Movenpick, Kingston Foreshore @movenpickkingstonforeshore

Last Monday, Sid treated the Canberra Food Bloggers to an evening of his new Movenpick Kingston Foreshore winter desserts.

Movenpick is new to Canberra- one of the 400 stores worldwide in 40 countries. The icecream is shipped frozen from its home of creation in Switzerland where it has been made since the 1960’s from ingredients sourced from around the the world. The pistachios are from Iran, rum from Jamaica, mango from India, coffee from Colombia, macadamias from Australia, strawberries from Poland, blueberries from France and chocolate from Venezuela.

Flavours are many and varied but my favourites were strawberry (50% fruit), vanilla brownie, caramel and coconut chocolate.

Sid and his team have been working hard to showcase the best to Canberra.

The winter desserts include the apple strudel (my favourite) and chocolate fondant – $14.95….

….and waffles or pancakes for $16.95 which you customise to your own pick your type of pancakes (eg nut or berry), sauce, icecream and garnishes.

The chocolate fondue is also impressive at $29.95 for two or $39.95 for four people.

Drinks include milkshakes like a blueberry cheesecake milkshake or a lovely lime sorbet.

In the icecream range there’s also some beautiful options like Decadence at $9.95.

A good spot for great traditional cone or a dessert to share to finish a meal out along the Kingston Foreshore.

Soul Cartel, The Hamlet, Braddon – A first look

Newcomer to the Hamlet in Braddon, Soul Cartel specialises in Southern American Creole/Cajun food.

Regular items on the menu are the Chicken Po’Boy $12 (top pick if you like something especially tasty in bread)…

Beef Po’ Boy $12 – a good pick if you like lean meat in bread

Soul Fries $6 – a great choice for something to nibble with a drink

And some specials which might include…

Beef and Bacon Hash $14, the tastiest option, but also quite oily

Southern Brunch $12 – very tasty, but again, the bread is oiler than the chicken Po’ Boy (similar chicken though).

Especially fun for a summer evening and BYO (drinks and glasses) but like most food stalls, it’s not as comfortable or as good value as sharing a few Thai dishes or curries and rice.

Opening hours
12 Noon to 3 PM
Mon Closed
Tue Closed
Wed 12 Noon to 9 PM
Thu 12 Noon to 9 PM
Fri 12 Noon to 9 PM
Sat 12 Noon to 9 PM
Sun 12 Noon to 3 PM

Bush Tucker – growing & cooking in #Canberra with @HeidiZajac Cooking Circles

Narelle Happ is a great fan of gardens that you can eat. As a horticulturalist and garden designer she loves teaching people to grow Australian natives that not only look good, but since pre-European history, have been adding unique flavours and textures to foods.

Narelle was the guest of Canberra’s Cooking Circles this week and she shared her impressive knowledge of easy to grow natives for Canberra gardens and treated us to a bush tucker afternoon tea, created in the excellent Foodish kitchen at the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets. (What an amazing resource Foodish is!)

And, as always, the event provided a lovely opportunity to meet up with others who share a passion for good food and great company.

Narelle’s Bush Tucker Macadamia Nut Dukkah with hazelnuts, bush tomato, groud lemon myrtle, ground mountain pepper leaf and ground aniseed myrtle was excellent…..

as was the…

…Bush Tucker Tomato Chutney with eggplant and onion.

Accompanied by an exquisite Lemon myrtle tea made from the dried leaves of the plant, I think everyone decided that they needed a tree of their own. (Lemon myrtle is also great as a flavour for cheesecake, icecream and as we tasted, yogurt)….

Narelle brought along a trailer load of plants to show and tell (and sell!).

These included…

Native mint a very pretty plant when growing, and hardy.

Native cranberries, Native ginger, Edible tubers, Climbers, Wombat berry, Native sarsaparilla good for tea, Pepper bush (this would grow well in Canberra and you can use the dried berries like peppercorns or use leaves for tea).

We also sampled popcorn with lemon myrtle and macadamia and some with bush tomato native basil.

We know know that dried, ground leaves of saltbush are good for dukkah, in dishes like also frittata or saltbush lamb and is favoured by Kylie Kwong. Along with Lemon Myrtle, this sounded like a very useful plant to grow.

The Warigal greens grow all year round can use for dishes like a wonderful pesto….

Very lovely also were the strawberry gum bliss balls…

…and it was fun to make and try the Orange and Wattleseed muffins.

Truly a gardening- food adventure that would be fascinating to explore!

Chefs of Canberra Truffle Dinner @TruffleFest @ VisitCanberra

Last week some of Canberra’s best chefs created an amazing truffle gala dinner at the Arboretum’s Conservatory Restaurant – a highlight of the 2016 Canberra Region Truffle Festival featuring truffle themed dishes and Canberra wines.

The evening commenced with canapes of truffled Belvedere shooters and truffled popcorn from Chef Janet Jeffs and the Ginger Catering Team. This was served with 2012 Mount Majura ‘The Silurian’ Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir and Kosciusko Pale Ale.

First Course was created by Chef David Revel from Rydges, Capital Hill – a beautiful looking 65 degrees egg with foie gras emulsion, pain d’epices, bronze fennel, red vein sorrel, target beetroot and shaved truffle. The accompanying wine was my favourite of the night – 2013 Lark Hill Byodinamic ‘Mr.V’ Marsanne/Rousanne/Voignier.

Second Course came from Chef Alex O’Brien who cooks at the Boathouse. Truffle Savoy cabbage, raclette, bone marrow and herb truffle brioche with shaved truffle. Unexpectedly, it was my favourite course. This was teamed with 2014 Lerida Estate ‘Cullerin Pinot Noir’.

The next course was Chef Sean McConnell and Daniel Flatt’s, from Monster at Hotel Hotel – Wagyu rump with truffle, lardo and turnips – teamed with 2012 Freeman Secco Rondinella Corvina.

Dessert was a creation of Chef Frankie J Bodel and the Ginger Team – choux truffles, truffle custard, green peppercorns and white chocolate – along with Surveyor’s Hill Sweet Touriga.

Amanda Whitley, of HerCanberra, convened a panel of local producers who entertained us with their inspiring stories and passion for their products….

….Jayson Mesman from the Truffle Farm Canberra, Chef David Revel of Rydges and Anne Caine from Lerida Estate.

A very lovely event and a very fun night out with tables of ten.

Well worth the $112.50pp, all inclusive cost.

Well done Canberra!

Public, Manuka

Public, Manuka has a lovely sunny corner and an interior that extends outdoors.

It also offer Canberra Entertainment Book holders two meals for the price of one.

So it’s a good spot for a weekday lunch with some tasty dishes on the menu.

Chicken schnitzel with chips, salad & choice of pepper or mushroom sauce $22

Hamburger with bacon, cheddar, pickles, tomato relish & chips $21 – excellent flavours and textures.

Briscola Pizzeria, Canberra City

Briscola Pizzeria is a warm and friendly spot to share pizza and red wine on a chilly Canberra Evening.

Offering BYO wine at $4.50 per head and a 25% discount to Canberra Entertainment card holders, it’s also good value.

Gianni is a welcoming and warm host who is keen to help you choose well.

One large pizza per two people is perfect. These range from $25 to $30.

Good choices are…

Pulcinella…. with mascarpone + gorgonzola + pancetta + fresh pear (medium shown $23.50)

Toscana….. with mozzarella + mushroom + grilled eggplant + roasted red capsicum + artichokes + basil pesto (vegetarian) (large shown $27)

Gran Sasso…..with bocconcini, italian sausage + grilled eggplant + mushroom + black truffle oil (medium shown $21)

Which are better choices than the…

Scampi…with bocconcini + garlic prawns + sautéed zucchini + cherry tomato + chilli (medium shown $23.50)

Puttanesca…. with bocconcini + salami + anchovies + capers + black olives + chilli gran sasso bocconcini + italian sausage + grilled eggplant + mushroom + black truffle oil (medium shown $21)

It’s tempting to also order the gelati ($9 for two scoops/$12 for three scoops) flavours like salted hazelnut, zabaglione or orange blossum and rose water, or an affogatto ($9-$13) but it’s also a very satisfying evening just enjoying the pizza and wine.

Urban Pantry, Manuka – still a lunch favourite

Always lovely for lunch, Urban Pantry again has a relaxing atmosphere good specials like the Creamy Leek, Potato and Gorgonzola Soup $16…

and offer two meals for the price of one to Canberra Entertainment Book holders.

The Grilled Chicken Burger with oak lettuce, avocado, tomato, pineapple relish, lime aioli, on a brioche bun served with french fries is good for $21…

….but perhaps not as good as the Bourguignon Burger sounds like a better choice with it’s 180g angus brisket patty, onion & mushroom jam, seeded dijonnaise, lettuce, tomato, aged cheddar on a brioche bun with french fries $21. (Next time!)

Space, Woden -the Breakfast Fritters are as good as ever!

Seems like such a long time since I last went to Space and I’ve missed it.

The menu has changed a little and now includes a new Warm Lamb Salad $19.90…

…as well as a Thai Chicken Salad.

But the favourites are still there including the Breakfast Fritters which are as good as ever $19.90.

Yat Bun Tong Dumpling House, Braddon

Eddie and his lovely wife have sold the Woden Dumpling House and recently opened the Yat Bun Tong in Lonsdale Street.

The menu is similar to Woden’s, but with some new surprises.
Service is truly lovely with plenty of staff attending to all your needs.

BYO wine is $9 per bottle (but wine by the glass is $6) and some of the best choices have small price tags like the BBQ Duck Spring Rolls $6.80 for two (delicious and not very oily) and the Shanghai steamed bun $13.80 for 10.

The handmade noodles are also very good althought the fried noodles are quite oily like those with Black Pepper Beef $15.80….

…so perhaps ask for less oil.

Not as good choices are the Hot and Sour Soup $5.80….

…the Shallot pancake $7.80 which both lack flavour.

The Shanghai Fried Pork Bun $14.80 are quite good but the steamed bun are better.

Can get noisey, but still lots of fun.

Address: 10-12 Lonsdale St, Braddon ACT 2612
Phone:(02) 6152 0880
Hours:
Friday 11am–3pm, 5–10pm
Saturday 11am–3pm, 5–10pm
Sunday 11am–3pm, 5–10pm
Monday 11am–3pm, 5–10pm
Tuesday 11am–3pm, 5–10pm
Wednesday 11am–3pm, 5–10pm
Thursday 11am–3pm, 5–10pm