curry
If you’re ever in Sydney, check out B-Kyu blog for cheap eats ideas
One of my favourite non-Canberra food blogs is the Sydney-based street-food blog B-Kyu.
B-Kyu is “a celebration of the world’s great culinary underbelly by two Sydney-based travel nerds. They dig traditional foods, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and international supermarkets of mystery.”
They recently came to Canberra to check out our annual world-famous National Multicultural Festival and were appropriately impressed.
They also wisely set aside some time to visit a local favourite – The Burmese Curry Place.
I’ve blogged on it before here and it’s one of those classic authentic ethnic restaurants that is family run and gives you consistent value for money.
It’s great to see it get the national recognition it deserves!
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.
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.
Flute Bakery
(Three #Canberra Beanies) 
This week I had the pleasure of great company and delicious food when I caught up with my friend Tara for lunch on Friday. Tara wisely suggested Flute Bakery for a pie and coffee. We both enjoyed a delicious beef curry pie and what Tara describes as “the best macarons in Canberra”. As well as the curry pie I had a cappuccino and pear galette for only $12.50!
If you like pastry or pies The Flute Bakery is worth a trip to Barrier Street Fyshwick. It’s at the Bunnings end.
Mon Thani Curry Palace, City Walk
(Three #Canberra Beanies)
I recently enjoyed the amazing flavours of Mon Thani (City Walk, Civic) for lunch. Inspired by an old review on the Riot ACT (which you can find on the page below) I decided to check out this quiet restaurant with the hand-written signage pasted to the windows.
This is totally no-frills. You order and pay at the counter from a limited choice of 7-8 dishes. No entrees. No deserts. But wow! tastes great!
For only $8 you eat in with your choice of two curries and a generous serving of rice. Drinks start at $2 so this is a genuine $10 nutritional meal of internationally renown cuisine (Burmese and Thai) that will leave you satisfied and happy.
Am surprised that this place is still relatively unknown but think it might have something to do with the lack of publicity. It wasn’t even listed on Urban Spoon (until I added it a few days ago, along with the link below). I now need to remember to look up the correct phone number my next chance in Garema place. Urban Spoon only lets you add restaurants if you can include their phone number. Can you tell I didn’t know it? Before you ask, yes I tried to look it up online to no avail 🙂
Here’s a link to the Riot ACT review of Mon Thani
CBRfoodie 