for a pre-theatre dinner.

Prices are quite high, but it does offer 25% discount for the Canberra Entertaimnet Card and BYO wine at $10 per bottle.

It also has some very delicious choices that can be shared which makes the final price reasonable.

The steamed pork dumplings $13.50 for 12 are excellent and a perfect entree for sharing.

The Eggplant is well sized and looks great, but lacks flavoured without plenty of sauce and is not as good as the dumplings.

The Massaman Beef Cheek $26.50 has a great flavour and texture and could be shared between four….

But the Taro Duck $28.50 is a stand out, with a nice crisp batter and lean, soft duck breast.

Barbers Inc. Department of PM&C – a gem in Barton

Barton is blessed with some great eateries serving the departmental workers close by, like Double Drummer (AGS)Ne Brindabella Cafe (DFAT).

But I think my favourite so far might be Barbers Inc. on the ground floor of Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

It’s well priced, and the menu varies offering ever changing curry, pasta and soup lunch options.

They day I visited there was a very beautiful and flavoursome Lamb Vindaloo with Eggplant and Lentils and rice $16

The lighter option was a very tasty chicken and rice noodle soup with spinach and toast $5.90 for a very generous serve.

There are also nude burgers with extra salad on offer made ready made and made to order sandwiches.

The atmosphere is good for a workplace cafe especially up the stairs.

It’s a great find that I know I will return to often!

Open weekdays 7am-5pm.

Second look at Polo Restaurant – Peirogi Specials night, Turner

Having enjoyed my first visit to Polo at the White Eagle Club in Turner, I was back this week again for the Wednesday night specials.

The menu was a little different this time and I think it keeps changing.

The Mushroom and Cabbage or Cheese and Potato Pierogi ($10 or $14 with a wine of beer) were still on…

….but there were also Koldunai – handmade Lithuanian dumplings – pan seared with bacon and camrmelised cabbage ($13 or $17 with a drink). These were offered in Beef with Horseradish and yogurt sauce….

…but my favourite were the pork and fennel with apple and fennel slaw.

The Veal Goulash $16 looked pretty good – wrapped in potato blintz with pickled fennel/kolrabi and sour cream.

There were also good looking ricotta fritters $10….

….Kodunai – handmade sweet cheese dumplings with chooclate custard $13…

…and another dessert….

…but I think liked the savoury dishes best.

There’s a nice choice of wine or beer to go with your special and wine pours are generous.

Opinions seem to be divided about this venue and not everyone agrees with me, but I love it here! It’s so relaxed and friendly and everyone is enjoying each other’s company as they share a simple meal and a drink.

…And it is noisey in some spots. But the library is a quiet spot (though it might be a bit too quiet for some) and surprisingly the main area (with carpet) is quieter than the room next door (with a wooden floor).

A couple of other things I learnt this time are…

Get there early and order quickly as the line gets long.
Book by texting 0422898617. It’s easy and you get a very quick, friendly and accomodating response.
Ask for the mainroom near the kitchen or the library if you need somewhere quiet.

I’m looking forward to another visit already!

The Hungry Buddha

The Hungry Buddha in Curtin is Canberra’s oldest Nepalese restaurant.

While the momos are quite pricey at $9 for 4 ….

One samosa is $6.50

…and the mains $19-22 are modest in size… the flavours are excellent.

The specials are good and include…

The Nepalese goat curry $20 is also very good – khasi ko masu –
exquisite village style curry of tender boneless goat enriched with the flavours of fenugreek, cinnamon, tomatoes, coriander, bay leaves, ginger & garlic – a famous specialty of nepal

Desserts are well priced at $7.50 for pistachio icecream and $6.50 for rice pudding.

Breads are $4-5 and a good way to balance the meal without needing extra courses. Serves of rice are $3.

BYO corkage is $6 per bottle of wine.

A 25% discount is also offered to holders of the Canberra Entertainment Book.

38 Expresso, Kingston Foreshore

38 Expresso on the Kingston Foreshore, offers Canberra Entertainment Book holders two meals for the price of one…

Like the….

Pastrami Pickle and Mustard Sub $12

Roast Beef and Gravy Roll $13

Regulars…

Specials…

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!

Caphs, Manuka – trying the $15 lunch special

Caph’s, Manuka offers a $15 lunch special that includes a wine or beer, as well as a two for one deal (or half price meal for single diners) for Canberra Entertainment Book holders. This makes it excellent value for a tight budget.

The Lamb Burger is a good choice.

There’s indoor and outdoor seating (which is still good on a cold day, if it’s sunny.)

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.

Gryphons Caffe Bar, Griffith

Gryphons Caffe Bar at the Griffith shops is a great all rounder with easy parking and both inside and outside seating.

The American Pulled Pork Burger – BBQ pork, coleslaw, tomato relish, chips $20 had a bit too much sauce so perhaps the Greek Chicken Burger, Fish Burger or Gryphons Beef Burger would be a better pick.

Great chips though!

Smoked Trout Salad $20 (a special) a nice choice.

If you have the Canberra Entertainment Card it’s two meals for the price of one.

No BYO.
Opening Hours: 7am- Late Monday- Saturday, Sunday 9am-4pm

Canberra Labor Club – Movie and Meal Deal $17.50

The Canberra City Labor Club offers members ($5 joining fee) a $17.50 steak/schnitzel/fish with chips and salad along with a Dendy movie ticket (long use by date).