First look: Manuka’s playful new restaurant and bar OHNO!

Posted on 2 August, 2023

OH YES! It’s time to introduce Canberra to OHNO!

Now open in Manuka in a beautifully fitted-out, two-storey corner space opposite Coles on Flinders way, OHNO! is a pan-Asian restaurant with two separate dining rooms and a more relaxed bar upstairs.

You’ll know it’s gorgeous because the design team from Capezio Copeland have had their way with it, and it combines traditional Asian elements with luxe design statements.

Image by Nathan Harradine-Hale

Created by the team who brought The Pedlar to Campbell, OHNO! promises fun, frivolity and fine food—everything the inner South precinct needs as it undergoes a bit of a revival due to new apartment and hotel activity happening all around.

Simon Hammond, with partners Ben Pepper and Anthony Martin, has long dreamt of a casual yet creative space for Southeast Asian share plates, wine and cocktails.

Image by Kaarin Helmers

“We’ve all always loved Asian cuisine and opening an Asian-inspired venue has been something on the cards for several years. Mostly I find this style of venue really playful—combining great food, great drinks in casual but energetic atmosphere.”

Image by Kaarin Helmers

Located just a few stops down from Public, Simon hopes to see an after-work crowd meet up for drinks before settling in for a meal. Alternatively, it’s a place to book for dinners with friends or dates.

“We have created a multi-storey venue, with two distinct spaces—downstairs is a restaurant with a modern take on Southeast Asian dining which is relaxed and playful with amazing food and drinks wrapped up in a late night environment.

Image by Nathan Harradine-Hale

“If you are waiting to dine or just want to have a drink, upstairs will have you covered with a cocktail bar where you can drink and snack until your table is ready or just hang and listen to house DJs.”

Former Brisbane-based Head Chef Hoa Tran is in charge of the menu which features small starter dishes like Sesame Prawn Donut, with prawn mayo, bonito, and coriander cress, or Korean Fried Chicken, with BBQ gojugang, sesame, and lemon. There’s a selection of snack-worthy plates including Duck Bao with salted cucumber, shallot, fermented chilli, and Peking sauce, or Hanetsuki Ox Tail Gyoza with celery, spring onion, and spiced vinegar.

Image by Kaarin Helmers

Large share plates, meanwhile, include Turmeric and Coconut Curry with Thai eggplant, cauliflower, snake bean, and holy basil, and Cumin Lamb Ho Fun Noodles with coriander, chilli oil and onion.

If you’ve got room for dessert how does the Mango and Cardamom Brûlée sound? If not, there’s the Coconut Rice Pudding with honey melon, pineapple, yuzu and meringue.

Image by Nathan Harradine-Hale

Familiar faces on the floor include Theo Boggs (formerly Chairman Group and Bar Rochford) who is Venue Manager while Miles Cutler (formerly Rockpool and Monster) is the Bar Manager.

With 20 years in the industry, Simon has worked across a number of local favourites, including opening Shorty’s in Civic. Since the successful launch of The Pedlar in 2016, he has kept an eye out for the right opportunity to level up his restaurant offerings, wanting something more creative than a pub and somewhere that explores inventive pan-Asian dining.

Image by Kaarin Helmers

“I was all about finding that one unique spot. I really wanted a location with personality so when this space became available I knew it would be perfect as it had such great layout.

There is plenty of growth in the area at the moment which I’m always drawn to, and I think there is absolutely a market for this type of venue within the area.”

Having managed Minque bar back in the 2000s (formerly La Grange for the truly historic among us) Simon also holds Manuka’s genteel charm very dear.

“It feels a bit nostalgic to be back in this neighbourhood.”

He’d like to tell us a funny story about the name, but really, it was just something he and the team at inklab came up with which “is fun and captures the cheekiness of the venue”.