Canberra - Australia 2004 - page 600

Beaver Gallery, 81 Denison St., Deakin. & 02/6282 8416. Main courses A$12-A$18 (US$7.80-US$12).
AE, MC, V. Daily 10am-5pm.
Tosolini's CAFE/MODERN AUSTRALIAN Because it's situated right
next to the busy central bus terminal and close to the major shopping areas,
Tosolini's really pulls in the passing crowd. You can sit out on the sidewalk ter-
race and watch the world go by. The eggs Benedict (A$7.50/US$4.90) served
here at breakfast could be the best you've ever eaten. Lunchtime fare is almost as
good. Both the battered flathead and the pan-fried broad bill (both are local fish)
are tasty, but Tosolini's really made its name with its pastas and focaccias.
Corner of London Circuit at East Row, Civic. & 02/6247 4317. Main courses A$15-A$18 (US$9.75-US$12).
AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 7:30am-5pm (Tues-Sat until 10:30pm).
The Tryst MODERN AUSTRALIAN The personal touches and
service shine through at The Tryst, and the food is consistently delicious. The
restaurant is tastefully decorated in an upscale cafe style, with the kitchen staff on
show as they rustle up some of the capital's best tucker. It's relaxed, feeling more
communal than intimate on busy nights. My favorite dish is the Atlantic salmon
served with beurre blanc sauce and potatoes, but other popular dishes include the
eye filet steak and the pumpkin risotto. If you have room left for dessert, don't
miss out on the sticky date pudding served with hot butterscotch sauce, pralines,
and ice cream—it's as good as it sounds. Otherwise, the long list of daily specials
that complement the extensive menu could keep you busy for weeks.
Bougainville St., Manuka. & 02/6239 4422. Reservations recommended. Main courses A$15-A$23
(US$9.75-US$15). AE, DC, MC, V. Daily noon-2:30pm; Mon-Sat 6-10pm.
INEXPENSIVE
Caffe Della Piazza ITALIAN/CAFE Good eating isn't hard to find in
Canberra, but this place is up there with the best. It won several awards for its
Italian-inspired cooking, including the catering industries award for the best
restaurant in the state. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor dining in
pleasant surrounds, and is a good place to pop in for a light meal and a coffee,
or something more substantial. Pastas here cost around A$11 (US$7.15), and
the best seller is chicken breast strips in a machiato sauce. You need to book early
for Friday or Saturday evenings.
19 Garema Place, Civic. & 02/6248 9711. Reservations recommended. Main courses A$6.50-A$18
(US$4.20-US$12). AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 10:30am-midnight.
Little Saigon VIETNAMESE This spacious restaurant has minimalist
decor and floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the city center. Tables are
set up on either side of an indoor pond, and there's a bar in the back of the restau-
rant. The menu is vast, with lots of noodle dishes as well as spicy seafood, duck,
chicken, pork, beef, and lamb. The top seller is the lemon grass and chile chicken.
Alinga St. and Northbourne Ave., Civic. & 02/6230 5003. Main courses A$12-A$15 (US$7.80-US$9.75).
AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 10am-3pm and 5-10:30pm.
Portia's Place CANTONESE/MALAYSIAN/PEKING A small restaurant
serving up excellent traditional cookery, Portia's Place often fills up early and
does a roaring lunchtime trade. The best things on the menu are the lamb ribs
in shang tung sauce, the King Island filet steak in pepper sauce, the flaming pork
(brought to your table wrapped in foil and bursting with flames), and the
Queensland trout stir-fried with snow peas.

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