love a mini-break

I have just returned from a fantastic mini-break in Canberra. Yes, you read that right - Canberra. Most people would ask why Canberra? 

Well, let me tell you what I discovered... 

East Hotel 

Canberra's newest 4.5 star hotel, located in between Kingston and Manuka which is a hot spot for anyone that likes (needs) good food, very good coffee and great service. East Hotel can provide all of this on site at their restaurant OX Eatery and Incredible Bar - so you need not leave the hotel... 

Husbo had booked somewhere for a dinner date (more on that later), so we started the evening with a drink downstairs at Incredible Bar. With a name like that, we were expecting something special! They stock a huge range of spirits that decorate the amber-lit bar area, specialising in Gin and Scotch Whisky/Whiskey but there are plenty of wines by the glass, traditional cocktails and local/imported beers. 

With one G&T under our belt and some warm olives to stave off hunger pains, we threw on our winter coats and walked in complete darkness through the neighbourhood streets to Canberra's Best Restaurant for 2012 Aubergine. With the best seats in the house we kicked off proceedings with a beer for him and a bubbles for me, a lovely sparkling Rose by Lerida Estate. 

We enjoyed 3 beautiful courses of perfectly balanced, creative food that was matched with wines recommended by charismatic sommelier, Josh. We both agreed that Aubergine is well deserving of their two Hat status. Definitely one to put on the list. 

A foggy Canberra morning got us up and out of bed to take a couple of snaps en-route for a coffee stop on Lonsdale St, Braddon. The line up at Lonsdale Street Roasters was a good indication that we had come to the right place for our early morning caffeine hit. 

We drove back towards the hotel, stopping at Me & Mrs Jones for breakfast. Quick service, friendly staff and perfectly poached eggs - another winner. After a quick browse through the shops along Franklin St, Manuka we met the in-laws and hit the road towards our Mother's Day lunch destination.

Grazing at Gundaroo was well worth the 25 minute drive out of Canberra. The restaurant dining rooms are part of the original 1860's building at The Royal Hotel. Grazing was nothing short of spectacular - check out the menu here. The restaurant is flanked by a chef's garden, resident chooks and a cellar door for Capital Wines including a shop selling local treats, oils and jams.

It was time to bid farewell to our nation's capital and we hit the road back to Sydney. I have to say, we both left thinking how delightfully relaxing and laid back our weekend was. There's no place like home but Canberra, you really turned it on for us. Happy Centenary, I think you're getting better with age! 


Other places for your hit list: 

National Museum of Australia - we didn't have time to peruse the exhibitions, but they have a lovely cafe for lunch, drinks, coffee and a superb gift shop! 

Australian War Memorial - the in-laws loved it here and said they could have easily spent an entire day looking at everything. Having visited once before, I opted for a afternoon nap! 

National Arboretum - we drove past this beauty but didn't have time to stop. The green-thumb in me was desperate for a look but I'll keep it on the hit list for next time. 

Canberra really is a mecca for art galleries and museums - for more click here 

And if all that just makes you hungry/thirsty: 

Public Bar in Manuka 

Urban Pantry

Old Bus Depot food markets

All this and more info is available at the Visit Canberra website

love soup

Photography by Mark O'Meara

As soon as Autumn hits, I start to crave the warmth and comfort of soup. My Mum used to make delicious soups like pumpkin, vegetable & barley, potato & leek (recipes to follow) and I have enjoyed recreating these favourites in my own kitchen. Recently, I felt the onset of a cold and I was inspired to make Chicken Noodle Soup.

This recipe is a common cure for the cold and it was a remedy I was prepared to try. I didn't have time to make my own stock (it's on the To Do List but you can find info here) so I bought the best quality liquid stock I could find in the supermarket, grabbed a BBQ chicken and all the other ingredients were either growing in my garden or already in my cupboard - easy!

Below is the recipe I made which is a combo of a couple that I found here and here.

Seriously, there is nothing better than the smell of onion and garlic sauteeing in the pan. Mmmmmm YUM! The end result was a delicious, tasty soup that made me feel better instantly!

Chicken Noodle Soup

1/2 brown onion finely chopped
2 cloves garlic finely chopped

1 stick of celery chopped in cubes

1 big carrot chopped in cubes

1 big zucchini chopped in cubes

1 bay leaf

5 sprigs of thyme tied together with string

1 tbspn olive oil 

1 blob of butter 

1-1.5L Chicken Stock (enough to cover mix by 2-3 inches)

1/2 BBQ chicken, shredded

Gluten free noodles or spaghetti broken up into 1 inch pieces 

Cracked pepper and chopped parsley to garnish

Directions:

Sautee onion and add garlic together with the butter and a bit of oil in a big saucepan until transparent, add celery and carrot and sautee for 3 mins, then add zucchini and cook for 2 mins. Add bay leaf, thyme, chicken stock and shredded chicken and bring to the boil. Add noodles/spaghetti and cook until soft/al dente.  Serve in generous bowls and add cracked pepper chopped parsley to garnish. Serve with toast or fresh bread - as you wish! 

Chicken Noodle Soup IS good for the soul...

love to explore

Over the weekend I jumped in the car with a couple of friends (and a beautiful Cavoodle) and we hit the road! We visited one of my favourite areas in NSW, the Southern Highlands. There is something about this place, it is close enough to Sydney to make it an easy day trip but once you are there, it feels like you are a million miles away.

We stopped for lunch at a gorgeous cafe called Gardeners' Kitchen in Bundanoon. We scoured the local antique stores for treasures, I picked up a great vintage-style wall clock from Nest and Burrow, stopped at a roadside fruit and veg shop for some fresh punnets of Blueberries and enjoyed a fabulous meal at Biota Dining.

If you are heading down this way, Biota Dining is a must. We had dinner in The Lounge, watching the last of daylight savings recede, the ducks playing on the pond, it was bliss! We shared croquettes, a ploughman's platter, crispy spiced squid, pea mint and persian fetta salad and possibly the best coffee I have ever had outside the Sydney metropolitan area.

What I loved most (besides my gorgeous friends, the fresh air, the Autumn leaves and the devonshire tea) - was the the thrill of discovering these cute little towns filled with interesting characters (in particular the shop keeper at Nest and Burrow who reminded me of a country version of Patsy from AbFab), the sense that you have had a long weekend away but it's only been a day trip and the wonderful things I collected along the way.


There's more to explore and I can't wait to get back!



~ Tips
Most shops close around 4pm on a Saturday so make sure you set off early

~ Love to Eat
Gardeners' Kitchen - 27 Railway Ave, Bundanoon (next to the Bundanoon Bloomery)
Biota Dining - Kangaloon Rd, Bowral 
Highlands Delights - Illawarra Hwy, Sutton Forest

~ Love to Shop
Nest and Burrow - next door to Gardeners' Kitchen
Everything Store - Cnr Exeter Rd & Illawarra Hwy, Sutton Forest
The Village Pump Antiques - Middle Road, Exeter
Lancelot Hill Antiques - 379 Bong Bong St, Bowral
Dirty Janes Emportium & Antique Market - Shop 5, 391 Bong Bong Street, Bowral
Barbara's Storehouse - 350 Bong Bong Street, Bowral

~ Want More?
Southern Highlands Tourism
SMH article Follow the Foodies