We are a group of Canberrans who have been eating out together for more than 20 years at mainly Asian restaurants, sometimes more upmarket places. The retirees amongst us also have a regular morning coffee group. This blog is primarily a record of where we went, what we ate and what we liked and didn't like. It's not intended to be an extensive and insightful review of each restaurant and each dish, hence comments are often limited to expressions such as "yum", which says it all for us.
17 January 2018
17 November 2017
Aubergine restaurant Griffith - 15 November 2017
Everyone was there except Megan who was down the Coast on a rock and fossil expedition.
Not many comments, but Ron said Yum. The Friday morning group had a few more comments. The main one was that we were not allowed to bring our own wine, but had to buy their really expensive wine (Clonakilla $400? I don't think so). Also more generally, food was nice but a bit fiddly and not really over the top. Plus it was very noisy.
06 November 2017
China Town, Weston 1 November 2017



Ron, Jim, Megan, John.
Andrew was tied up somewhere, Kim and Karen were not well.
We selected this restaurant at random at our previous coffee morning, while we were browsing google maps. One of the reviews suggested that we ask for dishes not on the menu so we did that, and what a fabulous meal we had and what a find this little restaurant is.
Linda, the owner and chef came out and had a chat to us and then said leave it to her and proceeded to bring out some fabulous dishes one after the other. She did ask us if we liked spicy and Ron said no, so none of the dishes were hot, but fabulous all the same.
First off was rock salt and pepper seafood, a fairly standard Asian dish but done to perfection. Fresh seafood and absolutely to die for scallops, freshly fried, crisp with a light batter. Best we've had for ages.
Then a chicken in black pepper sauce with potato, a recipe from Linda's grandmother in Laos. Different, subtle, great pepper flavour with mushrooms and veges.
The prawns in vermicelli and XO sauce was to die for. Fabulous smokey flavour with pork mince, complex but simple at the same time. Voted the favourite of the night. And to finish we had seafood with ginger and broccoli in a light sauce. A very subtle flavour also, but great with the ginger.
Linda's enthusiasm was infectious and was keen to get our feedback and praise. She's been there for 35 years she said, and she seems to have a loyal following, most of the other people in the restaurant seemed to know her. We'll definitely be back, next time to taste the duck with mushrooms and sprouts in oyster sauce.
She did say that she couldn't do a special menu for people on popular nights like Friday and Saturday nights though.
01 November 2017
12 October 2017
Barbeque Nation Torrens - 4 October 2017
Jim, John, Karen and Ron.
Mix Platter – chicken tikka, seekh kebab, vegetable samosa,
onion bhajee. Served with a green pesto like sauce and a red slightly sweet
sauce. All were good.
Leg of lamb curry – sauce was nice, but lamb was very
strongly flavoured.
Goan fish curry – fish was in nice big pieces, sauce was
nice and a good texture, but was too salty.
Butter chicken – definitely the best to be found.
Mango kulfi – really good.
Gulab Jamun – nice and fluffy, not too sweet.
28 September 2017
Chong Co Kingston on 20 September 2017


Attendees: Kim, Jim, John and Andrew (scribe)
Entrée: Crispy Crab Net Rolls.
Note: Nice, but small, diminutive, ephemeral. Lacked a strong taste. Could not taste the crab, but could taste tarot. Encased in a fine gauze like mesh
Note: Nice, but small, diminutive, ephemeral. Lacked a strong taste. Could not taste the crab, but could taste tarot. Encased in a fine gauze like mesh
Kangaroo
with Mixed Herbs Stir Fry
Note: We ordered a toned down mild chilli heat version of this dish. Which the staff graciously provided. This dish is usually served with high chilli heat. Lean thin cut tender moist slices of kangaroo meat which tasted beef like. Slices of onions and vegetables. Peppercorn clusters. A moist stir fry. Interesting and delicious
Note: We ordered a toned down mild chilli heat version of this dish. Which the staff graciously provided. This dish is usually served with high chilli heat. Lean thin cut tender moist slices of kangaroo meat which tasted beef like. Slices of onions and vegetables. Peppercorn clusters. A moist stir fry. Interesting and delicious
Crispy Soft Shell Crab
Note: Sweet sauce. Meaty crab pieces. Very delicious
Note: Sweet sauce. Meaty crab pieces. Very delicious
Beef Mussaman Curry
Note: Great presentation. Sweet and delicious. Flavour had soaked well into the meat.
Note: Great presentation. Sweet and delicious. Flavour had soaked well into the meat.
Prik-Khing Moo Grob (Crispy Pork Belly in Red Curry Paste)
Note: Spicy blachan like rich sauce. Yummo
Noise level of restaurant: Noisy.
Note: Spicy blachan like rich sauce. Yummo
All the mains were good. Good differentiated
selection of mains. No duds. The attendees had no trouble in finishing all
the mains.
Desserts:
Banana Fritters.
Note:
Coconut shred encrusted banana pieces with a debatable hint of a toffee like
coating. Yummy.
Sticky Date Pudding
Note: All pudding no date. The pudding had a cake like texture..
Sticky Date Pudding
Note: All pudding no date. The pudding had a cake like texture..
Wine: Provided by Jim.
Wood Park Reserve Zinfandel
Wood Park Reserve Zinfandel
Noise level of restaurant: Noisy.
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