Belluci’s in Woden is still offering their great lunch special for $19.90 including a wine, beer or soft drink.
The Chicken Caesar Salad is as good as ever…
…and serve sizes are good for sharing in a group and presentation is excellent.
Risotto with Caramelized pumpkin, baby spinach & gorgonzola dolce w/ roasted walnuts.
Bicicletta in the Peppers Gallery Hotel some lovely settings to enjoy a range of good Italian dishes, well priced and well sized for sharing with friends. Situated in the nostalgic old Acton Hotel it has a restaurant, library bar and courtyard (great for summer) to choose from.
The pan di pizza is a good way to start as 8 well sized pieces are included, great for sharing.
Ordering a mix of salad, pizza and pasta to share is a good plan.
The 4 formaggi (cheese) pizza is excellent as is the insalata di stagione.
The pappardelle al braciato di agnello and gnocchi parmigiana are also good choices. (Gnocchi is a smaller serve size).
Bicicletta can get busy as it also caters for hotel guests and room service, so it pays to order promptly.
No BYO option. Glasses of wine start at $8 and serves are generous.
25% discount up to $40 offered to holders of the Canberra Entertainment Book.
Starters
pan di pizza $12 (8 slices)
freshly cooked pizza bread with rosemary and
extra virgin olive oil or garlic and chilli or tomato
and chopped mushrooms
Pasta
gnocchi parmigiana $24
house made potato and parmesan gnocchi, sautéed
with roasted tomato sauce, sautéed eggplant, roasted
bell peppers and fresh ricotta cheese
pappardelle al braciato di agnello $26
house made pasta with braised lamb in balsamic,
truffle oil, thyme and grated pecorino cheese
ravioli di ricotta $25
house made ravioli filled with fresh ricotta and
spinach, sautéed with tomato and burnt butter
sage, artichoke petals v
spaghetti allo scoglio $26
fresh mussels and little neck clams, king prawns and
baby squid, sautéed in chilli and garlic, tomatoes and white wine sauce
Salads
insalata di stagione 16
crispy pancetta, tomatoes and butter lettuce, poached
egg and black olives, parmesan scales and Italian dressing gf
Pizza
Formaggi $22
mozzarella, Italian cacio di bufala, Italian
parmigiano and pecorino served with fresh rocket v
verdure $20
tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and grilled
seasonal vegetables v
Dessert
Gelati $4 per scoop
Pistachio and Chocolate
Suggested shared menu for six
Starters
pan di pizza $12 (8 slices)
freshly cooked pizza bread with rosemary and
extra virgin olive oil or garlic and chilli or tomato
and chopped mushrooms
Pasta
2x pappardelle al braciato di agnello $26
house made pasta with braised lamb in balsamic,
truffle oil, thyme and grated pecorino cheese
Pizza
Formaggi $22
mozzarella, Italian cacio di bufala, Italian
parmigiano and pecorino served with fresh rocket v
Salads
2x insalata di stagione $16
crispy pancetta, tomatoes and butter lettuce, poached
egg and black olives, parmesan scales and Italian dressing gf
$19.70 per person
(can also stretch to 7 people or even 8 (add an extra salad) if you ask for the pizza to be cut into 8 pieces).
$16.80 per person for 7 people, $16.75 per person for 8
Monday to Sunday 5.00pm to 10.00pm
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When it’s cold or rainy, but you’d still like to head out for brunch or lunch, it can be good to know somewhere where you can park very close, nip inside quickly for a casual meal and stay warm.
Gryphon’s Caffe Bar at the Griffith shops is like that. It’s open 7 days, early (food from 8am ) until late, and while it can get busy, there is usually room for a couple more, even if you don’t book ahead.
There’s a range of tapas, gourmet burgers, pizzas, salads and mains, as well as plenty of popular breakfast dishes and some changing specials.
If you are an Entertainment Book holder, you can get two meals for the price of one.
A pizza and a burger make a good combination to share for a winter lunch.
Hickory Dickory Dock Pizza (special) $20 (nice with the prawns)
Soft-shelled Crab Burger $20 (with a good sourdough roll)
No BYO but wine by the glass starts at $7.
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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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The Alegra Cafe is the new beaut V Spot Cafe, that has moved and re-invented itself.
It’s easy to find in the Waldorf Arcade, off Akuna Street.
Still offering it’s trademark hits like Raw Cakes (vegan, gluten free, sugar free) Alegra also now offers some meat containing dishes.
Cozy and friendly Alegra’s greatest strengths are Chrissie’s warm hospitality that makes you feel right at home, the ‘home-cooked’ style and daily specials, the great value prices and the light and wholesome approach to both serving sizes and use of heavy ingredients.
It’s just the ideal spot to head it you need a little lift in your day. Chrissie will make you feel welcome and wonderful. Your choice of lunch will be warm and homely without weighing you down (or perhaps a delicious light and wholesome sweet treat with coffee.)
If you own a Canberra Entertainment Book you can even get a 25% discount.
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Flavours of India at the corner of the Westfield Mall, is one of Woden’s best central lunch spots for groups sharing dishes.
Three dishes, three serves rice and three breads is a good amount to order for six modest appetites.
Good choices are the Butter Chicken $17.90
Aloo Palak (or Paneer Palak would be very good too) $15.50
Lamb Biriyani $20 (excellent)
Kukcha Paneer (Naan stuffed with cheese and onion) $4.50
2 serves rice ($3 per serve)
Carpeted and quiet, it’s a good spot for easy conversation.
Flavours also offer Canberra Entertainment Book holders a 25% discount.
The great strength of Garnish of India is the hospitality of Ash, who goes to great lengths to ensure your meal is a success.
Whether it’s a quiet meal for two or a dinner for a group, Ash takes equally good care of his customers.
This makes Garnish a good spot for a group catch up.
Order 4 mains, 3 breads and 3 rice, 1 Raita to share for for 6 people.
Top choices include the Chettinad Chicken (from TAMIL NADU) A Spicy treat from the Chettiyars of Tamil Nadu $16.50
..and the Paneer Hara Masala – cubes of fresh cottage cheese cooked with tomatoes, spinach based gravy and finished with fenugreek leaves $14.50
The plain $3 or garlic naan $3.50 – Indian garlic bread that is baked in Tandoor
Aloo Paratha $4 – a wholemeal bread with a spicy potato filling
And the Mixed Raita $4 – Plain yoghurt mixed with cucumber & cumin
Steamed plain rice
The Chicken is the most tender, juicy meat, and a paneer dish is a good idea too, but other tasty dishes include:
BEEF HARA MASALA
Diced beef cooked to perfection in a spinach based gravy & flavoured with fenugreek leaves.
KUMBH MAKAI PANEER
Fresh mushroom, fresh corn, and dices of paneer a medium spicy preparation (really very good with fresh ginger too)
ERACHI VARATHADU –LAMB (KARNATAKA)
Tender lamb in a thick gravy made with the spices special to the region of Coorg.
It might also be good to try a Biriyani (and order one less rice).
Being upstairs and overlooking Garema Place, there is plenty of people watching to occupy young children.
Corkage is $8 per bottle of wine and Pappadoms are $2.
Ash very happily offers a 25% discount to holders of the Canberra Entertainment Book (up to $30 for one card).
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)
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)
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
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
*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)
Sage (BYO $15 per bottle)
Baan Latsamy (BYO $5.50 per bottle)
Café Arirang (BYO $4 per bottle)
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
Fine Eating 