Capitol Bar and Grill: a tantalising taste of Canberra’s newest restaurant

Posted on 4 April, 2014

For those of you who, like me, have been wondering what’s been going on at the old Rydges Lakeside, the word is finally out—it’s been transformed into the new QT Canberra hotel, which has brought with it the enticing new Capitol Bar and Grill.

The hotel been completely redesigned inside and out by renowned designer Nic Graham, with a bold design that celebrates our political history. QT Hotels Creative Food Director, Robert Marchetti (of Bondi Icebergs fame) is the man behind the Capitol Bar and Grill, creating a menu of bistro classics and future favourites with an Italian twist.

I was lucky enough to attend the opening last night, which gave attendees a taste of what culinary delights the restaurant has to offer (it’s already open for business) as well as showing off the funky new fitout.

Without a doubt, the pièce de résistance was the antipasto table. Its offerings last night included prosciutto covered bread sticks, Grana Padano cheese, and skewers of cherry tomatoes, rockmelon and cheese with salsa verde.

If this sounds like your kind of thing, you will be very pleased to know that the antipasto table is a permanent fixture, and you can fill your plate depending on whether your appetite is small, medium or large. For me, tempting as it might be to just eat goodies from the table and nothing else, that would mean that I’d be too full to try anything else. Which, having seen the full menu, would be a real shame.

The menu is divided into sections, including Canberra Favourites, From the Sea, From the Farm, and two that I found particularly amusing and appealing: Not a Vegetable and A Celebration of Potatoes (which includes Paris mash, hurrah!).

While these understandably weren’t on offer on the night (I am totally going back so I can try them), we did get to try some steaks from The Grill Department section of the menu. The wood fired grill where the steaks are cooked is part of the restaurant’s display, and it was fun watching the large orange flames rise up around the meat and the chefs work their magic.

The two other things worth mentioning were the cocktails and the chocolate truffles. We got to try a cocktail called Perfect Bubbles, which comprised strawberry aperitif, Plymouth gin, and sparkling wine, topped with a chocolate strawberry. If you’re wondering if it tasted as good as it sounds, the answer is hell, yes! The chocolate truffles were also incredible.

The tantalising taste of what we can expect from Capitol Bar and Grill was definitely enough for my friends and I to want more (one of them booked dinner for tonight while she was there), and I can’t wait to go back to start making my way through the full menu (and rest assured, I will be telling you all about it!).

the essentials

The place: Capitol Bar and Grill
Where: 1 London Circuit, Canberra, ACT (inside the QT Hotel)
When: Breakfast and dinner
Food: Italian-themed, including an antipasto table and wood fired grilled steaks
Drinks: Wines, beers, cocktails
Phone: 02 6247 1488
Web: www.qtcanberra.com.au