Canberra

Something new at Taste of Bangladesh, Manuka

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There’s no doubt that the Fish Bengali and Chicken Dum Murgh with Onion Bhaji or Samosas for entree and Cheese and Spinach Naan are top picks at Taste of Bangladesh.

But sometimes it’s good to explore the other dishes…

The Palak Papdi Chaat $9 is just as good as the Bhaji or Samosa with a tasty tamarind sauce highlighting crisp spinach fritters on a potato salad. It’s a cold entree perfect for summer and great for sharing.


The Boona Beef is tender and has great flavour, a very good pick for a greater variety of dishes.


The Coconut Fish Curry is a sweeter creamer, but very moorish dish. Well worth ordering.

The Malai Kofta is a good vegetarian choice, but not as good as the Palak Paneer or Yellow Dahl.

The Tandoori Paratha is quite good, but not nearly as soft and tasty as the Cheese and Spinach Naan.

So the Fish Bengali, Chicken Dum Murgh, Samosa, Bhaji and Cheese and Spinach Naan are still great choices, but perhaps the Palak Papdi Chaat, Boona Beef and Coconut Fish Curry are worth adding to the list of favourites.
The mango lassi is great too!

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Taste of Bangladesh Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Rama’s Fijian Indian Restaurant Pearce

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Rama’s is an old timer and extremely popular with locals. Part of their secret is Mini’s warm hospitality, but the food is also great!

Sit outside in the warm weather….

…or be cozy inside if it’s cool.

Good choices are…

Chicken Dhai Wala – Boneless chicken pieces cooked in a spiced yoghurt sauce. $23.00

Potato and Egg Curry – Hard boiled eggs cooked with potatoes in a spicy coconut sauce. $19.50

Fijian Pork Curry- Cubes of pork cooked with capsicum, onion and coriander leaves in a tangy, spicy sauce. $24.00 (the best!)

Curried Bean and Tomato – Sliced beans, chopped tomatoes and onions cooked slowly at low temperature. $13.00

Roti – Wholemeal pan fried bread 1 for $2.50

The Garlic Paratha – Wholemeal pan fried bread with garlic $2.70…

….is a better choice than the Roti – Wholemeal pan fried bread 1 for $2.50

and the Fish NarielBoneless fillets of ling marinated in lemon juice, tumeric, garlic and simmered in a spicy coconut sauce. $23.50 has a lovely sauce but the fish is rather coarse…

…so try the Jhinga Nariel – Prawns cooked with onions, garlic, tomato and fresh coriander, and finished in a spicy coconut sauce. $24.50

Pappadum -Deep fried crispy bread is 4 for $3.00

Four curries and the beans and four breads is just right for six people.

All curries are served with unlimited rice at a charge of $2.75 per person, but you can negotiate to get just a few serves if also getting breads.

Corkage is free and until the end of May Canberra Entertainment Card holders can get a 25 % discount.

Ramas Restaurant Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Cooking Circles, Canberra  – A brilliant post from Karen! 

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Read Karen’s gifted post here about a wonderful evening of great company and pelemeni making!

Thank you so much Karen Really Likes Food.

Farmers Market

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Saturday mornings may have got a little colder and damper, but there’s still great warmth at the Capital Regional Farmers’ Market where Visit Canberra recently hosted an Instagram meetup for Canberra’s food bloggers and social media creators.

Even at the early hour of 7:30am the CRFM was buzzing with life and it was clear why CRFM fans make the trip out, rain, hail or shine.

Then people are great….

….you meet your friends there…

….and the food is beautiful….

…and so are the flowers.

And it very special to be treated to CIT chefs Monique, Damika and Jordan creating with the CRFM produce: chai infused porridge, gingerbread cake, upside down apple cake, gnocchi with orange sauce and braised fennel and crepes with sautéed mushrooms and spinach

Little Brooklyn

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Little Brooklyn in Green Square Kingston offers inside seating if it’s cold or nice outdoor seating if it’s sunny.

There’s three salads on the menu including the

Haloumi Salad – grilled haloumi & quinoa salad w baby spinach, roquette, roasted carrots, cherry tomatoes, yoghurt dressing & toasted sesame seeds  $20…

which is a better pick than the….

Duck Salad – warm confit duck w soba noodles, asian greens & rice wine vinaigrette  $20, which is more like a warm, failry oily noodle dish.

However, I think the burgers are probably a better choice.

Two for one for Canberra Entertainment Book holders.

Little Brooklyn Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Pork Barrel Cafe, Friday Night Pizza 2 for 1

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The Pork Barrel Cafe has a lovely setting in the gardens in front of Old Parliament House. On a Friday evening there’s a special offer of two pizzas for the price of one, perfect for a group.

The Pommodoro $33 for a large has pancetta, provolone and semi dried tomatoes.


The Deli is also a good choice with spinach, raosted pumpkin, spanish onion, fetta and olives, also $33 for a large sized.

Two large pizzas is a comfortable amount for six people and works out at $5.50 each.

Add a garden salad for $10.50 for a large size.


Not BYO but a large glass of house wine is $7.

An especially good option when Elighten is on each March.


  
Pork Barrel Cafe Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Chong Co, Woden – perfect for creating an easy dinner party with take-away

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Buying some good quality takeaway that can be easily shared and replacing it at home is a great way to cater for a group without too much fuss or cost.


Chong Co in Woden has great dishes that are well sized for sharing.

Good choices include…
Thai beef salad $17.90


Prawn lemongrass stir fry $20.90


Beef massaman curry $16.90


Pork panning curry $16.90


Chilli basil mixed vegetables with tofu stir fry $14.90

(but better with chicken)

Add some steamed rice…and it’s done.


Chong Co efficiently wraps the takeaway in glad wrap so it stays warm enough for summer eating for ups to one hour without reheating.
NB The Fried tofu and sweet chilli sauce is not such a great choice as it’s fairly bland.


Chong Co Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Dionysis Winery, Murrumbateman

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Dionysis Winery, very near to Four Winds Winery, at Murrambateman….

…..is another Canberra winery where you can taste the wines….

….and enjoy a glass for $7.50 with some eats.

(The white wines are especially good.)

At the moment Dionysis is renovating so Michael and Wendy are offering just the cheese platter at $16 for one, or $30 for two people…..


The cheeses are delicious.

It makes a lovely spot to enjoy with friends on the weekend.

Saigon Foodies, Kingston – a quick drop by

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Saigon Foodies in Kingston is a small friendly spot offering quick Vietnamese street food options.

Sticky Rice with Sweet Corn and Roast Pork is $9

The Rice Noodle Salad with Chicken or Pork and Spring Rolls is $15.

Fresh spring rolls filled with Tofu,Sweet Potato and Wood Ear Mushrooms or Chicken and Avocado are $7 for two.


Food is tasty, but like most takeaway Vietnamese, there’s plenty of noodles to fill out the serve.

Saigon Foodies Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Public, Manuka – trying more lunch choices

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Public in Manuka is one of the best spots for lunch in the area. There’s both indoor and outdoor seating, friendly staff, efficient service and a range of menu options.

One way of sharing some new options is to order a couple of the appetisers.

The Calamari with roquette, pecorino and balsamic dressing $18 is well sized for sharing and has a great texture and flavour.

The Soft shell crab tortillas with corn salsa and chipotle, also $18, is not quite as good, but again a good size to share.

Canberra Entertainment Card holders need only pay for one meal, so it’s also great value.

Public Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato