Charnie’s Noodles & Dumplings, Charnwood, an expert in a classic style!

Standard

Finding myself in Canberra’s far north for work last week, I consulted the Canberra Food Bloggers for any nearby ‘do not miss’ spots for lunch.

Unanimously they agreed that I must not miss this opportunity to experience Charnie’s Noodles and Dumplings, a favourite!

And indeed Charnie’s is a specialist in that heritage classic Aussie Chinese takeaway style.

Large serves of deliciousness are very affordable, rice is cheap at $2 per person and you can take along your bottle of wine  at no charge if you want to eat in.


All this service comes with the friendliness and welcome of Sophia and her team who love to see their customers happy.


A steady stream of regulars is a testimony to its popularity with locals.

A very kind man allowed my to photograph one of this favourites chicken fritters with plum sauce $13.80


Sophia apologised for the extra $2 price rise on lamb dishes, but boy was it worth it. The Lamb Satay $17.80 was exceptional, tender slices of flavoursome lamb.


The chicken with ginger and shallots was also very good $14.80, but it was very hard to beat that lamb.


The pork and coriander dumplings $13.80 was soft and tasty, but knowing now that the steamed version comes in a broth I’d like to go back and try the fried….much easier for sharing.


Being so tasty and large, one serve from Charnie’s will go a long way, making it very affordable.

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 12 noon until late, closed Mondays.

A real local suburban gem continuing a uniquely Aussie classic cuisine and culture that’s well worth enjoying and supporting.
Charnie's Noodles and Dumplings Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Penny University, Kingston, two brilliant lunch choices @pennyuniversitycoffeeroasters

Standard

It wasn’t easy to pick just two choices to share for lunch at Penny University, but the Chilli Scrambles $18 and the Roasted Cauliflower Salad $23 were wonderful and  memorable dishes!


The Chilli Scrambles – eggs with fresh soy beans and shitake  mushrooms  scrambled in tau ban chilli and served with a  shallot pancake and bean sprout salad was spicy and delicious!


The warm Roasted Cauliflower Salad with grains, herbs, baby spinach and crunchy roasted chick peas, preserved lemon and honey yogurt, hazelnut sukkah and pomegranate, had perfect  crunch and some gorgeous spices – cinnamon, cloves maybe allspice? It was a lovely dish too.


I love the all day menu and  that you can book for lunch.

Firmly on my favourites list!
Penny University Coffee Roasters Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Happy Hour at The Pedler, Campbell 

Standard

The Pedler has happy hour 4-6 pm every day!

…offering Beaumont Chardonnay and Cabernet Merlot for $5 a glass.

The Flatbread $13 with grilled zucchini, goats curd, grilled shallots and dried chilli is just so very good. The flavours just go so well together, it’s delicious. Such a great value, tasty nibble to share with a drink and I’m glad it’s till on the new menu.

And the new menu has this equally delicious Pan Fried Haloumi $15  with red onoin jam, Pedro Ximenez glaze and fresh oregano served on a garlic crostini (which is yummy!)

img_2742

…and I just love the friendly casual service!

If you end up staying longer, there’s some great looking mains that are very well priced!
The Pedlar Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Maple & Clove @MapleandClove

Standard

Maple and Clove in the Hotel Realm precinct is a lovely spot with a clean eating menu that’s delicious.

The decor is attractive with both indoor and outdoor seating.

img_2323

The menu includes….
BERRY SMOOTHIE Coconut water, strawberries, cranberries, blueberries, banana + dates $9

SAVOURY SPELT WAFFLE
Wholemeal spelt, zucchini and sweet corn waffles served with smoked salmon, smashed avocado, and slow cooked eggs $20


EGGS ON TOAST
Poached, scrambled or fried on your choice of seeded rye or white sourdough $13.50 plus a side of avocado….


…and TWO SLICES OF TOAST $7.50 With butter and preserves
Available in white sourdough, seeded rye or fruit and nut bread

There’s also ready to go sandwiches for $10.90.

It’s busy, but you can book.
Open weekdays & weekends for coffee, breakfast and lunch, it has an all day breakfast menu. For smaller appetites, it’s easy to share a dish.

Maple & Clove Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Hoi Polloi – a first look @hoipolloioph

Standard

The Hoi Polloi, has a lovely, prime heritage position at Old Parliment House.

img_2551

Dining there is a treat.

img_2559 img_2567

Wine by the glass is well priced.

There’s an option of small plates like the Hot smoked trout…

img_2570

..with green apple, fennel, red sorrel and yogurt $12 (you can also get a larger serve for $16)….

….or larger bites like the Hoi Polloi Burger $19.50 on a mik bun with pickled beetroot, cheddar cheese, pineapple and fries.

img_2582

There’re also daily specials worth checking out like Fridays Cheese or Charcuterie Board and a glass of wine for $20.

img_2583

Open daily for lunch 11:30-2:00pm.

Hoi Polloi Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Little Oink, Cook, another suburban Gem! @littleoinkcafe

Standard

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!
Little Oink Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Two Before Ten, Aranda – a first look @TwoBeforeTen

Standard

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

Ona on the Lawns Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Me & Mrs Jones, Kingston, trying the burgers

Standard


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

 Me & Mrs Jones Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

The Pedler – such a great asset for Campbell 

Standard

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!

The Pedlar Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Chifley Bar & Grill, Barton – an update! 

Standard

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.


Chifley's Bar and Grill Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato