Pizza Gusto
There isn’t much to dislike at Pizza Gusto. All they do is pizza, and they do it well! In fact, we would say that it’s probably our favorite restaurant in Canberra. Personally, we like to order the prawn pizza and the potato pizza, before heading to the bottle shop next door, picking up some ciders and settling in for a delicious meal.
We’ve tried almost everything on the menu. And we’ve never had any complaints. But for some reason, the pizza patate (potato pizza) just really floats our boat.
In winter make sure you rug up as most of their seating is outside, but if you have enough cider, you won’t even notice.
In fact, we would go as far as to say that our only issue is that they don’t accept eftpos, luckily you can get cash out at the bottle shop next door.
With all of the glitz and glam of Eightysix and Italian and Sons so close by Pizza Gusto is frequently overlooked. But take it from us, this place is a gem!
The CG Recommendation: Go now! And go often!
The CG Score: 15/20
Pizza Gusto:
23 Lonsdale St, Braddon 2612
02 6257 7508
Open 5.30 till 9pm Tuesday to Sunday
(image stolen from capitalfoodjournal.com)
Honkytonks
Honkytonks (or Honkys as we cool kids like to call it) is primarily a drinking establishment. We accept this. And we love it. In Canberra, $6 for a glass of wine is pretty reasonable by our standards. So we go there very frequently. Furthermore, its a great place to meet people. Outside is ‘hip’ enough to meet our college friends and yet also appropriate to take our parents (so we haven’t actually tried this, but we’d happily do so!)
However we’re sure you’ll all be surprised to know that we mainly go there for the food. Firstly, bargain! Secondly, delicious! Seriously we crave their tacos, and at $5 a taco why wouldn’t we? And we can’t think of anything better than a post work hot dog and cider. But please let us rave about their hot dogs. We’re actually not sure why they’re so delicious, maybe it’s something to do with the coleslaw crunch in every bite? Or the mustard that accompanies. Whatever, it doesn’t matter. But the next time you go to Honkys, make sure you get some food. Because if all you want is to sate you hunger with a delicious drink and a little atmosphere, it certainly doesn’t get much better than this.
The CG Recommendation: A great atmosphere and never disappoints for a casual drink (or two).
The CG Score: 15/20
Honkytonks:
17 Garema Place, Canberra ACT 2601
02 6262 6968
Open Monday to Thursday 4pm till late and Friday to Sunday 2pm till late
Knightsbridge Penthouse
Knightsbridge is our go to local in Braddon. It’s good for both afterwork catch-up drinks and late night Saturday/early Sunday morning boogie-ing. Though to be honest we mostly go for the sexy DFAT grads that seem to flock there on the weekend. But this doesn’t mean it can’t improve. In fact, let us list the ways! Firstly, it’s a terrible layout. We’re either tripping over someone on our way to the courtyard where there is a perpetual bottle neck, or we’re stuck at the bar. The proportions of the room are just way off. Secondly, its always hot. We mean, we’re always up for a cheeky dance but that doesn’t mean that we want to be slipping in the sweat of the over 30 bald man dancing beside us. And surely this is an easy fix? Being moist is fun for no one. Thirdly, the decor is shocking. Sure, vintage chic is a thing. Do we like it? No! Do Knightsbridge do it successfully? No! Seriously how hard is it to get matching furniture. Or if you are so desperate to be hip as clearly knightsbridge is, then get something from the same colour scheme? Unfortunately they don’t seem to to share my view, and instead we are left with a higgledy piggledy mismatch of unwieldy and un(viewable) furniture.
However on a better note, the staff are lovely and the drinks even better (the boys next level!) So until further notice thats where you’ll see us Saturday night!
The CG Recommendation: A great all rounder. With attractive clientele…
The CG Score: 12/20 an ever solid choice.
Knightsbridge Penthouse:
34 Mort St, Braddon ACT 2612
02 6262 6221
Open 5pm till 12am Tuesday and Wednesday and 5pm till late Thursday through Saturday
http://www.knightsbridgepenthouse.com.au/
Hotel Hotel Bar and Lounge
The Hotel Hotel bar is controversially perhaps the best bar in New Acton. Firstly, it is a fantastic space. We can’t wait to spend winter drinking away our day there. The main room in dominated by a fireplace, and it just looks so cozy. On one side is the bar, which is a beautiful timber and artfully laid out the room full of tables and booths. We were there on a Wednesday, and it was a quiet night, however due to the room’s layout it didn’t seem empty. Secondly, they have an excellent wine list. It is a great variety and isn’t especially expensive. Thirdly, the olives are delicious.
In fact we have a few very minor points of issue with the Hotel Hotel bar. Namely, its new, so the staff are at time overeager and slightly confused. The only other disappointment is that its a little out of the way and has no view.
The CG Recommendation: The perfect place for an intimate drink, whether that be a date, a friend or even your parents.
The CG Score: 17/20 intimate, polished and functional.
Note: We will have to review again once the restaurant is fully functional. We hear that it’s going to run by Sean McConnell of Mocan and Green Grout.
Hotel Hotel Bar and Lounge:
25 Edinburgh Ave, Canberra ACT 2601
02 6287 6287
Open 7am till 11pm seven days
Autolyse
Autolyse is one of the new kids on the block as far as the Canberra cafe scene goes and it’s fantastic! In fact Autolyse sourdough is crusty on the outside, and perfectly chewy on the inside, and is one of the only things that will get the CG out of bed on a lazy Saturday morning. The breakfast menu is portions are generous mouthwateringly fresh. The tomatoes and ricotta on toast is our pick, but the mushroom bruscetta is also a standout. We highly recommend the chocolate eclair and vanilla slice, once you’ve had one you can never go back. Continually baking fresh through out the day, you can always find a warm panna chocolate’ and zest almond croissants. We haven’t tried their decadent looking cakes and tarts, they look so rich and delicious that we’re waiting for a special occasion.
But the very best thing about Autolyse is that they have no eftpos minimum. This means that you can grab a coffee and sandwich to go, without stressing if its under $10. Amazing.
Unfortunately Autolyse does have its flaws. The coffee isn’t great. In fact in the past we’ve actually popped over to Roaster 23 to get a takeaway whilst having breakfast at Autolyse. Also we hate the slightly chipped fake plants they use as numbers. Great idea but poorly executed - and because we are the sort of people who notice the little things, this irrationally frustrates us. But you know what, despite this pettiness, Autolyse is good enough to keep us coming back time and time again.
The CG Recommendation: Great for brunch, kid and pet friendly, and if you don’t have time to sit get the ham and cheese (Gruyere) to take with you.
The CG Score: 15/20 good value, delicious and baked fresh - (they really shouldn’t be a 15/20 but they have no eftpos minimum and thus get bonus points.)
Autolyse:
21 Lonsdale St, Braddon ACT 2613
02 6262 8819
Open 7am till 5pm seven days
Harvest
Harvest, at least in the CG’s opinion has the best coffee in Canberra. It’s sweet, the perfect strength and has just the right amount of foam. In fact we would go as far to say that we’ve never had a bad coffee there. On top of this, Harvest is a lovely space. Somehow the dark wood finishes and wall plants, they have created a place that is perfect not only to have a cup of heaven with a friend but also settle in for a coffee on your own.
Unfortunately we rarely actually go there. This is for a few reasons: Harvest has no food beyond banana bread (because really, who wants banana bread anyway (so 2008)), no eftpos and no wifi. This is even worse that having an eftpos minimum! As non cash carrier, this is basically on par with the coming of the apocalypse.
The CG recommendation: If you’re not hungry and carry cash, then Harvest is the place for you! Their coffee is semi-orgasmic and the hot chocolate is highly recommended as well.
The CG score: 13/20 reliable and always excellent but cash only.
Harvest:
40 Marcus Clare St, Canberra ACT 2600
0433 358 024
Open: Monday to Friday 7.30am till 4pm and Saturday 9am till 3pm
http://www.harvestcoffee.com.au/
Italian & Sons
Italian & Sons has a long-held reputation for being one of Canberra’s finest restaurants. It strikes the perfect (and often difficult to find) balance between a casual atmosphere, great service and fantastic food. Its major drawback however, is its fantastic over-pricing. In any other capital city of Australia, Italian & Sons would be a top notch inner suburban family restaurant; in Canberra however, the lack of competition (or at least that’s what we at the CG assume) drives Italian & Sons to, dare we say, laziness. While the menu is full with classically delicious Italian food, there is disappointedly nothing particularly inventive or new about it.
The CG Recommendation: Italian & Sons is the perfect date night - order a carafe of italian red, get the made to order focaccia, and prepare to settle in for a great night. But maybe just don’t make it every night.
The CG Score: 15/20 consistent, delicious but expensive.
Italian & Sons:
7 Lonsdale St, Braddon ACT 2612
(02) 6162 4888
Lunch 12pm till 3pm Tuesday to Friday
Dinner 6pm till 10pm Monday to Saturday
A.Baker
A.Baker is very hit and miss. The food is delicious, though the portions are tiny; the coffee is great somedays, others it’s awful; and the service is simply shocking, but the atmosphere is fun.
Let’s start with breakfast. The breakfast menu is fun and innovative. I particularly enjoy the baked eggs, they’re zesty and delicious. Unfortunately, even with a coffee, I have yet to walk away full. For dinner, make sure you order the plates to share with at least one extra. It’s the same problem: they’re delicious but once again tiny. The other issue with dinner is that because it’s a frequently rotating menu, the chefs sometimes fail on consistency. The service is shocking. It’s difficult to engage staff, so frequently you’ll be waiting 20 mins or longer for the staff to get to you - even for a coffee order. The other issue with this is that if you attempt to order inside, you are frustratingly told that it’s table service only. On the other hand, the fit out is fantastic and the bar downstairs is one of my favourite bars in Canberra. It’s perfect for a low key date night! Relax with a pared back, concrete fit out, it’s one of Canberra’s best looking bars and while expensive (as all of A.Baker is) the wine and cocktail list is extensive.
The CG Recommendation: A.Baker is the best place in Canberra for a relaxed glass of wine and an antipasto platter, that is as long as you’re happy to wait a while.
The CG Score: 12/20 fun, industrial chic, but a few teething issues that need to be smoothed out.
A.Baker:
15 Edinburgh Ave, Canberra ACT 2601
(02) 6287 6150
Restaurant open 7am till late Monday- Sunday
Bar open 4pm till 12pm Sunday- Thursday and 4pm till 2am Friday- Saturday
