2013 has been a big year for Canberra foodies. It seemed that not a week went by when there was some new place opening its doors… Some were an instant success, like eightysix and A.Baker, others (like Barcode) weren’t so lucky.

And, while Summer is traditionally quiet for restauranteurs, this year is bucking the trend with a handful of new eateries choosing to open their doors in the last month. We had a taste.

Remedy by Lonsdale Street Roasters

This little ‘hole in the wall’ marks the Lonsdale Street Roasters’ (LSR) entry into the Southside market, and it’s joining the increasingly-buzzy Kingston Foreshore at just the right time. Canberra has become coffee-obsessed in the last couple of years, and LSR has led the charge. No doubt its cult following will serve it well south side of the bridge.

Remedy’s look is bare industrial – all glass, concrete and raw surfaces, with coffee beans and accoutrement the only ‘styling’. Oh, and then there’s the kayak suspended from the roof by ropes (Braddon has its bikes, this waterfront venue has its boat.)

Remedy is casual, the service friendly with absolutely no pretense, and it’s all about the coffee. Owner, Alistair Evans, says there will be a few bites to eat – think Italian coffee bar style – but the focus is well and truly on the brew.

Unfortunately, I’m not a coffee drinker…I just have never found a taste for it…but I’ve been told I’m just not drinking the right coffee, so I put myself in Alistair’s hands and he produces a chocolately, not-too-bitter at all cappucino. Although I don’t think I’ll ever be a caffiend, it’s not half bad. But I’ll leave it up to the connoisseurs to cast their vote on whether it’s their new inner south coffee spot of choice.

Open 7am til 3pm seven days, but closing over the Christmas New Year period. Find it at the Kingston Foreshore, near C Dine Bar.

Little Brooklyn

It’s been a long time since Green Square has been truly cranking, but the opening of Little Brooklyn promises to breathe new energy into Kingston’s nightlife. This partnership between industry heavyweights, Soc Kochinos (Bellucci’s, Public Bar, Cream, et al) Frank Condi (Sub-Urban and Edgars Inn) and Pawl Cubbin (Zoo Advertising and Public Bar), has transformed the old pollie stomping ground of The Holy Grail into a stylish and airy place for drinks and casual eating.

Its fitout boasts a (practically compulsory these days) industrial feel – exposed air vents, distressed leather banquettes, wire grilles, exposed bricks – but it’s unapologetically ‘pub’, with at least three large screen tvs dotting the walls. And that’s clearly the market they’re playing to – those that miss a good old fashioned pub, where they can come for a beer or uncomplicated (but nevertheless tasty) meal, and just relax…or yell at the sports on the screen. 

The menu is varied, ranging from American style food like Hot & Numbing Lamb Ribs ($18) and Brooklyn Burger ($20) to my Lamb and Labneh Salad ($20), and there’s plentiful wine list, featuring local and further afield, plus cocktails. For the record, the lamb salad is HUGE and amazing…the meat is literally melt in the mouth, the baby beets punchy and the honey labneh a lovely sweet complement. However, I’m somewhat confused by the addition of roast cherry tomatoes, as they seem out of place in the dish…and when I check the menu, they’re not mentioned. An overenthusiastic new kitchen, perhaps? In any case, no biggie, I just put them to the side.

At lunch this place is easygoing and breezy; the outside areas (both in Green Square and the tiny beer garden) inviting; and would be a great place to bring kids. Friday nights and weekends, though? I suspect it will become the new ‘it’ place for serious drinking…and I’m a bit old for that. Bottom line? Anything that helps Kingston get its mojo back is fine by me…especially if they do a rocking lamb salad. Stay tuned for Wendy Johnson’s full review, coming soon.

Open 11am til late seven days in Green Square, Kingston.

Mood Food & Co

Believe the social media hype, and you’d think that new Lonsdale Street player, Mood Food & Co, was going head to head with eightysix. “Missing some personality with your fine food? Loud food with matching characters sets the mood for one of Canberra’s newest food spots,” its Facebook page proclaims.

In reality, Mood Food is less l’enfant terrible and more stylish young adult. It’s a warm and cheerful space; timber, concrete, glass and greenery combining to create a welcoming environment. The food also shows a certain maturity, spanning Mod Oz to traditional Brit (reflecting the heritage of Head Chef, Craig, who previously worked in a Michelin-starred restaurant in Surrey), to more eclectic influences.

I lobbed in for breakfast, lured by the gorgeous Facebook image of their One Pan Remedy (a tantalising combination of chorizo, tomato, potato, poached eggs and pesto). It was good…but it lacked a little oomph didn’t look anything like the pic (I really should have learnt my lesson from years of trying to replicate Donna Hay recipes).

BUT. It’s early days…talking to Craig and owner, Kane (former manager of Xchange on London) they see the Christmas period as a chance to get things right, and are keen for customers to tell them where they could do better. My two cents (based on the single dish I had)? A little more freshness and colour, less time in the toaster for the bread, and some time for the floor staff to find their feet, and Mood Food & Co will be a great, reliable and enjoyable place to eat…at any time of day. A welcome addition to the growing neighbourhood feel of Lonsdale Street.

Open 7am til 11:30pm every day except Christmas Day for breakfast, lunch and dinner on Mode 3, Lonsdale Street, Braddon.

The Cupping Room

We first introduced you to The Cupping Room concept back in October. Opening its doors in late-November, this specialty coffee bar is the latest venture of the guys from ONA Coffee…so you can be assured that you’re going to get a superior caffeine experience. As you’d know by now, beans aren’t my thing, so I’ll stick to talking about the food and the fitout.

This gorgeous, timber-window lined space on the corner of London Circuit and University Avenue is perfectly situated  to capitalise on the area’s concentrated population of public servants and uni students, and when I popped in for lunch bang on noon on Tuesday, it was already cranking. The substantial outside area was packed, and the inside filled quickly, but the staff are friendly and accommodating.

It’s a fresh, breezy interior with lots of room for diners and sippers – there’s an area for ‘cupping sessions’ (coffee tasting and education) and a large coffee-serving area, with a teeny tiny kitchen pumping out an impressive array of all day breakfasts and lunches. It’s a diverse menu, with influences ranging from British (Cupper’s Crumpets) to Asian (Dragons Eggs) to South American (Pollo Tico), and the two-chef team is getting them out as quickly as humanly possible.

Perhaps the micro kitchen team is the reason that our meals take a good half hour to arrive and, when they do, they’re a little underwhelming. They’re still tasty – don’t get me wrong – but my Gallo Pinto aka Spotted Rooster ($16)  – barberry and smoked paprika rice with black beans, fresh corn and roasted peppers. Served with chorizo and fried free range egg – has big chunks of cooked rice that hasn’t been separated properly when recooked; and my husband’s steak sandwich and bacon is a little anaemic. However, the (substantial) menu looks exciting, and we plan to give it another go during the quiet January period – perhaps for breakfast, so the kids can try the housemade Coco Pops!

Open 7am to 4pm weekdays (kitchen closes at 2:30pm) and 8am to 3pm weekends. They’re shutting up shop after end of trade on Saturday 21 December until Monday 6 January.

N.B. The author dined at her own expense each time.