Black Star Pastry comes to Canberra, a magnum-full of wine events, gourmet train rides and more. Here’s another bite of local foodie news
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The capital’s culinary scene is serving up fresh surprises this month.
From a cult bakery making its Canberra debut to why local wine enthusiasts are raising their glasses to a boom in wine events, let’s dive into the latest morsels of food and drink news that have got everyone talking.
Cult-favourite bakery Black Star Pastry is coming to Canberra!
Home of what might just be the most Instagrammable cakes ever, Black Star Pastry is coming to Canberra for a delicious collaboration – and it’s just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Joining forces with QT Canberra, until Friday 14 March you’ll be able to indulge in two sweet treats inspired by the highs and lows of modern dating. Who doesn’t love the idea of dreary dating stories into delicious decadence? Ideal for sharing (or not – we won’t judge), you can tuck into either The Love Bomb – a decadent explosion of deep, rich chocolate flavour topped with raspberry chocolate shards – or The Ghost, which has flavour notes of vanilla, strawberry and raspberry as well as chocolate truffle and milk-coconut. Drooling yet?
Marking Black Star Pastry’s first foray into Canberra since Enlighten’s Night Noodle Markets (now but a bittersweet memory), to make the experience a little bit sweeter, each dessert will be accompanied by its very own love letter, with the hotel giving diners a chance to win an overnight QT stay, each week. Run, don’t walk, to try it for yourself.
Is this the most sip-sational International Women’s Day event in Canberra?
We think so. On Thursday 6 March Capitol Bar and Grill is raising a glass to some of the amazing women who have helped to put the Canberra Wine District on the map.
Celebrating three fabulous women behind some of the Canberra Wine Region’s most popular local wineries (Pankhurst Wines, Shaw Wines and Eden Road), you’ll start the evening with pre-dinner drinks and canapés on the deck, before indulging in a delectable three-course dinner. Each course will be expertly paired with wines, and a portion of the proceeds from tickets will be donated to Karinya House.
Plus, you can the celebration home with you featuring a mini bottle of wine, a pamper pack, and more! Keep an eye out to see when tickets go live!
We have the scoop on a new gelato vendor in the city
We don’t have an official opening date yet, but here’s a sweet scoop for you: Verity Lane Market will soon be home to a new gelato vendor.
Pazzo Gelato will be bringing 16 premium gelato flavours to the Market Hall, offering customers a delightful selection of both traditional and adventurous flavours, as well as indulgent affogatos and nostalgic sundaes. Hungry yet?
And with the announcement the Market Hall will now be open on Monday evenings, your weeknight sweet treat run just got a whole easier.
Ride a choo choo while you chew chew
I said what I said. The Canberra Capital Dining Train is hosting a unique dining experience that will impress both foodies and train lovers.
Hosting a three-course dinner on a restored heritage dining carriage, you’ll enjoy a return three-hour steam-hauled journey from Canberra to Bungendore and back.
Your journey starts at Canberra railway station where you are welcomed on board the dining carriage with a glass of bubbles and treated to a welcome platter of nibbles to settle in. Then, once the train starts steaming towards Bungendore, you can take in the breathtaking views of the valley whilst you are served your entrée. On arrival at Bungendore, you will be able to enjoy your main course as the sun sets over the horizon before the train takes off back to Canberra, when dessert will be served!
Taking place on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 March, book here.
You can now have freshly baked bagels delivered to your door
Here’s my address and take my money – a new local business is making our dreams come true.
Bagel Station is now taking orders for fresh bagels to be delivered to your doorstep. With a salted butter bagel, a jalapeño bagel and a pretzel bagel (yes, really) on the menu you’ll be sure to find something delicious to sink your teeth into. Check out their social media to see how you can get your hands on one…or six.
Raise a glass to this four-day wine festival
Grab your partner in wine and start planning because this June Canberra will be hosting the inaugural National Wine Festival – and it sounds amazing.
Featuring four days of wine tastings (think 900 award winning wines), masterclasses, themed dinners, and special events, the event will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the National Wine Awards.
You can find the details here.
Did someone say ‘road trip’? Merimbula’s tastiest day out is making its comeback!
Mark your calendars, food lovers because Merimbula’s EAT Festival is back for another year this March.
Set against the glistening backdrop of Merimbula Lake, it promises to showcase the region’s flourishing culinary scene, seeing hatted restaurants rub shoulders with boutique bakeries, while award-winning distilleries share space with specialty coffee roasters.
And this year, the line-up is seriously impressive. Read all about it here.
After Service is taking over Onzieme
Delicious food, flowing drinks, high vibes – what’s not to love? Hip hospo hosts Kieran Bunton, Theo Boggs and Brett Nebauer will be taking over Onzieme for one day only to serve up cocktails and snacks.
Taking place from 1 pm until 10 pm on Sunday 23 February, find out more here.
Calling all wine lovers – Helm Wines is hosting its annual Rare Riesling Weekend
Celebrate the beginning of autumn while tasting a selection of aged Rieslings from the Helm Wines museum collection.
Ranging from 2005 to 2019 vintages, seats are limited, so make sure to book your spot to try a good drop! Find the details here.
Not one for wine? Head along to the Canberra Craft Beer & Cider Festival instead
Consider your plans for Saturday 15 March, sorted. Australia’s premier craft beer, cider, and distillery festival is back for another year to bring the alcoholic tipples to you.
Featuring cider, seltzers, gin, vodka and other premium spirits, you can learn about Australia’s incredible craft beer evolution, enjoy live entertainment, dig into some delicious food and make the most of the family-friendly activities!
Book your tickets here.
Che bontà! Italian Place Regional Dinners are back!
Monday nights have never sounded so good. The Italian Place in Braddon is bringing back its regional dinners, and you better go hungry.
Inviting a winemaker to talk about their wines, which will be paired with some delicious dishes from both well-known and not-so-well-known Italian regions. The first four-course dinner features Carla Rodeghiero from Sapling Yard Wines, whose father is from the Veneto region!
Snag yourself a seat for Monday 24 February here.
Saint Malo embarks on a new chapter as Canberra’s premier catering and events destination
After years of elevating Canberra’s dining scene, Saint Malo and Alia are evolving to meet the changing needs of the city.
As of Sunday 16 February, the venues will close their doors to the public and reopen as Saint Malo Catering and Functions, a bespoke catering and events service. Read more here.
Take Friday night drinks to the next level at Twilight in the Gardens
We’re calling it – the Hyatt is the place to be on a Friday night. Hosting a happy hour from 4 pm until 6 pm, consider this your excuse to finish work early to go enjoy $12 boutique beers, $13 wines by the glass and $15 cocktails.
Held in the stunning Rose Courtyard, there will also be live acoustic music, a Chandon pop-up bar and a gourmet live grill, all best enjoyed under the setting sun. The best part? Walk ins are welcome!
You can find more information here.
Feature image: The Love Bomb. Supplied by QT.
