The latest in foodie news, events, and products – including a Wonderland concept bar complete with teapot cocktails, a local legend’s foodie ventures, and Royal High Tea for the Queen’s Birthday.
‘The Alice’ offers immersive cocktail experience in the City
There’s a Wonderland inspired concept bar – The Alice – now open in the heart of Civic. For 12 weeks, Zoo Bar is hosting a magical journey where guests can create their own liquid concoctions under the watchful eye of The Mad Hatter. Expect things to get curious and curiouser, as you dive through the looking glass to paint the roses red, play croquet with flamingos, and enjoy an ‘Eat Me’ cupcake! Solve riddles to unlock all the ingredients to create enchanted teapot cocktails. The 90-minute alternate reality experience costs $49.50 per person.
Book now at explorehidden.com/city/canberra/list
Harris Farm Markets will open at Majura Park
A new Harris Farm Markets will be erected at Canberra Airport, in the Majura Park retail precinct, in time for Christmas 2023. Joining retail giants Costco, Woolworths, and Aldi, the new markets are said to offer a “gourmet grocery” at Majura Park. Planned to take up 4,500sqm, construction will commence mid-2022. This will be Harris Farm Markets’ 29th location, the first in Canberra, offering their signature “farmers market style” that includes a café, juice bar, nut station, flower market, cut-to-order butchery and dry-aged meat fridges, and a deli offering more than 500 cheeses. Harris Farm Markets co-CEO Tristan Harris, one of the three Harris sons who now run the company after their parents stepped back from the business, said the market is anticipated to offer upward of 120 jobs for the local ACT community.
From footy to foodie
Former Canberra Raiders captain, Terry Campese, has announced the opening of the ACT’s first ever Burrito Bar and Smokin Burgers n’ Ribs. Tuggeranong locals are welcomed to join the fiestas at South.Point Shopping Centre on Anketell & Reed Streets. Campese and business partners are offering Burrito Bar classics: burritos, nachos, quesadillas, enchiladas, fajitas, ribs, and of course, Taco Monday and Wings Wednesday. This venue is fully licensed, so the margaritas are sure to be something to taco ‘bout. Burrito Bar was voted number 1 Mexican in Queensland and Victoria in 2021, and the former rugby star says he wanted to bring that excitement to Tuggeranong, “where friends and family can come together to enjoy some good food!”
Call 6293 9772 for bookings.
Winederlust Podcast explores day trips from Canberra
Local woman Jeanene Kennedy is renewed for a third season of mapping out Australia through top wine regions. The Winederlust Podcast Season 3 launched this week, Monday 6 June. Kennedy showcases a different Aussie wine region in each episode, through insightful interviews with local industry experts. She pairs this with go-see tips on the area. “The podcast came about because I couldn’t find anything quite like it,” she says. “I wanted to travel to different wine regions and learn about the wine varieties, but also really get a feel for the area and what I could see and do while there, particularly with a young son. I don’t think many people realise how many wine regions there are here. There are over 60 regions and sub-regions of wine Geographical Indications in Australia.” Her explorations of this gold-wine extend from famous regions like Hunter Valley, to the lesser-known Southern Highlands, Gundagai, and right here in Canberra. This season will focus on wine getaways that are easy drives from the ACT.
Listen to the Winederlust Podcast on your favourite podcast platform.
Walter Café opens its doors on Lake Burley Griffin walk
The highly anticipated Walter Café has opened on Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin walk. Sitting within The Marion, the indoor/outdoor venue has been closed for over two years. Now Walter Café is open for early commuters and brunch lovers alike, with chef Matthew Ouwerkerk’s menu, that heroes local produce, available daily from 7am. Breakfast options include: Alaskan crab omelette with chilli, coriander and lemon; ricotta hot cakes with caramelised banana, wattle seed butter, manuka honey and pecan crumble; and chilli scrambled eggs with feta and a potato and rosemary focaccia. The lunch menu will consist of burgers, sandwiches, and sides. The fresh interiors are a buffet of sage green and mid-century modern, capitalising on the views of Lake Burley Griffin the location has to offer.
Bookings available now at waltercafe.com.au
Royal High Tea at Pialligo Estate
In celebration of the Queen’s Birthday, Pialligo Estate is hosting a Royal High Tea at the Glasshouse. Guests can indulge in a three-tiered selection of afternoon delicacies, including “her Majesty’s favourite”, Chocolate Perfection Pie, an assortment of finger sandwiches featuring meats and seafood from the Estate smokehouse, and (of course) scones with cream and Estate preserves. Expect a glass of something sparkling on arrival, and an extensive selection of fine teas. Recover from your postprandial torpor (AKA food coma) with an additional glass or two as you take in the sweeping vistas. Bookings are essential, at $69 per person, $30 for kids under 10. Enjoy the morning or afternoon session on Sunday 12 June.
Visit thepialligoestate.com.au/royal-high-tea for reservations.
Grill’d Local Matters
Throughout June, Grill‘d’s Local Matters program is dedicated to three major charities supporting organisations that help Australians facing homelessness and other societal disadvantages – St Vincent de Paul Society, The Salvation Army, and Australian Red Cross. Guests can contribute by simply heading in-restaurant and allocating their Local Matters token (from each burger purchase) to vote for their chosen charity. At the end of the month, Grill’d will count votes towards a nationwide tally, and provide a financial donation allocation to the charities.
More info at grilld.com.au/localmatters
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