Wood & Coal: Canberra’s new Spit & Bar

Posted on 26 September, 2014

In the last couple of months, a flurry of  BBQ-based eateries have opened their doors. From the ‘international barbecue’ of Hopscotch, to the woodfire oven and charcoal grill of Black Fire…now comes Wood & Coal – a labour of love of industry veteran, John Apostolopoulos (ex-Babar).

It may be inside Canberra Centre, but John has created a little piece of the Mediterranean – all rendered arches, vines and exposed bricks on the outside; marble, black tiles and raw timber on the inside. An imposing freestanding bar is a feature of the space, and invites city workers to pop by for a quiet tipple, or stay on for something more substantial.

But what about the food? Influenced by (but not confined to) Greek cuisine, Wood & Coal  is all about the spit…from Spice Rubbed Whole Chicken to Cajun Spice Pork Spare Ribs; from Beef Ribs with capsicum glaze and Beef ‘hump’ with caramel soy and beer to Spit-roasted pig with creamed honey and maple and Yearling Lamb with oregano, garlic and rosemary… Whatever the meat, it’s cooked long and it’s cooked slow.

Photo from This Is Canberra.

Open for lunch and dinner, there are some quick, tasty and cheap options like Souva from the Spit and Lunch tasting plates and more sophisticated Large Plates like Ricotta gnudi, baby beets, golden beetroot purée, honeyed walnut, goat’s curd, black olive and Twice-cooked lamb, blackened eggplant, finger fennel, artichoke chips, bleu d’auvergne.

John has recruited some top pedigree chefs to run Wood & Coal, which promises to be a welcome inclusion to inner-city dining. Short on pretence but big on flavour, this is one to taste – and soon!

Doors officially open to the public on Monday 29 September, but the restaurant is open over the weekend to refine their service. They’re offering a limited number of diners an opportunity to be the first to try them out, and receive 25% off the food bill. Call 6162 0055 to make a booking, but be quick!

the essentials

What: Wood & Coal
Where: 7 Bunda Street
When: Opening Monday 29 September 2014
Bookings: 02 6162 0055
Web: www.woodandcoal.com.au