Canberra
Lunch Specials @CityCafe Garema Place
Three #Canberra Beanies 
Located just a few metres from King O’Malleys (near Mort Street on City Walk)@CityCafe is one of the many hidden Asian gems that are dotted all over the ACT. It isn’t glamorous, and it isn’t pretending to be something its not. It’s fresh, authentic and healthy home-style Thai cooking that’s served quickly and politely to Canberra City’s working men and women.
This restaurant’s façade is unpretentious. In fact the whole place is unpretentious. I was greeted with a smile and ordered 2 curries and rice over the front counter. The $10 lunchtime deal includes a free can of soft-drink.
If you’re lucky you can grab a seat at the bar facing the large windows and watch the parade of interesting people walk past you while you eat. It’s just across the way from maccas, so there are a lot of interesting people to observe.
The food was served quickly and the portions were generous. I chose a chilli pork and green curry chicken and was not disappointed. It tasted great. I’ve been here a few times before for soup as well and can highly recommend it and will definitely be back.
@CityCafe score Three #Canberra Beanies!
@CityCafe doesn’t seem to be on Urban Spoon, so now I have to drop by again in the next few days to grab their phone number (one of the requirements of adding a new entry to Urban Spoon). But I’ll try and add it soon!
OK, their phone number is 0401 029 869. I spoke with the delightful Evey at the restaurant and have applied to have it added to Urban Spoon.
A funny news.com yarn about “Food and Politics in Canberra”
Anyone who pretends food and politics have nothing to do with each other, please pay more attention!
I was a bit offended by sloppy Joe’s fictitious claim today that there’s “only a few restaurants in Canberra” to choose from. But no-one has more right to be offended by sloppy Joe than Clive palmer after Joe claimed Clive is having several dinners each night! That’s below the belt Joe!
Joe said “But it doesn’t surprise me, in Canberra you bump into each other at restaurants. I mean, there are only a few restaurants in Canberra.”
And in a jibe at Mr Palmer he said: “Well, obviously Clive might have more than one meal a night so it’s quite possible you’ll bump into him in a restaurant.”
The article goes on: “But the taunts soon were turning on Mr Hockey, with Bill Shorten going food mad over the mere mention of a banana split just before lunchtime today.
While addressing reporters about Mr Palmer’s rendezvous, the Opposition Leader picked out repeated cliches from the political cookbook. While he didn’t know what the meeting was about last night, Mr Shorten was sure about a few things.
“What I do know is that Malcolm Turnbull was eating Peking duck last night, Joe Hockey’s left looking like a goose this morning and we’ve got a lame-duck Treasurer,” he said.
Mr Shorten was certainly interested in the “late night meal”, despite insisting he had no idea what was on the “menu”.
When asked whether there was anything wrong with Secretary Parkinson dining with Mr Turnbull and Mr Palmer, he said the issue wasn’t about him being a public servant.
“The issue is that clearly Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey have wheeled Malcolm Turnbull out of the freezer where they keep him.”
//
ZenYai Thai Grill Noodle Cuisine
Three #Canberra Beanies 
Today I had a delicious Tom Yum style chicken noodle soup at a Thai Restaurant on London circuit called Zen Yai. It’s located between East Row and Verity lane and after eating there today I’m very surprised its not packed out every day.
The large bowl of noodle soup was delicious! The photo below shows that there was lots of chicken and a generous topping of onions and nuts. The soup was divine and very filling. in fact I’ll happily say this was the BEST Tom Yum chicken I’ve had in a long time. I can’t wait to go back and try the prawn version.
You can see from the A-frame specials board outside that there are lots of delicious $10 lunch options to choose at ZenYai Thai Grill Noodle Cuisine.
As the printed lunch menu also reveals, there are a few dishes to choose from, but I’ve got my eyes (and stomach) set on the prawn Tom Yum on my next visit!
Zen Yai is highly recommended and deserves Three #Canberra Beanies!
Meet a #Canberra Foodie – Amanda Whitley (@HerCanberra)
Anyone who follows social media in our fair city would be aware of the popularity and success of the HerCanberra website. This website is “written by Canberra women, for Canberra women” and it is written extremely well. Although the website has had a couple of guest posts from token males (like this one) it has become another good example of Canberra’s amazingly smart, hard-working, talented and outspoken women and is highly-recommended reading.
HerCanberra features the voices of local writers, the website posts daily about topics of interest to the Capital’s female population. From ‘what’s on’ to reviews of places to eat; social commentary to health and fitness; beauty and nutrition to books and movies; fashion and motherhood to recipes and home style; if it’s part of ‘her’ life you’ll find it on HerCanberra. If you’ve ever wanted to know who’s behind it, well that would be Amanda Whitley. Amanda jokes that she manages HerCanberra in any ‘spare time’ she might have amongst all her other responsibilities and pursuits yet she manages to attend and investigate an amazing array of Canberra events, openings, celebrations and community festivals, sharing her love for our city with her growing readership both here and interstate. I recently met with Amanda at one of her favourite places in Canberra, Manuka. She shared some secrets about what interests her and what keeps her busy life on track.
Amanda Whitley, Who are you? I founded HerCanberra in January 2011 after the premature birth of my youngest daughter led me to leave the public service and start dabbling in the odd blog or two (including being the first site moderator for Mamamia – but I gave that up after refereeing one two many argument over c-sections and childcare). These days, I manage HerCanberra in any ‘spare time’ that’s not spent wrangling two gorgeous little girls, instructing Zumba, or eating. I’ve also done everything from present the tv news to operate a stop and go sign!
Amanda Whitley with some of the HerCan team at the 2013 Christmas party – 100 people attended (it was sold out).
Age? 41
How long have you been writing? I’ve been writing HerCanberra since January 2011 and had a personal blog before that as well as contributing to MamaMia. I worked as Mamamia’s first site moderator and met many Canberra women while I was doing that work. The idea for HerCanberra was something I came up knowing there was a real growing market and demand for stories and news that would be of interest to Canberra women.
Other hobbies? When I’m not herding children I teach Zumba with Latin Beat Fitness and I dance with Koco Loco. I also enjoy cooking and reading.
Apple or Android? We are a dedicated Apple family!
Car/bus/bike? Well, we have two kids so it has to be the car most days to ferry the kids around.
Favourite TV show? MasterChef Australia
Favourite devices? iPhone, MacBook Air (which is my mobile office)
Can we take a peek at your homescreen?
Most-used App? Facebook without a doubt.
Favourite social media? Facebook.
What’s the first thing you check online each morning? Facebook notifications, emails, website, Canberra Times.
What do you worry about at night? All the things I have to do the next day, because there’s only one of me.
Most exciting recent news? I was selected as one of the 100 #Humanbrochure particpants by VisitCanberra and am really looking forward to showcasing our beautiful city to the rest of Australia and the world.
Ideal career? I’m doing it! Websites are the new magazines and I always wanted to work in a good magazine. I published my first magazine when I was ten years old – it was called “Wombat”! 🙂
Recent book you recommend? I love crime novels and really enjoyed A dark and twisted tide by Sharon Bolton.
Recent online video you laughed at? Can’t really think of a video I laughed over…but the ‘DYAC’ blog gets me every time…on the first one, I kinda smile, then by the 10th I’m rolling on the floor. Damn you auto correct!
Favourite food? 86 is my current favourite place to eat in Canberra. I recommend you take your wife their on a date night Elias! Make sure you tell them you’re on a date and ask to be seated at the kitchen bench where you can watch the chefs, cooks and staff work and interact, you will be entertained.
Amanda and HerCanberra can be found on Facebook or Twitter …or listen in to hear Amanda on Radio 2CC at 6:45am each Tuesday to hear what’s on the minds of women in Canberra!
Durham Castle Kingston
Three #Canberra Beanies 
Now that the austerity hammer is pounding Canberra, finding affordable food is even more important. Earlier this week I had the pleasure of enjoying a $10 burger at The Durham Castle in Kingston.
Their lunch specials are listed on an extensive menu and you can also buy $3 middies of beer with the purchase of each lunch special. The lunch menu also includes some non-burger options.
I enjoyed a $10 “PubMexico” which came with delicious tomato relish and chilli. It wasn’t too hot.. My better half had a tasty $10 “PubChicken” and our two year old daughter shared various pieces and some of our side of chips ($2.50).
We were impressed by the table service and pleasant staff and intend on returning. With a good kitchen, polite staff and friendly atmosphere, lunch at The Durham Castle in Kingston deserves Three #Canberra Beanies.
<updated July 2014>
I recently enjoyed one other meal at the Durham castle in Kingston. I had a spare 20 minutes recently between meetings and ordered the $10 Schnitty which came with a delicious mushroom sauce.
I also ordered a $2.50 side salad and $3 beer from the great range they have on tap. The India Pale Ale Hop Hog Feral was very impressive. It also impresses one of Canberra’s better known beer experts Dan Rayner (who is on twitter as @brewbloke).
Rice Tapas Bar and Restaurant
Two #Canberra Beanies
This place might be hard to find for first-timers, it’s upstairs near Impact Comics and apart from the small sign above the staircase and an A-frame in Garema Place there’s not much advertising. Eat-in lunch specials are only $10 and the is an $8 per box selection of curries for take-away enthusiasts. I’ve tried a couple of curries and it is consistently good value and service is pleasant.
At my last visit I tried a (quite) spicy chicken curry and it was filling and tasty. The portions aren’t large but I’m currently on a diet so I was quite satisfied.
I’ve also ordered from other menus, which although more expensive than the lunch menu options, are also quite good and worth trying.
Rice scores two #Canberra Beanies and is highly recommended if you’re after quick affordable Thai food in the city.
Schnitty Post from a quality jernalism blog
You can probably ascertain from my previous posts here, here and here that I have a soft spot for a good schnitzel.
Recently via twitter I saw, read and enjoyed a blog about schnitties on a “jernalism” website so much that I wanted to share it with a few other Canberra schnitty connoisseurs as well as keep it somewhere handy for future reference next time someone in the mainstream media starts sprouting on about their so-called schnitzel expertise…
So here it is: 10 mistakes you make when writing a list about 10 mistakes other people make
I particularly enjoyed this line: “a schnitty served with a healthy covering of thick, rich gravy is one of life’s ultimate pleasures and if you think that’s wrong you really need to reassess yourself you miserable, soulless philistine”.
Apart from the schnitzel and parmy specials at the City Labor Club which I have previously reviewed, there was also this helpful list of Canberra schnitty options from a recent article in the Canberra times.
While you’re here, if you’re a really big schnitty fan, cop a load of this next time you’re in Melbourne. But read the rules carefully and whatever you do, don’t throw up!
AND… if you thought eating 1kg of schnitty in a single sitting was brave… this fine Melbourne establishment challenges you to eat 1.5kg 🙂
Burgers , cokes, fries and Tunes – The London Burger and Beers, Tuggeranong – A Review
Now that I’m on a diet I have to enjoy burgers vicariously through other bloggers (like The Food Marshall), at least for a few weeks 🙂
After watching Tweenie train in the rain for her netty, I decided she needed a treat. A Cheeseburger and fries kinda treat. A work colleague had mentioned the other day that she’d had dinner with her hubby at The London Burgers and Beers joint in Tuggeranong. I didn’t even know it existed! I still thought it was that awful La Porchetta place. Whilst waiting for training to finish, I sat warm and snug in my car on my iPad and looked up the London and read the reviews. Not so good. Oh well, we’ll still give them a shot. And I felt like a proper hamburger, so The London it was.
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Sir searches for Schnitzels in the city
Sir and M’Lady search for Schnitzels
http://sirandmladydineout.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/canberra-labor-club-canberra-city.html?m=1
Came across this interesting blog recently. One of the reviews is for one of my favourite lunch spots in Civic, the City Labor Club.
I think the price may have gone up slightly since this review was written a couple of years ago. That said, they’re still hard to beat for value and taste.
I’ll have to go back and find the photo of my last schnitzel there 🙂
Salvadorean and Himalayan delights in Gorman House
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Salvadorean and Himalayan delights in Gorman House
“Street Food” is a Sydney food blog by two travel nerds obsessed with travel food, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and international supermarkets of mystery.
Recently the Street Food travel nerds visited Canberra and Gorman House markets where they discovered a Salvadorean and Himaylayan treat (pupusas and momos).
Read more here: http://www.streetfood.com.au/2014/04/salvadorean-food-at-gorman-house-markets-canberra.html#more
CBRfoodie 