Akiba, Canberra City, Canberra, Australia

It’s been exactly three years since Akiba Canberra turned on the neon signs and opened its doors, but in a city where both menus and venues seem to change with the seasons, this busy little eatery is still going strong.

I’m no stranger to Akiba Canberra – it’s a regular favourite to visit with friends and work colleagues alike. As many of us tend to do, however, I’d developed a routine of sticking to ordering the dishes I know and love.

So the chance to formally review the restaurant earlier this month also afforded an opportunity to place myself in the chef’s hands and step outside my comfort zone.

Read more at http://theyumlist.net/2017/12/akiba-Canberra-city-Canberra-australia.html 

Little National Hotel, Barton, Canberra, Australia

While much of the international attention on Canberra recently has focused on the revitalised district of Braddon near the city’s centre, smart travellers won’t overlook the urban suburb of Barton, where you can stay and play in peace and comfort.

Barton is located less than 10 minutes’ drive from Canberra International Airport and around 7 minutes’ drive from the city centre.

During the week, Barton is a hub for business travellers and office workers from the surrounding buildings, a feature that helps maintain its profile as a particularly clean and safe location (in what is generally a very clean and safe city).

Read more at https://theyumlist.net/en/2017/11/little-national-hotel-barton-canberra.html 

Joe's Bar, The Art of Aperitivo

Joe’s Bar in the lobby of East Hotel in Kingston has been a popular installation on the Canberra dining scene since it opened its doors in August 2016.

Though it’s only been open a relatively short time, in Canberra as much as anywhere else, the key to survival in the local bar and dining scene seems to be, evolve or die.

With a seemingly endless stream of new establishments opening up every week, restaurant owners can’t afford to allow their venues to become stale, and Joe’s Bar is no exception.

Read more at http://theyumlist.net/en/2017/10/joes-ar-east-hotel-canberra.html 

Agostini's, Kingston, Canberra

There’s nothing like a vacant space in a busy location and a few ‘under construction’ signs to build anticipation. Since the popular Ox Eatery at East Hotel closed down last year, locals and hotel visitors alike have been keenly waiting to see what might come next.

No one moreso than chef Francesco Balestrieri, a familiar face on the Canberra restaurant scene, who was quietly plotting away from behind the counters of his tiny kitchen in Joe’s Bar just across the foyer.

With the full support of owners Dan and Dion Bisa, Rome-born Francesco embarked upon his ninth career restaurant build, setting out to turn the blank canvas into a stylish but family-friendly venue that also paid tribute to their own families and heritage. Indeed the name, Agostini, comes from the family – it’s the maiden name of Bisa family matriarch, Marisa.

Read more at http://theyumlist.net/en/2017/05/agostinis-kingston-canberra.html 

The Farmhouse at Pialligo Estate, Pialligo, Canberra

Pialligo Estate is located less than 15 minutes’ drive from the city centre, but it feels very much like you’re visiting a secluded country estate. 

The long-standing property and winery were revitalised in 2015 with the addition of the (now hatted) Farmhouse restaurant, under the guidance of chef Brendan Walsh.

Visiting the restaurant is a journey in itself. After driving down a country-style lane that’s dotted with garden centres and markets stalls, the Farmhouse Restaurant opens up at the end of the road. The restaurant is surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, which we later find out include a vegetable market garden and ornamental fruit trees as well as the expected vineyard. The building itself features an imposing entrance with heavy wooden doors that open to reveal several large rustic fireplaces, stone floors and wooden beams in the ceiling.

Read more at http://theyumlist.net/en/2016/08/the-farmhouse-at-pialligo-estate-pialligo-canberra.html 

Local Press Cafe, Kingston Foreshore, Canberra, Australia

Sometimes, it seems as though it might be impossible for a restaurant or café to achieve the big three: great location, great food and drinks, and great service. 

Usually, one or the other is lacking. However, Local Press Cafe really does seem to have them all.

Local Press Café can be found on the Kingston Foreshore area of Canberra, a much anticipated and growing urban waterside community that’s home to some of the city’s most exciting new bars and restaurants. The price for such a prime location is plenty of competition, but Local Press has been able to carve out a niche for itself with its focus on clean, healthy, wholesome food.

Read more at http://theyumlist.net/en/2016/08/local-press-cafe-kingston-foreshore-canberra-australia.html 

Truffle Hunt at Blue Frog Truffle Farm, Canberra

While many of us have enjoyed the intoxicating aroma and earthy taste of black truffles, it was a rare treat to be able to visit the source and join in a truffle hunt at Blue Frog Truffles in Canberra, Australia.

The Canberra Region Truffle Festival is taking place during our visit (it’s on each year from June to August) so it’s the ideal time to join one of the hunts. 

Blue Frog Truffles is located in Sutton, NSW, about 20 minutes by car from the Canberra city centre. It’s a real insight into Australia’s ‘country capital’ – with just this short drive, we’re into real agricultural land with little indication that we’re so close to a major city.

Read more at http://theyumlist.net/en/2016/08/truffle-hunt-at-blue-frog-truffle-farm-canberra.html 

Yabby Jaffles, Monster Kitchen & Bar, Hotel Hotel, Canberra

Set amongst the incredible architecture of Hotel Hotel, it would be easy for Monster Kitchen and Bar to be overwhelmed by its surroundings. 

Instead, the venue is carving out a solid reputation for hearty and sophisticated food, while attracting a lot of attention for one simple little dish in particular.

Before we explain Monster’s new signature dish, you have to understand an Australian icon known as the ‘jaffle’. It’s made by placing your desired filling – usually cooked meat and vegetables – between two slices of bread, then toasting the sandwich using a special press (called a jaffle iron) that seals the edges together, ensuring a crispy toasted outside and a pocket of warmed filling inside.

Read more at http://theyumlist.net/en/2016/08/yabby-jaffles-monster-kitchen-bar-hotel-hotel-canberra.html 

EightySix, Braddon, Canberra

Restaurant eightysix burst onto the Canberra dining scene in early 2013 and quickly earned a reputation for its unorthodox style: the relaxed manner of the staff, the steering toward share plates, and the bustling open-plan kitchen. 

What’s most important though, is that eightysix soon showed it had the skilled team and quality of food to back up its bold presence.

While our waiter and long-time employee of the business, Ross, admits they’ve toned it down since they opened, the experience is as polished as ever. This is evidenced by the crowd that packs the venue when we arrive on a Tuesday evening, on a typically cool Canberra winter’s night. The entrance, glowing yellow from the nearby neon ‘86’ sign, is definitely inviting.

Read more at http://theyumlist.net/en/2016/08/eightysix-braddon-canberra.html