As part of Canberra’s centenary celebrations, Alluxia’s Sally Scott checks out our nation’s capital and finds there’s more than just public servants and roundabouts.
2013 is a great time to revisit Canberra and celebrate, with a year long calendar of events and celebrations. While there will be plenty of pomp and ceremony for these events if your style is a little more low key with a hint of luxe here’s our tips for a perfect weekend of culture, food & wine – Happy Birthday Canberra!
Where to eat
Italian & Sons
The offshoot of classic Mezzalira, the Trimboli family opened what is certainly one of Australia’s coolest trattorias. The small open kitchen provides theatre for the evening as the serious chefs prepare woodfired pizzas, perfect pasta and antipasti. There is also a tempting menu of daily dishes teasing you to return.
7 Lonsdale St, Braddon (02) 6162 4888
Bicicletta
The award-winning restaurant is best known for its authentic Italian menu, which focuses on seasonal, locally-sourced and sustainable produce, and is divided into a delectable selection of dishes for anytime of the day and doubles as in-house restaurant at Diamant Hotel. The décor has industrial appeal and there a plans afoot to revamp the alfresco area.
1/15 Edinburgh Ave, NewActon Pavilion (02) 6262 8683
Silo Bakery
With a jaw dropping array of pastries, tarts and croissants tempting you on arrival, the long narrow space serves breakfast & lunch and you know anything on the menu involving pastry or break is sure to be a winner.
36 Giles St, Kingston (02) 6260 6060
Out of Town
Grazing
This restaurant set in an historic stone hotel, 35 minutes from Canberra is the perfect place to enjoy a Sunday lunch. We indulged in slow cooked rubbed lamb rump with toasted barley, goat’s feta, roast garlic, stinging nettle and green pea puree and the menu suggests local wines and beers to match. Just make sure you leave room for dessert…
Cnr Cork & Harp Sts, Gundaroo (02) 6236 8777
Lark Hill Winery
Well worth a visit to Lark Hill and hear about this biodynamic winery owned by Sue & Dave Carpenter. This well established winery was the first to grow and produce gruner veltiner, a white Austrian grape rarely seen in Australia. The onsite restaurant is the perfect spot to enjoy lunch overlooking the vines.
Cnr Bungendore and Joe Rocks Roads, Bungendore (02) 6238 1393
Must See
National Gallery of Australia
Visit NGA for the fabulous Toulouse-Lautrec – Paris & the Moulin Rouge exhibition showing only in Canberra until 2 April 2013. The exhibition features 120 works including paintings, drawings and his famous posters. Take a free guided tour to learn more about this artist and his work.
Parkes Place, Parkes
Where to Stay
Diamant Hotel
Diamant Hotel offers luxe for less amid heritage listed buildings that began life as accommodation for single public servants. The compact, but stylish rooms are located in the developing NewActon precinct.
15 Edinburgh Ave, Canberra
East Hotel
Canberra’s newest hotel offers contemporary apartment style rooms and has been lovingly designed and curated with style in mind. The contemporary style of the rooms is beautifully offset with retro furniture creating spacious, light and very comfortable surrounds. It’s a hotel with personality that you just don’t want to leave.
69 Canberra Ave, Kingston
