Trough according to Ambrosia

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.

30 September 2020

Lamshed, Yarralumla Shops 23 September 2020

Present; Jim, Karen Megan, Ron, John

This was one of our special birthday dinners, albeit almost 2 months late. Andrew still slumming it in snowy Ballarat and Kim not well.

They offered us a $60 degustation sharing plate menu and we said yes immediately

First up was cured salmon with blueberries and something on the side. Very delicate and scrumptious though some thought it need a bit more tarting up, more blueberries?

Lamb carpaccio with peas, garlic, pickled onion and fried capers was excellent as well as visually interesting.

Eggplant tempura with miso on the side was yum, appropriately crispy tempura perfectly done.

Squid with potato and paprika mayonnaise was very nice with the earthy chargrilled flavour of the squid.

Next up was spatchcock with parsnip and hazelnut. Not enough parsnip, a very understated vegetable.

This came with a crispy cabbage and sumac salad.

And there's more: gnocchi with mushrooms, yum and finally beef cheeks slow cooked in a rich sauce. Some said that was their favourite.

We could share the desserts also, rhubarb with white chocolate; some kind of cake; pear tart with caramel sauce. All superb.

Highly recommended restaurant, not too noisy, the wait staff were friendly and helpful. Wine was BYO only Tues and Wednesday at $15 per bottle, fair enough. A great evening

20 September 2020

SOI VIII 9 September Griffith Shops

Present: Jim, Karen, Ron, John, Megan, Kim

Entree:

Silver bags: full of peanuts, no corn. Most of us didn't like them because of that but Ron did like them for the same reason.

Tofu in a creamy peanut sauce.: Kim said that the tofu was nice and creamy but then Ron said he didn't like the sauce, tasted like vinegar, but he would say that wouldn't he.

Curry puffs: They were deemed to be the least liked entree, not enough flavour, too much potato.

Mains"

Chicken with cashew nuts: okay, not great. It looked pretty but didn't live up to it. Mostly harmless

Green Curry with seafood: Lovely simple flavour, well received. Ron said it was hot but the rest of us disagreed.

Duck stir fry with basil: Was superb, our favourite.

Mussam beef: rich sauce, beautifully cooked, meat was lovely and tender, the flavour went all the way through. It was the standout for the evening.

We passed on the dessert, they only had icecream with or without topping.

01 September 2020

Gary's Restaurant Erindale 26 August 2020

Attended by John, Karen, Kim and Ron.

The restaurant has changed hands from when it was The Oriental Terrace.

The entree of duck pancakes was excellent. Everyone commented how much they loved them.

The mains of Gulai Ayam, Sizzling Yushang Eggplant Hotpot, Dry Chilli Beef and Fish Fillets with Ginger and Shallots were all well received. There was a mixture of opinion as to which dish was the favourite for each of us. The Dry Chilli Beef vanished the fastest, so that may say something...

The serving sizes were quite large. Along with the rice we had to accompany the meal, we were all full.

There was no room for dessert for any of us.