HerCanberra shares our favourite dishes of winter
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You know the HerCanberra team eats out. A lot.
It’s a privilege we never take for granted. While we always bring you honest and informed views of what we are eating and all the places we go, sometimes we feel compelled to shout out the dishes that make us stop and give a silent prayer of thanks to the culinary universe.
These are dishes that hit high notes for us, that we go back for, and that we share with our friends and family. So it feels only fair that we collate them for you, our loyal foodie followers. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
Patagonian Toothfish at Clover Dining
This new Wafu Italian restaurant has many stand-out dishes which combine Japanese and Italian flavours. But for us, the Patagonian Toothfish with Yuzu Beurre Blanc Foam, Saikyo Miso, Lime, and Ikura is unlike anything we have tried before. The fish flesh is smoky, sweet and unctuous and it is a perfect combination with the citrus and salty roe. Honestly, you will be back for more.
197 London Circuit, Civic | cloverdining.com.au
Matcha Crème Brûlée from Green House Coffee Co
How could we resist? This beautiful dish combines a hefty caramel crack of the brûlée above and a delicate matcha-scented crème below. It’s quite a generous serve so maybe order it to share. And while the sugary hit is strong, the matcha icecream is deliberately less sweet and more matcha. They’ve got this balance down pat.
Ainslie Mall, Canberra Centre | @greenhousecoffeeco
Potato Damper from Beltana Farm
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Dining at Beltana Farm is always an experience, but honestly, we are often just happy to have the bread. This fluffy round, fresh-out-of-the-oven potato damper, topped with crunchy macadamia dukkha, is worth the drive alone. We paired it with whipped buffalo ricotta drizzled with burnt honey, and it made our carbohydrate dreams come true.
Beltana Road, Pialligo | beltanafarm.au
Banoffee Shibuya Toast at Bunny Beans Night Cafe
Sticky, sweet, and perfectly indulgent, the Banoffee Shibuya Toast at Bunny Beans Night Cafe is a winter dessert dream come true. With layers of caramelised banana, rich toffee, and crisp, buttery toast, it’s easily one of the best desserts we’ve ever had, and worth every bite.
16/64 Hardwick Cres, Holt | @bunnybeansnightcafe.kippax
Pho at Pho Phu Quoc
When the frosts are bleak and maybe you feel a cold coming on, our best advice is a heart-warming bowl of Sue Le’s famous Pho. The rare beef version flies out the door, but the vegetarian version, packed with al dente chunks of broccoli, carrots and cauliflower (among many other vegetables) and a generous portion of fluffy tofu, keeps spirits high. This is a dish that never dates.
5 Badham Street, Dickson | phophuquoc.com.au
Chicken Vindaloo from Rama’s
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When you need that warming embrace only a proper spicy curry can deliver, Ramas delivers with heart and heat. The Chicken Vindaloo is a blend of tender boneless chicken simmered in fresh spices and a rich vindaloo sauce.
This family-run institution has been serving up cosy, home-style comfort for over three decades, making their naturally spicy vindaloo the perfect antidote to cold weather.
Pearce Shopping Centre, Cnr Macfarland & Hodgson Cres, Pearce | ramas.com.au
Schiacciata from Sliceria
Yeah, yeah, his pizza is world-ranked but have you tried a sandwich from Sliceria’s new Marcus Clarke Street eatery? Chef Hem bakes his schiacciata bread with as much attention to crisp and crunchy detail as his pizza bases. They are enormous, filled to the brim with ingredients, including the office fave – the Mortadella with stracciatella, pistachio cream and crushed pistachio.
115 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra City | @slic.eria
Smoked Trout Salad, Mocan and Green Grout
It’s winter. But you are sick of stodge and really want a salad. This has been a life-saving dish in recent weeks, providing comfort and nourishment within the coolest confines of one of the city’s most atmospheric cafes.
It’s kind of like a Niçoise, combining smoky, salty trout with green beans and potato. But this salad kicks goals for its beautiful nutty barley base and the divine dressing which brings it all together. Served warm, with an egg on top and a hit of dill, it is the perfect size for lunch and will keep you happy all afternoon.
19 Marcus Clarke Street, NewActon | mocanandgreengrout.net
Cookies, any flavour whatsoever, Good Neighbour
Maybe our list is listing to the sweet side with this addition, but truly, Good Neighbour sets the bar high for the best cookies in the city. Firm on the outside and gooey as all get-out on the inside, we have been sneaking out to Kingston to get our fill of a variety of inventive flavours for some time now.
There’s no bad choice when it comes to the cookie menu and each day brings new opportunities, plus a chance to embrace our childhood fantasies. Truly, their baking is superb and we love to pair our cookies (or brownies) with a matcha. Happy, happy days indeed.
1/55 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | @goodneighbour.cafe
Main Image: Clover Dining and our favourite dish of Patagonian Toothfish by Ben Calvert Photography
